Five Reasons to be Cheerful After Brugge Win and Forest Loss
A mixed week has seen Villa finally pick up their first win of the new campaign, after getting their Champions League season off to a winning start with a hard-fought victory in Bruges. The positive momentum proved short-lived, however, as Villa slumped to a late home defeat against Nottingham Forest in a game that saw Unai Emery come up short against Oliver Glasner once again.
Despite the frustrating end to an otherwise encouraging week, here are the latest Five Reasons to be Cheerful as Villans.
Up and Running
After a winless and goalless start to the campaign, victory in Bruges felt like a significant moment. Villa finally found the net, picked up a vitally important three points in the Champions League, and relieved some of the pressure that had been building around the new-look side.
With goals scored and points finally on the board, it felt like Villa’s season had belatedly begun. Without it, the later loss against Forest would have triggered real alarm bells.
False Start
Despite the midweek win, Villa fans arrived at Villa Park hoping to avoid the unwanted milestone of four league games without a goal. The first half offered further encouragement as Villa threatened, but following the half-time withdrawal of Nicolas Jackson, the game became increasingly stretched and started to resemble the basketball style of match Emery so dislikes.
The late defeat made Bruges feel like something of a false start, but Villa have at least finally opened their Premier League account thanks to Alysson’s goal. The goals are beginning to arrive; now they need the results to follow.
Next Gen
The Forest game finally saw the arrival of two of Villa’s biggest summer signings in Ibrahim Mbaye and Johan Manzambi.
Mbaye immediately showed promise, with his pace and direct approach there for all to see. Manzambi’s return from a long-term injury is equally important for Emery’s new-look side, although his cameo showed that patience will be required as he works his way back to full fitness and sharpness. Villa going down to 10 men due to Ian Maatsen’s injury, saw Manzambi having to play a deeper role, that compromised him having any real impact on the game.
It was only a first glimpse, but two exciting pieces of Villa’s rebuild are finally on the pitch.
Also, João Gomes completed his three-game ban against Forest, so he will make a welcome return for Villa’s trip to Spurs.
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Timeout
Villa are now just two matches away from a much-needed circuit breaker in the form of the international break. A League Cup tie gives Emery an opportunity to build fitness and familiarity within his new-look squad, before a trip to Spurs sees two struggling sides battle it out.
After that, Emery will finally have some valuable time on the training ground with those remaining at Bodymoor Heath. For a squad still building fitness, relationships and an understanding of each other, the international break may have arrived at just the right time.
The extended three-week international period will also mean that Pau Torres and Maatsen won’t miss as much game time with their injuries.
Time on Our Hands
Everyone at the club, and certainly those watching from the stands, would have wanted a better start and a considerably calmer transfer window. But we are where we are and, despite the well-worn cliché, the season is a marathon rather than a sprint.
Emery doesn’t appear stressed, just desperate for the game time and training-ground hours needed to familiarise his players (many of them joining Villa late in the transfer window) with the system and, just as importantly, with one another. As difficult as the opening weeks have been, there is a very long season ahead and Villa remain a long way from panic mode.
Time, for once, is still very much on our side.
UTV
Follow Armen on Twitter/X here – @VillanArmen
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