Not really sure where they got the name for this little competition, maybe it has a bit better ring to it in German, but it’s an interesting format, and given that substitutions usually make for two sides playing a full 90 anyway, I thought it made for a useful couple of outings.
And hey, we came away some silverware in just one afternoon, so even better.
Let’s get to the breakdown.
The Good
Five goals in the two 45s. That’s like six or seven games worth of production for Villa. And there was a lot to like about the goals.
First, Hogan opening his account this summer with two very well taken opportunities against MSV Duisburg in the opening match. His first showed what Elmohamady can provide, a lovely little near-corner cross to Hogan coming across goal, and a very assured finish from Hogan. Hogan’s second again showed the forward being played to properly, getting set loose down the left by a quick long-ball from Jake Doyle-Hayes he could run on to. He showed good strength getting round the defender and kept his feet long enough to curl the ball up and around the keeper. Another very good finish.
Prior to Hogan’s exploits, Andre Green also had a nice goal resulting from a bit of poor defending, and some dogged play from young Callum O’Hare
In the final against Hertha Berlin, new signing Christopher Samba provided the kind of goal Villa will also need this season, a strong header off a corner to open the scoring. The man’s a beast and looks up for it. He also had a good game at the back.
Gabby got on the scoresheet, too, with a typical Gabby goal, rounding the keeper, and kept the ball out of his feet following the keeper’s slight touch to slot home comfortably and seal the win.
Whelan also had a decent first outing, providing an outlet for the defenders, getting up the pitch and making a nuisance of himself.
In keeping with Dr. Tony’s comments about youth, it was good to see McKirdy, O’Hare, Keinan Davis, Green, Doyle-Hayes all getting good run-outs and doing something with their chances. Of the bunch, perhaps Davis had the least impact.
Also, given that Villa had split their squad, and had some odd set-ups with Bree moving to CB following Michah Richards’ early injury withdrawal and Bjarnason at right back with McKirdy playing in front, two clean sheets and five goals wasn’t a bad return.
The Bad
Well, I’ve got to say something here, because that’s how it works.
First off, both Duisburg, a third-division side, and Hertha Berlin, a top-flight Bundesliga side, looked better drilled and much tidier in possession. This was offset by an absence of cutting edge up front, though.
Basically, their triangles were tighter and their patterns of play much more evidently ingrained.
For their part, Villa are still too reliant on surging individual runs. Green’s got pace, confidence and skill, but is often trying to do too much. That said, he’s often rather isolated, but also tends to isolate himself with his runs.
Isolation is a key part of Villa’s lack of cohesiveness, players just not having easy, anticipatable outlets. It looks better at times than others.
Part of this is due, of course, to Villa looking for wide outlets. As they jet down the pitch, support inside is often lacking. By the time everyone catches up, it starts to bog down. One can also suppose this is partly Bruce’s doing by keeping players more concerned with their defensive responsibilities and holding them back.
We are tough to break down, finally, but if we’re going to play this way, then we need more of what we saw from Hogan today. He showed he can take chances. He just has to be given chances.
Of note, Whelan offered an indication that while not as physically imposing as Mile Jedinak, he is looking to provide that link in the middle.
And once again, we saw that Alan Hutton really must make way for someone else. His final ball is far too often Villa’s final ball in any given move where he features. Elmo in front of him gave us much better options, but when they’re going to overlap, well, it doesn’t look like coming to anything productive.
The Ugly
Bit of a strange trophy, that, some sort of footballing tribute to Aliens. But hey, it’s unusual and it’s ours.
Conclusion
Not a bad day. I’m taking much more positives than negatives out of this one. Goals, and from the right people. Goals coming in different ways. Youngsters getting full halves, no RMC to be seen. De Laet must still be a ways off, so we can see a bit of the reasoning for Elmo coming in, and maybe Bruce will play him as a winger in a 4-4-2, which was again the order of the day. So maybe 3-5-2 was all overblown. And John Terry has looked comfortable so far. As he should.
