The second round of league fixtures was completed yesterday, and there weren’t many surprises. Arsene looks to perhaps be in a bit of trouble, complete with Pires piping up on his need to spend money (and saying that players leave, even from the Emirates), Ferguson’s United fielded a number of fresh faces and looked comfortable except for de Gea again, Chelsea couldn’t quite find their rhythm but won nonetheless, and City looked a bit up for it as soon as they found second gear. Fulham are struggling to get out of the blocks, and perhaps all those who wanted Jol, or anyone besides Alex McLeish, might be wondering what they were thinking.
Aston Villa vs Blackburn Rovers
The nicest part of the game for me was the cracking goal that Gabby scored to open Villa’s account on the day (and season). I’m on record as saying the 4-2-3-1 wasn’t likely to produce a lot of goals, so of course Gabby, Heskey, and Bent all scored. I like to be wrong in cases like this. Of course it was Blackburn, but you should look comfortable playing a poor team and win with ease, and we did.
For those who were worried about negative football, their fears seem to have been misplaced. McLeish is taking advantage of the kind fixtures Villa have been presented with to open the campaign, stuck with the attack-minded formation, and it paid off. Fabian Delph had another good game, and now he’s reached a milestone, two actually: a complete 90 minutes against Fulham, his first in claret and blue, and another the following week against Blackburn. I haven’t looked it up, but Delph has apparently only notched some 16 or 18 appearances for Villa, not even a half-season. He’s crediting the staff for his specialized training regimen, and McLeish’s faith in him is perhaps looking to come good.
Perhaps McLeish was only ever being honest about what he had to work with in past jobs, and perhaps it’s the case that he has a bit more in his managerial locker than some thought.
The formation is interesting, and I find myself having to give McLeish credit for bucking conventional wisdom and giving Gabby and Heskey extended runs. They’re both strong, physical players, and they both worked their socks off. Delph was all over the pitch, too, and N’Zogbia had plenty of bright moments. Not only does the formation give opponents plenty to think about, it also puts two very honest and strong players on the pitch who not only attack but defend, as well.
In other words, dealt a strange hand, McLeish is being both savvy and innovative in making the most of what he’s got. And Villa are continuing to play it around and on the ground, while not forgetting to try and get it upfield quickly when the opportunities are there.
Gabby, I think, deserves special praise. He’s not had an easy time of it the last year, but his willingness to adapt, his desire to play, his love of the club…He’s giving it his all, and wants to be a part of things, and is willing to put the club’s interests first. It’s not easy for him with Bent around, but he’s showing how much he wants to play, and McLeish is also showing faith in him.
Of course it’s early, but I like the example he’s setting. And I’m damn glad he took the initiative, made the opportunity, took it beautifully, and then set up Heskey. One can only hope that he continues to impress.
Miscellany
Apparently Jean Makoun could be off in some way or another, and apparently he’d rather stay and fight for his place. This is good all the way round. I’m not sure the last time I read about someone wanting to stay at Villa and fight for his place.
We don’t have many players who are attractive to other clubs that we can afford to do without. But it’s in midfield that Villa actually have some options and depth. Delph, Bannan, Ireland, Makoun, Petrov: we can afford to let someone go if it means someone else can come in to make the team better.
Me, I think Makoun is a quality player. But I don’t know that we have the other midfielders to let him shine. If that’s the case, even though he’s good, he might be the one we can afford to let go, especially if the deal allows us to bring in a DM or CB upgrade. I can think of several players in either position who would make us better.
But at DM, if we can bring in a strong, passionate and intelligent player with 90 minutes of football in him, we could be a much better team overnight. And let’s face it, Makoun is about the only player we could imagine doing without who actually has market value. Again, this says to me that McLeish is not a fool, whether or not a deal actually gets done.
Shay Given has also said some very nice things about McLeish’s management style, that he listens, is sympathetic, and while a no-nonsense sort of manager, isn’t a dictator. A player’s manager, Given is saying. Maybe it’s just brown-nosing, but since he’s the obvious number one, Given doesn’t have to say anything, and perhaps we can dispense with the salt and believe what he’s saying.
The League Cup
Alex McLeish has also said he wouldn’t mind pulling off a double in this competition, and he knows that a kind draw and some hard work can lead to silverware. Since we haven’t had any since Brian Little was in charge, I’d welcome anything shiny the players can pass around and feel good about. It all starts against Hereford, and whatever side McLeish selects, it ought to be good enough this evening.
So here’s to several players on the fringe getting a full 90 minutes and moving us along.
Bread and Circuses
Me, I’m happy with what I’m seeing so far. Not the finished article by any means, but McLeish is showing that he’s his own man, got a nice reception, and the side delivered a good performance for those who showed up. I’m not happy there were almost 10,000 empty seats for the home opener, it’s a bit shameful, really. But there are signs that Villa Park might very well be a good place to go spend one’s hard-earned money.
Perhaps not surprisingly United had virtually double our attendance (and of course they have a 30,000-seat capacity advantage), which, over the course of a season, equals a fair bit more to spend. Another good performance or two at home, and I’m hoping some of the stay-away fans reconsider. We’re only off 1500 in terms of season ticket sales from last season, so the backlash is a bit more muted than one might’ve expected. Since it’s game on now and we can see that Villa are playing to win and entertain, let’s all get behind the lads to whatever extent we can.
The Author
