I will admit I got it wrong! I didnt see this coming today but im absolutely thrilled it has. There is no greater feeling than a last minute winner and the fact Weimann got it made it all the better. I along with many others have been calling for him to get his chance and he has become an instant hero with a winner at the Holte End.
This result puts to bed any lingering doubt of relegation, it seems as though Wigan, Wolves and QPR are destined for that after todays results. Now we can look to the future and start to try a few things differently.
I think today will be the making of Andi Weimann, its what he has dreamt of for years and the celebrations were just a joy to watch and be a part of! He must start next game, although I doubt he will. We need to start giving the likes of Weimann and Gardner starts rather than cameos because they are the future of Aston Villa and the more they play, the better they will get.
Hopefully today is a turning point, but it definately highlighted one thing, the youngsters hold the key to our success.
Showing posts with label QPR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label QPR. Show all posts
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Sunday, 4 March 2012
8 Point Gap - No Chance Of Relegation
After watching Fulham's 5-0 drubbing of Wolves I thought to myself that with not long to go in the season, 8 points is surely a big enough gap to keep us from the relegation dogfight.
Wolves look so so poor with a manager still learning the ropes, surely they are doomed. Wigan looked dreadful at home to Swansea and surely they have used up their 9 lives by now. Blackburn can't even keep a clean sheet at home to Villa which tells it's own story! QPR still haven't found their feet under Mark Hughes which I must say has surprised me. Then there is Bolton who have been poor all season and have never really looked like going on a winning run.
So with just 11 games to go can you really see at least 3 of the teams below us overhauling an effective 9 point gap if you look at goal difference? I certainly can't! I would be surprised if we needed anything more than just 2 or 3 more points if that due to the garbage that is sitting below us. I know we have a tough run to the end of the season but even we're not that bad that we will not be able to pick up 3 points in 11 games are we? I bloody well hope not!
One thing is for sure though, if Mcleish is still here next season then I really don't fancy our chances of survival. But for now, I'm pretty confident of securing Premier League status next year. We certainly can't afford to relax, but if we can just scrape a few more points we have absolutely nothing to worry about this season.
Wolves look so so poor with a manager still learning the ropes, surely they are doomed. Wigan looked dreadful at home to Swansea and surely they have used up their 9 lives by now. Blackburn can't even keep a clean sheet at home to Villa which tells it's own story! QPR still haven't found their feet under Mark Hughes which I must say has surprised me. Then there is Bolton who have been poor all season and have never really looked like going on a winning run.
So with just 11 games to go can you really see at least 3 of the teams below us overhauling an effective 9 point gap if you look at goal difference? I certainly can't! I would be surprised if we needed anything more than just 2 or 3 more points if that due to the garbage that is sitting below us. I know we have a tough run to the end of the season but even we're not that bad that we will not be able to pick up 3 points in 11 games are we? I bloody well hope not!
One thing is for sure though, if Mcleish is still here next season then I really don't fancy our chances of survival. But for now, I'm pretty confident of securing Premier League status next year. We certainly can't afford to relax, but if we can just scrape a few more points we have absolutely nothing to worry about this season.
Monday, 10 October 2011
Weimann Preferred To Delfouneso
Assistant Manager Peter Grant has come out today and praised Andreas Weimann for his performances on the training field and stated that he believes that he has earnt his place in the squad ahead of Delfouneso. Grant has reassured Delfouneso that he will get his chance by giving him some words of encouragement, but for the meantime, Weimann is going to be getting the majority of the game time out of the two. This pleases me because Nathan has had many chances already and, while I think he has shown promise, I think it's time for Weimann to get his chance.
This is what Grant said:
“Andreas Weimann came on against Wigan because he deserved to,”
“One of the reasons we put him out on loan for a month was because in pre-season training we thought he was excellent.
“We brought him back with the proviso that he would be involved with us and he’s thoroughly deserved that.
“What we tell the players is every day they have to produce the goods and not just on a Saturday to get that bit extra out of them.
“They need to show it in training and train exceptionally well because that is what we are watching all of the time.
