Credit – Data courtesy of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the Official Player Rating Index of the Barclays Premier League

Crystal Palace welcome Aston Villa to Selhurt Park, having started the season in reasonable form, with a win over Norwich and a narrow defeat to Arsenal. Likewise, Villa have started the season in similar fashion, with a win and a loss.

The battle of the ‘engine room’ is likely to have a huge impact on the outsome of the match on Saturday, with both teams possessing players who are willing to run their socks off for the sake of their teams. In particular, Palace will need to be wary of the work rate of Idrissa Gueye, who has covered an impressive 22.4km for Villa, whereas Tim Sherwood’s men would be wise to watch out for Yohan Cabaye who has covered 22km.

In wingers Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha, Palace have two players who have gas to burn with the pair of them hitting a top speed of 34.4 and 34.3 km/hour respectively. In Jordan Amavi, however, they’ll be facing another player who’s seriously quick – with a top speed of 33.8 km/hour. Zaha is 7/2 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.

It’ll be an interesting clash between the Villa strikers and Alex McCarthy this weekend, with the Eagles’ ‘keeper making a total of nine saves in the two games that he’s played so far this season – the second most in the league. He’ll be up against Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor, a proven Premier League marksman, who this season has hit the target with every shot that he’s attempted.

Ciaran Clark and Damien Delaney are likely to be key men for their respective defences in the fixture this weekend, with the pair having put in solid defensive displays in their matches so far this season. They have made a total of 20 and 19 clearances, the most in each of their squads.

Comments 167

  1. morning all

    JL “I see there’s a hint that there’s no more loot left to spend until some more go out of the door.”
    TS has said this constantly throughout pre-season, is it any surprise though with the club up for sale?
    No-one leveled any complaints at Southampton last season when they took in £104 m and spent £66m then finished high up the league. This season they made £36m and spent £23m its just business at the level we are at, being self sustaining don’t you think?

  2. Mark,

    I’m quoted slightly out of context! 😉 I was really commenting on Ian’s remark not announcing some great new discovery!!

    However, it’s more understandable for smaller clubs (i.e. say those with a typical match attendance of less than 28-30,000) to run their club along those sustainable lines. It just seems a bit incongruous that a club the size of Villa has to be scrabbling along.

    There’s summat wrong somewhere!

  3. (continued) I suppose I should have said “scrabbling along for so long” – i.e. for about 15 years in terms of investment and what the club has achieved with it. The lack of success with the academy compared to Southampton is a glaring issue, yet it’s funny to see Stephen Davis doing pretty well in the Saints side.

  4. Morning all

    today we will discover wether our team is ready for the prem

    Mark follow from your comment of the subject in the last thread — Randy has not done anything with his own cash so far

    we sold 5 players and released another 7 from the wage bill
    so if you put the saving on wages with the transfer income i don’t see what randy has actually done to help

    the main difference this season in randys watch is that we have a sensible backroom staff and manager – which means whatever is being spent is being done wisely for change in the main

    1-2 to the villa – this is more in hope than expectation

  5. JL I wasn’t taking it as a revelation my friend 🙂
    It just seems the view that he’s only spent £50m in one window is like moving the goalposts to me considering what’s been before?
    The answer surely has to be the club has been ran badly for too long, wasted opportunity by Ellis IMO knocks what lerner has done into cocked hat, Ellis had been in football for a long time, Lerner a rather Nieve owner football wise. The writing has been on the wall since the prem and champions leagues conception plus the rise of sky. Ellis lacked the vision to take us forward and Lerner the nouse.

  6. runtingz -He owns the club therefore its all his money is it not? are we really expecting him to throw millions of his personal money into the pot? IE not generated by AVFC? there is surely still profit available from last years turnover to be spent if TS wants it, as I’ve said before its probably about £20m.

    Surely we are doing what any other team/business would do when funds have been released by lowering outgoings? reinvesting for growth. levelling claims that lerners done nothing by allowing his own company’s money to be spent doesn’t seem fair to me.

    can anyone name an owner outside of city and Chelsea that spends there own money? its all about raising AVFC’s stock now so we can with greater turnover reinvest and grow. Why would a man who’s selling the club put his personnel money in unless we were in trouble again?

  7. Tough match today, as Runtings said its a goid indication of where we’re at right now. Coyrse we all know theres room for improvement but the PL is unforgiving and wont just wait for us to settle. I can see us winning if we have a good game, better than against Utd. Grealish coming back is massive and will offer more in attacking situations. Thus i think we need to go back to the 4312 diamond. If Gestede is fit, him and Ayew up front otherwisd Gabby and Ayew. Also hope Gil makes an appearance from the bench. Tough game, im going for a 1-1 draw.

  8. Aye, this game will tell us where Villa is at.
    It’ll be tough, but Villa is good enough to take the points if they play well and manage to contain Zaha, Bolasie and Cabaye.

  9. Mark: “It just seems the view that he’s only spent £50m in one window is like moving the goalposts to me considering what’s been before?”

    That’s not what was said at all!

    I made the points (1) that all that’s been spent is the proceeds from the sale of 2 players and (2) RL has not had to cough up a bean in reality. He *has not* spent £50m – the proceeds from sales allowed the expenditure.

    And yes of course it was a combination of Ellis and Lerner that has caused what has happened over 15 years. They have been the chairmen over that time therefore of course they carry the can.

    That’s not what I was alluding to, though – I was merely just remarking on the sadness of the last 15 years under these 2 gentlemen. Missed opportunities and the demolition of the fans’ dreams.

    But we can always remain opti…

  10. Ree/trinity something quite strange going into a match and not really knowing what to expect in performance or personnel isn’t it. I think we will do better than expected but that probably won’t be enough for plenty of Villa fans. For the second week running I haven’t got any clue what to expect but I’m optimistic

  11. JL- ” I made the points (1) that all that’s been spent is the proceeds from the sale of 2 players and (2) RL has not had to cough up a bean in reality. He *has not* spent £50m – the proceeds from sales allowed the expenditure.”
    Are You saying the proceeds from the sales (which indecently he had no say about, the players wanted out) is not real money??
    This is where you don’t understand my point, its all his money , his club, his employee’s, footballers are part of every clubs income, Its a business. I really don’t get why anyone expected him to say here’s a £100m of my personnel savings?? the club is up for sale, at least he has righted the ship.

    On the two owners, that’s life as they say, these are the margins that separate clubs regardless of status. when you look at the amount of clubs considered big or the old guard that have disappeared it could have been a lot worse. As you say there is cause for optimism

  12. mark i don’t expect anything from learner and he isn’t giving villa anything
    the premier lge money has sky rocketed for this term so surely it would b sensible to put a little of that back in to try and insure the club has a half decent season —- too much to ask maybe

  13. Runtingz- it hasn’t mate, the money goes up next season 16-17 unfortunately. I do find it amazing how anaesthetised we have become to the spending of millions. At least we appear to have got an upgrade overall for the money spent.

    http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/feb/10/premier-league-tv-rights-grow-sky-sports

    JL no kidding 🙂 , the tax man wont want anything from that imaginary money then that the club invested money in and has turned a profit on 😉

  14. the problem is mark the club are desperate for further investment
    premier lge status is vital so being in this lge next season is something most clubs are investing to try there best to insure
    i can understand lerner is looking to sell asap so he clearly is wanting the club to tick over so he can get as much money back as possible

    it’s yet another lerner gamble so i hope the club changes hands this time

  15. Mark,

    I think it’s the fact that you (and others) emphasise a specific business model for the club without taking into account that there are other ways that Lerner could (and perhaps should) have set things up when he arrived.

    For a start, I would say that buying up all the shares was not (perhaps in hindsight) a bright move if he was truly trying to keep the nature of AVFC as a club and not as a pure business. Yes, of course, public shares or not, the club still has to act as a business, but we have lost a close dialogue. The man has simply wanted to act as the boss with little meaningful interaction with the fanbase.

