Many – including myself – anticipated an absolute tonking on Monday evening at the hands of Manchester City, but it turned out that, had it not have been for a silly error of judgement by stand-in captain Ciaran Clark towards the end of the first half, perhaps we may well have been gainful of a Brucey Bonus, and sure would have gratefully accepted an unexpected share of the spoils.
I felt that the Villa were solid: nothing more and nothing less. But, yet again, another match passes with us creating very little. Granted, we were playing against the current champions; but, not for one moment during that match, did I sense a goal for the home side. The only chance that sticks to mind was Benteke’s header that was cleared off the line. England stopper Joe Hart had precious little to do between the posts.
Post-flurry in the opening fifteen minutes or so, there was no creativity. Gabby never got going, nor did Charles N’Zogbia, who looked to be in one of his over-trying moods that we’re well accustomed to. It isn’t until our full-backs press further up the pitch that we possess any real width, but then should we lose possession we’re prone to leave ourselves hopelessly exposed. No matter which division we are in next season, the gaffer must seek to invest in an out-and-out winger or two.
As another game passes us by with little in the way of edge of your seat stuff going forward, I’m rather perturbed at Lambert’s insistence that everything will be alright, and that this Villa team is “improving.” I’m afraid that I am here to prove him wrong.
If we cast our minds back to Saturday, December 15th 2012, and that memorable 3-1 win at Anfield, at the time us Villans thought that this result may well have been the catalyst to bounce off of in what had been a terrible campaign. For this week’s article, I have chosen to rattle through this season’s archive to dig up some information that the original Stato from that Baddiel and Skinner show would have been proud of, to prove that since that afternoon things have only got a whole lot worse.
Ever since that win at Anfield, on average the Villa have a shot on target near enough every twenty minutes; the eleven games prior, it was every fifteen minutes on the nose. In the past eleven outings, our opponents have notched up a total of 201 shots (a little over eighteen per match), in the eleven games pre-Anfield, that figure was 158 (a little over fourteen per match).
The Villa are seeing less of the ball, too. In our previous eleven matches, we’ve only fared better in possession once – against Southampton (56% possession) and yet still went on to lose 1-0.
Despite etching out fewer shots, the only stat that we’ve gained upon in the eleven matches post-Anfield is goals scored (11). In the eleven games pre-Anfield, that figure was just a mere seven – but we did only concede a total of fourteen goals, in comparison to 29. The most worrying thing is that, since mid-December, we’ve taken just six points; almost half the tally we notched up in the eleven games before the Liverpool match.
With Villa not having the ball as much, creating fewer opportunities, and allowing our opponents more attempts on our goal and taking lesser points, I fail to see where Lambert is finding his assessment that we are an improving outfit. I’m sorry to say it, but, in my eyes, as it stands we’re relegation fodder.
Each week I do attempt to bring a little lamp shine along with me, and so with that in mind I have found a solitary positive from this week. That was Fabian Delph’s display against City, particularly in the first-half. I’ve been watching him very closely of late, and he is one that is growing in stature each and every game he plays. The problem is that throughout this season, we have seen glimpses of quality (and what we expect to see) from several key players; however, inconsistency creeps in, and we’re left with just one bright spark at a time. And with just ten matches left to save our bacon, now is the time for our stronger players to collectively play to the best of their ability.
This Saturday, it’s crunch time – eighteenth versus nineteenth – as we travel to Reading. These are the matches that will define which division we shall be playing in next season. Three points would be absolutely massive for us. In my eyes, we have to take at least three out of four points from the upcoming two matches. Should we take six points, then I’ll be jumping straight back aboard the “Villa are staying up” belief bus.
Fingers-crossed for the win this weekend. Keep the faith, and Up the Villa.
The Author
