Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 15.
Christian Benteke’s 11th goal in nine matches helped guide Aston Villa to a 3-2 victory over Everton, moving them two points clear of the relegation zone.
Following an impressive all-round performance, Tim Sherwood went on record to say that “there’s not a better midfielder in the country at the moment than Fabian Delph” and it’s fair to say that, if he maintains the level of performance he showed against the Toffees, he’ll keep his place in the England squad for a long time to come. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he made a total of 53 attacking contributions (based on passes in the opposition half, dribbles, crosses and shots on target). Delph is 19/4 with 888sport.com to score at any time.
With all of Delph’s energy and probes into the offensive half, he needs a fellow midfielder who can cover for him when he makes his foraging runs and in the form of Ashley Westwood, he has the perfect shield. Time and time again, Westwood broke up Everton attacks, making a total of five interceptions – the most in the Villa squad.
The clamour for Jack Grealish to pledge his international future is growing stronger following every game, as he has produced a number of impressive performances that has both Roy Hodgson and Martin O’Neill interested in his services. Grealish has shown that he has a fantastic engine on him and he worked his socks off for the team again on Saturday, covering 11.8km – which was more than any other Villa player.
West Ham moved up to ninth with their victory over Burnley at the weekend and realistically need two more wins to guarantee their spot in the top 10.
Mark Noble scored the decisive goal at the weekend, from the spot, to move the Hammers up the table. The goal would have been the cherry on top for the midfielder, who produced a passing master class to condemn Burnley to defeat – with the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index showing that he completed an impressive 40 passes in the opposition half.
Operating alongside Noble was fellow midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, who was the energy to Noble’s craft. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he completed 11.2km, which was the most in the West Ham squad. Kouyate is 8/1 with 888sport.com to score at any time.
18 year-old Recce Burke has made a sizeable contribution to the West Ham cause since being drafted in earlier this year, with the West Ham academy graduate showing excellent defensive awareness, which show a maturity beyond his tender years. This awareness of his can probably be best demonstrated by the fact that he made a total of eight clearances against Burnley, the second most in the Hammers squad (behind fellow centre back James Collins).
The Author
Matt Turvey
Matt is the owner of, and chief writer for, Aston Villa Life. He is also a columnist for the Wolverhampton Express & Star, appearing in the Kick Off pullout on Saturdays and the Final Whistle pullout the Monday after Aston Villa play, as well as every Thursday as a blogger on their website. He has previously been featured as a writer on Football365 and Life's A Pitch, and was a regular pundit for Sports Tonight TV on Sky.Comments 52
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Another cup final for the boys today
certainly can’t take anything for granted regardless of recent form
i saw charlie nicholes on sports satuday earlier trying to sell tekkers to livrpoo – what a complete plomk
the same guy that kept banging on about what a great job his mate lambert was doing
I put this on the last post but better here so…
This is probably a tougher match than the one against Everton, even though on paper you would say this is easier. West Ham will seek to destroy much more than Everton and historically we play much worse against teams when we have to break them down than against teams who come to play. Big Sam will have them organised thats for sure, question is will his players all stay switched on. I still feel we will win this since West Ham have been pretty bad lately since the start of the year, the players know Sam is leaving at the end of the season so they’re not playing for him as they should.
I see no reason to change the two 10’s formation, same team as last week. I dont think they will offer too much threat going forward, Im sure Downing will want to have a good game thought. Collins will want to aswell but he is not good enough. They also have a young 18 yr old CB Burke who has played the last 2 games due to injuries, he hasnt come up against anyone like Benteke thats for sure! Benteke to give both their CB’s all sorts of problems.
2-0 Benteke and Delph. UTV
Wtf is happening at Goodison Park? Sunderland winning by a lucky goal…. we could do with that equaliser.
Well this is a joke… Sunderland 2 up at Everton. We really need to win today now.
What’s that Blunderland have beaten Everton at Goodison of course they have, ffs
You didn’t want this to be easy did you? Glad Roberto lost but added to Villa’s problems. A win today (and they should) should just about do it. All the others around them having turkeys would be nice but that hasn’t happened lately as all the bottom teams are up for a fight
That Jack Grelish doesn’t create much does he JL!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!