    Apart from which, I don’t know how closely you were keeping tabs on the situation in 2006, but I think a lot of fans were hoping that Lerner would become a hero. He started OK, but then…

    Don’t forget people were so ecstatic that Ellis was gone and thought they had got someone as chairman who would show Ellis a thing or two. Result? Virtually carbon copies i.m.o.

    There is a need for a Jeremy Corbyn (or Robin Hood) figure to take the helm in my view!! 🙂

    Anyhow, he’s trying to make an exit in one way or another so we have to wait and see what’s next…

  16. JL when you get one cautious bloke picking someone to take us forward its not so surprising.
    Are any prem teams built on public shares anymore? when you consider the amount needed to reach chelsea and citys heights I think the public couldn’t afford it, unless we had a million shares at a grand each and that’s too much for many.

  17. runtingz- we had to come down financially to meet FFP other clubs were able to invest the extra sky money as they cost less to run. we were a mess but now we have turned a corner. Of course more investment would be good but would be hard to keep going without serious growth to the £250,000,000 turnover territory we are a £125m off that, who’s going to fill that gap each season?

  18. Frem its looking up, looks like Ts wants to control the middle as they are strong there. Grealish hasn’t played them yet so plus for us.

    JL on the business model I’m only discussing what’s in place and if you know me at all you know its not my preference

  19. Gabby has the yips big time, Sinclair in the same position 1 maybe 2 nil . how good is Grealish? best player on the pitch and his vision for putting Amavi and Gabby through has been brilliant. put Sinclair in there with them .

  20. if sherwood rewatches this and keeps gabby any where near pitch other than water boy i ll cry him westwood guzan are not good enough
    wonder why o they where main stays of the berks team

  21. well based on the first 3 games there is some good stuff but also some things that are very concerning

    we lack firepower and attacking drive – something you can’t get far without in this lge

    we don’t appear to be working towards a clear footballing philosophy— i don’t believe there will be proper progression without one – neither will we get the best out of our current players

    we pick ourselves up and go again 🙂

  22. Another lacklustre showing where we create very little and look rocky at he back. Whilst reviewing other fan sites I came accross a commenmt asking , are we just a better version of crap ? The lack of serious investment is frustrating, the team still looks devoid of quality, creativity and goals, whilst we still look shoddy at the back. The balance of the side seems all wrong, we dont set up defensive or particularly offensive with any conviction. We are becoming beige just a better version of the shit we had become under Lambert. Without any further QUALITY reinforcements this side will continue to struggle at this level,given the amount of players who have never played at this standard, TS needs a hard look in the mirror, he has some serious questions to ask regarding his tactics, subs and team selection etc.
    There is still a long way to go, but already we have had fewer shots on target than any other premier league team, and create very little. Without goals we will be back in the relegation mire, especially with our defence.

  23. Same shit different season it seems. Concede late goals, can’t score for toffee(no goals from open play in 3 games). 2 defeats out of 3. So much for getting rid of the losing mentality.

  24. Can’t afford to miss chances like the gabby one or give goals away. strange TS didn’t roll the dice and change Gestede and gabby for Ayew and Sinclair.
    much more chance of finding a way through than two men who looked spent. not the best idea taking Sanchez off rather than Westwood against a very strong palace side.
    looks like Adama needs space to run into and he’s away so quick.

  25. Only positives today were Sanchez and Adama.

    Everything else was a joke. No basic plan. No style . Gabby and Ruddy were as useless as each other.

    Sherwood got it wrong. Gabby should have came of and Sanchez shouldn’t have. What does it say for Ayew that he didn’t get on?

    Guzan is shite p. needs to go. Bacuna and Westwood new contacts are just so silly

    Early days but it will be another dog fig

  26. No point in playing Gestede if we don’t put any decent crosses in either, whats happened to Kosak? Gabby has to be benched regardless of what some say he brings to the team, hard work isn’t enough. Sanchez if given time could be our dominant midfielder, has more chance than Westwood who is never going to be that sort of player.

  27. Frem – thought Grealish played well just no-one to play with bar Amavi up top, kosak can do that better than Gestede.
    Bakuna? please no more at right back and Clark is back to his past bad habits too. It will get better and Palace is no easy game but disappointing all the same.
    As runtingz said no real football formula just cameos.

  28. Well, Adama has made an impact on the Prem and the Prem has made an impact on Amavi… still early days.

    If it were up to me next match I’d start Sinclair and Adama on the wings with Ayew up front.
    I’d play Grealish as the number 10.

    I’d have a solid midfield 3 of Sanchez, Westwood and Gana.

    I’d substitute Baker for Clarke.

    We need Grealish on the ball making things happen and Sinclair and Adama can scare people running at them. Ayew has the athleticism to keep up with them and surely his finishing can’t be worse than Gabby’s recent displays.

    Frustrating but Palace are a good team and ahead of us in their development.
    Bournemouth… now that’s a team that plays football. Impressive.

    Need to turn it around quickly against Sunderland then we also have very beatable Leicester and West Brom so it’s an important early season-shaping run of 3 matches.

    UTV

  29. You just wonder where the goals are going to come from this season.
    Adama looks a lively prospect, but we desperately need an out-and-out striker and proven goalscorer such as Charlie Austin.

    £15m is a fair price. Why wait for another club to sign him?

  30. Striker is where you shake your head early in Tim’s reign!?!?!?

    You have to wonder if Gestede besides his heading ability is a Premier league package but it’s still very early and of course the lad needs service.

    Mark I also don’t understand what’s happened to Kozak; just goes to show you that scoring goals in pre-season is not enough if you were not signed by the manager (he will always give his signings first chance to make an impact) and I hope he’s not forced out now without at least an opportunity… he’s proven that he can score in the Premier League if given the minutes even if he does look lanky and awkward.

    As Andrew says… sign AUSTIN. I guess all of the vultures are waiting to sign him for free but if he scores 10 goals (and with service from Grealish, Adama and Amavi he’ll get more than that) he’s well worth the price of a minimum of Prem safety and possibly more given the other exciting new pieces we’ve managed to bring in!

    UTV

  31. we look like we did at the end of last season, disorganised and powder puff. We dont have a goal threat, when we do go forwards its more in hope than expectation, Sherwood seems to be lacking in tactical nous, we were over run all second half and didnt deserve anything from the game, and just when we thought we were going to get out of jail, Comedy Guzan pulled out yet another distrobution blooper. We are missing Bentekes goals and presence, we need another striker as we dont look like scoring many with the likes of Gabby, Gestede or Ayew as our only hope on current evidence. The new boys may come good later but we cant afford to give teams a head start in this relegation battle, look how close we came last season to the dreaded drop having had a brilliant start(pointswise). If we dont recruit a striker and a keeper now(of proven quality) , and look to strengthen in jan if needed, we wont do any better than last season, are there three worse sides than us again?? Sunderland, Albion and maybe one of the new boys(if they run out of steam). It seems like groundhog day in B6

  32. Ronnie all very true but I’d give vertout the nod over westwood as we have no-one bursting into the box as delph once did. nothing against westwood other than he’s a bit vanilla.

    We need to decide what we are trying to do, are we going to defend and hit on the break or keep possession and work our way through? we appear to be doing neither at this point. Going long and hitting the big man is ok to mix things up but in the long term its not going to take us far.

  33. whoever the striker is he will need more than 1-2 chances created a match and that comes from team play of which there is little, puzzled as to why Kosak has had no minutes? he out scored gabby all pre-season

  34. Agreed Mark!
    That’s been the problem for a couple of seasons now. This team has no identity!
    Are we striving to play Wenger possession football? Mourinho defensive minded transition football?
    Nobody knows not even the manager it would appear which is worrying indeed.

