Half term report

[West Derby Villan]

Fair assessment TV couldn’t fault any of your marks, VG

[ChicagoLion]

We are ahead of where I thought we would be, I think this team should be higher based on performances and opportunities. We need to develop a ruthlessness to get the maximum out of this group.
Love watching us play,the best football for a longtime and long May that continue.

[Monty]

My report: everyone's great and I fucking love the Villa.

Also Jack can have my bone marrow if he wants.

[tomd2103]

We are ahead of where I thought we would be, I think this team should be higher based on performances and opportunities. We need to develop a ruthlessness to get the maximum out of this group.
Love watching us play,the best football for a longtime and long May that continue.

Agree and it feels like we have almost taken two steps forward from last season.  The home game against Leeds aside, I can't think of one game where we haven't been in with a chance of winning it and I think the fact had we beaten Burnley twice (as we really should have), we would be 5th and level on points with Liverpool in 4th shows how well we have done. 

Yes, the squad is still light and a few injuries could impact on us in the second half of the season, bug there looks to be a really good team spirit at the club and some of the football has been sublime. 

[Toronto Villa]

Spot on assessments.
For what it's worth, I have a feeling in my bones that Morgan Sanson will have a big part to play in the second half of the season.

I think it’s a very shrewd signing. He will be able to replace any one of our current midfield three. Last year the drop off in quality to the bench players was a lot. Now in certain positions it has closed considerably. That has to be our goal as a club in signing players or bringing them through. Kind of the old cliche of having two good players at every position. We are still short in that regard in a few spots.

[tomd2103]

Spot on assessments.
For what it's worth, I have a feeling in my bones that Morgan Sanson will have a big part to play in the second half of the season.

I think it’s a very shrewd signing. He will be able to replace any one of our current midfield three. Last year the drop off in quality to the bench players was a lot. Now in certain positions it has closed considerably. That has to be our goal as a club in signing players or bringing them through. Kind of the old cliche of having two good players at every position. We are still short in that regard in a few spots.

Agree TV and I think that is the main issue we will need to address in the summer if we can keep this current group together. 

[Villan82]

Going to stick my neck out and say I haven't enjoyed a season this much since the 1990s.

[brian green]

I agree with nigel that Tyrone has been undermarked.  The numbers do not lie.  He does make rickets as all centre backs do these days as their function is expected to be far more creative in the present game.  He is also the de facto captain and fills that role very well.

[SoccerHQ]

I've loved what we've done on the pitch so far, miles beyond my expecations in September. I've pretty much enjoyed every game bar probably Leeds and first half of Southampton as we've gone for teams and been in pretty much all the others even if we've lost e.g. the two games in Manchester.

Shame with what happened in FA cup as we could've had a decent run in that but will have to wait for next season.

This to me is the closest type of season to 95/96 as the MON years always felt more of a quick fix nature whereas this time we've really had to build slowly from a very tough period in our history.

The only disappointment is no one can see this stuff live home and away. It has to be done of course but still a flat feeling to the games when we score and you don't get the great scenes of jumping into the crowd to celebrate as we'd have had after many goals home and away this season (can still remember Luiz diving into the Holte after his Watford goal last season).

Just hope it's not too long into next season until we get the chance to watch in great numbers again.

[wittonwarrior]

Mings being the Senior defender has come in for a fair amount of stick.  You can still see he is so talented.


SJM - he's getting found out and he has returned injured.  Hard thing at this level.

Ross - I don't expect anything more from him than what he is producing.  Can he rise any higher I'm not sure.

Watkins /Cash/Konsa will only get better.

Targett - looks the part expect against the very best

Cash find of the season

Martinez - up there with Bozzie  for me not yet at Jimmy's level but there is time

[brontebilly]

Konsa and Targett particularly are unrecognisable from the players last season.

[Footy-Vill]

Emi Martinez - 8. From the penalty save Vs Sheff Utd in his first match and the saves made v Southampton in the 19th he's been fantastic Super at saving shot far out or on one on ones. Has earned us extra points by being the safe hands in nets. Kept 10 clean sheets in 19 games. Best goal keeper in the league

Matty Cash - 6.5. a would be solid 7 but blots his copybook for me having received 5 yellow cards and being suspended this season. Thus indicates the room for improvement.
Has improved as season gone on and will only get better. Determined defender and offers a lot in attacking sense which needs to be shown more second half of season. Promising. Love his commited defending if not a bit misguided with the aggression.

Matt Targett - 7.5 Seen him step up and be far more professional on pitch attitude playing ,90 mins 18 of 19 matches and only coming off for fatigue (sorry Deano) in the other. Far more able to stay on pitch this season.. Developed his attacking instinct to overlap effectively. (3 assists) Defensively the concerns have eased , has improved his ability in interception and making better decisions for tackles.  10 clean sheets and near ever present and much improved managed to keep discipline on 4 yellows and avoided suspension.