GET IN!!!
Quality from Grealish!
Grealish the stand out again for me so far. hampers are not happy about being shown up out come the dirty tricks from Nolan and co.
Nolan was standing his ground in front of Given, he was also holding him and leaning into him, or backing in as its known, must have watched the Everton match for tips. We should be 2 up though.
One thing I’ve noticed about TS’s villa we play the same home and away it doesn’t change their is so much confidence about the whole team. Runtingz always said we had good players and hats off because I thought we had some but all of them have stepped up. although Grealish has been the key for me
Ree both Sunderland goals were shocking a definite MOD watch.
Mark,
Noland wasn’t even standing his ground, that would apply he wasn’t moving his feet to obstruct Given. Joke commentary!
Mark – I seen the replay of that corner, Bacuna pulled down one of the WH players inside the box! Got away with tha… possible a foul on Guzan before that tho.
We need that second goal, this has the feel of a game WH gets a lucky break and a goal out of nothing. Its not a comfortable 1-0, its in the balance… and we really need the win.
Grealish has been brilliant esp in the second quarter, I think we need to sub on Gabby for Nzogbia 10/15 mins into second half. His pace will scare their defenders to drop off 5 yards and that extra space in between the lines will be crucial.
reckon we have a chance against Southampton leic 2 up
Downing in the hole is dangerous.
Come on Tim stick Gabby on and inject some life into us we’re flat!
God this is going to be a long 30 mins if we don’t get another one…
UTV
Definitely can see NZogbia’s quality, looked dangerous at times today…
This is gonna be a nervy last 10 mins…
Okore is much more confident, looking good. Come on lads hold on!!!
UTV
Thats it boys! I think we’re pretty much safe
ree- downing in the hole is just wrong 😉
thank fcuk for that. a deserved but tired win, should of been al over in the first
Ronnie- thought Okore had a great game today so strong, I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet. he carries the ball well and we will have both him and Clarke stepping forward next season.
need one more win or hull to lose one
who predicted these results 9 points from spurs man city everton west ham and leicster sunderland win round them
hull have to beat at least one of spurs away or manure at home to drag Newcastle or Sunderland in. although cant see Sunderland getting another point
JG I did and JL
Nice. Nervous ending. Mason called a good game. That’s frefreshing
Rags: “That Jack Grelish doesn’t create much does he JL!”
Ha! 🙂
Well you know as well as I that’s not what I was saying!
But credit it to him he’s getting better by the game. And he’ll be even better next season, that I’ve been confident of.
Aye. Okore was strong in both defence and coming forward, looked confident on the ball. Cleverley played well again, as did JG. JG and Delph play well together. There must be more players from that Next Generation team that can step up.
It’s been an amazing recovery by Leicester and what’s been happening at the bottom has caused Villa to have to get more points than I thought they’d need a few games ago.
But we’re close to the finishing line now. Very close.
haha,
Sorry John couldn’t help it bud!
Trinity there was but we sold them only GG and robinson left and maybe donecian
If things go our way the best we can do is 12th which will mean more money to spend
Yes Mark,
We are looking strong at CB now and don’t forget how good Baker has looked recently as well.
Okore just seemed to ooze class today, fast, powerful and good on the ball… if he’s mentally over the injury now and has grown in confidence he could be very good for us next season, Chelski were interested so he can’t be half bad. Was so impressed by Clarke this season from a mental strength and desire perspective, I believe he is a leader but only time will tell if he has the physical attributes to be a top class CB.
I’m not a Lambert fan by any means but he does seem to have a decent eye for talent and has built teams before but as far as a game manager I wasn’t impressed at all, lineup, tactics, subs, none of it.
Which armchair manager didn’t want to give Grealish a start for months and the thought of getting midfielders into the box and getting the best out of Benteke, who’d thunkt it!?!?!? Makes Sherwood look like a genius but is it really that complicated…
UTV
Its been an unbelievable recovery by Leicester – on par with Sunderlands ‘miracle’ last season and Wigans escapes a few seasons ago. Pretty much double the points the had after 29 games in just 7 games! Hull have won a couple in a row unexpectedly, Sunderland won a couple unexpectedly. Villa themselves had an unexpected win at Spurs!