    It will take time to find the right system for the right players and of course for the players to settle and gel in the Prem but it has to happen sooner than later in this tough old league.

    I have no problem giving Veretout the nod over Mr Vanilla but when he’s on his game he can be that invisible glueman that keeps the machine ticking over and there’s something to be said for a player of that ilk when you’ve already got the likes of Jack, the explosive pace of Sinclair and the Owenesque Traore scaring the living bejesus out of defenders.

    Feels like Guzan is the new AVFC scapegoat now. Don’t quite understand that when he’s instructed to play the ball out from the back to attacking fullbacks that he gets blamed when a newbie like Amavi gets schooled by a prem league vet. How exactly is that Guzan’s fault when the distribution was in plenty of time and space, he just got robbed of the ball as the last man back!??!?!!? Let’s all blame the latest sacrificial lamb, just don’t be surprised and sorry if the next keeper we bring in is worse than him folks.

    I would like to see Ayew given a chance to run onto crosses slid in by Sinclair and Adama as he looks a bloody good athlete to me! Hate to say it but Gestede looks like a Championship striker ‘at the moment’ outside of his header against Bournemouth but he can and will get better.

    Really do feel that Austin would be the final piece and would make Tim look like a genius if he got on the end of Adama and Grealish 10 yard balls in the box but Randy may have shut his wallet until Jan now, let’s hope not!

    UTV

  35. Quite agree with the consensus!

    A. Gabby MUST be benched IMMEDIATELY!

    B. We don’t need both Westwood and Sanchez on the pitch at the same time, their styles are too similar. Let’s try benching Westwood and give the Sanchez/Gueye pairing a thorough tryout.

    C. Try Gil as attacking MF, with Grealish/Sinclair wide forwards, *Gestede (but see point E below) as center forward.

    D. Ayew and Traore as impact subs.

    E. *Sign Austin (or very serious equivalent) NOW!

    F. Sign Amavi-class RB before window closes

    G. Make a renewed, serious offer for Lescott.

    Done and done!!

  36. RonnieBiggs:
    “That’s been the problem for a couple of seasons now. This team has no identity!
    Are we striving to play Wenger possession football? Mourinho defensive minded transition football?
    Nobody knows not even the manager it would appear which is worrying indeed.”

    Absolutely marvelous point!!

  37. I keep asking myself, with the crystal-clear evidence as plain as day that Gabby couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn right now, how does he not only keep getting starts but keeps getting the full 90 minutes AS WELL??

    I have a couple if ideas as to why this keeps happening.

    Firstly, he’s got an obvious physical attribute (pace) that’s just obvious. Also, every manager keeps remembering his annual purple patch where he’ll get five goals and three assists in a 7-8 game span, while they forget how useless he is when he isn’t in his purple patch. Additionally, I bet you anything that he’s the sort of player who looks golden during training every single week, which leads gaffers to insert him into the line-up “because this week he’ll finally bring his real class with him from the training pitch onto the match-day pitch.”

    And finally, in Tim’s case, he may be thinking that since he re-ignited Adebayor and Benteke, he can do the same with Gabby. That ignores the fact, however, that the previous two were natural goal-scorers, born with a particular gift that Gabby will never, ever possess.

  38. Texas,
    Unfortunately it seems to be big Sam hoof ball at the moment and Rudy is not up for the task. Gabby can’t create on his own and needs a big man for knock ons and a natural winger to play him in.

    Very frustrating of course today but Adama sure made it a fun if ultimately disappointing day!

    We’ve got options creatively now it’s a matter of playing with combinations but we don’t have the luxury of time to get it right!

    Also a kudos to Gibbo for the article!

    I remain hopeful but Tim has 3 matches to get it right or we’re in trouble again!

    UTV!

  39. Didn’t see the game today as too bust getting pissed on at the Bournemouth Air Show however it must have been pretty bad cus you all seem to have lost your minds. I hear Westwood’s a pub player again then?

  40. Thats 23 games in a row we have lost having conceded first, and 5 losses from 6 under Sherwood. We have become such a poor football club devoid of ambition, most of us would have taken a draw today at Crystal Palace!!! A club that not long ago nearly went bust plying its trade in the lower leagues, but is now ahead of us in footballing terms and quality. This happens with increasing regularity, in the last few years we have seen, Stoke,Swansea, West Ham, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Newcastle come up and surge past us, who is to say that Bournemouth, Leicester(who finished above us last year and look far better than us this) and even Albion who keep finishing above us, wont continue to stay ahead of us in footballing terms. Out of the premier league i would expect the following teams to definately finish above us(in no particular order), Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool, Everton, Southampton, Swansea, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Stoke City, Leaving the likes of Bournemouth, Watford ,Norwich, Albion, Sunderland,West Ham and leicester who will be in and around us, of these I feel Leicester and West Ham will be pushing higher up the table than us leaving, us starting the season as relegation contenders, and three games in our manager is already using language that is overly negative saying he is despondant. We have the fewest shots in the league and have created FA (No goals from open play), the defincies are easy to see but havent been rectified properly in the close season, we continue to average a point a game with a minus GD, it seems as though very little has changed from the last few years, having sold the crown jewels and not replaced them properly having a net spend of about £5m!!!!! We are lightweight/powder puff in all areas we dont score, we cant keep them out, we cant control the centre of the park, we dont play with pace and width and the keeper is a clown. What do we do well?? Sherwood needs to sort this out quickly as the only other side to look as devoid of ideas is Sunderland who we play next week and need to beat with a good performance.

  41. B62, I like the way you analyzed our current prospects from a league-wide perspective.

    I think we MUST spend £8-10 million on an Amavi-class RB. If we couple that with £15 million for an Austin-class proven Prem level striker, then our net spend after sell-offs would only be around £30 million or so; most everyone was expecting about a £20-25 million investment, so even with these expenditures we wouldn’t be far off from expected levels. Overall, I’m still pleased with our purchases so far — but we desperately need these two more.

    We have to remember that Grealish has only played one match, Adama’s only played 30 minutes, and Gil hasn’t even stepped on the pitch yet. Had these three players been given three full games, all of you fellows feeling like you want to take a very long walk off a very short pier might just have had a bit more hope than you currently have.

  42. Rats. Adama could be the key but with only 20 min so far who knows. Goals will have to come from mid field. Gestede to me so far isn’t the man. 4-5-1 next Tuesday. Kozak up front. The 3 play makers plus Sanchez and one other in the middle. Bunn or steer in goal.
    Now you know why I get no managerial offers

  43. Hearing TS saying that his brief is just to keep us in the division,and him blaming the weaknesses in the squad.
    is for me a sign of weakness in the manager. I really wanted this bloke to do well at the villa,but its not the tim that first took the job on. That comment shows everything that is wrong with the club, no ambition what so ever. We have a different set of players but the ‘ambition’ is the same and will remain the same until we are free of Lerner. No club can prosper when the man who owns it is not interested. Lerner has hardly invested a penny this summer only reinvested what was brought in from selling our best players and many fans think he is back on board with a new found enthusiasm which beggars belief !

  44. B62 I haven’t heard anyone say Lerners back on board at all. and as for as net spend? what kind of rubbish is that? money spent is money £50m spent and spent on 8 players instead of 20. was anyone expecting immediate results with a team of strangers with its spine removed? what now? should we get Lambert back? I imagine 80% of the leagues remit is survival and get as high as you can, can’t imagine pardew being told you have to win the league 😉

  45. LVG was and look at the blazing start MU are off to. No goals just own goals and a deflection. Just luck they are undefeated.
    No one team has looked that great except leister city and you know everyone is waiting for the crash. We all wait until Xmas to really pay attention to what is going on.
    Plenty of talent going forward for Villa but no finisher in sight. A striker of note please.

