There was lots of excitement during the build up for the game against Stoke City. Tim Sherwood has come in, given some excellent interviews lifting fans and giving us confidence. Hiring Kevin McDonald was a great move, a popular move. However, come game-day, things went sour.
The line up was interesting and promising, the biggest surprises was the inclusion of Kieran Richardson at left-back, the return of Sanchez after 3 games and Agbonlahor playing behind Benteke. The line up was exciting it was attacking, Sherwood had actual wingers and two forwards, it was awfully positive!
But before I dive deeper into the underlying issue as to what went wrong, a few players impressed. I thought that Richardson had played well at left-back, he linked the attack well and got forward well. Ironically, after his injury, Stoke scored 3 minutes later after a Stephen Ireland cross from the left hand side of our defensive. Scott Sinclair did well to score the goal, he has offered the club with another attacking option and looks to be an exciting new addition. Yet one could argue that Sherwood failed to get him more engaged with the action.
Now onto the negatives, starting with Agbonlahor. He was absolutely invisible all throughout the game. Playing as a centre-forward he failed to make many runs, he failed to link up with Benteke and failed to create many chances. All in all it was a terrible performance by Agbonlahor and questions have to be asked as to why was he playing behind Benteke and not with Benteke.
Carles Gil really struggled against Stoke, it looks apparent that Gil may struggle against more physical sides. He failed to make an impact and received a match rating of 5.9, the second worst rating in Villa side. Could it be the way that Sherwood asked Gil to play? Perhaps, but I can’t feel but wonder if Gil would’ve been more effective playing behind Benteke instead of Agbonlahor?
Lastly, Ron Vlaar. That’s right our Villa captain had seriously let down the football club this weekend. Some argue that he was at fault for the first goal, allowing Diouf to get in front of Vlaar. But what is certain, is that Vlaar lost Villa the single point. That single point would’ve been enough to see Villa climb out of the relegation spot in favour of QPR. Vlaar’s first touch, which led up the penalty was poor, but that was nothing compared to the horrific tackle that resulted in a penalty and a second yellow. As a captain, Vlaar needs to step up, as experienced as Vlaar is, he should’ve known that Villa needed to finish the game off. Ciaran Clark acted more of a captain that Ron Vlaar yesterday, some even argue that Clark should be now made captain instead of Vlaar. That might be questionable, but what is for certain is that Clark has been all around a better defender, more committed and better organised than Vlaar this season.
Moving away from the players, the manner in which Villa played was largely disappointing. Villa had 11 corners, yet more often than not struggled to get the ball past the first man. If the ball did get past the first men, if often flew over every bodies head and went out for a Stoke throw-in. The inconsistency of corner takers was also ridiculous, the likes of Gil, Weimann, Delph and Sinclair all took a jab at taking corners. This is something that Sherwood needs to work on the training field.
Villa played a long-ball style of play, with frequent crosses into the box. This is all dandy, especially with Benteke in the side. However, if he is double marked we need to see Agbonlahor run into that box more frequently. Gil and Sinclair also had to make more runs into the box to increase the chances of picking up a knock-down ball. The central midfielders failed to stay on the edge of the box and try to get a shot at goal.
It was a poor display by the Villa players and something needs to change. Next up Villa are away to Newcastle, a side that I think is a little vulnerable since the departure of Pardew. Time is running out, points are running out. Villa need to win against Newcastle if they are to have any chance of staying up. Against Stoke there were very few positives/strengths that can be taken out off. This week Sherwood needs to fire up the boys and perhaps maybe change the side a little. Perhaps giving FA Cup goal scorer Bacuna a place instead of Agbonlahor?
Good assessment and not much to argue with there Adam.
Gabby disappointed me so much today and to think he’s supposed to be the “Mr Aston Villa” of the side, well…. he offered nothing, as you say.
It’s the constant giving the ball away that winds me up and sums a lot up for me, in that as well as being low on confidence, some of those players are simply not good enough.
Then again, we have previously shown fleeting glimpses where we can play free flowing footy.
We need to see the return of that and at least string some passes together or we’re never going to achieve anything when we concede possession so easily.
