Whenever a new manager comes in, there is a sweep of fresh air in the training ground. Those players that struggled to get any game time under the former manager (Paul Lambert) now have a chance to get onto the team sheet.
Matthew Lowton: During Lowton’s first season at Villa Park he was on tremendous form. Scoring some vital goals (volley against Stoke comes to mind) and playing very well at right-back. After his first season in 2012 there were loads of headlines that saw Lowton being linked with moves to top clubs and the future right-back at Aston Villa. Unfortunately, the following season, Lowton’s performances dipped and was replaced by Bacuna. But finally Lowton is achieving the potential that pundits and experts saw in him. However, it’s not at the right-hand side of the defence but at the left. Despite not playing in his preferred position Lowton has been fantastic. Single-handedly winning the penalty against West Brom a week ago, playing a MOTM performance and providing fantastic crosses. Lowton’s biggest problem is that Hutton is also playing some great football in his natural position, so it appears as though Lowton will have to settle for a position at left-back for now.
Charles N’Zogbia: I might speak too soon about N’Zogbia but I do think he is turning a corner. I will admit, his first game against West Brom he didn’t play well at all. Didn’t offer much of a threat and it was quite apparent that he was lacking match fitness. But in the FA Cup, N’Zogbia played well! He made good runs forward, held possession well and assisted Delph’s first goal. Let’s not forget that N’Zogbia can take free-kicks (scored two in pre-season) and is also staying behind for extra training to regain match fitness. He is determined to make a come-back and I respect that. Additionally, N’Zogbia does have two assists for Aston Villa, that may not sound like a lot but he is third in Villa’s total assists.
Scott Sinclair: Who would’ve knew that Scott Sinclair still had that talent that he displayed at Swansea! Sinclair barely played much football since joining Man. City and his loan spell at West Brom was a disaster. But it looks as though Sinclair has found a home. Three goals already and is on form to become top scorer at Villa this season, who would’ve expected that! Sometimes his commitment on the pitch is questionable but when giving a talking too, Sinclair does impress. He is match-fit, has pace and isn’t afraid to beat a man. Sinclair is definitely the left winger that Villa have lacked since Ashley Young’s big move to Manchester United.
Youth Players: Perhaps they are yet to make an impact for Aston Villa at the top level but I bet that the majority of youth players at Villa are excited to work with Sherwood. Training and playing alongside the first team must be great for the youth players. Not only will they have greater interaction with the senior players, but they will benefit from the experience that players such as Senderos, Cole, Vlaar and Given all boast. Jack Grealish looks as though he will have more playing time, Sherwood wants to work with Grealish one-on-one, it’s just such a positive attitude compared to when Lambert was in charge. Also, Gary Gardner who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forrest has expressed his interest in working with Sherwood once his loan move expires. This is excellent news because Gardner has been on tremendous form at Nottingham. Gardner has already scored 3 goals for Forrest, 2 of them being superb long range strikes. Forrest fans want him to stay, but with Sherwood in charge the odds increase that the talented midfielder will get a chance at a Villa shirt next season. That same statement can also apply for other youth players looking to break into the first team.
does anybody have any inside knowledge at the villa as it seems strange arsenal have got their allocation and no news from us.
Who we face will make a big difference to the demand from our opponents, and hence the amount Villa could be given.
The sun is shining, Spring is in the air and the most fair-weather team of all fair weather teams have perked up. It happens every year, so I am reluctant to credit Tim Sherwood with anything more than good timing, as far as results go.
Without doubt though he has been a breath of fresh air as Manager. So much so the miserable git’s mug is fading from my memory. Now Tim can do some work and convince Villa we can go to Old Trafford and serve it up to them, the I will be a believer.
Great news that Kozak is nearly mended. He is a very different aerial presence in the box, when he heads the ball it does not have to fly upwards off his forehead. If he ever shares the field with Benteke all corners and similar fee kicks should be aimed near-post for Benteke to flick on to Kozak at the far post to bury.
Sunderland preview please LADS.
I’ll do one before the game, if I get chance Giddy.
Very busy day tomorrow, for me.
CHEERS MATE I totally understand.
Morning all, very important game today for us all, one that will give us some idea as to which way things might go, I’m in the mind that better days are on the way so to for me Villa to win, 2-1.
Morning BILL I have a feeling we’ll bag some today 1-4 VILLA. 😀 UTV
Morning Giddy, sounds good to me mate, any idea of today’s team news ,
All I do know Johnson & cattermole are missing for them who I feel are influential so good news for us.hopefully tekkers is back & now firing on all cylinders,got a good feeling about today but in saying that since timbo has been at the helm that’s all I’ve been feeling.UTV SOTM 😀
Morning my optimistic friends. I too have a good feeling about today so going for a win 1-3. Think we showed in the second half against WBA that we can be a threat without Tekkers which is good news. Fancy Cleverley to score today.
Im going for a hard earned 1-1
Much as I like the new-found optimism on the site, I’m with you on not quite expecting us to walk it to a big away win all of a sudden.
The 1-1 sounds about right to me… another 2 points on top of that would be a bonus.
Get in there qpr losing 3.0 a point is good enough today
I’d expect a win, Sunderland have been in awful form, their players when talking to the media don’t sound confident at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP3VmJ5CF74&feature=em-share_video_user
Try this video for a real laugh
That goalkeeper looks like Cuzan at Wembley, funny Hitch.
Don’t want to jinx anything so I’m not going to say but I think I will be watching match of the day tonight
Well predicted Jay Dee! I’d also like to thank Sherwood for making me look like a right mug when I was all too happy with his appointment. Never been so happy to be proved wrong!
Got a bet riding on a Villa win today. We can do Sunderland and climb the leader board, an away win would bring the world of confidence to the group
So who was it that claimed Sherwood was an awful choice because QPR decided to go with his assistant?
Also remember someone else claiming wingers are going out of style? Zaha and especially Bolasie are having a field day.
As for that its half time and its Palace 3 – QPR 0
Day’s started out well hasn’t it? Just hope it ends well too!
Anyone else having probs accessing BBC sports?????
Whole BBC site is down
A win today would be a great confidence booster. I fancy us to win today it will be close. Come on the Villa.
Well midfield today is Cleverly, Delph, Westwood, Sanchez on bench, as for the rest of the team don’t know.
Tekkers MATE????
We no longer have the worst GD! QPR now share that dubious honour!!! If we can score a couple today, that will be very nice thank you please…
Who is Hepburn-Murphy? On the bench today. Giddy reckon you should get your boots and go down Villa Park – you’d defo get a game! 🙂
Answering my own question. Apparently he is 16 and top scorer for the U18’s! TS’s new young and hungry policy!!
Who’s playing at VP MATE?I’ll wack the old boots on no probs.
Benteke starts 🙂
SUNDERLAND: Pantilimon, Van Aanholt, Bridcutt, Brown, Larsson, Rodwell, Fletcher, Reveillere, O’Shea, Alvarez, Defoe. Subs: Jones, Wickham, Gomez, Graham, Coates, Mannone, Vergini.
VILLA: Guzan, Lowton, Okore, Clark, Bacuna, Delph (c), Cleverley, Sinclair, N’Zogbia, Benteke, Agbonlahor. Subs: Given, Gil, Sanchez, Kinsella, Weimann, Westwood, Hepburn-Murphy.
The figured starting 11. Murphy on the bench. Only 16, has played a few games for the U21’s. A fascinating choice.
We still can’t get a decent corner kick in.