Written By: Zidave

Tonight England matched up against Holland.  While I could talk about Defoe's goals or Ferdinand's fowl up I'm not.  I'm a Villain and while claret and blue runs in my blood I'm also American and if I’m honest I’m about as concerned with that as I am with the next time I might eat beats again in my life. What I am wrapping my mind around are three specific players: Ashley Young, James Milner, and Emile Heskey.  I might be inclined to mention that Barry was worthless.  Entirely at fault for the second goal after not just an extremely poor back-pass, but a combination of that and something only Villa fans may be aware of; his inability to put in the effort to track back a ball.  If he wasn’t too busy counting the money he’s making at City, he may have gotten back in time to make a block.  We will never know, but as it stands he had a poor game and was at fault for the second goal.  I might accidentally mention the fact that I’m smiling.

Heskey didn’t look any better or worse than he did last year.  The man works hard and he does defend, but his first touch was enough to give the ball back to Holland on multiple occasions and give him reason to defend.  Hopefully he does score more this year, but he’s behind Agbonlahor who is also behind Carew in my books.

Ashley Young I felt looked very comfortable tonight.  Mind you this is a rare cap let alone start against one of the world’s best teams.  This was enough to impress me.  He didn’t give up possession lightly and had a desire to get on the ball, something that is essential if he wants to do well.  He whipped in a few quality crosses and drove on goal when space permitted.  I think it’s safe to say we will have another brilliant season from him.

Finally, James Milner, a player who last season left somewhat to be desired in his crossing ability.  Very often did he have trouble getting it past the first defender and in my opinion lacked the confidence to dribble inside to get on goal at times.  Tonight he surprised us all.  Not just the fact that he was playing on the left instead of the right, but he was as hot as Ana Kournikova can get on a day hot enough to swim.  Delivery Boy Milner showed all that he had been lacking previously.  He drove into the box patiently waiting for the right pass.  Credit to Defoe for the run, but all credit to Milner in picking out the low cross.  He consistently whipped in quality balls and drove into space, a marquee of the confidence as well as the level of patience and intelligence on the ball I’ve wanted to see.  There is so much to offer in his game whether it is his willingness to run through two pairs of socks in a game, his delivery, his vast experience, or any of the other vast amount of things he offers.  I believe in the end this game is a testament, a sign rather of what we can expect to see even more consistently this season.

UTV

Summer 2008, James Milner signs for Aston Villa, for a fee judged to be around 12m.  Were you skeptical of signing him?  Are you still skeptical?

The fact is Milner is not the same type of player as Ashley Young and we can't expect him to be. And would we really want two out and out wingers? Look how much good that did for us with Routledge. It gives Young less of the ball, a complete negative, and it weakens our already makeshift defense, neither of which we want to see in our team. This isn't an excuse, but rather an explanation.  This is a part of his game as Right Midfielder, not to be confused with Right Winger. 

If you watch closely in games and at least attempt to take off the 12m price tag sign hanging from his neck, James Milner has vision and his touch isn't letting him down as often as I hear from other fans. I have seen him make some outstanding long passes down to Gabby that require both vision and accuracy. 

When you look at his overall ability, its there, it just needs some coaching. He has the shot, pass, and cross, but he is still in the process of refining them. If you can't see my point, look at in this way. Do you think it will take Lennon more time and work to fix his crosses that barely go the distance, that flutter over behind the goal consistently, or do you think Milner's crosses that are pin pointed at a player, but hit a little low will take more work?  But you say this takes a quality manager who is known to get the best out of his players and very intelligent use of youth players.  I think we all know O'neill is a perfect manager to bring the best out of him.  And just maybe with his knack to bring out the best in a players versatility, we will one day see Milner as a Barry in our CM.

I have discussed ability, but what about Milner's attitude? He is a perfect example of a loyal player. It seems as if everyone has forgotten how admirably he had handled his transfer to Villa; instead of making a fool of himself and upsetting his fans, a most unfortunate trend that we have all been subject to that needs no reminding.  Milner quietly handled his situation like a man.  Being represented by the PFA and going about things quietly. Milner had only wanted a new contract to begin with, but was undervalued.  Considering the context of his transfer, I consider him more loyal than the average footballer today.  

However a positive attitude and ability aren't everything.  My business classes have all taught me that when you get an assignment from your boss, he is setting a bar for you.  That bar would earn you anywhere from a C to a B.  If you want to shine and get an A you need to go above and beyond and to work your socks off.  Here Milner is a perfect example.  Many of our players had become ill earlier this season and we all know how miserable it is to have the flu.   Milner, while catching this bug, still put in a powerful 90 minutes for all of 3 games of being sick.  Epitomizing our success under O'neill.