“You don’t switch the light on a Saturday and only become a professional on the Friday night before; you have to do it all the time and train well.
“That’s what we have tried to get into the players mind and they are buying into that. It is a great thing for the youngsters to show there is an opportunity for them.
“Nathan has been fantastic,” added Grant. “He finds it tough being out the team.
“In the game against Bolton the team didn’t play well which wasn’t down to Nathan.
“He has just found himself a bit unfortunate really that Andreas came on against QPR and did well so he deserved to retain his place.”
This is what Grant said:
“Andreas Weimann came on against Wigan because he deserved to,”
“One of the reasons we put him out on loan for a month was because in pre-season training we thought he was excellent.
“We brought him back with the proviso that he would be involved with us and he’s thoroughly deserved that.
“What we tell the players is every day they have to produce the goods and not just on a Saturday to get that bit extra out of them.
“They need to show it in training and train exceptionally well because that is what we are watching all of the time.
“You don’t switch the light on a Saturday and only become a professional on the Friday night before; you have to do it all the time and train well.
“That’s what we have tried to get into the players mind and they are buying into that. It is a great thing for the youngsters to show there is an opportunity for them.
“Nathan has been fantastic,” added Grant. “He finds it tough being out the team.
“In the game against Bolton the team didn’t play well which wasn’t down to Nathan.
“He has just found himself a bit unfortunate really that Andreas came on against QPR and did well so he deserved to retain his place.”
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Bannan Targets More Goals
After finally bagging his first Premier League goal at the weekend, Barry Bannan has targetted more. He spoke after the QPR match about the weight lifted off his shoulders now that he has his first goal in the top flight. I'm delighted for him now that he can just relax and get into his groove and hopefully become a bit of a goal getting midfielder, something we lack since the departure of one James Milner.
This is what Bannan had to say:
“I’ve been trying so hard, I’ve been dying for a goal.
“I knew where I was going when the referee said it was a penalty. No-one’s going to change my mind, even if I think the keeper is going to go there.
“I’d made my mind up that if I hit it right it would go in. I wouldn’t say I was nervous, I was looking forward to celebrating really.
“That’ll go to the grave with me, that’s one of the biggest moments of my career and hopefully now, as I said, I can go on a run and get more goals for this team.”
This is what Bannan had to say:
“I’ve been trying so hard, I’ve been dying for a goal.
“There’s been people, not questioning, but asking when I’m going to score – my dad, mum, girlfriend. That will always stay with me, that goal.
“Obviously I wanted the ball. Any chance to score, free-kick or penalty, I’ll be there asking to take it. I wasn’t nervous at all.“I knew where I was going when the referee said it was a penalty. No-one’s going to change my mind, even if I think the keeper is going to go there.
“I’d made my mind up that if I hit it right it would go in. I wouldn’t say I was nervous, I was looking forward to celebrating really.
“That’ll go to the grave with me, that’s one of the biggest moments of my career and hopefully now, as I said, I can go on a run and get more goals for this team.”
Monday, 26 September 2011
Mcleish Wants Tougher Villa
After once again failing to close out victory yesterday against QPR, we are once again left thinking what might have been. If they had gone on to take 6 points from the games against Newcastle and QPR we would be sitting pretty in 4th place with 12 points. As it happens, we failed to kill off teams that we should have done and now only have 8 points from our opening 6 games, which isn't bad but considering the teams we have faced we should be looking at double figures.
In response to this, Mcleish has called on Villa to become mentally tougher in an attempt to finish opponents off in games when we strike the first blow.
"I'm not happy. I still feel that we should have ground out another four points, that's the mark of a team with real mental toughness and we have got to put that into the guys."
"I am gutted that we threw it away in the dying embers of the game, after a second-half performance which is much more what I expected from these players."
I think we all agree with what he is saying. We have seen all too often us throwing away leads over the past couple of seasons and it's up to him to get that habit out of them. It was a much thrown around stat last season that we threw away more points from winning positions than anybody else in the league. That's possibly the most frustrating stat to claim!
