Itβs all doom and gloom surrounding Aston Villa right now. Watching Mondayβs draw was an extremely dull experience. Where is the Aston Villa we were introduced to under Steven Gerrard?
That team who donβt get me wrong, werenβt the complete package yet possessed elements of fast-paced attacking football that truly excited me. We were promised progression yet under the stewardship of Gerrard we seem to have gone backwards. Moving away from a playing style focused on pace and power with so many promising talents, we are now simply just boring. So boring!
When Iβm asked to write about 5 lessons we have learnt post-Aston Villa matches, for this 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forrest my thoughts were endless yet the same thoughts I have had for weeks. Iβm tired of continuing to address these issues yet here we are again!
LESSON 1 β Aston Villa are so predictable
Iβm not an established coach with masses amounts of experience with football but even I, for the majority of the time, can predict Aston Villaβs passages of play. My question ultimately isnβt why but how? How can the side be so one-dimensional? With the talents we possess who are credible internationally and for some like Coutinho, who has obtained experience at the highest levels of club competition, why canβt we threaten the opposition at all?
Due to what I believe to be tactical naivety, Villa focus on wide play and crosses to such an extent that our attacking players become isolated. Equally, with a lack of movement from those in central areas, there is no chance of Gerrardβs side becoming threatening or unpredictable at all in possession. Itβs embarrassing. This fixture against Nottingham Forrest could have been a lifeline for Gerrardβs tenure but it has proven once again how out of depth he is at coaching this team.
LESSON 2 β Ollie Watkins is not the right man to lead Aston Villaβs attack right nowΒ
Donβt perceive my judgement to be based on the fact that Watkins does not attempt to contribute to the passage of the play because he does. There is a clear portrayal time and time again of his work rate yet what I want to focus on is his quality in high pressurised situations such as one-on-ones. Moments in the game where if he were to touch the ball once, he could expertly control the ball and attempt a shot on goal. Nevertheless, he seems to possess an indecisive nature to his game that results in the oppositionβs defence clearing the ball away. I simply donβt have any confidence left in him being the striker to possess that clinical edge and score goals for Aston Villa Football Club.
Why not Danny Ings? Why not Cameron Archer? These talents are patiently waiting on the bench to receive pathetic 5-minute appearances as a substitute from Gerrard, not enough time to impact any fixture. I believe they need to be handed the opportunity to prove their worth as Villaβs strikers. Position in the past that has formed iconic names such as Dion Dublin, Juan Pablo Angel and Christian Benteke, these individuals led Aston Villaβs attack with confidence alongside their raw talent. I understand and know that Watkins is a talented forward ready to flourish in the Premier League yet right here right now, he should make way for Ings or Archer to help catalyse Aston Villa to score more goals again.
LESSON 3 β There is a Captainβs curseβ¦Β
Since being relieved of his duties as captain of Aston Villa, gradually Tyrone Mings has improved in defence for the club. Possessing more confidence whilst remaining a more imposing threat physically, Mings has begun to silence his haters with star performances. On the other hand, since becoming captain John McGinn has looked like a shadow of his former self and itβs a real shame to see. McGinn looks slower, more predictable and ultimately a less threatening asset within the midfield.
Where is the McGinn renowned for flourishing in Scotlandβs midfield? Yes, maybe playing slightly further forward for his international side but still possessing the exciting elements to his game that were once associated with McGinn at Villa? Potentially there is some external pressure of the pitch yet for an individual who in the past remained a positive asset consistently, itβs interesting and frustrating to see McGinn experience this downturn of form.
LESSON 4 β Gerrardβs position as manager is massively under threatβ¦
No doubt about it, with no identity, and no exciting nature to Aston Villa surely if there is no positive response on the pitch, the Liverpudlian will be sacked?
Many names excite me in terms of a replacement for Steven Gerrard. The aspirational name of Pochettino, the excitement of Thomas Frank’s appointment etc. Of course, there are options around Europe yet surely with the position the club find itself in, if Gerrard departs then Premier League experience would be paramount.
With Aston Villa now finding themselves in the position, they were in when Gerrard began managing the club, 16th, the fixture against Chelsea proves to be the final straw in proving whether Steven Gerrard is the right name moving forward.
LESSON 5 – Aston Villaβs away remains as passionate as always
No matter whether the boys in claret and blue win, lose or draw the Villa faithful will forever support the club passionately in masses. Nottingham Forrest 1-1 Aston Villa has to possibly be the least entertaining game of football I have ever had the displeasure of watching yet the away crowd continued to sing their hearts out. Tumultuous in their thousands, a fan base’s support is vital in my opinion to a successful tenure of a manager. With Dean Smith, there was a strong connection between the manager and the fans yet with Gerrard, the relationship is extremely distant. Now lacking trust in Gerrardβs ability to help Aston Villa progress, itβs only a matter of time before there is a managerial change with the away support chanting βWE WANT GERRARD OUTβ.
AUTHOR | LIAM BRYAN
Authorβs UTV PODCAST archive Liam Bryan – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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