Aston Villa’s second XI comfortably disposed of Bristol City last night whilst removing an unwanted statistic. 26 Consecutive away games in all competitions without a clean sheet is not something to be proud of, certainly not for a club of our standing and ambition.
I admit to being rather concerned when I saw the team being fielded by Dean Smith – eleven changes from the line up that started against Sheffield United. Where would the goals come from and Elmo at centre back? I feared an(other) embarrassing result against lower league opposition particularly given our poor record against City who had started their season with four straight wins.
I was wrong; 3-0 and it probably should have been more.
We were on our game from the start, pressing high, moving the ball quickly and within 15 minutes 2-0 up and it should have been three. Davis or El Ghazi, on the rebound, should probably have scored but fair play to their GK who kept them out. The two goals though were classy efforts – worthy of a higher stage and both from open play – a refreshing change as the majority of our recent goals have come from set pieces.
Davis’ run into the box and along the goal line – dancing around several City defenders left floundering in his wake – before perfectly putting the ball at El Ghazi’s feet was a good example of why he’s so highly rated at Villa Park. If he can add 10 goals a season to the rest of his game he will be some player.
Two minutes later and Traore scores on his debut with a sublime cushioned volley from Jacob Ramsey’s perfect cross field pass.
We continued to press throughout the half and were, perhaps, unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty when Ramsey was brought down when clean through on goal.
Second half we opted to sit back more and play on the break – whether that was a deliberate tactical change by Smith or not is open to debate – but we still created a number of good chances – not taken – until Watkins came on to score with an accurate shot into the bottom corner from a cross field ball by Trezuguet.
Elmo was excellent looking like he’d played at centre-back for years with an assured defensive display and accurate distribution going forward (is he now the ultimate utility player?) but I made Ramsey man of the match. With his darting runs from midfield, so reminiscent of Ian Taylor, and his accurate passing, at 19 he looks every bit a class act for the future and I can see him challenging for an EPL start before the end of the season. I’m not sure that sending him out on loan would be a good move.
It’s been an excellent week for our three debutants and there may still be more additions to come. First impressions are that we have added real quality to the core of a team and are building on the work done over the last twelve months. The Lyon fans, it seems. were pleased to see the back of Traore – as they were when a certain John Carew joined us – and look how that turned out.
It’s been confirmed Samatta has left the club joining Fenerbahce on a four year contract for an undisclosed fee (rumoured to be in the region of £7m}. He was the first Tanzanian player to both play and score in the Premier League having netted on his debut at Bournemouth. Its fair to say that he probably didn’t get the best of opportunities given our position and the onset of Covid but Smith has presumably decided that he’s not going to make it in the EPL.
I wish him all the best at his new club.
So onto Fulham at Craven Cottage, on Monday night, as we continue to play ‘catch up’ in the league.
We haven’t managed an away win in the EPL since Burnley on New Years Day when both Wesley and Heaton were injured, nor do we have a good record at Fulham – last winning there in January 2010. Our last trip to The Cottage ended in a 2-1 defeat in the FA Cup, earlier this year.
Fulham have started with two defeats, shipping seven goals in the process, and will be looking to improve whilst Villa are on a five game undefeated run and will want to continue that and secure another away clean sheet.
A draw would be acceptable but, if we really are going to make progress this season, then this is a game we should be winning.
They just can’t handle Grealish and he’s getting fouled left, right and centre.
Targett is not convincing – is he?
I’m keeping an eye on him to see if he ever gets tight to a man.
I’ve not seen it so far.
Fulham are poor.
They’re incredibly half hearted and as daft as it sounds, they already look like relegation fodder to me.
And VAR works in our favour!!!
A great first half and looking fairly comfortable but Targett always looks like their best bet to get back into the game. They have already had plenty of uncontested crosses. New LB would be my priority or switch Guilbert possibly.
Mings for 3.
Wow, Parker must be thinking wtf?
Oh dear Martinez.
3-1
Well, stone the crows, we get a VAR decision
Ruled out.
3-0 again.
I wish R5L would concentrate on our game rather than harping on about fecking Pool/Arse.
So disrespectful.
Is your MOTM Targett, Badger? 😁
I just think he’s garbage, Bum Bum.
Our weakest link.
On aside note, I’m sure I saw Sawaris saying “a quarter of a billion and I only get this antiquated wooden seat to sit on?”.
Urgh Jack on goal and slows it down too much again. That should have been 4.
It’s hard to knock him though Tex.
He’s working his guts out. Again.
Come on Villa, Fulham have been on top for about 15 mins. Get a grip and take back control.
Trezeguet really puts a shift in
yes, I like him Hitch and feel he gets overly complained about.
Come on lads, no one needs to be criticized tonight, that was up till now a team effort, I’m not a Targett fan but he’s been average tonight. Im impressed we’ve won praise the the lads for once.
With Grealish being so central, I worry about us being so reliant on him both creatively and psychologically. Maybe we should have taken him off with 20 minutes to go and experimented with a slightly different format.
Agree, Bum Bum, but it’s only because he gets stuck in so much, covering players who don’t work anywhere near as hard as him.
I won’t mention one name in particular.
Yes, we probably should have pulled him early, but I don’t think he’d thank you for it.
In the top 4 – feel a bit giddy!
Great late save by Martinez to keep that sheet clean.
Up to 4th! Champions League here we come! Lol!!!
Yay, a clean sheet on the road for the first time in 27.
Great win, but I thought we took our foot off the gas a bit too much.
It’s always going to happen, but we need to be careful.
Best of all, we’re on a roll.
Didn’t need to do anymore. Professional approach.
Actually I believe our clean sheet at Bristol broke the 26 away games in all completions. Not sure what the Prem League number is – but we didn’t keep a clean sheet last season.
A great result at a bogey ground. Trezeguet and Cash worked their socks off and we only looked threatened down Targetts side. McGinn was better too and good to see Ramsey get a premier league debut. Roll on Liverpool next! 😏
Yes, we’re back, I’ll ask you all did you see that 1-2 pass tonight, no we players the ball forwards and our movement was better, now that’s the type of football I like. Well Done the lads 4 th take a picture two games none against.that means good defence plus goals , its football back.
Only team on the Prem not yet to concede a goal – but different from last season
Great result, and especially good to see McGinn’s performance.
If I have to nit-pick, I’d give Targett a rollocking for his defending – and he didn’t contibute much going forward either…