SV Rodinghausen 1 – 1 Aston Villa
First half: Guzan, Herd, Vlaar, Baker, Bennett; Delph, Sylla,; Albrighton, Bacuna, Tonev; Bowery.
Second half: Steer, Lowton, Okore (Carruthers 90), Clark, Luna; El Ahmadi, Gardner, Westwood; Weimann, Helenius, Agbonlahor
SC Paderborn 1 – 1 Aston Villa
First half: Steer, Webb, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett, Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Carruthers, Helenius, Bowery.
Second half: Guzan, Lowton, Baker, Herd, Luna, El Ahmadi, Sylla, Gardner, Carruthers, Bowery (Burke 65), Weimann
VfL Bochum 1 – 1 Aston Villa
First half: Guzan, Lowton, Clark, El Ahmadi, Luna, Westwood, Delph, Burke, Weimann, Herd, Carruthers.
Second half: Steer, Vlaar, Baker, Bacuna, Helenius, Albrighton, Webb, Sylla, Bowery, Bennett, Gardner.
So Lambert took the boys off to Germany to start their preseason. It was very much touted as a “fitness camp” to sharpen the boys up and get the legs pumping again. It’s difficult to replicate actual game fitness in training sessions. In the three games, we got to have a look at the new boys, though I don’t think we have seen anywhere near the first choice XI yet. Can we learn much about them in these games? Can we learn anything about any of the players?
First Impressions
They say first impressions count so I will try to pick out some of the things I noticed – without reading too much in to them. KEA looked a decent bit of business at this stage last season and never managed to adapt to the pace of the Premiership. Perhaps this season will be different after an injury and international interrupted first season.
Helenius is lazily being thrust forward as a “Benteke replacement” by some media outlets. Perhaps he will play in Benteke’s position (if he is sold). They are both big men, but that’s where the comparison ends. Helenius doesn’t have the brute strength or the surprising burst of pace Benteke does, but he seems to have a far smarter head on his shoulders. Once his team mates learn begin to read his game he’ll become a threat in and out side the box. Benteke and Helenius up front would be a hand full if Lambert went to a 4-4-2 in some away games. Helenius plays with his head up and has the ability to pick out his man as well as stick the ball in the net with clinical technique, his Free kicks are going to be exciting, if not a little frustrating at times. So far: impressed.
Bacuna is a bit of a mixed bag. He has worked hard, looked decent on the ball at times, and certainly has the physical attributes to suit the league. But he has also been guilty of some “Delph-isms” a few rash challenges, a few misplaced, ill-thought-out passes; and, perhaps, a bit lost in what he’s supposed to be doing when Villa are defending. Hopefully this is something that comes with playing within the system and working with the coaches. He speaks near perfect English so hopefully it shouldn’t take long for him to pick up the technical side. However as a “Milner” type player he has that power and drive, he certainly has ability in his boots to deliver the ball with either foot.
Tonev is a bit of a surprise package. I thought he was going to be a bit of a one dimensional winger. But he looks a bit of a steal. His definitely has pace, looks a bit light weight but seems deceptively strong when he wants to be. He can go down a bit easily, but it’s nothing new to the game – and to be honest, we’ve missed getting set pieces around the opposition box since Young and his “going down easy” left. With Okore, Bacuna, Helenius, Baker, and possibly Benteke, we have a formidable set-piece unit if the delivery is right. And Tonev looks the man who will be delivering to them.
Okore looks to have potential; tour cut short due to injury. He looks comfortable on the ball but also a big powerful lad able to deal with most things strikers will throw at him. Wasn’t overly convinced he is as quick as many suggest. The was a sprint in the first game where Clark was staying with him pace for pace. Has Clark got quicker? We were quicker all over the park in the first game, so it is hard to judge. Hard to take much from the briefest of sightings.