Now from what I have seen from Mcleish so far as Villa manager is someone that knows the right things to say. He has said on numerous occasions that he wants to play attacking, expansive football and that he wants to give youth a chance to show what they can do. However so far the football has been pretty dire and he has only used youngsters when injuries have forced him to do so. Therefore it will be interesting to see how the players react to this challenge in our next game against Wigan. There is no doubt that Wigan at home is a game that should be won, no excuses. We have struggled in this fixture in the past but I fear that anything other than a convincing performance and scoreline will get the boo boys out in full force.
In response to this, Mcleish has called on Villa to become mentally tougher in an attempt to finish opponents off in games when we strike the first blow.
"I'm not happy. I still feel that we should have ground out another four points, that's the mark of a team with real mental toughness and we have got to put that into the guys."
"I am gutted that we threw it away in the dying embers of the game, after a second-half performance which is much more what I expected from these players."
I think we all agree with what he is saying. We have seen all too often us throwing away leads over the past couple of seasons and it's up to him to get that habit out of them. It was a much thrown around stat last season that we threw away more points from winning positions than anybody else in the league. That's possibly the most frustrating stat to claim!
Now from what I have seen from Mcleish so far as Villa manager is someone that knows the right things to say. He has said on numerous occasions that he wants to play attacking, expansive football and that he wants to give youth a chance to show what they can do. However so far the football has been pretty dire and he has only used youngsters when injuries have forced him to do so. Therefore it will be interesting to see how the players react to this challenge in our next game against Wigan. There is no doubt that Wigan at home is a game that should be won, no excuses. We have struggled in this fixture in the past but I fear that anything other than a convincing performance and scoreline will get the boo boys out in full force.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Player Ratings - QPR Game
Given - 7/10 - Made a great save to deny Wright-Phillips in the second half and could do nothing to prevent the goal. Otherwise he had very little to do despite QPR's pressure
Hutton - 6/10 - Looked a little shaky to start and booked for a desperate lunge but grew into the game in the second half. Linked up well with Bannan on occasions and got forward slightly more than past couple of games. 2 penalty shouts against him for handball, both could have been given. Needs to learn to keep his arms tucked in!
Collins - 7/10 - Looked solid throughout however his inability to deal with a hoof up field led to the equaliser. Should never have lost that battle
Dunne - 9/10 - Such a shame that he conceded the OG right at the end. It couldn't have been prevented, just one of those things. Otherwise he was immense once again. Game after game proving that he isn't passed it yet, top performance
Warnock - 5/10 - Booked for a rash challenge on Barton (no harm done there!) and conceded possession in dangerous positions on a couple of occasions. Got forward willingly and got into some good positions but as a defender I have to rate him mainly on his defensive showing and, for me, it wasn't up to scratch
Petrov - 5/10 - Once again looked off the pace. Not really his fault, he just hasn't got the legs anymore. Booked for a bit of a wild challenge and gave away too many fouls
Delph - 6/10 - Found space coming forward but should have done better in front of goal with 2 very good opportunities. Caught in possession a few too many times but definately has potential
Ireland - 5/10 - Struggled to get involved for a large part of the game. Had a couple of decent moments but definately room for improvement. I want to see him given a run of games to show what he can do
Bannan - 8/10 - Scored the goal, nearly scored a free kick. He's finally being given a run of games and he is showing exactly what he can do. Our main creative force today and when he was taken off it really affected us going forward
N'Zogbia - 3/10 - A very poor rating for a very poor performance. Lots of running but gave the ball away numerous times, wasted good opportunities and lacked that spark we all thaught he possessed when he played for Wigan. It won't be long until Villa fans turn against him, if they haven't already
Agbonlahor - 6/10 - Work rate is unquestionable, his heart is fully in it, he is proud to wear the shirt and quite a few players could learn a lot from his attitude. He didn't have one of his better games today, had a couple of promising positions where he probably should have done better. He won the penalty, even if it was a debatable one
The 2 subs, Weimann and Albrighton, worked hard and did lots of running for the team. Albrighton looked dead on his feet after just 20 minutes on the pitch which I'm not sure is a good or a bad thing! He perhaps should have played in Weimann late on to seal the game but went alone instead. Once again he gave away a silly free kick in a dangerous position. He really needs to cut that out!
