Villa capable of delivering but need to improve rapidly!
Article by Luke Heyes
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Disregarding the half-time motivational speech that revved up a victory at Leicester last week, the official reign of Tim Sherwood didn’t quite materialise into what was generally expected. In the dugout for the first time against Stoke City, since trading places with the sacked Paul Lambert, the new manager celebrated wildly when man of the match winger Scott Sinclair scored an exquisite glancing header on twenty minutes and there was well-overdue euphoria all around Villa Park. At the end of the match though, after Stoke claimed all three points through a late Victor Moses penalty, Sherwood cut a figure of frustration and disbelief. His post-match interview was a little more enriching than what Villa fans have been used to in recent months however with only three shots on target, Sherwood will be more than aware of what his short-term priorities are. If Villa are to evade relegation, there is an incredible amount of work to be done and rather than wax lyrical about the legacy he left behind at Spurs, it’s time for the new ‘headmaster’ to swiftly get Villa back on track.
In the build up to the Stoke match, observed by Randy Lerner and Tom Fox, Sherwood had created a real buzz around Bodymoor Heath with his unassuming yet ‘electric’ training sessions. A lot of players looked to have found a new lease of life and have been very willing to catch the eye and impress. Sherwood’s hasty axing of midfielders Westwood and Cleverley underlined both his authority and the direction in which he feels the team need to go if they are to start picking up points; fans have been excited by his appointment, female followers have alluded to his chizzled, school-boy looks and his cockiness and presence has certainly revitalised both club and camera. Be careful though Mr Sherwood as points certainly speak louder than words!
As squad sheets were revealed before kick-off, there were certainly some thought-provoking decisions. Initially, the inclusion of Ron Vlaar didn’t exactly come as a surprise but with the captain’s recent return from injury, his inconsistencies in form this season and the prolific performances of Jones Okore, one might have pondered whether it was the correct choice. A natural leader he is, but his rash challenge and poor decision making cost Villa the game. Moreover, his future is still uncertain and at the moment, he appears a shadow of his former self. Could Delph have captained the team this time round? I think so.
There was also the dubious reintroduction of Kieran Richardson, note: not ‘Kevin Richardson’, who slotted in at left-back in place of Aly Sissoko. Sissoko has had a very good season and on his consistent defensive performances and ability to match Alan Hutton for striving forward, should he have started?
A final lack of judgement on behalf of the manager may have been to start Carlos Gil. Despite providing Villa with the creative flair they have been lacking in recent games, his size and lack of strength, certainly to match the height and muscle of Stoke, may have favoured the more robust Bacuna who scored a sublime goal against Leicester last week and has proved he can play more effectively in an attacking number ten role. It was no revelation that Gil was subbed in the second half and maybe Sherwood should have adapted his 4-4-2 formation. It would be unfair to judge Sherwood though at this stage. He still needs more time to implement his vision and style of play but unlike Lambert, who took four games to get his first Villa win, the new manager needs to be more pre-emptive.
Villa started the game positively. There was an energy and new optimism around Villa Park. The fans were boisterous and The Holte End was in full swing. On twenty minutes, Villa deservedly took the lead through a terrific, powerful header from new loan singing Scot Sinclair. The pacey winger was initially bundled to the ground after an airborne collision with Phil Bardsley but recovered quickly to get on the end of a perfect Delph delivery and smash the ball home with a commanding header; an impressive touch from a player who is in desperate need to make up for lost time.
One would have expected the goal to lift the tempo and galvanise things but after taking the lead it was as almost as if Villa were fearful of continuing on the front foot. An early goal was a blessing but to sit back and slow momentum was a huge error. This should have been addressed more readily and on the stroke of half time, as a result of slack, careless defending, Diouf beat Guzan from six yards, heading the ball into the centre of the goal. The cross, which was a flawless, first time delivery, came from Villa old-boy rebel Stephen Ireland who was a thorn in Villa’s side throughout.
In the second half both teams were guilty of lacking inventiveness and it was Stoke who looked like they would grind out the draw in typical rugged fashion. Villa came close with a Clarke header that was expertly tipped over by Begovic but apart from that, chances were few and far between. A draw was looking the likely result until Vlaar brought down Moses in the dying minutes of injury time after his initial error of giving the ball away cheaply. Moses scored with ease and Villa players were left with that familiar deflated feeling.
A devastating start for the new manager but how Tim Sherwood reacts to the loss will be more imperative. Villa are certainly capable of delivering but need to improve rapidly!
