UK time is: 22:52:23

Vital Login

Social Login

Aston Villa News 24/7

Choose your club

Other Sites

Network Navigation

Vital Partners

'If It's Football, It's Vital'

Check out the forum! There are 94 members viewing right now and 1776 visitors today.... Click here to join in!

Lambert - We Didn't Give Ourselves A Chance

Paul Lambert has said we spurned too many chances to take the lead in today's game against Spurs, and when we do that we will pay for it.

Speaking to the Official Site after the 2-0 loss, the gaffer said we missed 'pivotal chances' and ultimately that again cost us the game:

'When you come to places like this, you have to take your chances. Their first goal was very fortunate, we had two chances beforehand. I said to him just then that you have to score at this level, Christian has to hit the target with his header, they were terrific chances. He's only a young lad and he will learn every day but at this level you have to score.'

As for our general performance, ignoring the fold after their first goal until we found our head's again, Lambert said short of taking our chances, he felt we played relatively well and were in the game competing for large periods of the match:

'I thought we gave a very good account of ourselves. But, as I said, the big moments were when we had the chances to go one up, not once but twice. They were massive moments. I can't fault the effort, that was there in abundance but we pick ourselves up and go again now. I am disappointed to lose but some of the things in the game were really pleasing.'

It's a reasonably fair summation as for large parts of the game, although Spurs looked the more likely to take the game, there wasn't really much better us in terms of clear cut chances until they went ahead.

Midfield has to be an issue that is addressed though, we aren't balanced properly as we seem to be either too defensive or we go too gung ho and everybody will have their own opinions on whether Benteke or Gabby had done enough in the previous game to warrant starting again, especially over Bent after he scored.

It was the right choice after the City game I think, but not after the Albion performance and it's disappointing because it was a game we could've again got something from.

Spurs Forum Thread.

Vital Villa on:

Vital Villa on:

Join Vital Villa

It's easy to REGISTER, simply click the link and enjoy getting involved!

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for the British GP

Seconds Out! Vital Boxing is here!

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.

Writer: Mike Field

Date:Sunday October 7 2012

Time: 7:13PM

Your Comments

My God, I hate Spurs.

PiperUK

For me the lack of balance in Midfield is because we are missing Ireland and we dont really have a LM... Nzog is largely disappointing, Bannan is poor, Delph wont stay out wide, Holman is a natural LM IMO and will provide little wide and Gabby wants to be a striker...

CDX_EIRE

I'd honestly go KEA, Delph or Herd, Bannan and Holman at the minute. Let KEA and another sit back protecting the defence, then Bannan for the distribution and Holman as the outlet. When Holman is tired, try Albie in that position with permission to hit both sides of the box for his crosses. What we seem to do at the moment is either have 3 defensive mids so we create very little, or have 3 offensive mids and we get cut apart.

mike_field

At the end of that game we had KEA, Bannan Nzogbia and Gabby in the middle. Or perhaps it was 4-2-4 by that stage in which case just KEA and Prince Barry - who then ended up as the full back. Heres something else about todays selection - we had ONE covering on the bench for the back 4 (Lihaj). You have six outfields on the bench ergo shouldnt at least 2 cover the back four....? And Eric can play CB if needed but is not good enough to start FB ? Very bad day at the office.

malacaxeta

Zog was our only threat in the second half!! Benteke went missing when Bent came on who also went missing in Gallas pocket. Can't disagree with what PL has done. Our squad is still pony so we don't have a lot of options from the bench to even have defenders on there. The 3 that came on did the same last week and they changed the game in 1 way or another but this will not work every week...

Villan444

sorry but thats just rubbish. Nzogbia did nothing but dribble into trouble and lose the ball. Also, it was the same 3 on but not the same three off ! Taking Holman off was probably the big mistake. And this was Spurs not Albion (where the stats clearly show we dominated and did not cede midfield).

malacaxeta

Agree with the three coming off entirely as I said previously. Zog was at least bringing the ball out and looked dangerous even if no end product was there. He is playing in his preferred role at last. No-one else was taking the game to them. Rather that than Bannan attempting Hollywood balls every touch or Bent trying flickons or to hold up and all losing it also.

