Aston Villa Trending: Petrov up, Bent down

Welcome to week two of the new Aston Villa Trending column. Each week, I'll be breaking down who or what is up and down in the land of the claret and blue. This week we've got some players where you wouldn't expect them. Be sure to add your thoughts in the comments below!

Trending Upwards

• Stiliyan Petrov: I started this last week and actually thought to myself, "when all else fails, Petrov will work for trending downwards." And then he has a week like this one. As Aaron pointed out, Cappy may have been the best player on the pitch this week for Villa. His stunning shot from outside the box wasn't an aberration in a day of poor play. Rather, it set the tone for a match that saw Petrov playing more like we've seen him in the past. I still don't think he's what he once was, but it's good to see a performance like this every once in a while.
  
• Charles N'Zogbia: Blazing Roaches was actually Aaron's choice for MOTM, and it's a hard one to argue with. In a week where Villa were going to be sorely lacking in creativity thanks to a certain Scot's idiocy, N'Zogbia finally stepped his game up and put in his best effort of the year. That said, I'd like to see him maybe get a few more chances in the box. We know he can score, and it'd be nice to see it happen.
  
• Aston Villa Watchability: The Sunderland match was not the best football ever played. That said, it was solidly entertaining for 75% of the time. I will take that every day. I've got a low bar for entertainment, and Villa hurdled it.
  

Trending Downwards

• Darren Bent: The star striker hasn't done too much to contribute to Villa's attack, but what really seals this spot for me is how tone-deaf he is. Apparently Bent was surprised that the Sunderland fans reacted so negatively to him this weekend. What was he expecting? Flowers? Songs in his honor? Steve Bruce's daug... wait, he has gotten that. But honestly, he should know better. He left in a blatantly mercenary move. He was destined to be hated. You've got the money, dude. Stop worrying about being loved by your exes. They're just not that into you. 
• Stephen Warnock: It would have been better for Villa had he stood on the pitch and just tried to stop people without moving. He actively hurt the team through his play, as he has several times this season. I'm so glad that the team had the depth to live without Luke Young.
  
• The Light in the Tunnel: Have you heard about Villa's schedule? We've got a few more winnable matches, and then the December of hell arrives. If there is any hope of the team putting together a good run, it's quickly fading. Here's to hoping they can get points while the getting is good.