Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 15.
Villa will hope that they can continue their good run of form by picking up their third win on the bounce in the league, and making it nine points from a possible nine. Villa are one of only four teams in the league to have won all of their games in March so far, with the others being Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United. The Villans will hope that another three points will help shift them further up the table and give them another boost in their bid to avoid relegation.
Villa will be hoping for a big performance from their ever-impressive American international keeper Brad Guzan this weekend. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that Guzan has already racked up 87 saves so far this season, at an average of 2.29 saves per goal conceded. He is looking for back-to-back clean sheets, and will hope that that will be enough for deliver all three points for the home side.
At the back, Alan Hutton has continued his good run of form, and will hope that this weekend brings more of the same. The EA SPORTS player Performance Index can reveal that Hutton has won 45 tackles so far this year, 78.9% of his overall tally, also making 90 clearances, 32 interceptions and 15 blocks. He will need to be in top form and adding to those statistics to help keep Swansea at bay.
Up top, Villa will be looking to utlisise the pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the English striker has hit a top speed of 34.87km/h, and that pace will prove a major threat. Agbonlahor has so far converted 20% of his 30 shots into goals and will be looking to add a seventh to his tally this weekend. He is 51/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Swansea have suffered back to back defeats to high flying Liverpool and Tottenham but will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways this weekend. The league’s only Welsh side will be hoping that a win will see them leap frog Stoke above them to help them re-gain eighth spot, with a potential late bid for European football next season in the offing.
The Swans will be hoping that their keeper Lukasz Fabianski can deliver a first class performance this weekend to help keep Villa at bay. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has made 96 saves already this season, at an average of 2.53 saves per goal conceded. He will hope to further extend that ration by keeping his second clean sheet in four this weekend.
At the back, Ashley Williams continues to marshal the backline, and will hope to do exactly that once more this weekend. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index demonstrates just how crucial he is to his side, having won 31 tackles, 68.9% of his overall tally, made 324 clearances, 79 interceptions and 30 blocks. He will need to be as solid as ever this weekend if the Swans are to ensure another clean sheet.
In the middle of the park, Ki Sung-Yeung is adding another dimension to the Swansea engine room, and his fitness is paying dividends. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has covered a squad best 288.76km already this season, helping him get around the pitch and making 58 interceptions. Off the ball, he has won 40 tackles, 67.8% of his overall tally, and on it he has completed a squad best 503 passes in the opposition area and chipped in with six goals. He is 13/2 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
The Author
Matt Turvey
Matt is the owner of, and chief writer for, Aston Villa Life. He is also a columnist for the Wolverhampton Express & Star, appearing in the Kick Off pullout on Saturdays and the Final Whistle pullout the Monday after Aston Villa play, as well as every Thursday as a blogger on their website. He has previously been featured as a writer on Football365 and Life's A Pitch, and was a regular pundit for Sports Tonight TV on Sky.Comments 156
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Swansea are without a doubt the best team Sherwood has faced so far so it will be a big test of how far we’ve come. They’ve got players that can keep the ball for fun in midfield, like Ki, Sigurdsson and Shelvey. The think the key to the game is who has the most desire and who can create the better chances.
Afternoon chaps,
Anyone know why Lowton is not in the squad?
Huh didn’t expect that, maybe he’s injured?
Lineup:
Aston Villa
01 Guzan
07 Bacuna
05 Okore
06 Clark
21 Hutton
16 Delph
08 Cleverley
09 Sinclair
28 N’Zogbia
20 Benteke
11 Agbonlahor
Substitutes
10 Weimann
15 Westwood
24 Sánchez
25 Gil
26 Kinsella
31 Given
40 Grealish
Looks like he’s going for the same team that beat Sunderland. Hutton coming back in, Id expect him to play left back… can’t break up that Bacuna/Nzogbia combo.
Swansea City:
01 Fabianski
26 Naughton
33 Fernandez
06 Williams
03 Taylor
08 Shelvey
24 Cork
04 Ki Sung-yueng
15 Routledge
18 Gomis
23 Sigurdsson
Substitutes
02 Amat
12 Dyer
17 Castro Oliveira
20 Montero
22 Rangel
25 Tremmel
56 Fulton
4-3-3 as expected. Slight lack of width with only Routledge the genuine wide man. I don’t think Swansea will be as up for this game as they were for Liverpool, we need to take advantage of that.
lowton must be injured as kinsella is on the bench
England have to beat France by 20 oh well at least we have to go for it.
I have a feeling Grealish will have a part to play today, he’s been popping them in for the reserves, could be his first senior goal
Wow… sketchy start. Should be 1 down, some dodgy offside traps.
Getting bossed in midfield. Their extra man is making a difference, always available. Nzogbia getting on the ball and we do look dangerous going forward. But Swansea much more composed.
Forwards need better movement against these, gabby hasn’t touched the ball
Guzan wtf
Benteke needs to stop waving his arms about or he’ll be booked
Very Lambert-esque performance…normal service is resumed
All results going our way, 0-0 when we should be losing and they boo the team get a grip
Abysmal referring, looks like the sort whose never played at any level, no idea that football is a contact sport. Interesting to see what happens now, if I were Sherwood I’d bring on Grelish for Sinclair and go 3-1-2-4.
Mark, they were clearly booing the ref.
