Bad
The problem is, there is little point in racking up over 500 passes in 90 minutes as Villa did at the Liberty if it doesn’t get you anywhere in the game, and what was perhaps most disappointing throughout both Christmas games was Villa’s failure to convert their periods of dominance into anything of substance.
Villa’s final ball has been consistently short of the standard that is required if they are to rely on Benteke’s goals to keep us safely in mid-table, and the decision-making of many of the side needs drastic improvement if they are to capitalise in attacking situations.
Another disappointing area from the Liberty was the way in which needless free-kicks were given away in dangerous positions on occasions throughout the game, one of which led to Gylfi Sigurdsson’s winner. Although that particular free-kick was rather soft, it simply did not need to be given away by Jores Okore and Villa were punished for it.
At Swansea, Okore had perhaps his first bad game for the club since his arrival, looking nervous and showing none of the remarkable composure that fans have already come to expect from him. It mustn’t be forgotten, however, that the Dane is still only 22, that Boxing Day was just his ninth league start for the club, and that his budding partnership with Ciaran Clark was proving successful until the reintroduction of Ron Vlaar.
Rested for the Sunderland game, Okore looked back to his usual self once he was introduced after an hour, putting in a number of impressive challenges. Although Vlaar was hardly poor in either match, if there really is no question of him leaving the club next month or in the summer, then there is perhaps something to be said for leaving him out of the team and allowing the young pairing of Okore and Clark to develop further. Arguably the biggest necessity for a central defensive partnership is the understanding between the two defenders, something that was starting to look pretty good and should be built upon further.
[quote_center] Milan Baros x2, Juan Pablo Angel and Mark Delaney were the scorers the last time Villa won on December 26[/quote_center]
Ugly
Boxing Day football has been The Nightmare After Christmas for Villa in recent years, and the curse shows no signs of ending. The X Factor’s Shayne Ward was number one with That’s My Goal (I’d ask if anyone remembers him, but what’s the point?) while Milan Baros x2, Juan Pablo Angel and Mark Delaney were the scorers the last time Villa won on December 26 with a 4-0 victory over Everton at Villa Park in 2005.
Meanwhile, the club’s disciplinary record continues to worsen. Three Villa players have seen straight reds in the four December matches alone (although Agbonlahor’s was later rescinded) and it is a worrying trait which has potentially cost Villa points. With a squad which looks pretty threadbare in terms of options, Villa cannot afford to lose players to silly challenges.
One can only imagine what Lambert must be saying to each red-carded player after every game: “no problem lad, just pick yourself up and go again next we… erm, in three weeks’ time.” Despite his insistence that Villa do not have a disciplinary problem, the statistics are suggesting otherwise.
An even more damning statistic is that Villa have now scored just 11 goals in the first four months of the season – a total of 20 matches if you include the Leyton Orient disaster. ELEVEN in half a season, less than Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa and QPR’s Charlie Austin have all scored by themselves (all three have also played less games – Aguero has 14 in 14, Costa has 13 in 16, and Austin has 12 in 17).
Yes the total would surely have been higher had Benteke been available for every game, but the fact is that Villa are incredibly lucky to be 13th having posed so little of an attacking threat all season.
With the exception of Grealish’s substitute appearances, Villa’s players look to have no idea what to do with the ball when they get within reach of the opposition penalty area, and this is an issue which must be addressed. Benteke will score if he is given the chances, and players must be brought in over the next few weeks to provide him with the service that he needs. A creative midfielder and another attacking option are vital additions to the squad if Villa are to start scoring the goals that they so desperately need.
The New Year’s Day clash with a now-managerless Crystal Palace has to be a Villa victory if the club are to maintain the gap between themselves and the seven sides below them, and if they want to be taken seriously as a mid-table side this season, rather than sliding back into their default position of recent years as a team who will just be happy to survive.
UTV
Follow Tom on Twitter at @tdnightingale
Follow MOMS on Twitter at @oldmansaid
Bac should start in front of AW, gives us more down that side and works as hard. Nzog is a mystery, can’t figure out how he gets near the pitch. Nice to see Grealish getting on, don’t want to rush and burn him out though. Calum Chambers is the prime example of youth pushed too far.
Bacuna for Andy Weimann, not Ashley Westwood. Westie has been ok, needs to learn to pass forward successfully in the opposition half though.
Cleverly has been pony after a decent start, as for gardner, BHA fans seem to think he was average for them.
Grealish is a must starter now, nzogbia is shite and lazy
I agree with Scott, above, Bacuna has an awesome free kick in him. He should start. So should Grealish, no question. Against Blackpool I would like to see Gary Gardner, back from loan, to be included. Calum could also be included, just to give PL more of a selection headache than he seems not to have right now.
I’d just like to add that Bacuna looked decent when he was added against Sunderland, and attempted some crosses into the box (at one point, three in a row, although the third one was overhit). Also, with Westwood injured and Delph suspended, Bacuna needs to be in the starting lineup to take our free kicks. Cleverley’s efforts at set pieces have been dire.