Villan444

so PL can see that the issue is missing guilt edge chances. wonder if he will be man enough to admit his own mistake in leaving the most natural finisher at the club on the bench and playing Benteke who looks more like Heskey with every game. I can understand trying to find the right combination in midfield and the range of opinions on Delph and Bannan show that its not an obvious choice but everyone who was at the Albion game knows that Bent should start ahead of Benteke

AVbornandbred

Delph with Bannan plus KEA & Holman in a 4-4-2 would be interesting....seeing as #nowingers is trending these days. The ship has not quite sailed yet for me as far as Bannan is concerned, hes got a long way to go before he is as good as he thinks he is but ironically his performance today as stand-in FB was actually quite impressive. He needs to add muscle. There is of course an Ireland-shaped elephant in the middle of all this debate. Be good if he is back for November.....

malacaxeta

Whatever the trend is we need to play to the team strengths but with all of the tinkering we are not sure where the strengths are. 442 could be suicide away from home but seems to work for us. For me it is who we have in midfield and how they are set to play. Good point made earlier about 3 holding or 3 attacking, no mid ground at the moment and that is leaving us open. Teams like Spuds will pass us off the pitch if it wasn't for the closing down today which was a bright point of our play without the ball. sadly we are lacking invention again with the ball and maybe that is us missing the likes of Ireland et all?

holte ender 1969

To give ourselves a chance, we have to take our chances.... simple! So why no DB9 in the starting line up? Totally stupid IMHO!

Pride of Lions

i hate to say it but we are a very poor side. Weak in ALL areas, they limited funds that Ellis Mark II gave Lambert to spend in the summer have not been spent wisely. We had a poor squad and all we have done is replaced older average players with young or inexperienced average players. Its a recipe for disaster and one that could cost us our premiership status. I returned my season ticket on the back of our summer dealings and it was one of the toughest decisions Ive had to make but now I dont regret it at all. Call me a **** fan if you like Im just fed up of the club taking me for a mug.

We're Not Fickle

When Champions League contenders take on Championship contenders, a two-nil win victory is what is to be expected.

OnMeHeadFred

Had we have taken our chances we would probably have won. The guy who takes chances was on the bench. The only player we have who has scored in more than one game this season (scored in three games) was on the bench. I would see that as PL ensuring that the squad knows who is boss and that if you think that running to the press will help . . . .then it won't. A bit of short term pain for the club to ensure the long term gain. See that 444 is again having a pop at the club he is supposed to be supporting. Apparently our squad is 'pony'. Well other than a couple of missed chances our 'pony' (for those who do not understand the meaning of 'pony' it is rhyming slang 'Pony and Trap = crap) squad matched Spurs and should have come away with the 3 points. Guzan hadn't had to make a save of note before their lucky deflected opener. But we are 'pony'??? And as for ''We're not fickle" saying he returned his season ticket before the season started then he (or she) obviously doesn't see the irony in his/her user name. You couldn't make it up!!! Most sane people will see good things happening at our club and a sound, efficient, financially stable and capable football team taking shape. There will be ups and downs and there is natuaral disappointment in defeat, but the knee jerk reactions of some would be quite funny if it wasn't so sad. Up the Villa. The 19th minute.

voiceoftheholte

Makes me laugh about all the folk screaming for Bent .... all last season they were moaning that Bent can't play up front on his own, now they want him up their away from home against an in form and lethal Spurs team on their own patch !! ... if we'd played 4-4-2 against them yesterday it would have be 5 or 6-0, we had to try to neutralise their full backs with a 4-5-1 .... Benteke is a target man, he had a mare of a game, but he is still a target man, Bent isn't. We had good spells and we will improve, it's a brand new team FFS. UTV

astonmilan

Benteke has at least been there to miss his chances. He is a proven goalscorrer but young and inexoerienced in the PL and will get better. Just look at what happened to Torres after he left Lpool. It sometimes takes time to come good, but Benteke potentially links up better, works harder, and will add more to the team's chances of winning than Bent often has. But hopefully Bent will respond too. Agree VOTH entirely.

stennyvilla

Nzogbia was good when he came on from where I was sitting. Bent poor as usual.

