Quote, taken from the article I posted this time last week – “I’d opt for Lichaj ahead of Joe Bennett. Against Fulham, young Bennett was made to look more like a schoolboy at times.”
I’m not sure as to which is scarier; the fact that Lambert failed to see our left-sided defensive frailty the week previous and change it up, or that Norwich came to Villa Park and comprehensively outplayed us – even when it was 11 versus 11.
Young Bennett can have no complaint with either booking. The first half hack was clumsy, rash and totally unnecessary and then the 52nd minute tug on his namesake Elliott was just plain stupid. After the match Lambert claimed the young full-back will learn from his mistake, “That’s the beauty about it, he’ll learn from it.” I’m sorry – but we have taken six points from nine outings, we sure don’t have the time to take on passengers.
I guess there was a couple of positives to be had from Saturday’s lunch time kick-off. Firstly, Benteke finally nailed a sitter and there wasno denying that we fought hard to hang on as best we could post red card incident. But all-in-all a point did very little to help either side, especially us.
This weekend we’ll play our first match of an extremely daunting November fixture list. For now I’m going to refuse to look any further than our trip to the Stadium of Light as we search for an invaluable three points against former boss’ Martin O’Neil’s Sunderland. I can’t see there being much in this one especially seeing as – along with Norwich and QPR – the sides are two of the lowest scoring in the Premier League this season with a combined total of just 13 from 17 matches. My prediction is edging towards a 1-1 scoreline.
The rumours surrounding Darren Bent
The whole Darren Bent thing is rather boring now, but I do feel the need to revisit the whole saga having recently read rumours that the reason as to why Bent continues to be frozen out of the side has nothing to do with his form, but because the club wish to get him off the wage bill at the earliest opportunity – in January.
Bent himself has come out and said that he will not hand in a transfer request and wishes to stay at Aston Villa. Hardly surprising seeing as he’s currently on £65,000 a week and highly unlikely to find an improvement on that sort of salary anywhere else. (Edit Matt – he’s reported to be on £110,00 a week, so even less likely to retain that salary elsewhere except at somewhere like QPR)
Anyone who genuinely believes these latest rumours really ought to have a word with themselves. Does Paul Lambert come across the kind of man who would happily play along to being a puppet for the powers that be? I think not. Yes – he would have received a budgetary brief from Lerner & Co when he took the reigns here at Villa, but there’s absolutely no way that he’s being forced to sell. He, along with I and many other Villans believe that the club can get better value for money elsewhere. Although I’m yet to be convinced that Charlie Austin is the answer, should that deal go ahead.
Relegation candidates
I don’t really wish to talk about the dreaded ‘R’ word. It would be an absolutely travesty if a club of our stature was to go down, but the fact of the matter is that we are among the candidates for the drop.
Last Sunday I spoke with my father (a very disgruntled QPR fan), and we both agreed that this year will be another low scoring season for the bottom clubs, and that perhaps just 36 points will be enough to avoid the trap door.
Fortunately for us, it’s likely that there may be three teams worse than ourselves; Reading and Southampton, and then it’s a case of take your pick out of Wigan, Norwich, QPR and Villa.
I know many of you will say that I’m being more than premature with this gloomy ‘R’ talk, but we’re already a quarter way through the season and haven’t once looked like a side capable of stringing three or four results together. It’s going to be yet another scrappy campaign I’m afraid guys.
Capital One Cup
Today’s article was written prior to the Capital One Cup fourth round tie at Swindon Town last night – and so I sure hope that we’re all happy as Larry in the comments section below and not dissecting yet another disappointing Villa display.
Personal announcement
I’m not sure how interested readers of AVL will be but I have some exciting news on a personal level. I’m set to appear on Channel Four News tomorrow evening in an investigative report into online dating. Within this piece I shall be talking about the immoral practice of the online dating world – an industry I have previously worked in. If you get a chance to take a look, please do. I will do my utmost to load a video of it to my personal blog.
That’s all from me until next week, Enjoy the rest of your week, and up the Villa!
The Author