© e-Football 2014 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football
Click here to follow e-Football on Twitter!
Disregarding the half-time motivational speech that revved up a victory at Leicester last week, the official reign of Tim Sherwood didn’t quite materialise into what was generally expected. In the dugout for the first time against Stoke City, since trading places with the sacked Paul Lambert, the new manager celebrated wildly when man of the match winger Scott Sinclair scored an exquisite glancing header on twenty minutes and there was well-overdue euphoria all around Villa Park. At the end of the match though, after Stoke claimed all three points through a late Victor Moses penalty, Sherwood cut a figure of frustration and disbelief. His post-match interview was a little more enriching than what Villa fans have been used to in recent months however with only three shots on target, Sherwood will be more than aware of what his short-term priorities are. If Villa are to evade relegation, there is an incredible amount of work to be done and rather than wax lyrical about the legacy he left behind at Spurs, it’s time for the new ‘headmaster’ to swiftly get Villa back on track.
In the build up to the Stoke match, observed by Randy Lerner and Tom Fox, Sherwood had created a real buzz around Bodymoor Heath with his unassuming yet ‘electric’ training sessions. A lot of players looked to have found a new lease of life and have been very willing to catch the eye and impress. Sherwood’s hasty axing of midfielders Westwood and Cleverley underlined both his authority and the direction in which he feels the team need to go if they are to start picking up points; fans have been excited by his appointment, female followers have alluded to his chizzled, school-boy looks and his cockiness and presence has certainly revitalised both club and camera. Be careful though Mr Sherwood as points certainly speak louder than words!
As squad sheets were revealed before kick-off, there were certainly some thought-provoking decisions. Initially, the inclusion of Ron Vlaar didn’t exactly come as a surprise but with the captain’s recent return from injury, his inconsistencies in form this season and the prolific performances of Jones Okore, one might have pondered whether it was the correct choice. A natural leader he is, but his rash challenge and poor decision making cost Villa the game. Moreover, his future is still uncertain and at the moment, he appears a shadow of his former self. Could Delph have captained the team this time round? I think so.
There was also the dubious reintroduction of Kieran Richardson, note: not ‘Kevin Richardson’, who slotted in at left-back in place of Aly Sissoko. Sissoko has had a very good season and on his consistent defensive performances and ability to match Alan Hutton for striving forward, should he have started?
A final lack of judgement on behalf of the manager may have been to start Carlos Gil. Despite providing Villa with the creative flair they have been lacking in recent games, his size and lack of strength, certainly to match the height and muscle of Stoke, may have favoured the more robust Bacuna who scored a sublime goal against Leicester last week and has proved he can play more effectively in an attacking number ten role. It was no revelation that Gil was subbed in the second half and maybe Sherwood should have adapted his 4-4-2 formation. It would be unfair to judge Sherwood though at this stage. He still needs more time to implement his vision and style of play but unlike Lambert, who took four games to get his first Villa win, the new manager needs to be more pre-emptive.
Villa started the game positively. There was an energy and new optimism around Villa Park. The fans were boisterous and The Holte End was in full swing. On twenty minutes, Villa deservedly took the lead through a terrific, powerful header from new loan singing Scot Sinclair. The pacey winger was initially bundled to the ground after an airborne collision with Phil Bardsley but recovered quickly to get on the end of a perfect Delph delivery and smash the ball home with a commanding header; an impressive touch from a player who is in desperate need to make up for lost time.
One would have expected the goal to lift the tempo and galvanise things but after taking the lead it was as almost as if Villa were fearful of continuing on the front foot. An early goal was a blessing but to sit back and slow momentum was a huge error. This should have been addressed more readily and on the stroke of half time, as a result of slack, careless defending, Diouf beat Guzan from six yards, heading the ball into the centre of the goal. The cross, which was a flawless, first time delivery, came from Villa old-boy rebel Stephen Ireland who was a thorn in Villa’s side throughout.
In the second half both teams were guilty of lacking inventiveness and it was Stoke who looked like they would grind out the draw in typical rugged fashion. Villa came close with a Clarke header that was expertly tipped over by Begovic but apart from that, chances were few and far between. A draw was looking the likely result until Vlaar brought down Moses in the dying minutes of injury time after his initial error of giving the ball away cheaply. Moses scored with ease and Villa players were left with that familiar deflated feeling.
A devastating start for the new manager but how Tim Sherwood reacts to the loss will be more imperative. Villa are certainly capable of delivering but need to improve rapidly!
© e-Football 2014 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football
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