A defense for Villa

There's no Defense!

         Nobody will deny, the goals against Villa this season are going to send us down, but who is to blame? We can look around the Villa team and see areas with a lack of experience in their positions. Villa have Gana, Veretout, Ayew, Amavi, Okore, and more, but one area we have experience is defense. We look at Guzan, Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Clark, and Richardson, and we have 1490 games at a Premier or Championship level. If that is the case, then why are conceding 2 goals per game in the Premier League?

         Over the years, through my coaching experience, to have a strong defense, you need a decent and vocal goalkeeper, and two well organized central defenders. One of those defenders, needs to be able read the game extremely well, and take charge of the defense. Have Villa got that?

I think Guzan has shown enough in the past, he is a very good keeper. He has made a few mistakes this year, but with such a lack of confidence in your defense, who would blame him.

         As we look at the central pairings that have been used over a number of games this season, we have:

Richards & Clark (8 games, conceding 1.75 goals per game)

Richards & Lescott (7 games, conceding 2 goals per game)

Okore & Lescott (4 games, conceding 1.25 per game)

We can say, certain pairings may have played against stronger opposition, but in the end we have to make the decision, certain pairings may just not work. I look back at the games throughout the season, and so many goals have been conceded by poor positioning, or players not attacking the ball while it's in the air. 

The two goals against Norwich, Richards wasn't close enough, and didn't challenge Howson. Richardson, marking nobody, doesn't close down Mbokani Bezua, as the ball floats over Clark's head. Is this down to the manager’s instructions? Or are our players just that bad or just can't give a rat's ass.

       The confidence maybe low, and a win may change things, but I feel a lot of the blame falls on our captain. Clark has made a couple of mistakes, and Lescott is a lot slower these days, but our captain's ability to control the defense is the major problem.

Richards is awesome at challenging for a long ball in the air, or challenging a forward as he receives a ball with his back to goal. Sadly, his wanting to charge up field, and lack of defensive awareness is killing us. If he had been in charge of the Titanic, it would have sank long before it hit the iceberg.

All the other three defenders, should position themselves off Richards. Defending is a lot about positioning and angles, and not just how strong you may be in the challenge. I have worked with flat back fours for over twenty years, and the only time Villa's defense has looked right is when Richard's hasn't been there. I'm not saying Richards shouldn't be one of our central defenders, I'm just saying he shouldn't be the one controlling it. 1490 games between them, and we looked like they have never played a flat back four before. I am not exonerating the rest of the players for their part, but when you don't have a leader you can rely on, then players start to do their own thing, and it all falls apart.

I'm not blaming Richards for, Lescott's slowness, or Clark's naivety, or Richardson's lack of ability to attack a ball, but I blame him for not being the lighthouse to keep everyone safe. People claimed, he was going to be an England regular for years to come at the age of 17, but his career flounder at Man City. He played with Lescott there, and formed a strong partnership, and friendship, sadly that partnership is now failing because Richards is the leader. I believe the Lescott partnership could be the one that brings a holt to the flow of goals, but only if Richards takes a step back, and hand over the reins to his friend. 

I believe if Richards isn't willing to do that, then it has been shown in recent weeks that Okore is.

Aston Villa - Naughty or Nice

As we move towards the festive season, we will find out if Villa have been naughty, or nice. The next five fixture will show if the Remi has worked some magic on the training field. As we analyze those fixture, we will see if Villa will arrive at the New Year in high spirits.

Southampton (away): In the last six fixtures away to Southampton, Villa have only walked away with one win back in 2013. Delph's late strike secured the win, but with him slithering away to Manchester, do we have someone else who can step into his shoes. Southampton have already beaten Villa twice at the St Mary's stadium in 2015, scoring 7 goals and conceding two.

On the back of three defeats, Southampton must look forward to the team who loves to get struggling tracks back on track. With a weakened Villa defense, and a team poor of form, Villa would take a point right now, even though they need three.

As most Villa fans, we dream every game to be the start of something new, but are frequently let down. Everything is going against Villa and a loss is expected.

Prediction: Draw

Arsenal (home): The Gunners are looking potential champions the season, and Villa fans aren't looking forward to this game. Oozing with talent, on a good day, they could easily put 5 past us. The good thing is, on their very few bad days, they can get beaten by anyone.

This fixture hasn't been kind to Villa, and we have to go back to the December 13th, 1998, when we last beat them at home. A 3-2 victory, over an Arsenal team with Arsenal greats such as Bergkamp, Bould, Dixon, Seaman, and Viera, was something to savior. 

