<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/KeaneLambert.jpg"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/KeaneLambert.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-113130" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20140921_WST_116981_KeaneLambert-600x414.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=414" alt="KeaneLambert" width="600" height="414" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/KeaneLambert-600x414.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/KeaneLambert-150x103.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/KeaneLambert-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/KeaneLambert.jpg 633w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure></div>
Team strengths:&nbsp;Prior to their 3-0 defeat at home to Arsenal, Aston Villa had only conceded one goal for the season. At the beginning of the term nobody would have thought that the centre-back partnership of Ron Vlaar and Philippe Senderos would be as successful as it has been. Senderos’ career failed to really take off in the way he would have liked and the way many had expected, always struggling to nail down a place in the Arsenal team for a prolonged period of time, some loan spells and transfers later he still hadn’t lived up to his potential. However, Paul Lambert has taken a chance on the 29-year-old and he’s reaping the rewards.
Another one of the Villians’ strengths is the squad depth they’ve got. Paul Lambert has got some incredible talent on his bench; players like Joe Cole, Jack Grealish, Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker, Darren Bent, Charles N’Zogbia and even Shay Given are all ready and waiting to be called upon when needed.
Team weaknesses:&nbsp;Goals! Villa’s strikers aren’t what you would call prolific, especially in the absence of superstar Christian Benteke. Andreas Weimann scored just five goals in 37 league appearances last year and Gabriel Agbonlahor racked up a disappointing four goals in 30 games. Despite Benteke returning to training this week, he won’t be back in action for quite some time still.
Star player so far this season: My star player of this season so far is unsung hero, Brad Guzan, the USNMNT shot stopper has never looked out of place since replacing Shay Given as the clubs no1. Now that he’s behind an experienced and able back four he should keep even more clean sheets than last term.
How did your team do in the transfer window? A lot better than expected. The players Randy Lerner splashed out on all seemed to be trying to reignite their careers. Kieran Richardson had never reached the potential many predicted during his <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/09/21/manchester-uniteds-reaction-to-capitulation-at-leicester-city-will-determine-the-squads-mettle/">Manchester United</a> days but has looked good so far in the Claret and Blue. The same also applies for Senderos, Joe Cole, Tom Cleverley and even Aly Cissokho for that matter. These players have so far proved their critics wrong this season as Villa cruised to third place in the league table.
Best starting XI:
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/xi-villa.jpg"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/xi-villa.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-117038" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20140921_WST_116981_xi-villa.webp&amp;width=343&amp;height=447" alt="xi villa" width="343" height="447" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/09/xi-villa.jpg 343w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/09/xi-villa-150x195.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/09/xi-villa-300x390.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px"></a></figure></div>
Injury concerns: Ron Vlaar did not start at the weekend but is expected to be fully fit for next week’s encounter away to Chelsea. Benteke was ruled out for five months when he picked up an injury last April and has returned to training this week. The return of the Belgian striker will be a huge boost for Lambert. However, a virus that’s been sweeping the dressing room is a major concern according to the club’s boss.
How’s the manager doing thus far this season: The managers are doing superbly this season. The appointment of former United captain, Roy Keane, as assistant to Lambert was a very wise decision. He brings a different aspect to the club and adds a something special to a side that looked like they were going nowhere at the beginning of the season. As a team, Keane and Lambert have bought well and have moulded a team who look comfortable to finish in the top half of the table, a lot higher than many, including myself, would have predicted a few weeks back.&nbsp;
Biggest worry for the remainder of the season: A worry for teams like Villa, who overachieve, is keeping hold of their stars. Everyone saw what happened at <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/09/19/southamptons-august-september-progress-report/">Southampton</a> in the summer and plenty of big clubs will already be eyeing up the likes of Ron Vlaar, Guzan and Delph. As a Villa fan I would worry about whether the club will have the ability to keep these players but a part from that this looks like it could be a season to relish for the Villa.
Overall team rating (out of 5 stars): 4.5

