I had a long holiday weekend here in the States, and it gave me a chance to catch up on some football, especially Southampton, West Brom, and QPR, some of the teams I’ve not yet had a chance to watch this season.
My conclusion? Villa have nothing to worry about.
Not that these are sides simply to be dismissed. The quality of the league, and the football, is increasing across the board. More and more teams are comfortable passing and holding the ball. More and more teams are applying pressure effectively. Essentially, the game has settled at a new level, and a number of enterprising managers are responsible. Southampton in particular have been unlucky, as they’ve played fearlessly to their strengths, showing more fight than Villa in recent years.
Why do I sound so glib about Villa’s prospects then?
Because I’m watching a team transitioning to this style under the tutelage of a very good, no-nonsense manager. He’ll get it right, and we all seem to agree we finally saw signs of this at the weekend against Newcastle.
Villa certainly aren’t the finished article, but they’re finally on the right path. Lerner’s backing of Lambert has meant that the team is deeper, and now has more young players with talent who are anxious to prove themselves, high-character players that will work hard and buy into the team-first concept Lambert is preaching.
What I saw watching some other sides is that they essentially have the advantage of cohesion and time together. They know what they’re trying to do. They’re certainly not superior in personnel.
Some may still think that a roughly £20m spend wasn’t enough. But when I’m watching the other sides, I think it’s been money well spent, even if I haven’t seen most of the players in claret and blue yet.
Whereas Lerner could easily have said, “You’ve got to move more players before bringing new ones in,” he didn’t. He’s allowed Lambert to add to areas where another owner could’ve said, “Don’t we already have players there?” Areas like left and right fullback, goalkeeper, striker, and central midfield.
Guzan’s commanding performance should have served notice to Shay Given that his time may well be up. The things we thought the American keeper lacked were the very things he seemed anxious to display. He showed courage and command, barking orders, coming for virtually everything in the box, while making at least three top-class saves. It was an extremely encouraging performance, and he seems keen to make the job his.
I say give it to him.
Adding the highly rated Ashely Westwood to midfield is another good indication. With El Ahmadi, Delph, Bannan, and Ireland, we’ve got some skill and composure. An up-and-coming player like Westwood added to the mix means that Herd and Baker don’t need to be employed where they don’t belong. And while I’ve long said Bannan isn’t good enough, Lambert’s finding a way to use him.
With Ireland growing in confidence and apparently happy at Villa, we may well have the last laugh in that City deal many thought would never come good. He’s just a quality player, and he’s getting more quality players around him. If Ireland is feeling good about his situation, the football will follow.
With Bennet, we now have depth and cover at both fullback positions. While Lichaj played a combative and tireless game, we could do with a touch more quality. Beyond that, we’ve now got cover both left and right with Lichaj, Stevens, Bennet and Lowton, who is quietly finding his feet and not doing much wrong in the process.
Vlaar? Enough said, really. He’s a massive step up from Dunne or Collins, is composed, athletic, big and strong and confident. He reads the game well. Clark had a much better game this week than last, and has the right partner to help him shine, get forward and add to the mix like he did Sunday.
Up front, we’ll have Bent, Gabby and Benteke vying for time, each offering something different. With Benteke, I’m hopeful that we’ll finally have a Drogba-type striker, the exact sort I was hoping we’d be in for. Bowry? Who knows. But he’s cheap, Lambert’s saying nice things, and he may well provide yet another option for a side that’s been lacking strength and size up front.
That will only help Charles N’Zogbia, who I do think is trying.
Holman? An invaluable engine who I think will contribute more as he gets comfortable. He seems to know that he can play himself into a game and do something crucial even if he’s not making anyone forget about Ronaldo.
So, nothing profound from me this week. I’m a bit full from our cookout, have had a few beverages, and am quite content. With all the new signings, and Given being benched, never mind Warnock and Huttons’ exile, quite obviously sanctioned by Lerner, Lambert is putting his stamp on the club in a way that Houllier and McLeish weren’t able to.
You’ll either do what the gaffer wants, or you’ll be on your way out. And he’s targeting players he’s been watching all along, players he knows will train hard, listen to instructions, play the ball on the ground, move and press, and take responsibility.
It’s early, but it’s moving the right way. The international break comes at just the right time, allowing Villa to heal up from some knocks, catch their breath, and continue bedding in and getting familiar.
We’ve had a lot of false dawns at Villa Park. But this time, I think Mr. Blue Sky might finally have shown up to stay. We’re not going down. We’re on our way up. When the lads return to Villa Park, get right behind them. I think they’ll repay your faith.
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