It has been a dramatic couple of days for Aston Villa fans, as they have watched boyhood fan Dean Smith lose his job. Villa have struggled over the past month or so, and Smith was forced to pay the price after losing his last five games. Many still believe that the trigger was pulled too soon, as he had enough credit in the bank to attempt to reverse their fortunes.
However, his sacking was officially announced on Sunday, with managers such as Steven Gerrard and Roberto Martinez linked with the vacancy. The club’s aim this season would have been to finish in a European spot. However, now a place in the top half could be a successful 2021-22 campaign. But, what challenges face the new incoming manager?
Getting The Best Out Of Attacking Players
Aston Villa’s chances this season were certainly hit hard with the departure of Jack Grealish. However, proven quality was brought in with the additions of Emiliano Buendia and Danny Ings. Ings and Ollie Watkins have failed to create the partnership many would have expected to this point, with the two strikers having only scored five goals between them.
An injury to Ings saw Smith revert back to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Watkins leading the line over recent weeks. However, the attacking quality of Buendia and Leon Bailey are yet to really find their form, which means chances for the Englishman have been few and far between. Getting the very best out of the attacking quality at the club will be the first big challenge that any incoming new manager must address.
Sorting Out Defensive Issues
For anyone looking at how to predict the correct score for Villa matches this season, they have always included a goal for the opposition. Villa have been far too defensively open throughout the season, having allowed 20 goals in their first eleven fixtures. Only Newcastle United and Norwich have allowed more goals in the Premier League this season.
On paper, the Villa should have very few issues in the backline, as they have quality defenders such as Axel Tuanzebe, Ezri Konsa, and Tyrone Mings. However, something just isn’t clicking with the backline this term, which could mean a new incoming manager may look to change things up and play a back three to make them more defensively solid. There isn’t any lack of quality, which means that there could just be a confidence issue within the defenders at the club.
Weak In Midfield
The number of goals that the club are conceding shouldn’t just point the blame at the defenders at the club. The midfield has been a problem position throughout the season, with John McGinn and Marvelous Nakamba both struggling for form. Important players are also missing in the heart of the midfield, with both Morgan Samson and Douglas Luiz being out at present. However, the Villa can’t afford to be as open in the midfield as they have been in recent weeks.
Arsenal were allowed to run straight through the midfield in their win a couple of weeks ago, while West Ham midfield duo Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice also highlighted the importance of quality in the middle of the pitch. The players are certainly there, but a change in the system may be best to help the backline and give the Villa a strong base to build on over the coming weeks after the international break.
