First weekend done, three points and all is happy.
Some media outlets have made a point of saying that a win against Bournemouth is nothing as well as being more than a little fortunate, but the truth is Aston Villa can only play the team put in front of them.
There were many encouraging signs – from the quartet of new Ligue Un additions to the debut goal from Rudy Gestede, there was a lot to be happy about.
Of course, it would be similarly foolish to suggest this – on its own – is some dawning of a new era, as though the past four years have been a fever dream that we’ve woken up from. No, the truth is that it will be hard work going forward as the Premier League has spent a lot of its extra riches on bringing up the level of players.
Which isn’t to suggest that Villa’s signings aren’t promising – they are – but it is set against a backdrop of teams spending on top European players. Newcastle United have signed the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and promising forward Aleksandar Mitrovic. Crystal Palace have signed Yohann Cabaye from PSG, whilst the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool have spent heavily in an attempt to stay at the top.
In this era of Premier League lucre, or at least the new found levels of it, many European leagues are being drained of talent as they flock to what is arguably the most competitive league in Europe. Sure, Villa may well feel far away from that competition – at the top at least – but the Premier League is not only cash rich, but also one of very few leagues in Europe that isn’t run by a monopoly or duopoly.
The Bundesliga, famed for its carnival atmosphere and down-to-earth ticket pricing, is still a league where Bayern Munich are a staggering ten to one ON to win the title – a bet so arguably lacking in value, it isn’t even work making.
Spain has the perennial battlers of Real Madrid and Barcelona, with Atletico Madrid giving the duo a run for their money, but it is far from a wide open league. Yes, the likes of Getafe can manage shock results against the top teams, but many La Liga fans see the same teams winning titles each week.
But, some may say, the Premier League is far from a wide open title race as only five teams have managed to take the title since the league’s inception in 1992-93, and one of those teams – Blackburn Rovers, then captained by now manager Tim Sherwood – is no longer even a member of the top flight.
However, the league is fiercely competitive. In Villa’s most successful season of the post-Martin O’Neill era, Gerard Houllier only managed to finish nine points from 18th place, despite their ninth place finish. Had Villa lost the pair of games against Arsenal and Liverpool in the final two games, that gap could have been closer.
The reality for the Premier League going forward is that it will continue to be fiercely competitive. For Villa, a team who are no longer part of the perennial elite, they could be as likely to finish ninth and nineteenth – a fact that is both heartening and sickening at the same time.
A balancing of the league is certainly exciting/nerve-wracking (delete as appropriate) as the season goes on. Villa, like the majority of the teams, however, will just have to hold on for dear life and hope that this time around, they finish closer to the top than the bottom, whether by a sliver or a wedge of points.
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 77
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That’s right, Matt. The rest are just kind of hanging on.
I’m feeling positive Villa can be a real surprise for the league and go better in the FA Cup.
I watched the highlights of the weekends match again. On hindsight, Gabby had a pretty good match, but he needs to score. That said, I think Gabby still has something to offer, and with the new talent available for selection, I suspect we’ll see the best of Gabby. There’s no room for complacency.
Hi Matt,
Having watched a lot of footy over the weekend I can say at this point we are not the worst by a long shot, If we believed the Media we should of been.
Maybe it was due in part to our tactics which were to stifle the home team in the 1st half then take it to them in the second, we hit Bournemouth after they came down from the adrenaline fueled first half and this was carried out by a team yet to Gel.
Yes many teams have bought quality and its early doors but so have we by what I’ve seen.
One adjustment I would make is to play gabby out right, Ayew proved ineffectual there in France but scored 13 from a central position where he dropped deep and gets involved.
Our new signings looked technically and physically better than anyone bar Benteke that Lambert bought, and if that’s how they play in a week
we should see much improvement in the coming Matches with a solid platform to do it from.
while not wanting to go OTT I’m quietly confident and excited by the potential considering we will have more players coming in.
It’s going to be real tough. I thought Swansea and west ham were superb and put in a performance id love to see villa do. If we can just stay away from a relegation battle id be happy.
Little worried about ts comments about new signings now going to be english. Don’t really understand why. We have a fair core of British allready and most english players arent very good and expensive!