  46. TS was completely out thought this afternoon especially in the second half. TS is learning as he goes along, but he doesn’t seem the same confident buoyant bloke that arrived at the end of last years disasterous campaign, I think the run of poor results at the end of last season and this years faltering performances( being kind) are weighing heavy on him especially as this is now his team( although I’m sure he wants to add more). I think he should be phrasing the ambition better, his words and body language don’t portray a bright new post Lambert era, where we try and win football matches with a side he is building. We don’t want to repeat previous seasons mistakes where our only ambition is survival, because if we fail in our ambition we are gone, yes it’s survival is our priority but surely we can aim higher, and yes we still need to spend as we lack quality up front, at the back and in goal.

  47. TS is heart on sleeve, he’s spent an entire summer keeping stum about every deal and yes its his team so I expect he’s cream crackered. As Ian just pointed out manure are crepe and could do with a forward, wet spam got done by Bournemouth at home, leics and manc shitty are the only ones who’ve shown so far. Lets face it we were already crowning Lambert king of England 5 days in to last season how did that turn out? we need patience, a right back and another forward would help .

  48. B62 doesn’t mean I’m not with you on Tims decisions they were awful and likely cost us a point at least.

    One thing that’s I’m wondering is what is the training like? is he still beasting them because some had no go in them at all.

  49. I agree that Adama and Sinclair should be the wingers.
    Try Ayew and Kosak/Gil up front. Poor old Gabby isn’t scoring for some reason. He’s not at his best.
    Actually, spend any money on a new striker. What’s with Kosak?
    But for one mistake, it would have been a draw.
    I believe this team will improve and get enough wins.

  50. Worryingly , as Mark has pointed out many of the players looked lacklustre and devoid of energy and purpose. They just don’t look up to speed, TS alluded to the madness of the summer whilst on pre season, he was rightly moaning that many of the players he was getting fit and trying to formulate a plan to progress this season, wouldn’t be in the starting squad/team. We have bought numbers in, and spent higher amounts on bringing these players in, but are they good enough, will they move us forward??? The jury is out for me, Amavi has looked decent bar his mistake yesterday, Ayew, Vertout, Gueye and Gestede haven’t set the world alight, Rudy scored a good header against the cherries but has looked static and has a poor touch for the most part, the others look like rabbits in the headlights and may take a complete season to get up to speed, which we can’t afford. We simply have to go out and buy a striker like Austin, I know TS is a massive fan of Calum Wilson and was linked to him in the summer, we also need a RB I’d bid for Walker or even Naughton at Spurs , and I’d go back in for Tom Heaton at Burnley and Jonny Evans as a CB

  51. b62 It all comes back to how TS wants us to play, it seems he wants high tempo pressing, what then? quick ball forward, patient set up , play with width?? I’ve heard nothing other than we have options to play different ways with no real set point.
    You have to feel for him as he was getting players fit he didn’t want hence he played an awful lot of youngsters early on, not great prep. what I find puzzling is those that scored goals Kosak and sinclair and even sellars are ignored while gabby who missed so many very good chances pre season that it was painful gets the nod? yes you can let him play through his dip ( 5 year dip) or pull him out of the limelight.

    the subs in games so far too have been strange, Sinclair having his best game team-wise for us against manure gets subbed, Sanchez yesterday looked in control, gets subbed and we are then under pressure. I have to say him and westwood cannot play together imo, its happened every time
    there paired, sanchez dominates and westwood becomes less than he normally is, shame but that’s what I see.
    Sanchez is showing he has better all-round ability in that position, westwood is tidy but less effective.
    the front line looked tired and gabby was tripping over his lip so why not double sub put Ayew and Sinclair up top? with Adama raiding the flanks for cut backs those too could of thrived, it was a weird reaction from Tim or no reaction.

  52. I’m less worried by which of our new players is good enough at this point, Delph didn’t exactly come ready made, a solid team ethic/system would help this and I think Sanchez has a good chance of becoming our rock in midfield for others to build from allowing us to play more offensive players while remaining fairly solid.

  53. One other thought on Gabby and his Gestede is the new Carew, well from what I remember he couldn’t read Carew’s flick on’s either or Benteke’s

  54. Sadly, Gabby’s got to be benched. He’d be best used in an impact role running at, as many have said, tired opposition players. I think TS was hesitant to drop him because he’s recently been appointed club captain. However, sentimentality won’t win games or score goals. TS knows that. There’ll be change shortly.
    I’d be happy if they brought in Lescott to bolster the back. He’s still linked with Villa.

  55. yesterday if we had a striker we would have won
    gabby one on one,fell over his feet
    grealish had one tipped over all in first half
    pardew changed it at halftime and we lost controleven then rudi had straight forward header miles wide
    we gifted two goals to them clark who after 3 games is back to silly bookings 3 all ready mistakes,guzan who never looks at ease kicking, last few mins should killing time poor error
    subs
    sanchez who was my man of match unless he is just been eased back in after copa america didn t make sense either did not using other 2

  56. I agree with you Mark. Taking off Sanchz was s bizarre decision. He should have taken off Gabby and Gestede. Ha could have brought on Adamana and Sinclair. Those changes could have won us the game. Huge next game against Sunderland. I am looking forward to seeing Gil – Grealish and Adamana on the pitch together.

  57. It was 30 degrees so I think that knackered them a bit. Perhaps Sanchez was at his limit. Who knows? Mistakes happen and from what I see there are a lot of goals scored from mistakes. Errors that are forced by the opposition. Every teams is plagued by that. Did Tim give Gestede all the rope he needed to show his poor form? Gabby plays like he has canned hams for feet when it comes to scoring. It IS time for him to be a sub. I doubt he is going to get better any time soon. Guzan has trouble getting the ball back into play but I like his reaction to shots and his willingness to come out. He’s a big boy and should be using his weight to pound on opposition forwards. Especially when he picks off a set piece. I like it when he mixes it up. Given played on the goal line and had a harder time with shots as he gave the opposition a bigger target. His ability to put the ball back in play is better. But I’ll go with the goal keeping Guzan has. Both drove/drive me bats at times but that’s how it is. I want to see bun or steer as I haven’t seen them play yet.

    As far as tactics go, it doesn’t matter how good your thinking is, if the players aren’t executing they won’t work.
    A few more games to go before things get more cohesive. A win on Tuesday will go a long way to help that.

  58. Ian- I’d say Sanchez is possibly the most heat adjusted player we have after playing in the Copa, possibly he’s solar powered even. As for Gestede most of the balls into their box gave him no chance, very flat. On top of that the support from gabby for flick ons, lay off’s was again non existent. I’d say Sinclair would be a much better reader of the game behind or to the side of Gestede. If we want to play more one two’s into the box then Kosak is a better bet than gestede.

    while we are on Sanchez , we had westwood very defensive thinking and Gueye who although he wants to be box to box and is physically capable reads the game very much like a DM and is dragged into plug gaps a lot. Therefore we need maybe Gil in there or vertout with Sanchez as DM and gueye backing him up as he has the legs and the reading of the game right not to get to caught out IMO. Westwood is just over egging the defensive pudding and leaves no support for the front men.

  59. A major concern, as quoted here by bloggers on this and other sites, is Sherwood’s unwillingness / inability to make meaningful changes in tactics / personnel during the game. It is precisely in these two areas that I thought Ray Wilkins would be able to provide valuable advice. So is Sherwood not listening, or is Wilkins reluctant to give Sherwood his opinion?

    I welcomed Wilkins appointment and am disappointed that his rich experience isn’t being utilised to full effect.