The last three games between the teams have seen Arsenal take victory each time. With 12 goals scored against, and zero for, a defeat looks a certainty.

Prediction: Loss

Newcastle (away): If Newcastle's form continues, Villa maybe facing a team with a new manager. Newcastle at present, are performing as badly as Villa, with Newcastle fans running out of patience with their manager. No need for them to worry, Aston Villa are coming to town, and Villa haven't won there since the 1999/2000 season.

Villa presently prop up the Magpies, and that would not have changed by the time the 19th ticks around. These games are usually very close encounters, except back in 2010/11, when Newcastle slammed their visitors 6-0.

Both defenses have been hemorrhaging goals, and it could be down to who makes the least mistakes to who wins the game. I believe if Villa go with pace up top, they could come away victorious. Newcastle defense is looking weary, while Villa's are making schoolboy errors. Two more weeks, and believe Villa will get it right.

Prediction: Win

West Ham (home): The battle of the Claret and Blues. Over recent years, West Ham have finished higher in the league, and can claim presently to be the stronger of the two. The results between the two teams have bounced back and forth, with a number of draws, and either team being victorious.

Billic has West Ham building on the foundation left by Big Sam. West Ham are presently sitting 8th, and could be fighting for a European place come May. Losing Sakho will be a big loss for the Hammers, and could sway things back in Villa's way. 

Presently with 34 league wins each, both teams will pushing for the victory to take them to 35. Villa will be more desperate for the points, and this will make it a nervy Boxing Day encounter for the home team, in front of their expectant home crowd.

Prediction: Draw

Norwich (away): 2015, at this time will be coming to an end. Villa fans will be praying 2016 brings hope, and a stay of execution.  Norwich have been struggling of late, and are one of the teams Villa will hoped to have caught come May. With five points from the last four games, Villa would have doubled their points for the season. They will still be bottom of the league, but will have greater hope and belief.

This is one of the fixture that has been good to Villa over the last few matches. Victories home and away, will give the players confidence going into this game. With games against Everton, United, and Spurs prior to the Villa game, Norwich could be searching for their first point in four.

I believe Villa will have too much in attack for Norwich to defend, and a strong defensive performance will give the Villans the points.

Prediction: Win

Eight points in December would be a good return for Villa, and keep us intention with the teams at the bottom end of the league. The confidence that this will bring could see Villa break a record in 2016 that is worth breaking. January will roll round, and Villa fans all over the world, will have a greater belief the mighty Claret and Blue will stay ever present in the top division.

Gary Davis

Jack Grealish - A True Claret and Blue?

Jack Grealish - A True Claret and Blue?

        In the Guardian, on the 14th October, 2014, Jack Grealish stated after signing a new four year contract, "I’ve grown up supporting the club. In fact I’ve had a season ticket at Villa since I was four years old and came to every game so this is a big thing for me and my family." Fast forward thirteen months, and the new Aston Villa manager labels Jack, "Unprofessional", as he is dropped from the squad to face Watford, in a must win match. This comes after Jack's latest late night antics, after a weak showing in a 4-0 drubbing at Everton. This wasn't the first time in 2015 that Jack's decision making was questioned.

         During the summer of 2015, Jack was photographed fast asleep in the street, after a late night with his "friends." This is the same summer that England and the Republic of Ireland were fighting for Jack's international commitment. Aston Villa fans, were a little more lenient during the summer, while many are now supporting Garde and his decision to send Jack to practice with the u21s. His actions during a time where "His Boyhood Club", is rock bottom, and needing everyone to pull together, are disloyal and disrespectful to the fans, club and very possibly his family. Kevin Sr. and Jr. have supported their brother as he rises through the ranks at Villa, a penny for their thoughts right now.

        Many Villa fans, including myself are questioning Jack's reasoning, and if he has the strength to rise to the top, or will he allow his success to bring him down. This week, football fans all over the world were celebrating George Best, and the talent he was as a player. Sadly, for George, and his family, his career, and life ended too soon. I'm not saying Jack is on George's path, but who knows where Jack's career and future may end. 

       Addictions and bad choices, have been the fall of many a great man, and even though Jack has every Villa fans dream job, his talents haven't been displayed on a regular basis. He has a long way to go before he is great, consistently good, would be a start. Fans would say Jack has made more of an impact on the pavement, than he has in success at Villa. His performance against Everton was well below par, and was rightly substituted. 

