Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: Mike Field 
Date:Thursday December 6 2012
Time: 9:00AM
UK time is: 02:44:59
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Gabby - Progress Can Be Seen
Gabby Agbonlahor has said that he thinks everyone can see the improvements in the squad over the recent few weeks, and that they can only get better.
Speaking to the Official Site Gabby explained that he was excited to see where the team could go once they fully click and everyone is firing on all cylinders, and he believes that fans can see the progress being made on the pitch following all the hard work the squad put into training.
'I've obviously been in quite a few different Villa teams through the year, and I'm excited about this one. It's an improving team, I feel we are progressing each week, you see development in each game. It's a really good team in the making, but there's definitely progress already.'
Gabby adds the obvious caveat that we are a work in progress, Lambert isn't seeking a quick fix and that it's a long term plan and we should more than reap the dividends in the future, and do feel that everybody knows that and is going with it, but the problem is for many, is the plan too long term, and do we have enough about us in the here and now?
'It's a fresh approach, it's about building, getting a close knit group of young and hungry players who will develop together. Look at some of the success stories this season. We had Derrick Williams come on against QPR, he did really well and didn't look out of place. Ashley Westwood, he's come straight in and impressed everyone and then there's Matt Lowton, he looks a Premier League player and he looks like he's been playing in this division all his life. These guys will only get better.'
And they will, we just have to hope it comes together sooner rather than later.
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Your Comments
Everyone? Reading and QPR performances were not good. Sorry! I'm hoping for massive signs v Stoke though, as I live in hope.
The Fear
Coming together slowly Mike, sooner is what Lerner tried first time round. With the infrastructure, academy, European scouting network and one of the best up and coming modern managers who actually understands the modern game and tactics we are starting to put AVFC into a sustainable Premier League club that will have the ability to compete in the league for years to come. UTV
astonmilan
Fear, the Reading and QPR games were poor, but both were 'do not lose' games and 4 ugly points are better than the 'pretty and fluent' none from the Man Utd game. Lambert has shown he knows what is required in the less glamorous fixtures where point for safety count, QPR's squad is a very experienced one and the young guns did us proud. Fergie once said ' a month in the Prem playing is better than two years in the reserves learning' ... we will become better for these experiences. UTV
astonmilan
astonmilan you've known me long enough now, you can call me The. No need to be so formal! Yup, agreed, although I'd have said both were must win games, second half v QPR we set up not to lose, if he who shall not be named had done that, he would have quite rightly have been slated. Hey, I'm just in a grump mate, don't like the way we've been set up, I LOVE building for the future, wish we had the right manager when Randy was first splashing the cash, to do that. BUT I also want the here and now, we haven't catered for that and again, we've taken a huge risk. Long term, even maybe medium term, I buy it. But I don't buy the way we've started this season and I'm not being wise after the event, I said this before the season started. So have people who have played the game like Martin Laursen recently. It is a dangerous game we are playing. Keep playing it and we will get caught out. Just hoping there are worse in the league and that we continue the build come next summer. Fingers crossed mate.
The Fear
You have to smile.... there's Gabby putting himself up to be shot at..... Lol Progress and iprovement can be seen with most the squad, but I can't say Gabby has improved.... he's still mank!
Pride of Lions
I love Gabby lots and lots and lots and lots, and I want to be upbeat, positive, bubbly, and vivacious, I truly do.
I can see a levelling out, a bottoming out if you like, a foundation being laid for future development and the much needed onward/forward push, but I cant as yet see definite signs of progress.
I know that I should do, it's right there in front of my eyes isn't it, ready to smack me in the face, but while I admittedly run the risk of being labelled a Negative Norman, a moaner and groaner, a Bitching Billy, or even worse, a bluenose, I just cant see this progress that is being talked about.
Where is it? When did it happen? Obviously it has taken place since last Saturday's dire performance at Loftus Road, so clearly it will become abruptly obvious to me as we roll over the Stokies on Saturday.
No, I know I'm not much of a fan, I know I need to take a long hike and spend my time following either of the Mancs, Chelsea, or heaven forbid the Small Heathens, but I dont want to do that.
I want to be a Villan. I want to believe. I want to jump up and down, move and groove, rock n' roll. I want to admit to seeing progress.
Sadly I cant do that just yet. My eyes are telling me a different story.
glensider
Progress can be seen - Gabby's colouring in and drawing have really come on this term. Unfortunately his football is getting worse year on year. Must try harder.......to remember he should score goals! I don't even need to argue with this opinion about progress, the recent performances do that for themselves. Claiming progress with a lower points total than under McClueless. Really???
heavy d
It's strange that the upturn in points gained seems to be directly related to the Bent injury/benching/forced to sit in an exec box??? Reading was the worst I've seen us play and win in a long long time!!
Villan444
I hear what you're saying Glensider but at least PL is playing players who are busting a gut for the mighty Villa so that's a marked improvement. He's trying to turn water into wine with the players though and he can only do so much. Even Fergie's first wining squad had a couple of experienced heads to bring the kids on!!!!
Villan444
No argument from me on that score Villan444. For effort, passion, and application, 10/10. They cant be faulted. Their commitment to the claret and blue cause is refreshing, something we haven't witnessed at Villa Park in a long, long time.
glensider
IF we stay up, mark my words, the improvement already shown in Clarke, Westwood, Lowton and the ever-steady KEA, Vlaar and brilliant Benteke will more than be evident. It's a massive season, maybe too massive for the current squad. A nice addition of Keane and some other experienced pro's will do nicely.
koolbill
p.s the addition of Keane and others is meant for Jan till the seasons end, whereon I expect other gems from the continent and lower league to be bought and, sad as we al think it, Gabby to loaned out. I really do feel that if he stays another season and doesn't click then PL will bomb him out. I'd literally take Kevin Davies right now...that boy causes trouble.
koolbill
That's the risk though isn't it Kool...is this season too much? Next season yes we have the foundation, but is it too quick for survival now? I personally don't think so, but it's not going to be pretty.
mike_field
upturn in points being??? Last time I checked we still had very few. Aside from a point aganst the gooners I'd say the "up turn in points" is most easily explained by the fixture list and the fact that weve just played two of the worst teams in the division.
AVbornandbred
I am going to keep banging my drum about what i consider our weakness to be Midfield! Given the chances I believe all our strikers can score goals including Gabby. The defence has looked reasonably solid even without Vlar. I think Clark is making huge strides this season. But the midfield is woefull take away the improving but still learning Westwood and the heart & running of Holman and ther is nothing there.reinforce the midfield and we wont need to defend for so much of the game plus a midfieler who can actually thread a pass to our strikers would save Bentke having to try and hold up and control the big hoof every time we have the ball do not believe we are far away from being a decent mid table side just a Parker type player and either a decent winger or preferably a real creative midfielder.
Merlin128777
I agree with all you say Merlin - apart from the Gabby can score goals. He may score the very odd one or two, but his stastics are woefully poor.
Pride of Lions
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