I’ve already grumbled about a lack of last minute urgency in the Newcastle game in the dying minutes to try and win the game, because a point was never going to be a reason to be cheerful as an Aston Villa fan. We need wins and we need them now. After a week of false narratives off the pitch in terms of what Villa HQ has said about the quality of the squad and the state of the club, Villa need to break their 16-game winless streak or the false hope of survival will fast become completely unrealistic.
I sincerely hope the elusive wins can come in the Christmas fixtures, because if they don’t, the straws to clutch for this column will get thinner and thinner.
In the meantime, here’s five other straws to be cheerful as Aston Villa fans…
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FIVE REASONS…
3. TRAORE PLAYED
Adama Traore played, shame it was on Monday and not in a game that’s going to save us from relegation. Jack Grealish once again also turned out for the Aston Villa Under-21’s (in a 2-1 win against Arsenal) alongside Traore, as Rémi Garde continues to play hardball with the two young talents.
Obviously, the Villa boss doesn’t fancy them just yet, although I’d like to hear his explanation for not giving Traore at least 10 minutes to have ago at Newcastle at the weekend. He’s probably the only the player who had a chance of creating something to snatch a much-needed dramatic winner.
I would say I can understand Grealish’s fleeting minutes for the first team, as he needs a better team around him to nurture his talent. Also, he needs the right kind of players to play football with, so he’s influence isn’t bypassed (he looked good with Gil against Leicester, until the collapse at 2-0).
Traore though, with his brut strength, speed and box of tricks, surely is a must go-to impactive player at the 70 minute mark, if Villa aren’t winning a game. He might not be the team-player you’d start with, but look at him, if he’s not potentially ‘Impact Player of the Year 2016’, then I don’t know who is. Use him!