This is basic stuff though, or at least should be to supposed top class players and can be worked on.
The same as our corners, which as you suggest, were simply rubbish.
When a team is as poor at scoring in open play as we are, it’s criminal to consistently be lobbing in such poor set pieces.
I”m very worried, but still hoping Sherwood can achieve some kind of near miracle. Which is exactly what it will be after having watched that.
We just need someone to be more brave in midfield. Make that killer pass, take that shot from distance. Just make something happen.
I still think it’s too little too late Badger. I’m still not convinced with TS but there was no one else. As much as I hate to admit it we missed a trick by not getting Pullis and that could cost us.
OohAh for once I agree with you; Pullis was the man and we should have gone for him in the Autumn but we didn’t and I think we all owe Sherwood our support. Maybe it will turn out to be (another) poor decision but, just maybe, he’ll provide what we need long term. FWIW I don’t think we have a cat in hell’s chance of staying up – this side is short on quality and short on confidence.
Hitchins I think there was a rumour we tried to get him of WBA before Sherwood. Talk about closing the door after the horse has bolted!! Like I say I’m no fan of pullis but needs must he is a safe pair of hands that would of kept us up and kept us mid table imo.
Abonlahor shouldn’t even be on the bench – past it and over rated. Give Bacuna a run in the side – at least he knows where the goal is!
Every word written about Vlaar is true. Okore has proved a better partner for Clark. No more to be said about Gabby: tp the bomb squad pending a return to form, which I think is now beyond him.
Richardson I disagree with. A left back who is there when needed is more important than one who links up attacks and is AWOL in defence. For the Stoke 1st Goal Cissoko was exactly in the right place – just behind Walters stopping him turning when he received the throw. The absent player was our midfielder who should be marking Ireland – who crossed unchallenged. It was a vey good cross to Djouf.
I don’t think Gill suffers from the physicality, I think he was not fully fit following his groin injury. But we will see next week.
Delph.. I have written at length in these columns about this totally over-rated player. I seem to be in a minority and the football press does not see what I see. Am I wrong? Well the Delph supporters cannot put up a case against the facts. Villa have never had a worse home league record in their history than the games Delph has started. It cannot be coincidence. Once in the whole game did he run forward on to a forward pass. Mostly he is facing his own goal out of choice when he gets it. And yes, you guessed, it was him who was not marking Ireland. Replace him with Westwood.
Spot on OLL. Though Benteke seems to be gettjng away with murder. I always said Vlaar was crap but as per normal got slated for it
I don’t rate delph in saying that Westwood either,vlaar he’s welcome to fuck off & yes okore over him any day.it’s alright us seeing this I just hope TS does now.I think the safety points will be low this season possibly mid 30’s fuck knows how I come to this conclusion I just think it.
theirs loads more wrong with this villa squad than we understand. changing lambert was right but way too late. tim has come in with all this positive talk, but the switch in tactics to a bold 442 is a big mistake. stoke were just counting villa. better teams will make us pay. 442 needs you to take your chances,sumat we find unable to achieve.
with a man disadvantage in midfield had its knock on affects. we ended up punting long balls, playing 80’s football. hoping for knock on from benteke, who never won one header. committing too many forwards,ended with us being countered at will. was only for poor stoke side, we never lost more convincing.
the extra man in midfield we have been using has hidden and shored up the weak defense, without it, they looked exposed.
tim doesn’t have the players he had at spuds, even at spuds he failed against the top sides using the 442. using just one system who ever you play, is naive don’t you think. we are too predictable now, can’t see us getting any wins. you play to your strengths. sadly we don’t have any. but defending deep and in numbers and breaking fast. gun ho created no extra chances or shots on goal
Dosnt 442 give us 4 in midfield surely that’s enough.
not if you understand the game it doesn’t. you could see tim and robson telling sinclair to tuck in when we was without the ball
if we continue this system, i think we will get some thumping before the season ends. two reasons we don’t offer enough to play so bold, teams will counter us at will, like stoke did after hughes made his changes.
But that’s not down to formation that’s to do with the player not doing his job
I have to conserve bandwidth over here, as it’s costing a bloody fortune, hence I’ll try and answer all the points in one go;
Adam, Gil’s the man to make it happen, but as has been said, I don’t think he was 100% .
