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Ahead of Wednesday night's game against Aston
Villa at Villa Park, we caught up once more with Villa fan David, from My Old Man Said.
He gives his views on the Villan's season so far, Paul Lambert,
Christian Benteke
and more. You can also find My
Old Man Said on Twitter @oldmansaid
It’s been a strange season so far for Villa, some good
results away from home but a season of struggle at
Villa Park, what have
performances been like in general?
Until the last couple of games, performances had been
absolutely dire. Considering the poor results at
Villa Park in recent seasons,
the quality of the football had become the final tipping point for a lot of
Villa fans, with patience starting to run thin with Lambert. It’s hard to think
that at the start of last season Lambert had started a passing revolution, but
after that proved ineffective (mainly due to lack of quality in midfield), he’s
turned a full 180 degrees and regressed to ‘hoofball’.The statistics have backed
up what we have seen with our own eyes. It’s simply not good enough. However, we
went to Anfield in our last game and played them off the park in the first half
and should have been out of sight, before the Suarez dive. Lambert and his team
have always struggled in the past to kick-on after promising performances
though, hopefully it’s different this time. Three wins in the next six fixtures
and the rest of the season will be easy street with no need to worry about any
relegation battle.
What’s the
current mood like amongst Villa fans, optimism or pessimism?
There’s a growing sense of limbo. Just what are we doing? Do
the board actually have any plans bordering on ambition? Paul Lambert’s planning
was always long-term considering the drastic changes he made, but if they could
only get a decent midfielder in to provide a creative force in tackling our home
form, there’s a lot Villa could still do in the short-term. An improvement in
what season ticket holders are seeing is a must. It’s Villa’s ridiculous home
form that is the root of all evil.
Fans’
opinion seems split on Paul Lambert, your feeling towards him, stay or go?
There’s kind of two schools of thought on Lambert. The one on
Twitter, where people give him the next game to prove himself. ‘I’ll give him
the Sunderland game.’
Well, Villa won that, so now what?!
If anyone thought Lambert would go this season, never mind
after the next game, they’re seriously deluded. Randy Lerner likes to stand by
his man. Relegation is the only thing that would eject Lambert from
Villa Park. Lambert’s not Mr
Charismatic when it comes to the media, so it is hard for fans to trust or warm
to him in the lean times. The main problem is, his team have been even less
charismatic on the pitch. Still, despite the gloom, Villa are 10th. I predicted
a few months ago, the league table would split in two halves, and at the mo,
Villa are very much in the second pack, which again is below expectations.
At the moment, I can’t see Villa have any option but to give
Lambert a proper shot of turning Villa around. There would be more patience
with him, if the performances and conviction on the field improve. Next season
though will be the one where a more rational judgment can be made on the Villa
boss.
Although
he’s showing signs of regaining his goal touch, Christian Benteke has struggled
a little to repeat last season’s form and goal scoring feats, any particular
reason why?
Let’s not forget he’s still 23. He never seemed 100% coming
back from injury. Also, the team had been going through a particularly patchy
period and not creating many chances for him. He made a trip back to
Belgium to see his family before
the Arsenal game, and he’s scored in both games since he’s been back. If the
team steps up, so will he. I have no worries about him getting his mojo back.
Are there
any areas of the team you would like to see strengthened before the end of the
transfer window?
Midfield is the key to all Villa’s woes, especially at
Villa Park. So far the only
likely name that cropped up in the window is
Norwich’s
Wes Hoolahan, and he turns 32 in May. One decent proven attacking midfielder,
with presence, could dramatically transform the team.
When we
spoke back in November you predicted a 10th place finish for Villa, happy to
stick with that prediction?
Yes. Hopefully, getting Ryan Bertrand on loan at left-back
will sort out our backline, which has improved on last season even with the
similar personnel. If Jores Okore comes back from injury in March, I can’t see
us slipping down the table too much. For Villa to go any higher though would
need Benteke to catch fire.
Highlight
of the season so far?
The Arsenal away win at the start of the season. It put Villa
top of the league at 5pm
and gave us false hope, which is better than no hope!
Low point
of the season so far?
Getting knocked out the FA Cup so limply by Sheffield United
was just sad. Some fans forget these cup competitions are the only chance
they’ll have of seeing Villa actually win something in their lifetimes.
Personally, I’ve seen Villa win everything but the FA Cup. Indeed, Villa’s 1957
FA Cup win is similar to
England’s 1966 World Cup in terms of the stigma attached.
Player of
the season so far?
Lot of fans would say Fabian
Delph, but I think he falls more in the category of ‘most improved player of the
year’. He’s learnt not to give the ball away and his effort is right up there,
but he still lacks in really influencing a game from midfield and in the goals
and assists department too. For me, in terms of impacting games and winning us
points this season, Gabby Agbonlahor has been our top player. He’s just got on
with things without any fuss. He’s still a player that can hurt any defence and
his passing and delivery has been increasingly impressive.
Any player
been particularly disappointing?
After being signed to replace the last disappointing
left-back, Antonio Luna, now finds himself replaced by Ryan Bertrand. Luna may
have scored on his debut against Arsenal, but he’s been prone to ball watching
and is out of position constantly. He went from fan favourite to forgotten man
in a matter of weeks
Premier
League Champions?
I predicted
Chelsea at the start and will
stick with them, as I rate Mourinho. Hazard and Oscar are cooking at the moment
and any team that doesn’t need Mata, must be fairly good. However, the
powerhouse that is Manchester City,
look menacing. Manuel Pellegrini has added a focus and pragmatism to their
approach. Mancini was too much of a flapper and got emotional; Pellegrini won’t
allow himself to be distracted like his Italian counterpart. On paper, City
should win the league by 10 points, but Chelsea have Mourinho, like United had
Sir Alex, the season before. To deny City this season would be one of Jose’s
toughest tests in his career.
Relegated?
I think the Welsh teams are in trouble. Cardiff for obvious
reasons and Swansea, just because they might be one of these teams that things
are all rosy when the going is good, but then totally fold under pressure. I
think Poyet will see Sunderland safe. I was impressed by Palace when they came to
Villa Park and Pulis has never
been relegated. Mark Hughes taking Stoke down would be fun, as I don’t rate him
at all as a manager. I’ll go for
Cardiff,
Fulham and West Ham.
Prediction
for Wednesday’s game?
I think finally Villa will win and put an end to these draws.
Shane Long has gone, which will help. Unfortunately, Agbonlahor looks doubtful.
If he was fit, then I’d be more comfortable with a prediction. But let’s go 2-1
to Villa.
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