Brace yourself because this is going to be a long post as I have a lot to talk about.
What a shame, what an absolute shame. The score line did not reflect the game by any measure and to a by passer, it seemed like a standard City outing. It was not. Aston Villa left the field without a point but are able to take a lot of pride from the 90 minutes.
I’ll start by saying that the line up was hindered by an warm up injury to Gabby resulting in Wiemann playing instead and Grealish being put into the game on the bench as he was originally not in the team at all. I felt this was a big loss as you could clearly see throughout the game that we missed the pace and ambition to get the ball Agbonlahor offers week in and week out. Having said that, the team was admirable in their efforts. They closed down players, forced City to makes mistakes and pass the ball back to the defence; the glimmer of 3 points was there and possible. It was a game that anybody could take, and I must admit, it was an exciting game. Lets have a closer look at some of our players and talk about their contributions.
Wiemann
I’m going to start with the negatives and Wiemann was a big one. He struggled up front on his own, it is a simple as that. More or less every opportunity offered to him was blundered or lost and this was a real shame because Wiemann tries hard for the club and this is visible in his work rate. However, trying and succeeding are two different things and I believe he is edging closer and closer to the bench (which is where he originally started before Gabby got injured). 61 minutes on the pitch and Wiemann only had 17 touches and even worse he ‘achieved’ a 38% pass accuracy. Disturbingly bad. Putting that into contrast Auguero had 50 touches and 90% pass accuracy. Major difference. Benteke played half the time and had 16 touches.
Going forward, I would like to see Wiemann benched more to see if his work rate can be pushed further in order to get back into the team. I like him, but it’s not about liking a player, it’s about having the correct player for the team and unfortunately, he wasn’t the one today which is not Lamberts fault as it went against the original plan.
Richardson
Those who have read my previous posts know my thoughts on Richardson, but that doesn’t mean I am out to gun him whenever he plays. Having said that, I still believe that he is not right for our team and would much rather see Grealish start instead. Richardson got the full 90 minutes and too be honest, I’m not sure how that happened because I was convinced that he would be the player going off for Benteke and Wiemann would be pushed wide. I say this because even though Wiemann played terrible today, I believe this is because he is out of his depth as a CF and works much better on the wing. It would have been nice to see the partnership get some time together.
Back to Richardson. 90 minutes and only 19 touches. David Silva had 104. This is comparing apples to oranges though and isn’t really a fair comparison as the two players are in two completely different classes, the later being a master. In addition to that, it has been pointed out before that stats such as touches and passes mean nothing and in this case, it is completely true as Silva may have had 104 touches, but we still put in a great shift and played very well against Man City. It wasn’t as one sided as that comparison makes it seem. Richardson seemingly found himself in goal scoring opportunities and for a second, I actually thought he was going to bag a goal for us but in all honesty, he looked nervous and off in front of goal and i’m sad to admit that I had no faith in him. I would like to see Richardson dropped and replaced by Grealish who played 19 minutes, looked more lively and had 15 touches with 100% pass accuracy.
Cissokho
Cissokho was fairly solid at the back today, he and the rest of the back line put in a major shift and held their ground but this isn’t where my problem was. Going forward, Cissokho wasn’t great, he took too long passing the ball which resulted in him getting trapped and losing it and then he was even slower going back. This was evident as Delph did a lot of chasing and towards the end, Grealish was seemingly acting as a left back making the tackles and clearing. The last few notes are that bad as it is good to see the team is more than capable of covering each others positions and filling in the gaps. But going forward, he needs more confidence on the ball. All in all, good performance, just wasn’t very optimistic about him going forward, evident in his 58% passing accuracy. We touched on this last week, the attack starts from the back and if they are firing blanks 42% of the times, what chances are we being left?
So those are my complaints and I think they are fair ones. Please disagree and comment where necessary. There was a lot of good to be had from the day.
The match was exciting, it was a genuinely exciting game. The crowd really was on form and the atmosphere in the park was rocking, especially with the return of Benteke. We echoed confidence. For the majority of the game, the City fans stayed quiet as they weren’t expecting us to take the game to them. The only time they piped up was when they scored, at which point they acted as if they had been cheering and taunting the entire game. It was an annoying sight.
As badger mentioned yesterday, we looked firm and good on the ball for the most part. There was a game plan and it wasn’t just sit back, soak it up and see if we can nick it. On the contrary, we chased, tackled and went at them. The one trick pony looked like it had another up it’s sleeve.
