During pre-season I did blame the miscommunication between Clark and Vlaar as one of the main reasons why Villa kept conceding goals in pre-season. I also thought that Clark had to be put on the bench, I believed that Baker and Okore was the future. Today I was proven wrong. The two most experienced centre-backs proved today that they are here to compete with the best, and that these two will be our main centre-backs for the season. Alright, maybe I went a little to far with that last statement but against Arsenal, it was the presence of Clark that helped us see this game out.
Baker got injured in the 17th minute, I believed he deserved a spot in the starting 11 after his fantastic performances in pre-season. But when Clark came on I honestly thought that would be it, Arsenal would easily be able to get past us, cut our defence and so on. The outcome was the exactly opposite. The defence line was stronger, more shots were blocked and I think there was better communication between the midfield and defence.
Vlaar and Clark didn’t play a perfect game, Rosicky got through the defence same as Giroud, but the two centre-backs often reacted quickly enough to repair the mistake. Luna played more solid under Clark, and Guzan felt better protected as well.
I still have my slight doubts about Vlaar and Clark playing together, but against Arsenal they showed they are better than what the majority of us, well me at least, thought of them. The defensive line was strong, they weren’t bullied either. Chelsea will be a different monster, and I wonder if the two centre-backs of Vlaar and Clark will be able to contain the beasts that are Chelsea?
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Nath ,
Yeah well said Math
Nath.
Math
Anyone know if Chelsea game being aired live?
I don’t think sky or bt are broadcasting it live. Surely, must be live coverage. How stupid it would be if the rearranged fixture and only pl game of the day is not broadcasted live!
I think my local in Solihull are showing it live on foreign channel. If anyone wants to know pub contact me through email on home page and il let u know.
Cheers, it’ll be on Abu Dhabi TV or the likes and no doubt some one will put up a stream.
Yep I think that’s the one they use. They show virtually every villa game home and away there.
The Chelsea game is being shown on NBC Sports too, so they’ll be plenty of streams.
No doubt the arsenal qualifier will be on sky or bt I think that game is weds, arsenal fans are shitting it after Saturday.
don’t think anyone was having a downer about the game against arsenal, I’m sure everyone is delighted with the result and the performance, it was just a bit of debate about vlarr as he features in this article and as usual where vlarr is concerned it provoked much chat.
id love to see him come good I really would, I’ve always had my doubts about him and they aren’t changing at the moment.
I expect to see okore start against Chelsea probably with vlarr but ideally I’d like to see baker and okore.
Baker, for a big fella don’t you think he gets injured just a little to easily? A touch of the Woodgates about him.
Baker injured for Chelsea and prob Liverpool. Hopefully okore and Clark will start.
It’s a concern isn’t it especially for a young defender.
don’t know what is up with him, do we know how long he is out for?
This is my concern NM we have 4 centre backs one vlaar is crap end of then we have baker who is good but injury prone, okore I think will do well but needs to be tested and that leaves s with Clark who after sat looks to have improved. We still need a decent centre half and dm which is why Barry would make sense he can play ch, dm, cm, lmand left back. 5 players in one plus our captain. I know his wages will be high but maybe sign him on 2 yr deal only.
Oh bollocks (Baker injured).