PMP: Route one football from Aston Villa, but we're sitting third, so who cares?
Wednesday, 28 January 09, 04:32 AM · Comments (50)
Martin O'Neill will call it counter attacking football, some will call it long ball. Neither are going to be wrong, we're turning around the ball very quickly, but you can't deny the statistics a moment in the limelight. Basically, if there was a league table shown every week of passes completed in the season, we'd be in the relegation zone.
Two weeks ago, so this wouldn't have changed drastically, we were third from bottom of the completed passes table with only Stoke and Bolton below us. We were on 4,000 something. The likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool were on approximately double us at the top of the table.
Fortunately, it's not completed passes that get you top three in the Premier League, it's winning matches and according to the commentator last night that was a club record sixth victory away in the league. Is that true, that it's a record?
Anyway, we're playing long ball/counter attacking football because that is what we have to do at the moment. We haven't done it all season and I don't expect us to do it for the rest, we've just got to deal with it at the moment. Still, we're third, who cares?
Paper Talk
Richard Williams, Guardian: "Heskey had done virtually nothing until the 21st minute, when he nodded on Brad Friedel's long punt and sprinted to meet the headed return from Gabriel Agbonlahor before despatching the bouncing ball past David James with a perfect right-footed volley from 15 yards. This was Route One with an elegant detour."
There will be winners and losers when the transfer window closes next week and at the moment it looks as if Aston Villa will be one of the sides to benefit most from a spot of retail therapy during the winter sales."
Jason Burt, The Independent: "Heskey added a new dimension to Villa while Villa have added a new dimension to the race for a Champions League place. Ahead of Chelsea, maybe briefly, and level with second-placed Liverpool, again maybe briefly, and it is not just Arsenal who need fret."
Antony Kastrinakis, The Sun: "Emile Heskey sealed a dream debut with a priceless winner here for Villa. Make no mistake. If Brian Clough could lead Derby and Nottingham Forest to the title, then one of his finest disciples can do the same with this Aston Villa side."
Player Ratings
Anyway, to one of the more hotly discussed areas of the PMP, player ratings. Thanks for everyone that posted them, but for today, we're going to be using from the user AV33, not that I agree with all or anything, but just because there were a few so it was picked randomly.
Remember, if you want to abuse anyone in the comment box below, it's AV33, not me this match. Of course, that is only if you disagree with him, if you agree with these numbers, all kudos to me!
The Brad: 7 - Looked steady and in control and a great stop
Carlos Cuellar: 7 - Doing a good job in a strange position and it was nice to see him striving forward late on.
Zat Knight: 7 - An excellent and commanding performance
Curtis Davies: 7 - Ditto Zat Knight. I just wasn't expecting it from Zat !
Luke Young: 7 - Calm and collected as usual. I like him, he's got a decent throw on him too.
Craig Gardner: 6 - Battled hard and didn't deserve to be taken off.
Stiliyan Petrov: 6 -Worked tirelessly and another decent performance but was booked.
Gareth Barry: 6 - Calm at all times with some nice tackles and passes, but maybe a little too calm perhaps?
Jimmy Milner: 7.5 - Workhorse all over the place and would have got my MOTM but for poor distribution at times and a silly (Beckham like) yellow that may cost him/us in time to come.
Emile Heskey: 8 - My Man of the Match. Great debut, a little quiet for the first part of the game and then bang! Great finish and he would have had two if Gabby had used his nut. He also chased and battled like a good 'un once he'd found his feet.
Gabby Agbonlahor: 6 - Chased and tried his best but missed that chance to score and cross and has had better games in the Villa shirt.
You know I don't do subs, so this is good enough for me and I'd have to agree and give man of the match to Heskey, only because I think it was his only chance and maybe even our only real chance of the game and he put it away.
Final Analysis
This is going to be a little different today, as in I'm not just going to say well done lads, or tell you that I've got a hangover or that I'm looking forward to another three points against Wigan at the weekend.