  60. Ok Mark. Let’s see what he can do with different delivery men. Maybe I was too quick to judge. A 90 second juice break is a nice gesture but won’t alleviate dehydration. I’ll bet beers most of the players were feeling the effects of the heat. So I was surprised that there was only one sub in the second half

  61. A strange one, yesterday. Agree with everyone, Gabby should’ve come off, and shouldn’t be coming back on any time soon. I liked the attacking intent of bringing Traore on, and it paid dividends, but Sanchez was doing well and should’ve stayed in the game. Palace were fairly well contained, and there were long stretches where I thought we looked comfortable, but obviously lacked a cutting edge.

    I’m sort of thinking that Sherwood is playing the game in phases. There’s the high-energy, high-press opening in search of an early goal. If that doesn’t happen after 20-30mins, the team ease up, sit back and conserve energy to play out the first half, try hitting on the break. Then, the same kind of approach to start the second.

  62. I agree Ian but palace had the same conditions and they had brought on 2 forwards at half time didn’t seem to bother them.

    JC thats how it appears doesn’t it but the way they go about it doesn’t have much conviction going forward. Unfortunately second half Pardew put pressure on both our fullbacks and stopped us. By the time we were back on par TS made a gaff in taking off Sanchez which led to more pressure.

  63. On changes overall, I can see two arguments.

    When you’re trying to bed in a new team, there’s limited familiarity. So, you keep things simple, get people used to each other, and try to ingrain a basic cohesion. In this case, you might persist with a set of players and be reluctant to change things round too much.

    On the other hand, if something isn’t working, or the players are tiring, the game seems to cry out for changes.

    I’m hesitant to say Sherwood doesn’t know how to change things up because last season there weren’t many viable Plan Bs. This season, you don’t really know what you’ve got yet. He did get them playing very well going forward when he had Bacuna, CNZ and Grealish on at the same time. With Cleverly, and then Delph, in particular, providing forward impetus from midfield, there were some great passages of play.

    With Gana, Sanchez, etc., I feel comfortable with the middle in front of the back four. Grealish back is a big addition, and with Amavi, there should be lots of good play coming down that side. On the right, it’s weaker. Traore will certainly help, though I’m not sure what kind of defensive cover he’ll provide Bacuna. Not sure how much he’ll get used, but Traore will create fear down the right side, and ought to help keep teams from focusing on Amavi/Grealish, etc.

    Right now, the biggest issue seems to be sorting out Sinclair, Ayew, Gabby and Gestede. I can see partnering Gabby and Gestede if Gabby were just better with the ball at his feet: you have pace, power and height up there. And of course, does Veretout ultimately offer the thrust up the middle that Delph eventually did.

    I’m in the camp that says bring in another forward if we’re going to make just one more purchase.

  64. Yeah, I think he did get it wrong, Mark…

    I haven’t checked the timing, but didn’t Palace get their first fairly soon after the substitution? Then Traore makes an impact, so 0-0 to 1-1, and you’re probably happy with the point (when it seemed we were going for the win, bringing Traore on to stretch Palace). An amateurish bit with Guzan and Amavi leads to the 2-1, and not much time to pull it back.

    At that point, I probably would’ve made changes, introduced Sinclair and/or Ayew.

    Hard to argue with having Gestede out there. You’re always just one set piece away from a goal. We’ve had that with Carew and Benteke, and neither of those two offered much else besides goal-scoring threats and the ability to bring other players into the game as a result. Gestede is going to have to prove he can do that.

  65. And I agree, Ian…The cohesion is going to take time. The players seem to have the confidence, I didn’t see much “fear” out there and there was a feeling we have competence, but I did see folks who are getting used to each other. Anticipation, the weighting of through balls, speed, positioning, trusting the “other guy’s” reading of the game. All stuff they can get right, I think the talent is there, but it’s much more than just slotting in a replacement for Delph and/or Benteke and keeping the rest the same.

  66. Ian- yes a cleverly worked own goal, It had the effect off opening the side door while leaving the back door wide open 😉

    JC- the first goal came from a corner conceded from precisely where Sanchez had been dominant pretty much soon after his departure.

    I see Adama has the wonderful habit of pointing where he seemingly wants the ball then not going there, does it a lot. His single biggest asset though is to leave people for dead from a standstill, he seems to stand and dare them then is off in a blink 0-60 in 2 seconds incredible acceleration over 5-10 yards

  67. Yeah, Traore is definitely raw…looks like the videos, taking players on, using the pace and strength, maybe looking to do too much on his own. That one run he pulled up on was puzzling.

  68. I’ve always found the tennis phraseology of forced versus unforced errors to be useful in footy as well. Adama’s goal was well-taken in that it clearly forced the full-back into making the error of redirecting the ball into his own goal.

    On the other hand, the Guzan/Amavi debacle that gifted CP the winner was clearly an unforced error.

  69. A couple of days ago someone said we will know where we stand after this game. Apart from the miscue I think it was fairly even. So with that in mind mid table is an honest goal for Villa this year

  70. Guzan and clarke are squad players at best. Whilst they are playing regulary we will be poor. Amavi at fault fair enough, but a keeper with any brains would of looked around to see if anyone on and just hold the ball and wave everyone up the pitch. Take the point home. Clarke completly bossed from danns header, useless.

    Worrying that ts seems to have alot of faith in westy and gabby.

    We are not even linked to austin. Is it me or is it a no brainer?! I will be fuming if we dont get him and ts will go down in my estimation i feel that strongly by it.

    Front 4 of adama. Gill. Grealish
    Austin

    Sanchez and gana holding. Could be a lovely team on paper

  71. I dont buy into the it takes time to gel as a team bull either. How long do you bloody need to practice kicking a ball round with each other? These are top athletes training every day with each other.

    Bloody gel quicker with the polish lads at 7 a side on a tues night after work

  72. texas- if Adama gets ten assisted forced errors this season I think your on to something 😉

    Andrew- why hasn’t anyone been in for him? bizarre

  73. andrew- If you watched the u21 match with gil and grealish you would see 2 players totally on the same wavelength, if the entire team had that kind of anticipation I’d lump the house on us winning the league.

  74. Mid table is the aim, and to stay away from relegation trouble.

    I got a feeling its going to be a tough, competitive league this year. No dead certs to roll over and go down.

    If we only have ayew, gabby and gestede up top then i think it will be a relegation battle.

  75. Mark

    I think lester had a bid rejected and it seems palace, bournemouth, norwich, newcastle all interested. Looks like they are gambling on getting the price down closer to the window closes, going to be a deadline dayer! Why the hell we arent even linked to him is mental and why no one just gives them 15 mill even more so.

  76. I, too, would love to see Austin leading the Villa line. The only reason I can think of for teams not kicking in QPR’s door to take him away is his past injury record. He’ll undoubtedly want a long-term contract at fairly high wages, so teams may be reluctant to nail him into a club’s future finances as long as they have doubts as to Austin’s long-term health. It’s the only reason I can think of given his goal scoring track record.

  77. Mark: yeah, from the rumors I’ve read it’s the Hull physical that Austin failed a couple of years ago that’s giving teams some pause. I guess they’re hoping QPR get desperate for some money at the close of the window and decide to cash in on their striker by lowering the price. He is entering his final year, after all.

  78. Dont get me started on westwood. Not my kind of midfielder at all. This new modern kinda midfielder that carrick seems to of started. Keeps the midfield tickng over with his passes. Well any midfielder should be able to pass it well and play, thats the bloody job.

    They also need to defend and assist and score some goals.

    Westwood wont get near 5 assists or 5 goals. Bloody pountless

  79. Id rather take my chance with the unknown mark than hutton or bacuna ( slightly harsh on leo but good squad player). Yeah get mason in.

    Until average squad players like guzan, clarke, bacuna, westy, gabby are removed from playing every week we will struggle.

  80. Now this is where randy screws us over. Need to sell before we buy. according to tim. And not sure what moneys left!!!

    After 4 years of rubbish you would think learner has learnt. Especially with the danger of going down this season as the mega money kicks in in the summer.