In the end, yes we have paid 12m and that may be a bit over the odds, but it may very well be a bargain in a few seasons.  Only time will tell.  But I know one thing.  Amidst the crying and toys getting thrown from the pram each transfer window to get who we need.  Mon has gone out and paid whatever it took to get his man.  And I'd much rather have another 5m in Randy's pocket than David Benchly and that crustball haircut.

Are you still skeptical?

Written by: Zidave

It has to be easy for anyone not wearing the claret and blue that is of Aston Villa to declare the team completely undeserving of 3 points on Tuesday.  Even for myself amidst the frantic cheering I have become almost accustomed to around the 90th minute to feel at the time we did not. I even caught myself swearing our side's chances off from a draw or maybe it was feeling like my feet were touching ground once more. Despite all of the indications that we did not deserve the win maybe we do?

Let me first be clear, this is not an excuse for the way Villa played offensively, but more of a (hold your breath) analysis of why we may have actually have the right to the three points. I believe there is a correlation when you look at the top sides.  They not only have a winning mentality in that they never give up, but they have key players who can change a game from nothing and I think that without a doubt all of them experience their own bit of luck each season. 

I don't want to sound arrogant, because it can be very easy to do so why your team wins and I will admit we are sure as hell a long ways from being a Manchester United; seasons and massive amounts of spending.  However they are who I am comparing this result to.  Take for example Manchester United's win versus Sunderland who put out a full 80+ minutes of solid defending.  Compare that to a Hull side who defending Villa very well.  Even their forwards pressured Villa while their defenders sat back.  Many times they had 11 men behind the ball, but they have the right to do that and it was very effective.  Yet in the dying minutes of the game a flash moment of brilliance from Ashley Young turning his man to whip in another classy cross that results in a goal.  Villa win 1-0 in thanks to a player who can change a game in the blink of an eye and a little bit of luck, just as Manchester United have.

To say it's a win without problems is naive of a team wanting to move into Champions League. And with the transfer window being the most highly discussed subject as of yesterday I want to look at what we need to fix.  If we had one major problem our midfield was the problem.  We hardly had anyone looking to get on the ball.  And I think we all could see this frustration in Petrov who had to take defending and attacking into his own hands on more than one occasion.  Either way our midfield needs to be a little more dynamic and willing to string together a few passes together to build up a chance in the center of the field.  As we've seen on Tuesday when the opposition is sitting back and not allowing us to break forward we are in need of finding ways to work around it. Antanio Valencia anyone? The fact that he is still sitting in a Wigan team, versus a Real Madrid team is pure grace and is a great opportunity to purchase who in my mind is a world class right winger.

But did we have anyone in front who could get the ball? Hull defended Agbonlahor superbly. This is why I am so adamant about the purchase of another center forward and not a midget like Defoe.  Would Defoe have changed anything in this game for us?  Not with the Hull's center backs putting so much pressure on our forward.  What about someone like Roque Santa Cruz?  His strength and his height would have won us a few balls and his silky layoff passes would have gotten us more into the game.  If Man City go in for him I'm afraid he's not worth our time and I am certainly not a big fan, but I can very easily see Martin O'neill moving for Crouch, mostly because no one else wants his beanstalk legs!

Thank you for reading!

Aston Villa V Arsenal

Friday 26^th, December

17:15 GMT

@ Villa Park

 

A game that could be deemed as the biggest game of the season for both Aston Villa and Arsenal.  This is also a game that could potentially propel one club into the Champions League and break the seemingly impenetrable grip that the Big Four have held for so long.  It would give the the supporters something they have been desperate for... and after the appointment of Martin O'Neill something that has left their mouths watering in the wake of his revelation.  But while one club’s supporters will surely be hitting the bars every single day of the entire summer in celebration, it could spell more than disaster for the other. Villa taking Arsenal’s spot in 4^th would leave one word hanging at the mouth of every Arsenal fan in the world… crisis.  It would leave them without Champions League qualification and potentially unravel the team. They have struggled to hold onto their stars over the summer, most notably their current club captain Cesc Fabregas and attacking talisman Emanuel Adebayor who are two players that could walk into any team's starting XI and are certainly not short of suitors.

 

Match Stats

Played: 18 v 18

Wins: 10 v 9

Draws: 4 v 4

Losses: 4 v 5

The only separation between Villa and Arsenal at the moment is 3 points.  These were 3 points gained from a shock 2-0 result at the Emirates, Arsenal’s home turf.  This should give strong indication of the significance of this game.  If Villa win and they will be a strong 6 points clear of Arsenal; Arsenal win and they will be even with Villa on points.  This match is clearly a ‘six-pointer.’