We’ve got Arminia Bielefeld Tuesday, whoever that is. So the lads are getting a lot of running in, and they seem to have reasonable energy. There was also more pressuring higher up the pitch. Which, though not terribly effective for the most part, is the right way to be trying to play, and again indicates that fitness isn’t bad.
And while the squad is bloated, perhaps the energy on display is proof that competition for places just might be doing a little something.
Over to you.
The Author
John Clark
John is co-owner of AVL, and has followed the Villa since the '70s. A journalist by trade, he is, by most accounts, a very nice person. You can follow me on Twitter @JClarkKohoutek. It's an astonishing experience. Or a complete waste of time.Comments 69
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Hi JC- I agree with all you have said mate. Bree for me should start ahead of Hutton, I think he will link well with Elmo. Wheelan may have more luck with his passing if he had the movement ahead of him shown in the first game but your right we just don’t do crisp fast passing.
I thought the pressing was good in that it meant we did not have to play a DM to break up play and tended to get forward quicker and have more space because we caught the opposition out. there was a vast difference between the two games in style, one used wingers the other wingbacks (until Richards went) I know which one I prefer. and the front two from the first game combined really well the second not at all.
Still we wanted goals and we got them.
One little thing worth mentioning, we only played 45 mins a game, Players were able to put their full energy into the game because it wasn’t going to last long, so while it looked good it was a little way off real conditions, today Villa really looked like they wanted to win more than the opposition which is what we want. 🙂
Oh and when Kodjia comes back?
Mark
Im not sure if 352 is a cert now! Hmm cant wait till warford game just to have a clue what formation will be used.
Started hoovering up young takent, 2 weeks ago signed a youn g lad called sea. A striker from abroad, 17.
And tonight a 16 year old fom genk.
Mark – the only 45 mins play bit. It’s was the same for both sides, let’s not forget! 😉 Therefore is all is equal – you can’t take it away from Villa: it was a well-planned venture by the management that produced a good run out and test.
On the subject of the squad average age, I think someone said that the average age of this squad is 27-something. If that is the case then it indicates a good mix. Also that it used to be said that players reached their peak between the age of 28 and 32. If that is still the case then even several of our 30-somethings come within that range.
JC,
I note that Doyle-Hayes has attracted quite a lot of attention from the fans after today’s performance, and it’s worth noting that he was seriously involved in 2 of the goals. He also gained a rating of 8 out of 10 from the Mail. He certainly made sure that his “run out” was taken maximum advantage of.
On Hogan, I feel that the team setup was designed to meet his needs, and successfully too. When he’s given chances he very much looks happy and good to see he’s lost none of his confidence. I feared he might have.
JC,
I realise that the two sides we played today came from different divisions and quite a gap (pacings-wise) between them. But though the first opposition were a bit loose in defence, so were the second team. And – in fact – I thought our first opponents looked more like a first-league outfit in the quality of their approach play and inter-play. Some of it was very pretty.
It looks as though we really have won a cheap and nasty trophy!
See http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-won-trophy-fans-13374330
Jl- I was talking about the amount of effort put out in 45 mins if it was 90 doubt they would of lasted and villa defo put their heart into it.
God forbid I should belittle their massive achievement, I hear they are looking for a mascot at VP you up for it 😉
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-sign-highly-rated-13374366
Bit on the new kid. Not about sea who is highly rated.
Round and his team putting building blocks in place.
“It looks as though we really have won a cheap and nasty trophy!”
Lol. Guess Villa have to start somewhere.
Hmmm So we have gone from friendlies being unimportant and no indicator of whats to come to them being the expression of Bruces genius . We couldn’t score against Walsall a few days ago yet beat two German teams 5-0 in an empty stadium?
Roll on Watford so we can get a proper gauge of what Bruces 1st team looks like and where it is at. There is a good side in there but today I saw no clear approach in our play just two different sets of players doing there thing.
Mark,
I think there are things that matter in preseason, and things that don’t.
For example, if you’re evaluating a lot of players, you’re probably less focused on the result than simply what you see people doing outside the familiar confines of training. The overall performance might be poor, but you might also expect that. You just need to see what the players are doing individually.