Oohah, we all know what you think and while a fair part of it is probably correct, can you at least try and look for something positive?
Constantly stating that we’re totally shit, when we’re in the bottom 3, which makes it already blindingly obvious, doesn’t really add much, imo.
That said, yes, agreed; bringing in Sherwood is probably too little, too late.
And if we do go down, I won’t be blaming him for it, as the damage has already been done by the hierarchy sticking with a manager that was dooming us to the drop.
Hitchens, agreed. Gabby has offered nothing whatsoever for far too long. A naturally pacey bloke like him should be running his balls off, even if he can’t sustain it all through a game.
He just doesn’t do it, whatever the reason.
I worry about how much power he has inside the club and hope Sherwood sees through it and drops him.
OLL, I like Vlaar, but couldn’t help myself in shouting “stupid bastard!” when he made that tackle. It was just so naive.
Even the missus was shocked.
He makes some excellent tackles, but you’re right, they’re often reactive.
As for Delph, I’ll say it again. He’s looked good for England, simple.
It’s the mediocrity around him, imo.
And there lies our biggest problem. We have far too many mediocre players, that as supporters, we try to big up.
How many of our players would actually be wanted at better performing clubs? (hmm, could be a good subject for a post, that).
Nath, Benteke did head the ball, a few times.
And for me, we need to commit to getting players up to support the strikers.
Where have our last 3 goals come from?
Yes, it’ll prove “do or die”, but if you don’t score at all, you simply can’t win a game and that was all we got under Lambert, which is why even our hierarchy couldn’t fail to see that he just had to go.
In short, Lambert or Sherwood?
All I know is we were 100% doomed under Lambert, as he’d run out of ideas.
At least Sherwood might be able to offer something different, which at least gives an inkling of hope.
Under Lambert, we were already relegated, in my mind.
Now we at least might not be.
Newcastle next, who are also pretty average……..
move on we have nobody wants lambert and nobody wants to get relegated. but lerner has acted far to late. we end up with a novice manager with limited knowledge of tactics and poor squad. lerners decisions have been disastrous. oohahaha has called this villa correctly for the last three years and been ridiculed for this. the players are totally out of their depths. lambert and managers before him all knew this and set their tactics to PAPER OVER THE CRACKS as oohaha says. they all countered and defended deep cos thats all these players could manage.
newcastle will end with more excuses, stoke were their for the taking but we were no trouble for them .pulis would not be playing 442 with this squad. you need to be in the game to have any chance in winning one.
love how savage and shearer on motd slagged man utd for long ball football, but they never mentioned how we used the same tactic. maybe cos we don’t have the class they have and that’s all we could achieve with the crap we have.
Nath, you’ve gone from the most positive poster on here, to the most depressed, in a very short space of time.
Interesting and just saying……
positive poster hmmmm i believed in most, i say or i wouldn’t say such things. its why it pains me to throw the towel in with 12 remaining games. oohahaha has been correct for the same time and he’s been most negative. lerners ruined the institute of football. greatness won’t save us this time. the way we are playing this season, is about the worst i have witnessed. its a massive club and massive pedigree, history of football is aston villa and look how lerners been running us since the mon days. hes hired one joker after another. paid peanut wages, so they couldn’t hire proper players, even if they knew any. sadly this is the end of our premierleague run
t/s doesn’t have a chance, the task is too big. theirs a massive difference managing spuds for 6months and managing aston villa with zero players and zero confidence.
Thanks Nath good to get some support at long last. Yes I have seen the light 3 years ago and even though I come across as negative I look at it as being more realistic. There is a difference. Believe me if there is something to positive about I will day so. At the moment I’m struggling we are second from bottom with just 12 games left. We are sprinting into relegation now not limping. The only positive I can think of is we have not been cut adrift…yet. One win and we go up the table. My realism or negativity whatever you want to call it is based on the fact we should not be in this position at all. Ok we will never be able to spend big money but you look at teams like saints and is anyone seriously saying that we could not use their blue print and at least compete in the top 6?
