Steven Gerrard’s Villans made it three wins and clean sheets in a row on Thursday night as they brushed Leeds United aside.
So, what did we learn from this performance and what aspects of the match stood out in particular?
Coutinho, sign him up!
The Brazilian magician was in fine form at Elland Road producing countless moments of magic with his range of passing as well as the skills on the ball and how he positions himself when the team is on the attack.
The Barcelona loanee got his goal with a deflected shot from outside the penalty box. That is four goals and three assists in seven matches which is an outstanding record and as it stands, there is no reason to turn down the opportunity to sign the midfield maestro come the end of the season.
By what Gerrard says post-match, he certainly wants him on a permanent basis and a final decision will be made at the end of the campaign. All fans will agree with Gerrard though as everyone can see that this is a permanent signing that the Villans should be completing when the summer transfer window opens.
Watkins and Ings becoming a match made in football heaven
The initial matches where Gerrard and Dean Smith before him were trying to figure out a way in which the two prolific forwards can play together and whilst it has taken a while it is becoming what could be a very prolific partnership in the coming months.
Whilst neither striker got onto the scoresheet on the night, their combinations and the way they both created chances for their teammates just shows how the introduction of Coutinho behind the two upfront has benefitted the whole team. Gerrard has shown that he can adapt following defeats to Newcastle United and Watford. Very promising signs indeed.
Ted Lasso-oh no
Leeds United have the worst record in the Premier League in terms of conceding goals and their defence, bar their performance against Leicester has been as vulnerable and shaky as ever under new boss Jesse Marsch – with the American taking charge of his first match at Elland Road against Gerrard’s men.
Coutinho was pulling the strings and his passing with the industrious nature of McGinn, Watkins and Ings tore leads apart and their vulnerable defence were on the ropes as a result. Villa tested the home side’s backline on numerous occasions and managed to get three goals from the multitude of chances they managed to create.
It is too late to judge Marsch’s Leeds just yet, but if their defence doesn’t improve it looks very worrying for them. Villa took advantage of this uncertainty and got away with all three points.
The Polish Cafu
Matty Cash has shown improvement year on year in a Villa shirt and the Poland international was in fine form in Yorkshire. He was solid defensively when the home team did look dangerous in the second half in particular.
Cash was class going forward and this was shown for all to see when he ran inside the Leeds penalty area where he was able to cut inside and release his inner winger with a rocket of a shot into the bottom corner past a scrambling Illan Meslier.
The ex-Forest man has still been flying down the wing for the Villa, but he is not playing as high up the pitch as he was at St. James’ Park or in the home defeat to Watford. Ever since the tweak that led to him playing a little deeper, this alongside all of the other small adjustments has ensured a great run of form for Villa.
Mission Possible: Finish top half
The form that Villa has shown in getting these three consecutive victories is that individuals are in form and morale and confidence is sky-high in the Villa camp at present. This has been evident in their performances in the last few weeks with significant wins over teams that occupied places above the Villans in Southampton and Brighton.
With this turn in form and in turn making the next few months look very promising indeed Villa have a real chance on showing progress from last season with a finish in the top half of the table. West Ham will present a huge challenge but if this latest performance against Leeds is anything to go by, then Villa certainly have a chance of coming away from London with a positive result.
Things are looking up for the Villa and long may this run continue. UTV.
Adam.
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