Looks like we will be relying on crosses for the big man Guestede, Im ok with that as long as we play too and can keep ball. I’m thinking the Newcastle side when they had Ferdinand up top….But do we really have the wingers to cross?! And will that mean playing 442?
Morning all – aint it great to start out your work week with a win in your first game!
Good points Matt, but tbh the only team that really impressed me this wkend was Swansea. They look real comfortable on the ball and have plenty of danger going forwards. Dont really rate Gomis but with Ayew, Montero and Sigurdsson playing like that they will create plenty of chances and he will score a good few goals. This is exactly where we need to be – have the players behind the striker capable of creating chances and the striker will score no matter who it is.
Leicester played well but with the caveat its was against a piss poor Sunderland side – who I reckon will be in big trouble – who should even have taken the lead before Leicester scored. I still back Leicester to be in danger long run – they are very much a form side and when the form turns they will struggle and I dont think Ranieri has the answers for that.
West Ham impressed but Wenger was right, they are much further along in their pre season prep due to playing a few competitive games early. They got knocked out too, which probably is a blessing in disguise, if they carried on in Europe I can see them fading in the league.
Stoke look to have a decent squad, if they had a genuine goal threat they would do really well. They even had Shaqiri in the stands watching in the stands! Exactly the sort of player we should be looking at! Will be exp and big wages but surely we can do it if Stoke can? And surely he’d prefer playing in a big stadium rather than that shed.
None of the big boys impressed, I put that down to lots of travelling. It does take its toll, you do see plenty shocks at the start of the season. I think we can get one against United, surely we’re due one?
Everton are hyped way too much, this is a season Martinez will struggle – they never seems to get out of that good season – bad season narrative. Dont think they’re particularly well equipped and Cleverly will get found out when asked to step up.
Now back to more important topics, lets talk about that Rudy fella eh!!!
Lemme start by saying no-one is happier than me that Gestede scored. I did/do have reservations about the move but as a new Villa player Ill back him 100%. To be fair, my reservations were at a point where it looked nailed on we would get Adebayor and besides heading I didnt see much more he could offer over Kozak or Ade. I didnt think they would all get decent opportunities to play and stake a claim so just seemed a waste. Im glad Adebayor aint coming and hope he doesnt so Kozak and Gestede do get chances to prove their worth.
Always said he looks to have a great header, but may even have underestimated that! Shewood says he’s the best in the country and Id be inclined to agree with that, maybe only Carroll coming close and hopefully Gestede has better feet. He did slide one nice pass down the line to Gabby. Still need time to properly see how good he really is and what his limitations are but I do like his enthusiasm and all the noises about his work ethic. Great start to his Villa career. UTV!
Ree- you need some oil on that bike chain especially when back pedalling
I can hear it squeaking from here 😉
Even the Bournemouth centre half said there is more to Gestedes game than his heading.
Watched Tekkers trotting about for the poo and to be honest wasn’t impressed but I felt a little sorry for him when he was trying to look happy for cortinho 🙂
Hello Matt,
I think we all know that whoever ends up in the top few in the league is a good *team*. And I emphasise the word as mere big signings and top names mean nothing at all if that team does not play … as a team.
Some were suggesting that the Gunners had re-found themselves (and against us at Wembley, people would have cause to think so, and after last week in the Charity Shield) … but look what happened to them at home against the Hammers.
The game remains as unpredictable as ever, except that we can be reasonably assured that the same 3 or 4 teams as were at the top at the end of last season will be the same ones again.
As far as Villa are concerned, it’s clear that TS has brought together a group of players that will play as a team. There goes that word again. How much they will achieve in their first season together we can only wait and see, but I don’t – seriously – expect a finish below 12th. And I even feel that it might be higher than 10th if they click well enough.
During any of the Villa’s great years … whether you are talking about 1897 or 1981/82 … the Villa teams of the time consisted of very good players who gelled … as a team. Even in 1994 and 1996 when it mattered. There were no big names or huge financial investments made to produce those teams.
So any talk of big signings making a big a difference to the outcome in the Prem this season or any season will not impress me, I’m afraid. Paying out big money does not produce success without finding the right management/player chemistry, as has been the experience of many teams in the past.
