You may or may not have been keeping up with the supposedly meaningless preseason games on the U.S. tour. Regardless, they’ve been interesting and instructive.
I think many of us saw the Burton Albion game. Who cares, right?
Well, in that one, we saw Lambert taking a look at everyone by platooning two sides, one in each half. Villa went down, then went on to win. Who cares, right?
A few days later, Villa packed their bags for the colonies, and started playing more talented teams in midseason form amid high heat and humidity. I’m not saying MLS is competitive with the EPL. More like the Championship, and certainly a better, fitter, more athletic challenge than League Two will ever really present.
Understand, these games for the MLS sides are unwelcome distractions. Yes, it’s fun to have big teams come in. Yes, there’s a bit of playing for pride and the home fans. But in the midst of a regular season, international friendlies sandwiched between games that count….well, that’s what you call a needless distraction.
Nevertheless, with one game to play tonight in Portland, I’ve seen some interesting things. And let’s discard the level of competition for a minute.
First off is that Paul Lambert has Villa playing possession football. There are few aimless punts from the keeper. And few from the back line. Villa have been playing it from the back, and, despite the disparate levels of fitness, controlling large portions of both games so far.
Second is that the impact of certain players has been diminished. Against Albion, Holman and El Ahmadi stole the show along with Barry Bannan. In the two games against Philadelphia and Chicago, individuals have become less important, yet the team has played better football, limiting each opponent to a few innocuous chances. Gabriel Agbonlahor and Nathan Delfouneso have both scored.
Players still played well. But the point is that the quality of play has improved across the side, depending less on individual performances to make a difference. The team seem to be getting better. Yes, some good opportunities have gone begging, and each of these games could comfortably have finished 3- or 4-0 to Villa.
That they didn’t isn’t cause for concern. Rather, possession, chances created, and chances conceded are all in the right proportion. Which is cause for optimism. You can see Villa learning to play the right way.
Lambert has persisted with a narrow 4-4-2, and while it’s meant the midfield have conceded some space on the flanks, the competition hasn’t been up to taking advantage. In the meantime, the players are playing closer together, forming triangles, giving each other outlets, and for their allotted 45 minutes or so playing as aggressively as the opposition.
There’s been more than one instance of clever interplay. There’s been good awareness of shape. Good tracking back, good pressure…In short, Villa are doing things the right way, and it’s apparent on the field.
Despite the odd mix-and-match sides, players are getting the hang of the Lambert way.
That’s not to say everything’s been perfect. James Collins has looked nervy and exposed in open space…Charles N’Zogbia has had his head down, and keeps dribbling into cul-de-sacs. Bannan has been much less impressive, though still solid and energetic.
The games have been comfortable nevertheless, and that’s what you want to see, especially so early on.
There will be sterner tests before the season starts, and sterner tests certainly when it does.
But so far, I’m seeing a commitment to the right fundamentals and am encouraged that Villa are going in the right direction. Solid foundations are being laid.
As for the Vlaar deal, don’t read anything into it. Villa are playing three games in a week a continent away. If Lambert really wants Vlaar, he’ll get him. Feyenoord and Koemen are being a bit silly, trying to pressure Lambert into a quick deal. But no one knows what their final roster will be in July. And much of what happens will depend on whether certain players really on their way out. Maybe Lambert’s having second thoughts. Maybe he’s annoyed about the pressure tactics.
In the end, I don’t think Lambert will miss a player he wants. And I don’t think he’ll sign a player out of desperation.
For me, it’s been a very positive preseason so far. I think Villa are in the right set of hands, finally.
What do you think?
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