       I'm not looking for Jack to be Aston Villa's savior, but at this time Jack needs to save himself. He needs to learn who he can surround himself with during this time. One of the seven pillars of success in the work place is your social network. A positive one will bring you success, I don't need to tell you what a negative one will do. 

     Jack needs to understand, no matter how much talent you may have, you only get a certain amount of chances to show it. Villa fans give one of their own, a little more leeway, but they know words are cheap. In his own words, "The club to show this faith and trust in me, I’m really appreciative and I’m determined to repay that trust." “I know I have to continue to kick on and push on now. I have to keep developing and progressing and strive to be as good a player as I can possibly be."
      Jack, those words were over a year ago, please tell us how you have kicked on? A good game against Liverpool in a F.A. Cup semi-final, isn't kicking on. You say you love this club, and it's all you ever wanted to do, well it's time you showed it. You are old enough to make good choices, just as you have made bad choices. 

       How much does this club mean to you? How much do your families' sacrifices mean to you? All their support to get you where you are today. When are you going to repay their trust? The club needs your talent now Jack, it needs you to play your part, and help get us out of the mess you have helped put us in.

     Claret and Blue, Jack? Or Bacardi and Coke?

Gary Davis

Villa Fan for 40 years

WWE - The Return of the Light Heavyweight Belt

       Since the WWE Light Heavyweight belt, and the WCW Cruiserweight belt became defunct, it has been a fight for the represented wrestlers to showcase their talent. Since the "Powers-at-Be", decided to make a joke out of the Cruiserweight division, and put the belt on Hornswoggle, the fans have been the ones to suffer.

     September 27th, 2007, Vickie Guerrero, ended Hornswoggle's reign, when she stated his relationship to Vince McMahon, and his diminutive size, could be a detriment to his health. The title had already lost so much status before Hornswoggle became champion. The six-way open where he was victorious, he competed against Jimmy Wang Yang, Shannon Moore, Jamie Noble, Funaki, and Chavo Guerrero. Even though, they were all talented wrestlers in their own right, they very rarely appeared at upper-middle, or middle card status on a regular basis.

      It wasn't always that way, if we look back at the history of the wrestling history, we would see future Heavyweight champions, showcased their talent in the light heavyweight/cruiserweight divisions. In the early days of the WCW Cruiserweight history, we saw Rey Misterio, Chris Jericho, and the late Eddie Guerrero ply their trade in the now defunct division. The crowds had the chance to view the high energy wrestling that many crave for, while the so called "little guys", could put themselves a little higher up the ladder. The WWE needs to use the belt as a stepping stone to a shot to the Heavyweight Championship, use it to see if the crowd can get behind the wrestler, and help push him to higher levels.

         I'm not Vince McMahon, so I don't know if the stories are true, about him wanting to destroy anything he didn't create, but it seems this may have been the case for this division. In November, 2001, the WWF took reigns of the belt, and the cancer set in, the belt headed to a slow and painful death. Rey Misterio, was the only wrestler with high level exposure who was allowed to carry it.

          The WWE have many talented wrestlers, who would love to compete for the gold, knowing that their chance of holding the Heavyweight belt for more than a token time, are limited. Wrestlers such as Stardust, Dolph Ziggler, Sin Cara, Dean Ambrose, Daniel Bryan (inj), Tyson Kidd, Xavier Woods, Neville, Kalisto, Zach Ryder, Kofi Kingston, etc... Yes, Yes, Yes, some of the aforementioned, have been, or will be Heavyweight Champion, but the WWE still loves their big men, Seth Rollins has been the exception of late, but I do believe, he would have lost the belt to Roman Reigns if he hadn't injured his knee. With Rollins injure, they had to find another heel for Reigns to compete against. Instead of elevating Ambrose, and having him turn on Reigns, they give the belt to two-move Sheamus.

          The WWE have the opportunity to use talented wrestler, integrate then into high level story lines, and give the fans another belt to cheer. Being a wrestling fan for most of my 45 years, first in the UK (World of Sport), then finding the WWF in 1987, I want to see more than wrestlers fighting over the Heavyweight belt. The same wrestlers, month after month, year after year, being over exposed, becomes monotonous. 

         I would love to see the belt return to the WWE, and used in a format that Steve Regal will remember. If the belt was fought for, in a best of three format, wrestlers would be able to showcase their finishing moves, and entertain the crowd. Not all fans want to see the slow paced matches that end up in "Suplex City:.