I’m just eager to see just how good the chemistry is at Villa Park.
Not backpedalling just re-tracing my route!
Tbh Iv always hated your typical battering ram type striker, even since Graham Taylor signed Crouch – not saying Crouch is a battering ram but being so tall you could tell what the game plan was – get it to his head. Hated the way we played at that time cos I hated the likes of Wimbledon and later Stoke who played this primitive game. Lambert replicated this shitty style during his spell.
I was even pessimistic about Benteke’s signing even though you could tell he can play a bit, just because of the way it encourages us to play with a big man up top. I hope Gestede can play a bit too – we will see. Still not sure he has what it takes, who can after a 30 min cameo albeit a good one? I much prefer a dribbling skillfull forward who can take people on and score great goals ala Dwight Yorke. Who knows, maybe Ayew could be the one? Still more excited about his potential than Gestede.
Happy days, successfully avoided the banana skin, forced a re-type by many journos around too many changes to the team, same old Villa or the cherries pick apart a lion or some other crap headline.
Tactics Tim has proven he can read a game beforehand and during, he called it like all of us as it was going to be a party for them and both fans and players would be up for their first prem game so we stifled the first half and then came out to dominate the second. I think we did clearly see that there will be a gel time for Gueye, Veretout and Ayew but glimpses from the first two and probably more settling in time again for Ayew. But Tim made effective substitutions and clearly Gestede will get the headlines and as I had written previously would come on as a second half sub to change the game. (must do the lotto) but the other subs were equally efficient use of the team.
Fantastic face plant by the villa fan in celebrating the goal, bring on united, different challenge and probably too soon for Gueye/Veretout to dominate or get hold of the game, I can see Schweinsteiger start this one with LVG thinking he can control this from midfield. Same tactics need to happen sit and hold because they are the better side but this time catch them on the break, we won’t be able to dominate and it may not be pretty but I want points (the prizes will follow).
Early doors, one game in but this Villa side has potential that previous seasons were devoid of, deep down it was always going to be same again and again under Lamberk.
Happy Irish Villan role on Friday (my wife is a manc fan)
JL- my thoughts too on teamwork.
As I said when Wilkins turned up he may be our best signing. Yesterdays game plan was not Tim Sherwood’s style, even the subs to close the game down showed some thought. Shame Wilko wasn’t here for the final or the last 5 years.
Ree- I like to see all sorts of goals but especially Villa ones 🙂 , I have the feeling pretty soon the prem CH’s will be watching Gestede while the likes of Ayew and Sinclair slip in the back door. Fortunately I don’t think he is stoppable physically and he’s smart with his movement and positioning.
How many times did we see chances go begging because Benteke, gabby and weimann all run to the same area? it drove me mad but already I see him peeling away and finding space instead of crowding his strike partner. How much better was Gabby once he was on the pitch too? well for Gabby 😉
DOR- at half time I said Cole would come on for ayew and Gestede on the 60 min mark, he came on 58 1/2 mins! 1 out of 2 ain’t bad 🙂
Ayew couldn’t get into the game parked on the wing but in the second half
he picked the ball up from deep in the middle, then made a run and pass that ultimately created the Gueye chance, that is much more his game I believe.
worth a punt
https://www.clubcall.com/aston-villa/villa-alerted-after-praet-price-falls-1777448.html?
Ayew I think will play better as a central striker. He didnt have a great game but his passing is good and so is his dribbling. He slipped Gabby through for that chance in our best move of the game, which Gabby pulled back, when he could have shot, to Gueye who might have done better. Nice lil pass there. Probably better as a second striker. Dont think I would start him against Utd tho, think we should start Gabby and Gestede… as a pair they would frighten the life out of their defense. Gabby with that pace as usual and Gestede with that physical presence will give Smalling and Blind nightmares (if they start them too). Smalling in particular is shit scared of anyone with big presence ever since Benteke destroyed him couple seasons ago
Praet is definitely worth a punt, but I’m not sure Sherwood is interested in him. Feels as if Praet/his agent or Anderlecht are trying to drum up some fake interest. But does look really talented on the ball, wouldn’t see instant results but definitely one for the future.
Hello people. Decent result for us. I was at a wedding and only saw the highlights on MOTD. How did Idrissa Gueye play?
