Ashley Westwood

[villa4life]

Veretout has promise, but I saw nothing from him today that Westwood couldn't have done and better.

I suggest you missed a fair amount then

The biggest difference between them is that it looks like Veretout can actually carry the ball and commit defenders potentially opening up space for others

Westwood has a tendency to recieve the ball and immediately give it to someone else (be that sideways, backwards or on occasion forwards)

A massive deficiency in the way that we have played for the lat few seasons is in just how little the midfield contributes to our attacking moves and a lot of the problem is Westwood and his lack of desire / inability to try riskier work that forces opponents to adjust their defending shape

If you dont have players capable of beating men, then you are stuck with the kind of speculative (and outdated) football we have played for the last few years where everything gets funneled to the wings and hopefully thrown into the box

Having players that can beat a single man in midfield causes another opponent to shift their defensive assignment which alters the entire setup and creates the space for other players as well as freeing up players that may have been previously man-marked

Westwood is neat and tidy and his stats 'look' impressive when taken in isolation but its his very style of play and unfortunate limitations that make it obvious (in my opinion at least) that he's not suited to this level. I wish it wasnt the case, I was raving about him after his first season and am as amazed as anyone that he is EXACTLY the same player that he was when he first came. He hasnt kicked on at all

Veretout did enough today and in glimpses over the course of the season so far to show me that he is a better answer if we ever want to play a more modern game that isnt reliant on "get it on the head of the big man"

[ROTTERDAM1982]

Veretout wasn't brilliant today, but even that was a vast improvement on Westwood.

 Was he out with concussion today?....unbelievable.

[LondonLax]

Veretout has promise, but I saw nothing from him today that Westwood couldn't have done and better.

I suggest you missed a fair amount then

The biggest difference between them is that it looks like Veretout can actually carry the ball and commit defenders potentially opening up space for others

Westwood has a tendency to recieve the ball and immediately give it to someone else (be that sideways, backwards or on occasion forwards)

A massive deficiency in the way that we have played for the lat few seasons is in just how little the midfield contributes to our attacking moves and a lot of the problem is Westwood and his lack of desire / inability to try riskier work that forces opponents to adjust their defending shape

If you dont have players capable of beating men, then you are stuck with the kind of speculative (and outdated) football we have played for the last few years where everything gets funneled to the wings and hopefully thrown into the box

Having players that can beat a single man in midfield causes another opponent to shift their defensive assignment which alters the entire setup and creates the space for other players as well as freeing up players that may have been previously man-marked

Westwood is neat and tidy and his stats 'look' impressive when taken in isolation but its his very style of play and unfortunate limitations that make it obvious (in my opinion at least) that he's not suited to this level. I wish it wasnt the case, I was raving about him after his first season and am as amazed as anyone that he is EXACTLY the same player that he was when he first came. He hasnt kicked on at all

Veretout did enough today and in glimpses over the course of the season so far to show me that he is a better answer if we ever want to play a more modern game that isnt reliant on "get it on the head of the big man"

I agree with what you say here.

I would add a point though, I think Westwood could come into the side in place of Sanchez against sides who we are expected to keep possession against. Against teams that are happy to sit back and play us on the counter (admittedly not as many these days), I think Westwood could play the role of the midfielder who sits in front of the back 4 and keeps the possession recycling. 

[a m ole]

Veretout wasn't brilliant today, but even that was a vast improvement on Westwood.

 Was he out with concussion today?....unbelievable.

He was out with a knock on the leg, confirmed by the manager who said he could have played today.

[WooJung]

Veretout has promise, but I saw nothing from him today that Westwood couldn't have done and better.

I suggest you missed a fair amount then

The biggest difference between them is that it looks like Veretout can actually carry the ball and commit defenders potentially opening up space for others

Westwood has a tendency to recieve the ball and immediately give it to someone else (be that sideways, backwards or on occasion forwards)

A massive deficiency in the way that we have played for the lat few seasons is in just how little the midfield contributes to our attacking moves and a lot of the problem is Westwood and his lack of desire / inability to try riskier work that forces opponents to adjust their defending shape

If you dont have players capable of beating men, then you are stuck with the kind of speculative (and outdated) football we have played for the last few years where everything gets funneled to the wings and hopefully thrown into the box

Having players that can beat a single man in midfield causes another opponent to shift their defensive assignment which alters the entire setup and creates the space for other players as well as freeing up players that may have been previously man-marked

Westwood is neat and tidy and his stats 'look' impressive when taken in isolation but its his very style of play and unfortunate limitations that make it obvious (in my opinion at least) that he's not suited to this level. I wish it wasnt the case, I was raving about him after his first season and am as amazed as anyone that he is EXACTLY the same player that he was when he first came. He hasnt kicked on at all

Veretout did enough today and in glimpses over the course of the season so far to show me that he is a better answer if we ever want to play a more modern game that isnt reliant on "get it on the head of the big man"

I agree with what you say here.

I would add a point though, I think Westwood could come into the side in place of Sanchez against sides who we are expected to keep possession against. Against teams that are happy to sit back and play us on the counter (admittedly not as many these days), I think Westwood could play the role of the midfielder who sits in front of the back 4 and keeps the possession recycling. 

Even then I'd keep Sanchez in the team, given his greater defensive contribution and ability to win the ball back.

[bobzy]

Haha - I knew this thread would be near the top when the guy hasn't even played.

