As the transfer window opens most pundits/Villa fans have a new striker as top of their wish list. It makes sense, Villa don’t score enough goals, or, even look like threatening the opposition goal most of the time. Before we go splashing out or more than likely
Before we go splashing out or more than likely loaning in a new front man, it would be worth looking at why we lack an attacking edge.
Ayew is isolated
So, why are we so toothless? Jordan Ayew has put in some monumental shifts for very little reward recently. His problem is he tends to either get the ball too far from the opponents goal or he’s isolated up top, even when Gestede plays ahead of him he struggles to keep up or be on the same wavelength. Essentially Ayew needs help and what he needs is already available.
Creativity exists
We actually have some good creative talent in the squad, especially in wide areas. They just don’t ever get picked.
Every Saturday before the team sheet comes out Twitter is full of fans imploring Garde to pick Adama, Gil and to a lesser extent recently Grealish. So why, when it seems so obvious to everybody aren’t these players regular starters?
For me the answer lies further back on the field. Gil to a smaller degree than Adama and Grealish ignore their defensive duties. This wasn’t such a problem when Amavi was available, a quality left back who could support his winger without leaving the defence exposed.
Hutton can’t do that, even if he stopped bombing forward and played like an orthodox full-back his lack of ability would still leave his center backs exposed.
Bacuna is a winger by trade so naturally he struggles to perform at fullback to the heights required in the Premier League.
I must point out that i’m not against bringing in a striker, the most fun a fan can have is watching someone in their team constantly punishing the opposition, but we can’t expect any sort of attacking presence from such a flimsy base.
All good teams build from the back, that’s the reality, however boring it might sound. Sort that out first and we could yet see an attacking Aston Villa team.
