Jores Okore is nearing his return from injury and it appears it will now be a matter of weeks before Okore features again for Aston Villa. Okore ruptured cruciate ligament back in September against Newcastle. The young defender has been working hard to return to full fitness and has latest Tweets from Portugal and from England have all been positive.
Aston Villa are again having defensive issues, they’re not as significant as last years defensive issues. But Villa are yet to win a game without Ron Vlaar. Okore was brought in to strengthen the defence and once back, he and Vlaar could form a strong defensive partnership. Okore isn’t the tallest, but he makes that up with his pace.
Okore was our second most expensive signing this year costing £4 million but has been limited to 3 appearances. However, Ron Vlaar recently stressed the importance of letting Okore fully recover before allowing him to play. Vlaar has learned from his own experiences with injuries and knows how important it is be fully fit. Some of the consequences may include, a re-development of the injury or the player will struggle with his niggling injury.
A good example of that has been Benteke, following his injury against Norwich, Benteke was rushed back into the starting 11. In-fact he was rushed a little too soon. He struggled on the ball and never looked comfortable.
I’m happy that Okore has recovered much sooner than anticipated but I’d rather see a fully fit Okore play later on in the season, than an 90% fit Okore rushed back into the starting 11. He is a young player after all, he’s got plenty of years left.
I think Baker and Vlaar are good enough together, defensively our issues is our midfield gets overrun far too easily. Not playing Sylla as a DM is the biggest problem but that’s clearly not gonna change. I’d let Okore take his time getting back. No real need to push it.Fixture list is far from congested as Villa have no mid-week game left bar when they reschedule the City game and the fixture list we shouldn’t struggle… Key word is shouldn’t.
Good enough isn’t good enough though (sorry Andrew, couldn’t resist!), especially if Vlaar gets injured. Okore looked good right from the start and it’s a huge shame he’s been out for so long. With him back it’ll be like we have a new signing we’ve been crying out for in defence. I do still believe Lambert has to work out how to relieve all the pressure on the defence by sorting out the midfield, that or he works out they’re taking all the strain and brings in some very good defenders on big wages, subsidised by the wages not being spent on those quality AMs and DMs
Should be good enough… For now. Villa don’t have a hard run, and they should be good enough, and I still think Baker’s no non-sense defending next to a leader is a good enough defender to allow Okore to continue progressing and come back when fully fit and even playing a couple youth games for more fitness.
Baker or okore?hmm,well it’s a no brainer imo okore all the way.but i’d rather him 100% fit,nice to hear he’s almost back in contention.
Rushing him back is not a good idea IMO. If we are safe with 3 or 4 games left then that would be the ideal time to bring him back IMO.
think we should listen to ron vlarr, he knows all about injury and has the experience which is why he said what he did. I think we should be able to see the season out with our current defence.
people say we are poor defencively but like many of us know its the lack of mid field holding and cover that’s the real issue, along with the tactics of being under attack for 70% of most games make the defence look worse than it really is.
okore and vlarr were our original CB choice and from the few games played and what I saw pre season it looked promising.
baker is doing ok, as is clark but seemingly only when either of them play along side vlarr which with his own problems is a major concern.
well this is best news i heard in ages, ( says alot) but okore has pace and strength our defence lack, great 2 see him back but ofcourse he shouldn’t be rushed but if he can contribute, we defiantly need him
heard stuff about lowton and lambert not seeing eye 2 eye ~ turning up late 4 training now we see why bacuna is being preferred as right back . a new right back nxt summer looks like
jolly good