Hutton - 6/10 - Looked a little shaky to start and booked for a desperate lunge but grew into the game in the second half. Linked up well with Bannan on occasions and got forward slightly more than past couple of games. 2 penalty shouts against him for handball, both could have been given. Needs to learn to keep his arms tucked in!
Collins - 7/10 - Looked solid throughout however his inability to deal with a hoof up field led to the equaliser. Should never have lost that battle
Dunne - 9/10 - Such a shame that he conceded the OG right at the end. It couldn't have been prevented, just one of those things. Otherwise he was immense once again. Game after game proving that he isn't passed it yet, top performance
Warnock - 5/10 - Booked for a rash challenge on Barton (no harm done there!) and conceded possession in dangerous positions on a couple of occasions. Got forward willingly and got into some good positions but as a defender I have to rate him mainly on his defensive showing and, for me, it wasn't up to scratch
Petrov - 5/10 - Once again looked off the pace. Not really his fault, he just hasn't got the legs anymore. Booked for a bit of a wild challenge and gave away too many fouls
Delph - 6/10 - Found space coming forward but should have done better in front of goal with 2 very good opportunities. Caught in possession a few too many times but definately has potential
Ireland - 5/10 - Struggled to get involved for a large part of the game. Had a couple of decent moments but definately room for improvement. I want to see him given a run of games to show what he can do
Bannan - 8/10 - Scored the goal, nearly scored a free kick. He's finally being given a run of games and he is showing exactly what he can do. Our main creative force today and when he was taken off it really affected us going forward
N'Zogbia - 3/10 - A very poor rating for a very poor performance. Lots of running but gave the ball away numerous times, wasted good opportunities and lacked that spark we all thaught he possessed when he played for Wigan. It won't be long until Villa fans turn against him, if they haven't already
Agbonlahor - 6/10 - Work rate is unquestionable, his heart is fully in it, he is proud to wear the shirt and quite a few players could learn a lot from his attitude. He didn't have one of his better games today, had a couple of promising positions where he probably should have done better. He won the penalty, even if it was a debatable one
The 2 subs, Weimann and Albrighton, worked hard and did lots of running for the team. Albrighton looked dead on his feet after just 20 minutes on the pitch which I'm not sure is a good or a bad thing! He perhaps should have played in Weimann late on to seal the game but went alone instead. Once again he gave away a silly free kick in a dangerous position. He really needs to cut that out!
A Game Of 2 Halves
It took us until about 40 minutes to produce our first shot on goal, Barry Bannan firing a peach of a free kick towards the top corner only for it to be clawed out. That really summed us up first half. We showed a lack of passion and positive thinking that was promised after the shambolick Bolton performance mid-week. The whole side looked disjointed with no apparent link between defence, midfield and attack. We simply weren't playing as a unit. It seemed as though our game plan was to put our faith in Dunne and Given to produce more heroics and try and keep a clean sheet, perhaps nick a goal. THIS SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK!
Thankfully Mcleish realised that this wasn't working and we came out second half looking refreshed. Battling all over the pitch, even winning some of the 50-50's which recently just hasn't been happening. We were pressing higher up the pitch, getting the ball down on the ground, playing short simple passes and looking a million times better. Its not rocket science! Its not even that difficult! Its just playing simple passes, moving into space and the chances will create themselves. And so it proved with a couple of good opportunities before we made the breakthrough. Im not going to talk about whether it was a penalty or not because the decision was made and we can't change that (not that we would!). The fact of the matter is that it was given and Bannan stepped up and put away a very good penalty. You know it's good when the Goalie guesses the right way but still can't keep it out. I'm made up for Barry, finally starting to get some of the recognition he deserves.
