Part 5 - English Premier League: Losers of the 7th weekend
Aston Villa are one of the losers of the weekend but there is a big reason for that and that reason is their midfield. Ever since Martin O’Neill departed from the Birmingham club in the early days of August, Villa’s performances
have visibly deteriorated. After finishing at the sixth place in the English Premier League for three consecutive seasons under the former Celtic manager, Martin O’Neill, Aston Villa are showcasing form that might see them become mid-table fodder for top four
teams of the English Premier League teams. At the weekend, Villa lost their encounter against Tottenham Hotspurs. It was a sorrowful sight to see the Villains end up on the losing side after what was a captivating match.
However, one man must shoulder a lot of blame for Villa’s loss to Tottenham. That man is none other than their captain, Stiliyan Petrov. Petrov joined Aston Villa in 2006 as Martin O’Neill took over at the club back then. O’Neill’s
personal favourite immediately made his mark on the team with his energetic performances as he cemented his place as the team’s numero uno central midfielder. Stiliyan was brought in from Celtic, a club where he played under Martin O’Neill and won the Scottish
league title.
Ever since O’Neill parted ways with Aston Villa due to his differences over the amount of transfer money that was available to the club, Petrov’s performances have decreased in intensity and effect. The Bulgarian international
has now reached an age of 31 years. A player has always excelled because of his stamina and energy on the ball rather than guile and skill has a lot of lose as he ages, one can’t but wonder whether Petrov is reaching the end of the line for Villa.
In Villa’s performances last season, James Milner was often deployed in a much more central role alongside Petrov so that the young Englishman can compliment Petrov’s forward surges. This season Milner’s departure to City has
created a void in the Aston Villa defence. One can view this void in a material form if a reply of Tottenham’s winner against Villa is seen in slow motion. In simpler words, for their winner as Tottenham carry the ball forward, their Dutch midfielder Van Der
Vaart makes a run into Villa’s penalty area. Petrov spots this and tracks back alongside the former Real Madrid midfielder. This process of tracking back continues till Van Der Vaart reaches the Aston Villa box.
Upon Rafael’s entry into Villa’s penalty area, Petrov seizes his run and stands still apparently catching up on breath as Peter Crouch heads the ball down to Van Der Vaart. When this lay-off header takes place, Stiliyan wakes up
from his slumber and tries to intercept but then hesitates in hope that Richard Dunne will deal with the situation. Dunne doesn’t react in time when Petrov realizes this he acts in haste but his movement appears to be too late as Van Der Vaart gets the winner
for Hotspurs. In summary, Petrov’s lack of awareness and apparent lack of stamina resulted in Tottenham’s winner. If kids do indeed observe the Bulgarian’s movement, they should be shown the video under the tag of “how not to defend as your team’s captain
and central midfielder”.
The steel that has been lacking in Villa’s midfield has cost them dearly. Currently they are 8th in the English Premier League table below teams such as West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City. Villa are already out of the
Europa League. If they are to progress as a unit this season then they have to sign some midfield reinforcements when the January transfer window opens in around three months time as it is quite apparent that their midfield options lack creativity and discipline
to take the team any further than its present position.
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