What a team, what a result, What a goalie.
First of all, thank you Mr. Watkins. Without you, we could easily have – unjustly – lost this game. A very technical game between two really good, well coached teams. As the saying goes, it’s a game of fine margins. When we were here last season we squandered our chances and this time, it was Villa that did. Of course, that was in no small part due to the performance of Raya.
I think I’m finally at the point where I’ll accept him now as our GK. Which, of course, means I’ve just jinxed him going forward. But that save in the second half from Watkins was the game-changer. The reflex save was even better than the one last week against Wolves. Both these reflex saves could have been made by Ramsdale (though he’d need very long arms form the bench) but Raya has proven himself now. All that’s needed is for us to have a dedicated song in his name. But I leave that to others.
With all the focus and pressure on us chasing City last season it’s easy to forget what a good team we have. Watching us today, it struck me during that first half how evolved this team is. How much we controlled the game and how we imposed our rhythm and style on a really well coached Villa team. The accountant was a disaster for us – the club was just too big for him. But Villa fits him nicely and you can see how improved they are. Depending on how their European venture develops will govern whether they make the top 4 again. But they will be a constant threat.
So, for this victory we could thank the player we did not sign – Watkins – the goalkeeper we did transfer – Martinez – and the one we did sign – Raya. Instead, we had the little Belgium to thank for snatching the victory. In the early years of Arteta it felt like his substitutions were often ill-timed. Todays were perfect. With Trossards first touch he scored. What a game-changer he has turned out to be for us. Martinelli was pretty good today but there is just something different about Trossard. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
In the first half it felt like, too often, when playing it out from Saliba and Gabriel, we ignored our right; Saka was starved of the ball. He produced one excellent save from Martinez but was subdued beyond that. And of course, that first goal came from the usual triangle of White, Odegaard and Saka – with some help from Partey. And that’s not to ignore the workrate of Have-that that helped pressure the ball to Trossard.
Odegaard was majestic today. Working hard to close them down but so imaginative when on the ball. Tielemans tried to shadow him across the pitch but that’s a fools errand. Odegaard pulled the strings today. It’s just a shame he passed up the chance for the third when he skyed the ball after yet more impressive work from Trossard. In the 20 minutes that Trossard was on he created more opportunities and more of a threat then Martinelli – and he also managed to chase back to help out Calafiori.
I’ve been quick to complain and worry about Partey. With our new signing, it surely reduces his playing time. Today though he was on fire. His passing was more precise and his involvement more central to everything we did. He was more available to receive the ball and more constructive in his passing. He had his handful though with Rogers who did turn him a few times. This version of Partey is the one I recognize from 3 years ago. It’s just not clear if his performance is reproducible. Today though was more than good enough.
Rice was a little subdued. It’s not clear how this left midfield role suits him. I’m sure his still a little bit behind in his fitness. And with new addition maybe he’ll revert to his holding midfield position. But today he was our third best midfield player. And that’s OK when the bar is so high.
This defense though is pretty impressive ; yet another clean sheet. Todays result would have been unimaginable if Zinny had played instead of Timber. That instance in the first half where Bailey chased a ball over the top and Timber matched him stride for stride would never have happened with Zinny. Timber adds robustness and strength. I mean, he can actually defend. Imagine that. And he can easily played the inverted role when we’re in possession. You could see him, from the kick off, move inside alongside Partey. Then as the half progressed he pushed out wider. He has a flexibility and adaptability that, once he gets more minutes and playing time, will elevate his game and elevate this team. How reassuring is that! Another way in which we’ll be further improved from last year.
As relieved as I was to see Timber in the starting lineup it’s a little worrying that Jesus could not even make the bench. Ironically, he would have come on for Martinelli rather than Trossard. We need more depth though if this is going to be the Jesus of last year. Surely if Eddie does go off to Sherwood Forest, we’ll being in an additional attacker. Have-that seems like our designated center-forward now. He had one very difficult chance in the first half but no other obvious chances. But his work-rate and defending is crucial to this team. And, again, he’s much improved from last year. Another way in which we’re better.
Unlike last week, where he was getting rid of some cob-webs, Saliba was back to his Rolls-Royce best. There are many examples of the calmness and intelligence of his defending but the most obvious one was when there was a breakaway in the second half with White out of position. Saliba turned on the after-burners and made up twenty yards to close down and limit a shot that Raya was able to Parry. His speed of recovery was surprising but not his overall level of play. So much of the ball carrying goes through him. Alongside him Gabriel was very solid but you know he usually has one mistake a game in him. And today that lead to him disposed at the edge of our area. Somehow, Watkins managed to scuff the ball wide. That and his header that Raya miraculously saved were their game changers .
That Rogers is some fine player. I can see him vying for playing time with England soon. Though he faded as the game went on, he was mighty impressive – a real box-to-box player. And to think that he was playing for Middlesborough 9 months ago. And if were not for Watkins and Martinez, we’d have viewed his contribution in a different light. And with Lee Carsly watching, we might also see White recalled to the England team. He was thoroughly dominant again and surely the best right-back that England have.
That’s the first goal Partey has scored for us in a year or two. And this one, created via our love triangle on the right, was largely down to Martinez. I like it when he performs like this or when he scores an own goal for us. When you look at him and Raya you can see why we made the change even if the financial aspects might be imbalanced. I can do without his arrogance and lack of distribution skills, but 9 times out of 10 he would save that Partey shot. At 2-0 though we could finally relax. I was happy to see Saka protected and give Nelson some minutes. His defending has improved along with his work-rate. I can’t see how we can let him go in this transfer window now that Eddie is headed out.
We deserved to win today, we were the better team even though they could have gone ahead. This team is incrementally moving in the right direction. And to make a great performance and a great day even better we (and in particular me) might be able to finally say good night Vieira. I think it’s fair to say I’ve never taken to him. I don’t see where he fits for us. He’s too light-weight, does not work hard enough, is not physical, and has no clear end product. He’s a classic luxury player who will once in a blue moon do something really impressive. But, I hate watching him play. I don’t trust him and I don’t see what he brings to this team. I only wish we had sold him outright and retained ESR. But that ship has sailed but at least Vieira will be on the next boat (or plane) out. I will put him in the same category as Gervinho or Aliadiere, players who flattered to deceive. Hopefully he’ll feel at home in Porto and increase his final sale value for us.
Now we have a week to wallow in this wonderful performance, victory and three points. Having vanquished one ghost from last year we have up next Brighton. Not a team to underestimate. Hopefully I’ll be able to find tickets for this game and get to experience it in person along with 60,000 other people.
-LB7