We all know it, everyone reading this knows it. We should of beat Sunderland – we are better than them. We should have got three points against a side that are already in crisis talks. A point against a team that have been performing the way Sunderland have in recent weeks isn’t good enough for a club with the ambition of Aston Villa FC.
We have hit a new high in recent times, we have a positive atmosphere around the club and we the fans, have been so buoyant about it, we are in danger of losing the point of a positive atmosphere – to win games, and that needs to start. Now.
Our attacking performance against Sunderland was a perfect example of how we need to be more ruthless going forward, we are not weak but not confident enough – it seems that the creative players are stuck between trying to abide by Sherwood’s tactical plans or trying to read and adapt to our new players on the pitch, Catch 22. Villa’s attack needs to have more venom and tempo, the creative players need to have the instinct and confidence to be able to dictate the game and take it to the opposing defenders.
Jordan Ayew, for all his early critics, is a good enough striker to latch on the end of balls and stroke them into the bottom corners, maybe even more capable than our very own Gabby Agbonlahor. And say Ayew didn’t read the pass first time round, the opposing defenders will have a big enough scare to know what they’re in for.
Micah Richards – for all his hype and value for money hasn’t been effective enough at ensuring our defence stays solid. He brings calm and composure to a defence which definitely helps for last ditch tackles and decisions, but we need to be sharper – I can see, it is coming slowly, but we need a big push so we can climb up the table and enter the next level of game management on the pitch.
The midfield is what I’ve been most impressed by. Gueye looks the part, simple on the ball but industrial in his work all over the pitch and his partner looks like a new man under Sherwood.
Jack Grealish and Adama Traore need time to get fit and come into the season, but I have full confidence in both of them performing to the highest standard, proving what top talents they are.
It’s time to turn this positivity into results, and win.