When we started the match last night in a 4-4-2 formation, I actually said to someone that it's going to take us a while to get going, but if anything the long ball football suited us in 4-4-2 as the goal demonstrated. Why have five players in midfield if we're just going to pass over them?
This isn't a criticism, it's an observation and the statistics back it up; we're playing pure counter attacking football and when we've got the type of players we got, why not?
Basically, it took Sir Alex Ferguson a few seasons to get his team playing the type of football that we see now and you've got to work with the players you have. Qualifying for the Champions League group stages is the goal and when that happens, we'll hopefully be able to attract some better quality players, but we need to secure top four and not just for one season.
Which is why it doesn't bother me if we're going to play counter attacking/long ball football for the foreseeable future. We're also in no position to complain and as the reporter from The Sun says above, if Brian Clough can do it, why not Martin O'Neill one day?
So, I'm going to leave you today with a big smile on my face. We're third and in a good position and if Everton do us a favour tonight and maybe even Wigan, well, I'll be even happier.
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50 Comments · Add yours
YES WE CAN!
Well done Damian for appreciating the performance's of Zat and Jimmy my two men of the match.
Agree with your ratings for the midfield but how can they get any higher scores when we bypass them all the time and all they have to do is defend? Which they did admirably!
With regard to Milners booking I was at the game and it happened directly in front of me, he toe-poked the ground tripped over his own feet and fell into the portsmouth player (can't for the life of me remeber who it was!) who made a big deal of it. Yes it was a yellow card because he impeded the opposition "illegally" b ut to say it was Beckham-esk is a bit harsh!!
Shite performance good result UTV YWC!
Im just a happy man!!!
YES WE CAN
Timmy_Ra, I agree - it didn't look like a foul to be me.
We play differently depending on who the opponents are - look how we took Arsenal apart both times (they were lucky in the second game, oh so lucky). Pompey were never going to beat us in current form and I don't think MON wanted us to play in 3rd gear for 90 minutes when it didn't warrant it.
This Saturday will be a game when we need to play in a higher gear as they will be a tougher team to break down.
It only seems like route one football because we have been playing away from home all the time,Against wigan we will play a different way.
which countries are we attacking damian?
You cant knock a style of play that is effective! Villa defended brilliantly and hats off to Knight and Friedel especially!
Barry for me is letting himself down abit, maybe his injury is effecting his game.
Petrov was supurb again for me, and deserves a bit more credit than a 6.
The neat and tidy football will come, but we need to become a sucessfull side first. Why alter our tactics that are serving us so well!
The wigan game will be interesting with Liverpool playing Chelsea, We need to get as many points on the board before a tricky March 09'!
We Will finish 4th this season, but only if our intentions are to challange Utd for the title.
3 points off the top, joint second on points, 3rd by two points, 6 points off L'Arse and a whopping 11 clear of Everton.
Does Petrov miss the Wigan game or the replay?
Im gonna say... Pennant looked pretty decent last night!
the foolish economist
no idea what you are talking about. thanks
Reply to JonnyW:
The replay! Me thinks there might have been some deliberance (if thats a word?) in the foul!!
nice change damian - if u ever need a proof reader give me a bell - can i recommend we attack russia next month?
Ok not the best attacking performance we've had but, hats off to the defensive display. You know last season playing attacking football against Pompey gave us a grand total of zero points, this season we sat deep and stopped them running riot in behind us, and by doing so are 4 points better off. Now correct me if I am wrong but isn't that great management by MON turning zero points into 4 by changing the way you play against certain opposition.
Second point is that I don't think we need to buy a playmaker until the summer as I think N'Zogbia will sign before the close of the window. With N'Zogbia signing if we are playing a team that is sitting deep or like yesterday when we are crying out for someone in the middle to just put there foot on the ball we can bring him on and then move either Milner or Young into the middle.
YES WE CAN
UTV
Some more insights from Bill Howell: LINK
Says it all really, 3 out of the top 5 : LINK
Now I've recovered from the shock of Heskey the goal machine, I would point out that we do not play route one football, but play direct football.
Also defensively we were fantastic, especially Knight and Davies. Roll on Wigan.