Matt, not sure how much stronger the Premier League in general will be this season though. Arsenal had already been crowned the new invincibles by plenty of ‘experts’ and look what happened there. Many clubs have spent big, but a lot of it is has been spent on recycled Premier League players, Benteke, Sterling and co. There are always a few big names coming in, but United signed Di Maria and Falcoa last season and they added absolutely nothing. Arsenal may still sign Benzema but equally United might lose De Gea. Factor in the retirements of Gerrard, Lampard, Delph and Begovic, and ignore all the hype for a minute, I’m not convinced the league is really any stronger, certainly not outside the top 6.
For the rest of us, it’s got to be all about consistency. If a team like Palace or Albion or even us can consistently beat the teams around them then come May they will out perform expectations. I hope it’s us and that we can avoid our annual relegation battle.
Gueye was one of our better performers, seems to have taken to the style instantly as has Amavi. Has a bit of Delph about him but more awareness. I think he is gonna be our Mr dependable this season. Veretout and Ayew showed glimpses. Veretout’s best bit was when he controlled the ball out of the sky perfectly with people around him and then then turned to set up Gueye for a shot (which he blazed over!).
I really dont think theres much 8th and 14th tbh. The teams that are way ahead of us are the usuals Chelsea, Arsenal, City, Utd, Liverpool, Spurs and Swansea. Southampton and Stoke are also ahead of us as are Crystal Palace and Everton but I dont think theres too much difference there. We’re probably at the same level as Newcastle and West Ham. A good run of form will shoot any of us up the league.
Hi all
great result even though the first half was shocking from us – the lads gave a decent account of themselves in the 2nd
Amavi is going to be a worldclass player without a doult in my mind
i think our defence has improved but a few more additions are still needed – maybe lescott will join before the window shuts and another winger i think will give us the depth we need – i think kosak may be on his way if we can secure adi from spurs who would insure that we have a decent goal qouter while the new boys find there feet
happy ts has got the lads in 8 til 4 for drills as we can’t afford to just wait for things to click -this is a shrewd move from tim and one that is needed for him to get the best from what he has
Andrew p- gueye has the most pre-season with us and it shows, works well with westwood. I think he is class and certainly an upgrade in many ways bar unpredictability on delph/ cleverly.
I think a lot of signings depend so much what the existing teams like. If you bolt a turbo and go faster stripes on a jalopy you’ve still got a jalopy. The route we have gone done is a new design in essence purpose built, what for we will have to wait and see.
I’ve seen a lot of division over the first half display some callling it terrible and others like myself seeing a professional performance to take the sting out of the game with a dodgy 10 min spell when we lost our shape.
I definatley think if we had gone out all guns blazing we would be below arsenal today
mark the only thing that was good for me about the first half is we wasnt 3 -0 down
we offered nothing at all in attack and hardly got passed the half way line
on the plus side we defended well as a unit and guzan was well protected and also made a couple top class saves and catches
2nd half we still defended well but was able to give them a thing ot two to think about — imo of course
Hi all,
I managed to watch the whole match live, but have not seen any pundit comments or reruns. My overall thoughts were we looked more thoughtful and purposeful on the ball, no more of this hot potato, get rid as soon as poss football.
It actually looked like we had a plan! Yes there were the obvious errors and Bournemouth did squander there chances, but i was pleasantly surprised how, even after so little time together, they played quite well.
Have to agree with Runts, as sure as eggs is eggs, Amavi will be a star, i was so impressed with his contribution, not perfect, but controlled and confident. Gestede gets the plaudits for the goal but there was a lot to be optimistic about regarding overall team performance.
In the words of D-Ream things can only get better!
Thanks people. I saw Gueye a couple of times pre-season and was impressed. My first impression of Amavi was when he ducked out of a 50:50 ball at Walsall but he looked a good footballer against Forest.
Because he appears so confident, I think it’s easy to forget that Wurzel has had less than a season as a manager so he’s learning all the time along with the players.
Let’s reserve judgement until we’ve played 6 or 7 games.
You could see the tactics first half, we didnt press at all. As Sherwood said later we set out to dilute the atmosphere and we did that pretty well. It was a huge potential banana skin given the occasion and the fact we had so many new players with little time to bed into the team. So credit where credit is due, we did what we set out to do.