 

Goal Stats

For: 30 v 30

Against: 20 v 21

Goal Difference: 10 v 9

Both teams are very similar in terms of goals for.  It shouldn't come as a surprise to see either side hitting the 30 mark at this stage of the season. Both Villa and Arsenal are arguably two of the most exciting teams to watch in attack.

 

Last Six Games

Aston Villa:

0 – 1 West Ham - Aston Villa

3 – 1 Hamburg - Aston Villa

4 – 2 Aston Villa - Bolton

2 – 3 Everton - Aston Villa

1 – 2 Aston Villa - MSK Zilina

0 – 0 Aston Villa – Fulham

Villa are unbeaten in their last 6 in league.  They have shown good character in their defense and the most exciting counter attack in the league.  But they will be hoping for a fit Martin Laursen after a knee pain complaint following the game at West Hamm.

Arsenal:

1 – 1 Arsenal – Liverpool

1 – 1 Middlesbrough – Arsenal

2 – 0 FC Porto – Arsenal

1 – 0 Arsenal – Wigan

2 – 0 Burnley – Arsenal

1 – 2 Chelsea – Arsenal

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 4 in league.  However, they have arguably now lost any hope of the league title after failing to gain a win against Liverpool and in which seeing a ban on Adebayore as well as an injured Cesc Fabregas.

 

Head to Head

This game shouldn’t be missed.  It is a fixture of two teams that has been highly competitive in recent seasons, seeing Arsenal hold 3 wins, Villa with 1 and a total of 3 draws for both since 2005/2006 season to current.  Even in losing games Villa have been worthy opponents.

 

Key Players

Aston Villa:

Ashley Young:  He has been in sizzling form.  Scoring 3 goals in 3 games including 1 assist.  While not scoring at West Hamm he still terrorized their defense with his pace narrowly missing twice and hitting the post once. Easily one of the best wingers in the league at the moment.  Look for him to exploit Sagna who will be wanting to push forward on the attack, leaving space for Young to work down the left.

Gabriel Agbonlahor: This is a game of which both teams will be attacking, leaving a gap in the field.  Gabby will be keen to exploit them with his pace and Barry’s vision.  Even more worrying for Arsenal’s defense is that he is 2^nd in goals scored on the season with 9 and that is also including 4 assists.

Arsenal:

Robin Van Persie: After scoring a brilliant goal versus Liverpool putting his tally to 8 goals on the season, any defense should be terrified of the player.  He is a player who I hold as arguably one of the top 3 strikers in the league when fit.  He has a bullet of a shot and a deadly volley rendering him capable of scoring anywhere around the box.

Samir Nasri:  A player who has come in this season and impressed.  He has the pace to split defenders and an excellent shot in addition to his dribbling.  With Fabregas’s absence he will be Arsenal’s talisman in the midfield.

 

Watch for:  Counter attacks

Aston Villa V Fullham
Saturday 29th November
Kick Off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Mike Jones

Both Villa and Fulham are coming off of very stout defensive displays by drawing 0-0 with Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.  This weekend these two teams will be looking to continue their recent runs of good form.

Match Stats
Played: 14 V 13
Wins: 7 V 5
Draws: 3 V 3
Losses: 4 V 5

Notice Villa have played one more game than Fulham this season. A win for Fulham would put them only 3 points behind Villa, currently placed in 4th. Potentially allowing them to level on points when even in games played. A win for Aston Villa would further concrete their ambitions for a Champions League spot, placing them in 3rd if only but a day in a match seen as a must win.

Goal Stats
For: 22 V 12
Against: 16 V 11
Goal Difference: 6 V 1

Both teams have recently tightened up their defenses. But the goals for Villa are coming much easier outscoring Fulham on an 11 to 6 ratio.

Last 6 Games
Aston Villa:
0 - 0 Aston Villa - Man Utd
0 - 2 Arsenal - Aston Villa
1 - 2 Aston Villa - Middlesbrough
0 - 1 Slavia Prague - Aston Villa
2 - 0 Newcastle - Aston Villa
3 - 2 Aston Villa - Blackburn

Villa have have not won in their 2 previous home games

Fulham:
0 - 0 Liverpool - Fulham
2 - 1 Fulham - Tottenham
2 - 1 Fulham - Newcastle
1 - 0 Everton - Fulham
2 - 0 Fulham - Wigan
1 - 1 Portsmouth - Fulham

Fulham have not won in previous 7 away matches.