Benteke is back and boy did it show, even if only for little moments. The biggest difference is that it felt as if we had an attacking presence on the pitch, somebody that could make a difference and actually score. The ball could be passed forward and he could hold the ball! We had a player that could hold the ball up front, on his own! It’s exciting and as we’ve all mentioned, the true test will be against Everton and I fully expect us to take all 3 points from that match as if it were our divine right.
Today was unfortunate and not at all well represented by the score. Chin up and look to the future, it is there to be taken and look at the games we have just put behind us.
Good read Mr. Cheese although I have to take you up ont he Richardson stat; he didn’t play the full 90 mimutes and was subbed by Grealish; I think aorund 75minutes. It’s a mute point anyway as Silva was also subbed so irrespective the stats speak loudly.
I assume that N’zog was subbed because not fully fit as when he went off we lost our main outlet and there was a massive gap between Benteke and the rest of the Villa side
Cissokho looked very clumsy to me and I didn’t feel he played that well; we still have a problem at left back to solve.
For me Baker was the stand out player on the Villa side; was my MOM and can count himself unlucky when Vlaar walks back into the side at his expense when fit.
Overall I suppose we did OK – the result that really disappointed me was against Arsenal but illness did us no favours. Can we beat Everton? What’s the betting they use us to turn their season around?
Still not convinced we’ve turned that elusive corner!
You are correct, he was subbed.
The left back situation is a crack that will continue to grow, but in this instance i chose to focus on his weakest point of the day. Sloppiness is one of those, but who would we choose to play? Can baker be converted to also play left back as the way he is entered this season, it would be criminal to leave him out.
This could potentially be looked at during the winter transfer window as i believe we will dive in. Please everybody feel free to make suggestions on this position.
Everyon is a must, no doubt about it but it will be tough since they have lost today and you are correct, we have a habbit of being the team that failing ones relish playing.
Everton were unlucky today won’t be easy game likely to be a draw
Grealish may have had the passing accuracy but he was intercepted on a handful of occasions and in dangerous positions. Still very lightweight and will be a few more seasons before we see him start to flourish
Not sure how MR cheese can criticise Richardson but not Cleverley who was our worst player IMO. Though only baker, Delph and Guzman stood out for me. I don’t know how u can criticise weimanns work rate either that’s what he is famed for. Like helenius Grealish looks a bit lightweight for my liking and nudged of ball too easily. Needs to put some muscle on to nail down a reg first team place
I still think Cleverly offered more, and Richardson seems to not show his worth week in and week out.
Not criticising Wiemann’s work rate at all because it is spot on, he always gives his all but he lacked a lot in this game. Slipping with the ball, bad touches with the ball, weak in the air. The only striker on the pitch and all chance squandered. That right there is where my criticism is going.
But none of our strikers are prolific even gabby needs 5 good chances to score 1. Benteke dosnt score every chance either in fact the only one that scores most his chances is bent but he offers nothing else. Having said that until he scored today I didn’t no Costa was on the pitch. He’s a bit like bent but not as lazy
i agree with most wot been written, only thing i like 2 add is wiemann had a very difficult assignment. no lone striker feeding on scraps would look good or be affective especially when you consider the defenders he was up against. now i agree with he was poor, but it was pretty much mission impossible.
needs 2 play as striker, not winger /wide midfielder but hes more of a supporting striker than a lone ranger, i was gutted about his performance, he tried and ran endlessly just had no affect
i would rather be concerned on the 3 midfielders delph, westwood and cleverley not one of these 3 got close to silva, who ran the show in midfield. not once did the 3 in midfield ever get past weimann or pass the ball for any great periods, the city midfield never really pressed us like we pressed them yet we struggled with simple passes.
Dont think Gabby would have changed anything to be honest, he wouldnt have got anything out of the two centre backs either. Neither him nor Weimann can play the lone striker role, we need Benteke fully fit.
What would like to see is a bit more ambition now we have got through this tough run of games. Why not play Weimann and Benteke up top at Everton? They have hardly ever been given a chance to play as a front 2. We have 3 strong midfielders, so maybe play a diamond formation with Nzogbia or Grealish playing as the extra midfielder.
Thought the defence was excellent again yesterday. Baker was especially good.
Oohah: have to disagree with your assessment of Cleverly. For all his honest endeavour, Weimann was our worst player yesterday, totally ineffective and chasing shadows. Cleverly was no worse (and certainly no better) than several others.
Trying to remain positive but a defeat at Everton would put us in the r(at) pack again I’m afraid.
