Villa lack fluidity and are as far as ever from the top four
By Mark Lawrenson
Published 20:25 16/10/09
After seriously threatening to break into the riches of the top four last season, Randy Lerner already must feel like a pauper at Aston Villa. The Abu Dhabi takeover of Manchester City has allowed Mark Hughes to spend big on top-class players who can win games like Emmanuel Adebayor and Robinho. Despite building up a solid squad, Martin O'Neill does not have too many players that can do the same for Villa.
In fact, they have only got one style based on using their pace on the counter-attack. Teams who sit in and crowd the midfield have learned how to nullify their threat. You don't play an open game against Aston Villa.
The players they brought in over the summer did not bring anything different and they still have a very functional midfield lacking fluidity or someone to carry the ball. Whether they play 4-5-1, 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, the problem is the same.
Villa, who can take a point off Chelsea this lunchtime after the international break, can still finish in the top six. But they are not getting any closer to the top four.
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