A large contribution of Aston Villa’s 28.1% appeared to come from Arsenal’s miss-control with Aston Villa making 29 interceptions Arsenal loss possession of 13 occasions underlines the bad control by Arsenal.
Aston Villa lost possession on 8 occasions because of two factors:
1. Players overrun dribble attempts
2, bad control
All of this even though Arsenal were playing a very high line and left the defence open allowing Marc Albrighton to run down the right channel. On one occasion Albrighton found himself one on one with Arsenal keeper Szczesny but blazed over the bar.
Aston Villa managed to obtain an impressive 85% tackle win success with Marc Albrighton being the only player not to complete his tackles successfully.
I was fortunate to be at the game and felt dejected by the performance of the team, the players seem to be elsewhere – it is really surprising. Aston Villa now face a 2-week interval due to non-further part to play in this seasons FA Cup and the postponement of the midweek game against Bolton due to Muamba’s ill turn of health.
Aston Villa never really stood a chance against Arsenal, who have been on fire of late capitalising on Arsenal’s north-London neighbours Tottenham’s recent decline.
Aston Villa fans would have felt better if there was any evidence of fire in the belly of Villa players and showing some will would have better than what was displayed yesterday.
Aston Villa’s two players that stood out on the field yesterday in the London bask array of sunshine on the Emirates pitch were Carlos Cuellar and Stephen Ireland. Even though Carlos Cuellar gave the ball away for Arsenal’s second goal he conducted himself well and never ducked out of a challenge. Cuellar’s determination was shown in the first half when he managed to track back and made an inch perfect tackle inside the box to send the ball out for an Arsenal corner.
My opinion is also backed up with some stats as Cuellar achieved 100% success rate in his tackles timing them perfectly attempting 5 and achieving and winning them all.
Stephen Ireland appears to have sorted his head and his game out this can only benefit Aston Villa. Yesterday Stephen Ireland was the man in the midfield who was trying to create chances with intelligent link-up play and regaining possession. Completing 27 passes out of 33 giving a successful 82% with Ireland’s ability to spray the ball around the field 24% forward, 24% back, 12% left and 39% right.
