Smith is looking to get the right MIX within Villa squad
DEAN Smith has explained how he’s split up Villa’s dressingroom cliques during the coronavirus lockdown.
The head coach has been conducting one-to-one and group sessions via video link, tasking his players to review their own and the team’s Premier League performances.
As with any club, Villa’s players have formed friendship groups and, at training and on match-days, the same players tend to stick together, whether it’s talking prior to kick-off or warming up together.
Those known to be close include Jack Grealish, John McGinn and Matt Targett. Kortney Hause, Keinan Davis and Ezri Konsa are tight while the Spanish speakers – Jota, Pepe Reina and Borja Baston – tend to stick together.
Marvelous Nakamba, Trezeguet and Mbwana Samatta are another group. Villa supporters will also have noticed how close Wesley was with fellow countryman Douglas Luiz prior to his injury.
“What we’ve done is put them into groups,” said Smith. “Four groups, four nights a week, we’ll sit down and have a chat and show some clips on our computers.
“We got them to review a couple of games. We’ve been having some enactment with the players and keeping them abreast with what’s happening. We’ve got them talking to players they normally wouldn’t be grouped with. Everyone in a class or a dressing room, you gravitate more to people who are more naturally like you.
“It gives us the opportunity to mix them a bit more and get them talking to players who they wouldn’t spend time with as much as others.”
Smith also revealed what was motivating the motivator: “The fact we’re sitting second-bottom of the Premier League is enough motivation for me.
“I feel we’re in a position we shouldn’t really be in. We’ve helped our own downfall at times, we’ve been very inconsistent. We’ve got a good squad, we’ve got some good players, we’ve just shown inconsistencies.
“I’ve been analysing stats and looking at things we need to be better at. Being better without the ball, we’ve given away too many opportunities. We’re bottom of the league for individual mistakes. It’s something the players have had to deal with.”
On potentially returning to Bodymoor Heath in the coming weeks, Smith added: “We’re ready, we’re keen, but we’ve got to follow the Government’s guidelines. We’re still in lockdown. It’s really tough. You’re planning for the unplannable.
“There’s players in our group that have vulnerable family members at home. They’re going to have to consider the risk that’s involved and an awful lot of this is down to the medical staff. It’s got to be safe and proper to go in.”
Smith also gave an update on Tom Heaton’s recovery. The keeper was sidelined after tearing his knee ligaments on New Year’s Day but could be in line for a shock recall should he prove his fitness over the summer.
“He’s had a very serious injury,” Smith said. “The rehabilitation has been going well. We just don’t know and can’t foresee when the season will restart because we’re very much in the Government’s hands.” On lockdown itself and what he misses most, Smith added: “I’ve started to get into a routine. I’m an early riser anyway. I’ve learnt all about the daily chores.
“But you’re having to find things to get you off your seat. I miss the match-day and the day-to-day training with the players and the mixing but it’s the match-day for me that gets the juices flowing.
“I find it hard thinking that perhaps we’re going to go back to empty stadia. That adrenalin and that atmosphere is certainly what creates football and we’ll certainly miss that.”