Ron Vlaar joined Aston Villa last season and with the task of being Aston Villa’s main defender, that player that organised the back line and was a team leader. Last season he was definitely a team leader, but his performances and defensive ability was often questioned. This season however, Vlaar is a completely changed man and it has shown in Aston Villa’s most recent performances. Last season Villa only managed to get two clean sheets, this season Villa have managed 5 clean sheets. Baker and Clark are also responsible for improvement but Vlaar has simply stood out this season.
What I like about Vlaar is that he is an all-around good defender. He’s very good at reading the game, making vital interceptions and clearances. Vlaar’s only weakness is pace, but with Bacuna next to him, it hasn’t really been a problem this season. Vlaar has also managed to maintain excellent communication with Guzan and more importantly, the communication between either Clark or Baker is absolutely superb.
Up until Southampton, Vlaar has played in every single Aston Villa game this season, and has played every minute of those games. In fact, when Vlaar did eventually get substituted off through injury Aston Villa conceded two goals in one halve! Had Vlaar avoided the calf injury and stayed on the pitch Jay Rodriguez would’ve never got his head on the ball and it would’ve been unlikely that Osvaldo would’ve scored from close range.
Last season Vlaar picked up an injury roughly at the same period of time last season and Aston Villa simply feel apart. Baker and Clark have improved but are they team leaders? Well we ought to find out because it’s unlikely that Vlaar will be risked against Fulham this weekend. I just wanted to acknowledge Vlaar’s impact so far this season and I reckon he’ll be a major loss against Fulham.
Shit negative peeps on here constantly slagging him off last season. I lost count of the number of times I defended him. First season, different league, rooky defenders to play alongside plus constant changes in the defensive line up made his first season incredibly difficult. We are now seeing how valuable he is to the team. FFS all you negs….give new players at least one season to settle in!
Okore still out too. Donacian had a good match in the U21s the other day from what I heard, he needs to be on the bench so we don’t have a repeat of Lowton coming in to cover in case Clark or Baker get injured. Hopefully Vlaar’s injury is nothing serious.
I hope he’s ok & playing soon as we know he was missed last season whilst injured.i think it’s the same problem the calf,all i can say is i wish him a speedy recovery.utv
I pretty much agree with the sentiment of the article.
Langford, I hope you noticed I never ripped him to pieces last season, even though I can often be quick with my criticism?
I’m sure I posted some stats that actually defied what it seemed we were seeing, in his defence, at one stage.
He’s a decent defender in a very average looking defence, that’s actually not done too bad this season, when you look at the stats.
He’s been excellent this season. Need him back asap. Real shame that Okore got injured, as could have been a really good partnership.
jeez our centre backs are suffering this season, im guessing we will be onto our 4th CB partnership this season with clark and baker.
id agree with the article also, cant really blame people for being negative about him last season as they were only going by performance and he was awful last season as was the whole defence.
hands up though he has been outstanding this season and has also been the captain we need too, he will be massively missed.
still waiting on fitness tests this weekend.