My last post was just after the defeat at home at the hands (and feet) of Wednesday. I somehow felt that - despite having lost Terry, Kodjia and now Jedinak to injury for some time - the Villa would still bounce back, and that's what they've done. No, there's not been too much wonderful football to watch, but there's certainly a lot more steel in the players' resolve, as epitomised in Friday's draw at Leeds.
Three wins and a draw in the four matches since that home defeat.are certainly promotion-winning statistics and with Albert taking up the striker's role (ten goals in only thirteen starts) Villa are certainly now no pushovers to anyone.
But at Leeds, Albert's weaker left foot failed on two occasions to spark Villa. It was left to substitute Lansbury to show alacrity and determination to drive through and score the important equaliser. But how Lansbury scored that goal is interesting. Grealish had skilfully got the ball under control and had turned with it, but Lansbury decided drive was necessary and saw the chance, literally pinched the ball off Jack's toes, and went on to show how goals should be scored.
That moment of taking the ball off Jack seems to highlight Jack's shortcoming: his lack of drive. Skill he has and when he came on (with Lansbury) there was definitely a change in Villa's step. But so often, just when Jack needs to propel his way through the opposition like a Courtinho, he fails. But that's not to say that Jack doesn't have a place: I believe he does and I have been surprised that Bruce has not used him more after his comments about Jack at the start of the season.
If Villa do not have more major injury problems then I expect them to continue their upward climb, but with no alternative target man available for Davis other than Gabby, Villa are playing close to their limits.
I'm opti about this season and getting promotion. And with the chairman's plans for the development of Villa Park and all things considered, the future does look bright! Up the Villa!
How about reading about Villa's proud past? Read about The Villa Way.
Three wins and a draw in the four matches since that home defeat.are certainly promotion-winning statistics and with Albert taking up the striker's role (ten goals in only thirteen starts) Villa are certainly now no pushovers to anyone.
But at Leeds, Albert's weaker left foot failed on two occasions to spark Villa. It was left to substitute Lansbury to show alacrity and determination to drive through and score the important equaliser. But how Lansbury scored that goal is interesting. Grealish had skilfully got the ball under control and had turned with it, but Lansbury decided drive was necessary and saw the chance, literally pinched the ball off Jack's toes, and went on to show how goals should be scored.
That moment of taking the ball off Jack seems to highlight Jack's shortcoming: his lack of drive. Skill he has and when he came on (with Lansbury) there was definitely a change in Villa's step. But so often, just when Jack needs to propel his way through the opposition like a Courtinho, he fails. But that's not to say that Jack doesn't have a place: I believe he does and I have been surprised that Bruce has not used him more after his comments about Jack at the start of the season.
If Villa do not have more major injury problems then I expect them to continue their upward climb, but with no alternative target man available for Davis other than Gabby, Villa are playing close to their limits.
I'm opti about this season and getting promotion. And with the chairman's plans for the development of Villa Park and all things considered, the future does look bright! Up the Villa!
How about reading about Villa's proud past? Read about The Villa Way.
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