Villa - QPR Betyg från läktaren
Jon Fear sätter sina personliga betyg på spelarna i Cup-matchen
Sorenson 5 , couple of important interceptions but shaky when he really had no reason to be.
DLC 7 , nearly scored (hit the post) worked hard, gave the ball away far less than he used to and tried to get the ball forward.
Mellberg 6 , one very important tackle, a few dodgy moments, partly to blame for their goal.
Jlloyd 6 , not totally sure, certainly not a natural centre back, but deputised for a depleted squad.
Whittingham 5, bit anonymous, didn't notice too much from him, but not commanding.
Barry 6 , same mix from Barry, some good passes, got into 3 good goal scoring positions (but didn't take them!), ran about more, but still something not quite right there yet.
Solano 7 , good interchanges with Angel, more energy, a few good crosses and a wonderful goal. Starting to look like the player we are hoping for, only starting mind you.
Hendrie 5.5 , sorry, not enough in my opinion. Made a good pass and wears his claret and blue heart on his sleeves, but this wasn't as good as he can be. Isn't a top quality premiership midfielder and never will be unless he finds a consistent level of form (sorry Blandy!)
McCann 7 , got stuck in, is getting back to Mr Ronseal, not doing anything fancy but doing what a holding midfielder should. Shooting was woeful though.
Angel 6 , scored a cracker of a header from a well taken free kick, but got caught off side (in fact was standing offside) far too much. He was on several occasions just to quick for our midfield which is part of the problem, but at times he needs to look across and realise before he runs he is off!
Vassell 6 , one goal, nothing else of note but again, one goal. The Fowlers of the world didn't always do much in a game but give them a chance and they would take it, that is what we got last night, makes up for the times he does little (apart from lots of running off the ball!) and misses. Can't understand why he looked so miserable when he scored?!
Cole (for Vassell 60) 6.5 , not on too long, but certainly gets stuck in, is very physical, could go on to be a great player.
Hitz (for Hendrie 74 mins) 5 , just not doing it at the moment imho.
Berson (for Barry 84). Just a 7 minute run out and nearly scored from a long range shot. More of that will do nicely!
DOL 8 said: "The first goal came after we had passed the ball properly for the first time with six or seven passes to create the opportunity. But we always looked vulnerable and disjointed at the back and, with no disrespect to QPR, it's a good job we weren't playing a Premiership side. We didn't look solid but I think you are going to get that because we had so many people playing out of position."
Villa Crowd 7 , bit too quite, just over 26 000 attendance.
QPR Crowd 8 , full allocation, lots of noise.
Man outside the ground 10 . Got out of his car, his one pop up headlight not working. He hit the side of his car, the light came on, getting back in he said (and forgive the spelling) vursprung derch technique (ala Audi advert).
Chicken pies 9 . Had two of them, filled my empty belly very nicely.
My ratings defined: 1) Totally awful, had a mare, should be taken out and shot, 2) Awful, but not usual standard, 3) Very poor, needs to improve quickly 4) Poor, below the standard expected, 5) Average, the least expected, 6) Better than average, but in patches only, 7) Good, generally decent performance, 8) Very good, above the standard, standing out at times, 9) Excellent, stood out all match, 10) Outstanding (aka Paul McGrath!). Truly commanded the match, stunning.
Jon Fear www.holteenders.co.uk
