It’s difficult to form an opinion on Henri Lansbury. We’ve seen so little of him.
Whether it be bang average form when he has played or simply injury, it’s left many supporters, and this blog, scratching their heads.
Lansbury was an absolute terror for the opposition (including Villa) when he was at Forest, but he simply hasn’t been able to replicate anything like that form since his transfer.
Injury problems do now seem to be the major barrier, with Lansbury one of few points of interest emanating from the dismal game of football that was Villa’s 3-0 home defeat to Swansea.
We will overlook the two pretty poor challenges that Henri made during his cameo appearance, because otherwise, he cut a suddenly interested and determined figure. Arguably looking to prove a point…maybe even trying to impress a new boss who to date he’s been prevented by injury from doing.
Lansbury managed just eight minutes before breaking down in the 4-2 drubbing of Blues, and only featured for thirty against Swansea. In both games he came on as a substitute.
Annoyingly given Villa’s need for someone to grab the bull by the horns in midfield in Grealish’s absence, we learn that he has picked up yet another hamstring problem.
Dean Smith confirmed during his pre-match press conference that this will rule the former Arsenal man out for at least the foreseeable and definitely the weekends vital away tie against Wigan.
This injury is both unfortunate for Villa as well look to rotate and try different options whilst Jack Grealish recuperates, but also for Lansbury. The midfielder has struggled to deliver to date and with recurring enforced injury absence, is at real risk of replacement during this transfer window.
He’s a very clumsy tackler, which I why I don’t see him as a defensive midfielder as some fans have suggested. With regard to his injuries, even the Forest fans said he never plays over the Christmas period because he’s always injured. I think I’d be inclined to get rid of him and bring someone else more reliable in.