Unfortunately for some reason Mcleish decided to take him off and replace him for a walking liability. Don't get me wrong I think he is a good player, but defensively he gives away so many cheap free kicks and you really don't want that when you are trying to protect a lead. Also by taking Bannan off we lost our creativity which led to a bit of a rearguard action in the last 15 minutes or so. N'Zogbia was then taken off for young Weimann, and it wasn't a second too soon. Zogs had a shocker, not for the first time this season and I think Villa fans are beginning to lose patience with him.
In terms of QPR's goal, we contributed to our own downfall. I know the goal itself was very unfortunate but our negativity when protecting a lead is stupid. I really don't understand the whole fascination with taking a corner short and protecting the ball. Very rarely does it waste any more 15 seconds and when the opposition gets the ball back, you are inviting them to attack you. If we had taken those couple of corners we got late in the game properly then I'm convinced we would be celebrating 3 points. You usually waste much more time when you are pressing teams back and passing it around instead of fannying about in the corner. Anyway, that's my rant over!
Overall I think that our second half performance has given us a platform to build on. We looked a much more attacking side and, surprise surprise, IT WORKED! For the first time since Blackburn I enjoyed watching us play and if we start games like that and get on top of our opponents from the first whistle, we will win more games than we lose for sure.
Full Time - QPR 1-1 Villa
So match day is here, live on sky sports and free to view for this weekend thanks to the Sky Sports free weekend. Much debate over the starting line up after the few injuries we have had over the past week or so. However the wait is now over and this is the team that will start the match:
Given, Hutton, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Petrov, Delph, Ireland, N'Zogbia, Bannan, Agbonlahor
Subs: Guzan, Beye, Lowry, Gardner, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Weimann
So then, Stephen Ireland starts his first Premier League game of the season. I guess that means moving Bannan to the wing with Ireland behind Gabby. For me this is a good choice as I am looking forward to see what Ireland can really do on the main stage. I can see a much higher work rate from him recently and I really hope he can prove the doubters wrong because there is no denying that on his day he is a top player.
Also would love to see Gardner and Weimann get some minutes today. I rate them both very highly and Im sure the fact that QPR don't know much them means they could cause a few problems due to the unpredictability of them.
Full Time - 1-1
90+3 mins - 1-1. Heartbreak for Villa. Dunne own goal, could do nothing about it
90+2 mins - Albighton wins a corner
90 mins - Traore sent off for a second yellow for a flying tackle on Albrighton. 5 mins of added time to withstand
88 mins - Gabby with a shot deflected wide. Chance to waste a couple of minutes
87 mins - Another penalty shout for a Hutton handball not given. Would have been harsh
85 mins - Finally Zogs is withdrawn!!! Time for Weimann to show what he can do in the last 5 mins although I can't help but feeling it's going to be all about defending now
84 mins - Villa giving away a couple of cheap free kicks in very good positions
80 mins - Zogs must come off, he's had another shocker
72 mins - Albrighton on for goal scorer Bannan. Not what I would have done but hey ho, I'll judge after 90 minutes
71 mins - Hutton blocks a goalbound header with his arm, let off for Villa
70 mins - Petrov booked for a rash challenge on Wright-Phillips
68 mins - What was I saying??? Given pulls one out of the top drawer to deny Wright-Phillips
65 mins - Villa starting to play one touch football, that's right, one touch football and it's a million times better to route 1 rubbish. Chances few and far between now
57 mins - GOAL FOR VILLA!!! A soft penalty for a slight tug on Gabby. Bannan steps up and slots it right into the corner. Kenny guessed right but couldn't keep it out. Now Villa lets not go into our shell
55 mins - Bannan starting to pull the strings... hold on
51 mins - Only a few minutes into the half but already so much better. We're looking much more positive and it's really livened the game up
47 mins - Bright start to the second half. Zogs playing in Delph whose shot was blocked. More of the same please!
