Match Stats

Villa Win – The Good, The Promising & The Still Ugly – Match Stats

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Having seen our opening fixture of 2020/21 immediately postponed as Manchester City have a lazier start to the Premier League this season, Aston Villa are finally in action – albeit the EFL Cup against locals Burton Albion.

We made another trip to the Pirelli Stadium earlier this evening and we were looking to build on the friendly Manchester United victory and completely avoid the banana skin that Burton became back in 2018.

Plenty Said It, Now It’s True – File It Under Things You Like To See At Villa

Well, Jack’s deal was a great start to the day and head coach Dean Smith certainly selected an unexpected side and I hadn’t even sat down to watch yet but two minutes in we were 1-0 behind. I decided to come back later and saw a nice flowing move, finished off well by newbie Ollie Watkins.

1-1 and I’m now watching – I just wish it wasn’t some of these players. After such a statement, surely this is the last chance saloon for some, even if we have to pay them off. We can forgive some sloppiness for our first proper game back following a strange old summer, but when some consistently offer nowt you can defend them.

Into first half stoppage time a lovely run from Jack set Watkins up for his brace but he somehow conspired to hit the bar, the fact the two seem to already have a loose understanding is promising though. The performance of Jacob Ramsey did stand out though, but 1-1 at the break.

Second half we dominated possession but didn’t do an awful lot with it and it wasn’t entirely great to watch, but games like this rarely are. We were crying out for a change to give us some extra spark. But there was some invention up top, and Watkins again was unlucky to not make it 2-0 with just over 20 remaining in the game.

Enter Keinan Davis and Douglas Luiz.

Then Jota.

We had the better of the game still, created more chances but the final ball wasn’t really worth talking about, albeit Jota’s effort was a bit tasty.

Jack’s certainly was as penalties looked like the outcome – great little volley, Lansbury amazingly provided the delivery and 2-1.

Not a classic but these games rarely are, plenty to learn, plenty still to improve upon and a little bit sorry for Burton as if some of our players had their spirit, we’d have been out of sight.

Jota did add a third before the referee decided he was offside, looked tight to me so the replays will be interest and then Keinan Davis was set through by Douglas Luiz, and my, that was a tidy finish – it might change a few minds.

Maybe today was a good day then after all?

Squad depth leaves us with massive questions, but a win is a win and you can only beat what’s in front you. The final score is unfair on Burton, but maybe that kind of finish will bring some greater confidence.

The players who stood out are obvious…as are those who didn’t.

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Villa Player Trashes Rumour Talk With 13 Simple Words

Burton Albion
1 – 3
Aston Villa

Pirelli Stadium

EFL Cup Round Two

15/09/2020 7:45 pm

Attendance: 0

Referee: Oliver Langford

Burton Albion Aston Villa
Daniel (2) Watkins (39), Grealish 88), Davis (92)
Sharman-Lowe Nyland
Akins
 
Elmohamady
Brayford Hause
Bostwick 25 Mings
Daniel Taylor
Edwards 66 Lansbury
Quinn
 
Nakamba
Wallace Grealish
Fox El Ghazi 80
Hemmings Watkins 71
Lawless 66 Ramsey
 
71

Substitutes

Powell 66 Konsa
Anderson Douglas Luiz 71
Gallacher 25 Steer
Garratt Samatta
Gilligan 66 Jota 80
Hewlett Guilbert
Williams Davis 71

Game Statistics

4 Goal attempts 11
2 On Target 5
1 Corners 11
14 Fouls 10
2 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
30 % 70

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  • barry'sboots says:

    Only seen the highlights and read various reports.

    We need to start now getting players out: Kalanic, Nyland (for his benefit as well), Elmo (I would personally much rather keep Guilbert as back up), Taylor (we still need a reserve LB), Lansbury, El Ghazi, Samata and Hogan.

    I hope we are still in for Rashica as I want to see Jack at 10/8. I would also like a LB challenger and a new 8 to cover for SJM – it looks as if Gallagher can only be a loan so Swift is probably the preferred option from what I have seen us linked with. Personally, I would also sell Nakamba and Horuihane and re-invest in Billings. With Ramsey coming in to give us another midfield option.

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