Leave Nath alone he agrees with me
Ha, my post went into moderation, because the spam filter went down.
It would appear that’s why some of you lads get caught out too, fwiw.
I honestly think that years of playing Lambert’s miserable style of football has become engrained into the players’ heads and they can’t break out of it.
TS was well known for bringing in young players and I think he should do so now for two reasons –
– There’s no fight in the current first team and I’d rather go down fighting with kids than go out with a whimper with this lot
– If (or is it when?) we go down a lot of this team will either f*** off or be f***ed off so TS might as well pick the team he’ll have in the Championship and hit the ground running next season
I was digging around for the lyrics sheet and finally found it ‘Always look on the bright side of life….’
BTW Book your fancy dress well ahead of time for the last game because everyone will want one 🙂
Pat, I agree.
I think it’s built into the team too.
And I think we won’t be able to change the thinking in the short time we have.
Even Gabby has fallen for it and seems too scared to run at the opposition, which considering that’s the only asset he has, is a joke.
Like I keep saying, we’re in serious trouble.
And I really don’t see 3 worse teams than us, this season.
Leicester, maybe (and even they beat us). But then I’m struggling.
Agree with a number of posters, not sure what Delph brings to this side that Westwood or Cleverley do just as well (or is that poorly)! Again with Vlaar when he’s playing well he does look a good defender but he is prone to making too many mistakes and misses too many games through injury (think he’ll go to Italy in the summer – not good enough for Manure or Arse) One thing that Sherwood needs to do is decide on his best CB pairing and stick with it – for me that’s Clark and Okore and I’m in the ‘Clark for captain’ camp – what an improvement he has shown.
Whilst I would like to see the youngsters given a go, not sure that’s particularly sensible given our predicament. Hope Lambert had the sense to put a recall in Bent’s loan agreement; get him back and play him alongside Benteke – got to be better than either Weimann or Gabby the invisible (or is that risible!)
Hitchens, Bent stays at Derby, as there is no recall clause, simple.
But we saved a few bob on that deal.
Which is all that counts, it would seem.
Pathetic, yet again, in that we don’t even cover the bases.
As some of us have said, put the ball in the box and he will score you goals.
We all know this and my Derby supporting mate just can’t believe we didn’t put that clause in.
It just sums up the Villa of late, for me.
It stinks, mostly from the top.
Thanks Badger – you’re probably right but also a bit of Lambert – ‘I don’t want him here’.
I. Was a scout for 6years at villa,I ran a junior team that won 13 trophies in 7 years,the basics are the same at any level,villa should forget about overlapping full backs,if the opposition goal keeper collects the cross,he throws it to where the full back has attacked from,so don,t use them that way,use wide players too drift into the D area too support the loan striker,causes chaos,lots of other stuff, looks like villa going down ,shame really,the club has top drawer facilities.
Totally agree, William.
Overlapping full backs is rubbish, when you can’t get the basics right.
I was an attacking fullback in the latter stage of playing. When I overlapped and went forward our right midfielder who could also do a good job at right back just slotted in to fill the gap I left. Surely that’s basics we should be doing.
slotted in?
Sorry, Ooah, but this isn’t lower league teams and it’s why players should play in their rightful positions for me.
There’s no such thing as an attacking fullback, unless he’s something special, imo.
We just don’t have anyone approaching that quality and it makes us weak at the back if the FB’s do try to push forward.
How often does Hutton get criticised for being out of position, for example?
Full backs can’t be expected to defend and go forward, unless they’re being protected by better players.
We quite simply don’t have them, imo.
It’s an inherent weakness in how we play and why we need to go back to basics.
That’s my point as long as someone fills in for them I don’t see the harm. Why isn’t Bacuna playing right midfield then Hutton can defend more. Always got a goal in him as well
At the end of the day Sherwood has never been in a relegation dog fight so he may not know what it feels like to be down there at the bottom.The players he has at his disposal are not as good as what he had at his disposal at Spurs.You could see his dissapointment in his interview after the game and a certain look of shit what am I going to do now.Sherwood is an unproven quantity not slagging him off but he has only had 28 games in charge of a pretty decent premier league side not the dogshit players we offer up.I really hope Sherwood can save us but it’s a bit much to ask isn’t it.Yes he’s been probably handsomely paid but that doesn’t change the reality of can he can’t he.We are in the shit big time and only have Lerner the cheapskate to blame utv
That about sums it up Jay Dee
Feel quite a bit better now I’ve given up all hope of staying up (let’s face it if we can’t beat Stoke at home, who were beaten 4-1 in their two previous games and had half the team out then we’re doomed).
