(picture courtesy of the Daily Mail)
I’m extremely happy to say I called this one wrong, both on the amount of goals scored and the final result.
This game was in my opinion a potential banana skin, where we could have come unstuck and I have to say in the first half it looked like Bournemouth were going to win very easily, as the home team had quite a few chances, whereas I don’t remember us having a shot on goal.
Basically, although we knocked the ball round quite nicely in the middle, we didn’t seem to have much creativity about us and never looked a threat.
Bournemouth on the other hand were quite busy around our box and could easily have had a couple of goals, if only their shooting wasn’t so wayward.
The defence yet again had me worried and Micah Richards particularly didn’t convince me.
Probably a half to forget then really, although Amavi looked decent and the whole side never looked like a total shambles.
The second half was much better though.
It’s not as though we’d been galvanised by some sharp Sherwood language during the half time team talk, but we did look a much better side. More purposeful, if you like.
I can’t say I remember this game particularly well, as I was watching in an office at work and was being disturbed every couple of minutes, but there were some memorable moments.
Guzan, whose distribution was iffy yet again, made an excellent reaction save, which I think would have beat at least some other Prem goalies. It was the kind of save that makes me defend him somewhat against those that are totally unconvinced about him.
Gabby made a nice run, only for it to result in as feeble a shot as can be imagined. I have to say I really can’t see why he gets a start. Ok, you might use the excuse that he couldn’t do much in the first half because we weren’t getting the ball up there, but even in the second half, he was anonymous. I really can’t see Sherwood putting up with it for long.
In fairness, Ayew looked equally poor, but I’ll give him more of a chance.
The most memorable moment though was Gestede’s goal.
Sod’s law says I was disturbed again as the corner was being taken, so I don’t even know who took it, but I did turn around just in time to see Gestede come steaming in with a really strong header and what a peach it was, with Artur Boruc left with no chance.
While I’m not convinced we’ll start lobbing the ball up to suit Gestede, we can be sure that he’ll be the focus for quite a few set pieces, which should be the source of a few goals this season.
1-0 it was then and we looked much more comfortable. Even the defence suddenly looked more dependable, with a better shape.
I was fairly happy that the Cherries didn’t have enough about them to get the goal back, but I still wasn’t convinced.
The, in my opinion, ridiculous, five minutes of injury time had me a bit worried. Gestede went down like he’d been shot after he’d tried to hold the ball up in the corner, only to lose out and not get a decision in his favour, which left me wondering what on earth he was doing.
We held out though and I was well happy with a win I don’t feel we deserved really.
Not that I’m worried.
It’s early days in the season and opening day can go any way.
All that mattered today was the three points and quite simply we got them.
As for Bournemouth, they will have to start taking their chances, if they’re going to survive, although, again, it’s very early days.
All in all, an excellent three points, that I didn’t expect. It’s Man Utd up next and I feel that might be a stiffer test, although I gather they weren’t anything special today.
Can Tim Sherwood magic up a long overdue win at home against them?
I can’t wait to find out.
Haven’t seen the game yet, but noticed we’ve picked up 4 yellow cards already – maybe there’s going to be some real commitment from this new bunch!
Or just plain indiscipline!
It wasn’t a hard played game Ardent.
The most blatant offence was probably a straightforward pull-back on the upper body, because their player knew he wasn’t going to keep up with our player (all these new names have got me confused 🙂 ).
Commitment though, is a good point.
I thought the difference in that area was noticeable today.
Even if you don’t rate any of our players, I don’t think anyone will be able to say they aren’t trying.
Which is just another reason why I don’t understand the link to Adebayor, but there you go.
Anyone know why still no Gil?! I thought he had a great pre-season!!??
Bencey, he had a knock mate and was always doubtful.
I’m more interested as to why no Kozak?, who I thought looked sharp in the pre-season.
I put on here a week or so ago that I don’t think sherwood quite fancies Libor – another striker will come in that’s a cert – haven’t seen the game – but great to hear Rudy headed one in off the Bench (Westy corner I think) -have you seen his stats…..20 headed goals in 2 seasons according to the beeb – most in all tiers of English football – can’t wait for VP next Friday! UTV.
In Sth of France. Any recommendations for getting MOTD??????
A bit late now Bum Bum, but Streamhunter will have it live tomorrow morning.
Suprised you can’t get it at any English bar, tbh, but I don’t know exactly where you are.
Always interesting to see peoples take on the game as I unfortunately missed it.