Villa_Grizzly

Shut it voice. Several people commenting, respond to others who said the same rather than try to pick an easy target as I'm sometimes willing to say what I think you pussy. Squad will come good but is pony at present.

Villan444

voiceoftheholte - im a realist and could see what a shambles we were after the everton game. Why should I invest my hard earned £ in the club when then club has given up? Im far too old to get in to the "I'm a better fan than you argument". I made my decision to return my ticket and I'm pleased I did. the club took the p*ss out of us last year and they have done it again this year with they inadequate transfer funds made available, the squad needed a complete overhaul so all that they made available was £20m, its a disgrace.

We're Not Fickle

Have to say the Benteke slating is a little bit embarrasing! Yes he has missed a couple of sitters but the kid is one for the future and needs games to get settled in. Dropping him now would rip his confidence to shreds. I have lost count of the amount of sitters Benty has missed for us but i still rate him as a player. I think he dropped bent for whinging to the press after the game against WBA. Lambert will be a success if not this season then next. I for one would be happy with a mid-table league finish and a good cup run....are we on target for this...yes...are we playing better football than last year...yes. Lets have a bit of optimism

villa-mose

For anyone who doesnt think we are any better off than last season just remind yourself how we played last November at WHL. http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/505974/Live/England-Premier-League-2011-2012-Tottenham-Aston-Villa Then take a look at how we did this time round http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/614976/Live/England-Premier-League-2012-2013-Tottenham-Aston-Villa We are getting better and without a doubt playing better. I dont expect us to finish above 15th place and the season will be a struggle but things are slowly moving in the right direction, I wont be panicking unless we are still in the bottom 3 after Christmas.

godplayed4villa

Fear - thanks Dad. If 444 has the minerals to show himself in the top of the Holte he will be taking the shortest route to a trip to the bottom of the Holte. Stroker!!

voiceoftheholte

I'm the daddy.. correct! Well, of the site... Ok, I'm not even in control of that really, you lot are. The lunatics have taken over the asylum. Bet face to face, as Villans, you'd get on fine. Easy in my opinion to ignore those you don't like though. Of course, we don't encourage users to call others a pussy or others to say they'd throw them off the holte...

Play nicely chaps! You both (as a lot of us do) do have strong opinions but at the end of the day, we all want the same, the best for OUR club.

The Fear

Pussy! : )

Steff_the_Villan

Fear, do we all have to call you Dad now because I find that a bit sinister. I've spoken to my dad as well as he's not cool with it either..... By the way, you should have been in the Holte Pub before the WBA game and you could have had a pit with Mr Ken McNaught.

juddy

Apologies Fear also. This is really pathetic and I shouldn't lower myself. Reading this tripe is like watching an Eck team playing for the 0-0 draw for 90 mins.

Villan444

Dont think we need to go there do we ? We can disagree and argue our corner without this .Could have used you two 40 years ago when Millwall were up the back of the Holte burning Villa scarfs to a chorus of were only warming up ! At least the present Boss and team are giving us something to debate unlike last seasons dross.I think we are in for a long hard season with this young team but hopefully the sort of passion shown on here in support can keep us up.

Merlin128777

Get over it boys, its just football.....

GibboVilla

up to you juddy LOL... ahem, maybe not!!!!!!

Deleting the rest, it just isn't on for an open site for all to discuss football. Voice, please stop ignoring my requests, it just makes for terrible reading apart from for the two of you arguing. Cheers 444, apology accepted and yes, I was trying to stop it both ways!