Luna: some people raved about him, others not so. Its seems every manager has a weak position. MoN couldn’t pick a LB for toffee, and I hope Lambert doesn’t suffer the same affliction. I think we’ll see Luna and Bennett being rotated (dropped) quite a bit between the two of them this season. Clearly his language was a bit of a barrier so hopefully when he can communicate with his team mates better, he will being able to defend within the unit better.
Steer: not convinced, but he was near enough free. Still think Siegrist should have been given the nod. Siegrist has matured and filled out as a keeper; he may not have the limited first team experience Steer has, but for me has more ability and more potential. It’s good to have two exciting young keepers at the club. Just hope Lambert treats them fairly and the best will out. Obviously Steer has been given first chance to shine, but didn’t, so hopefully Siegrist will get his chance in the up and coming friendlies.
Baker seems to have realised that you don’t always have to win the ball; showed some very sensible defending ushering players in to less dangerous zones and allowing the pressure of being forced out of position and the attacker “having to do something” win the ball back, you don’t always have to lunge in in or burst through a player. A lesson that Clark sadly hasn’t learned, countless times he was shown a clean pair of heals by “lesser” players and he pulled on the shirts.
Albrighton has a long way to go, worked hard, little to write home about, I thought, but he will get some more time after his season of hell last year. On the other hand, Carruthers has shown he will probably be a bit of a weapon off the bench this season. Another blow to Super Marc probably. The thing is Carruthers offers more as a player, and if he’s prepared to work hard on the pitch and keep improving off it then his impact could be very valuable this season. Burke less so and can’t see him breaking through unless was have an injury crisis.
Gardner, long known as Villa’s “Young Saviour” looked good after coming back from injury. He is another of the 6ft plus boys, and is very decent in the air, too. The great thing about Gards is, even though he’s had two serious injuries, it hasn’t taken away from the biggest part of his game: his brain. We looked far more composed when he was on the pitch. He’s never been the quickest but he gets in to position. He’s a bit ring rusty as you expect for someone who hasn’t played in the best part of two years. A few misplaced passes are the least of my concerns, when his sharpness returns those misplaced passes will become assists. So pleased Gards is back and hopefully ready to kick on in the first team.
Wiemann seems to have kept himself very fit through the summer; he looked the sharpest of the lot and knows this is his big season. Last season he was new to everyone, while this season his card is marked. He needs to do what all good young players do and change his game up, give defenders another thing to think about. His movement and ability to find space will always cause problems and now needs to make sure he capitalises on those chances that come his way, he did miss a few good chances last season and if he can now start being more clinical in the box we’ll be in for an exciting time.
As for the rest, it’s what I expected, Westwood is still the “ball player” rarely giving the ball away. Vlaar is still hit and miss. Lowton is still bombing up and down, working hard and never letting up. Delph needs a big season, but I think he and Bacuna are competing for the same position. Bowery has improved his touch, but still not convinced he’ll be any great shakes. Sylla a busy midfielder who offers a bit of everything, useful to have around and will play his part but can’t see him standing out. Herd, KEA and Bennett: Steamer, Frem, B62, you can deal with them.
Squad Assessment
I think the squad has improved, we have far more options now and think a 4-4-2 would now be a good option for a little more stability at the back and protection for the fullbacks and something that should be looked at along with the 4-3-3 we seem to favour at the moment.
Guzan,
Lowton, Okore, Baker, Luna,
Bacuna, Gardner, Westwood, Tonev,
Helenius, Benteke…
Gabby, Vlaar, Sylla, Weimann, Delph, Carruthers, Steer.
Not likely but looks exciting team with power, pace, size and most importantly the ability to hold on to the ball in the middle of the park and players up front who you can play off.
We’ll learn more as preseason goes on, but would anyone care to put forward what they think the First XI will be at the start of the season…
Of course my views have been taken from highlight packages, dodgy streams and reports from respected journalists. If you were there you may very well have taken different opinions away from the games. But at least we now have seen a few games and can now assess the player rather than judge on hearsay and presumption, as some have!
#cometogether
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