Team Focus: Aston Villa - Eighth But Underachieving?
Many Spurs fans will have left White Hart Lane after last night's 2-0 win over Villa extremely content but safe it the knowledge that they won't face an easier game all season. While nothing should be taken away from the nature of Tottenham’s complete control over proceedings, and the progress the club has made under Harry Redknapp, the abject display from their opponents was perhaps more alarming on the night. The visiting fans will have been left dejected, genuinely concerned and, more than anything, puzzled.
It is a sign of the times that Villa, who finished above Spurs in consecutive seasons between 2007 & 2009, are undoubtedly on the decline while Spurs have forced a shift in power between the clubs by buying and, more importantly, keeping their best players. An even greater indicator of the changes at both clubs in recent years led to a bemusing Villa line-up from Alex McLeish.
With no injuries, and only Jenas unavailable due to his loan contract from Monday's hosts, the Scot fielded just 1 out-and-out midfielder in his starting XI, despite insisting on a 4-4-2 formation. This led to the likes of Carlos Cuellar, Chris Herd and more notably, Alan Hutton and Emile Heskey playing out of position in a team which included 6 natural defenders.
While Hutton was installed to double up on Bale, with Cuellar behind him, the plan never formalised and McLeish's attempts to salvage a draw before the game had begun were undone by an early Tottenham goal. From that point it was merely a surrender from the away side, who showed little fight or desire to get amongst their opponents, who were vastly superior across the pitch on the night.
Many felt that Cuellar's inclusion would lead to a 5-3-2 formation, with Hutton and Warnock acting as wing-backs, but in an attempt not to look too negative McLeish seemed to overlook natural playing positions in what was unquestionably a huge tactical blunder.
The stats prove just how dominant the home side were in every department and do not make good reading for Villa fans. A total of 3 shots was the club's lowest in 6 seasons and completely dwarfed by Tottenham's 22. A pass accuracy of 67% was woeful and is lower than the worst average in the league (Stoke 70%). Just 30% of the possession is quite embarrassing and also significantly worse than another league-low average of 41%, again held by Stoke.
Another telling stat saw Tottenham's least prolific passer - unsurprisingly lone front man and match winner Adebayor - make more passes (36) than Villa's most (Heskey - 32). Perhaps the only travelling player to come out of the game with any credit whatsoever was young Aussie utility man Chris Herd, who's 4 tackles were vague signs of life in a Villa side that refused to get amongst their dominant opponents.
While Bale and Adebayor stood out in an attacking sense, Scott Parker continued to show the qualities that make him an ideal role model for any young footballer. At 31 he is no spring chicken but persists in playing a committed game that would leave many to believe that he is still playing for a team battling to play in the division. His work rate is immense, making 4 tackles and 3 interceptions on the night, as well as 102 touches, and while Modric and van der Vaart keep the side on the move, Parker may be the most important signing Tottenham have made in recent history if they are to challenge for silverware this season.
Despite all this, both of Tottenham’s strikes came courtesy of individual errors at the back from Villa, with James Collins involved in both. For the first the Welshman was drawn to the ball from a set-piece, leaving Adebayor unmarked to neatly turn in a mishit Gareth Bale shot from 6 yards. The decisive goal saw the centre back lunge across Shay Given’s line of vision from a Bale delivery when the ball was going into the keeper’s hands. A slight touch on the ball was enough to see it outfox the Irishman and roll onto the line for Adebayor to tap home his and Spurs’ second.
Unfortunately for Villa, last night's capitulation was not a one off statistically. While many neutrals will maintain that a decent start to the season has seen them sit in 8th, most of the team's faithful support would disagree. Since arriving from bitter rivals Birmingham to the discontent of the fans, Alex McLeish has only picked up wins against Wigan (20th), Blackburn (19th) and newly promoted Norwich (11th). They have drawn against the likes of Wolves (17th), Fulham (16th) and Sunderland (15th), and lost to rivals West Brom, albeit in unfortunate fashion, in their opening 12 matches.
Villa have the second lowest average possession (42%) and second worst pass accuracy (72%) in the league, both above the aforementioned Stoke. Their shots per game tally stands at just 11.1, while they have struck just 3 on target per game, with both figures, again, only bettering Stoke in the league.
Like any new manager, McLeish should be given a chance to redeem himself after the shambolic display at Tottenham but the real worry for the Villa boss will be that his shots at redemption may come against Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea - all to come before the New Year. The likelihood, or lack there of, in picking up points in those matches mean that away ties with Bolton, Stoke, and starting at Swansea next weekend, will be crucial. Happy Christmas Aston Villa? Perhaps not!
