Aston Villa Secure A Point In London But Is It Good Enough?

As Aston Villa went to Loftus Road this weekend, few were expecting much despite the fact that Queens Park Rangers languish at the bottom of the table without a win.

The fact that this was the case does go to show how much has changed in the past five years with Villa’s expectations seemingly far lower than when the team were flying high under Martin O’Neill. However, Villa are where they are now, and there is little point in dwelling on the past.

Again this week, Villa were unable to control the ball, though away teams often have less possession than the home team whoever is playing. However, the ball was pinging backwards and forwards in the first half quite a lot illustrating that Villa were unable to slow the game down and use that possession to much effect.

Villa managed to regain possession as the game got towards its conclusion, though their penetration was much like the Reading game – ultimately lacking. That isn’t to say that the game didn’t have certain positives. Whilst some might think a solitary point against a team who haven’t won all season is less than satisfactory, it is better than a loss – we are now unbeaten in three games.

This may sound fundamentally unambitious when it comes to Villa competing in the league, though most fans will think of the current situation as one that is progressing, albeit slowly, towards a better, more stable, long term future.

Villa’s main concern will be securing points to get them to a safe position come the end of the season. At present, with 15 games played and 14 points secured, things are far from safe – Villa will need to put more points on the board per game this season if they are to progress up the table.

At present, both Sunderland and Reading sit below Villa but both have two games in hand leaving the club from Birmingham in B6 if those clubs manage to catch up points.

All that depends on what happens at other clubs though and, for now, Villa are out of the relegation zone with some positives to be pulled out of the latest point won on the road. Now the focus must turn to the game against Stoke where, surely, a point at least should be achievable.