The other day against Walsall, Villa had their first clean sheet of any kind – friendly or otherwise – since last December. As poor as the club’s attack was under McLeish, their defense has been under Lambert. If the club is going to move back up the table, the defense has to be better. Realistically it can’t get worse.
It is a bit curious that the defense has been as suspect as it has. Generally, I’ve liked all the players as individuals; as a unit is where they have failed.
Matthew Lowton was a revelation at right back. I still like Ciaran Clark, but the more time he spends at center back, the more he looks like a midfielder or future Bomb Squad member. Nathan Baker looks good, he just needs to learn when not to lead with his head. Statistically, the defense was much better with Ron Vlaar, even if it did feel like he made a lot of mistakes at big moments. Even the maligned Joe Bennett showed some promise. I have infinitely more faith in these guys that the likes of James Collins or Alan Hutton.
What I want to see the rest of the preseason and at the start of the league season is to see less of the miscommunication that characterized the defense last season. With the exception of Jores Okore and Antonio Luna, these players have played together for long enough and the coaches have had enough time on the training ground to get this right.
The way Villa play will always leave them a bit exposed. Frankly I’d rather watch the team play like they did late last season than watch the bunker and counter football of the Martin O’Neill era. They do not have to be AC Milan circa 1990, but they do have to be better.
Lowton is one of the first names on the team sheet. Luna has looked good so far; if he doesn’t take Bennett’s spot he will at least provide competition. Okore will give Villa the depth they lacked all last season with Richard Dunne injured. Ciaran Clark won’t be thrown out there just because there’s nobody else. Janio Donacien looks like he could contribute to the first team as well.
I still like the players we have on defense. I’m not holding my breath for another McGrath, Mellberg, or Larsen, but this group should be and needs to be better.
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