Aston Villa Mauled But Not Eaten by Wolves

After the win over Chelsea you could have predicted the next game
would be a massive anti-climax, derbies are often difficult games
where form doesn't apply - but I think we were due this result having
done pretty well in recent local stand offs. Wolves deserved a point
and although a moment of needless stupidity from Sidwell effectively
handed them the draw, there first half performance and the penalty
they were denied earlier in the game more than justified the result.

But onto Steve Sidwell, he has been doing pretty well of late so I
don't want to totally blame him for the result yesterday - but I do
still get the nagging feeling that NRC or Delph would do a better job
in midfield. I think Sidwell is capable of much more, but right now
O'Neill needs to stop keep patting himself on the back about the depth
of his squad and actually start using that squad! I think NRC is more
mobile and gets more involved in games whereas Sidwell often still
seems to go missing - I mean this is a man who has a wicked shot on
him yet I don't think we've seen him have a shot on target this
season? I also think the fans are hankering to see Delph get some
pitch time also and lets hope the Cup game against Sunderland O'Neill
freshens things up a bit.

Carew's form is also a mystery of late, maybe because he is being to
asked to play deeper than normal, whatever the case we are scoring two
few goals from midfield and attack and you can't really see that
changing either. Young and Milner both need to start weighing in with
some goals also, Young by his own high standards is suffering at the
moment - mainly because teams now know how to defend against him -
which is why Martin should be changing the way we attack. I don't
think Villa are playing badly but I just get the feeling we've not got
out of second gear this season - which considering we've done pretty
well this season is not a bad statement to make.

Honourable mentions go out to Heskey - who has been heavily criticised
but whose cameo on Saturday was the single reason we walked away with
a point - maybe even to the point that if we have to have a 442 then
Heskey can't really do any worse up front than Carew is presently. I
am I alone in feeling that the eleven Martin is putting out still
isn't the best available and the tactics employed are still a bit to
one dimensional? Football is football though, the team won't perform
every week but this is also why we have a squad of players champing at
the bit to step up and prove themselves. Apart from acting like a
egotistical prat NRC was on good form before he was axed and we were
playing well with just Gabby up front before Carew was recalled.
Enough with the armchair management - you do feel though that the top
four are no way near as strong as last season and that if us Spurs and
Man City can stay within touching distance you'll at least see a more
interesting season pan out.

In other news former Villain Peter Whittingham - is getting the
plaudits for his goal scoring exploits of late and some seem to think
we made a mistake in selling him to Cardiff. Now I will go on record
to say I like Whittingham and I do think he has improved, but he was
given countless chances at Villa and failed to covert his potential on
the pitch. Mainly because he was so lightweight back then, but I have
a feeling he will get another chance at the Premiership.