Might even be best in the long run. A young manager like TS given time in the Championship to mould a team in is own image might be the best result. Certainly better than having us hanging on by our fingernails in the PL every season.
TBH all this hoping is just too bloody painful, like having a dentists appointment that lasts 9 months.
UTV
Sherwood’s POV, as opposed to Lambert’s bag of shit comments, where we all did well and some players were great, when in reality we played crap?
I know what I’d rather have.
Expect Sherwood to thrash the players with his gob and at least make them sit up and take notice, imo.
The simple fact is that many of us agree that the squad overall is better than our current position.
If that’s true, they need their arses kicking, big time.
And Sherwood, like him or not, is the man to do it, imo.
It’s still bloody tight down the bottom,it’s not over yet folks.I’m trying my best to hold on to something other than a fucking pint pot I think the newky game will tell us more about ts he’d then had a full week with them & I hope he’s ruffled a few feathers.FFS cheer up
Ps until we’re mathematically fucked then I’ll give up,so if I’m on my own til then then so be it. UTV
Good for you Giddy – you’re right if course. It’s just that 12 points from 22 games is the real issue. Without that ‘lucky’ first 4 games we’d be gone by now. I don’t agree that we’re good enough to be mid table; this is a poor side lacking in quality and, additionally, it seems to me that one or two players are not putting their soul into it – Benteke for one.
Ps I’ll try and stay positive with you Giddy; better apologise to my liver now! 🙂
Cheers MUCKER that makes 2 of us now.
Three of us. Although I must admit, I’m sh**ing myself now…Lerner – you have a lot to answer for…
I am really down over the defeat yesterday, pat is right we are to use to losing and in a rut and the so called players mind set is all wrong and that comes from Lambert. Sherwood has is hands full. I hope he can do it.
Leicester leading that narrows the gap,Martinez for the chop????’
Can,t see villa getting anything from both west Bromwich Albion games,tony pull is has done a good job,well drilled,a couple of good strikers,hard too beat,and these are the easier group of games for villa,need too win at Newcastle and Sunderland and draw with baggies,but I fear that won,t happen.
Leicester unlucky to only get a draw away, Burnley the same yesterday and away against Chelsea ffs. They’re both in the bottom 3 with us and both showing some fight.
Wish I could say the same about the Villa but I can’t.
Giddy and Hitchens – good on you for still hoping but I’m finding it just about impossible.
TS is going to have to kick a lot of arses to stand any chance against Newcastle next week but I’m not sure what he can do, there’s just no belief in the players is there?
How we hoped and prayed that players like Benteke, Vlaar and Delph would stay at the Villa, now I’d flog them to anyone for a fiver each.
Sherwood’s post match comments named some players he thought were good. 4 of them. I am sure on Monday he will be talking to the other 10.
Gil and Sinclair are not true midfield players. A midfield player makes an immediate effort to get back behind the ball as soon as the opposition have it. These two sometimes drop, other times stay up-field of the ball to assist with a counter. Really a team cannot afford that both players fail to drop, the one nearest the ball has to. So we have not yet played 4-4-2. More like 4-2-4.
Gabby and Benteke think like the same player, they should never be on the pitch together. Good managers occasionally have blind spots about this, look at the England bosses with Lampard and Gerrard – who had the same problem.
As a few pointed out above, Benteke is not a great header of the ball – either at goal or as a flick-on distributor. He loses out at least half the time to centre halves. This does not matter if: 1/ when near halfway, he moves well wide of the centre and takes one or two markers with him, leaving a big space on the other flank. 2/ when attacking at set pieces he goes to the near post for a glance off the top of the forehead, leaving the back post for a dropping ball.
See how next week?