Dave Woodhall on Villa’s stoppage-time defeat to Nottingham Forest.
On Saturday morning work took me to East Midlands airport, where I bumped into a Villa supporter I know who was getting off a flight from Dublin. he was, of course, going to the City Ground and with only 2,000 tickets available chances were that he’s not only a season card holder but he also goes to almost all away games, which as he lives in Northern Ireland must cost a fair penny – particularly as the kick-off time meant he’d have to stay the night.
This might be an extreme example but a lot of people have spent a lot of time and money watching Villa away this season. So far they’ve seen eight goals, the worst total in the league, and two wins, which is only ‘bettered’ by Rotherham. For any team that’s a poor showing. For the most expensive squad ever assembled in the Championship, it’s a disgrace, with as many words beginning with ‘f’ as you’d like to add at the start.
Talking of flipping, flaming disgraces, step forward Jack Grealish. I like him and I think he comes in for some unfair criticism at times, but Jack cost us at least a point here. Steve Bruce had promised a different line-up and not only were there yet more team changes but they lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, the one that can be useful in the short-term although its most effective use was twenty years ago.
Villa started the game well, going a goal up thanks to Jonathan Kodjia, and although Forest equalised before half-time the home side seemed to have run out of ideas and a draw was looking ever-more likely, before Grealish’s second booking changed the momentum of the match. Bruce made an error in bringing off Kodjia and his strike partner Scott Hogan, Forest gained the initiative. We’ve seen the ending far too many times for it to be a surprise.
All of which leaves Villa closer to the drop zone than the play-offs. I don’t think there’s much chance of being caught up in a relegation battle; Villa do have enough quality to improve and there were signs on Saturday that there’s a good team in there. Hogan looked impressive and the midfield was livelier than it has been;if nothing else the whole performance was a vast improvement on the midweek debacle at Brentford. We shouldn’t, though, be looking for evidence of mid-season improvement and reassurances about Championship safety.
Realistically, the season’s over. We have to use the time that’s left between now and the beginning of May to give some indication that a team is (finally) coming together that can mount a proper promotion push next season, and they can start by playing for ninety minutes in every game.