Half time. We’ve been poor. Swanea have bossed it and could be 2 or 3 up. I don’t feel we set up right. 442 with 2 wide means Swansea always have an extra man in midfield. We’re trying to press but its not working, they always have people spare. Guzan is having a dodgy game, great save to deny Gomis but tbh it was straight at him. His kicking has been awful, came for a cross that he missed could have led to a goal if not for Clarke’s clearance off the line. Forwards having little service but tbf we do look dangerous when we counter. Nzogbia has had a few runs that have led to a couple opportunities. Will be interesting to see what Sherwood does half time, we need changes. We need that extra man in midfield. Will he take off Sinclair or Nzogbia? I feel he needs to. Nzogbia has been better but he rarely lasts a full game. I really do think he needs to bring on Westwood to add a bit of composure.
If he does nothing then the game is on a knife edge, we can still win but will rely on luck more than anything.
Rags They should be mate but all I heard was booing
To be honest i’d be happy for a point but i still think we’ll sneak it.
As one or two said last week, we possibly need the extra MF.
Mark,
Fair enough- even if itw as aimed at the ref doing it at half time makes it sound like it’s directed at the team
Interesting formation Rags… 6 attackers, talk about playing on the front foot!
Blimey, Palace 2-1 up and Leicester fighting back, keep the faith chaps.
We are are not getting around the back enough and gabby and tekkers seem to waiting for that, wouldn’t hurt for one to make a run toward Bakuna
Good thing Burnley are losing
Rags commentator just said the same to early to start booing anyone
Coyvb
Somethings got to be done about these refs but when the authorities put someone like Mike Riley and Red Howard in charge your always going to get problems, they don’t adhere to the laws, when did ‘it’ll spoil the game,’ appear in them.
Benteke doesn’t learn even centre halts dive
haha,
Yeah Mark, back to front there!
He has to get Sinclair off asap
Sinclair is abysmal
How did Gabby not score that! Great block but he should have scored that!!
Better second half but still not great.
Leicester 2-2
Is this ref welsh
Jesus, Leicester fighting back from 2 down…
Nothing wrong with the Welsh, Cardeefs winning.
Finally! Going diamond in midfield. Bit of a tactical battle between Monk and Tim. Monk puts on another wide man then Sherwood brings on another CM.
That ball from Gabby!! Sinclair inches away!!!
GET HIM OFF!!!!!
Goddamnit! Sinclair should have laid that off to Benteke!!
Not quite diamond, Sinclair has gone right and Delph left… Montero causing Bacuna all sorts of problems.
Benteke off for Weimann needed to be done, tekkers looked like injury got to him.
We need to go narrower – Sinclair off Gil on behind front two. Sanchez to help Bacuna.
Delph Clarke and okore immense today
If you take a look at the statistics you’d think Lamberts back, definitely not having a knock just saying. Still confident of a win, Spuds 3-2.
Awful subs today, deserved defeat
Sinclair is crepe example 2298782748 @ 88 min
Fully deserved for Swansea; this has been a shocking performance…no better than Spambert
Fucks sake!
Rags I think cleverlys injury effected the subs. Shame for Sinclair could of had 3 another day
eg 2298782748 min 92
Sherwood’s only league wins have been against a shambolic Sunderland and a very unlucky Albion…this shambles could still go down…Old Trafford next!
Westwood for N’Zogbia? Weimann for Benteke? Where was Grelish? Why take off Zog when Sinclair was playing like a pub player?
Sorry Mark Sinclair was utter shite and shouldn’t be near the first team the next match.
Mark…I see you’re still busy excusing terrible players…shame for Sinclair…my arse!
Poor result but Swansea a good team, we had good chances ,more worried about the injuries. Other results gone our way let’s hope slund lose
We go again.
Poor today. The set up was all wrong and instead of making it right Sherwood doubled down half time. Tbf we were better second half but game could have gone either way. In the end they took their chance. We couldn’t take ours. Sinclair was poor today, didn’t affect the game. Had a great chance at the end and miss, didn’t play Benteke in for that chance, also another miss from a cutback that went through his legs. It wasn’t his game today but he was kept on. This game was crying out for Gil but Sherwood didn’t bring him on. Bacuna was decent but exposed by pace at the end which led to the goal. Clarke and Delph were great but we needed more from the rest.
First time Sherwoods tactics cost us I feel.
Very disappointed not to get at least a point, but at least TS now knows what the teams failings are. I reckon we NEEDED a point out of that. Swansea are no mugs but they’re not exactly Barcelona, they shouldn’t be getting an easy double over Villa. Still the games are running down and the other strugglers aren’t getting points.
Really gutted even a point would have been a decent result today. Now we need a point from United or Spurs away.
Worrying. Sherwood got the subs wrong. Sinclair has no final product. Could have had 3
Anyway, it’s games like that that end up ggetting you relegated. A nothing game that we ended up losing. We are in huge trouble. Just hope Sunderland lose
Ree,
Very good point about Gil, he’s obviously better than some of the selected players and should be in the team, a months decent training should get him up to scratch although i think that excuse is bollox, other members of the team were grossly unfit but are playing, i just think that Gil isn’t a TS type player, that doesn’t matter, if he’s good enough he should play. Have we hit upon TS’s weakness, don’t admit you’re wrong ?
On balance of play I think we deserved a point. Difference was Swansea’s subs had an impact and ours didn’t. Poor first half better second half. We should have done better really. Now its a long break before the next game and we go into that on a loss.
Nevermind. We’ll just have to go again:0
Good try England.
Okay,
So I’ve calmed down a bit… Clark, Okore, Delph, Hutton, were first class, was good to see Guzan make a save the the first time since 2013 as well! Sinclair was bad vs Sunderland too so maybe that’s why I’ve laid into him today, but honestly it’s up to the manager to drag him off…
I think we are still in good shape in the prem, but now the QPR game is massive, a point today but have been huge. Keep the faith!
