Last weekend was everything I thought it would be. Going in I felt there was no reason why we couldn’t get something from the game and on the balance of play Villa probably deserved a point. More often than not the better team will convert more of their chances and more or less that’s what happened. More than anything this match reminded me of the Chelsea game at home two years ago, but without the last-second free kick to salvage the point.
Going to Eastlands I am far less confident. I’m already having nightmares where I’m being tormented by Mario Balotelli. After winning there in the cup, City should be up for the game. At this point City, Untied, and Chelsea are all clustered at the top of the table. City need three points to keep up the pace. I’ll be happy as long as the team puts in a spirited display and the scoreline is respectable.
Luckily no Villa players were hurt during one of these useless midweek FIFA dates. Christian Benteke scored again for Belgium. He is becoming a force— on an international side on the up brimming with young talent. If he plays like this in Brazil it will be almost impossible to keep him. I wouldn’t mind seeing him come up with an injury before the World Cup, to be honest, provided there are no long-term effects. Selling him for a massive profit would hardly be the worst thing in the world, but damn it would sting.
Admittedly I am getting a bit ahead of myself. He has shown himself to be the ideal partner for Gabby Agbonlahor. We have all been waiting for Gabby to take the next step. Perhaps his strike partners have been holding him back to an extent. John Carew had his moments, but toward the end of his time with the club it always seemed that he was playing himself into shape. He’d find form in March and April as the rest of the team was knackered. Emile Heskey is showing his level of ability as he lights up the A-League. Fox Soccer here in the U.S. plays the A-League live at 1am on Sunday mornings. Many a time I have come home after a Saturday night out and stumbled upon it. It’s MLS standard, but slower and with far less technical ability. Cameron Jerome could probably win the Golden Boot.
Andi Weimann’s work rate is a perfect match for Benteke, as his tireless runs are rewarded when he picks up Benteke’s knock downs. It seems he has taken a similar role as Grant Holt did at Norwich. Paul Lambert has never shied away from pragmatism. I’ll take that as opposed to blind adherence to an overriding football ethos that may or may not be workable in a particular situation. We have yet to see Jordan Bowery play with the first team, but he is a target man as well. Theoretically, if Benteke is unavailable, the team would not have to dramatically change systems. It may be early to say Bent is off in January, but it doesn’t appear that he fits at the moment.
When I watch this weekend, I’ll be looking at the big picture. If we can sneak a result all the better. And naturally I hope we don’t get humiliated.
The Author
