The main difference in second half for Villa

Villa played a much higher line in the second half... In first half we were able to pass the ball around and build up play, giving Noone room to run onto the ball and make runs. Also in the first half Villa were playing deep and committing very few men forward - just 2 or 3 each attack.

In second half the high line meant that we couldn't get the ball in front of Noone and often gave away possession as the through balls didn't really work for us to thread them behind the defence. Amazing how such a change had a big impact - fair play to Lambert, Villa are well organised and have to give him credit for making the change.

The main turning point after half time was that Noone and Zaha faded, I don't think Zaha barely touched the ball for 18 minutes after the restart whilst Noone tired (fair do's ran his socks off again) and was nowhere near as sharp as he was in the first half,just hope Zaha get match fit pretty soon and Noone can maintain a good degree of stamina as we need them preforming as they did in the first half week in and week out to give us any chance of staying up..

Spot on post Shiony! The situation was not helped by Noone' and Zaha's lack of full fitness and Kenwynne Jones' failure to hold up any ball so that midfield players got get further forward onto the Villa back four. Mutch's injury also meant we didn't have a player that could drive into the heart of the Villa team. Although he played well I wish Medel offered more going forward when he plays as one of a midfield pair.

Interesting too, to note how we've changed very quickly under OGS. In his first couple of games we were trying to play the ball out from the back whereas once Kenwyne Jones was brought in we largely have left that behind and are no hoofing it a lot more from goal kicks etc... This didn't work so well yesterday as Jones didn't hold the ball up well and Villa did well (fouled?) him physically. Perhaps Ole looked at our players and decided we didn't have the ability to keep the passing going, or too risky for interception...

we are a team lacking in confidence, with some players who also appear to lack match sharpness or/and confidence.

this might change, but currently it doesn't look like it will.

And I don't think it is all down to OGS and this rotation people mention - we were dire before that, anyone who went to Palace away and Southampton at home surely can see that?

I think he is searching for a decent team mix - until he finds it he has to rotate a bit. I for one was delighted to see Whitts and Kimbo out of the squad - not because I don't like them or value them, quite the opposite - football selection is largely about getting a result, and those guys wouldn't help us get a result until their form comes back.

Our relegation is not certain but the odds are against us. That said I once backed Papillon in the National and it came in very big odds