A 6.30am start from Plymouth for myself and my lad Oliver on Saturday, with a pick up of another Devon based Villan in Exeter along the way, all just to see Villa get well and truly put in their place by Arsenal Saturday lunch time. The score line may only read 0-1 but that doesn't do justice to how comfortable the Gunners were for 90+ minutes in B6.
It was a very 12.30 kick off type of performance from Gerrards side. Sedate and passive with way too much respect shown to Arsenal. Konsa regained his spot at the expense of Chambers, Ashley Young replaced Lucas Digne at left back and battled gamely up against Bukayo Saka. Emi Buendia came in for Danny Ings in a change of the trio up top with Villa scrapping the diamond system that enables them to incorporate Watkins and Ings in the same team to go with two Number 10's.
I'm a massive Buendia fan, I love his endeavour and desire to try and make things happen but frustratingly at the weekend he was extremely quiet, he didn't do much to help his want of a regular place in the starting eleven. Buendia was by no means the only player who struggled for the home team. Ollie Watkins looks miles off the player he was last season, Coutinho had a quiet game and the midfield of Luiz, McGinn and Ramsey had no impact on the game.
Arsenal's midfield however, very impressive. Granit Xhaka had a good game but it was Ghanaian Thomas Partey who shone brighter than anyone else on the pitch to my eyes. It was the first time I'd seen him play in the flesh and thought he was outstanding. I probably shouldn't have expected anything less from a player on a reported £200k per week but even so, he absolutely bossed the midfield and left me wowed.
Its going to be interesting to see how the rest of the season pans out for Villa. We're very much a mid table team. more than capable of beating teams around and below us but we always look well short against the upper echelons of the table. Defeats at West Ham and this at home to Arsenal testify to this.
On a positive note, Oliver had another great day at Villa Park. The match day experience Villa put on for the youngsters is second to none. I honestly can't recommend the funzone enough for any match day goers with kids in tow.
On Tuesday night I took in Plymouth Argyle versus Cheltenham. The Pilgrims won the match 2-0 with goals from Niall Ennis and Danny Mayor. It feels like another crucial home victory for Argyle and the playoffs now look like a distinct possibility as opposed to a hope despite the tough fixtures coming up.
Michael Cooper was assured as ever in goal, there can't be many better EFL goalkeepers out there. The only thing brighter than his present is his future. He's a Premier League keeper in waiting.
Jordan Houghton was pivotal in his centre midfield holding role, so good at breaking up play and keeping his distribution short and simple.
Joe Edwards' energy levels are outstanding, he seems to cover every blade of grass, even from a position of right wing back.
Ryan Hardie and Niall Ennis were superb up front. Great hold up play, linked up nicely together and a constant threat. Everything you want from a front pairing.
Cheltenham surprised me. I was expecting them to be resolute and tough to break down but they were the complete opposite. The back three of Raglan, Watford loanee Pollock and Will Boyle looked unorganised and disjointed. Pollocks starting position was so much deeper than his fellow centre backs that it enabled Plymouth to play a long ball down the flanks to the willing Hardie all game long without ever having to worry about the threat of offside. The Robins really made it relatively easy for Argyle.
Plus points for Cheltenham were midfielder Elliot Bonds who was unlucky to be substituted and the live wire Alfie May. You can see why the forward has eighteen league goals to his name this season.
No match this weekend for me but I will be at the Cornwall Lions Aston Villa supporters club event, an evening with European Cup Winners Dennis Mortimer, Tony Morley, Gordon Cowans and Allan Evans. Should be a great evening!
See you back here next week.
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