I’m not fully blaiming Weimann with us struggling yesterday, he hadn’t a cat in hell chance with our midfield defending all the time, OK fluft a chance on goal, but so does Abonglahor, As most are saying now Baker to stay in contention big hard tackling defender, so who will be side lined? me Cissikho looks as if he struggling at some stage and slow to react, let’s get that middle sorted with more wing play, get them to lay balls out to wing play, put Grealish on and take a change on his abilities. Our defence is better need to start striking at goals and get other teams to worry not us every game.
I think Cissoko isn’t that bad tbf I’d have baker and vlaar start drop Sendeross
I don’t think weimann played well but you can’t fault him for effort. Not really seen cleverly have a good game per se can see why utd got rid. Just like us to give him a 10 yr deal!!
Must disagree with the Cleverly comments. Although he rarely shows any presence going forward, he offers stability and decent passing. First key to winning is retaining the ball. He does this and does it well.
United knocked him on the head because he doesn’t score. Fergie wanted him to score at least 5 a season and this wasn’t happening.
But he lost possesion quickly as he wanted to much time on ball they have it away under pressure
Good positive post Cheesey positive out of a negative is a good way to see things.I hope Benteke gets his scoring boots out and puts them on his big Belgian feet as we do need 3 points to push on utv
Good post, Mr cheese.
I agree with your assessment of Richardson, but am willing to give him a chance.
I’ve just been having a mooch around and came across this;
http://www.viewfromablue.com/2014/10/05/aston-villa-0-2-man-city-my-thoughts/
It talks about Milner and is an article I totally agree with.
He’s exactly the sort of player we lack.
What a loss he was 🙁
I literally just read that Milner/ silva ying and yang piece. I completely agree, we are missing somebody of that calibre! But where would we find one. Suggestions?
Not a clue mate.
You don’t come across Jimmy Milners every day.
That’s why he plays for Citeh.
We did find one but we sold him!!
sissko looked poor last night the same as the last 4 tried there is it possible it is the way we play that makes them all look bad,surely the last two matches wood have been ideal to give sanchez at least half hour our mid 3 of westwood delph cleverely have no pace power delph turned his ass to toure for the goal let him go on his strong side poor poor
Let’s face it other than vlaar, Guzan, Benteke and Delph we’ve got no one of any quality and even they would struggle to get a reg spot in a decent team
Sticks out a mile JVillan that’s what I’m saying midfield is inept no understanding of what’s required to get forwards, its been our problem for years, I’m a passionate football fan and love my club, I’ve given up I will see cup games, fantastic matches to be proud of, it will take a decade to get my club that it once was, and probably never will.
Really good post & a fair reflection of how I saw it. i think Lambo got the substitutions wrong as I think the Zog should have stayed on and I think it is just too early to put Grealish on a pedestal, that said, we were chasing the draw at the time, so I get it. When you look at the stats for Weimann, maybe Bent would have been a better option to start?….ideal game for him really, few touches but a natural scorer when the chances came. On the plus..Baker has really come on, really brave and I am delighted to see him move from liability to steady head. UTV.
Mr Cheese, I agree that the performance was full of pride and vigour but to say the scoreline did not reflect the game is being a tad biased. It was no more than ‘plucky Villa’. Let’s not kid ourselves we saw very little of the ball and were very wasteful when we did have it. We had a massive one shot on target to Man City’s seven, not a single corner and a moderate 75% pass completion rate.
Benteke’s return will mean very little if we can’t actually pass to him. The double substitution by PL was a head scratcher for me. Thought CNZ had one of his better games and the fans expectation of Grealish is becoming totally unrealistic. He looked lost yesterday.
Man City are in a metaphorical different league to us and we won’t beat them by shooting on target once.
just spot on SEB
SEB,
That’s fair comment.
Personally I suspect N’Zog was taken off because Lambert deemed he wasn’t doing enough, with the reason being that he isn’t yet fully fit and doesn’t have 90+ mins in him.
Agree too, that the expectation on Grealish is becoming too much.
Slow and gentle is the best way for him, as I’ve often said.
Good game for him to get some time though, as hopefully he’ll have seen how real top notch players do it.
Also, I think we need to pull back with our expectations for Benteke too. He’s been out a while and after his last injury it took him a while to get back into it.
And all the time he was being slated for being off the pace and looking lazy.
That’s footy though, I suppose.
Oohah, what do you think of this?;
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/10/05/95-passing-accuracy-73-touches-cleverley-impresses-against-city/
Makes your thoughts look a bit daft mate, tbh.