You can scale it on up to view total performance, etc.
Main thing I take away is little bits. Elmo reading Hogan well. Hogan finishing well. Whelan looking like he knows where he’s supposed to be. Not hiding, looking for the ball, looking to create forward momentum. Hourihane and Lansbury split up. Body language. Who linked up well, who looked lost.
Total performance today? Well, like you say, 45 mins. Some pretty play from the opponents, no cutting edge. Some “same old Villa” but this time with good goals.
The 45 mins part I don’t worry about, since we would likely have been subbing out a lot of players in the 2nd regardless. Let’s just say, hypothetically, that this is how Villa could look if they came out hard, made, and actually took their chances.
It could also be completely meaningless.
So, when I see a Shrewsbury result/performance, I don’t see much good. There wasn’t much. Walsall, not much, either. Today, I saw people scoring who are supposed to score. For someone like Hogan, it has to be a weight off his shoulders. Touch was there, movement was good, etc. Given we’re solid enough defensively, that’s the place where we’re looking for hope.
But yeah, Watford will be a good indication. I would think we’d see what Bruce thinks his starting XI is, and while he’ll probably be careful with them, it is a dress rehearsal.
On average age…
I think you have to calculate using the game-day regulars, because fringe youngsters, etc., really bring down the average.
They’re there, they “count”, but the players who matter, age wise, are the ones who’ll be putting in the vast majority of minutes.
So in the previous article, you’ll see how I’ve grouped them. Tshibola and McKirdy will bring down the average, as will Green. But they only really count if they’re going to play more than bit parts.
JL,
Duisburg, the first team, did play it around well. And agreed, the set-up suited Hogan, which is why I liked the goals. We actually could play to his strengths, in this setting, anyway. So it is possible.
As mentioned by most, little point trying to analyse a pre-season friendly in terms of what might happen when the chips are down.
I’m not surprised a plastic club trophy was presented; on the scale of things it fits in bearing in mind the magnificent trophy we won for the European Supercup all those years ago! Gabby’s MOTM match trophy looked more expensive.
One positive, from my viewpoint, was that Villa seemed keen to close the ball down as soon as they lost possession rather than throwing it on the defence to win it back as often happened last year. Whether that was due to the 45 minute duration or not who knows.
Mark: “I was talking about the amount of effort put out in 45 mins if it was 90 doubt they would of lasted and villa defo put their heart into it.”
Yes, and I was making the point that it was the same for Villa’s opposition too. Therefore I’m still not sure what point was being made here? I suppose you are assuming that Villa will not try so hard over 90 minutes, but I don’t think we can assume that … if you find you have tired legs after (say) 60 minutes they can be substituted … as always.
JC- So far we have seen six teams put out with varying degrees of success I would assume that the teams that JT plays in are considered more prestigious being the Captain and certain to start, But the first game yesterday had a very young average age compared to the second? which as you say is unlikely to happen come the start of the season. When you take all the plus’s and minuses can we throw it all together and get an amalgamation of those plus’s or do we have to sacrifice some?
For instance you would hope that the team was set up to get the best from Hogan and it certainly appeared to in a way we never have before, was it planned that way or just the personal play in a way that suits him? and not in the way we will play? As you said its unlikely we will play so much youth around him and The other players available last season didn’t perform anything like that. Elmo played a big part, would wheelan have done as well as hayes? would Grealish be as good/similar as O’hare. I would say Hogan is one of those nailed on players that we have to get the best out of,we have found the way but will we use it?
Clive- Yes by the size of crowd and the rather tacky trophy how much did those games mean to the other teams involved? We had all the fans and noise created. Villa I thought took it seriously as they should with gabby doing his repeat of the Birmingham game by getting stuck-in in an OTT way.
JL- It may have been the same conditions for the opposition but they did not appear to take it so seriously, maybe they didn’t have so many players vying for a match day start yet and the Bundesliga starts on the 19th for Hartha so maybe it wasn’t the same? and judging on the attendance not taken that seriously.