        If the WWE doesn't want to throw it straight back to the main roster, they have a great opportunity with NXT, to give it a trial run. NXT wrestlers are the next generation, and will give more wrestlers a greater chance of exposure. So many talented wrestlers are not allowed to showcase their skills, give them an open door, and I'm sure they will walk through it.

Gary Davis
Forty Year Wrestling Fan

Aston Villa - It's all about the Base!

It's All About the Base!

       Since the arrival of the new "Garde", people have been talking about a new start. Sadly, after the 4-0 drubbing at Everton, new start or not, the same issues came to the surface. Villa have suffered with consistency for the last 5 years, the only thing that has been consistent is the fight against relegation. It is time to stop the tinkering with the team, and find a base we can build off.

       It doesn't matter in the end, which formation Garde goes with, he has to find the spine of his team, and then build from there. I personally feel he should go back to a formation that makes us harder to beat. I look back to the Arsenal invincible team, and play a 442/4411

       Due to a lack of options, Guzan looks to be our number one until January at least. As we start to look at the spine of the team, we need 6 leaders who are going to run along it. The sis positions that need to be nailed down are, two central defenders, two center midfielders, and the two furthest forward players.

       Those positions need to be filled by leaders, a look around the Villa squad, and there seem to be slim pickings. I believe given time, Richards and Clark can build a formidable duo. Even though, they have both made school boy errors, they seem to have leadership qualities. Given guidance, and support on both flanks, they could be the difference to our future in the Premier League. If either of these two are injured for a period of time, then we would have to fall on the ilk of Lescott, Crespo, or Okore. Lescott, would be the most experience, but his legs seem to be past there sell-by-date. Llori could be a surprise package, but we won't know until he returns from a groin injury. He may need to fill in for the injured Amavi.

       As we move forward, to the center midfield, only one leader stands out, and that is Sanchez. The captain of his current, who is starting to show that form for the Claret and Blue. For me, he has to be the first midfielder on the team sheet. He is prone to the odd misplace pass, but for all the work he does breaking up the opposition play, he is invaluable. It doesn't matter if we play two, or three in midfield, the next name on the sheet needs to be Gana. His high energy, and combative nature, will be a great foil for Sanchez. Yet to leadership qualities, I believe he will be an importance piece in the Villa jigsaw. We have the likes of Westwood, Veretout, or Gardner, who can play second fiddle, but don't fill me with a great deal of confidence. Given time, and good leadership, they reach their highest potential.

      The forward two, this is a difficult area, as Villa haven't been very productive in front of goals over the last few seasons. The loss of Benteke to Liverpool, left a massive void. Gestede was brought in as a like for like replacement, and with quality service, he could be a savior. I believe Kozak has been written off too quickly by Sherwood, and now Garde, and he could be leader we have up top. At this time, I would give it to Gestede as I am unsure where Kozak is with his recover. A couple of U21 games, doesn't get him ready for the big league. The lack of creativity over the last few seasons, as killed Villa. I believe in Gil, and Grealish we have two potential match winners. Sadly, just as the Everton game should, I don't think they will play to often together. They are both light-weight, and are luxuries we can't afford in a dog-fight. I personally Gil has shown he can influence games at a higher level than Grealish. I would have a central pairing of Gestede, and Gil, with Kozak, and Grealish on the bench.

         As we look at the limbs, we need to find fullbacks who can defend, and wingers with high energy, who can put the ball into dangerous areas in the penalty box. The last I looked, around 85%, of all goals ever, were scored from the penalty spot forward. Those numbers may have changed slightly, but what is true, is Villa need to get more balls in there for players to attack.

        Villa at present isn't stacked with talents, but I also believe we are better than our present position.

        Going forward, I would look to play the following team as much as possible.

                                                                       Guzan

                                          Crespo        Richards   Clark         Richardson

                                          Sinclair       Sanchez    Gana         Ayew

                                                                         Gil

                                                                      Gestede

Subs:

Bunn

Okore

Bacuna

Veretout

Grealish

Kozak

N'Zogbia

        The main concern is left-back, I wouldn't mind giving Kinsella a run, because at the moment, Richardson is pretty poor. As I said earlier, Llori may be able to slot in there, and the sooner the better.

The likes of Gabby, Hutton, Traore will still play their part, but should be limited at present.

        No matter what happens this season, Villa need to be more consistent in the formation, and the players we play.

Gary Davis

Villa 4 Life!

UEFA & USSF Certified Coach