Sky sports have Amavi, Gestede and Clarke as our best with ratings of 8. And Richards, Guzan, Gueye, Sinclair receiving 7. The rest 6’s.
Some stats for the game too show Amavi’s importance,
In take ons Amavi was 4/6 (successful/unsuccessful) our best with Gueye 2/3 and Ayew 2/2.
Aerial duels Gestede was 6/8 (won/total) while Clarke came in second with 4/6
Tackles Amavi lead the way with 4/5 successful Veretout was second with 3/3 and Gueye managed 3/5.
Interceptions Richards lead the way with 7 Amavi second best with 5 followed by Clarke with 4
Ball Recoveries Amavi was our best with 8
These stats are meaningless imo the only stat that I’m interested is that we won 1.0. If Gestede wins a 100/100 headers on Fri but we lose 2,0 it will mean nothing
Sinclair doesn’t deserve a 7, 6 maybe. Veretout at 7 would be more appropriate. Richards at 6 too due to such a godawful first half, and I mean really bad.
Amavi, Gueye and Veretout all looked good to me, Veretout is going to become an awesome signing, of that I’m convinced.
What a start!
First half anonymous but second was much better. It’s been a long while since we’ve had a really good header of the ball at VP. Is Gestede the new Andy Lochhead? Hopefully.
Man Ure looked woeful in their first game and if they play like that next Friday I actually fancy us for the three points. It would be really nice to break that jinx.
Well done Tim and the lads.
UTV
Memphis Depay looks class though, if he and Young are on song we could be in for a long night!
Agree Utd not the team they were but still got too many quality player for us to beat them. Yet again it’s easy to have quality when you’ve over £200m to spend not a level playing field at all.
Depay looked okay, wouldn’t say class at all though. Think we’ll see Sanchez playing as DM to mark him out though.
My take. Guzan doing what he does best, keeping us in games, Clarke winning aerial duals is not great if he’s woeful when its passed through him, positioning and speed are crap and Gabby has still not been taught how to finish.
That’s what teamwork is all about every one should cover everyone if Clarke misses header Richards etc should be there to mop up
I don’t want to talk to soon but Gestede does work his bollocks off, wins more in the air and seems to find a villa shirt well bringing it down. He contributes well defensively and of course is a goal threat.
His celebration was genuine and he looks a real team player for us.
Geueye will get better and should have scored yesterday, he looks comfortable on the ball and travels well around the pitch.
Veretout didn’t do a huge amount but from the little we saw he is a quality passer.
Amavi for me was solid all game bar one or two little hid ups but his overall contribution was fantastic. Especially clearing up a missed place pass/tackle from Micah.
Clark-solid and my man of the match although very close was Amavi for me
Micah will get caught out of position if he doesn’t go careful he seems to let his heart override his head at times and risks loosing posessesion in a bad place.
Bacuna played well, Micah covered him well at times but he sat back well once we had the lead.
Guzan was all you could ask for today. Two or three great saves that aloud us to win a game.
Gabby for me was brilliant, made total use of his pace, should have done better with his finishing in two accessions from what I remeber.
Sinclair didn’t quite have the edge in quality to get some clear shots on goal, not his best but will be useful I think.
Sanchez- got to work on the passing but you feel quite safe when he is in a team holding a narrow win for some reason.
AYew-hmmmmmm
I thought Tim managed his match perfectly. He made sure we didn’t concede any early goals but setting a counter team, it was a simple game first half. Second half we came into it, he saw it was the right time to bring on his main striker, he brought on defence mids at the right time. Very well down to Tim and Wilkins for me.
Good post Tom. How do you think Wilkins has contributed would you say tactics were his or Sherwoods?
Have to agree by and large with your summary here Tom.
Noticed you didn’t mention Westwood, lol! What does that say about his performance?!
I thought Veretout looked a very classy player, but wasn’t in the game as much as he could have been. I think we’ll see him come in to his own more and more as the season progresses. Alongside Gana in the middle, I think we could have have a very decent midfield pairing. If we’re going to play three in the middle, I’d prefer to see Sanchez sitting behind rather than Westwood.
Thought it was a typical Guzan performance – dreadful distribution and a couple of match winning saves.
Have to admit that Clark was pretty solid on the whole.
I think all the slating of Richards is a little unfair – he hasn’t really played at this level for a while! Once he gets used to the pace of the game I think he will be a real asset and I think he is the natural choice as captain. Also think we should persever with Okore.
Bacuna over Hutton for me, but looking forward to seeing what Crespo can offer.
Amavi looks the business.
