I would disagree with the theory that we didn’t deserve anything from the game. We outplayed Villa in the opening 30 minutes and could easily have had a couple of goals, fans claiming we never looked like scoring are talking nonsense, we rattled their bar, Johnstone made some fine saves and Wilson’s overhead kick was only a fraction off.
I said in the chat box at half time that as a team we were playing the better football. We looked fluid, the team look like they know each other’s games, there was some brilliant pass and moves going off and by and large we were creating the better chances. Lee Evans and John Fleck looked good on midfield, Clarke was working hard for the team and Baldock looked a threat marauding up the flank again.
However, what Aston Villa possess what we unfortunately don’t and that’s out and out match winners. At any moment I could see Grealish weaving some magic and creating a goal, or Adamoah’s pace hurting us on the left with Baldock not at home. But the one thing I could see happening (and I predicted it in the chat box at half time) was a Snodgrass screamer. We were allowing him so much time on the ball all game. His set pieces looked dangerous and moments before his last minute winner he tried the same trick but Stevens fortunately managed to cut him out. To allow him, their biggest threat, to come inside like that was criminal, but it’s been the story of our season and it was so predictable. We’ve dropped so many points, having dominated teams, to individual moments of brillIance - usually long rangers.
As per so many games this season, whilst looking the more cohesive unit, we lack the individuals to win us games with moments of brilliance like tonight and thus we are destined to scrap it out for 6th place (which is no embarrassment given how far we’ve come).
I would note that Moore, O’Connell and Stearman all looked solid again tonight. 7/10.
Basham - 6/10. Did some awful things with the ball tonight, looked dead clumsy. His engine is useful and he is wholehearted in everything he does but the quality is often lacking. Potentially a position we should look to improve upon.
Baldock 8/10, he’s improving. He’s a good athlete and is starting to improve going forward. Had two good efforts on goal and put a couple of decent balls in (one of which was at head height and went right across the 6 yard box, nobody attacked it).
Enda Stevens 5.5/10. His attacking output continues to disappoint (though he did chip one nice ball to the back post first half which made a nice change). I’m assuming it was him who let Snodgrass in for the goal? If it was him my mark is correct. If not, I may be being harsh.
This Lee Evans fella could turn out to be a great find. Some moments of real quality tonight and looks to have a bit of fire in his belly. Likes a tackle and can play a bit too. 7/10 along with Fleck who put in his usual busy shift. The pair of them had some appalling attempts on goal though. We need to improve our shots from range.
Ryan Leonard 5.5/10. He looks nervous on the ball. He took the easy decision every time and tried to shift it on like a hot potato. You can see why Wilder likes him and I’m confident he will come good, but Lundstram must be disappointed to be overlooked on his account given early performances.
Clarke and Wilson I would give 6/10. Both worked hard but nothing really fell for them. It’s a shame Wilson isn’t fully match fit yet, he looks dangerous.