    We will get lescott fairly cheap i expect and god knows what striker will come. Austin to expensive for us apparently.

    Great

  81. Well it’s early in the season but already it seems we will struggle and are set to be involved in the relegation fight. Despite a raft of changes this summer, TS has still managed to find the magic formula that ensures we will be in the mire, a team that creates very little and doesn’t score goals, yet struggles to keep them out at the other end. Between our front three of Gabby/Gestede/Ayew I estimate they will hit around 15-20 goals between them, putting extra pressure on the midfield to get a fair whack of goals. Last season we were the leagues lowest scorers with something like 31, we have continued in the same vein creating very little, no goals from open play and the lowest amount of shots in the PL. Why we haven’t added to our imports with proven quality beggars belief, we should be in for Austin, Walker/Naughton/Heaton or other players of equal proven quality.
    But we aren’t , we have the sole ambition of survival with RL sell to buy policy ensuring we will struggle yet again. TS body language and interviews are starting to worry me, he seems downbeat, lacking in confidence and showing the pressure, he is far from the confident full of self belief bloke that rocked up last season, I want him to do well, I really do as it means we do well, but he needs to take a hard look in the mirror and make some tough decisions as we seem to play without a gameplan confusing everyone on the pitch, team selection, subs and tactics have been strange to say the least, and why he persists with Gabby is a mystery.
    Unless we see reinforcement and a change of tactics, we will be in a similar state to the last few seasons, struggling.

  82. B62- I take your points mate and yes you could look at it that way but we are 3 games in with 10 new players, with players yet to feature and a -1 goal difference and one of those was deflected plus one of ours an own goal. Chelsea on 4 points with a -2 goal difference and Leics are second, one slip up means we are not above Chelsea today and to be fair we should of got the draw on Sat and probably against Manure, not because we were brilliant going forward but because we had done enough and They didn’t exactly muller us. Cast your mind back to the 1-0 win there last season we got battered and fluked it.

    Its worth reminding ourselves that TS said we would only buy English then bought Adama, I suspect the daily business off watching players training plus flights has knackered TS, hardly surprising. Villa have never advertised spending under Lerner and TS said we would have to sell to buy in July, yes we might get no-one but then again?

  83. Westwood

    Here’s an interesting statement and analysis of this player’s contribution…

    http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/08/23/ashley-westwood-was-villas-unsung-hero-against-palace/

    I do get perplexed that this player gets stick from some quarters … but when Villa have had a player in their ranks of this type we have tended to do well … viz. Des Bremner and Frank Carrodus.

    Whether he’s as good as Bremner may be a moot point, but let others do the spectacular stuff (er, when they’re ready to!) but Westie is a very good cog to have i.m.o.

    In addition he has a good eye for goal. Although he blazed over on the one occasion he had a chance against CP, I’ve several times seen him test ‘keepers with excellent strikes, and I think it’s just unfortunate that one or two more of his shots haven’t gone in.

    Yep, I think het gets better by the season.

  84. B62,

    Though you’re a true C & B man, I think it’s far too early to dismiss TS and what he’s putting* to together*. The emphasis is on the current action words of “putting together” as we all know this is a WIP situation … and with this squad (that’s still without Gil) the performances so far have of course not greatly excited, but I’ve seen better method as this virtually new side is getting to know one another.

    We’re probably all so fed up with what has transpired over the last 5 years that we want to see immediate rectification … but it can’t – and won’t – happen like that.

  85. Mark

    I hope to god he is bluffing as without 2 or 3 new signings we are in a relegation battle. Simply cant see where the goals are going to come from.

    We seem to have to put all our faith in a rookie manager who has just had his first pre season and first transfer window. And put faith into a load of players ive never heard of!!

    Against palace we only had Amavi, gestede and gana who are new to the league.

  86. I like TS a great deal, comes across so well who wouldnt like him! But i love villa more. I think we have had 8 defeats in the last 9 games or something close to that and the performances have been preety poor to average.

    With Gabby starting and westwoods place in the team pretty secure my doubts are raising slightly.

    But it is early days and we again have to try and be patient allthough with the risk of losing lots of money for the teams to go down expect alot of trigger happy chairman who will be having heart attacks over losing out on skys money.

    In the prem you simply dont have alot of time to get it right.

    I expect to see a regular side and formation after the international break,,,surly thats enough time to get up to speed?

  87. Why O Why O Why do we do this to our selves… The same old problem persists, we don’t score enough. Previous seasons it because of a lack of creative fire power behind a man who usually only needed a sniff at goal to score, this season it looks like the creative problem has been resolved to some extent but the man leading the line now needs 5 or 6 chances to score.

    Gabby has come in for some terrible abuse since Saturday, I just don’t understand why manager after manage pick him week in week out. He must be special in training, match days though he’s mostly well below average with awkward touch and limited technique. Sure he offers pace, but its pointless with little ability to control the football. However the vitriol he has had to endure in the last couple of days is well of the mark. Sherwood has to answer questions as to why he is picking him, why he spent £17m on two strikers to play one out of position on the other sat on the bench.

    For me Sherwood needs to rethink his selection and formation.

    433 / 4231 seems to fit nicely with the players we have.

    Don’t get me wrong we haven’t been terrible, and there is still improvement to come from all the new faces as they learn and adapt to their new surrounding… however we can ill afford to get off to a slow start.

    For me now the defence needs to concentrate on being solid Hutton, Richards, Clark, Amavi need to first and foremost make sure they’re covered at the back. Sanchez I think is going to be much improved this season after jumping in the deep end last season and finding it tough going. It will be vital he does, his physicality and aerial power are real bonuses to what has been a very small central area for Villa. Gueye to looks full of energy and seems to be getting up to speed quickly. Veretout is one that will come good in my opinion, but needs to realise you don’t get the same time and space in the Prem and move the ball quicker.

    Ayew i’m undecided about… I’m not sure what he’s done TBH.

    Gestede I think would work with Grealish, Gil and Traore behind him for them to play off, however they would need to be hugely disciplined and make sure we do not over commit going forward.

    Ayew though has pace and could certainly feed off the ability of Grealish and Gil to pick a pass.

    There are options. We just need to find the right ones quickly.

  88. JL- On Westwood, its worth looking at where all his many passes go. I like him but I’ve yet to see him play well with Sanchez. Sanchez is all action and Westwood struggles to assert himself, much like Clark does with Richards in charge.
    as a central pair Gueye and Sanchez would be worth a look as Gueye reads the play well and has pace to recover which westy does not. I like him but am struggling to fit him in when we need more attacking options on the pitch like Gil, grealish and sinclair.

    http://www.fourfourtwo.com/statszone/8-2015/matches/803182/player-stats/60551/1_PASS_0802#tabs-wrapper-anchor

  89. Graham

    Correct about Gabby. We know he is bad, blimey we have been watching him for over a decade. Any abuse now should be to the manager for picking him in the first place.

    Agree about Sanchez Mark. I would have him over westy and certainly would not have them both playing at the same time. Gana and sanchez offers great energy in the middle.

  90. GOG- Ayew has been played out wide, a position that he didn’t produce much in goal wise. As a 9 he scored 13 in a poor team (where have we seen that???) He likes to drop into midfield and link play, perfect for the likes of Grealish , Gil, Sinclair and vertout when he finds his feet. I know people are comparing him to his brother but his brother played for a better team and has landed on his feet with Swansea. Time will tell on this one but could suit a fluid attacking team.

  91. I’ve just seen the highlights of the palace game, when Traore pulled the ball back the only bloke in the box for us was Gestede. There were 4 palace players and the ball hits the fullback sliding in about 4 yards to the side of the goal, very lucky or unlucky deflection whichever way you look at it.

