I saw somewhere that Villa fans were furious after the Southampton game. I couldn’t watch it live, due to a wedding, which meant I already knew the result when I did get to watch it.
But I was a bit surprised by what I did see, finally, as opposed to what I was braced to endure. In short, I didn’t really see anything to be furious about. That’s not to say I like losing or giving up “stupid” goals.
While Villa weren’t playing particularly beautiful football, neither were Southampton. We deserved to lead 1-0 just as much they would have. We started the second half fairly well, a touch unlucky not to go two up on Benteke’s header.
And then we were undone by a single strike pretty much out of nowhere. It settled the desperate and frustrated Saints, and the home crowd, too, and Southampton rediscovered things they know how to do. They needed a result, and they took their opportunity to get one.
Ireland Is Important
It was evident we missed Stephen Ireland in the second half, an unfortunate thing as he’d become increasingly influential as the first half wore on. He was working hard, tracking back, and linking up play well as Villa stopped looking so determinedly to set Bent or Benteke free with long balls. It looked as though we wanted to get at the Saints defense early, but it was a largely ineffective approach that contributed greatly to a scrappy, haphazard half.
With Ashley Westwood brought on for Ireland at halftime due to injury, Villa were lacking focus going forward. And while admirably pushing for a second, Villa also lost composure and control and failed to take the air and pace out of the game when Southampton were struggling for foothold.
It was Villa’s defense that ended up looking vulnerable as a result. Westwood looked very, very lost for most of the half, which, along with Darren Bent, means you’re at a real numbers disadvantage, even if Bent is working harder these days. As I’ve seen some suggest in other contexts, I’m not so sure that it wouldn’t have been better to have Baker come in at CB and Clark move up into midfield. Or just bring in Chris Herd. Bringing Bent off would’ve been another option.
Now, of course, Lambert’s got to try things, and I know he wouldn’t have felt comfortable sitting back and trying to defend a 1-0 lead against a team that can score. Injuries present the opportunities that up-and-coming players have to seize.
I appreciate the attacking intent in the decisions. I don’t know if I’d have made the same changes. I’d have been looking to clog the game up and slow it all down with Ireland out. The Saints weren’t showing much invention.
Regardless, here’s hoping young Westwood isn’t scarred and takes it all in stride. It wasn’t the sort of outing he’ll want to dwell on. I don’t doubt that he’s got upside. He just wasn’t up to the occasion on the day.
And The Rest?
Guzan might have done better on one of the first two. But Lambert got a lot into his shot, and a hand ultimately wasn’t enough. Clyne’s shot was so close to Guzan’s body, and those are often the hardest for a keeper to stop.
I say Guzan still starts. Maybe Given gets an outing against City, but Guzan is still the number one.
Joe Bennett got a brief run out to no great effect, good or ill. Gabby failed to make an impact, but wasn’t exactly being played in his preferred position.
El Ahmadi had a solid game. Holman looked like a headless chicken at first, then settled down and found his touch a bit better. Lichaj…I’m not sold. He’s not bad, but I think we can do better. Lowton was at fault for the third, I thought, switched off. But as Matt was saying, we’re going to be vulnerable down the flanks with such a narrow midfield.
Vlaar did a lot right.
Benteke looks like he’s going to be a good player. The ball he played across to Bent was lovely. A touch heavy perhaps, and it was a very tight angle to say Bent should’ve scored. But I can’t see Bent making that pass.
So, I’m not quite understanding the supposed fan fury. Three moments, three breakdowns. I’m not going to worry about an injury-time penalty when we’re down 3-1.
On To City
It wasn’t the confidence-building result Villa would have wanted to precede a cup tie against the defending league champions. But it is what it is. And most everyone’s saying Villa aren’t under any pressure given they won’t be expected to win.
What’s tricky is that we don’t have a lot of options besides the core of the team that played Saturday if we want to give it a go. Lambert’s promised a strong side tonight, and It’ll be interesting to see who we do field. I can’t imagine many changes.
With a weakened City squad still likely featuring Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli, it’s not exactly going to be easy going. That’s the obvious difference between the two sides.
The upside for Villa will be that so far, City have yet to hit their stride. With Nasri, Milner, Richards, and Maicon out, it’s said Denis Suarez, Abdul Razaq and Luca Scapuzzi will be in the squad.
The main thing will be to give it a good go. Villa will have to dig deep, disrupt and pressure, and take whatever chances we create if we want to stand a chance.
More important, Ireland’s a big loss. As I’m writing this, it’s a suspected broken arm, the severity of which isn’t yet known. Let’s all hope it’s as minor as can be.
If you’ve not been a Stephen Ireland fan, we’ll get to see what Villa are like without him, it seems. I don’t think it will be pretty in the long term. He maybe isn’t the ultimate 90-minute player who ever played. But he’s still our most creative linkup going forward, and in all likelihood the most naturally talented player in our side.
Anyway…what’s the lineup and the result tonight?
I hate to say it, but my prediction is 2-0, City. And then I had a beer and thought about it, and I’m thinking 3-1, City.
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