Steamer I think that could be. This is where the arrogance bites you in the ass. Tbf to Tim he has done most things right since he’s come but he got it wrong today. Swansea are a step up from WBA and Sunderland and we didn’t adjust. Its alright sticking to your guns but you do need to make adjustments here and there
Thats one of the things I heard about TS, you’ll end up beating the teams you should but also losing to the teams you should. We needed more guile today against a good Swansea team. He really should have gone to a narrow diamond in midfield like that first game against the Baggies. He should have changed it half time but he didn’t, then when the sub came on you think he’s finally changing it and its kept the same!
ree- I think if cleverly stayed on then gil or grealish for nzogbia or even Sinclair was on. I think he had to try the team that won 4-0. TS doesn’t play for draws that much is clear. Westwood had to come on to steady things so that’s 2 subs wasted benteke injured there goes the third game changer. Personally I think we need a proper left back who can combine with Sinclair and Kosak cant come back quick enough to give us options. would also like to see Gardner back if cleverly out for long, Robinson too as weimann looks lost.
trin we need 26 points
Yeh I hear you Mark, he was trying to ride that wave of confidence from the 4-0 by picking the same team. Trouble is we didn’t start well then we were chasing the game. Game was on a knifes edge and could have gone either way. Could have been down 2 first half, then could have been up 2 second, only to be hit by a sucker punch. Great ball from Routledge to Montero for the goal. Gabby should have taken that chance and Sinclair should have played in Benteke. Weimann looks short on confidence to me.
After Westwood coming on we really should have gone diamond imo, play Sinclair or Weimann in the hole. Or gone 433, we needed 3 in midfield. This is gonna be a problem against the big boys.
We’ve certainly had more than our share of injuries, mainly key players too. No LB’s yet we’ve got two out on loan, running out of CD’s and now MF’s and strikers, cursed, thats what we are, cursed.
You never know about anything in this league. Id have expected Sunderland and Hull to lose but these results today would have given them both a massive lift. Also QPR have a tricky game against Everton, now they know with a win they are back in the fight.
Ts is going tomake lots of mistakes, novice manager.
You just have to see out a point at home with5 mins left. Fingers crossed qpr blunderland lose.
Qpr at home is now a must win. Its going to go to the last game me thinks
I think the subs today were forced rather than game changing, sometimes that’s how it goes. I think he’ll look at this and stiffen the midfield up against the top teams. not sure what the problem with Gil is, he gets on the bench so you have to say he would play him otherwise its a waste of a sub spot. nzogbia less effective today and sansea defended well on the whole, wish tekkers would stop the spoilt child stuff and use his noggin
I see Gabby’s flogging his 3.2m pound pad, features include a KFC kitchen with multi spits and a McDonalds half way down the drive.
steamer- you forgot to mention the stair lift
We never make it easy on ourselves do we? Hate relying on others being crap to save ourselves.
Benteke was pissed with Sinclair a couple times that he didn’t pass, first one can’t blame Sinclair for shooting. Second one he should have passed. Maybe they have some issues in training? I don’t mind the spoilt child routine, shows that he cares!
QPR at home now is a must win. Hopefully we can set up better against Utd and nick a point.
ree looks too aggressive to refs doesn’t help him. I think we will beat QPR if players fit. we need to keep our nerve the 3 games we have lost could easily have been draws
Hope we aren’t developing a complex about playing at VP, Boggies weren’t your normal games but Stork and Swanseee were winnable and we lost to very late goals. I actually thin we’re set up to get results from away games.
Hope not Steamer. What concerns me more is we havent manage to play more than 1 half of good football in any of the games Sherwood has managed.
steamer your right but ts doesn’t go out to draw especially at home. the alternative with our players is to sit back and lose anyway so I can understand him doing it.
the international break will be good for us and hopefully get some fit players back
ree that’s been us all season puzzling isn’t it
Yeh it has been Mark and tbh you dont need more than one good half just make sure its the first half!
fook me gutted we lose and England stuff France and lose six nations, sod the small sherry pass me the bottle
Hello fellers and fellesses! 😉
Ahhhh … we’ve seen a bit of the reality today, haven’t we? It’s not yet come together quite as we thought – that there is still a difference between us and the top few teams.
Having said that we were good enough for a point i.m.o., having had let-offs from Gomis’s early chances.
We did, however, have our own wasted chances – and that brings up the business about Sinclair.
For me, he is not what we need right now – he seems too concerned about he getting on the scoresheet and ignoring those in better positions around him. Apart from 3 goals scored and a few glimmers here and there these past few weeks, he’s not really contributed a lot. But – properly focused – he could be a winner for us next season. I’m not sure, though.
Anyhow, it’s been a reality check today. At least they should now be better prepared (mentally and tactically) for the two Manchester games and the Spurs game.
JL I think the best I’ve seen Sinclair play is with Richardson at left back. Richardson knew how to combine with him, since then nobody has and he’s ended up as a striker more than a winger. get that left back spot right and you’ll see him improve.
http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/9770864/nicholas-surprised-by-villa-chances?
Also what has happened to Guzan? some incredible stops but how bad is his distribution and handling getting.
Mark,
‘Afraid I disagree! (what’s the change?!)
I feel that Sinclair sees himself first and foremost as a striker, so putting him on the wing is not really his job (his perception).