Ayew offered very little and was anonymous. Gestede has to start the next game – looked hungry. Benteke could learn a thing or two from him about work rate!
Sinclair shows potential, but lacks the end product.
Typical Gabby performance too – head down, arse up! Can cause defences problems, but doesn’t get enough shots on target.
On the whole a very good 3 points away from home and the tactics seemed to pay off – just! Could have been 3 nil to Bournemouth by halftime!
We can all say that though Utd could of been 2 down to spuds but weren’t, Chelsea could easily have lost to Swansea but they didn’t, Arsensl lost WH but will still be in the top 4. It’s not how u start its how u finish. Last year we beat Stoke away and the season before stuffed arsenal 3.1 and we still struggled big time in the league. Though I agree we need another CH and RB
Only saw the MOTD highlights so it’s difficult to judge but a wins a win and it was nice to see Sherwood breaking records at Villa for the right reasons (first time Villa have beat a newly promoted team) as opposed to his predecessor breaking them for all the wrong reasons.
Great header by Ruddy from Westwood’s corner, he was getting on the end of that and no one was stopping him, great to see and Jesus didn’t he generate some power on to the header? Like a bullet.
Chris Sutton was waxing lyrical about the lad on the BBC yesterday how he’d recommended him to Sherwood at the end of last season and what a bargain Villa had got, looks like he may be right.
UTV!
So why do we Adebeyor hopefully that’s a dead deal now
Yeeeeee just got on the site grrreat win and we do look good in that beautiful yellow just ordered the home and away 54 and counting .Fuckin buzzin today ,supposed to go in on overtime but im crackin a few open for my latest hero ruuudy .Have a good day bloggers woooo .
I see the Arse just got a stuffing!
Great win. I was delighted that one of our new signings scored.
Good to see Stoke have opened a branch of the Villa retirement home on their subs bench.
Any room for 3 more?
Lucky win for bin dippers benteke never got a chance. They’ve reverted to the long ball too lol
Very lucky. Benteke didn’t move all game. £32.5m for a traffic cone!!! They don’t know what to do with him. Rudy Rudy Rudy Rudy!!!!!!!!!!
Agree they were just hitting it long which will work well on occasions but their fans won’t stand for it unless they are winning all their games.
Gestede 1 Benteke 0
Benteke WHO????
Great review Tom even better that you can see so much hope. With you all the way.
New streaming site, for those of us who can’t actually get to the games;
http://www.eplsite.com
Very good quality and definitely worth bookmarking 😉
I just read a Bournemouth fan’s comment elsewhere, which said the Villa fans were great entertainment.
No surprise there.
As for Pool, they were lucky to win that, imo.
Benteke never got a sniff, but it was a great goal by Coutinho.
Can we watch Saturday 3pm games with that site badger?
We were lucky better teams would punish us in that first half. Another centre half is required.
You are probably right Mike, I don’t see Micah winning many aerial duels with Rudy, therefore not with Crouch, Kane, Carroll and any other tall CF who can head a ball. But, better CH’s are thin on the ground, especially in France. Maybe our scouts can get a plane to Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo where these guys seem to grow on trees.
Agree we got away with it we won’t against utd
Oohah,
Of course.
Do you think I’d have bothered recommending it otherwise?
Quality, mate.
Thanks Badger been looking for a decent one as one I used before has been blocked 🙂
Very interesting listening to Sherwood talking to Lineker on MOTD last night; he made the point that many of the new boys haven’t really had a ‘proper pre-season’ as far as PL standards are concerned, so fitness [etc] is still being worked-on, let alone having the team ‘gel’.
Hence he says they’re all required in for full all-day training sessions every day; glad that the management team at VP are taking their work seriously these days!
I think our form will be really erratic for first dozen games or so then hopefully we should be more stable but expect some hammering before then.
Still pinching myself.
Problem is I’m still not sure how much of a test Bournemouth was. In normal circumstances promoted teams can play really well in the first few matches in the PL however next Friday should tell us more.
Anything against Man U and perhaps happy days may be on their way once again to VP.
BTW about Micah Richards and aerial duels I’m not sure I agree with some of the comments. He had a really good leap in him and although he’s not tall that could well more than make up for his lack of inches.
I’d reckon that Ronaldo must be a good six inches shorter than Crouch but I’d bet that Ronaldo would win 99 out of 100 balls in a heading duel. Crouch can’t jump whereas Ronaldo has spring heels.
UTV
Yep can’t see anything but a defeat on Friday I’m afraid