    Also think TS should look at the Amavi “mistake” to me it looks like Amavi has his eyes upfield as he trots out and Guzan rolls it into his path as Dann rushes in, not convinced this wasn’t a Guzan gaff

  92. Mark

    I blame Guzan for it completely. If i was Amavi i would not want to be receiving the ball there and then.

    Just hold the ball and wave everyone up field! In game intelligence is something we dont have. Like you say it goes for the strikers as well. When Toure was running down the wing gabby or gestede should should of been busting a gut to get in a position in the box. GET AUSTIN!!!

    Same against utd mate, Amavi put in a great ball but no one even trying to get there.

  93. Andrew: ” I think we have had 8 defeats in the last 9 games… ”

    Yes, but you’re looking just at the stats without taking into account that the team has change enormously and has to go through a period of getting them to gel.

    This is TS’s first team and we have to let him get on with it. Not to say we can’t make observations but let’s make observations based on fairness! 😉

  94. Andrew: “I blame Guzan for it completely. If i was Amavi i would not want to be receiving the ball there and then.”

    But Amavi – if he felt he was in trouble – could have just kicked the ball into touch on the halfway line.

  95. Don’t worry John L., there’s no problem with re-linking my previous link! I know I’m often posting when all y’all on your side of the pond are sound asleep.

  96. Andrew: “Agree about Sanchez Mark. I would have him over westy and certainly would not have them both playing at the same time. ”

    Yes, the key phrase here is not having them on the field at the same time. I agree with that.

    But I think they are not 100% the same type of player – I’d select either based on who we were playing.

  97. Andrew: “Correct about Gabby. We know he is bad, blimey we have been watching him for over a decade. ”

    Sorry, Andrew, I seem to be having a go at you. Perhaps we just see things very differently.

    For example I would never say that Gabby “is bad”. I’ve been watching him for a decade as well and I’ve *at times* (on his better days) thought that he would come on and be a big star. But he hasn’t: there we agree to a point.

    But watching him on Saturday I thought he played fairly well first half – with the *big* exception that he failed so badly in the on-on-one .. he seemed to have no faith in his left foot whatsoever, and may well have scored if he’d put the ball to the keeper’s left or put the ball over the keeper.

    He’s been missing quite a few chances for some time, and for that reason he needs to be rested. But I would hardly say he was as bad as you make out. He’s not – nor ever has been i.m.o. – an out-and-out striker.

    But – as said – we see things differently, that’s all.

  98. I think that the fault for the match losing error lies with both Guzan and Amavi: Guzan for either not hoofing it deep to eat up time in an away draw situation or taking an extra second or two to ensure that Amavi would be adequately separated from Dann , Amavi because he chose to take on a veteran defender in a dangerous area at a critical time instead of just getting rid of the ball safely.

    But … here’s the odd thing. We’ve constantly chided the last two managers for their far too conservative, play-it-safe style; now however, we’ve got a gaffer willing to go for broke to pull out a win. And I think that this is exactly what led to the critical mistake. Instead of playing it safe with a hoof, Brad had the idea that Amavi, being the terrific attacking fullback that he is, could lead one last attacking charge upfield. It was a quintessential Sherwood gamble to try to turn a draw into a victory.

    Whether it was the wisest decision or not, this is evidence of a boldness which we’ve all said that we yearned to see.

  99. John

    Thats ok mate, be boring if we all agreed 🙂

    Agree Amavi was also to blame, but if guzan just hoofed it up field amavi wouldnt of had a decision to make.

    About gabby…well i just think he is terrible i’m afraid and very lucky we have kept him.

    The way i look at it if we were to sell gabby, guzan, clarke, westy what standard of club would be interested in signing them? Lower prem if they are lucky or championship is my thinking and thats why we are always in the bottom 6.

  100. Texas…It’s a good point. Sanchez sub worked the same way. Probably cost a goal, got us a goal, but it was with attacking intent, trying to grab three points there for the taking.

    Perhaps, as many are inferring, Tim will learn that at some point in games you decide you’re going to put “not losing” first.

  101. Andrew: ” if we were to sell gabby, guzan, clarke, westy what standard of club would be interested in signing them…”

    I’d say they’d get places at another Prem club, almost without doubt, though not top-6.

    TS likens Westie to Carrick, and I think he’s not far wrong … but the fact that Carrick’s qualities tend to be over-blown doesn’t make Westie a huge star, I agree.

    Considering what money is available, I think the four you’ve named are not bad at all. Until we become one of the 4 or 6 big spenders what you see is the best you’re going to get … and I’m not unhappy with them as it happens.

    After all, it’s how the *team* performs at the end of the day (*not* individuals), and if TS can gel what he’s got into an effective force then argument’s over, I suggest. We just have to wait and see.

  102. I wouldnt pay gabby 10k per week never mind 50k

    the guy offers les and less to the team as time goes on and isnt good enough to play for villa anymore imo of course

  103. Andrew:
    A big reason Westwood was re-signed this summer was that Gary Monk had let his interest in Westy be known and Swansea’s initial offer apparently would have been £4 million.

  104. Andrew- just a mirror journo claiming we are in for him and Lescott

    You could say Sanchez’s removal decided the match! the first thing Traore did was lose the ball from which bako stung Guzans palms, then he lost it again not sure if that lead directly to another shot from the edge of the area or not but no-one was screening the defence as Sanchez had, that lead to the goal scoring corner.

    We equalised with a bit of luck before Guzan put Amavi under pressure who’s only chance was to beat the man or kick into touch as Dann was right on top of him. Clarke and Bakuna back away into the six yard area, Clarke got caught in two minds should he go to Dann or Sako? Bacuna should of picked up Sako, Amavi gets back at Dann who roles it to Sako on the edge of the area where Sanchez had been playing. Maybe if sanchez had been on the pitch he would of given Amavi an outlet.
    Lot of ifs and buts but you get the picture 🙂

  105. Tex

    Could not see westy getting in at swans. They have britton (who does the same job) and ki who is a lovely player on the bench fighting shelvy for his spot. Strange one that if true.

    Few links to moses…

  106. Westwood needs to work on his attacking play, He can play DM to a point but so can Gueye, Sanchez, Vertout, Gardner, who also look more dynamic going forward. We have so many attacking options open to us he needs to up his game as the team evolves. No reason he can’t, always thought he could see a pass like the one on sat to Gabby to pass back to their goalie.

  107. You don’t think Sherwood was saving them for Tuesday do you? You guys are right fresh legs would have been a big help. Oh well

  108. Mark:
    You’re spot on about Westie. IMHO, here’s the deal with him:

    Westwood accomplishes what he does best — STATISTICALLY SPEAKING — at a rate that (believe it or not) ranks with the very best in the league; this particular virtue is that quality measured by the highest possible pass completion percentage in a ratio with the lowest possible turnover rate. Westwood excels at precisely these two measurements, which puts him right up there with the EPL’s best in this regard.

    However … although Westie is a decent, average quality DM, he doesn’t tackle well enough to really excel at it — certainly not to the degree that Sanchez does. Conversely, Ashley doesn’t drive into the forward third assertively or purposefully enough to be a credible threat as a true AM.

    So Westwood faces this dilemma: he must either grow into the role of a stronger DM by learning to tackle more aggressively, or he needs to grow into the role iif a stronger AM by learning to aggressively take the game into the final third.

    Truth be told, his precision with the ball makes for a superb foundation on which to build. Sherwood has publicly stated that he wants Westie to grow more on the attacking side, especially with his own shots on goal. Surely, no one is claiming Westwood is good enough to waltz into a CL- level team; however, don’t sell him short, either.
    Many unbiased observers are beginning to single him out for praise a consistent basis, and his stats aren’t lying — he truly is statistically among the very best in one small but crucial area. To reach the next level of his own development, and to help Villa reach our next step upwards, Ashley has got to prove that his growth is ongoing by showing us game after game.

