Number 47 Will Do Me Fine!

Watching number 47 today was, for me, a bit like watching the first matches that Deakin and Slogger played in around 1960 time. Young players who were keen and, most importantly, were good. So, too, is number 47, and his coming off today was more to do with tiredness than anything I think. Still, it was a good game to start him in and I think we'll see plenty more of him.

Recently I saw that the Villa were already bottom of the league. Well, in one sort of league: a league drawn up in order of who plays the most football (in minutes) during a match. This 'alternative league' showed Man City and Liverpool top, while Villa were bottom. But while Man City played on average more than 60 minutes of football in a match, the Villa apparently played only 52. This league is based on the amount of time taken out of a game by throw-ins and free-kicks.

But at half-time today I was almost thinking that Villa were bottom of the real league! Yes, Villa had the lead, but the stats revealed that Villa only had 40% possession against the real bottom-leaguers! And Villa - for most of the first half - did not really impress me. Perhaps Villa were being slowed down by Bailey's ailment, for as soon as Ings came on there was suddenly a spurt and Villa got a goal.

I had no problem with Chambers starting today as he rather unluckily lost his place on the return of Konsa, but he did not greatly impress in this match. I did expect Phil to be far more commanding than he was, however. At times he's lovely to watch, but after several matches without showing much in terms of effectiveness, I am beginning to wonder what he can really offer the Villa next season. For me, Buendia is the more effective and I am sorry that he does not start, or at least come on earlier in the match.

But, even then, Villa just seem to have that lack of general cohesion to make them really into a top-8 side, especially with players misplacing their passes around the penalty area or wanting to shoot instead of passing to someone better placed.

I was not happy with the second half, although it started quite brightly.

Well, I do 'get' it that getting points right now is more important than the niceties, but how come such expensive players cannot perform more cohesively?

One day we'll get there. And one day those pigs might fly, as well!

UTV!

The Villa And The Myth

Everyone likes a good story, and even guys who are apparently tough like certain romantic stories - especially when it comes to football! Especially for us Villa supporters.

As a historian, over the years I have been very interested in the kind of stories that develop as mythology - in this context, about the Villa. Here are a few of the more commonly known examples, together with my understanding of what really happened:

1. That the Villa was formed by four members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Church under a streetlamp. These are the facts about the matter:

(a) The "Villa Cross Wesleyan Church" was actually the Aston Villa Wesleyan Church (or Chapel) from which the football club took its name. The location of the Church was at what became known as Villa Cross;

(b) This Church's bible class already had a cricket club, and the teacher of this class suggested that they keep fit during winter by taking up an appropriate sport. A delegation of four of their members were asked to view a rugby match to see what they thought of that, and, thus, those four viewed such a match in Heathfield Road and afterwards gathered under a streetlamp to discuss the merits of the game. They decided that rugby was too tough and that they would recommend that soccer (yes, the word 'soccer' derives from the UK!) should be the desired sport. Subsequently, they reported back and 15 members of the bible class formed Aston Villa FC - including the four members that had been delegated to view the rugby match.

2. That Aston Villa was formed in March, 1874.  Other historians as well as myself have long been sure that March is in error. This myth appears to have taken root in 1899 at the time of the club's 25th anniversary, but now I can say with substantial conviction that the real month should be taken as October, as my future publication will explain. 

3. That Billy Walker (1920-33) was Villa's greatest player. Well, as he is in the records as having scored the higher number of goals (slightly ahead of Harry Hampton) and played for England more times than any other Villa player until David Platt came along in the early 1990s, people can be forgiven for thinking he was Villa's 'greatest'. The fact is, however, that some knowledgable people of the 1920s/30s who saw him play, and who also saw earlier great Villa players, actually thought that Billy was not as good as the likes of Hodgetts, Wheldon, Bache and Clem Stephenson as a 'number 10'. This matter is probably best left alone, as the style and methods of football have changed considerably anyway between eras. Perhaps we should just say that certain players were the best of their era - in Walker's case in the era 1919-1939. 

4. That Doug Ellis ran down the club after coming back as chairman in 1982. There was considerable angst against Doug from many quarters among the supporters, and I would never say he was the ideal chairman either. He certainly didn't have the vision that would have been more appropriate and neither did he like his managers to have too much power, but... In 1982 the Villa were beginning to suffer very reduced gates due to the Midlands' economic recession and in those days income from gate money was still the primary source. There had also been the North Stand building fiasco. Therefore Doug was cautious - rightly so - about the finances, though it is fair to say he didn't gain friends by taking what was seen to be a fat salary. Further, some say that he ran down the European Cup squad too quickly, but the fact is that several of the players were ageing. The main problem was, as I see it, that he made the wrong choice of manager too often and seems to have told them what to do, until Graham Taylor came along. After that, Doug's lack of vision certainly seems to have affected matters.