Thought way back that Villa would be safe with 35 and we’re not mathematically safe with 38! On balance of probabilities I think we are. Burnley did us a favour by beating Hull but tbh I would piss myself laughing if Newcastle went down. After the crap we got from their still bitter supporters/manager(if you can call him that) after they beat us a while back.
Id say Hull are favourites now with Spurs away Utd at home.
How many points could we get? Could we finish about the BAggies and/or Palace? Its conceivable.
I called it ages ago that Hull would go down, I didnt see Leicester staying up though! Fair play, the more midland clubs in the prem the merrier as far as I’m concerned.
It used to be a place higher is worth £1m extra, I think its more now like maybe £1.6m… or is that next season?
we could end up 12th on equal points with everton if they lose their next 2 and palace wba do too. wba has got arse and chelski, palace have liverpool and swansea.
That’s why I didn’t want to play Burnley to stay up, great character, shame they went down.
Very competent performance today, nice to keep a 1-0.
Apparently JG’s dad told a mate that PL wouldn’t play his lad because of his haircut, to leave out a potential 40m player with a team going down just confirms what a ridiculous clown he is.
Would prefer Newkie down but potato head comes a close second, successful clubs like us aren’t bothered about strugglers are we ?
My final words on the Tory’s, if they can’t show any respect to a nation that lost 27m in WW11 defeating fascism, what do they respect ? oh yes … money.
Anyone else notice there are less comments when we win 😉
Yep 😉
My last thought for the day is we should fully expect win our next two matches given the mood at the club!
Til next time…
UTV
miss of the day, Gabby after a grealish sublime ball to put him through, thought tekkers was quiet by his standards and we lumped too many aimless balls into the box.
ASTON VILLA:
Shots 14
On Target 5
Possession 58%
Corners 2
Fouls 6
WEST HAM:
Shots 5
On Target 1
Possession 42%
Corners 6
Fouls 13
Thank feck. Nearly there now. Wasn’t a great display but huge win. Sign Clev up please
Did anyone actually expect Gabby to score his one on one? He’s made a career of of us doing it
Nope Newcastle go. Really do
Sherwood- I love you
Whew. I expected us to win, but was still worried about the game today. With other teams around us getting results, I’ve wondered whether Villa could keep on winning without gaining any sense of safety. I think the recent turn in form and results would’ve had everyone thinking they were already safe, but it’s been much tighter than I thought it would be.
Really thought Everton would win today after losing to us, but…
But again, it was a good start, got the vital goal. Made harder work of it than it needed to be, but credit to West Ham. They picked up the intensity, and Song’s introduction made a big difference.
Fat Sam moaning about cutting edge… Well Sam, maybe defend higher up than your 18 yard box and commit a couple of midfielders to attack every now and then and you might score a goal. Reminded me of the Lamberk days.
rags spot on, Sam sent song on to kick Grealish not to score goals. bit worried the lad could get a name for diving as he’s so quick to nip the ball away and naturally draws a foul.
Mark,
I can kind of see the Bale argument now. When he was diving a lot ppl would defend him saying he gets kicked all over the place so dives to protect himself. The way Song was going in I think I’d fall over too.
rags today he won a free kick then was kicked again straight away went down and nothing given frustrating as I don’t think he thinks like that at all. song made at least 3 tackles if you can call them that warranted cards, nzogbia pulled someone back a tiny bit and fare enough gets a card no consistency
Maybe the refs are trying to interpret the game where a foul in a scoring position is warranted in their mind but not in mid field. I can see a foul not being called in midfield so the play carries on instead of the game being chopped up.
Great 3 Points, and extremely valuable after wins for Leicester and the Mackems. Not the best performance but we are almost over the line, something we would never achieved under mumbles the clown. Let’s seal survival and take the gunners head on at Wemberleee.
Sign up Cleverley, under Sherwood he is a completely different player, and break the bank to keep Tekkers , who looks for Jack at every opportunity, we could be onto something special here UTV
maybe so Ian but not when there’s flesh on the studs 😉
That sounds like a BBQ out to n the patio
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