Saying that we could have, probably should have, gone in at least 1 down if not more. Towards the end of the first half they got to grips with us sitting back and just threaded balls from deep, one which resulted in Callum Wilson being in on goal but a bad touch led to a bad shot. Then a scramble in the box caused by Richards failure to clear properly, thank god for Amavi getting a foot in… but ball fell to Gosling and he shuda score. Then they had a shot in the box that Guzan saved well. The only half chances we really created was that Veretout lay off to Gueye and the free kick that came from a Gabby run on the break. Both wasted.
Second half you can tell Sherwood told them to go out and have a go, we were much more lively and closed down quicker. Couple nice moves with our midfield linking up well. When Gestede and then Sanchez came on it changed the game for us. Westwood went more box to box as Sanchez sat back, his cross led to the corner which Gestede scored from. After that we sat back and defended comfortably. All in all we did the job. It was a good performance, given the circumstances and the fact we stuck to a gameplan it could be said that it was a very good performance.
But all it took was one of those Bournemouth chances to go in for us to be reacting very differently. It worked out for us this time, but we cant afford to let games stay on a knife edge as the season goes on. We need to control games more otherwise random events will decide games. Im confident we will see an improvement as time goes on. Hopefully some good football too, and the signs were encouraging.
One thing that puzzles me is why didnt Sherwood use these tactics in the cup final? Would have worked so much better. Sit back first half lets see if they can play through us, then have a go second half. Would have worked so much better than the high line – no pressing we did play. Recipe for disaster.
Its okay Ree,
No need to justify your previous point of view, we all get things wrong, you’ll just dig a deeper whole anyway! Like the Yorke comment, pretty sure he was paired with a big guy more often than not in the form of Savo. I’m waiting for Sinclair to come good after I’ve slagged him for a solid 6 months and Mark to royally take the piss.
It seems odd to buy Ayew as he doesn’t look great out wide so you’d hope he’d be played as a centre forward. Now given Gestede is surely going to be our number 1 why buy Ayew at such a high price? Could 4-4-2 be a thing? When you look at the team we could go Grealish and Gil on the flanks, but for me they’re better as 10’s. How about this…
Guzan
Bacuna Richards Clark Amavi
Veretout Westwood
Gil Grealish
Ayew Gestede
Good start to the season, impressed with Sherwoods signings so far, hope they all work out, though I am sure some won’t.
I am hoping for mid table security this year, no flirting with relegation and watching this new side build and grow over the season.
Ree- I think the reason he hasn’t used those tactics before is they come From Wilkins IMO.
I thought we looked very well drilled in the first half and played with caution, Amavi who normally bombs forward didn’t, gabby defended deep and the front 3 sat on the half way mostly looking to get in behind when they could. The mistake by Richards gave them the wobbles and Yes they could of scored but how many games has anyone seen where the opposition doesn’t get a chance?? 2-3 decent chances for a team that scored 98 isn’t much. If it comes to that Gueye should of scored gabby had a golden chance he fluffed and Gestede should of at least hit target when on his own in space.
The commentators said after half time TS had got them going, truth was they were following instructions, not great to watch unless you admire defending but in TS’s words
” I told them I don’t care if we don’t have a shot on goal in the first half”
Basically he knew it was going to be a gungho Bournemouth pumped up with adrenaline. Funny thing with adrenaline is it doesn’t take long once you sit down to go away leaving you Knackered and ripe for the second half 🙂
rags no Gueye?? thought he was class
It will be interesting to see how tactics Tim decides to play the game on Friday night against Man U.
What a first home game for a new team members to play in. The atmosphere should be electric.
We cannot afford to try and contain UTD because they have the quality to score.
So it will have to be all out attack. Although I think I would play Sanchez in front of the back four to break up the play and offer some protection.
Rudy has to start up front and we will need pace down the wings to feed him. I believe Rudy will turn into our new cult hero – he will terrorise Man Utd.
Interesting times.
