Does Bacuna deserve a second chance?

After the final day drubbing at the hands of Arsenal, many Villa fans (including myself) believed that the villains of Villa’s demise would soon be gone. Leandro Bacuna was definitely near the top of that list, despite facing stiff competition from Gabby Agbonlahor, Joleon Lescott and Brad Guzan. Since that defeat, Guzan has been sold to Middlesbrough, Lescott looks likely to join Leeds United and Agbonlahor is on his way to the ‘capital city’. However, Leandro Bacuna started in Villa’s most recent defeat to beaten play-off finalists Sheffield Wednesday and seems to be in Roberto Di Matteo’s plans for the upcoming season. Should we give him a second chance?

There is no question that last season Bacuna was booed more times by the Villa faithful than he was cheered. He committed more fouls (41) than he had shots (40). He also picked up 9 yellow cards and scored a solitary goal. Despite these quite shocking statistics, what angered Villa fans the most was his lack of desire and passion, characteristics fans expect from all those who put on the famous claret and blue shirt. It seemed as if Bacuna was more interested in getting a new haircut than he was in playing for Aston Villa. His comments about his desire to play in the Champions League brought another low point in the season. So why should we give him another chance?

Unlike Agbonlahor, Lescott and Guzan, Bacuna is yet to reach his prime. He is only twenty-four years old and we can hope that he will only get better. He can’t get much worse after last season. Moreover, after watching him in pre-season and against the Owls, he seems reinvigorated. He is tracking back, working hard for the team and actually putting in an acceptable shift.

It also seems as if Roberto Di Matteo is playing him in his best position: right midfield. Last season, he was played at right back and Eric Black even played him at centre half against the Gunners. At right midfield, he can actually express himself with the ball. He can link up with the likes of Jordan Ayew and Ross McCormack, who have great technical ability. He is nowhere near the finished article as a right midfielder but it is an improvement on seeing him try to defend at right back. Dropping down a division could also help him massively; he will be able to make the odd mistake and not get punished. He will also be getting more chances in front of goal and he will get more time on the ball, as most teams will sit back against Aston Villa.

Bacuna is definitely a confidence player. In his first season for Villa, every time he scored it seemed we would win. Towards the back end of the 2014-15 season, he picked up five assists in the final ten Premier League games to help steer Aston Villa to safety. Clearly, when the team is doing well, he seems to do well. This meant he earned himself a new five-year contract last summer. Therefore, if we can get some momentum going this season, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the best of Bacuna.

Understandably, many Villa fans will feel Bacuna has passed the point of no return. Many will feel that we need to get rid of the ‘bad eggs’ as soon as possible. They will feel that Bacuna’s days were numbered a long time ago. Up until the line-up was announced before Sunday’s game against Sheffield Wednesday, I shared a similar view. However, it is vitally important that, as fans, we get behind Roberto Di Matteo and galvanise the team, no matter who he picks.

If Di Matteo gives Bacuna a second chance after last season then so should we.

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6 comments

  1. I FOR ONE AS A VILLA FAN FOR OVER 50 YEARS WOULD NEVER SUPPORT RACUNA FOR THE WAY HE PERFORMED LAST SEASON EVEN IF HE WERE TO SCORE A GOAL. I CANNOT FORGIVE HIM OR ANY OF THE OTHERS FOR LAST SEASONS EVENTS. GET RID OF HIM, AYEW, RICHARDS AND THAT THING THAT IS CALLED GESTEDE, WHO EVER SAID HE WAS A FOOTBALLER

  2. If he knuckles down, puts in a shift every game and shows a genuine desire to improve, then there may be a way back for him. No doubt he was one of the key culprits last year, and I like most fans have been looking forward to seeing him booted out the door. But Di Matteo seems to have found a place for him, unlike the other bad eggs. I was struggling to find an answer as to why this is the case but I think you have nailed it with the point that, unlike the others, he is still young and has plenty time yet to improve so he may still have something to offer us. It’s worth noting too that he was not on the pitch for the debacle against Luton when McCormack, Gestede and Ayew barely had a sniff at goal. Personally I was hoping to see Traore bombing down the right hand side for us this season but that doesn’t look like happening any time soon. Also Andre Green looks a bit too inexperienced to be a regular starter just yet, so maybe we will have to accept that Bacuna might be the best option in that position for the time being, whether he deserves to be is another story.

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