At Swansea, scoring was his main attribute I think.
just got back from the game villa park was very quite today but we had nothing to shout about sorry mr Sherwood you where a complete plonker today for so many reasons it is a joke it was as bad as any game under lambert today no effort from any one except delph was on another planet to the rest
first the complete balls ups tim made today
1, changing a winning team the balance was all wrong today hutton should have played at his right place if he had to play but why change the team that gave us the best result for ages
Loweton not playing cost us dearly
then the subs he brought on where worse than Lamberts used to be
i know Cleverly got crocked but we where under the cosh before that
the bringing on of westwood insted of jack for noz a big mistake we had to go at them then the bringing on of weiman was a complete joke the guy is completely finished and gabby was back to normal not enough running
a fair result today would have been 5 1 to swansea as they destroyed us everywhere or only chance was to go at them as we have not got the players to defend sorry but this was as bad as Leicester away which was the worst performance i had ever seen
1 guzan good saves but he is a liability with his kicking awful and slow off his line for the goal should have came out drop for given a must
bacuna not good enough could not lace Hutton or low tens boots for defending drop next week
clark at fault for goal
okere not himself
cleverly ok till crocked
sanshez to slow
Why do we always make life hard for our selfs ? Can’t even hold out for a 0-0 FFS
Sinclair is a wired one. He’s not. Winger that will get many assists like an Ashley Young is he. He will get you 10 you 10 goals a season though from wide left. Is he he worth buying ? I’d say so. Thing is with him and Zoggy, we have to greedy players out wide. Zoggy didn’t get into the game today
So frustrating. It’s another season I just want to come to and end and hopefully we stay up, get new owners and sign good footballers. Wining the cup would be lovely to
I had a feeling we’d lose today. Since I’ve supported Villa one thing I know dips we don’t play two good games in a row. I always come away asking ” how do we play like that one week and a week later play like that?
delph outstanding our best player by a mile
nzog not up for it
westwood tried hard was better than sanshez
gabby back to normal never run the channels back to bone idle
bentekke completely useless never tried an inch useless out battled all game
hutton good game but why play him left back stupid manager missed Lowten badly
then weiman has lost it did one good thing all game whilst on pitch should never be on bench would rather have adury hepburn
so thats it took 4 kids today and they all could nor believe how crap we where have to say gill and jack have to come on the pitch as gil only 10% FIT IS 100 TIMES BETTER THAN WEIMAN AND JACK IS BETTER THAN THEM ALL LOST TODAY BECAUSE A WINNING TEAM WAS CHANGED AWFUL MISMANAGEMENT
John- I think Lowton was injured. At least I hope he was because he shouldn’t of been dropped
Agree with everything else you say though. The subs were all wrong and I actually thought we missed Clev. Sanchez just is cutting it
Swansea are a very good side. That montero when he came in destroyed Bacuna. He crossing today was shite, as was his defending
John/Frem,
Why do we always make out that when we concede a goal it’s because some Villa player made a mistake?! In a sense, it’s a correct perception, as you could always say that “if” such-and-such, he would have intercepted, etc.
But I think we should just occasionally accept that the opposition score. Indeed their final pass today was a killer. Gabby also put across a killing pass that should have been converted.
The question has to be more: “why did we blast so many shots high and wide?”. If we had won 2-1 instead of losing 0-1 we wouldn’t have been so bothered … would we? 😉
Frem – disagree about Bacuna. He looked weak when Montero came on, admitted. But let’s not forget that Bacuna is not really a r-b.
John,
We lost to a reasonable team today. The *new* manager is trying to do the best with what he’s got in a relegation battle.
I’m sure if we were mid-table he would be trying out the players you name.
Agree not enough movement from the front two, too much waiting for the bus that didn’t arrive from Bakuna. Our creative players had very little to hit and we played much better on the break. Was expecting grealish or Gil to break them down but injuries hampered the sub options in the end. If Sinclair was deemed to be bad today what were gabby,benteke and zoggy? At least he was there to have the chances
I agree john we were not at our best but lost an entertaining game to a good side, I don’t hold with all this bad as lamberts team crap
Managed to survive until half-time, and hoped that Sherwood would then galvanise them for the second half, but the injury to Cleverley had more effect than perhaps most are saying here, but perhaps Sanchez was not the answer, and then Westwood did not have the effect Sherwood wanted, and once Benteke had to go, it was game over.
We really need to look at calling back some of our players on loan when we are so thin on the ground. have to agree about the greed of Sinclair, and the misses that should have been goals..
Let’s hope the break works in our favour..!!
Well my trip to VP was a massive disappointment . The best team won and that was undoubtedly Swansea. The comment from my friends at HT was “why do Swansea look like they have more players on the pitch than Villa”. Because we were over run in mid field and when we did get the ball we passed it straight back to a Swansea player. This was the most infuriating aspect for me , compared to last week when we were completing passes comfortably, today our passes were diabolical . If they didn’t go to a Swansea player , they were 5 yards behind recipient , resulting either in a lost pass or destroying our pace .
The crowd were quiet because there was absolutely nothing to get us going . Benteke was ineffective , The set pieces poor and Guzan’s clearances scary . Delph was good , Okore good , Clark also .
Sanchez looks like he’s lost his confidence and my heart sank when Benteke was taken off for Weimann. Did he take a knock or was TS worried he was losing his cool.
Swansea were always knocking on the door and the inevitable happened. We were slightly better second half but the right team won. Swansea were better than I thought they would be – strong , organised and much better at keeping possession .
What a good player Gomis is . I still think we have no worries about relegation , results went our way today .
