Whilst I am absolutely furious in the manner in which Aston Villa threw away the game against Leicester. I think I’ll be better off if I think a little more positively. The thought of positivity made me think about Carles Gil performance during yesterday’s game. Many, many Villa fans were screaming for Sherwood to give Gil a chance, and finally, since February of 2015, Gil has made a start under Sherwood. And boy did he repay that faith.
Gil was one of Villa’s best players, and in my opinion, performed better than Grealish. What I found very interesting was Gil’s positioning. It appeared as though Gil was given a free role by Sherwood. Having originally started on the right hand side, Gil was often found in the middle of the park. But when it came to defending, Gil would back track and help Bacuna on the right hand side. What I also appreciated was that Gil always wanted the ball. Whenever Sanchez or Westwood were in possession of the ball, Gil would also run in and ask for the pass. It was good to see a player that wanted to the ball so often.
Gil’s goal was very well taken. That was Gil’s second goal for Villa, and first in the Premier League but all his goals have so far been absolute screamers. The one negative thing I’d say is that Gil tried to out dribbler to opponents sometimes too often. And he is yet to gain full match fitness. Perhaps when he does gain full match fitness, his ability to go around players will also improve.
What does the future hold for Gil? I think Gil has made it very clear to Sherwood that he should be playing every game. His best position is definitely in the middle, with Grealish and Adama out wide on either side of him. Yes that would make an incredibly young midfield, but at the same time, an incredibly talented midfield. Let’s hope that Gil get’s more playing time in the near future.
I agree with your assessment. Though Tim’s reason for leaving him out in the relegation scrap last season was that he was the wrong sort of player for that. Yesterday’s game showed that Villa can probably carry only one midfielder who does not try to tackle opponents, at the point in a game where we decide to defend a lead. So if Gil plays with Grealish we have two players not much good at tracking back and tackling.
There is another tactic, not to sit back on a lead but keep attacking to score a clincher, which Manure usually do, and Leicester just recently. Grealish and Gil could stay on, but for that we would need fresh legs up front and we did not have those on the bench yesterday.
If we play gill and Grealish we can’t play Sinclair as well imo. But like Cheksea with fabrifas hazard and Oscar all good but too similar.
It’s very difficult to play all 3. Grealish can play on the left or centre but with Gil, his best position is clearly in the centre.
Perhaps just shuffling between those 3? Adama is a player that can make things happen and would play on the right.
I don’t think that Sinclair should be playing as a forward. Centre forward perhaps?
yes we saw the attacking side of gil but the downside was bacuna was left exposed too often making him look a pratt,second half schlup had a free role enabeling them to gang up on full back meaning richards and lescott were being pulled over to that side of the pitch, which then left amavi with no cover and having to make last ditch challenges.
Spot on Billy Boots and OLL, why the hell didn’t our coaching see it and Sherwood?, he took off a player covering Bacuna and the true be known lost us that game, I don’t want to start on Sherwood yet but I now see why he didn’t last long at Spurs, its been said He’s arrogant and bloody minded, I just hope he starts realises his mistakes. Sorry I’m still mad.
Another thing, Spurs centre forward Harry Kane, tracks back, Defoe centre forward tracks back, why the fuck don’t Abonglahor? He cannot look for space, don’t get motivated in the game just a complete waist of a forward.still mad.
There seems to be a distinct lack of match fitness and later game concentration. Using Bacuna, Gil and Grealish means we’ve nearly a third of the team who can’t defend. A luxury too far???
Guzan has to be replaced. Spend £10m on a rock of a goalie. Someone who can organise the defence and well, basically be a decent keeper!
Still some cracking performances yesterday. Even Gabby was sending over some decent balls. Will be more solid with Gana back, but if he or Sanchez, who are our best defensive midfielders get injured, players need to be aware there’s a plan B!