Half Time - Very poor opening 40 minutes with QPR all over us creating opportunities at will. Finally an improvement at the end of the half with Bannan coming so close to scoring with a peach of a free kick (any kids watching, that is perfect technique for an up and over the wall free kick) followed by a small spell of pressure but overall we need more of everything
44 mins - Bannan free kick 25 yards out looked in all the way but kept out excellently by Kenny. Our first shot of the game! Would have been cruel on QPR
42 mins - Villa racking up a couple of corners, met by sarcastic cheers from the Villa fans
40 mins - Crunching tackle from Warnock on Barton earns him the first booking of the match. Barton goes down holding his face when it looked like his face when never touched, typical Barton!
35 mins - More of the same. Gabby looking increasingly isolated up front. The whole team needs to press higher up the pitch as a unit. There's no link between defence, midfield and attack so far
27 mins - Pressure eased on our goal slightly, still nothing going forward though
18 mins - All QPR still. Villa looking laboured and passing and movement is all too slow. MUST IMPROVE
6 mins - Shaky start, Taarabt hits the post with a screamer from 30 yards
15:58 - Kick off in a couple of mins. Come on you Villa boys, 3 points please!!!
Given, Hutton, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Petrov, Delph, Ireland, N'Zogbia, Bannan, Agbonlahor
Subs: Guzan, Beye, Lowry, Gardner, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Weimann
So then, Stephen Ireland starts his first Premier League game of the season. I guess that means moving Bannan to the wing with Ireland behind Gabby. For me this is a good choice as I am looking forward to see what Ireland can really do on the main stage. I can see a much higher work rate from him recently and I really hope he can prove the doubters wrong because there is no denying that on his day he is a top player.
Also would love to see Gardner and Weimann get some minutes today. I rate them both very highly and Im sure the fact that QPR don't know much them means they could cause a few problems due to the unpredictability of them.
Full Time - 1-1
90+3 mins - 1-1. Heartbreak for Villa. Dunne own goal, could do nothing about it
90+2 mins - Albighton wins a corner
90 mins - Traore sent off for a second yellow for a flying tackle on Albrighton. 5 mins of added time to withstand
88 mins - Gabby with a shot deflected wide. Chance to waste a couple of minutes
87 mins - Another penalty shout for a Hutton handball not given. Would have been harsh
85 mins - Finally Zogs is withdrawn!!! Time for Weimann to show what he can do in the last 5 mins although I can't help but feeling it's going to be all about defending now
84 mins - Villa giving away a couple of cheap free kicks in very good positions
80 mins - Zogs must come off, he's had another shocker
72 mins - Albrighton on for goal scorer Bannan. Not what I would have done but hey ho, I'll judge after 90 minutes
71 mins - Hutton blocks a goalbound header with his arm, let off for Villa
70 mins - Petrov booked for a rash challenge on Wright-Phillips
68 mins - What was I saying??? Given pulls one out of the top drawer to deny Wright-Phillips
65 mins - Villa starting to play one touch football, that's right, one touch football and it's a million times better to route 1 rubbish. Chances few and far between now
57 mins - GOAL FOR VILLA!!! A soft penalty for a slight tug on Gabby. Bannan steps up and slots it right into the corner. Kenny guessed right but couldn't keep it out. Now Villa lets not go into our shell
55 mins - Bannan starting to pull the strings... hold on
51 mins - Only a few minutes into the half but already so much better. We're looking much more positive and it's really livened the game up
47 mins - Bright start to the second half. Zogs playing in Delph whose shot was blocked. More of the same please!
Half Time - Very poor opening 40 minutes with QPR all over us creating opportunities at will. Finally an improvement at the end of the half with Bannan coming so close to scoring with a peach of a free kick (any kids watching, that is perfect technique for an up and over the wall free kick) followed by a small spell of pressure but overall we need more of everything
44 mins - Bannan free kick 25 yards out looked in all the way but kept out excellently by Kenny. Our first shot of the game! Would have been cruel on QPR
42 mins - Villa racking up a couple of corners, met by sarcastic cheers from the Villa fans
40 mins - Crunching tackle from Warnock on Barton earns him the first booking of the match. Barton goes down holding his face when it looked like his face when never touched, typical Barton!
