Carlos Sanchez

[Monty]

The midfield three we finished with is the dictionary definition of a defend-and-counter midfield - Sanchez the deep stopper, Westwood alongside who can play good long 'out-balls' from defence, and Delph who can break forward powerfully and quickly. Not magnificent at breaking through sieges, so to speak, but very much fit for purpose.

[onje_villa]

for all of the knocks against Lambert, and there are many that are fully justifiable, when he has spent a bit of money he's done so well in the market. When you consider Benteke, Kozak, Vlaar, Okore, and Sanchez cost between them around just over 20m; around what we got for Downing it's really excellent business.

Agreed, I think it's been the biggest success of his tenure so far. Maybe Roy Keane will take more of a hands-on approach to training and tactics and PL can get more involved in nurturing players.

[villan from luton]

I think the presence of Sanchez had an immediate effect on Delph, suddenly he was breaking forward at will. Sanchez really looks a proper player and think he will be a major asset.

[Ian.]

for all of the knocks against Lambert, and there are many that are fully justifiable, when he has spent a bit of money he's done so well in the market. When you consider Benteke, Kozak, Vlaar, Okore, and Sanchez cost between them around just over 20m; around what we got for Downing it's really excellent business.

Agreed, I think it's been the biggest success of his tenure so far. Maybe Roy Keane will take more of a hands-on approach to training and tactics and PL can get more involved in nurturing players.

Also I'm still convinced going down the route we tried on such a low budget using these bargain basement signings and the youngsters which have come through no manager in the world would have achieved any more than Lambert has done himself.

[Villa in Denmark]

We'd also been under the cosh for a good 10 minutes before he came on. That changed almost immediately.
It was difficult to keep track of him watching on the box, but it seemed like be managed to position himself exactly where he needed to be to take away options in the centre of the pitch, all without moving much more than 10 yards in any direction.

Sort of like an anti-Pirlo if you know what I mean.

[Toronto Villa]

there is definitely a presence about him. We all recall being at school when one of better players turns up to game during recess late and joins your team. You feel a little taller and more confident. I got that impression when Sanchez came on with some of our players around him, especially Delph. I suppose it helps instill confidence when the new lad has muscles that his shirt can barely contain.

[andyh]

I guess he can't speak English?
And yet when he came on I noticed he didn't stop shouting and pointing...I like that.
We need leaders in this team.

[Toronto Villa]

I guess he can't speak English?
And yet when he came on I noticed he didn't stop shouting and pointing...I like that.
We need leaders in this team.

like this?

Clicky

[Malandro]

No picture, but I imagine its one of chairman mao

[john e]

Or NRC

[Dante Lavelli]

Any news on a contract for Delph? I think that Carlos could really allow him to shine which would obviously put him in the shop window.

[tomd2103]

The midfield three we finished with is the dictionary definition of a defend-and-counter midfield - Sanchez the deep stopper, Westwood alongside who can play good long 'out-balls' from defence, and Delph who can break forward powerfully and quickly. Not magnificent at breaking through sieges, so to speak, but very much fit for purpose.

On the face of it, that's a similar balance to arguably the best midfield three (Draper, Townsend, Taylor) I've seen in my time supporting Villa.  I still think we need a different option to Westwood in the three mentioned above and that Delph really needs to start adding goals to his game.   

[Toronto Villa]

Or NRC

i should have made clear that after the pointing there was some productivity. It would have eliminated all thought of NRC.

[Matt Collins]

Having watched the highlights on AVTV I thought Westwood looked good (on brief highlights admittedly) and his passing looked crisp. I see he barely gave the ball away either

I'm not sure that midfield three is über defensive, considering where we are as a team. The key is you need that extra solidity to mean we can play a quality and creative front three (which may require a signing or two), release Delph in particular to get forwards but also allow Westwood to play passes in more attacking areas, and let the full backs get forward

Having said all that, it's not going to be attacking enough for some home games in particular. But it should help us get a bit more of a grip on games. You'd have to hope that midfield could assert itself

[Clampy]

I think one of the biggest problems last season and probably the season before was the midfield, which might explain why the defence looked so poor. Richardson and Sanchez along with Delph and Westwood will hopefully make a difference.