Know exactly how you feel Jen.
For the first time for a long time I was with a bus load of fans from Mid-wales, who were really looking forward to the game, and went home disappointed. There is still a lot for Tim to do before we become a strong side.
See Jordan Bowery scored a cracker today.
H E L P !!
Does anyone have the official attendance for yesterday’s match please?
It does not seem to have been released – it wasn’t a ground record was it? 😉
jen I think its hip or groin after tekkers and Sanchez clashed in our area hopefully not a recurrence of the last injury. I agree with your assessment of the game. Tekkers should watch the game and Gomez to see how its done
paul p yes its time for GG and Robinson to come home
can’t see any yet john sorry
Mark: If Sinclair was deemed to be bad today what were gabby,benteke and zoggy?
I didn’t say Sinclair was “bad”, Mark. I just stated that he doesn’t seem to contribute much except by being on hand to shoot … and missing too many, sorry to say. He was our Gomis yesterday … but Gomis did eventually score.
My observation was just about him … However, Zoggy was mildly dangerous first half, and Gabby had his moments as well, including that killer pass. Also unlucky with one particular attempt on goal. Benteke seemed back to where he was before last week but perhaps carrying an injury.
At least the players now have 2 weeks now to get their wounds healed.
Sinclair had most of our best chances John so had to be doing something right, on another day at least 2 would of gone in, none of those four were particularly effective yesterday and gabby should of hit his chance first time, from what I remember he produced that and one good cross that epitomises our forwards yesterday, poor movement and well defended against. tekkers got into a shoving match with their centre half why does he do that? and as jen said our passing was very poor. Swansea’s full backs played particularly well and I suspect they identified Bakuna as a threat and we had little else to offer once they had contained him
Still fecked off about yesterday. It would have a been a good point but our players love making life hard for the fans. A tough run of fixtures to come it’s going to be 5 years straight of a relegation fight. Fed up of watching away fans always going home happy. Fed up of watching the bottom and top right hand corner of the stadium erupt every game
Jenny- love what your friend said but to be fair, Swansea made it look like hey had more players on the pitch than Liverpool did last week. Sherwood got the tactics spot against Sunderland, it was a tough one against Swansea. We need to keep two up top at home and play with width so 442 was probably the only way to go
He has a lot to learn for sure. Sanchez I don’t know if he’s good or not. Wouldn’t be surprised to him and Gil sold in the summer. Wiemann is just shit. Shocking . Wonder if we will sign Clev and Sinclair ?
A great day of football today but yet again will be cheering on other teams to save our bacon. Come on Everton and Chelsea
Mark,
All you’ve done is to agree with what I said about Sinclair! 😉
That’s exactly the point – he was on the end of a variety of chances and did not do justice to those chances. At least he should get them on target if he so good as people say he is! … And there were one or two were a pass instead of a shot would have been better options. Gomis missed chances but at least most of them were on target.
Gabby had an average game…but he did more than people give him credit for. But he
Apparently we want Brandon Barker from City, an 18 year old City winger
Personally, whomever our owner is, I think I’d be a big fan of a transfer policy like that. City, Chelsea etc have very good young players whom won’t get a chance there. We could sign for cheap and sell for a profit. Better than signing shit like Sissy for 4 mill etc. mix a few top teams youth with ours and the club would be really loved again
John Gabby has been poor most of the season yet you have defended him when others have not. sinclair has had maybe 10 games scored 3 and regularly has efforts and makes runs that create space for others , yes its early days for him yet gabby has been poor so often its not funny. It just seems a little unfair when you big up gabby the perrenial underperformer
Mark,
No need to be so defensive!
I’ve also admitted that Gabby has had shortcomings – but at least he’s some back since TS took over. PL caused a real problem at Villa with his management style. The difference has been there to see this last few weeks, so I don’t think we should look at the players too much for what occurred before.
Mark – aside from which I’m assessing a player on loan (Sinclair) as to his future potential. So far I haven’t seen much on-the-ball ability except to be there in the right place when a chance comes. Perhaps he could be alternative to CB if he goes, but Sinclair lacks a strong physique.
So I’m dubious about his suitability (that’s not a rejection – just ‘dubious’) but it’s always possible that his sense of where the goal is could improve.
why all the doom
we lost a match in the 87 min should have equalised 89 min sinclair
yes sinclair missed a few chances but at least we where trying to score gabby had great chance that a natural goalscorer would have buried
guzan was crap his kicking shocking, came for a corner only for clark to save his blushes
westwood gave think it was rouledge to much room for pass ,and gomis held off clark for good finish
as nicolas on sky said westwood not very brave
sherwood had few weeks won 4 lost 3 2 in last few mins think in all honesty draws against stoke newcastle swansea would have been fair and if we manage to stay up major rebuilding needed goalkeeper leftback 2 centre midfielders and a goalscorer needed ship out an awful lot of players
Lads, let’s put things in perspective. Yes we were bad, no it wasn’t a return to Lamberts dark days. A lot of players had bad days on the pitch like Benteke, Sinclair, Gabby (to an extent), Bacuna etc but that wasn’t the main reason for defeat. The main reason we lost was we got overun in midfield, as Jen said, they looked like they had an extra player on the pitch. TS should have gone with a diamond leaving out Sinclair but he chose not to. I still saw the players put in effort, but in a headless chicken kind of way. They always had a spare man, and if not pass it back to the CB’s.
