Last season Aston Villa had one of the worst defence’s in the Premier League, conceding a total of 69 goals. Youth and inexperienced was blamed for poor marking, and Villa’s incapability of defending set pieces. This season, players have matured and as a result, Villa’s defence has already kept 2 clean sheets and only conceded 2 goals in the last 3 games. Behind this recent form are two defenders who have certainly impressed, Bacuna and Clark. Bacuna is a versatile midfielder that is capable of playing in the right-back position, not only is he strong defensively, he is very much capable of going forward and getting involved with the attack. Clark, meanwhile had a terrible pre-season and many fans questioned whether or not Clark had a future at Villa Park. Last weekend, he was given a rating of 8.70 from the ‘Who Scored Best’ organisation.
I personally find it difficult to find clear-cut difference’s between Lowton and Bacuna. Lowton hasn’t been playing well this year and it’s hard to find to many positives in his play. But if we compare last-seasons Lowton to this seasons Lowton, I find it extremely difficult to figure out what Bacuna does, that Lowton doesn’t. But, I’ll give it a shot; Bacuna has a better work-rate, appears to be faster and closes down the opposition’s wingers with greater ease and at greater effectiveness. He also offers a threat from set-pieces and free-kicks, something Villa haven’t been able to offer since Young, Downing and Milner all left. What Bacuna offers is a more confident, more reliable right-back, this has allowed Ron Vlaar to focus more on his central defensive role. Nonetheless, since Bacuna has come into the side, he has been involved in 3 clean sheets, from both the League Cup and Premier League, meaning that he’s simply playing very well and will improve defensively with every game.
I’m in full of praise for Ciaran Clark, I will be quick to admit that I didn’t think Clark had a future at Villa Park. I felt as though Baker and Okore were miles better than Clark defensively, and both had much more potential being a lot younger than Clark. Boy was I wrong, ever since he’s filled in for the injured Baker and Okore, he’s been playing terrifically. He’s partnership with Vlaar had developed into a very strong one. What I like about Clark is that he does what I seek in a defender, clear the ball, and insure it doesn’t come back into the box. He has played 70 games for Aston Villa and it appears as though his experience has aided his just at the right time.
Vlaar and Luna have also been playing rather well, the reason why they haven’t gotten as much praise is because performance was always expected from both Vlaar and Luna. We all expect Vlaar to improve this season and lead the defence, he has done that. We’ve all expect Luna to be an improvement over Bennett, he has done that at times. But very few people expected Bacuna and Clark to become Villa’s key defenders this season. Their form is the main factor behind Villa’s good form, and both will be key in Villa’s game against Tottenham this weekend.
Completely agree. Signs of improvement are there to be seen. Only the blind would think otherwise. I think we’ve found Bacuna’s best position at right back and Clarke is finally showing the signs of a good defender. Maybe not wasted potential for once.
I was one of the loudest detractors of Clark, although when Lambert gave him a new contract I accepted he knows best and must have seen something we all couldn’t. It seems he was right. While the defence isn’t perfect it’s starting to look pretty good, even with Okore injured. Plus Luna and Bacuna have both scored this season, Vlaar scored a couple of crackers last season and Clark can head in from corners.
Good review of the defence! I totally agree, I think our defence has improved a lot, and would only be better with Okore fit. Lambert really has to work on getting some quality into the midfield and we will have a good side again.
I think the arrival of Okore brought some much needed competition into the defence. But when he get’s back, (at Clark’s current form) it’ll be hard to see the Irishman lose his spot.
But we’ve got a very young defence with loads of potential. Who knows, maybe Clark and Okore will be next season’s defensive pairing?
Vlaar and Clark are forming a good partnership.Also with Bacuna now at RB and Luna at LB I think this might be the combination to suit our team.I really hope Lambert has got it right and we push on with more clean sheets.UTV
I think our forward line and midfield could take the pressure off the back line by scoring early.Also defence should try and contribute to the scoring from corners more regularly.UTV
This is funny. If Clark has a mare in the next game, everyone will be calling for him to be dropped! As for him keeping Okore out of the team…what??!! Okore has hardly kicked a ball for us! At this stage all we can say is that Clark has played much better than he did last year.
Bacuna has looked very good at RB, solid defensively and going forward.
I wonder if we wouldnt be better playing 4-4-1-1,
Guzan
Lowton Clark Vlaar Luna
Bacuna Delph Westwood Gabby
Weimann
Benteke
This would give us more width and allow Weimann to play more centrally and link up more with Benteke. This would also give Lowton more protection and be able to overlap. Thoughts…?
I could live with that as long as we can keep clean sheets more regularly and score more early.I think the 4 at the back and 4 in midfield would be a lot safer but Lambert likes it central…UTV
As a lot of us on here I was hugely critical of Clark and was completely suprised at his contract extension which I thought was barmy and undeserved. How he has proved me wrong this season so far! he’s been playing blinders every time he’s on the field. good on the lad, I hope it continues.
Bacuna looks comfortable at right back but if Lowton finds the form from last year I think he should go straight back in the side.
I’ve been saying we should play a good old 442/4411 for some time and Lowton (on form) and bacuna on the right would be great I think.
Also with Weimann not firing so well at the moment I also think Helenius should get a good run out behind Kozak/Baneke. UTV