Villa Dumped From Cup

We always call it a Mickey Mouse Cup when our team is summarily cast out of the League Cup, but until they are sent packing it’s the most important cup in the world. For Villa, it should have been, but let me give an argument for why the loss is beneficial, although there are some distressing tactical mistakes that will need to be parsed out, as well.

Aston Villa enters this season with a thread-bare squad of 23 players (22 while Gary Cahill is out on loan). They have already lost John Carew for six weeks, which means the squad is the thinnest in the Premier League. Even with this thin squad, there is a strong possibility that Villa could push for Europe. And with the sudden turmoil at Chelsea, there is the distinct possibility that a top four spot might be available to a team who is ready to take advantage. Villa can easily be considered one of them with a sterling manager and solid squad. To make Europe and possibly Champion’s League, Villa need to concentrate on the league. Yes winning the League Cup will ensure Europe, but only the foolhardy would hang their aspirations on a knock-out competition where anything can and does happen as was discovered last night. Villa must focus all of their energy on a top six finish, because City has started well, Newcastle and Everton are strong, and Tottenham are using the UEFA Cup as a springboard to good form just like last year.

A protracted League Cup run would only work to exhaust a squad that cannot afford to be exhausted. There is a bit of serendipity at being caught out by Leicester City, as Martin O’Neill can focus on the task at hand. Villa faces Manchester United and West Ham at home later this month, right before the 4th round. And were they to progress, the 5th round would have been right in the middle of the busiest time in the calendar, including home ties against Arsenal, Portsmouth and Manchester City. It was around the beginning of this congestion that Villa saw their early season form go pear-shaped last season. Being able to concentrate on the league could be a boon, if Villa hopes to push for Europe.

Villa’s loss can be blamed on tactics: good ones by Leicester City manager Gary Megson and poor ones by Martin O’Neill. Megson played a 3-5-2, deciding to press Villa’s wide players Agbonlahor, Petrov and Maloney further up the pitch. The effect most obvious with Gabby, who didn’t communicate with Marlon Harewood effectively and was not allowed to run with the ball, effective negating his presence. It was O’Neill’s known tendency to play center-forward that allowed them to play three in the back to accommodate the heftier midfield. He didn’t change to two strikers until the 70th minute.

Meanwhile playing newcomer Curtis Davies with Zak Knight, while leaving veteran Olof Mellberg on the right, was a mistake. Had Mellberg partnered Davis, it would have helped him ease into the side. As it was, he looked lost at times. In addition, Gareth Barry was used at LB, where he has played before, which left the midfield without its General. Nigel Reo-Coker, whose form has been poor the entire season, except for the Chelsea match, partnered with Isaiah Osbourne and the duo had no control of the midfield. If Barry is going to be dropped from the center, why Craig Gardener, the catalyst for last year’s late season form was once again passed over is worrisome.

Villa became desperate as the game drew late, chasing the game with Moore and Young brought in too late to effectively change the game. They were subsequently caught out when James Chambers played a ball to Matt Fryatt who slotted the ball home. While the loss might have benefits in the long term, fans are worried about the depth and class of the bench.

Category: Match Reports, Tactics

Tags: Caring Cup, Gary Megson, Leicester City, Match Reports, Tactics

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