On Saturday, Aston Villa delivered their most comprehensive performance of the season to put hosts Derby County to the sword 0-3 and gain their first away victory since the season opener at Hull. For vast swaths of the game Villa dominated play, and for once it was the opponent that looked dazed and demoralized at the final whistle.
Villa are at Derby today, who’ve done well under new man Frank Lampard and sit in 5th, unbeaten in their last five. Going into the game they’re seven points better off than the Lions. Smith will be looking to close that to four after a proper Saturday-to-Saturday schedule.
So here we are, Dean Smith, Swansea, and back to football with absolutely no idea what to expect as Swansea come to visit. No radical departures on the team sheet, other than Tuanzebe starting at CB instead of Jedinak.
Thanks to Conor Hourihane, Villa came away with a point at the weekend, and one that left many supporters underwhelmed. Once again. There are folks urging patience. Always are. And, given the new faces who’ve yet to really be integrated, there’s still some argument for patience. However, I really have seen just about enough of what looks like ineptitude.
Reading, for their part, have had a rough start to the campaign under Paul Clement, losing three before also drawing 2-2 in their last outing. I’d prefer today not be the one where they start putting it together. Villa aren’t too far off the pace, and could well have either won or lost the game midweek. Maybe today, Villa can build on the good moments against Brentford and start putting together a full 90 minutes that sees them comfortable and assured.