Well, those are the main 'myths' that have gained popularity over the years. I hope the truth is not too boring!

I am sure we all look forward to the Villa returning to great heights again - but this time more permanently (Liverpool-like) rather than being seen as a 'sleeping giant'.

UTV!

A Point To Make About Today's Point

Wow! A point has been gained! And we did not concede any goals. However, I found little to enthuse about in today's match; my view is that if anyone were to draw the conclusion from today's result that obtaining an away draw against a current top-10 side is a sign that the tide has turned would probably be deluding themselves.

Despite Leicester's possession in the first half today, it seemed to me that it was we that had three excellent chances to score in that half - well, at least chances to test their keeper - but failed weakly each time. Conversion of just one of those chances would have seen us ahead at half-time. Despite their possession, Leicester looked virtually toothless in attack and they really were there for the taking.

The balance of the play second half in midfield was roughly equal as Villa asserted themselves more, I thought, and again it seemed that we had the better chances. Their keeper ended up by not being seriously tested all match, but he was rather lucky that we seem to have forgotten how to put the ball properly in the direction of the net. Their defence had something to do with that, of course.

Anyhow, I feel that Mings had a much better game today, as well as the backs. Konsa played OK but on two or three occasions was weak in defence and/or in his distribution.

But a lot more urgency - speed - is necessary on the Villa's part.

We now have games against Norwich and Burnley as the next hurdles to face. These matches are surely a chance to get back to better stuff, especially if we can remember how to score! If we can do that in these games, then the visit of Liverpool might not be the whitewash that seems to be threatened right now.

Nevertheless, the season doth windeth down ... like a balloon with a leak in its fabric.

But - UTV!

Is Villa Still A Sleeping Giant?

We watch as the Premier League rolls on, surprise results dropping the Villa a couple more places down the table. The most surprising of which was probably Brighton's result at Spurs!

A week ago we allowed ourselves to be thoroughly whacked by the Spurs steamroller, but along comes a workmanlike Brighton to demonstrate that Spurs are not to be feared in the process of stealing all the points. 

A few weeks ago, Arsenal also beat us on our own turf. I thought then that it was strange that Arsenal players should be gloating over the win in the way they did, and then it became clear why: Arsenal were also a vulnerable side who managed to gloss over their cracks against a relatively timid Villa. The next week Arsenal were thumped at Crystal Palace and then were beaten on their own turf by ... that team again: Brighton.

This has been a most worrying season. Clearly, Villa's up-and-down performances in the first few games were by no means due just to Dean Smith. The players just do not seem to have cottoned on to the fact that to get anywhere they must do more than just turn up. The first half against Spurs has to be replicated for the whole match, not relaxing at the start of each period to give goals away.

Getting a couple of good results against lower sides does not mean that you are then qualified to strut around as though you're world beaters (when you're not). Yes, there is an inherently wrong psychological issue with certain players, in my opinion.

Don't get me wrong, it's not just the players: after an encouraging start, I don't think Gerrard's approach has been the best either. I feel that he has added to the nervousness by his perpetual statements about changing things - and doesn't. And then states open criticism of players when the situation may need more of a Dean Smith approach.

Since Gerrard arrived, I have felt that Targett was dealt with over-harshly. Perhaps bringing in Digne would have been fine if he had shown himself to be a world-beater, but I have not seen significant improvement over Targett. 

And then we have the Konsa situation. This is not the same player that we saw under Dean Smith.

I ask the question - will the apparent sales and purchases planned for the summer really bring the desired results? I doubt it if Gerrard's methods are not also improved. And it is about time that we saw more youngsters being given a real opportunity. Archer is one that must surely be given his chance next season in place of one of the misfiring strikers we have. In fact, I would find a Keinan Davis plus Archer combination quite interesting. Both have earned plenty of plaudits while out on loan, but in the second tier of course.

It has been a most disappointing season. I believe we started the season with players that should have achieved a top-8 place, and I still believe they should have achieved that, if not better. But it appears now that we will be lucky if we improve on last season's finish.

Well, we won't know more about any progress until the summer deals have taken place and a few games into next season have rolled by. All we can do in the meantime, it seems, is to look forward to the extension of the Villa Park stadium! Still no talk of a museum though, from what I can make out.

UTV!

Villa Park's 125th Anniversary

Dear Esteemed Reader,

The 125th anniversary of Villa Park came and passed on April 17, 2022. In celebrating this anniversary and the history of the site that contains Villa Park, I would like to entice you into the following offering...

Full of thrills and spills and plenty of lions (real and the Aston Villa kind) and no little intrigue. With 36 colour pages, Prof. Carl Chinn has described it as "a fascinating story". 

Click on image for readability

Please place your advance order for this hardback book (152 pages in total) which is nearly ready for printing. 