Ezri Konsa - 7.5 Best English central defender this season when playing.  Continues too be oh so composed on the ball and ability to read the play and defend superb. 2 goals this season and would be higher rated had he played all 19 matches. Will be England international as been calling him this for a long time. Part of a defense with Mings that the best English players partnership at club level.

Tyrone Mings - 7 Heroic blocking and vocal leadership. He can be heard each match he plays Mings has inspired the defence at times despite mishaps feel he has confidence to play at own pace.
Has been a decent threat at set pieces (2 Goals in 17 and half matches) more could have been scored.
Has been in the main solid. 9 clean sheets.
Marked down: Sending off v Palace was disappointing.

Hause 7. Superb and solid when playing. 3 clean sheets out of 4 matches Inspired defending Vs Chelsea too in which conceded. Solid understudy.

Douglas Luiz - 6.5 Marked down from 7 after sending off v Wolves. Lovely footballer , controlled in possession but can become casual. Class act though and has ability. I think he's been excellent in understanding his role if not a bit jaded and exposed at times.

John McGinn - 6.5 Marked down after 5 yellow cards. Thus liability to be suspended. Continued discipline issue needs to be worked on better controlled agression. Showed outstanding quality in some matches Vs Chelsea , Fulham , WBA, Liverpool and Arsenal. Super at times. Still best scotch midfielder in league. The international Vs England will show that in the summer. Quality attitude in his desire for Villa I hope he improves yet fearful he's a fall guy to Sanson on abilities.

Marvelous Nakamba 6 ok understudy played small part so far and in matches against weaker teams. Feel he will be someone who may be upgraded or a player who knows his place in squad reliable so far if not basic

Ross Barkley - 7 Scored some key goals and offers quality and athleticism. Will improve once fully fit again. Brilliant goals v Leicester and Southampton. 3 goals scored in total of 9 matches + 5 mins Vs Brighton shows hes central attacking midfielder qualitiy and what he's been brought in for. Class player more to come second half season.

Bertrand Traore 7. Scored 4 goals in 6 matches. Has assist potential must improve defensive aspect but focus as an attacker has excellent quality and fun to watch.

AEG 7.  After 8 shots Vs burnley at home and failing to deliver he really stepped up.  Scoring 2 v WBA .Admirable. lovely spell of 5 goals in 5 matches . Superb in way he disapatched the pen v Wolves in last minute. Marked at 7 as a deserving player of the month nomination

Trezeguet 6. Real team player. Knows his responsibility and tireless. Would be a higher mark if he had scored the chances handed to him. Great squad player pushes for first team start in what he can bring. But no goals this season and less matches mean he's on a lower mark for half way stage.

Jack - 8.5 Best English midfielder and most influential to our great team. It would be higher if he took pens and scored more goals. Cant fault the assists as that's down to his team mates. Unplayable at times and unbelievable to watch.
Pushing on with effective end product of goals scored and releasing passes at right time to me would see 9 out of 10. As would less yellow cards. For me has aspects that need improving. Passionate and petulant rather than aggressive must monitor this side of things for discipline both on and off field. Fantastic with ball at his feet would not swap him for any other premier league player in his position. Hoping he goes on to show World class level and progression by winning matches and scoring that worldy maradonna type goal we are all waiting on (it's coming!) Second half of season hope he continues with his brilliant creative play, his mesmeric play and please a few more goals!  Best performer and best player to watch . Super Jack just gets better!

Ollie Watkins - 8  would be higher if he had matched his expected goals. He's played every minute and has scored 8 goals in 19 league games. Tirelessly works for team. Great attitude. Developing all the time and with 10 overall goals going for 20 overall goals by season end with bit of luck. In the remaining 19 matches he should be 'leveling off' XG and is around 3 behind so indicators are more goals to come
Brilliant so far!


Team overall 8/10
Dean Smith best English manager . Deserved manager of the month!
Jack Grealish best performer in league , Best English player.
Most entertaining player
Konsa and Mings best two English defenders in partnership in league.
McGinn best Scottish Midfielder in league
Martinez best goal keeper in the league.
Aston Villa most improved team

[ez]

It's a nice change to not have deadwood players around the club anymore.  Weve got grafters now.

[Clampy]

I don't normally take much notice in things like player ratings but Footy knocking off marks for players getting booked is odd. It's inevitable that players to get bookings really, especially for midfielders.

[AV82EC]

I don't normally take much notice in things like player ratings but Footy knocking off marks for players getting booked is odd. It's inevitable that players to get bookings really, especially for midfielders.

To be fair it was for cumulative bookings and not just one offs. I think the point he’s trying to make is the one between assertive and aggressive play. I personally don’t agree with him but each to their own and I can see what he was trying to get at.