Hardly A Trot Against The Trotters

Well, we won ... and a 4-1 result looks good for the record books doesn't it?

On the other hand, we played with a strong team against a team two tiers down in the league. What's more, up until a fortuitous goal direct from a corner after 35 minutes, we were a goal down and against a side that played with not very different movement and commitment than Palace last Saturday. Bolton - a club with so much history - was certainly up for it and a banana skin situation looked very much on the cards. They played with skill.

What for me was most alarming is that wee Phil had so much opportunity with his three chances to score first half, but put two shots straight into the keeper when given space and a free-kick that went straight into a wall. Has he lost confidence? I feel divided in my feelings about him; he's a player with proven and visible class but just can't seem to get himself going. I want him to succeed, but something isn't right just now. Last night was his big chance to get his confidence back and I'm sorry to say he fluffed his lines.

Let's take a look at the four goals we scored against a goalkeeper who was clearly not of Premier League class though he saved well on a couple of occasions:

1. Luiz's goal direct from a corner. The 'keeper was certainly not focused properly, though you have to give credit to Luiz for such a well-delivered ball.
2. A penalty. A second dead-ball goal.
3. The chance was well spotted but the 'keeper was way out of position, giving a clear chance to Digne.
4. Well, this was a coup de grace - a superlative late goal by Bailey delivered against an already defeated Bolton.

In short, only one real quality goal from open play - the last. And by then Bolton was well defeated and could have conceded another two in the final minutes, and two chances that Villa should have taken.

Archer came on too late to make a big difference, but as always his sharpness was palpable. There lies a talent that needs to be given better chances to play. For goodness sake, he scored last season against a strong Chelsea and has always shown up well.

Going forward, for me Luiz did quite well, and Bailey (coming on at 71m) again was bright and scored a very good goal. I sadly can't see enough in Ings to warrant his selection in front of Archer. Sadly, the main strikers failed to score in open play.

Coutinho I've already talked about; Buendia (71m) showed up fairly well without being a bright light. Otherwise in the middle of the park we had Kamara and McGinn giving away too many free kicks and sometimes in dangerous positions. McGinn seems to have gone backwards. Perhaps he is trying too hard to justify his captaincy?

Captaincy seems to be a burden as Mings has been almost majestic these past two matches.

In short, a good score for the record books but not enough hope in the performance to envisage a good performance against the Hammers in the next match. Midfield really is a problem, apart from the general malaise that was still apparent - particularly first half.

But, this is all part of the usual Aston Villa story. We should be used to it.

UTV!