What’s left for Aston Villa
Sunday 12 April - Everton (H)
Saturday 18 April - West Ham (H)
Saturday 25 April - Bolton (A)
Saturday 02 May - Hull City (H)
Saturday 09 May - Fulham (A)
Saturday 16 May - Middlesbrough (A)
Sunday 24 May - Newcastle United (H)
It’s a tough ending to the season for Villa. The Everton tie is key to how things may develop. All does look lost right now in the chase for 4th place after the heartbreak of today at Old Trafford - until you remember that Arsenal have to play Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United in the run-in. It’s not stretching the realms of reality too much to think they could slip and lose all three games - which does give Villa a little glimmer of a chance, if they can recover from today and end the season brightly.
The plus point from today was Villa’s attacking play. I thought Young, Agbonlahor and Carew posed a real threat for Villa all afternoon and seriously worried United’s (all be it makeshift) defence. I expect Ashley Young will be getting a bit of stick right now from some Villa fans - a petulant booking and at least a few times a game, he does have a worrying habit of producing something jaw dropping awful when in a good position - but for me, he was key to most things Villa did. That little bit of arrogance, the slight drop of the shoulder, the no fear approach to attacking play - it was all back today for Young and Villa need him in top form.
I really hope Laursen and Bouma are only weeks away from returning to first team football. Villa were crying out for leadership today and few are better than delivering that than Martin Laursen. He and Bouma both offer much more stability to Villa’s defence which crumbled horribly under the pressure of Manchester United attacking play late on.
Brad Friedel has done ok this season but I wouldn’t say he’s been terrific and he’s currently showing a worrying dip in form. Perhaps he is just unsure about the four in front of him or maybe age is finally creeping up with the veteran American? I’m not so sure..but there have been times over the past three or four games when it’s like having Scott Carson back in goal.
Luke Young actually played a lot better in spells today at his favoured right back, but he too has gone off the boil. He and Curtis Davies wobbled badly towards the end of the game. Nicky Shorey stepped back into the side and played quite well. I was pretty impressed with his bursts forward and I thought he was a lot steadier than I have seen from him so far this season..but when Bouma is fit, I would play him ahead of Shorey every single time. Bouma was one of the most improved Villa players last season and everyone has their fingers crossed that both he and Laursen can play some part in the remainder of this season. The concern is that both have been out of action for quite some considerable time and you never know what players are going to be like when they do come back in.
Spirits are very low - that dressing room must have been like a morgue today - but O’Neill needs to point out the positives from today and work hard on the training ground to eradicate mistakes. A bit more conviction and concentration and I think Villa would have got a point - or even all three - from today’s match. it’s not rocket science. The defence need to organize themselves better and cut down space. It’s criminal to give quality players free headers and for them to be unchallenged in dangerous areas of the pitch. For much of last season, the problem wasn’t scoring goals but conceding them and that habit seems to be back again. Protecting the defence is crucial too. Long hopeful balls may be tempting with Carew in the side but if he doesn’t win them then Villa need to be first to a better percentage of loose balls.
The home match against Everton could turn into a real damp squid if we aren’t careful but a victory over David Moyles men should give the team renewed hope that all is still to play for. And while things are mathematically possible and Arsenal have serious challenges ahead of them, Villa should do what they did so well when the spotlight was off - creep up and take advantage of any slips.