When have his thoughts ever looked anything but daft?
Yawn
Your the one that looks daft badger only 15 fwd passes ffs and not one led to a chance. Anyone passing sideways and backwards most of the time will complete a pass. You can read into stats whatever you want mate
One of them did lead to something, only one though.
Ooha, calm down mate.
I never said I agreed with the article; more that it contradicted what you said.
That said, we do need to retain possession more.
He’s got a point Mr C does this with his so called stats take Silva v Richardson as an example. One is a world class player and the play maker in the present League Champions team (that had 68% of the play) and the others a journeyman pro at the back of his career in a team that usually has around 35% possession and have one plan – (a) counter attack no plan b and generally couldn’t pass piss!
That sort of puts a different reflection on it don’t you think?
Stats are accurate and correct, not “so called”. I write them in to give a bit more dimension to the st for those who didn’t see the game, or those that genuinely want a slightly deeper insight.
The post clearly states they are in a different league to each other, but it’s got to show this.
If they aren’t liked, I could leave them out in future…
No, don’t leave them out Mr C.
I’m well known for not particularly liking stats, as they can give the wrong impression if not taken into context, imo.
But I also accept many people do like them.
You post stats if you want and don’t let BWS put you off.
He loves a good debate and that’s exactly what we’re getting 🙂
So called was probably uncalled for Mr C but leave them in bud because as Badger says it all adds to the fun.
We have the joint second worst ‘goals for’ in all the English football leagues. That is just terrible. We have to start taking a risk and leaving two or three up top ready to attack at all times. Stop getting everyone man and his dog behind the ball and let games open up and become end to end. I think the defence can stand there ground this season so let’s go all out attack and see what happens can’t get any more dire to be fair!
Sadly, this won’t work Adam. Lambert has tried this and there have been games when we’ve had four attacking players on at once. Of course the problem is that there isn’t anyone to give them the ball. The final pass has been, for a few seasons now, woeful. I wonder if I’ve watched the same Ashley Westwood as was being described by the commentators on Saturday? It was as if they were talking about Pirlo.
As an aside, has anyone solved the mystery of why okore can’t get a game?
SEB, its not a case of having attacking players on at the same time, Its changing your game to attacking football and not staying defence minded in every game, we do not have midfield brains to open games up, let’s start changing our approach and stop showing our game to the opposition.
I agree Bill, therein lies the problem. We haven’t go the players to do it. Westwood plays sideways more often than not and I’m more likely to see a streaker on the pitch than Joe Cole this season. Gabby and weimmann are just not good enough and their goal return is pitiful. Here’s hoping for better against the Toffees!
Fully agree with that SEB, and to think its been with us now from the day Lambert came.
Wow petrov is playing for the team I played for in my youth I’m flattered http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/353691.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
Adam that’s what I’m saying ffs, don’t take rocket science does it, to me its like having extra defender’s, trying to play football we don’t have at Villa Park.
Sadly the goal difference rarely lies. -5 puts us in the bottom 5 teams although we have to take into account the teams we have played in the first 7 games. Arsenal gave Chelsea a game yesterday and still lost 2-0.
I come back to an earlier question – are we upset at losing to these teams or is it the manner of the loss. Hull lost 4-2 to ManC, we lost 2-0 both a net -2 GD?
Hitchen 60 Hull got two goals, so yes its not getting goals and being suppressed in every game, question, we have on this site people defending our methods, down Villa we have 10.000 not going to matches, its seeing negative games that’s killing villa.
10,000 fans can’t be wrong Bill so not just me being negative 10k have had enough mate.
Even when we was finishing 6th consecutively the ground was never at full capacity every week.
Fans are avoiding watching us play, and it doesn’t help that is was on sky. How many of you went to the game or sofa supported?
Sofa me Mr cheese, couldn’t be asked to go footballs gone down Villa park, its like having 10 Jimmy Greaves in Villas goal mouth.
I also don’t think it’s just our form. Tickets are expensive. It’s around 70 for two so I can’t go as much as I’d like to
Disagree with that in terms of pricing and tbf to Lerner we our one of the most competitively priced teams in the prem. Attendances were on the up under MON but even under him the football was mundane most of the time. And that was when we had young, Milner etc. Being on tv dosnt help but teams like Newcastle still would have got 50000 whether it’s on tv or not. I think the 5.30 ko dosnt help that’s a shit time for me.