Richard S- to be fair I think if we had played a high line against Bournemouth they have the players and the passing ability to get in behind but not sure Manure have the same pace up top, although Rooney is a always a pain. Hard to tell how we will set up but I suspect it will depend whether Gil or Grealish are available. would be very tempting to start Gestede but I reckon it could be the same starters with maybe Ayew making way.
mark thats the great thing about football one mans shocking footy can be the next mans qaulity performance
i know we have been down in the dumps for sometime but i am still wating to enjoy watching is play rather than squirming at the action
ts is showing signs that he might be able to take us there but without some investment before the window shuts i fear we will struggle
i do like the buys but the tekkers delph money is not enough to allow tim to turn things around imo
at least we have amavi for now though – really enjoyed watching him – a fine player
Runtings
I will hate learner more if ts does not get at least 20mill to spend on top of delph tekkers cash.
A rb, striker is miniumum required. Cam and gk too.
Mark, Yeah you’re right, I guess that means a diamond is more likely with Gil dropping out, I just love the idea of a barca style set up, the ‘square’ if you will.
Runtingz it is mate it is, but don’t be thinking I wouldn’t appreciate some attractive football 🙂 . I think Tim did the best thing by being cautious with a side that barely knows each other and the situation they faced, plenty would of lost that game.
In the weeks to come I think we will see a totally different team and style emerge. Its very early doors and I think we will see more come in. What I like about this lot is they all seem to have a mature game vs Lamberts buys
Ayew looks the rawest but he’s a flair player, Vertoute is a man at 22 where as are own Gary Gardener still has plenty of maturing to do in comparison.
rags when I try and figure out how to use are best players I end up with 15 on the pitch 😉
yaya on fire today – he looks like he could be up for it this season
yes mark nothing wrong in your point of view here even though mine may differ
it is early doors and there seems to be a lot more optimism – no lambert , sensible buying to a degree allows for that
i guess what i want is too much to ask for , which is a clear footballing phylosophy at the club
swans , southhampton have the systems in place that i wish for – not in there spending but how they play – — if you can spend and play that way the sky is the limit
if not you watch qaulity footy win ,lose or draw
West Brom are wank.
Can’t wait to see Gil back. Can play this Silva type free role . We need Jack back as well to tuck in from the right
I worry we won’t be signing anyone else. We are still a goal keeper, right back, right mid and striker short
runtingz- I guess that’s the problem with trying to implement something whilst in the prem. Swansea and Southampton did all their rebuilding whilst getting promoted over several years. That’s the problem if your used to getting your slice of prem money, its hard to do without so you do whatever to stay on the money train.
I do think we will get there, however it will take at least 5 years as fox has said, luckily I think he is doing a much better job than the ginger one did IMO
Is delph playing?
Just seen the goals are they not going to mark Toure then? shocking 🙂
agree frem -lets hope randy doesnt leave yet another manager n the lurch – espesially as he seems a half decent one
agree it would take tme mark but it is more suited the the premier lge enviroment than the traditional percentages game – which is something we still even do at international level – shocking really — for me anyway
runtingz- The football is suited but getting the players in to play is more difficult, Wenger is still trying. think the new breed of younger managers coming through will change that though as the teams coming up are adopting a different game Bournemouth being one, they won the champs playing possession footy where the risks are less.
runtingz- I bet wba wish they had a defence right now, they are diabolical.
it goes a little deeper than that for me mark
for example we look great playing the groupn stages at international level and so we should with 100k per wk stars vs 10k per wk
but we then don’t get out of the group and our football is exposed for what it s
not very good – way behind the times
swans should have beat chelski away and that is to do with phylosphy first and formost and there players aint too shabby — there awey brother is top notch
runtigz- because our managers methods are outdated and the prem is to hard on the players, think this present crop will fare better in the euros if they stay fit though. But to be honest every cup seems to turn up a new new way of playing, the spanish then the Germans now the belgium and french teams are evolving
runtingz Also if there wasn’t rules to stop it there probably wouldn’t be any British players in the prem on 100K its only because they have to have them they are worth so much
thats right mark and the one thing they all have in common within there systems is — pass and move – pass to feet
so true mark and they aint worth it
Frem – Cant see us getting another keeper, Guzan, Bunn and Steer will be fine for this season.
Another striker I can see, but I reckon Kozak will get some game time this season.
