Hello everyone, and welcome to today's Aston Villa webchat with at Kendrick. Please enter your questions for Mat below...
by Birmingham Mail9/10/2012 10:59:15 AM
3rd & 7 37yd
3rd & 7 37yd
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by Joe Harris9/10/2012 10:59:53 AM
so what the news on Christian Benteke
by Joe Harris9/10/2012 10:59:54 AM
Can't wait for Saturday, any early news on team lineup?
by Jason Moore9/10/2012 11:01:17 AM
Hey Mat, who of the new signings do you expect to feature on Sat?
by Kevin9/10/2012 11:01:44 AM
Sorry everyone, we've had a connection problem, but Mat's on his way
by Birmingham Mail9/10/2012 11:04:43 AM
Hi Matt. So tough to predict a starting XI this weekend. Any fresh injury problems?
by paradise_forum9/10/2012 11:04:46 AM
Hello, sorry I'm late
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:04:51 AM
Joe Harris, latest in what sense? Think he's still away with Belgium, but will return later this week to Villa to train and put himself in contention for Saturday. As for the car-jacking stuff, think that is still going through the courts in Belgium - he protests his innocence - so I can't say too much
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:08:00 AM
Hey matt great performance bye the lads at Newcastle hopefully the turning point?
by Azzaavfc9/10/2012 11:08:14 AM
Do you think PF will use a 4-4-2 system?
by paradise_forum9/10/2012 11:08:23 AM
Hi Mat, Ashley Westwood for Barry Bannan this week do you think? Bannan looking the weak link in our midfield would you agree? Also do you see us reverting to 2 up front at home?
by Rocco9/10/2012 11:08:43 AM
we have not signed a wrong un have we?
by Mike9/10/2012 11:08:48 AM
Jason Moore, it will be interesting to see how closely PL sticks to the team which did so well at Newcastle eight days ago. I expect all of the news signings to at least be on the bench - and possibly a couple of starters in there too
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:09:40 AM
Hi Mat, why is Lambert better than McLeish in your opinion?
by LennieLion9/10/2012 11:10:07 AM
Hi Mat, Are Vila concerned about the story that broke yesterday about our new striker?
by Dan9/10/2012 11:10:15 AM
Kevin, I think Bennett could feature if he is deemed fit enough by the manager. I reckon Benteke might start on the bench and be used as an impact sub late on. From what I hear Bowery and Westwood played well in the under21s match at Bodymoor on Saturday
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:10:29 AM
I see a few of the new players play for the u21s. Did any of them impress you?
by Jason Moore9/10/2012 11:10:54 AM
Hi Mat. I personally don't see Darren Bent as a Villa captain. When do you think PL will make Vlaar the captain?!
by Roy9/10/2012 11:11:15 AM
Paradise Forum, no fresh injury woes as far as I know, but Villa have had 13 (senior and youth) players on international duty, so Paul Lambert will be doing a rollcall to check they're all ok when everyone returns on Thursday
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:11:31 AM
Azzaavfc, be nice if that was the turning point, it was certainly a start. Although, it's been so long since Villa achieved back to back wins in the league that I'll only regard it as a turning point if they beat Swansea and Southampton in the next two games!
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:12:55 AM
What do you think of the current squad? lambert has done wonders in terms of bringing in youth and hopefully they will start performing sooner rather than later
by Azzaavfc9/10/2012 11:13:39 AM
Paradise Forum, do you mean PL? I find him very difficult to second guess! But from having a strikeforce that virtually picked itself he now has options with Bent, Gabby, Benteke, Bowery and Weimann all pushing to be involved.
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:14:19 AM
Mike, I hope not! Innocent until proven guilty. I think we should let the Belgian judiciary process take its course - and only judge Benteke on how he performs and conducts himself for Villa
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:15:34 AM
I think as soon
by Azzaavfc9/10/2012 11:15:37 AM
we all know bent can play batter than he been let hope he start this weekend good to see gabby back
by Joe Harris9/10/2012 11:15:48 AM
Do you think that part of the problem we have had is having such a good crop of youngsters that have failed to cut it in the premier league hence why we haven't invested more... expectations were too high
by Andyoddball9/10/2012 11:16:16 AM
LennieLion, ask me after a season
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:16:26 AM
As soon as we get a win under our belts that will kick start our season like you say it has been ages since we last one and confidence is a massive thing in football
by Azzaavfc9/10/2012 11:17:09 AM
Dan, think Villa were well aware of the situation before they signed him and are prepared to let things run their course. Hard to comment too much, but from what I have heard/read, the player protests his innocence and witnesses to the incident would appear to back that up
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:17:40 AM
why? you seem to love Lambo as do all us Villa fans. He's going to eclipse MON for me
by LennieLion9/10/2012 11:18:01 AM
Of the four deadline day signings (Bennett, Benteke, Westwood, Bowery), which do you think will be the biggest long-term success?
by Rocco9/10/2012 11:18:21 AM
Jason Moore, I didn't see them! I was walking up Clent Hills with my wife and kids at the time (rare weekend off! - not that I'm complaining!)
