Another game saw another sucker punch which robbed us of valuable points. This season is fast becoming a frustrating one, certainly in terms of conceding late goals. A completely dominant performance in the Sunday lunchtime match against Nottingham Forest ultimately ended with just a solitary point taken and a feeling of disappointment which we are sadly experiencing too often so far in the Championship.
However, it is all too easy to slip into gloom and doom mode. Minority sections are already calling for Roberto Di Matteo’s, head which is, frankly, ridiculous. Whilst our frailties shouldn’t be overlooked, the positives must be focused on to put everything into perspective.
Statistics can be manipulated. From our opening six games, we have just six points. On the face of it, we’re struggling. We have just one win so far. On the other hand, we’re still unbeaten at home and haven’t failed to score at Villa Park so far either. On top of this, we are the only team to have taken points off leaders Huddersfield Town, which is good considering their form so far. So what is the reality? Should we be worried?
In short, I would say no, certainly not at this stage. A cursory glance at the table shows that we are currently languishing in seventeenth position. The panic sets in for some people when they look at the top and see that the Terriers are already ten points ahead of us. Of course, we would love to be in that position but, in truth, their form probably won’t last. Previous seasons in the Championship have often involved a team surging onwards at the beginning of the season only to fade towards the end. Brighton and Hove Albion last season and Derby County in the previous campaign are recent examples. It is easy to get carried away and feel we are falling behind but this division changes so quickly and after another three games the whole outlook could be completely different. We shouldn’t let the current positions create panic.
So, what can we focus on as positives? For a start, I think it is important to remember that we have largely been playing well. The game against Forest in particular was, overall, a good display. We controlled the game and limited the opposition to two shots on target, both of which resulted in goals, of course. Despite the obvious down side here, the fact that we dominated the game from beginning to end is an improvement on our recent pattern of bossing just one half of football only to play within ourselves for the other.
Secondly, it is probably fair to say that we haven’t had the rub of the green when it comes to converting chances. In the last three games alone, we have hit either the post or the bar on seven occasions. I don’t like to bemoan how unlucky we are but we are creating some great chances. The other way of looking at things is that the finishing hasn’t been good enough and that luck doesn’t come into it. I think this certainly is part of the problem and that we need to be more ruthless rather than blaming bad luck. However, I can definitely see a game coming soon where everything does come together and we take a team apart and score four, five or even six goals. It is important to remember that the chances are being made and we look dangerous.
On a similar note, the promise shown by new signing Jonathan Kodjia on his debut against Forest was encouraging. It was great to see a player with pace willing to run at defenders and he also showed his aerial threat, coming close with a few headed efforts. Likewise, Rudy Gestede impressed when he was introduced off the bench and showcased a superb athletic finish and Ross McCormack smartly converted his goal and looked lively also. Although not playing as striker, I’d also throw in Jordan Ayew, who assisted both goals and put in a performance which indicates he may be beginning to find some form after a slow start. Our attacking players and goal-scoring threats are looking very good indeed.
The Forest game was the first since the transfer window shut and we’re still awaiting a chance to see perhaps our strongest side play. Albert Adomah was not in the match day squad and our midfield was hampered by the absence of Aaron Tshibola and, in particular, the steel of Mile Jedinak. Although I don’t think that Gary Gardner or Ashley Westwood were necessarily over-run in the middle of the park, I do consider them our back-up centre midfield pairing. Adomah may struggle to dislodge Ayew or Grealish but offers Di Matteo a great alternative and will be an exciting addition to an already promising forward line.
One criticism is that, defensively, there is no doubt we need tightening up. From looking relatively sound at the back for the first few games, there is a slight sloppiness creeping in – and it is costing us. Forest’s first goal may have been a great strike from Apostolos Vellios, although it was certainly preventable in several parts of the build up to it and Mark Bunn probably should have gotten a hand to it. Their second goal saw our defence drawn to the mazy run from Hilderberto Pereira which left Henri Lansbury free in the centre of the box to convert. Two chances. Two goals. Two points dropped. This needs to be looked at.
Despite this, now is certainly not the time to panic or to get on the backs of the players. It has been a slow start and, whilst we cannot rely on simply hoping that our ‘unlucky’ streak changes and saying that we’ll get a win soon, it is clear that we look capable of winning these games. There are still forty games to be played; that is a potential one hundred and twenty points still up for grabs. It is by no means acceptable to say that because there is so long to go that it is fine for us to drop points at this stage. It isn’t. This needs to be addressed quickly. Equally, it is important not to let negativity creep in at this stage. Fans should remember that Aston Villa is a club in transition and continue to get behind the team right now.
The game against Brentford on Wednesday night is an excellent chance to get things going again. Things will suddenly seem much more rosy if we bag those three points.