The game was on a knifes edge and we could have easily won that game (luckily and undeservedly) or held on for a draw. We didnt because of a moment of quality from Routledge (why does he always play well against us when he was shit for us?). It’s a hard loss to take, but it’s not down to not being good enough or not trying hard enough, it’s down to tactics. Everybody makes mistakes, let’s hope Sherwood learns from it.
Defensive john? Im just not that good at flowery 😉
James spot on we are far from where ts wants us to be but much improved
Ree – good comment.
James – Again, Gabby is pilloried! Yes, it was a frustrating moment, but how many times can you think of that Gabby has scored a poacher’s goal? His typical goals come when he’s on the run and at least 18 yards out. He’s not a Jimmy Greaves and we just have to accept that – Jimmy scored about 95%+ of his goals around the 6-yard box.
IMO we’re just not good enough, no use blaming TS he hasn’t had a window to sign his own players. I said a few weeks ago that we needed nine players before we could challenge for a top eight position, i think thats about right but we need better quality than Sinclair, personally i’d play Gil over him anyday but i’d like to see both alongside Benteke. A big clearout is needed at VP but only if the replacements are a lot better. Of course this depends on how deep the new owners pockets are, if Lerner stays it’ll just be more of the same, fortunately it looks like he’s off.
Steamer,
I felt that the players thought that their win last week (a stroll in the park) was proof that they’d turned a corner!
Mentally, they didn’t seem turned on yesterday (with few exceptions) to face a different and better kind of opponent – I think they still have a tendency to lapse into PL-thinking.
Well, they’ve had a reality check. It also shows we lack depth in the squad with the new Cleverley and CB having to go off.
I expect them to limp over the finishing line at least.
John- I see where your coming from with Sinclair. He’s not a traditional winger has poor end product in terms off passing and finishing
But, I don’t know what your getting out mentioning him as replacement to the beast and having a small stature. He’s a wide forward, not a central striker.
Gabby decided not to run again yesterday. He only turns up for a game or two a season. We’ve had his two
Steamer- 9 players. Maybe a bit steep mate. TS has said him self we won’t be in a relegation battle next season even if he doesn’t buy a single player. I’m not sure what we need yet . Depends who goes and if we get Clev and Sinclair
A striker needs to be top of the list for sure
What a twat Gerrard was
Frem: He’s a wide forward, not a central striker.
Is he? He keeps popping up in central-ish positions, so I’m not too sure there!
If CB did go and in the absence of another signing they’d put Gabby in the central position anyway, leaving Sinclair to run the channels I suppose.
Maybe I’m wrong, therefore, about his stature. As a channel worker and being fairly quick he’d possibly do the job that Joachim used to do.
We need a berahino danny ings type as all our forwards are either counter attack or big phsyical types. Robinson would provides a welbeck type threat and burke a poacher type so may be options . I suspect sinclair has been told to get in the box but in an undermanned midfield it created too many probs for us.
Hull 1 down in 2 mins
Whats Gerrard done now ?
Sinclair is ok, but you rarely win trophies with ok. The quality of player at VP has deteriorated rapidly over the last five years, most wouldn’t have made the squad under MON, IMO, most get by if they’re on song, if they’re not then we’re in trouble. For various reasons, not necessarily lack of talent, I’d clear out Lowton, Vlaar, Cissy, Cole, Gabby, Sinclair, Bennett, Sendeross, Luna, Richardson, Luna, Tonev, Sylla, Herd, Zoggy, Weimann & Bent, 17 players, 12 signed by the master talent spotter, imagine the wasted wages on that little lot. Anyway, that frees up space for a total rebuild of the squad with players like Gestede who have a decent future in front of them. TS’s background is in developing young squads, this is the perfect project for him. If, a wealthy owner comes in then either TS can mix and match or he may even be replaced by someone like Simeone, who knows ?
Our away games are very tough, prob wont get any points. Thats why home form crucial hence the worry about getting nothing yesterday. Results have and our going in our favour, could of been nicely clear. Home to qpr and burnley to decide fate
Free gill
If sinclair is going for 2 mill its a steal.
A talent and a player who plays poorly can still create chances. Is only going to get better.
Gabby can stay and be a super sub.
Thankfully Everton Are beating QPR but that’s another team out of a relegation fig
Hull got it back to 2-2
I worry for us. I can see Burnley over taking us with our next fixtures. We will probably fluff it against QPR
Serves us right though for not getting points and losing games late on yet again.
Villa aren’t good for my health. We can’t keep dodging the drop every season
We need to sort the full backs out for the big teams its our main weakness. Swanseas fullbacks were quality and monk had it sussed out
John- He played on the flanks at Swansea. Nothing wrong with having wide man who gets in striking positions
Mark- Agree about an Ings/ Austin striker needed in the summer if we stay up. We don’t have anyone who comes alive in the box.
And yes, we could do with an overall of full backs in the summer to
Frem – yeah, but scoring was Sinclair’s main ability at Swansea which generally means you have to come inside and not be a formal winger.
Andrew – we’ll pick up at least a couple of points in the away matches, but that still leaves around 6 points (2 wins) to get at home. Total 8 for safety i.m.o.
Therefore home-wise QPR and Burnley wins are virtually ‘musts’ and we must hope to get a point or two out of Everton/Hammers as well.
John Villa had plenty of goal scoring wingers in the 70/80’s didnt they? As i said earlier sinclair needs a foil at left back to find his runs as he is quite isolated out there whearas zog has bakuna/hutton to work with
john l
gabby should only be used away from home sub at home he has no footballing brain only time he any good when on last man using his pace at home when other team tiring
steamer
think i printed same sort list 2 weeks ago with a few more
think it could be a good post for next week players that we would like to see come and go
Andrew,
More like Super Subway.