JL- what I was suggesting is they may not be able to try so hard over 90, so will automatically pace themselves for the 90, there are only 3 subs unless thats changed, the way we were pressing all over the pitch takes some very fit individuals and specific training as Liverpool do, As that was the first time it has surfaced this season is it the plan or the product of its only 45?
Mark,
I feel that there’s too much cerebral activity going on here! 😀
Let’s just see what transpires, eh?
In point of fact we should get a better idea in the Watford game as to what’s what … but even that won’t tell us everything.
Cyber Attacks
They can affect anybody.
Here’s a ‘heads-up’ by the ‘i’ newpaper about a site that can install second-level password security on sites of your choice that contain your personal data: https://www.turnon2fa.com/
JL- what can I say I enjoy debating 🙂
So far its been a hodge podge of Old players, youth, players that are leaving still playing and various approaches or at least the personnel dictating the play to some extent. Bruce has had to use the matches to decide on who he’s selling to some degree and which youth players are serviceable rather than having a concrete 11 starters bedding in, I think the next two games will be less about the former as surely he has to have an 11 in mind we start a week Saturday.
Excellent leader JC,
This competition may not have been important in itself, but it did show much more positive signs from Villa, and that Bruce is working towards having a squad of players that can give him a number of permutations, whilst still remaining a solid defensive unit.
It means that he will be able to cope with being involved in cup competitions, as well as a very full league programme.
Very impressed to see Hogan scoring his first goals, and at last perhaps getting the service he needs, and the involvement of our youngsters.
Noticed that Gabby was allergic to plastic cups, refusing to accept it from JT, perhaps it stemmed from drinking from Tupperware in is early days..!!
Cheers, Paul.
He does have a number of permutations, doesn’t he? I’ll be very curious to see which of the youngsters, besides Green, ends up playing much.
Doyle-Hayes, for example. Think he’s an academy player. Just there to make up the numbers? Didn’t see much written pre-game about Tshibola, Bacuna, RMC, for example.
Has Xia drawn a bit of a line? The above being shopped (sale or loan)/bomb-squaded, and Bruce told to pick five-six youngsters? Suppose I need to go looking…
Mark,
Good questions all. Like I said to Paul, not really sure why O’Hare, Kirby, etc. were picked, why others were absent.
Like you, I assume the Terry squad is the more ‘presitigous’, especially paired with Chester, and then with Hogan. Also very interesting that Doyle-Hayes, who I’d never heard of before, was in there and played Hogan in for his second. And then O’Hare up top with him, rather than RMC or some such.
Also interesting to see Elmo played as a winger, rather than a FB or wing-back, and no real defensive mid in that side.
I do think Elmo helped Hogan, and I assume Elmo wasn’t brought in to sit the bench, so I’d expect to see him get the nod, early on at least, over Adomah, if Bruce is going to use him as a winger.
More questions than answers, for sure.
JC,
I do get the feeling that Doyle-Hayes, O’Hare and Green will start to feature more, and have shown that they may have what it takes, and will provide real competition for JG, Hourihane and the rest.
Bjarhnasson looks to be improving now he is back to fitness.
Certainly, things are now starting to look more positive, and hopefully, we can make a good start to the season.
JC,
Elmo – in his first outing at least, against (as you’ve said) lesser opposition – looks to me a step above Albert in his ability to make some serious aerial challenges as well as being fleet of foot and able to provide accurate cross-balls. I can see Elmo getting the nod there.
The Jedi will be out initially, so I suppose Whelan will be a first choice as well. Can see Doyle-Hayes being on the bench, out of the youngsters – or perhaps not as I’m doubting that Hourihane and Lansbury will both start a match and one or other will surely be on the bench. Either of those is likely to play further forward I imagine with Whelan in the team.
But there are certainly other questions on selection to be answered. Assuming Codger being out the first game or two I could see Hogan and Gabby being the two strikers vs Hull, but will there be a place for both Green and Grealish? I wonder.
elmo is a very good signing, said at the time. experienced, hard working and can deliver crossers.
for 950k a no brainer. especially if it boots hutton out!
looks like we found a buyer for ross….sundrland could give us as much as 8mill 🙂
linked to taking liverpools Ojo on season loan.
andrew
if elmo is that good why has he never played for a decent team before at decent level
JG
Last time I checked we weren’t playing Real Madrid or Barcelona this season, who do we need right now, Messi?
