So it was three points for Villa with recent loan signing, Robbie Keane, making the difference between the two Midland clubs, with the veteran striker unlucky to bag a hat trick.
What was puzzling was that, again, it was a case of having to react following a half time team talk. Why does this have to happen though? If team talks at half time can seemingly make such a difference, with increasing regularity, then what can be said second half that isn’t known first half?
The only realistic explanation I can have for it is a total lack of scouting. In this sense, it is though Villa aren’t researching opponents, and only working out how to counteract their threats after 45 minutes of playing an opposition team. If it truly is down to this kind of oversight, then it only serves to reinforce my earlier statements regarding a scouting network.
The game started with some changes to the lineup, with perhaps the most pertinent being Stephen Warnock being dropped for Ciaran Clark. Both Ireland and N’Zogbia failed to make the bench because of injury, leaving the resultant bench appearing somewhat skewed. Gary Gardner’s appearance as a starter was a positive for many fans.
The game started fairly well for Villa with a goal from Bent but then shipped goals from Kightly and Edwards and before man of the match Keane weighed in with two goals to make the difference for Villa. The other major incident of note was Karl Henry’s straight red after taking out Marc Albrighton. Nasty stuff indeed.
For those who supported the Keane loan, they may well feel vindicated. After all, in his two goals, Keane has already won the team three points with his second half performance appearing far better than the first. Keane may not have the sprightly legs that he had in his time at Wolves and Coventry, but his football brain and vision made up for it to silence those who doubted the validity of loaning the veteran striker.
Villa’s move up the table to 11th may not be the heady heights of the league, but it is as much as could be expected from today’s performance. The lads were expected to put in a good performance, and they outperformed my prediction of a draw so, to that end, it is a job well done.
Looking back at the game in a critical nature though, there is a routine issue with the first half being too slow to start. Whether this is down to the reasons I mentioned earlier, or some other greater issue is yet to be known. However, whatever the reason, and I hope it is resolved soon, this was three points brought back from the dead by a player who many suggested was past it.
Robbie Keane – take a bow, son.
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