When Gerard Houllier took over at Aston Villa, a bit of research told me that though he may have been a qualified candidate, he was going to need a different toolbox than the one that Martin O'Neill had put together, relying on a fairly one-dimensional style of play--though one that was often exciting and effective. Plus, you got to watch MON lose it on the touchline every single match, which was worth the time invested on its own.
Kevin MacDonald, who worked closely with O'Neill and managed the first team near the beginning of this season, seemed to know where to tweak the squad and where to go with what Martin O'Neill had left behind. Villa's 3-0 thrashing of West Ham on opening day was composed, collected, and the best football I'd seen them play in some time...I'll remember it well. Watching the team play confidently on the ball from the back up to the front was totally inspiring. I was shouting at my television with every pass and controlled possession.
I wasn't surprised that Kevin MacDonald stepped down, though the way it went down--waiting to announce that he wanted the job, announcing that he wanted the job, and then being turned down for it--caused me to feel a little surprised and skeptical of the new regime.
Houllier deserves his chance, but I can't say I fully back the methods. A new article from the Guardian, posted today, seems to suggest that Houllier wants to completely redevelop the transfer and scouting strategy to focus on younger, underdeveloped players. It seems a little silly to say that when Villa have one of the best reserve academies in the league, and the underlying message is undeniably clear: WE DON'T HAVE VERY MUCH MONEY. In that case: Thank God for young players that are showing how talented they are like Marc Albrighton, Barry Bannan, and even American Eric Lichaj.
That becomes harder when looking at the amount of talent that Martin O'Neill was always able to bring in near the death of the transfer window. I think there was some serious soreness about letting an asset like Milner out of the team. Without him, we're starting to see how vital he was in the role that he began to occupy in the center. Everyone hated waiting to see if O'Neill was going to do the business, but without fail, season after season, some rare bargains would show up right before the window closed and Villa would have a handful of new names to stitch on the back of their shirts. Not totally dissimilar from Brian Clough's portrayal of signing new players in The Damned United: "Of course I bought him! He's an English International!" But I digress...
One player who excelled at his former club and a player who single-handedly rescued the Villa defense last season was Richard Dunne. He hasn't looked half the player he was under O'Neill since he left. It's disenchanting. Martin Laursen's absence was a huge hole to fill, and Dunne did it effortlessly last season after he was pushed out of City. He showed his class by scoring a goal against his former club and refusing to celebrate. O'Neill always seemed to get the best out of him for each match, and this season he's been as inconsistent as Chicago weather.
Warnock was someone who I was admittedly surprised to see come to Villa, but I always thought he was a breath of fresh air. He has made some mistakes at the back, but he has made overlapping runs, he puts in a good ball--even the occasional long ball across to the opposite flank with near pinpoint accuracy--and always looks like he's putting his all into every shift. He could stand to be a little faster sometimes, but I think on his day, he's a match for any wing in the league.
The Guardian reports that it is speculated Warnock will be moved on come January. I'm sad to see him go, if it's true. The biggest worry about this, is that the speculation came from The Guardian--while if it were printed in the Daily Mail, I would know it was exactly that--speculation, and nothing more. Frustrating times in the life of a Villa fan.
Houllier, the football factory is yours now. Here's to hoping you can get the cogs moving in the right direction.
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