Aston Villa suffered heartbreak in injury time as Arsenal scored twice late on to inflict a dramatic 4-2 defeat at Villa Park.
So, what five things did we take away from the game?
VILLA FIND THEIR LEVEL
Three games ago with an uninspiring Leicester side about to rock up in B6 Villa sat in 11th. The enticing thing for Villa fans was that there was an opportunity to hit the top 10, a possibility Unai Emery referenced himself. Here we are three defeats later and, yup, Villa are still in 11th – still in touching distance of the top half and relatively safe from those below. This tells me that for this season at least Villa seem to have found their level, at least partly because of the upwardly mobile period once Emery was appointed. The recent run of three defeats has the air of a bubble bursting and the test now – with games against sides current below us – is how they can respond. Even if the side strings some wins together it’s unlikely to do much than stabilise that 11th position and Villa’s 22/23 level.
EMERY WILL NOT SETTLE FOR MEDIOCRACY
In spite of my sentiment that Villa may have found a level – a sentiment laced with grim resentment – it is clear Unai Emery is having none of that. The Spaniard’s post-match comments bore that out as he aired his frustrations around Villa’s second half ball possession and the continuing lack of clinical edge. This bodes well for the Villa contingent as clearly Emery is dedicated to changing the immediate and long-term culture around Villa and how they set out and respond to teams at all levels of the league. One fears for some players in that scenario but ultimately Emery’s passionate review of Saturday’s events point in the right direction moving forward.
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DEFENSIVE ERRORS A TOUGH HABIT TO SHAKE
Talking of players, once again we were forced to witness some individual errors that led to goals and chances. Conceding eleven goals in three games is a real shocker, especially given the seeming nous the same players exhibited in strong away performances at Brighton and Spurs, and at home against Leeds. The returning Mings was at fault when heading to Saka for the first Arsenal equaliser, but could Martinez’s communication been better? Did Mings even need to clear if his goalkeeper had called for it? Given the Argentinian’s obsessive time wasting, 48% passing accuracy and bewildering decision to head up for a corner at 3-2 it wasn’t Emi’s finest 90 minutes. Ezri Konsa, the only ever present in the back four in the recent goal giveaway looked shaky and almost gifted Odergaard a goal. Improvement is clearly needed going into the next game away at Everton – but there has to be wider question about how much the personnel can improve before they are simply replaced?
JOHN MCGINN’S UNIQUE QUALITIES
John McGinn retuned to the starting line up after injury and an enterprising cameo against Manchester City. What is clear is that no one in the squad offers what the Scot offers. That being a bite and tenacity that harries the opposition midfield and adds an urgency that is sometimes needed. I’m not an all in McGinn fan and there will be games when – for example – Ramsey’s drive is needed from the start but the Villa captain’s ‘uniqueness’ in the Villa squad is not up for debate. You could surmise that Emery might look for an upgrade (MG at Marseille) but until he does McGinn will continue to give his everything and have relative impact for Villa.
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HIT THE IMAGE – to be diverted.
DURAN = NEW FAN FAVOURITE
Many might have liked the young Colombian to start but Emery seems keen to keep that powder relatively dry. When he did come on and immediately threw himself into a challenge and un-nerved the Arsenal defence into a mistake, Villa Park roared. There is something deeply attractive about a Duran type figure and the Villa fans will be willing him to start really impacting games. The one chance he did have, in all honesty, points to some sensibility on Emery’s part as he should have put Bailey in on the left. Many might say they admire that selfishness, but imagine the roles revered and Bailey would have been castigated for not making that pass. More to come from Duran – and it’s going to be a wild ride.
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AUTHOR | IVAN MCDOUALL
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