    UTV

  109. spot on Texas, any way you paint it he passes a lot and does it well, he needs to find a way to make that work better for him and that thing is movement. Better movement rather than just clearing up and initiating attacks from deep, I feel he needs to make himself available further forward and be bolder. Not sure he has the athleticism to pull it off though.

  110. Evening all

    Thought Id give my take on things having let the weekend and the red mist past. One word Id use to describe that game… sloppy. The way Palace always set up and the way we set up to keep possession was fine… if only we didnt keep making stupid mistakes. When playing a diamond as we did, its essential for the fullbacks to get involved and give width. Both had utter horrendous days. The amount of times BOTH gave the ball away, Bacuna being slightly worse. They were pressed well by Palace, esp second half when they made the changes, but a big part of the problem was there was absolutely zero hold up play from our two strikers. Not to mention Grealish tiring and not getting into good positions.

    We all know Gabby had a useless game, typified by his miss first half (great ball by Westwood btw) and his ‘air cross’. But he actually started the game well and even held the ball up better than the big man, not saying much because he was useless, Gabby did have 3 or 4 good moments of play, but vastly overshadowed by his bad moments. Dwight Gale when he came on for the, was everything Gabby was not. Pressed the back line quickly, ran the channels, never gave our CB’s a moments peace and got the ball turned over countless times. This is what Gabby SHOULD be doing…. at the very least… the rest of his game should come on from that. Our pressing as a team is STILL useless, despite Tim saying he wants us to play that way, but still doesnt excuse the lack of effort. If Gabby leads from the front the rest will follow.

    On to Gestede and I hope this is not the limit of his abilities that I was afraid of, he hardly did a single thing right that game. For someone so good at heading the timing of his jump was way off, for flick ons and the couple opportunities that did come his way in the box. Delaney did play him well, but he aint exactly an elite defender is he? There was no cleverness about his play, he didnt seem to realise when he could bring the ball down under control, something Benteke was brilliant at and was hugely significant for us as a team. I dont think I can count on 3 fingers the amount of times he actually managed to hold the ball up.

    On to Westwood, he gets very little love on here but he was our best player yesterday with his passing and also his covering defensively. However, as much as I rate him I do have the same concerns. His specialised position as a deep lying playmaker is not one that is effective for us. Sanchez is a better DM, Gana is a better box to box and Veretout is better attacking wise (when he catches up to the speed). He still has his uses and he will not let you down but he will be at his best when all our ball playing MF’s come into the picture – Grealish, Gil, Vertout, Traore, Ayew even – then they can play keep ball between them for fun.

    Sanchez did give the ball away a couple times cheaply, but he also made 2 or 3 plays where he won the ball and drove forward creating decent opportunities for us. Thi is something Westwood doesnt offer, he doesnt play on the front foot he prefers to sit and make those interceptions. Sometimes it is better to do that but not when a game needs a spark.

    For me the sooner we got to a 4231 standard formation the better. 2 of Sanchez/Westwood/Gana/Veretout and Gardner (if he ever gets over his injuries!) in there, one deeper than the other and the three attacking in front of them – Sinclair/Grealish/Gil/Traore behind Ayew/Gestede/Kozak. This is the way forward. It is way too early in the season to start doom mongering, there is no doubt this team needs time to develop. But the facts of the matter is we dont have a lot of time now. We need a performance against Notts County and we definitely need a performance against Sunderland. If we dont get that then it can go downhill very quickly considering we got the pretenders Leicester and the Baggies after that.

    A word on Traore, that was a helluva debut. He is one that will excite, but lets not forget he gave the ball away twice in his first 2 involvements in the game, leading to counters. His third was the run that led to the goal! But you can see he is dynamite on the ball, he gives us something we have not had since Young – that sense of anticipation when he’s on the ball. He will do well but he needs to develop. He will make mistakes, lets not get too carried away and expect too much.

    Anyways, Im more philosophical about the defeat now having cooled down – I was fuming on how sloppy we were Sat. Its still a massive work in progress, lets just hope we improve quickly because we dont have much time.

  111. I didnt Mark that was probably his only mistake of the game. He also made one or two vital tackles/interceptions in the box. Atm he is vital to the team. Sanchez may be able to replace him at some point but I can see them playing together in a 3 with Gana unyil Vereyout gets up to speed.

  112. A very well considered analysis Ree. Thank you. So we have our fourth game of the season on Saturday and it’s already a six-pointer! If wasn’t so serious, it would be hilarious.

    Sherwood’s major weakness I think is a lack of ability to alter the dynamic of the game through a change of tactics or of personnel. The team lost on Saturday because Tim was comprehensively outwitted by Pardew.

  113. I wouldn’t say that Frankfurt. Course Tim could have played the substitutions better, theres no denying that – taking off Sanchez at a time when he was bossing the game – but there is no legislating for that defensive error for the winner. Had that not happened, we would have said it was a great move to bring on Traore. We dont know the reasons behind that sub, maybe it was agreed upon before game? That he would get a certain amount of minutes due to fitness?

    In any case he could have responded to Palaces’s subs better and didnt make use of 2 possible subs. Why keep Gabby on? It wasnt his best tactical decisions ever but it could have so easily been a draw, even as sloppy as we were.

  114. ree- everything I’ve seen has said sanchez was our best player on the day and I’d agree, with grealish after him, Gueye too put in a hell of a lot of tackles/intercepts too. westwoods passing is mostly sideways in the middle of the park with one ball through and considering he takes our fee-kicks and corners how many of those found players? I think he did ok but not quite in the light your painting him. perhaps we can nick name him the washing machine rinse recycle 😉

    http://www.fourfourtwo.com/statszone/8-2015/matches/803182/player-stats/60551/OVERALL_02#tabs-wrapper-anchor

  115. Ree but that sub undoubtedly led to their first goal?! traore for the tiring gabby or grealish or even Gestede but not your best player on the pitch surely?

  116. Don’t think that sub led to the goal Mark. Don’t remember how we conceded that corner but i remember it was a drinks break straight away then WE had a throw in on the left hand side where we conceded possession and led to the corner. Sanchez wasn’t marking Dann on corners, it was Clark all match, so still wuda happened.

    Sanchez was probably the wrong choice, he wasn’t showing any signs of tiring for me, he had just set up a chance after making a tackle and driving forward. Should have been left on for a good few mins more. Gabby or Gestede would have been better choices.

    Course hindsights a wonderful thing. Had we not conceded and Traore set up the winning goal, Sherwood would have been called a genius. The margins are so slim.

  117. Mark – if you want to talk about stats look at the most important one for Westwood – chances created. 5 of them, 3 from open play inc that one Gabbay should have buried. Imo it really helps having a deep lying playmaker, someone who can use the ball. Look at Arsenal with Cazorla or Chelsea with Fabregas or ManU with Schweinsteiger/Carrick or City with Yaya, even Palace with Cabaye for Christ sake!

    It’s getting more and more into the PL as a way for the ball to reach the attacking playmakers from defense. If you don’t have that the opposition knows it can put pressure on your ball carrier and chances are you will turn over the ball – if you try to play that is. If you lump it forward then it bypasses all that but then it’s a percentages game with players trying to get onto the second ball. That way of playing is dead, better teams will find you out.

    When Utd played us they pushed right up on Westwood as soon as we tried to play out from the back, cos they knew we didn’t have many players comfortable enough on the ball. Leading to Richards/Clark or the fullbacks looking longer and losing the ball.

    Hopefully Gueye will get more comfortable as a ball carrier, Sanchez is not bad but his concentration is shocking. With Westood you can be confident he does not lose the ball. Saying all this, I hate Westwoods floated corners! It led to our first goal this season but he needs to mix it up more. We need more whipped in corners and free kicks, and I was looking forward to Veretout providing that!

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