Stop the rot:You’ve got 14 games to save season
Five things Villa must do to end horror losing streak and drop fears
season but losing back-to-back games is a sign of Villa’s fragility right now. The forthcoming home games against Derby and Bristol City now take on extra significance.
The Rams will be fired up for this local derby and their first visit to Villa Park in almost ten years.
As for the Robins, well, they’ve already beaten Villa this season and have relegation worries of their own, so the importance of that encounter is clear.
For the large majority of this season the home fans have stuck by the team and continued to turn up in big numbers. But last time out the lowest attendance of the season was recorded at just over 26,000. ning the following campaign, providing there aren’t widespread changes. Who are Aston Villa? They’re not an attack-minded team who take the game to opponents.
They’re not a hard-working, resolute side who can grind out results.
They’re not a strong, physical bunch who bully other teams.
And, strangely, they’re not a typical Steve Bruce side... yet.
Bruce admitted to “sleepness nights” recently because he can’t trust his team to produce the goods.
Over time he will get that. He’s proved that in the past. The sooner Villa find an identity, though, the better. for everyone. settle in and perform well on a regular basis, Villa will have done well.
The key now is to find out which players are going to be needed next season because that’s when the pressure really will be on Villa.
This season is now all about consolidating and preparing for a promotion assault next time. The games remaining are all crucial for those who remain at Villa. Effectively, they’re all playing for their futures.
It doesn’t sound too important right now as Villa have other problems to deal with.
But if they can get through these struggles and go into the Second City derby in April with renewed fight and spirit, an end-of-season flourish will take away some of the pain.
At St Andrew’s, Villa were poor. They showed little attacking intent and couldn’t really impose themselves. That said, Gary Gardner saved the day with his only goal in Villa colours to date, as his side salvaged a draw.
It’s important for Villa to go one better on home soil. It’s sad, but they haven’t got much else to look forward to right now.