So pathetically predictable.  Good work VT

[Stevo985]

You can't fault the logic of "Westwood wasnt in the team and we played really well therefore Westwood must have been the problem"

Most players seemed to jump up a gear today. No reason to suggest Westwood wouldn't do the same.

Like I said earlier, I saw nothing in Veretout's game today that Westwood couldn't have provided. I'm looking forward to him under Garde. If Veretout develops to be better then great. We have a better player and we have options/cover in reserve in Westwood.

[a m ole]

You can't fault the logic of "Westwood wasnt in the team and we played really well therefore Westwood must have been the problem"

Most players seemed to jump up a gear today. No reason to suggest Westwood wouldn't do the same.

Like I said earlier, I saw nothing in Veretout's game today that Westwood couldn't have provided. I'm looking forward to him under Garde. If Veretout develops to be better then great. We have a better player and we have options/cover in reserve in Westwood.

Sorry Stevo, you're not allowed to like both and think they'd both be good members of a squad, you have to pick one to like and one to loathe. We got the draw today solely because Westwood wasn't in the 18, imagine the results we'd get if he left the club? If he moved as far as Scotland we might sneak into the Champions League spots.

[Mark Albrighton]

I'm calling it. Ashley Westwood is the most influential player ever on VT. 

He was never gonna play today and yet he's been in one of the most talked about threads whenever I've checked in tonight. 

Do I think we missed him today? I'd say no.

Am I glad he's a villa player? Yes I am.

[jackbauer24]

I'm a complete embarrassment too then. Westwood probably would have done a very similar job to Veretout today, perhaps less attacking intent but definitely better control as Veretout got caught out more than once today despite having a good game.

I never have understood the hate for Westwood, he may have his limitations but he's never really let us down, can't think of a time when he's been the worst player on the pitch like Richardson, Lescott or even Gabby. In fact Hutton in his early days here was often the worst player on the pitch. Westwood rarely drops below average and peaks in to good and excellent with a good team around him. He'll never be outstanding but a team that looks to just be midtable doesn't need that yet!

Edited November 9, 2015 by jackbauer24

[AshVilla]

Worst player on the pitch today

More anonymous than Sinclair

[maqroll]

For some reason, Westwood has become the most polarizing player on the team. Seems most people on here either love him or hate him.

But because I'm such a reasonable and cerebral guy, (and basically an awesome guy in general), I fall comfortably in between. 

He's a somewhat limited player on a team comprised largely of somewhat limited players.

One thing about Westwood though, is that he puts in an honest shift every time, and never complains.

He's a good pro, but he'll never be a great player.

[SeanO]

1st off I don't hate Westwood, I just don't think he's any good.

JV is already an improvement which is good for Aston Villa, keep Westwood as back up.

[KSV]

I honestly cant believe how anyone can say there was no difference from Veretout to Westwood. just on corners alone.. we were alot more threatening. He has a great delivery. Will get a few assists on set pieces. He drives forward WITH the ball.. rather than just passing it to Gil or Sanchez.

Veretout is still young and new to the premier league. For him to be on par with a lack of fitness with Westwood. Speaks volumes. He has a few gears to go up.. Westwood doesnt.

[JoeParker91]

Veretout looked far better in tighter areas than Westwood does (go on, post that Mick McCarthy gif). He also carries the ball far more, committing people and creating space. I don't hate Westwood but I do find him very frustration, he is too eager to take the easy option and his passing is quite poor under pressure. 

Massive props to the three in midfield today, hope it continues. 

[maqroll]

Ha, I was gonna post that gif, too!

[Keyblade]

Team plays bad under bad manager - It's Westwood's fault. He's holding us back from being the 15th place team we're destined to be!

Team plays good under good manager - See? It's clearly because Westwood isn't playing. Further proof that he's a Ligue 2 player at best!

[Keyblade]

Also this myth that Westwood only takes the easy option when passing, either sideways or backwards seriously needs to die. This Squawka chart needs to be stickied to the top of every page.

[Stevo985]

I honestly cant believe how anyone can say there was no difference from Veretout to Westwood. just on corners alone.. we were alot more threatening. He has a great delivery. Will get a few assists on set pieces. He drives forward WITH the ball.. rather than just passing it to Gil or Sanchez.

Veretout is still young and new to the premier league. For him to be on par with a lack of fitness with Westwood. Speaks volumes. He has a few gears to go up.. Westwood doesnt.

If Westwood had played exactly as veretout did yesterday, this thread would have been full of the usual shite about him being anonymous and not doing anything. Veretout visibly bottled a few challenges too, which I'm sure Westwood would have been slaughtered for.

I agree with your second paragraph though. I do think veretout's ceiling is higher and I thin khe has potential to be a better player than Westwood. I'm just pointing out that people creaming themselves over how good we were without Westwood are jumping the gun a bit. 

The whole team improved yesterday. The reason was because we had a new manager in charge, the players were organised and were playing to a system that made sense. They weren't being managed by a total moron.
The difference was not that Westwood didn't play.

Edited November 9, 2015 by Stevo985

[KHV]

Veretout has yet to show he offers anything more than Westwood, thought Veretout was bang average yesterday as he has been since his arrival. A run of games may see him get better, after all Westwood has played nearly 100 prem games and Veretout has barely had any game time. Veretout's performance yesterday was nothing to rave about.