Bjorn optimist insists the points will come
BJORN Engels has issued a Villa rallying cry and declared: “The points will come!”
The summer signing from Stade Reims has been rock solid in his two Premier League displays but Villa are yet to register a point following sucker-punch defeats to Tottenham and Bournemouth.
Engels says the mood in the camp remains positive and has called on critics “to give us time” following the arrival of 12 permanent additions to the Villa squad in the transfer window.
Villa had a horror start against Bournemouth in last Saturday’s clash at Villa Park, conceding a penalty after 45 seconds. Joshua King made no mistake from the spot and then Harry Wilson doubled the visitors’ lead on 12 minutes with a deflected shot.
Douglas Luiz, on his first start for Villa following his £15m switch from Manchester City, replied for the hosts and Engels felt Villa deserved at least a point.
“If you start like that (against Bournemouth), needing to come back from 2-0 down, you know it is going to be tough and it was,” said the 24-year-old.
“With the penalty, it was a mistake but that can happen. We put our heads together to go again (and) the second is just a lucky goal I think. If you see the replay, if it doesn’t take a deflection it ends up in the keeper’s arms.
“I think after the first 15 minutes we played a good game. We had chances, big chances, if you compare them with Bournemouth. I was waiting for our first goal to get back into the game. It arrived and we had chances to make it 2-2 but even before half-time we had good chances with Trezeguet and others.
“We didn’t deserve to lose. A draw would have been fair, or even more. If you compare the chances, a lot of theirs came because they were on the counter-attack.
“Otherwise, I don’t think they created a lot. Two moments cost us the game and we need to learn from them. But if we keep on playing like this and cut out the mistakes, the points will come soon.”
Ahead of another tricky fixture – this time against Everton on Friday at a sell-out Villa Park – Engels complimented his central defensive partner, Tyrone Mings.
“I feel great next to him,” he said. “He is a born leader. It is good.
“We talk a lot together, on and off the pitch. We give instructions to each other. He is left-footed, I’m right. We complement each other well.
“(Everton) want to reach the top six. We need to be ready for this match.
“The points will come soon if we keep on performing like this, without the mistakes. Of course, we need to get some points soon. The quicker the better.”
The Belgian added: It is the best league in the world and we need to be ready.
“We need to take the positives into Friday and keep on going. Give us time. We will get better.”