Head to Head
Of the 48 meetings, each club has won 16, with 16 drawn.

Big day for Brad
37-year-old Friedel will be making his 167th consecutive Premier League appearance, breaking David James' Premier League record of 166 consecutive appearances. Let's hope at their respective ages neither are looking to set a consecutive record for the use of Viagra either.

Key Players:
Villa
Ashley Young: When Young has a good game Villa score. If he can unlock the Fulham Defense amongst a high pressure Villa, a number of players are more than capable of netting the ball.
Gabby Agbonlahor: Recently scoring against Arsenal, Gabby has gone from stride to stride since his introduction as a headless chicken. He is now capable of bullying with strength or outrunning any defender in the league.

Fulham
Bullard: Much like the poor man's Gerrard, he is the heart of the Fulham midfield. A very underrated player capable of scoring from set pieces or setting up others with his engine of a heart.
Andrew Johnson: A player who has been injured for much of the season, has recently found form. Scoring 4 goals in 5 games. Fulham will look to him to score.

Tactics
Villa:
Villa will expect Fulham to play a slightly more defensive game. Villa need to look to score the first goal with an energetic and high pressure opening. After which Fulham will have to look at their top scoring player, with 4 goals to answer.

Fulham:
Villa may underestimate them expecting them to sit back and defend. Roy Hog has clearly stated that will not be the case. They must look to surprise Villa and catch them on the break with Davies and Bullard looking to set AJ through. The combination of a bald head and small wind friction giving him the pace needed to possibly give Villa's back four a scare.

Watch for set plays.

Lets at least hope for a game better to look at than Mr. Bullard's face!

Zidave's Analysis: Sunday at the Bridge (including my introduction)
Tuesday 10/07/08
By: David Atchison AKA: Zidave

TODAY I am reflecting on this weekends failure to pick up any points, leaving many Villains as blue as Stamford Bridge. We all have a week to let our minds wonder, in disappointment, why our rich run of form has ended, at least for the time being. But, that is what I am here to discuss with you all. In hopes of maybe loosening up the rock you have most likely hid under the past two days at work.

Pardon me for forgetting to introduce myself to the rest of you. My name is David. I am 22 years-old and attending Western Washington University, studying business, with a focus in Finance. I live in in the Pacific NW, the state of WA and... I am absolutely addicted to football (claps in the background), that is the first step, admitting it. Now that you know where I stand, let me introduce to you in detail, my football side. I am an American soccer nut. My apologies let me rephrase that for you in British; I am a Yank and I love footy. No, I am not confused which sport I am writing about. Before you dismiss me as having any football knowledge beyond who won the Super Bowl last season, let me give you the brief history of myself as a fan. I have been watching football for roughly four years now and more importantly I have been supporting Villa for the past two years. Let me please explain the first two years before I lose any credibility as a Villain fan! Where I live, you cannot simply watch football at your leisure on the weekend, with a few bucks sent to the cable company. You must first go as far as having digital cable, then monthly sports package that includes the Fox Soccer Channel (one of two soccer channels available in the US). I have played soccer for over 8 years, but the channel not coming till the 4th. At that point I found it much more boring to watch than to play. After checking her out for a while and dilly dallying on a few meetings once a week for big games, we began to get serious. I was falling in love, with soccer of course. Come the start of my 3rd year of watching I noticed an energetic man who I could share the same passion for the sport that I was beginning to have. As long as I remember, I always have rooted for underdogs and to see a team that I had never heard of amongst the top 6 in the table at that point in time, hell why not keep an eye on them. This man I later found out to be the manager of Aston Villa, Martin O'Neil. It was also his first year in charge. So, in a sense his birth to the club was my simultaneous birth as a Villain. With a very unique team name, an amazing manager, an American owner, a rich history, a vibrant and faithful fan base, an exciting style of tactics that is easy on the eye... need I go on? This was love at first sight.

Now that you have an idea of whom I am let’s talk football. Seahawks are my favorite team, they are the team I have grown up supporting, in thanks to my dad. Ok, let’s talk real football now. A weekend we can all hopefully block out of our memories as well as the last time we have had to watch another man kicked in the bollocks. Now, we all know this game was certainly not pleasing, but is it really that much of a disappointment to the club? Let’s not forget our progress this season, besides the fact that we have not seemed to improve our leaky defense and have managed to keep just one clean sheet. Here we are sitting in fifth of the league. That is a UEFA Cup slot any way you look at it. There are no if, ands, buts, in this position. More importantly I hope we are not ignorant enough to see the progress Chelsea have made this season under Scolari? They by all means are one of the top 5 teams in the world to beat at the moment. A hefty unbeaten run and a few players who are arguably in the finest form of anyone in their positions in the world.