35 mins - More of the same. Gabby looking increasingly isolated up front. The whole team needs to press higher up the pitch as a unit. There's no link between defence, midfield and attack so far
27 mins - Pressure eased on our goal slightly, still nothing going forward though
18 mins - All QPR still. Villa looking laboured and passing and movement is all too slow. MUST IMPROVE
6 mins - Shaky start, Taarabt hits the post with a screamer from 30 yards
15:58 - Kick off in a couple of mins. Come on you Villa boys, 3 points please!!!
Saturday, 24 September 2011
QPR Preview - Its All About Midfield
So match day is tomorrow and we are playing a team very much on the rise. QPR have looked increasingly dangerous since their deadline day arrivals and Im sure they will ask more than a few questions of our defence. I know that this season we have been accused of getting too many draws but I think a point tomorrow away at a team on the rise would be a pretty good result.
However I would like to see us going out to win the game, not set up to defend a point like we seem to do away from home this season. Ive got no problem with going 4-5-1 as I expect we will with our current striker shortages that I will touch on later. But to warrant playing this formation we NEED to support the striker. Too often this season we have seen Bent isolated and looking lost due to a lack of support and supply from midfield.
Now with Bent and Heskey injured, the role of lone striker will almost certainly be given to Gabby. Im looking forward to seeing him play that role because pace really worries defences and, unlike Bent, he can create his own chances which is vital when you have a lack of creativity in the midfield like we seem to at the moment. Gabby has been our best player this season in most peoples views, so this is a great chance to show what he can do in his favoured position.
Onto midfield and I think the main question is will Jenas be fit? If he is then I think he must start, simply because our midfield just hasn't worked so far this season. Who knows, Jenas may not be the solution to our problems, but there's only one way to find out. Then there's the question of who the three people supporting Gabby will be? Ive got a feeling that if fit, Jenas will be deployed in the hole, with Bannan and Zogs either side.
As the defence seems to pick itself at the moment, here is my guess of the team:
Given
Hutton Collins Dunne Warnock
Petrov Delph
N'Zogbia Jenas Bannan
Agbonlahor
If Jenas doesn't make it I expect to see Bannan in the hole with Albrighton on the wing.
So there we have it. The key to this game is undoubtedly the midfield, and ours must improve if we are going to win that battle against Joey Barton. Unfortunately my mind is telling me a 2-0 win for QPR because I just can't see us winning the midfield battles and that is where our problems will start.
If you have any opinions on the game or on Villa in general, please leave a comment or tweet me at the link above.
However I would like to see us going out to win the game, not set up to defend a point like we seem to do away from home this season. Ive got no problem with going 4-5-1 as I expect we will with our current striker shortages that I will touch on later. But to warrant playing this formation we NEED to support the striker. Too often this season we have seen Bent isolated and looking lost due to a lack of support and supply from midfield.
Now with Bent and Heskey injured, the role of lone striker will almost certainly be given to Gabby. Im looking forward to seeing him play that role because pace really worries defences and, unlike Bent, he can create his own chances which is vital when you have a lack of creativity in the midfield like we seem to at the moment. Gabby has been our best player this season in most peoples views, so this is a great chance to show what he can do in his favoured position.
Onto midfield and I think the main question is will Jenas be fit? If he is then I think he must start, simply because our midfield just hasn't worked so far this season. Who knows, Jenas may not be the solution to our problems, but there's only one way to find out. Then there's the question of who the three people supporting Gabby will be? Ive got a feeling that if fit, Jenas will be deployed in the hole, with Bannan and Zogs either side.
As the defence seems to pick itself at the moment, here is my guess of the team:
Given
Hutton Collins Dunne Warnock
Petrov Delph
N'Zogbia Jenas Bannan
Agbonlahor
If Jenas doesn't make it I expect to see Bannan in the hole with Albrighton on the wing.
So there we have it. The key to this game is undoubtedly the midfield, and ours must improve if we are going to win that battle against Joey Barton. Unfortunately my mind is telling me a 2-0 win for QPR because I just can't see us winning the midfield battles and that is where our problems will start.
If you have any opinions on the game or on Villa in general, please leave a comment or tweet me at the link above.
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