Photo credit: Dani Casey (beds_villafan on Threads)
So, we aren’t going to go unbeaten for the season then? Arsenal’s two moments of clinical finishing have grabbed the headlines alongside Ollie Watkins’ “worst performance in a Villa shirt” as described by one of the wise sages of Twitter (X for those who don’t live in the past). Despite a home defeat, Villa does have much to take from Saturday against last season’s runners-up.
Unai Emery will have learned much from those 90 minutes and Morgan Rogers once again proved how valuable he is to Villa and is, arguably, the first name on the team sheet at the moment. It would have been sweet to get yet another one over Arsenal, but it was not to be. So, what have we learned? Here are four things in my opinion:
Ollie Watkins needs more time
With the two guilt-edged chances that Watkins missed, Villa’s chances of getting something from the game disappeared. They were fundamental misses from an international striker. The chance in the first half, an xG of 0.37, showed that ‘normal service’ was not on offer. The second-half miss (xG 0.50) was so much worse. With the goal at bay, and David Raya scrambling to get across, Watkins’ header was at a height that allowed the Arsenal keeper to get the ball away. And it’s OK for him to miss both. If it hadn’t been for those pesky Euros, a full pre-season would have meant that Watkins buries both. However, he didn’t.
Over the next couple of weeks, the sharpness of old will return and the ‘real’ Ollie Watkins will be back to tear up defences and hit the back of the net with regularity. By the time the Champions League arrives, Watkins should be back in form. We surely need it. Perhaps Monchi needs to consult his little black book of football agents to get a goal-scoring insurance policy to help Watkins and Durán.
Winning the game meant so much to Arsenal (and its fans)
Before the game, so much was talked about last season’s result and how Arsenal lost the title because of them. They certainly approached Saturday like it was a title clincher. I saw another wise sage of Twitter comment that Arsenal celebrated like they had won the league. I would suggest that is exactly how Arsenal’s players had been motivated. Who are we to argue, at this early stage, that those three points on Saturday haven’t secured the title?
It is interesting to see how Arsenal fans are enjoying their win over Villa. In a perverse way, this is a huge compliment that talks to how Villa is now seen by the ‘big boys’. Those Gooners sending their comments on social media are validating that view. And us Villa fans need to harden off to such nonsense. Remember, we have their attention now and this victory is prized. Why? Because we are a danger. Long may the ire of opposing fans continue.
Unai Emery shouldn’t make substitutions…
What are you doing, Unai? Bringing on Jhon Durán and Jacob Ramsey then the ball is in the back of the net not two minutes later. Then bringing on Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley and concede within a minute of those substitution? In reality, both goals should have been defended much better. Both had a low xG (0.13 and 0.07) and should have been dealt with. Emi Marinez will not be pleased with the second when he got beaten so easily and getting a hand to the ball. In fact, Watkins’ xG for the game was equal to the whole of Arsenal’s: 0.90. On the subject of substitutions, Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard scored the first and had an assist on the second.
Losing to Arsenal will help in the long-term
It’s not easy to accept defeat. Especially against a team who are your rivals (yes, that’s where we are now). However, Emery will dissect the performance and use it to move the team forward. There was much to like. Finishing was less than desirable but that lesson will stand up well for the future. We all know that chances must be taken and there are even tougher opponents to face in THAT competition we have qualified for. It will bode well for the league too as we negotiate tougher games. Despite having 40% possession, we should have been at least 2-0 before Trossard scored; maybe the game would have been in a different phase and the chance doesn’t even materialize? That is conjecture, but it is undeniable that profligacy will lead to defeats.
With two league matches gone, we are -1 point when compared to last season's fixtures. Not concerning at this stage at all. Next up is a short trip to the East Midlands to face Leicester City. Hopefully, a certain Mr Vardy doesn’t offer a lesson on taking chances. He’s got ‘previous’ on that charge…
Thanks to Ian Harris and Jenco Flooring for their photos from Saturday.
"With two league matches gone, we are -2 points when compared to last season's fixtures." - Minus One ???