Good call James, i think their may be a few shocks.
Loic scores for 2-3.
James its a no brainer, lambert has played that way for 2 seasons and when we tried a passing game the goals dried up partly because theres no space in behind for gabby/weiman and tekkers cant handle man marking
Really can’t see us being relegated this season, there’s some awful teams out there and some have worse run – ins than us.
I have us to finish on 36 points after looking at fixtures. Hopefully safe by saints away. 2 home games back to back against toffees and hammers are huuuuuge.
Praying to get bonus points against spurs, city and utd.
Thank god we have the qpr game switched to after utd, chance to get a win in april!
Mark: Villa had plenty of goal scoring wingers in the 70/80’s didnt they?
Yes, but that’s not me point!!!
Nevertheless, can we have some of those old players back please?!
Steamer Really can’t see us being relegated this season, there’s some awful teams out there
With results again going our way today, it looks as though you’re right.
Andrew and I seem to agree that 36 points is probably enough for safety – but we’ve still got to fight for another 8 points if that’s the case. Relying on beating QPR and Burnley and getting a couple of draws is a bit risky.
steamer we wont go down the bookies have us 6 th in the betting to go down at 6 to 1 they aint wrong very often
It looks as though the relegation issue will now be settled within the bottom 6 clubs.
as a counter attack side ( which essentially is what we are, its still Lamberts team after all) we will do ok away from home maybe even sneak an unexpected win. we don’t seem to concede loads now either. the added bonus is QPR will need points when they come to villa so need to attack. Everton may have the foot off the gas but tend to attack under Martinez any how so should suit us too. Burnley could provide the hardest game if survival is still possible for them either way they will attack. Swansea had possibly the strongest defence we will face in the run in.
http://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/3/22/8272981/aston-villa-injury-news-chrsitian-benteke-tim-sherwood-belgium
Our away games are spurs, man utd, man city and saints, cant see any points from that lot
Well the idea is to better or equal the teams around us given we are outside the relegation zone now, looking at April fixtures
Villa – Man U (a), QPR (h), Spurs (a), Man C (a) anything beyond 3 points v QPR is a bonus
Hull – Swansea (a), Saints (a), Pool (h), Palace (a), not one easy fixture
Sunderland – Newcastle (h), Palace (h), Arsenal (a), Stoke (a), not one easy fixture incl derby game
Burnley – Spurs (h), Arsenal (a) Everton (a), Leicester (h), potential 3 points from Leicester
QPR – Baggies (a), Villa (a), Chelsea (h), West Ham (h), QPR don’t travel and two London derbies, not looking good for them in April
Leicester – West Ham (h), Baggies (a), Swansea (h), Burnley (a) no easy fixture for a struggling side.
Problem from the weekend was Leicester and Hull scoring goals against good sides, thankfully still beaten
Separately, for those offers of potential semi-final tickets, i’m afraid I can’t go, terrible timing but for those making efforts on my behalf make sure a better Villan than me gets to go
And question – when will May fixtures be announced for TV, need to book flights, accom for the Everton game.
Disappointing on Saturday, but I’m not sure I could have coped with 4 wins on the bounce anyway.
Changing subject, anyone else read that report on Villa’s finances: http://swissramble.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/aston-villa-lost-in-supermarket
I’ve not had a John Lerwill lesson in posting links so the link probably won’t work but I’m sure anyone who wants to have a look at the article can find it. Well worth a read and it references a Clash song title so it can’t be all bad.
It dispels the myth that Villa is, or ever was, Lerner’s cash cow:
“Although Randy Lerner did not inject any additional funds into Villa in 2013/14, he has been a most generous owner. On top of the initial £66 million paid to acquire the club in 2006, he has put in the best part of £300 million, split between £125.5 million of share capital, £114.5 million of loan notes and £46 million loans from the parent undertaking. In addition, he has cancelled repayment of £97.5 million of loans.”
There’s a lot to wade through but but it’s informative about Premier League finances – the saying money follows money has never been truer.
Despite improvements there are still plenty of causes for concern for Villa. For instance, although the loss in 2013-14 was far less than previously, putting that in context only 3 other Premier League clubs made a loss during that period: Man City – so what, Cardiff – relegated, and Sunderland – an even bigger disaster than us.
There’s loads there though and although the financial stuff is pretty dull, it tells you plenty about Villa’s place in the football food chain.
Hi all
Well that brought me back down to reality with a bump
To be fair to the swans the are well drilled and have an fantastic football phylosophy now inbedded into there club , so they were always going to be tuff
It is also a reality check foe TS if he thinks he wouldnt need to sign players for next season — Sinclair for me is a very good addition and gives us that extra goal threat that we have lacked — he won’t be a match winner every week and he missec our best chances but it doesnt make him c–p all of a sudden
Morning all,
Andrew – not sure what you mean by dull.. I love all that stuff by the Swiss Ramble! I find it interesting, the finances dictate which direction we’re heading as a club and for me gives a sense of whether we could – as a collective fanbase – own and run the club ourselves.
The main things I took out of that:
1) The big improvement of last season was almost entirely down to the £28m increase in TV money.
2) We are so far behind the big boys and falling
3) Mismanagement is the biggest reason we are where we are
4) Randy has paid the price and will probably lose something like £200m overall
5) We are in a healthy position for a takeover providing we stay up
Back to the football – Sinclair has been given a lot of stick for his performance, rightly so imo, but he is a quality player overall. I would love TS to give him a run as a central striker, I think he is well suited to the role. He has pace, ability, has a knack of being in the right spot, decent finisher and has that selfish trait all top strikers have (and didnt he show it!).
