Was that Aston Villa I saw yesterday?
Well-disciplined, organised ... everyone working for one another? The game was not one that the purist would be happy with but if you're a Villan you'd be more than happy.
There was concern that Villa's league position had been achieved by their results against ne're-do-wells in the Premiership, but Villa arrived at Anfield with the plan (it would seem) to do a smash-and-grab. They virtually overwhelmed Liverpool for the first 15 minutes, scored what proved to be the winner, and then spent the rest of the game containing a Liverpool side that without Suarez (and now Sturridge) seemed incapable of breaking through. However, I thought that Liverpool's substitutions were a little bizarre, putting on two players that were not better and less tricky than the two they replaced. Indeed before the subs were made I thought Liverpool stood more chance of equalising.
Another bonus was that the Villa midfield now looks as though it has a Premiership label. On top of the solid performance by the defence since the start of the season - and that yesterday Baker proved to be such a good alternative to Vlaar - Villa's team is beginning to acquire some polish about it.
There's a long way to go yet, but the new management partnership seem to be getting the basics right. And the hitherto worrying upcoming fixtures no longer look quite so fearsome.
EC football next season? I can't see that happening, but I do see a far more interesting season developing and a welcome relief after what's been going on since 2010. There's room for optimism after all.
.
Well-disciplined, organised ... everyone working for one another? The game was not one that the purist would be happy with but if you're a Villan you'd be more than happy.
There was concern that Villa's league position had been achieved by their results against ne're-do-wells in the Premiership, but Villa arrived at Anfield with the plan (it would seem) to do a smash-and-grab. They virtually overwhelmed Liverpool for the first 15 minutes, scored what proved to be the winner, and then spent the rest of the game containing a Liverpool side that without Suarez (and now Sturridge) seemed incapable of breaking through. However, I thought that Liverpool's substitutions were a little bizarre, putting on two players that were not better and less tricky than the two they replaced. Indeed before the subs were made I thought Liverpool stood more chance of equalising.
Another bonus was that the Villa midfield now looks as though it has a Premiership label. On top of the solid performance by the defence since the start of the season - and that yesterday Baker proved to be such a good alternative to Vlaar - Villa's team is beginning to acquire some polish about it.
There's a long way to go yet, but the new management partnership seem to be getting the basics right. And the hitherto worrying upcoming fixtures no longer look quite so fearsome.
EC football next season? I can't see that happening, but I do see a far more interesting season developing and a welcome relief after what's been going on since 2010. There's room for optimism after all.
.
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