Enough with them lets look at Villa. I am on the forums enough to know who has everyone's finger pointed at them, not the middle finger, the index finger. Ashley Young, Garreth Barry, Luke Young, Nicky Shorey, and Curtis Davies ( I hope you are not surprised I can name them!). To analyze them, I want to talk about them together, minus the lotion, candles, and roses some of you other lads or ladies may be including.

We were absolutely dominated in the center of the pitch, one of the largest problems we had. You could see this within the first 10 minutes of the game; it was end to end, minus Villa doing much in the box. The problem was the space. There was no more support than Barry running around with Petrov following his shadow. Chelsea had crowded us out. At this point we used the left and right side of the pitch as our only outlets. Solely attacking from the wings. Young did have a few fantastic crosses whipped in, but they were easily eaten up with the little support we had to get someone on the end of it. If one image besides Selma Hayek's ever improving cleavage rests in my mind, it is Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, or James Milner facing Chelsea 1v4. We attempted to work the narrow side of the pitch with little support. No switch of play, no redirection or changing to work through the center. Mind you there is no simple solution to Chelsea's defense, it has always been top notch and this year they have been fantastic. I have had Peter Cech, and Jose Bosingwa sitting in my fantasy team from day one.

Now our defense. I know what words come to mind, besides those in your prayers that we may some day keep another clean sheet, Curtis Davies. Let me first say he is a player I have been over the moon to have signed, especially this season on a permanent basis. His attitude and commitment to bettering himself is a level many can only wish to have. He will be in the England squad and maybe even captain Villa one day. Sunday, it was clear that he was a little nervous, but at his age you can expect to see that occasionally. I just hope no one has forgotten that he has been brilliant for us in the past 6 games, of which well over three months ago we doubted he'd ever play in. The fact is he has been consistent and one case of butterflies is nothing to hold against him. The defense works as a unit, along with Laurson, Shorey, and L. Young as we all know. And the unit was not performing, partially in thanks to our midfield.

Now lets look at some positives. A 2nd half that Chelsea could not score. NRC dropped into RB, something that is becoming familiar and I must say less worrying. He has all the attributes to be an excellent wingback. He is fast, great at surging forward, has an engine that does not run out of energy, and he is one of the best tacklers in the league with all that I have and have forgotten to mention. Well, that and we don't have to worry about him pulling the strings with his passing game in the middle either... right? Cuellar was also subbed into the match. He looked about as worried as a sledgehammer would be about hitting a box of Styrofoam, he was very solid. His vision was excellent, it is apparent he has a long ball and can help build attacks. I quite like him and am very happy to have signed him. He will be class for us in time. James Milner, while not as significant as Cuellars impact, also did his job and did it well out there. As we've discussed he had absolutely no space to work with on the side, but he whipped in a few decent or better crosses, beat a few people, and most importantly he helped us defend, something that Routledge unfortunately hardly offers in his game. (Though I might touch I think he is a great squad player to have, of which we definitely need with Maloney's departure (nothing more though), but that is off topic).

In summary I am disappointed; we didn't give them the game we had hoped. However, the next game is the game to examine in order to answer a few more questions. Can we bounce back? We are known to do this, thanks to having an absolutely fantastic dressing room and manager, so yes I think we will bring a game to Portsmouth. Can we score against a solid defense? I have no doubt we can and despite Portsmouth's two piss poor games of being demolished, they are a solid team as they have showed with their multiple clean sheets. How can our own defense bounce back and handle the flying Defoe? We have managed only one clean sheet, but it was against Liverpool and many decisions that have not gone our way have cost us a few goals of which I consider extremely unlucky to begin with. Can we beat a team who is a strong contender for our UEFA Cup spot? Of course, we will bounce back and rip them one. And do not forget that we have seen three players come on and perform for us either out of position or being subbed on in place of another. We have still had a fantastic season thus far, earning ourselves the 5th positon in league. One of which I'd be happy to end in at the end of the season, guaranteed UEFA Cup. Not, to mention we are only roughly 1/5th into the season, we could easily fight our way into a Champions League spot.

My point? This result is not at all significant to the rest of our season and admittedly we were outclassed by a team that will finish above us and probably win league this season. Need I mention Chelsea is unbeaten in over 4 years at the Bridge? Keep your heads up Villains.

Thank you for reading my first article/blog,
Zidave