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:18:35 AM
Westwood look a good player let hope he can do it
by Joe Harris9/10/2012 11:19:36 AM
Roy, it's a n interesting one. When we've asked Lambert about it previously he has been non-committal over how long Bent will remain as captain. I guess I'm saying we'll just have to wait and see!
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:19:47 AM
Azzaavfc, I think if the current squad is strong enough to avoid a relegation battle this season (as the manager defiantly promised it would be) then Villa will be in a much stronger position to go forward next summer. They will have promising young players with a year more experience under their belts, the club will be at a financial level they are truly happy with and can build on and the manager will have had time to stamp his mark on the dressing room and the club. I share the fear of others that there is a lack of experience. But for me it is all about getting some positive momentum, ideally in the next few games!
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:22:34 AM
Mat, I think Bent needs to get his own game 100% again, and it's also better to have a captain at the back or in midfield. Vlaar is a natural leader so I think (and hope!) it's just a matter of time before big Ron becomes the team captain.
by Roy9/10/2012 11:24:41 AM
Andyoddball, interesting point. Maybe some of the expectations of Villa's homegrown players have been high. It might be five years until we can realy judge if the latest batch are good enough. I think the wagebill got to such a level a few years ago that Villa felt they had to rely on the kids to get the club through a painful time while the payroll was trimmed. It has not been great in the past two years, but at least Villa emerged with their Prem status intact and the chance to rebuild in the top flight.
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:25:49 AM
Can you remember the last time villa had so many options up front because I can't
by Davfc9/10/2012 11:25:52 AM
Rocco, hard to say until I've actually seen them play! Got high hopes for Westwood, because he seems like a motivated, but measured young lad and he will obviously benefit from his upbringing at Crewe
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:27:02 AM
Roy, I prefer my captains to be further down the pitch too. But having said that I thought Bent did produce a captain's performance at Newcastle. I was very impressed with him, his attitude and the example he set in that match
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:28:22 AM
Davfc, they certainly do seem to have choice up there - and the exciting/worrying thing is that none of know exactly what Benteke and Bowery will bring to the team - let's hope it's goals!
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:29:14 AM
Hi Mat......do you think we should get rid of N'zogbia?
by Podge9/10/2012 11:31:00 AM
LennieLion, I have been impressed with how Paul Lambert has tried to make his mark straight away. He has made sure the training ground is a place of work rather than fun and stamped out any complacency. In my opinion, what he is striving to do should turn around the football club and get them winning more matches. I hope so, anyway!
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:32:46 AM
So who do you think would Play up front with Bent as first choice strikers in a 4-4-2? or do you think a 4-3-3 is the way forward? Ireland does look to be playing better when he's at the centre of things and not left out wide
by UnbeatableBenteke9/10/2012 11:35:03 AM
Podge, not sure how easy that would be. He's got another three years left on decent (*'decent' means very good!) and I'm not sure he's an attractive proposition to other clubs as he was when Villa signed him last summer. The ability is still there, but I've lost track of how many times I have written that there's 'more still to come' or he needs to 'unlock his potential'. For me he is too predictable and when he commits players he should be looking to paly in a team-mate rather than keeping hold of the ball. But what do I know? I'm just a fan with a pen!
by Mat Kendrick9/10/2012 11:35:16 AM
I agree Mat, personally I think it would of been a good bit of business to of offered him to Liverpool with a small amount of cash and tried to of re-signed Downing.....watch me get slated now lol
by Podge9/10/2012 11:37:59 AM
UnbeatableBenteke, Nice name! It's a difficult one that. It's impossible to get a formation featuring Bent, Benteke, Agbonlahor and Ireland and play them all in their favourite positions. The good thing about Lambert is that he is happy to experiment, chop and change and make bold decisions, so I think we could see different formations during the course of games
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