I can see that Unai Emery has been getting a bit of stick from Villa fans following our abysmal defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last night, and rightly so. What I’ve also seen is Villa fans having a go at other Villa fans for making those criticisms.
Making observations based on reality is not inherently a negative thing. Ignoring those realities, on the other hand, is. So how did we get here?
It all comes down to form.
Emery isn’t entirely responsible for our current form, but his part is significant. I think team selection and the use of substitutions have played a big role in why things have dipped.
Injuries and suspensions aside, the only clear-cut change I would have made to last night’s starting line-up is Emiliano Buendía, for the reasons I explained in my last post. The line-up surprised a lot of people, not just the Villa faithful.
The players need to take responsibility as well. The slow build-up and the tendency to slow the game down have become a bad habit. Even when we are on top, there are moments where the tempo drops unnecessarily, and it kills momentum. It’s frustrating to watch.
Prioritising Europe over the league is not something I agree with, but the same applies the other way round. Your strongest available side should be starting these matches, especially at this stage of the season. The only exception, for me, is the early rounds of domestic cup competitions.
So yes, I do believe any Villa fan has the right to voice their opinion. Nothing connected to Aston Villa is beyond scrutiny. If anything, it should be encouraged. The club, the manager, and the players all need to be held to account. UTV