Former player Yacouba Sylla

[PaulC]

 

Yes but we have to be honest though we were outplayed in midfield today as we were against Spurs. I really think we need Westwood in there.

We've probably been outplayed in midfield every game this season with or without Westwood

 

 

I don't think we've been as low as 33% possession before have we. City were always going to have a lot more possession so having combative midfield players like Sylla and KEA probably helped but against Hull we need a bit more on the ball so Westwood should come back if fit.

[KHV]

Yes but we have to be honest though we were outplayed in midfield today as we were against Spurs. I really think we need Westwood in there.

We've probably been outplayed in midfield every game this season with or without Westwood

 

I don't think we've been as low as 33% possession before have we. City were always going to have a lot more possession so having combative midfield players like Sylla and KEA probably helped but against Hull we need a bit more on the ball so Westwood should come back if fit.

Id leave westwood out

[Isa]

We generally have inferior possession to the opposition even when Westwood plays. His influence is grossly exaggerated. Since we are not a particularly strong team in possession, we can't afford passengers like Westwood in midfield. The off-the-ball work from our midfield three was tremendous today and this would have been severely weakened had Westwood played.

[Anything11]

I tend to disagree. We need westwood in there. Its fine having combative midfielders especially against someone like man city but we need a calm head on the ball to fill the gaps. We need to hold the ball more and develop a more flowing game (in the long run)

[Con]

Against a lesser team we'll have more possession and won't play counter-attack so much, and the extra ball-winner will be the "passenger."

 

It's in that type of game we'll need Westwood over e.g. Sylla, because he is better at distributing the ball to our goal scorers.

 

The game is about scoring goals. Westwood has been involved in 4 already this season. Having three tackling specialists in midfield when we already have the ball is pointless.

[villa-revolution]

Our football is so much more fluent when Westwood plays. Also watch how our possession stats rocket once he is re-introduced & involved in the action. Ashley is easily the most under rated player in our team.

 

It's great meantime that Sylla, Delph & El Ahmadi are absolutely working their rocks off in his absence.

 

All good positive stuff.

[Isa]

Except that we rarely dominate possession against the 'lesser' teams and are generally set-up to counter which is why we struggle at home. Until this changes, then it is pointless playing somebody who offers so little when we are not in possession.

[PaulC]

Against a lesser team we'll have more possession and won't play counter-attack so much, and the extra ball-winner will be the "passenger."

It's in that type of game we'll need Westwood over e.g. Sylla, because he is better at distributing the ball to our goal scorers.

The game is about scoring goals. Westwood has been involved in 4 already this season. Having three tackling specialists in midfield when we already have the ball is pointless.

Yes westwood is the best passer in our squad, we did well yesterday at closing the ball down but we would expect more than 33% possession against hull and we need more quality on the ball. Westwood is the 2nd name on the teamsheet in midfield behind Delph in my opinion. Edited September 29, 2013 by PaulC

[Jonoridge91]

I don't know many teams that have equal possession or better against Man City whether they're at home or not I mean Cardiff when they beat them had 40% apparently. Funnily enough by the same result!

 

I don't think Westwood was going to improve our possession much although I'd admit he's a better passer than most. I find it hard to be critical of the game because we came away with the win against a team that are meant to be winning the league or be there or there abouts.

 

By saying we should of played Westwood is being critical of Lambert's tactics implying he should of played different players when quite clearly we won and he got the tactics spot on.

[ozvillafan]

Wasn't impressed with Sylla yesterday. In fact, I thought he was the weak link in our midfield.

 

He looks a yard off the pace and didn't track his man when they pushed forward. Gave away possession a bit too easily too.

 

I like him though, but would stick with KEA, Delph and Westwood for now.

[Kiwivillan]

Wasn't great but Delph did well and KEA and Bacuna were excellent. First game back in a while. Give him time. The depth is looking good. No knee jerks if we fall to earth next week. 9 points from 6 games having played Arse,, CSKA, Liverplop, and Man Saudi.

[samjp26]

Different games will require different players, thankfully we have a squad that allows us to mix things up a bit now when we need to.

 

I'm not saying that our entire squad is of great quality but being able to have competition and rotation is going to help us immensely.

Edited September 29, 2013 by samjp26

[villa-revolution]

Wasn't impressed with Sylla yesterday. In fact, I thought he was the weak link in our midfield.

 

He looks a yard off the pace and didn't track his man when they pushed forward. Gave away possession a bit too easily too.

 

I like him though, but would stick with KEA, Delph and Westwood for now.

 

Like most of the team Sylla struggled early on then grew into the game the longer it lasted. Remember too he has not had much game time & is still lacking proper match fitness.

 

As the D Ream song goes - Things can only get better.

[skarroki]

i thought sylla was good on saturday was what we needed in the middle, even when he didnt win the challenge he put people off and i think what he contributed helped out delph and KEA to do their jobs.

as it stands i would stick with him rather than bring westwood back, Hull is going to be a non-footballing battle of an afternoon and we need people who can match them with added ability rather than try to outplay them. players like Delph can show their quality against Hull but i dont think Westwood would be an improvement on Sylla for a scrap game.

We all like to believe we're not going to be down there this year but i think the Hull backroom must have earmarked Villa at home as a game to pick up points, they'll make it difficult.

[ROTTERDAM1982]

 What 4 goals has Westwood been a contributor to this season?

 

I do think we need a more creative player in midfield alongside 2 of Delph/KEA/Sylla, but Westwood is'nt ood enough i'm afraid.

[KjParton]

I think thats including killer passes not just assists.

[praisedmambo]

This place has gone on a massive downer on Westwood. 

 

I like Sylla, but he didn't have the best game with the ball at all. It's tough against City, of course, and I'm sure he's a bit rusty. Imo, it's a good shout to put Westwood in against Hull if he's fit. Westwood does things our other midfielders can't do and he's important in the team, especially against lesser teams. 

[ROTTERDAM1982]

 What killer passes then?

 

 I would love Westwood to develop into as good a passer as Cowans, or Parker, or the master Cropley, but i don't think he has that ability.Really hope i'm wrong about Westwood, but i thought Westwood and Lowton were our main problems against Noocastle, and we have won the next 2.

[Kwan]

He's not a master passer, but he's a better passer than Sylla or Delph or KEA. Against teams that sit back on us, their athleticism will become redundant. It's not that he was on poor form like Lowton either. He just wasn't as good as he was last year. I expect whenever he comes back from injury, Westwood will be back in. Sylla and KEA are the ones competing for the same spots unless we're in a situation where we need to break up play like City.

Edited September 30, 2013 by Kwan

[PaulC]

This place has gone on a massive downer on Westwood. 

 

I like Sylla, but he didn't have the best game with the ball at all. It's tough against City, of course, and I'm sure he's a bit rusty. Imo, it's a good shout to put Westwood in against Hull if he's fit. Westwood does things our other midfielders can't do and he's important in the team, especially against lesser teams. 

 

I thought in both first halfs against Spurs and City he was truly dreadful but improved in the second half of both games.  I think we need a bit more guile than he has. Ok Westwood may not be in the same league as a passer as Cowans and Cropley but we are talking about 2 all time greats at Villa but he is probably the best we have, in terms of passing.