The subs were a gamble by TS. If we’d have gone 3-1 he’d have been the messiah. As it turned out, he was just a very naughty boy! Never seen a Manager so speechless in a post match interview…
Villa did try to sign Begovic, but since he was too expensive we decided to keep Guzan. I would’ve been happy with Begovic but it wasn’t meant to be.
Unlike last season, if Guzan does poorly we can’t replace him with a quality keeper. I don’t think that Bunn would be that great in the Premier League.
Neither was Given though, fair bit past it. We still have January if we need a keeper though.
agree with all that, love sanchez really breaks up attacks just dont pass the ball to him. the two subs we needed were both injured and not available for selection but lets take some positives from the first half we did look good!
Didn’t see the game but Indid say when the team sheet came out that I thought we were vulnerable right side and would have preferred to see Bacuna in front of Hutton with Shabby being dropped to the bench. From comments it seems we were overwhelmed right side second half so TS probably should have replaced Gil with Hutton and moved Bacuna to (old fashioned) RH – or have I completely misread everyone’s comments.
I’ve recorded the match so will probably just watch the first 70 minutes 🙂
Afterthought – some criticism of TS in his choice of substitute – presumably Wilkins must take some responsibility – after all isn’t he supposed to be the wise head advising TS?
Hi Hitch, yes just watch 70 minutes the other 20 would curl your hair white, I’m still flaming mad over it ,your not far out with that assessment believe me, Jekyll and Hide springs to mind. Shit its come on tv now showing their goals got to have another drink mate.
Gil was by far our best player yesterday.
I went yesterday and for the 1st hour we looked comfortable all over the pitch. When they did score you could see the panic set in. For me as others have said I do not think you can play Grealish and Gil in the same team if you need to defend a lead. Both played well but Gil was the standout. Having just seen the goals again what the fuck was Guzan doing for the 3rd. If he had stayed on his line it would have been a simple save. Dreadful decision making coming for the ball cost us at least a point. He seems to play well for the USA and save all his mistakes when he plays for us, he has to be replaced, poor decision maker and cannot save anything that goes across him low down. Very disappointing but these things happen. UTV
Rocky1 what was your assumption of Bacuna? To me he and Abonglahor didn’t move onto the Leicester scorer for the second goal. Gil had a good game so did Grealish, but judges out on Abonglahor to me.
Bill I felt Bacuna was a bit exposed at times but to be honest he not a right back and never will, but his chances of playing up front / wide will now be limited. Gabby for me just does not do enough off the ball to break up the play in the opponents half and is so predictable when on the ball. Good pass for the Gil goal, but to be honest needs to step it up and not just rely on on his speed chasing balls down the channels. When everybody is fit he will not make the starting eleven, but to be honest our forwards are all off form. I would like to see Kozak given a chance..
Rocky1 , just how I see it many thanks I was wondering if I was being vindictive to Both players.
Why give Bacuna a new contract when he’s clearly not a right back and not as good as our other attacking options?
Bencey, I suspect Sherwood just likes Bacuna’s attitude, in that he’ll give his all and do what he’s told.
Which is great.
But if you can’t defend, yet are marked as a right back by the manager…..
well, it’s a worry, imo.
If Traore fires as we expect, Bacuna has no chance as a right side attacker, injuries apart, so it leaves him nowhere else to play. Hence the RB option.
For me, Traore plays in front of Hutton.
One is an outlandish attacker, the other is a better defender, but can go forward and overlap/cross if required
It seems better balanced, to me, than traore and Bacuna, but relegates Bacuna to the bench.
Something it seems Sherwood just doesn’t want.
I reckon Ilori should be playing on the right hand side, and would be challenged by Hutton.
Bacuna and Traore could just compete for the right hand side of the midfield. Gil is more of a central attacking midfielder anyway.
He can play CM as well, don’t forget. RW/RB/CM cover is what we need and Bacuna’s a good player to have for that cover. I’d take him any day over Hutton so if he has to challenge Ilori for RB, fine.