Paul Lambert…Swansea Slayer
So, our optimism was well founded, and we finally got that victory we’ve all been craving with a well deserved 2-0 win against Swansea. Doesn’t it feel great?!
It’s been long overdue, we all know that but you could sense after the Newcastle game last week that a real sense of optimism was returning to Villa fans, and we got the victory today that we needed to ensure the good times will roll for just a while yet. Of course one victory doesn’t make a season, but you compare this to the same fixture last year, and things look markedly better.
Lambert has now won 5 of the 6 games he has managed against the Swans, and he really does seem to have their number. They are a very good side on their day, but we didn’t let them settle, with Holman epitomising the effort and commitment that Lambert demands from his players. Lowton scored a very good goal, and the day was capped off very nicely by Benteke scoring on his debut. I wrote previously how I’m rarely confident going into a Villa game, but I just felt today was one of those games we seemed destined to win, so well done Villa for a very accomplished performance.
Another bonus today was seeing the strength we had on the bench, and it’s so refreshing to see genuine competition for places at the Villa. It was a mild surprise to see an unchanged side, but to be fair it would have been harsh had any of the players who started against Newcastle been dropped. Looking at our bench though and there is some top talent who are going to have to fight for their place going forward, exactly how it should be. Gabby didn’t make it on today, and if we have a squad of players who know that they may not be guaranteed a place, the competition can only benefit us. For a pretty modest amount of money (relatively speaking of course), Lambert already looks like he has assembled a decent squad, featuring a whole host of players who could potentially feature for the Villa for years to come.
Today was a good day. The fans are buzzing, and Lambert has got that elusive first win.
Onwards and upwards,
UTV.
Aston Villa News 24/7
Great game, great result, fully enjoyed my visit to VP today. Holman makes up for his football deficiencies by an enormous workrate, another Carrodus,whilst on the other hand Ireland had a nightmare and was quite rightly subbed. In the first half I watched him specifically and he had six times when he had the ball and either passed it straight to Swansea or had it taken easily from him, just not good enough. The guy next to me summed it up, he seemed too slow in thought.
Bent had the service today, he must have done we had 17 shots! However did he ever look like scoring – no, did he show any urgency for the majority of the match – no, is he in danger of losing his place to Benike, you bet he is.
Strange the only two IMO that weren’t at the races today were our “senior” overpaid players, suggest they start looking over their shoulders!
Good to see Guzan again show why I have always been his biggest fan for 4 years, commands his area, physically and vocally.
Finally it was not just the result that delighted me today it was the way it was achieved, I was entertained, the first time for probably 4 years!