Also, 442 with wide players will always get found out against quality opposition. The reason why is cos most have 3 central MFs these days. I do believe we are best suited to a 2 striker formation which is why I think 41212 diamond, 4312 whatever you want to call it, is better suited to us against better opponents. 442 with 2 wide and 2 central will work against poorer opponents. I believe we would have gotten something, even a win, against Swansea if we had set up like this.
Feel even more frustrated today.
What a great chance to get some breathing space with the rest of the bottom 6 losing. After a 4-0 win and a week to prep for a home game we should not be losing…i guess thats why we are in a relegation battle. Long Int break to dwell and then a trip to old traff, balloon well and truly burst.
Even a point to edge past Hull would of been massive cause of there gd.
Wish I was as calm and as confident as most of you.
Personally I can’t see us winning another away game this season, I can’t even see us getting another point away from home. Horrible set of away fixtures
At Villa, QPR will be right up for it. We could easily crumble. Everton at West Ham will be very organised, I think a draw at best against either of those
If any one is going to get out of it it will Burnley. It’s hard to say what Sunderland will be like. Hull did well yesterday
I fear for us ( as usual )
Ree: I would love TS to give [Sinclair] a run as a central striker, I think he is well suited to the role.
Well, I think you and I are thinking along similar lines from how he’s been playing for us so far. But it’s his physical stature that makes me shy of backing this particular route.
That’s why I’m now seeing him as a joint striker to feed off a bigger man – the bigger man being able to hold up the ball and hold the line together.
But first and foremost he really does need to practice shooting more accurately – if he can get that right then he could be devastating: he certainly knows how to get into the right places to shoot from.
Hello Ree, dull in the sense you have to use your brain and there are no car chases, but very informative. I think you’re right in your conclusions.
Makes you realise that, given just how far financially we are behind the top clubs and given the restrictions imposed by FFP, even after a takeover the best we can realistically hope for would be to become the next Southampton rather than the next Man City. Food for thought.
Got to stay up this season yet and I still think we will. A couple of wins and 2 draws should be enough. That QPR game suddenly looks massive.
Im the same Frem
On paper we wont pick anything up away from home.
Our chance is at VP. West Ham are very beatable, they have there flip flops on. Everton should be as well though they are finding some leaugue form. And to have qpr and burnley at home leaves it in our own hands. 12 points available at home and should be getting 7 at least…35 points enough?
Id like to see a journo ask Ts about Gill.
He should be at least coming off the bench, id of thought the swans game would suite him.
Guzan
Lowton Okore Clark Cissy
Cleverly Delph
Nzog Gill Sinclair
Tekkers
Would be my ideal starting 11
John – I meant as a second striker, in a 2 with Benteke, although not sure if them two have a great relationship judging from the weekend.
Andrew P – Yeh that was the job of FFP, to keep newcomers from the party. Wonder how Chelsea and City would have felt if the door was shut on them?
Frem and others – I dont feel like any of the away games are write-offs. We’re more than capable of getting a result at any of those grounds.
QPR game is massive, like it was a couple seasons ago. Didnt we go 2 down before winning 3-2?
Ree, Sheik Mansour would have kept his £billions in his back pocket and instead of getting beaten by Barcelona in the Champions League, City would probably be competing with those other giants of European football, Gillingham, in the Div One play-offs again. As someone once said it’s a funny old game.
It could have been us taken over by Arab money losing to Barcelona in the CL, Messi gracing the hallowed turf of Villa Park. Back to reality and we’re battling relegation against huge clubs like Hull and Burnley!
I am worried our goal difference will take a hit in the away games.
Andrew P- haven’t read the article but I have never been in doubt Lerner has made sweet FA from villa. the numbers just didn’t stack up. the wage reduction was a reality and as much as people like to point at money wasted by Lambert if he had not spent it we would of been in receivership or the championship already. Our current plight is a mixture of low confidence and low talent.
I’m with Ree I think TS’s has revived our counter attacking qualities and we could get a shock result away from home.
Villa park seemed subdued on Saturday and that still holds some problems for the team away not so much.
frem if QPR’s season had gone as badly at home as it has away they’d be on 6 points, they do not travel well.
Full team of injured out… Id go with a 352 formation
Vlaar
Senderos
Baker
Sissoko
Lowton
Richardson
Cole
Cleverly
Benteke
Kuzak
Who needs a goalkeeper?
Frem
l had the same feeling about the game , l wasnt confident , told steamer the same , oh hum , it was going to happen mate , anyway can you email me your address again and mobile , l dropped my phone and its all gone into klingon mode , got to take to repairs mate , also are you driving to wembley , if so dont park at wembley mate you’ll be still there 2/3 hours later trying to get out, park outside and get the tube , could meet us in kilburn mate ,
Andrew , the journo’s are never going to ask the questions us fans want answering , just before the berk got pushed , a WM journo commented on the game he was watching , that it was the worst game he had ever had to witness , did he pull berk on it ? , did he fuck , he was just like a lap dog , they’re all the same . Tom Dross had herbert on his show and he said 10 mins before , ” do not ask any questions about money ” turned off and never listened again , the fucking weasel . our pet name for him when he used to answer the door to us when we went to pick up his brother John (Rosco) , likes to see the villa win ! my arse . he hated the villa ,