Oh well…at least it was only freezing cold.
The Villa Underground reviews & rates each Villa players performance against Preston North End:
Feel free to add your views below.
Johnstone (6)
An imposing figure between the sticks. A debate is to be had on whether punching or catching is to be preferred. Kicking reasonable, an improvement on the other options.
Hutton (7)
The Scottish Cafu had arguably one of his better games in a Villa shirt. Good passing and pressing forward with Lansbury’s encouragement. Was lucky to walk away unscathed after a nasty challenge in the first half.
Chester (6)
A composed performance, but comfortably sidestepped for the 1st of Preston’s goals. Offered little protection from midfield for this, otherwise another solid showing from the captain.
Baker (7)
A constant winner of anything physical into the box. What he lacks in distribution, he makes up for in straightforward defending. Badly let down by Grealish for the equaliser, with the cross unopposed.
Amavi (4)
A weak defensive display from the £25m rated player [LOL]. A plethora of miss-placed passes and erratic both at the front and back. Another performance to raise question marks for even his most ardent supporter. Will be lucky to move to Morecambe over Marseille this transfer window.
Lansbury (7)
A tentative start grew into a impressive home display. Highlights included clever movement of the ball and a 50+ yard crossfield ball to Hutton. Set pieces also caught the eye. Tired badly in the second half and should have been withdrawn prior to Preston’s 1st goal.
Westwood (6)
Definitely benefited from the addition of ballplayer Lansbury. Notably made forward runs, but struggled for confidence throughout. Appeared a peripheral figure as the game turned in the last 20 minutes.
Adomah (7)
A game of two halves. Predatory in the first period, stealing a goal and despatching a penalty well. Lost his way in the second half as the whole of Villa’s creative spark fell upon him. Persevered but cannot do it alone.
2-0 #avfc Adomah pen. pic.twitter.com/GPsDXnNrut
— Villa Underground (@avfc_vilr) January 21, 2017
Grealish (4)
Another broadly disappointing display. Slowed the play on numerous occasions and incredibly wasteful of opportunities to put the game beyond the visitors. Rightly withdrawn by Bruce. Certainly not indispensable & at risk with midfield arrivals imminent.
Green (6)
A good first full home debut, raising questions as to why he has been benched or limited to the Under-23’s to date. A direct and intelligent threat over 90 minutes. Lacks experience perhaps and will regret a poor header in the first half with the goal gaping.
Agbonlahor (6)
A battling and energetic showing from Gabby. Persevered and chased, with rewards for the opener. However, he carried a very limited goal threat and was isolated for long periods. Better, but a debate as to whether this is enough.
ONE #GRAHAMTAYLOR #AVFC pic.twitter.com/pLOZXWCiMQ
— Villa Underground (@avfc_vilr) January 21, 2017
And what about Ross McCormack?
We are lucky if he turns up for training apparently…
Ross McCormack sneaking in late at #avfc pic.twitter.com/nbHSUlgCIK
— Villa Underground (@avfc_vilr) January 21, 2017