So the first month of the season has passed and without going ahead of myself, some marginally meaningful stats are starting emerge. In my capacity as resident stat man for AVL I thought it about time give a rundown of my players of the month for August.
It is hard to compare players’ stats when looking at all positions combined, so instead I have compiled my list of honourable mentions in terms of the Best Defender, Best Midfielder, and Best Attacker.
The opinions are my own, courtesy of a little nudge from my friend the stat, but first, credit where credit’s due; Shay Given has proven to be an excellent acquisition thus far. Three games, two clean sheets and just one conceded is a far cry from the defensive crisis that was last season and the Irishman’s influence shouldn’t be underestimated.
Undoubtedly his best performance in the claret and blue (except it isn’t claret and blue, but you know what I mean) was in his, and the team’s, opener against Fulham. Making five top saves, Given ensured that Villa came away from Craven Cottage with a decent point. He has scarcely been troubled since, but done everything asked of him in spite of a groin injury and long may it continue.
Best Defender
The decision on who has been Villa’s best defender was a hard one due to a complete turnaround of the diabolical fortunes of last year thus far. Richard Dunne’s partnership with James Collins has looked dependable while Stephen Warnock has come back into the first-team fold with minimal fuss.
Despite all Villa’s regular starters at the back, excluding the departed Luke Young, performing admirably thus far, I give the edge to Dunne, who proved on international duty for Ireland that he is back to his best with a supreme display. Having shed a little bit of his ever-present timber from last term, Dunne has won 80% of his aerial duels thus far compared to Collins’ 70% and Warnock’s 63%.
He has also made more clearances per game than his teammates with 8.7 to Collins’ second-best 8.3, as well as making 1.7 tackles a match to Collins’ one— though Warnock has completed 2.3. When it comes to interceptions his impressive figure of three is also down on Warnock’s excellent four but considerably higher than Collins’ 1.3.
Best Midfielder
When it comes to the best midfielder, Stiliyan Petrov deserves credit for a much-improved start to this season in my opinion, but is just edged out by the impressive Fabian Delph. Were it not for a slightly disappointing display against Wolves the youngster would have won this one at a canter in my view, but his performances against Fulham and Blackburn were admirable.
Showing an excellent pass success rate of 84%, Delph has made the second-most passes in the side behind Petrov, but found his target more often than the Bulgarian’s 79%. Charles N’Zogbia’s ball retention has also been very good, best in show in fact, pipping Delph with 85%. Delph has also made three tackles per game, more than any other Villa player, as well as 2.7 interceptions per game, ahead of N’Zogbia’s one, but down on Petrov’s superb 4.7, which indicates that his ability to read the game has not diminished.
Best Attacker
For me it has been great to see Gabby Agbonlahor back to somewhere near his best form for the club. It has been evident since his emergence through the ranks that the forward is a real confidence player, and he looks to have put last season’s struggle behind him. Emile Heskey has played in the role behind the striker and though I would agree that this position doesn’t really suit him, he has put in a considerable shift, greater than that of Bent thus far in my opinion.
Playing from a wide-left position, Agbonlahor has averaged more shots per game (1.7) than his attacking teammates, with Bent’s lowly one per game down on Heskey’s 1.3. It was good to see all three players get off the mark with well-taken goals against Blackburn, though Agbonlahor’s jinking run and shot were a cut above his colleagues’ strikes. The forward also picked up an assist in the game, as did bent, while Heskey is yet to register in this regard. When it comes to taking players on, Agbonlahor’s 0.7 successful dribbles per game is tied with Bent, with Heskey again yet to contribute in this area.
The Author