IanG- Is he available for 500k and a bag of smarties a week?
JC- Doyle-Hayes and O’hare brought a lot of energy to the side something I don’t see from our regular Mid-fielders and Grealish and no small amount of Talent. Doyle-Hayes needs to develop physically but for a 17 year old he got stuck in, O’hare always get s stuck in I’d have no problem playing him.
James
Obv he aint that good, but a proven prem league player is good enough at the moment.
Think messi in a few years when we are winning trophies 🙂
Andrew- he’ll have a Zimmer by then should fit in
Chap on twitter says its good to see villa investing in youth and several kids training with 1st team.
He has interviewed a technical director who discovered dimitri sea who we signed…..apparently the lads a huge talent. Interview posted wed night, ill copy it here.
Haha mark…very good!
Interstingly, fair enough we have signed these older pros. (Which i think is a good thing as as a club we are still trying to get a proper prof squad together after years of the squad running riot and downing tools) theres another side to the coin to look at.
We now have 6 or 7 kids training with the first team which is not common. Plus the fact we are picking up young talent around the world bodes well….maybe the bigger picture is we are building on youth….
MK,
Have to agree that it is really good to see these young ones being used, and training with the squad.
Having them in the mix with very experienced pros, can only be a step in the right direction.
Am now starting to look forward to the first game of the season…!!
JL,
You’d like to think Grealish could look at O’Hare and take a lesson. Course, Jack is fairly ‘aggressive’ in the box, driving to the back line, etc. He’s just so lackadaisical everywhere else.
Doyle-Hayes overall? I’d have to watch again. As someone said, without names on the shirts I found myself getting confused at times with him in particular, wasn’t sure how he did in total. I kept thinking, “who is that, it isn’t Hourihane”, etc.
Mark,
That’s how it seems with the kids. They just seem to play with much less fear. Often naive, of course, but they don’t lack for wanting to get in the mix. I think you could safely play one or two at a time, depending on the opponent.
With JL speculating about Gabby partnering Hogan while Kodjia’s out, I’d just as soon let O’Hare have a go. They do different things, of course, but I’d see how he does with more frequent opportunities.
And to JL’s Green or Grealish question, it’s a fair one. Jack should be the more influential player and ought to be making himself a nailed-on starter, but he hasn’t, and Green ends up contributing just as much if not more in attacking intent, stretches defenses, and all the rest. I might well give him the nod over Jack just to get Grealish’s attention.
Elmo? He only has to be good enough…Which is to say, better than Adomah/Hutton. And I don’t think Adomah’s a bad player. Drifts in and out, but does drive forward, has energy, seems to fit well with Kodjia.
Will obviously depend on who works better with Kodjia and/or Hogan. If Elmo gets off to a good start, Adomah could have a hard time getting back in.
iang
might not be playing barcelona or real madrid but no point saying our players are something special,most of them are something alright but our leader might ban me if i said what i really thought about hutton richards gardner bacuna and gabby
we seen players playing 45mins so nothing can be taken in reality most matches i watch are 90 mins,the first game was what i want to see with a few changes
johnson
bree chester terry/samba taylor /amavi
adoamh/elmo whelan/jedi birr houriane/lansby green/grealish
hogan kodja davies rhm
are main players i want to see playing most matches
JG… say what you like. The site will clean up the more colorful bits.
I might sound a bit more ‘accepting’, but don’t know that I’d disagree with you on that bunch.
And I wouldn’t disagree with your squad at all. If that bunch can’t get it done….
JG
I’d be happy with your squad. There’s room there for the likes of O’Hare, too.
I fear Gabby has scored his annual goal(:
No kidding, Iana.