The Fear

Have Your Say

with your social network OR with your Vital account

Recent Articles

Seville Confirm Luna Interest (Tuesday June 18 2013)

Bacuna Speaks Roncrete & Improvements (Tuesday June 18 2013)

The AVFC Summer Transfer Action So Far (Tuesday June 18 2013)

Giant Striker Joins Villa! (Tuesday June 18 2013)

Vital Villa Interviews 2013 - Villa67 (Tuesday June 18 2013)

Vital Villa Interviews 2013 - Connerz1874 (Tuesday June 18 2013)

Pre Season Ticket Latest (Monday June 17 2013)

Matty's Mr Consistency (Monday June 17 2013)

Vital Villa Interviews 2013 - Draig Cymraeg (Monday June 17 2013)

Go To Hull Bent! And An Inward Coming Striker (Monday June 17 2013)

Archived Articles

Vital Villa Articles from 2005
Vital Villa Articles from 2006
Vital Villa Articles from 2007
Vital Villa Articles from 2008
Vital Villa Articles from 2009
Vital Villa Articles from 2010
Vital Villa Articles from 2011
Vital Villa Articles from 2012
Vital Villa Articles from 2013

Vital Members League (view all)

1.	The Fear	393
2.	Pride of Lions	368
3.	ClivetheVillan	321
4.	BodyButter	197
5.	DeanoVilla	182
6.	CDX_EIRE	167
7.	mike_field	167
8.	Green Tea	152
9.	HeathfieldRoad1874	148
10.	Trekker	146

League Results (view all)

Latest Results
Wigan	2	-	2	Aston Villa
Aston Villa	1	-	2	Chelsea
Norwich	1	-	2	Aston Villa
Aston Villa	6	-	1	Sunderland
Man Utd	3	-	0	Aston Villa
Aston Villa	1	-	1	Fulham

League Table (view table)

Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
12. Fulham	38	11	10	17	-10	43
13. Stoke	38	9	15	14	-11	42
14. Southampton	38	9	14	15	-11	41
15. Aston Villa	38	10	11	17	-22	41
16. Newcastle	38	11	8	19	-23	41
17. Sunderland	38	9	12	17	-13	39
18. Wigan	38	9	9	20	-26	36

Breaking League News

Saints Season 2012/2013 Review - Goalkeepers

» Southampton : 18/06/2013 22:27:00

Madness Confirmed.

» Newcastle : 18/06/2013 21:48:00

Liverpool: International Heartbreak For Borini

» Liverpool : 18/06/2013 21:17:00

Elliot Ward Joins Bournemouth

» Norwich : 18/06/2013 20:38:00

Isco Torn Between Man City & Real Madrid

» Man City : 18/06/2013 20:13:00

Yankees' Lawyer on Man City MLS Partnership

» Man City : 18/06/2013 19:59:00

Pennant Given Another Chance

» Stoke : 18/06/2013 18:20:00

Current Site Poll (view all polls)

Click here to suggest a poll...

What do you think of the new kits?

Suggested By: JP Fear

	Love the home and away kits	66%
	Love the home kit	6%
	Love the away kit	13%
	Dislike the home and away	7%
	Dislike the away	6%
	Dislike the home	2%

Cookie Policy
At Vital Football, we along with most other modern websites use small files called 'cookies' to create the most secure, effective and functional website possible for our users. Without these files our business model, based on advertising, breaks down and we would be unable to continue to provide the services that you are here to utilise. By continuing to use this website after seeing this message, you consent to our use of cookies on this device unless you have disabled them. For full details please read our Cookie Policy which can be found here. However, if you would like to disable cookies on this device, please view our Cookie Policy which contains an opt-out tool for disabling advertising cookies. Please also visit our information pages on 'How to manage cookies' if you would also like to block all other types of cookies. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies.