I’ve come to hate international duty for Villans because responsibilities—and the relative importance of outcomes—to club and country don’t always coincide. To wit: Jordan Amavi now lost for the year. The club paying Amavi’s wages are without a key young star just purchased over the summer. For an under-21 game. I know…featuring in that set-up keeps him in the picture for the full French squad.

But I wish Garde could’ve said, “No one’s leaving. We have too much work to do, and I certainly can’t afford anyone getting hurt for a cause beyond our survival.”

Again, I know. That’s not how it works. International tournaments aren’t going away, and, to be honest, I like them. I also know that for a team to play well, they need to spend time playing together, and teams have to play qualifying games. Players naturally want to represent their country and be part of that all-star selection. Which, for Villa players, tends to be the opportunity to take an England call-up or two and find a new club.

As if we needed another example, The Special One is now said to be sniffing round Grealish, Danny Rose, etc., for a more English spine. Do you really think this talk would be leaked or made up if Chelsea weren’t struggling? Grealish hasn’t even trained with England yet. If he’s not a nailed-on starter for Villa, can’t see how he fills any immediate need for Chelsea, unless they’re needing more stylish hairdos on the pitch. Or bench.

Anyway, I don’t believe our fate will be decided by one player this time around, but Amavi had to have been an important part of the puzzle: a fast, attack-minded fullback who can deliver a quality ball. I saw some comprehensive stats somewhere comparing him and Richardson side-by-side, and it wasn’t even close. Clark, Lescott (you’ve got to be kidding me), Bennett and Cissokho have all been mentioned. Of all, I’d perhaps like to see Bennett recalled as it looks like he’s matured in stature, but I don’t even know (based on what I’ve seen others saying) whether he can be, or how much he’s progressed as a player

It sounds as though Garde will do what he can for now, which isn’t much: ask someone to step in and step up. If no one convinces, we have a new need to fill in January, and I somehow doubt that left back is a position we were looking to address within our allotted spend. Based on Garde’s comments about repetition and not trying to do too much, I’m confident that whoever figures will at least be well-drilled in what’s expected within the system, and will be someone who seems to best fit that system.

Brigada 1874? I don’t really know. I like fans having fun. Been a long time since I was last at Villa Park (circa 2007, I think). Seems like many things have been banned, including winning.

Which brings us to the weekend, and, one hopes, not another masochistic exercise otherwise known as watching Villa. Martinez is full of compliments, and they seem to be on the mark. During the week we’ve been hearing about novel concepts such as cohesion, system, possession and attacking football, the team working as a unit both ways.

That all sounds very promising. One wonders where such common sense has been all these years. Perhaps it’s been lurking around somewhere, overlooked or ignored by the players. Perhaps they simply weren’t up to executing. But to the untrained eye, it looks for all the world as though there hasn’t been a systematic emphasis drilled into them, which seems to be the very thing we’re always talking about with other sides: They look like they know what they’re trying to do, where their teammates are, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and deploy and perform accordingly.

So, onward to Everton. It will be tough match, as always. Three points would obviously be massive. I’d certainly take a score draw, which, in recent years, is about what you’d expect against the Toffees, though I’d much rather see us get over the hurdle with an actual win. In the end I’ll take anything but a loss, and I’d like to see that we’re getting closer to knowing what we’re doing. I also wouldn’t mind a bit of luck.

Time for line-ups, your preferred, non-ideal left back, predictions, metaphysical musings or favorite holiday-season recipes.

Share On:
Facebook
Google +
This entry was published on / John Clark. Posted in Aston Villa Blog, Clark's Call, Columns, Match Previews. Bookmark the permalink.

The Author

Profile Photo
John Clark
John is co-owner of AVL, and has followed the Villa since the '70s. A journalist by trade, he is, by most accounts, a very nice person. You can follow me on Twitter @JClarkKohoutek. It's an astonishing experience. Or a complete waste of time.

Comments 94

  1. steamer

    Hello John,
    Really enjoyed that leader, you threw a few funnies in there too.
    JD mentioned in another blog that Grealish turned down 60,000 per week from Chelsea to sign for Villa, mind he did say that cruise magnate was buying us, last time i saw JD he was writing his Crimbo list to Santa.
    As you mentioned, when you look at the team its pretty obvious that the coaching has been dire, but thats English footy, jobs for the boys. I think Lameberts Jeerman badges were a figment of his imagination, if he has one.
    That last coach we had, Wilkins or something, rattled on that we’d stay up and as soon as he got his pay-off, went to the media and told them we were getting relegated, so much for integrity, no wonder they all need their media pals to bull up their capabilities.
    You only have to look at who’s England coach to realise we have a problem in this department.

  2. Mark King

    Hello JC thanks for the post,

    Sods law said it had to be Amavi to be injured, we finally find a good full back and he gets crocked. Unfortunately it has to be Richardson unless Nzogbia has volunteered. Garde has looked at a few reserve players but no hint as to who, I thought a recall for Calder from Dundee could be the answer, left footed, can play defence, mid and wing. The 2 obvious replacements Bennett and Cissoko can’t play until jan anyhow. He knows Cissoko so I think come jan he’ll be back.

    will Kosak make the bench? or the half time tea? poor bloke must be cursed. Garde had 7 starters missing during the internationals so at least 4 players will have improved, think positive 😉 If Kosak doesn’t make the bench we will know that’s at least one thing Tim got right

  6. Mark King

    JC- I think that will would line up pretty much the same and I’m expecting the same tactics but there is a doubt at the back of my mind that given the time garde has had to see the squad without seven of the city game starter’s there could be a few surprises. Grealish,Nzogbia,Adama,westwood and dare I say Kosak have had time to impress

  8. Matt Greenhill

    Good stuff, John. What I like coming out the Villa camp this week is talk of drilling and repetition. Remi needs them to be better organised and we saw signs of it against Man City. I don’t think we’ll see any surprises at LB, I can see Richardson starting although beyond tomorrow he’s sure to look at other options.

  9. Mark King

    Maybe I’m thinking to much but Lescott is probably the most experienced left back we have, maybe with someone more attack minded in front of him? Richardson hasn’t got the legs to get up and down and you’d think Lescott would be a better bet defensively. Either option doesn’t fill me with joy.

  10. John Clark

    Thanks, Matt. Been enjoying yours, though I don’t always make the time to say so (rather rude of me). Like you, don’t expect too many changes…at least in approach. The mission seems to be “starve Lukaku of supply.”

    Would hope we’ll be looking for goals as well, can’t imagine Garde wants anything else.

  12. John Clark

    The thought of Lescott out there fills me with dread, Mark. But maybe I’m wrong. Richardson seems a more mobile player. I envision Lescott getting turned inside out all day long.

  13. Mark King

    Player of the season for the tesco bags and played left back a lot, in Tims and Kmacs chaos maybe he was left with too much to do. Coming from Pullis and citys more organised team maybe Villa’s Kamikaze approach doesn’t suit him, maybe Garde’s will or Clarke may get shuffled across?

  14. Jenny Truman

    Evening all and thanks for refreshing the blog with another very entertaining leader John C,

    I agree John, we were all thinking that the 2 week break would be chance for Remi to get to know and practice with the team and now we are wishing it never happened. Amavi a casuality of a pretty pointless u21 friendly – and he must be cursing it as he has the worst of it – 12 months being unable to play for a pro footballer is hellish. The team will miss him for sure – but we do have options even though they may not be ideal and there is of course the Jan window if it doesn’t work out with what we have.

    Bringing Remi in has renewed my enthusiasm for the games and more. It sounds like Remi is bringing a plan, a strategy and the players will feel secure when their roles are defined and they get the right direction.

    Tomorrow is interesting as Martinez’s style of football is similar to the one which Remi is planning on developing at AV (correct me if I am wrong on this). Remi and his coaches will have been studying the toffees and we shall have to see what their plan is . The ace card that we have is that Martinez has little to go on as Remi has indicated that this game will be approached differently to the Man City Game. One thing a local pundit said tonight was that Everton is a much more physical side than Man CIty . Well are they that much more physical than City – have to admit that puzzled me somewhat.

    THe positive to come out of the international break is that Ayew has scored a cracker and his confidence will be up. He started quietly but the last five or so games he has shown that for all his brother’s storming start in the prem, that Jordan actually may be the star buy. I am a big fan – his performance and body language in the Swansea game showed that he is a winner and he hates losing.

    I really feel for Lescott. My fear is that we have bought him a season too late as he does seem to be short on pace. But, Mark has a good point – with a more organised defence his experience could pull him through. Richard Dunne wasn’t the quickest towards the end but he put in some outstanding performances with Collins at the end of the GH season and then for his country.

  15. Trinity

    Thanks for the leader John.
    I agree about starving Lukaku of his supply as being a priority.
    It’s good that the new manager has had time to drill his squad. Hopefully, it’s helped them to gel into a more cohesive unit.
    Shame about Amavi. It is a chance for someone else to step up. Have we got a player with the potential to step up in that role?

    Jenny
    Hopefully, Ayew can bring that confidence back to Villa.
    UTV

  16. John Clark

    Steamer-

    Back to your point…I really don’t understand the complacency in English coaching. For years it’s been evident that the coaching isn’t up to snuff, and the players aren’t being developed as well as they are in other places.

    I guess, as you say, the old boy network may well be to blame.

  17. John Clark

    Thanks, Jenny.

    I hope, as you do, that if Lescott is put out left, a better organized side will help him. Dunno.

    But, what I do know is that for now, at least, I trust the man making the decisions. Garde obviously won’t get everything right every time, but it will be well thought out, and if he makes a mistake, I think he’ll react accordingly to put it right.

  19. Mark King

    JC- is there a claim in it 😉

    I think garde is more methodical than Martinez and city are definitely giants compared to us I don’t see it as being a problem judging by our performance, hutton Clarke richards and sanchez help that.

    This will cheer JL up Garde is telling Grealish to buck up, it will do him the world of good and at least he will know what he has to do and will receive constructive criticism and valid instruction. Villas coach who’s name escapes me was a forward, must be a first in recent times for us.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/12008285/Jack-Grealish-is-far-from-finished-article-says-Aston-Villa-manager-Remi-Garde.html

  20. Jenny Truman

    Spot on Remi re JG . This will be good for Jack and the rest of the team . The JG circus perpetuated by the club PR and TS wasn’t helping anyone least of all Jack and I saw moments of petulance during games that suggested JG was getting too big for his boots and rolled down socks . Very very talented yes , finished article no and this grounding will do him good. The other players will welcome this too as Remi is laying it on line , no favourites , team first , individuals second .

    That said , I’ve a sneaking feeling he will play at some stage today and Remi’s message is twofold : to get a response from Jack and to confuse Martinez . We shall see !

  22. John Lerwill


    Mark,

    I have to say I’m heartened by Remi’s entire approach … much more mature … plus sounds as though he actually knows what he’s talking about.

    (At this point I’d like to say I have a love-in with the French … ever since my lengthy trips to France in the 60s … I always found them so much more interesting than us stodgy Brits! And I admired their family life, again way ahead of ours, I thought. … Had some great adventures over there – so long ago.)

    On the specific point about JG, Remi’s approach sounds exactly right … and, hopefully, we’ll see a JG that fulfils his potential.

  24. Mark King

    Jl- I like the french life style too although a bit of sunshine might help the brits.
    Right now I cannot think of a manager I would rather have, the F.A. have looked at the spanish and german way why not the garde way. I think Grealish could of gone of the rails with emotional Tim, England could be thanking Garde for a great player. For all Ronaldos brashness he works like a trooper and if jack needs proof of Gardes words he should look no further.
    That said Jack will thrive this season once the penny drops and if Gil stays fit.

  29. James Gill

    what has westwood got onsomeone at villa
    we have 6 under 6ft in mid upfront why no sanchez
    richardson is best of bad lot to replaceamavi wouldnt trust any reserves if mcdonald few gamesin charge showed what they are coached like

  31. steamer

    What a load of tripe this singing of the anthem is, you couldn’t find many shallower occupations than being a footballer, do they think it makes it look as though they actually give a monkeys ? Will they be singing the anthem of Mali next week ?
    Westwood ? Garde out.
    Was optimistic but with 10 men its going to be difficult. Unfortunately the French like this type of MF, Fernandez and Deschamps but Westwood is no Fernandez.

  32. steamer

    Good man management with Grealish, having put a little doubt in his mind he’s now playing him and will probably be telling him he’s better than Messi, Jacks gonna be buzzing. Our offensive game should cause EFC problems with their mobility and changing of positions.
    Should have started with Sanchez and seen how he was going.

  34. Frankfurt Villan

    Hi Steamer,
    I rarely disagree with you but on this I do. It reminds me of the community singing we had during and after the war. I think for our next home game we should have the Russian national anthem, to commemorate those murdered in Egypt, and for whom we have had no mark of remembrance.

    Very few of us know the words or tune, so I wondered if the two Steamers and JL would like to sing the Internationale – the words are tosh but I like the tune!

    The next home game is against the Gooners and I thought we could remember the long lasting French – German enmity with the singing of Deutschland Ueber Alles, to be followed by a rousing rendition of the Horst Wessel song, just like back in the day.

    Then,as you say, comes Mali. If nothing else this exercise is going to increase our musical knowledge!!

  35. Heroes-and-Villans

    I know we are goung down but it could be quicker than i thougt… 8 points from safety by end of day?

    Likeing the front 3 but hutton, guzan, richardson westy playing which means we are terrible

  37. @RonnieBiggs

    Geez u do really wonder with the Amavi injury if the football gods are trying to tell us something! Given the law of averages u would think we’d have to go down at some point! Keep the faith as always!
    UTV

  38. B62 Villa

    That glimmer of hope is flickering out, Villa losing again, even bournemouth are winning 2-0 at Swansea. I think we will pretty much be relegated before Christmas

  46. B62 Villa

    We could end up with a real hiding here, Everton are all over us. Andre Marriner has just shown he is a villa fan he’s just given Swansea a pen for absolutely nothing , helping the swans equalise against the cherries!!!!!

  47. steamer

    Frankfurt,
    I agree with the nation showing sympathy but footballers !!! especially in another language. The best anthems, imo, are the German, French and my favourite, the USSR before they changed the words, i downloaded the lyrics and had a go at singing them for when i was appointed Secretary General of the GBSR, too bloody hard, so i learned the Birdie song instead. Mein Got, our anthem goes beyond pitiful, to call it a dirge is an insult to a dirge.
    Our recovery seems to have lasted one game, this is crepe. We need five players in the window if we can persuade five to join. And that twat let Albri go on a free, unbelievable.

  49. RichardS

    Shocking – woeful – embarrassing . We are an absolute shambles at the back. The midfield has done nothing and Ayew
    Is not a premier league striker in a million years.

    We are down and out.

    A delusional board that has absolutely no clue how to run a football team and a transfer policy that is a disaster.

  51. Frem

    We are playing with 8 men. Guzan is wank

    Remi has got it so wrong today. We can’t defend so why put 11 men behind the ball? Hopefully he’s realised we cant and never set up like this again. We need to attack in games

  53. RichardS

    Our players are simply not interested – no fight. They are watching Everton play. Absolute disgrace – they should all donate their wages to a charity

  54. Heroes-and-Villans

    Steamer

    We need to be clever in jan. Start rebuilding for the championship.

    Get austin in whatever the cost. He can run riot in that league. Hey maybe even westy will look good next season!!

  57. John Clark

    Yeah, not a good half by any means. I hope there’s something encouraging in the second.

    Jenny-

    Typical stuff at the back. Richardson can’t handle Deulofeu. Clark didn’t challenge Lukaku for the second. Got in each others’ way for the third, couldn’t clear, Everton mopped up the scraps.

  59. steamer

    Just seen the goals, the last two we had FIVE players defending the box and none of them picked up, utterly pathetic. Too many players have had too many chances at VP, we need to shift 15 on but the thing is that Fox has given the worst one ( the ones that can;t even get in this crepe team ) FIVE year contracts.

  60. Heroes-and-Villans

    Its always the same storybecause the players are rubbish! Imagine how vertout feels….he turned the foxes down for us!

    The man city point was just fluke, we defended crepe and it was a miracle they did not score…. You cant get lucky every game. How many of these players do we want to keep i wonder.

    Wheres kozac, illori and adama?

  61. James Gill

    only good thing that will come out of this mess lerner going to lose money we are going to drop like stone,in football terms no decent manager player will want villa on there cv
    remi like last 3 can tlose we go down not his fault another big pay off again only thing lerner has been good at
    as andrew states playing with 7 men when you include guzan hutton richardson westwood has there ever been a player with worse stats been first choice at any other team
    we are weak in goals centre halfs shows why no one else wanted richards as ch captain bigger joke midfield westwood i am sick watching him gil grealish too lightweight together

  62. John Clark

    I think Sanchez is a big loss. Gana’s not playing very well, and we’re getting outmuscled in midfield. Grealish and Gil are taking their defensive responsibilities seriously, and it looked organized to begin with, but Everton are intent on taking away the middle, and in Hutton and Richardson we don’t have the fullbacks to make them pay. Having trouble getting Gil and Grealish up to get involved in attack. Ayew is isolated.

  67. Jenny Truman

    Thanks John. Let’s hope we can grasp some prude back by giving a better second half . I really fear an embarrassing score line will be hard to come back from. Sounds like they are playing with fear again and we need their tails up for next Saturday , home against Watford. I don’t see how we can go out and attack – surely it’s damage limitation now and hopefully Nick one on the break . Couldn’t bear another 8-0 🙁

  69. Ian

    That wasn’t good. I can’t see Garde pulling a rabbit out of his hat on this one. You need a hat to do that.
    Every weekend I build up my hopes for a win only to get slammed .
    I still don’t see them going down though it was February last year when they were bottom 3.
    Let’s see what the second half brings.

  72. B62 Villa

    4-0 Villa are absolutely dire, these players arent good enough for this level, my worry is they won’t be able to handle the physicality and schedule of the championship. From 1-11 we are shit.

  73. steamer

    I’m looking to see whether the players have the stomach for a fight, they haven’t, they look like they don;t want to play for Remi.
    Kozak, Illori and Traore must have something in their contracts about not playing with idiots or it costs us if the get their knees dirty.

  74. Heroes-and-Villans

    Frem

    We need major re building….the players are just not good enough for this level. We all know it, its why we have beenbottom 6 for 5 years. Teriible defence and no goals equals relegation. I knew it and accepted it month or so ago. I just want learner out so we can start afresh.

  78. Jenny Truman

    Well steamer , Albi is probably thanking his lucky stars we let him go – Leicestrr heading to top of the premier league and big Sam is unable to organise a shambloic toon side . Maybe Ian is right , when managers don’t have a hat let alone a rabbit the odds aren’t great. I couid do without Stan C writing us off completely though . This isn’t a game ear marked for 3 points to be fair . Can we do better against our relegation competition – we can but hope .

  80. Jenny Truman

    They looked like they wanted to play for Remi last game steamer – that’s why it’s such a let down . But this is only his second game – at least he is seeing our typical modus operandi !

  81. James Gill

    when you think our clowns have given new contracts to gabby more bookings last 5 season than goals,hutton.westwood bacuna lambert and we expect fox to get us out of his mess

  83. steamer

    The 4th goal was pathetic too, at least three defenders , one MF, a GK and two strikers required just to give us a chance. Not only are we bad, we’re GUTLESS.

  86. James Gill

    our players don t give a fuck they get paid no matter what
    this is only second match under remi
    we need a miracle
    we need answers as why ilor okore traore kozak arent playing cannot be any worse

  89. RichardS

    I am not sure what Remi was thinking today.

    Just sit back and keep it tight. We sat back and Everton scored 3 by half time. There was wave after wave of attack.

    We cannot just sit back and hope for the best. Playing Ayew as the lone striker does not work.

    Richardson, Ayew, Veryout, Gana, Westwood, Grealish were all anonymous.

    We are down.

  90. steamer

    Forget this selecting the best trainers, pick the ones that give 100% effort instead, ok, we may have to play with only three players but at least they’ll try.
    Frem,
    The fans singing after that performance is one of the reasons we’re crepe, the knobs think they’re playing well and thats why the happy clappers are singing.

  91. John Lerwill


    Apart from the fact that Everton are a very competent side …

    I don’t know why Sanchez was left out at the start … when he came on there was a perceptible difference. I’m no long sure about Gana … perhaps he’s popped his cork.

    Why select Grealish? I’m still trying to work out what there is in his game that’s supposed to make a big difference. Bring him on as sub maybe.

    Remi has to start playing the same side week-in and week-out … but in my view it’s got to be (there’s no option with Richardson really) …

    Guzan, Hutton, Richards, Clark, Richardson, Westwood, Sanchez, Gil, Gabby, Gestede, Ayew.

  93. Ian

    Games done! I can now get on with my life for another week. Going for a flogging with birch branches to improve my state of mind tomorrow.
    Liverpool loses today? That will cheer me up

Leave a Reply