Frem,
Like Mark I think we can forget another keeper. Why do we need one anyway? Yes, Guzan’s clearances are a lot to be desired, but so long as he stops the shots then no need i.m.o.
Another striker also a bit unlikely – we have 4 already with Kozak still to show this season.
Morning all .
An interesting article Matt and you remind us of the bigger picture that can easily be forgotten when we get so excited with the new season ahead. The stage is a different one and whilst we are improving this season with us bringing in some tasty players, other teams maybe doing the same . The surprise for me over the weekend was Watford – 22 nationalities and more newcomers than us and they gave Everton a good game . Could have been a fluke , or it could have been Everton being exceptionally poor but it was unexpected . As was the a west ham game – more than a couple of pundits had the hammers as relegation bound and they beat Arsenal – the pundits league contenders . For Leicester to score 4 albeit against Subderland was also a surprise. How quickly opinion turns – Raneieri has gone from a huge risk in the pundits eyes to a world class mgr after one game . Many said Leicester wouldn’t maintain the form they showed under Pearson but hey ho they came out of the traps fighting . Why oh why dud we sell our very own Marc Albrighton. He never did anything wrong and was showing potential even in his last games though Lambert was loathe to pick him .
No one knows how it will pan out and it’s amusing to hear the experts changing their opinions with the wind . Tim Sherwood got the tactics wrong at Arsenal and the last couple of games and all of a sudden he’s a master tactician for the Bournmouth game . Well I will need more convincing that the two halves on Saturday weren’t just players growing into the game and finding their feet with a blast of a motivation at half time thrown in . That’s not to say the Wilkins Sherwood combination won’t be a tactical masterclass duo – but let’s see what happens in the next five games .
Feeling very happy with the new players – I actually feel like we have enough to achieve mid table ! That’s my AV blinkers on maybe 🙂
Firstly -non football Runtings check out Adloc and let me know what you think, fronted by an Irishman but mixed influences within the band including trad celtic
Well, Adama Traore is/has joined the Villa, fitting with the remaining English players to join the club. Probably completely appropriate media handling to through people off the sent and re-linked to Praet, Boilesen.
if we got these three lads in i’d be well happy and then move onto to RB first choice and LB cover in the January window. We have a tidy little side thanks to Benteke and less so Delph, now a few additions and we’ll be more than fine for the season.
Roll on Friday
UTV
DOR i cant find Adloc on youtube – will find them tomorrow as i have footy after work tonite – gulp
jen it hurts seeing alri flourishing which i thought might be the case – it just shows how bad lambert was for us – glad he is able to enjoy his football and get lots of game time thou
so the barca kid sounds like a done deal – i know nothing about him but considering were we are getting him from we should be getting a decent player
Adama looks pretty good from the clips online, then again who doesnt? Looks a powerful dribbler, unpredictable, bit like Bolasie in a way. Tbh I would prefer Praet over him, think he edges it technically with his vision and his passing. Adama would be more of a right winger which is a position we are light in. Figures being talked about are pretty big, £12m for an unproven prospect? He’s done alright at Barcelona B but nothing ground breaking. Has played a few games for the senior side so there must be something about him, doubt he would anywhere near breaking into that team… given that the best player in the world plays his position.
Anyone else having trouble with Ryan linked article?
Not sure what to make of Adama Traoré looks very quick, quite tricky in a clumsy sort of way but haven’t seen him cross the ball once? Apparently he tracks back and doesn’t leave his right back exposed which is a bonus if bakuna is our chosen RB. I will reserve judgement but can’t see him being a regular starter or the complete answer on the right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-9mT_bq97w
Mark: “Anyone else having trouble with Ryan linked article?”
Matt is aware.
By crosses I mean in the air, he certainly gets his head up and makes decent
ball along the deck and pull-backs though.
OK John thanks
Ryans been back 5 mins and broke the blog.
front 4 of
Adama Praet Grealish
Adebuyour
yes please
Mark
I think adama is just what we need. Strong as an ox and rapid with a football brain. Him and ayeuw are going to give us options up top for sure.
Cant wait to see the back of nzog.