Aston Villa's August-September Progress Report - World Soccer Talk

Aston Villa's August-September Progress Report

<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Rodgers-Old-Trafford-e1410869629474.jpg"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Rodgers-Old-Trafford-e1410869629474.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-97074" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20140916_WST_116513_Rodgers-Old-Trafford-600x445.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=445" alt="Rodgers Old Trafford" width="600" height="445"></a></figure></div>
Liverpool has not learned the lesson that&nbsp;Jose Mourinho taught it, while Louis van Gaal ended his affair with the three-center back system.
The Stagnant Reds Go Marching In
Staring at screens around the world and sitting in the Kop, Liverpool fans will think back to ‘that’ Sunday in late April. The Reds played against a stout Chelsea defense and failed to penetrate it, cracking shots from distance and playing wasteful football.
Contrary to popular belief, Liverpool is not a possession team. Even though it has a plethora of attacking talent and flair, even without Luis Suarez to call on, this is not a team that should be content with 75% possession, as it had against Aston Villa on Saturday, and the 74% of the ball it saw when it played Chelsea last season.
The Reds cannot penetrate a defense if the ball is not moving fast enough between players, which is why Liverpool perform better against less tactically disciplined teams who want to get after them, like Arsenal, Southampton, and Tottenham. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/09/02/tactical-analysis-of-liverpools-aggressive-tackling-and-pressing-mentality/">Liverpool is a counter-attacking team</a>, which is different from one that parks the bus, so to speak, because when the Reds do win the ball back, they pour forward instead of launching a clearance for a loan striker to attempt to hold up.
Brendan Rodgers has developed a squad of players that can exploit a defense by catching it out of position in its transition from attack to defense, which is thrilling to watch. However, the team struggles to breakdown opponents that sit back with two banks of four or a double screen in front of the back line. Its understandable that this is difficult, but it is something the Reds need to figure out to be successful. If I can figure out that Liverpool is weak with the ball, Premier League managers – Paul Lambert and Jose Mourinho, namely – are therefore aware of it too, and they will exploit it.
Below are some examples of Liverpool trying to build up play around the 18-yard box, but failing to get off a quality chance.
In the first clip from the 66th minute, it’s a throwback to the game against Chelsea immediately. For some reason, Coutinho thinks he can dribble through the Aston Villa defense and then Raheem Sterling has a shot from distance on goal. Both tried to be heroes and turned out as goats.
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/LFCvVilla66.gif"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/LFCvVilla66.gif"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-116515" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20140916_WST_116513_LFCvVilla66.webp&amp;width=455&amp;height=276" alt="LFCvVilla66" width="455" height="276"></a></figure></div>
To be fair, they had few options, which violates one of the major principles of attacking football. Each player on the ball should have at least one obvious ball to play, if not two, in and around that part of the pitch. Liverpool’s attackers stand still for the most part. While you can’t freeze the GIF as a reader, just be wary of the huge square of space that opens up on the far side of the box.
That is space that Mario Balotelli should be exploiting.
The Italian may not be able to turn and score from there, but he at least puts the Villains’ line further back towards its goal, giving Liverpool a huge mental advantage and opening up enough space at the top of the box for Balotelli’s teammates to get into for a shot. In the above clip, Jordan Henderson sees the space, but he ends up clogging it. While that run does cut out the pass option, it does drag a defender out and give Sterling room to shoot. It’s the right idea from the new vice captain, though the striker should be exploiting that space from the position he was in.
A similar instance occurs when Coutinho takes a shot from distance that is blocked just a minute or so after Sterling’s attempt. Instead of shooting, Coutinho should be looking for Sterling, who is just behind the defender. While the Brazilian can’t get the ball to his younger teammate directly, Gerrard sees the opportunity and prepares to open up his body for a quick piece of combination play, but Coutinho has his sights set on goal.
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/LFCvVilla68.gif"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/LFCvVilla68.gif"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-116517" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20140916_WST_116513_LFCvVilla68.webp&amp;width=452&amp;height=284" alt="LFCvVilla68" width="452" height="284"></a></figure></div>
The rest of the match is full of examples of Liverpool not being productive with large amounts of possession. To relive an excellent 17 minutes of television commentary, feel free to watch <a href="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdmxV-7QvJ8">Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher</a> go more in-depth on the Chelsea match, and you’ll further understand the similarities between the two games.
Four Is Greater Than Three
Somehow the 3-5-2 got hot this summer and then the diamond 4-4-2 took over as the alternative to the 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3, which everyone should play because all the cool teams are using it. Both <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/09/14/player-ratings-following-qpr-vs-manchester-united-face-off-at-old-trafford/">Manchester United and Queens Park Rangers</a> played on opening day with a system anchored by three center backs. After incurring little success, both decided to drop the shape for a flat four. QPR gave in first, while van Gaal conceded the shape that brought his summer successes by using the diamond this weekend.
The diamond makes sense for the personnel United have, though it made even more sense, because Rafael can play right-back at the highest level. In his first game back, he marauded up and down the pitch, while debutant Marcos Rojo was capable of taking up wide areas when United had possession.
Though most can be excused for thinking of Daley Blind as a left (wing) back, for those with a life, those without a life, who watch the Dutch Eredivisie on occasions, will tell you that he is an excellent option for the holding role. Having Angel di Maria and Ander Herrera as the hard working shuttlers is perfect and Juan Mata loves to play behind the two strikers. Once Luke Shaw returns to fitness, it will bump one of the two center backs out of the line up and Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are capable of relieving Rafael at right-back.
Herrera and di Maria are also extremely direct players, who can think fast, and charge down the pitch. You don’t have to tell them to take their space, because you know they’re going to take it.
Before the below clip starts, the former Real Madrid man makes a lung-busting, 60-yard run with the ball to get the counter-attack going. Rooney’s blocked shot pops out to Herrera for the finish and United look like a new team.
This opportunity never occurs, because it’s a totally different ball game if United play 3-4-1-2, though a similar opportunity would not have been taken advantage of. Di Maria is at his best when he is running at defenders, which we saw him do so much with his La Liga outfit.
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The diamond is also a very fluid formation with lots of moving pieces. It requires one player to move into space to get the ball and a teammate to sprint into space to give an option for the next pass. While all formations require this, the diamond does more so, as the narrowness of players means static movement is deadly. In a 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2, you can get away with standing still more, because the wide players are acceptable outlets. However, the diamond is different.
What we’re getting at here is the movement of Robin van Persie. While it does not happen the entire game, the Dutchman drops very far back here, even though the rest of his team is so high up the pitch.
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His move backward comes in the build up to the second goal and his one-two with Wayne Rooney looks good, but is simply part of a bigger move. These passes get United’s blood flowing and all of a sudden, the pieces of the puzzle spring into action to create the second goal.
While the visitor’s defending and play going forward was nowhere near the quality of other Premier League opponents United will be confident that things could be starting to click for the Red Devils – though we said that over the summer too.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "aston villa" - Page 10

Aston Villa

Aston Villa's August-September Progress Report

Leagues: EPL

Premier League Tactics Corner – Round 4