Reply to DanWilson82:
Can't be bothered to read it, is there anything about wheels on the bus?
Reply to keefvilla:
Sadly not. it's a radio interview from last year
Reply to JonnyW:
Great result, was convinced Pompey were going to get one back late, thought Belhadj or whatever his name was, even though a dirty f**ker with that challenge, had a mean left foot and we dealt with those corners pretty well considering the absence of Laursen.
Looking forward to seeing Young, Gabby and Heskey (and Carew back!) in the starting line, along with Milner maybe playing a bit more central, I never feel convinced that one of his crosses will actually get to one of our guys but I am sure he will come good and he has one hell of a work ethic.
Assume everyone else still feels nervous with Knight on the team sheet, I feel guilty about it afterwards but I just can't shake that feeling!
Reply to keefvilla:
did you enjoy your slice of humble pie last night keef??
Meh, didn't meant to reply to the above
My man of the match was Cullar. I thought it was his best game in a Villa shirt so far. He was solid in the tackle and for the first time ever was dangerous going forward. In fairness the whole back line played well. The thing about our inability to pass is i felt Pompy were there to be rolled over last night. If we could have come out at the start of the 2nd half and just kept the ball a bit better for the 1st 10mins they would have lost heart and would not have got the head of steam up that they managed to get. Still though another great win and i fancy us to get the ball down at home againest Wigan and play some better football.
Reply to hitman83:
he was very dangerous throughtout the game. So was the guy who got sent off.
Average performance, but it doesnt matter.
Crouch 9/10 would of put that one away, but then again so should of Gabby.
On this form, we can have faith in a top 4 finish.
Luke Young is proving to be a revelation.
the truthful economist
attacking russia next month will be very appropriate
Reply to Villa_Chris:
One swallow does not make a spring, nor does one fine day.
One goal does not make a good striker.
But I will admit to being pleasantly suprised.
"He used to be shite, but now he's alright"
I think the guys singing a slight variation on an old tune were classic...hopefully we can adopt it as our version of the Heskey song....as it insults both blue-nose scum and theiving scousers at the same time.
There's only one Emile Heskey
One Emile Heskey
HE PLAYED FOR THE SH*TE
but now he's alright
Walking in a Heskey wonderland.
Now if only someone could come up with a song/chant to do with Ivanhoe!
forgot to say....give Gabby a little slack, I know he should have buried the chance and given us breathing space (where was his left foot) and even better option should have squared it to Heskey, but the guy hasn't been used to playing with an attacking partner for two months - I think he just forgot someone else would be there.
Reply to Villa_Chris:
when you say happy do you mean gay?
No.... else I would of said so you trout lovin homophobic!!
not me.
UTV
I am sorry to bang on and on about Carew, but where does he fit in now?We have just given him a new lucrative contract, but MON was quoted last night as saying he hopes Emile can stay fit so that he can play up front with Gabby. I cannot see Carew playing up front with Emile. Will Carew now take Marlon's place on bench? The FA cup replay front line will be very interesting. It would not surprise me to see Carew go for £5 million before end of week. Any thoughts anyone?
Reply to timothyvilla1:
Yeah.... I think- I hope you're wrong!
Reply to timothyvilla1:
Carew won't go anywhere. If he does, then we'll be back to where we were with just 2 strikers decent strikers. That's the lack of depth that MON wants to avoid. And to be fair, Carew was playing brilliantly until he got injured. He was one of the form strikers in the league. He still has a big role to play in this team.
Reply to Texas_Villain:
Plus he knows all the doormen of all the good night spots when we play in europe...
ìve supported villa all my life and i love martin o neill but to be fair im sick of this route 1 football.these days football is all about entertainment yet we are more boring than wigan. grinding out victories cant be the way forward...And if we keep buying the emile heskey type of frontmen with no skill but bundles of strength how will we ever truley contend for a top 4 spot. i feel that the position we are in is only temporary and that we should be encouraging players like delfonseou, not buying old overpriced rejects. peskey heskey will never keep us in 3rd spot, VILLA ARE TOO SHIT FOR TOP 4.end of story
this is the year of the impossible. If Obama can win. Why cant the villa win the league. YES WE CAN!!!
