Starting every game in the first half of last season, poor form backed up by a fractious relationship with his manager saw Stephen Warnock fail to feature in the New Year and it looked to all intents and purposes that he would move on. Instead it was Houllier, and the former Villa management to depart, to the delight of some and none more so than Warnock.
Starting every game this season, the left-back has been a key part of a defence that has conceded just five times all season. Despite a somewhat fortunate fixture list so far, there is no doubting that Villa’s defence have improved significantly under McLeish, though they face their first real test against a free-scoring Manchester City side this weekend.
Interestingly, Warnock’s part in a 4-0 humiliation at City last season was what ultimately saw Warnock dropped and never recalled under Houllier, and the former England international will be keen to put things right this time around.
Discipline Decisions
Two key weaknesses to his game from last season have not only been rectified but seemingly turned into strengths so far this term. Rashness in the tackle has long been a facet of the defender, whose game revolves around his commitment to the cause, but he seems to be picking and choosing his tackles more carefully now, especially with McLeish cracking down on ill discipline.
Picking up eight yellow cards in his 19 starts last season, Warnock committed 23 fouls, having made 55 tackles at a rate of 1.2 and 2.9 per game respectively. So far this season he has picked up just one yellow card in his seven starts and committed just one foul per game (7) despite completing more tackles a match (3.3), 23 in total. Therefore, Warnock has made 3.3 successful tackles per foul this season compared to 2.4 tackles per foul last year.
In comparison to his defensive teammates, Warnock is far more effective in the tackle. James Collins has committed only six fouls this season but only completed seven tackles, while Dunne has committed nine fouls but made more tackles than Collins with 15. Only Stiliyan Petrov has completed more tackles than Warnock this season (24), but the Bulgarian has committed more fouls than any teammate with 12.
Aerial Improvements
At :just under 5-ft 11″ Stephen Warnock is by far the shortest of Villa’s back line, though this hasn’t shown in his aerial success rate. The best of any left-back in the league to have won 10 headers or more, Warnock’s 71% success rate is above Dunne (67%) and Collins (61%).
Encouragingly, of all defenders to have won 10 headers or more, all three make the Premier League’s top 20, and this is a far cry from last season’s disappointing figures, particularly in Warnock’s case. Winning just 43% of his aerial duels last season, the 29-year-old has increased his level by a massive 28% thus far and he is outshining Hutton on the opposite flank.
The significantly taller right-back has won a decent 58% of his duels thus far, equating to seven out of 12. In comparison, Warnock has won 10 of 14, Dunne 14 of 21 and Collins 17 of 28. Despite his noticeable return to form, Warnock faces what could be the toughest task of the season, attempting to thwart City and, in particular, David Silva this Saturday!
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