We have one very good striker at the club, and one decent striker. Then we have Gabby and Weimann. We haven’t had a goalscoring midfielder for many a year. I think we need to look at the next 7 games to see where we stand assuming Benteke stays fit and also that our confidence hasn’t dropped too much after the recent run. Everton had a real good go at Man United so it will be a tough game. Defensively they have been poor this season, so that does give us a chance.
It will be interesting to see what we are like attacking with Benteke at the sharp end rather than what we have seen so far.
That’s it we have to change the mentality and tactics, no good having the attacking players on if there still meant to be behind the ball at all times. Plus they might not be so shattered by the end of the game. There’s an old saying ‘let the ball do the work’ which couldn’t be any more apt for our team.
I really don’t know what the answer is other than throwing heaps of money at the team (unliely) or taking a major risk of being relegated by changing our style of football (even more unliely). 10,000 fans can stay away and it probably isn’t as damaging financially as losing EPL status – that’s how skewed football has become.
They used to say hang 11 Villa shirts on a washing line and 30,000 fans would turn up to watch; how true 🙂 🙂 🙂
That’s very much the crux of our problem Hitchens.
# Net Spend last 5 Years Purchased Gross Sold Nett Per Season
1 Manchester City £439,450,000 £147,400,000 £292,050,000 £58,410,000
2 Chelsea £471,609,000 £188,400,000 £283,209,000 £56,641,800
3 Manchester United £356,300,000 £73,600,000 £282,700,000 £56,540,000
4 Liverpool £351,950,000 £216,020,000 £135,930,000 £27,186,000
5 Arsenal £244,525,000 £160,300,000 £84,225,000 £16,845,000
6 West Ham £93,100,000 £12,800,000 £80,300,000 £16,060,000
7 Queesn Park Rangers £106,600,000 £32,750,000 £73,850,000 £14,770,000
8 Stoke City £61,475,000 £7,100,000 £54,375,000 £10,875,000
9 Hull City £71,675,000 £23,750,000 £47,925,000 £9,585,000
10 Sunderland £117,630,000 £88,550,000 £29,080,000 £5,816,000
11 Aston Villa £100,350,000 £72,450,000 £27,900,000 £5,580,000
12 Southampton £130,250,000 £106,350,000 £23,900,000 £4,780,000
15 West Bromwich Albion £47,020,000 £25,009,000 £22,011,000 £4,402,200
14 Leicester £23,000,000 £3,850,000 £19,150,000 £3,830,000
15 Crystal Palace £37,950,000 £18,900,000 £19,050,000 £3,810,000
16 Swansea £62,375,000 £46,660,000 £15,715,000 £3,143,000
17 Newcastle £99,550,000 £93,300,000 £6,250,000 £1,250,000
18 Everton £88,000,000 £84,016,000 £3,984,000 £796,800
19 Burnley £9,900,000 £20,350,000 -£10,450,000 -£2,090,000
20 Tottenham £223,650,000 £236,500,000 -£12,850,000 -£2,570,000
Quick glance shows Tottenham skewed by Bale transfer. Otherwise we are 11/12. probably about where we deserve to be on these stats. The interesting thing is where teams can buck the stats (positively). Swansea jumps out as do Everton. I suppose that is down to coaches/managers and good scouting. That is probably where we are falling down.
That’s just a quick Google search so it may or not be accurate It’s interesting to me as I think that, as a general feeling, we all expect to do better than average. Not many teams do. The usual suspects in the top 5.
Forget to reference that cut and paste but thank you whoever it was!:)
Interseting figures qpr stand out for me they’ve really under performed IMO. We are about where we Shoukd be bottom 6 team at best
True tv money is what it’s all about. Having said that Sky disnt want empty seats at prem games as it looks bad for tv audiences abroad. Lerner will also lose out in merchandise. Bottom line is whether we sell out or not Lerner will still only spend £10m or so each year.
*unlikely twice; k went missing on the keyboard LOL
Those figures make for fascinating reading, DS.
How the hell have a poxy little club like Hull (no direspect intended 🙂 ) nearly doubled our average spend?
Stoke have doubled it and West Ham have tripled it!
I know we’ve had cutbacks, but…..
Newcastle figures look suspect. Only £6.25 mill brought in in 5 years?
Badger these are net figures taking into account player sales. I think Newcastle trade a lot of players. Their numbers are low because of the sales of players like Cabaye and Carroll for big money. I agree with you about Hull, but that’s probably because they haven’t been in the Prem that long and so it’s a bit of a honeymoon period. Their owner keeps talking about selling up if he can’t call them Tigers so I expect their spend will slow down now they are established at this level.