Reply to cian donaghey:
Oh look, its taglors´ irish cousin...
Reply to Timmy_Ra:
Petrov was definitely looking for a yellow so he only misses the replay - smart boy
Winning football is the only statistic that matters.
How many of you out there would be satisfied to be top of the completed pass league and say sixth from bottom of the league?
We have scored some stunning goals this season.
However I have to admit watching these close scoring matches does make my bum hole twitch a bit in the last few minutes!
UTV
UTV
Reply to Villa_Chris:
haha rob you love trouts ha
Reply to Cian; at times this season we have been playing the most entertaining football on the planet, against Arsenal for instance. Didn't that moment between Craig Gardner and that Nadir bloke entertain you just a wee bit? Gardner made him look like a twat, embarrassed him so much he hacked the lad down. He should've got a red card for that.
Nice to see that the Sun has picked up on our YES WE CAN, their headline was HES WE CAN.
LINK
We have arsenal running scared!!
READ THIS. Its nice to see they finally see us as a treat. Lets hope chelski lose and ars do to and we move 3rd! maybe liverpool could get a draw or lose and we move 2nd doubt man u lose but if this was a perfect world.
Mann u lose
Chelski lose
Ars draw or lose
VILLA 1st!!!
More likely
Man u win
Chelski Lose
Ars Draw
Villa 2nd!
Anyways read that link.!
Thanks for using my ratings Damo.
You've offered me to the lions and so far they haven't bitten me...yet.
Does this earn you some kudos? Can i have a villa shirt? lol
Hopefully, results will go our way tonight. Happy days being a Villa fan.
Cian, although you say that you've been a Villa fan for your whole life, it's hard to imagine that you've been a fan for even the whole season! If you had, you'd have noticed that all commentators were saying how exciting it was to watch Villa. If you'd complained about the last few matches I'd probably have agreed with you, but you just overstated your case. Let's not forget how many players we were missing last night, and we had Heskey in despite the fact that he had never even trained with his team mates. It's bound to take some time for our front line to gain an understanding for each other, so why not just being a bit patient..enjoy the results for now and look forward to the exciting football returning once players return and Heskey properly beds in.
For Christ sake.It's great that we are 3rd but on the basis that "the luck will even itself out" over the course of a season,we have no chance of staying there.
We were still being dominated by a poor Portsmouth side even after they'd had a man sent off.
The players are working incredibly hard and MON can clearly motivate them but when all is said and done, it's route one bollox and we are getting away with it so don't lets kid ourselves.
What 'luck' is that? Let's not fall into the trap of accepting that when Liverpool and Man U win with late goals it's deserved but when we do it it's lucky. It's going to be tough for us to sustain our position in the league, but read the blogs of some of the other 'top 5' teams and they are genuinely worried that we may do just that...not because we're 'lucky' but because they believe we're developing into a good side.
Reply to Mlockey89:
haha and that was written BEFORE they played everton.. imagine how dirty he would have been! imagine if there was a mass departure of players from arsenal if they finished outside the top 4 and we finished in it..
the summer signings 'wish list' mite smell of some fabregas, mixed with a little bit of van persie and a touch of nasri and gallas can have his little tearies at the emirates all by himself!
btw i just had a thought. im no football expert by aaaany stretch of the imagination, but wat about signing fellaini from everton. not likely that everton will let anyone go (especially to us) in the remaining few days of january, but what about summer? i have watched him a few times this season and im not sure ive actually seen him lose out in an aerial challenge yet (SERIOUSLY)..
he calls himself a defensive midfielder from memory, but you could stick him anywhere and he would be effective.. my theory is that u could have him up front and considering we are playing the long bombs, it mite lift those 'completed passes' stats a little, but more importantly we would be winning more balls in important areas. he could flick on for gabby or ashley the 'reborn superstar' heskey, and would be an absolute menace in the box at both ends of the pitch.. just a thought. anybody care to comment?