The retail price is expected to be £16 (P&P free in UK). However, for all those that put in an advance order, I will reduce the price from £16 to £13.50 (P&P free in UK). Please do not send payment just yet but email me here please, with your advance order. When it is printed I will ask you for payment. 

Latest Expected Publication Date: early December 2022.

Thanks for reading this. 

UTV!

A Glorious First-half Effort Came To Nought

Well, the match stats say a lot. Spurs had five shots on goal and four were successful. This is a side that has been a mean goal machine of late and full of confidence. Meanwhile, the Villa could have scored four before half-time, but a combination of their keeper and missed chances prevented that from happening.

Again, Villa started a little slow off the blocks and came to rue their start-of-match attitude. Time and again this season Villa have let in an early goal, and although the Spurs opener was a trifle fortunate after a totally wayward Kane shot re-bounded to Son, you have to hand it to Son that he is such a gifted finisher. There's something like Jimmy Greaves about his contribution and he ended with a well-deserved hat-trick.

But after the first 10 minutes, the Villa really took on the Spurs and kept on pressing them back into their half, time and time again. Spurs looked very much second-best for 35 minutes, but the lack of scoring confidence in Villa was there to see - plus Spurs' excellent keeper. With Villa working so hard Coutinho had time and chance to make a solid contribution, and he really bothered their defence.

The question at half-time was, "Can Villa keep it up?" We soon found out they couldn't. They had burnt themselves out and Spurs had used the break to re-consolidate. Again a relaxed Villa let them in for an early goal in the period and from then it was even more of a chasing game. Villa just did not look like the side they were in the first half and Bailey smashed wide a chance from a Spurs error. But that was late on and rather late for dreams of a comeback.

Against a lesser side, Villa would probably have won well today. Instead, this is the fourth defeat on the trot and, sadly, I'm not seeing the same Konsa these days. Perhaps he has lost some confidence and maybe the talk of him being shown the door is affecting him.

But the defence in general looks as though it needs tightening, plus the need for a genuine number 6. I was in fact a little surprised that Nakamba did not come on as soon as they scored their second today. He might have made a difference.

Now we have another two-week break. Our chances of finishing in the top 10 are evaporating and we have to beat Leicester to stand a chance of finishing there in our next match. Then comes an intense flurry of matches to finish the season.

Sad to see so many Villa fans going so early today after that terrific first-half performance. It was the most determined effort I have seen from a Villa side for a long time. Indeed, that kind of performance was, once upon a time, a normality.

UTV!

Slippy, Sloppy and Sluggish

This is one defeat too many as Villa fans are constantly offered a tantalising view of something good, but then see it fall apart.

I thought that by the look of the players in the Villa's squad at the start of the season that we would surely finish in the top-8, albeit the way the season started it was clear that some 'playing-in' was needed to get the players to gel. But Smith could not galvanise our lot. 

Now, however, it seems to be all too clear that any team above us is impossible to beat. After three straight defeats against such teams and Spurs and Liverpool next to come, I really wonder where we will be in the table in a month's time.

Today, wearing what appeared to be the wrong boots in the slipping and sliding, we barely seemed to be capable of creating anything, and with players like Watkins (in particular) and Bailey available to do the shooting, they need creativity. Little Courtihho was pushed out of the game quite a bit and I have to say (as things are) I feel that Buendia offers more over the span of an entire match.

Though I can see much of what Gerrard alludes to, and am aware of the clear goals that the club has set, I am now firmly of the belief that he has tried to push this squad too much too soon. Replacing Targett so quickly was over the top in my opinion, as the first case in point. Matt had shown before that he can play really well and I really feel that the chief coach was too impatient with him. And now Digne seems to be showing a sign of proneness to injury.

Bringing Courtinho in was a brilliant idea, and his presence has worked against the lesser opposition. But today he looked devoid of real ideas apart from his one shot on target which was very well saved. He may well show up better once the quality of the side is up to, say, the Liverpool level. Until then, my opinion is that we should have kept to the same players that we had after the summer signings. I feel that group, properly managed, would have finished in the top-8, or at least looked more likely to achieve it.  

I feel that Sanson and Bailey should have previously been given more backing, too, and though their performances today were not brilliant, it may well mostly be because they have not been playing enough.

It could be that what Gerrard has been doing with the players has been too intensive. They look more like machines against the better teams, perhaps worrying that they might be disobeying clause 235 sub-para 2, and all the other gubbins that Gerrard tells us they've been loaded with.

Dear old Joe Mercer in his autobiography said that he did not believe in too much coaching. And, remembering his early days at Villa when he was putting together something quite good (but let down by his board) I still think he was right. He achieved great things at Man City and even had a temporary period as England manager during which time the national team played some wonderful stuff - as it did under Ron Greenwood too if my memory serves me right. 

Football is surely more of an instinctive game, and the Wolves attackers today showed some of that. I'd like to see more of it at VP.

However, I'm still a long-suffering Villa supporter and always will be!

UTV!