I wish I could tell you, but I can’t. Well, I can, but it’s not going to help: Given the squad’s variability and inconsistency, it really is anyone’s guess which Villa will show up tonight. And for how long.
Will we press and impose ourselves? Will we seize the initiative and score an early goal?
Will we have a nervous feeling-out period punctuated by a crucial save from Guzan before going on to “win” the first half—without anything to show for it?
Will we play a full 90 minutes without a critical mental error or stroke of bad luck?
Will we encounter misfortune and rise above it? Will we create our own good fortune and know what to do with it?
One thing we do know is that it’s going to be a rather important 90 minutes. I won’t say “crucial” just yet, but many will. And I understand why.
Everyone knows it’s a six-pointer.
Reading, I don’t really care who they are or what they do. Haven’t been able to make time to watch them. All I know is that if Villa want to stay up, they need to be able to find a way to bank three points at home against the Readings of the world. It’s all about winning the “easy” games at home, breaking even on the tough ones (in overall wins, draws, and losses), and nicking points on the road.
This game is going to be about as easy as they get. And they’re none of them easy these days. It’s about who wants it more.
What We’ve Been Seeing
Lately, Paul Lambert has had Christian Benteke playing up front in what seems most accurately to be a 4-2-3-1, with Stephen Ireland (and Karim El Ahmadi at the weekend) playing off Benteke centrally, and Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann functioning as wide forwards in attack and wingers in defense.
It’s brought a lot of energy, work and cover to the side, improved Villa’s shape, and countered some of the narrowness without leaving the midfield wide open. This is down to how hard Gabby and Andreas have been working. Which is why they’ve been playing. While both have found the net recently and impressively, it’s not been their quality but their willingness to work and work intelligently that’s distinguished them from other outside options.
Moreover, it’s been the willingness of Benteke, Gabby and Weimann to all work selflessly for each other that’s been encouraging. We didn’t necessarily think it would be Benteke setting up Weimann. But he has, and these combinations pose problems for a defense. If we can only make them happen more consistently.
Still want to know why Bent isn’t playing? This is why. It’s about buy-in.
Toward the back, Lambert’s given Westwood and Bannan a run as the pairing that shields the back four and links up play in the middle.
While not imposing, they’ve been energetic, intelligent, and composed, especially given their cumulative experience. There’s been a controlled urgency to Bannan’s play that’s distinguished him of late, perhaps surprisingly also in his defensive duties. He seems to be understanding the spaces better, the flow and pace. There’s also the simple fact that he’s about the only player besides Ireland who really has a quality playmaking touch on him, especially from set pieces.
Which isn’t to say we’ve scored from any, but hey…You can see why Lambert is finding a way to put him on the pitch. And you can see that Barry is doing everything he can to stay out there.
So, from this critic, well done, Mr. Bannan. Keep it up. As for Westwood, he’s gone from looking lost to looking like he knows what’s happening. There’s intelligence in his eyes, and he’s doing the simple and necessary things. He’s rebounded impressively from a nervy couple of first outings.
What We Will See
I don’t know how much energy was expended against Arsenal, otherwise I’d just say “Same again, please.”
Actually, no I wouldn’t. I’d have Ireland in for KEA. And If Vlaar is still hurt, then perhaps it’s Lowton and Clark in the middle with Lichaj and Stevens out wide. Stevens has been giving a good account of himself. I think Matt said, “surprising people” and I’d have to agree, although (for what it was ever worth), he didn’t look bad in preseason. There’s something to like about him.
I’m not sure who makes way for Ireland in my lineup: Bannan or Westwood? Both would feel hard done by. And maybe it’s KEA that does. My gut seems to like KEA, Westwood, and Ireland in the middle, even if we haven’t seen it yet, but keeping Bannan and Westwood together might be the right idea. And while Holman made a significant impact, I think Gabby or Weimann only make way if it’s a question of freshness.
So, call me an optimist, but I think Villa have learned a lot in the last three weeks and will find that Reading, while game, don’t hold up well in comparison to what’s come before as long as we take them as seriously as we need to be.
I’m going 3-1 Villa, don’t know why three instead of two, but there it is. We have to win and, like the Sunderland game, I think we will.
And now it’s your turn: Give us the team and prediction.
The Author