JG,
As you’ve probably already guessed, you’re probably not going to see what you want! 😉
I’d say this is the most likely actual selection for the first league match, partly enforced by injuries and rehab:
Johnstone
Bree Chester Terry Taylor
Elmo Whelan Lansbury Green/Grealish
Hogan Gabby
Outfield Subs (from): Samba, Hourihane, Hutton, Amavi, Davis, O’Hare
RHM, Kodjia, Adomah and Jedi to come.
JC: “That’s how it seems with the kids. They just seem to play with much less fear. Often naive, of course, but they don’t lack for wanting to get in the mix. I think you could safely play one or two at a time, depending on the opponent.”
Totally agree with that. Mercer’s Minors were a good example of great talent but over-worked. They should have been introduced more gradually but the Board of the time wouldn’t put up the money to buy in enough quality.
This time around the situation is better for the youngsters to come in quietly. And unlike 1972 time, I’m not sure the youngsters are of super talent, whereas back then we had Little and Gidman, who just stepped in as though they had been playing for years. This is why I’m so so disappointed with Grealish: if only he had the character of the two just named.
jl
apart from putting the tea lady in instead of gabby your team would do me for starting, we have one shot at rejoining big time so a good start isonly answer
friendly tonight called off.
waterlogged pitch!
JL- why play Gabby with Hogan? why limit our best chance of scoring’s chances? I would be looking to supply Hogan from every direction Gabby can settle on the bench, any park bench 😉
Well, if anyone here still thinks that Brexit is a good idea, they should not read this…
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brexit-eu-negotiator-europe-euratom-airline-safety-negotiations-theresa-may-worse-anyone-guessed-a7858586.html
Mark,
Because I’m not bothered about what he did or did not do in the last 2 or 3 seasons!
As far as I am concerned he’s good enough and I reckon he and Hogan could do a good job together. Gabby does make chances for other players y’know! I’ve seen him do it. He could be the missing link between midfield and Hogan.
JL- Anyone who thought Brexit would be easy is a fool, Doesn’t mean its not the right thing to do.
As for medical isotopes good might save some lives.
JL- Not bothered he’s generally pretty poor as a player then? I could not care less too if he was any good. He’s been up for sale and nobody enquired 😉
JL Is that Brexit article one of those slanted toward the negative ones, why isn’t it more balanced? 🙂
Mark,
Perhaps, but Brexit is such a minefield that it will disrupt many things i.m.o. As I said in another post, if our democratic reps can’t sort out cladding issues on towerblocks, who with they cope with something complex?
BTW, I’ve just heard that Adobe is pulling the plug on Flash in 2020 … more chaos for someone!
I don’t know about ‘Adobe’, but I think we’re going to be obliged to going back to simple living in dobi houses! 🙂
s/b ” how will they cope with something complex?”
Night all … I have a TV programme to watch and it’s my first programme this week!
JL- Hopefully we get a change for the better here if our politicians are found wanting but I find it quite funny that the EU is seen as this sophisticated, benevolent , non agenda bunch of intelligent individuals Vs our lot 😉
what number was brexit last sunday,is he another bruce signings
James,
Nice one!
He’s our new midfield dynamo!
Last Night’s TV Programme that I saw…
All about the rising number of young children that are now being excluded from school.
Just what kind of society are we creating?
Having said that I went to an open day at my old primary school last week – my first visit for 25 years – and was astonished to see not only how much progress the school has made but that the children appear to be very happy. But it’s certainly going wrong somewhere…
strong rumour forest will get Richards for 1mill. that’s right actual money for the biggest waste of space ever!
hull, leeds, reading also in for ross.
If we shift Richards, hutton and ross that’s not bad going!
in
terry – free
Johnson – loan
elmo 950k
whelean 1.5
out
gill loan
kozac free
cissoko ?
vertout 6mill with add ons
Not bad business imo
JL I would not worry about schools, they are predicting 10 years of rain in Britain, swimming lessons would be better. And Global warming?
http://drsircus.com/world-news/crushed-mother-nature/?utm_source=Dr+Sircus+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter_25_07_17&inf_contact_key=af88f48ef0e1604153496cddfec0c137cde6e8326d92fcd449c072e33cbf6fea
Mark – I’m warm, aren’t you? 😉
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New post up!
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