Hate to break your dreaming Andrew 😉 I think this article has got it about right for Friday, can’t see Gill or Grealish making the team maybe will come off the bench. would like to see Gestede but will TS pick him from the off and miss out on his impact later on if he’s not 100% up to speed?
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/08/11/graphic-why-tim-sherwood-should-select-this-villa-xi-versus-manc/?
Andrew yes I can see that combination coming off and with Vertoute, gil, and grealish will scare defences shitless running at them. I just don’t want to rely on Bakuna’s crossing its ok but not that great.
Being brought up at Barca you know he will have great vision, awareness, touch and technique. Its standard at Barca.
Mark
Yeah i think it will be too soon for Jack & Gill. Re Guestede i guess it’s how he trains this week and id if ts thinks he is ready.
I reckon he will start. Too confident not too?!
I wonder what formation we will settle on, going to take a while till ts knows his best side.
A new Rb is priority this transfer window.
Tough call Andrew with bacuna and Hutton on the books whether TS will spend the money elsewhere. Praet reminds me a lot of Berkamp but in midfield. One things for sure if we keep on buying at this rate we will have a hell of a lot of competition in the squad, these young lads will probably have been told they will get match time but I can’t see how he can possibly do it. The reserves will be be some side 🙂
love the toure footage – great attributes – he looks a real danger man – brave , quick , direct and hard working — hope this one comes off
Yeah, bout bloody time we had a proper squad. Real competition for places and players coming off the bench who can make a difference.
Praet and adebuyour whould give us a hell of a chance getting top 10.
Id prioritise rb Mark. Bacuna and hutton not good enough. In the modern game full backs are massive influence.
I agree Andrew but Hutton harder to shake than a 100KG tambourine and Bakuna is being given a chance. Can our finances stand another bomb squad? right or wrong strange 2 of the players left could be back in it, Hutton and nzogbia
runtingz- Like Tony Daley on steroids with a brain 😉
bit of tony for you, hell of a player and one time singer with shalama 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIFpNAOfyoI
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4925132,00.html?
soz injury update
I think we’d better get Tony Daley back! What a player.
JL I always remember the times that he was so quick he used to run out of pitch, happened a fair bit in his early days 😉
Supposed to be interested in Aymen Abdennour of Monaco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGsoiFFzlTc
Gutted that Gil is still not fit. After the Silva masterclass last night I was reminiscing about our own Spanish wizard and even watched a couple videos. That kid has so much talent, just needs more of an end product. Honestly cant wait to see him and Grealish combine in the same team. Plus if we got players like Veretout, Ayew and possibly Praet then the link up football could be a joy to watch.
Traore seems like a gifted winger, strong powerful dribbling. But I dont think you can teach kids vision and awareness/creativity. Its something you’re born with and Im not sure he is. Gil and Grealish definitely are. But being at Barca means you have to be comfortable on the ball and he is that. His powerful runs would be hard to spot, remains to be seen if he has good delivery.
Dont think we should go 5 in midfield against Utd Mark, Id like us to go 2 up front in a 4312 with Veretout being the 10 and Gabby and Gestede up top. We know Smalling is scared of the physical battle. Blind played CB at the wkend, there was some good analysis on Sky with Martinez showing him pressing up in midfield leaving huge gaps behind him that Gabby can take advantage of.
I dont think Utd are fully sharp/fit and we can take advantage – even though we are hardly best prepared ourselves. It needs to be a totally diff game to Bournemouth though, press from the front just as Spurs did – Utd had nowhere to go. Fact Spurs were the better team overall, the difference in the match was a mistake Bentaleb made giving the ball away cheaply. Utd hardly had any shots on target and no-one really impressed.
One thing for damn sure, this horrible winless run against Utd at home has to stop at some point. Its 20 years to the week ffs. 3-1 ‘you cant win titles with kids’ remember it well. Yorke, Tayls and Draper on his debut I believe? Beckham with a 40 yarder for them. Horrible grey kits. Little did I know at the time that was the last home win we would have over them for an eternity!
Also cant believe how a sh1t club like Stoke with a tin shed of a stadium can attract a world class player like Shaqiri. I guess he was too rich for us – which is a damning indication of how fall we’ve fallen – when Stoke can compete better than you financially.
Ryan’s piece is now up and available!