Analysing the Opposition

Despite being unbeaten so far in the Premier League, the jury is still out on Alex McLeish amongst the Villa faithful. This is in no small part due to the fact that out of the opening six games five have resulted in draws, with just the solitary win coming against Blackburn in gameweek two. McLeish’s reputation for moulding team’s into draw specialists does not sit very well with the Villa fans, and the pressure will really begin to mount should the home fixture with Wigan produce anything less than three points.

Villa began the seasons with a 4-2-3-1 system, McLeish evidently believing that this would bring the best out of the players he had to hand. Surprisingly, Emile Heskey was given the role ‘in the hole’ operating behind lone striker Darren Bent. The 3-1 victory over Blackburn in the second gameweek suggested that the formation could deliver success. However, four straight draws later and Villa fans are beginning to question just how well their players are suited to this set-up. For instance, Darren Bent has just one goal from five this season and has struggled to adapt to the new system. Last season, Bent had Stewart Downing and Ashley Young supplying him from the wings in a fluid 4-3-3 system which suited his tendency to make runs beyond defenders. Conversely, this season he is now being asked to play as a more of a target man and hold the ball up with his back to goal to allow runs from midfield by players such as Emile Heskey and Stephen Ireland. Moreover, the main disappointment for Villa fans has been the failure of major new recruit Charles N’Zogbia to have any sort of immediate impact. Like Bent. N’Zogbia is more used to playing in a fluid 4-3-3 system where is able to concentrate on the attacking side of the game rather than worrying about defensive duties. It should also be noted that the majority of N’Zogbia’s best moments at Wigan came whilst he was playing on the right hand-side, allowing him to cut in on his favoured left foot. Should McLeish want to see the best N’Zogbia has to offer, moving him from the left to the right could be an option worth exploring.

Having assessed Villa’s start to the season and their current position, I don’t think it’s unrealistic to believe Wigan could secure at least a point from this fixture. If Darren Bent remains on the sidelines, Villa may struggle to score goals whilst Latics’ main striker Franco Di Santo is currently in a rich vein of form which he will hope to carry into this fixture. Hence, I have predicted a 1-1 draw for this match, which I believe should be an entertaining encounter ultimately resulting in yet more frustration for the home side.