7500 To Holte - Aston Villa vs Sunderland Premier League 2015: 2-2 draw full of wasted chancesVilla Til We Cryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46611/7500-fave.png2015-08-31T19:28:40+01:00http://7500toholte.sbnation.com/rss/stream/89819462015-08-31T19:28:40+01:002015-08-31T19:28:40+01:00Are Villa fated to play out the same results?
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<figcaption>See - premature Gestede Shirt.</figcaption>
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<p>It's the second part of From The Stands and this time, it's all about justice. Does the concept of justice exist in the Premier League? Does fate tie us to the same results?</p> <p>It's back, not the Premier League - but Villa's first Saturday home game. A 3 p.m. kick off will be the standard fare for Villans this year as most of their home games are at this exact time, so it was a good opportunity to plan the day: it's going to be a regular occurrence, so why not get used to it?</p>
<p>A 1pm train from Sutton Coldfield was already rammed to the rafters with Villa fans (and one <a href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sunderland</a> fan!), and it only takes you five minutes to get to Aston. Early arrival? That allows the chance to stop at the Witton Arms, two minutes from the North Stand for, well I'm not sure you can call it a rest, with the crowd and the boisterous behaviour, but it's all good natured. A cheer rings out as <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal</a> beat <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Newcastle</a>, and Sunderland fans jump around and mix with the Villans outside. Sunderland fans have always been good at mixing with Villa fans in Aston and that's never changed - they both seem to hate Birmingham City FC, so that stands them in good stead. The good scenes continued all around and it didn't have that tense atmosphere that you get with some other clubs - Newcastle, Leicester and <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> being culprits of this.</p>
<p>Eight minutes into the match and I've already got my head in my hands. We've got enough match reports, so I'll not dwell on the result too much, but time lost itself to me and I found the rest of the match a blur as I pondered justice and it's place in football.</p>
<p>I can't really shake a conversation we had in my Science class about six years ago. We were trying to wrap our heads around genes and genetics and our teacher eventually got fed up of our questions and put on some documentaries about the subject. To say it was mind-blowing would truly underestimate the banks of knowledge I gained that day, and to say I understood it would truly be a falsehood - I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I heard that day.</p>
<p>In a general sense, it goes like this - our genes contain triggers, which switch on & off during evolution and breeding. It's why you may suffer from the same problems as your grandparents, or share the same characteristics and features as your direct parents. The wildcard thrown in is by genetics that skip generations - so you could end up having the same hair colour as your great-grandfather. It's mind-blowing as to what makes up your gene pool and you'd have a hell of a time tracing it back to its foundations. The more interesting part, and there's not really an answer on this (I can't research it anymore, my mind is still blown wide open), is that it's possible our fates and potential may be tied into our genes - criminals may have a certain genetic code that triggers the potential for a criminal act to happen and the same with a genius, who may have the code that will lead him to a great discovery. The question this raises is that there must be people who may have 'inferior' genes who can destroy every notion of the potential laid out for them and leap onto a greater pedestal simply by working hard and if this was to happen, wouldn't it just destroy the notion of what I've just talked about?</p>
<p>At this point, Sunderland had scored an undeserved equaliser and sapped the atmosphere from the ground and it was clearly fated that it would be a draw as Villa tamely attacked Costel Pantillimon in the Sunderland goal. Were Villa fated to a draw because they played this way? Or was it simply luck that held them back? It's impossible to tell, and I rued the ball as it began to just <i>bounce</i> the right way out of Gestede's path - I started to believe it was fated.</p>
<p>I'd seen it a thousand times, I'd been optimistic a thousand times more; you just can't predict what <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Aston Villa</a> will do on a given day as they are so, so good at doing the unexpected and absolutely terrible at completing the basics. In a sense, sometimes I'll already know the outcome of a match because it would have been an event I've seen play out countless times. Villa will be gutted that they left the match without a win in a game they dominated (or at least tried to).</p>
<p>In a sense, the concept of justice seems tied to these events. These footballing genetics seem embedded in the nature of some teams - <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester United</a> always seem to have some decisions go their way, Chelsea always seem to win! Maybe it's the fickle nature of supporting Aston Villa, but when Costel Pantillimon was booked for time-wasting and continued to do so, you can't help but think that somewhere & somehow, the match and its events have already been decided. Impossible, I know - but in late August, it's easy to think that when you've not much else to blame it on.</p>
<p>On a positive note, it was awesome seeing Villa's first two Premier League goals at Villa Park this season, if it's a shame that Villa didn't win, it's a total bummer they've still yet to score up the Holte End this season and I can't wait for that to happen. What's even better is seeing <span>Micah Richards</span> emerge as a Holte End hero with his madcap defending and attacking where he seems to be doing every task he can possibly perform at the same time. He'll be upset at missing the chance to win the game and he'll have scored that in every other match. What did I say? Sometimes you're fated to the result and in this case, I'm not sure how Aston Villa could have won the game.</p>
<p>There's seventeen home matches left in the Premier League - and it's going to be an atmosphere killer soon if Villa can't impress a home support that is dying to carry them to greatness. The memories of last season come to mind too quickly and as I walked home, I couldn't help but think that no Villa fan in their right mind, would be happy with that.</p>
https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/villa-park-fan-match-report/2015/8/31/9224299/aston-villa-sunderland-draw-premier-league-holte-end-fansJames Rushton2015-08-31T14:00:03+01:002015-08-31T14:00:03+01:00On THAT Carles Gil penalty appeal
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<figcaption>Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The most controversial moment of Villa's 2-2 draw with Sunderland came at the feet of Carles Gil - but were his actions deserving of a penalty, or the yellow card for simulation which he received? </p> <p>Villa should have won on Saturday afternoon. We all know that. It should have been 3-1 or 4-1, and with Adama or Grealish playing, it most certainly would have been. But, as Villa faced a 2-2 deadlock late in the second half, they were forced to search for a deserved third goal.</p>
<p>With just over 10 minutes left, Carles Gil was on the receiving end of a Scott Sinclair knock down, and found himself with a pocket of space in Sunderland's box. Sinclair's lay off was perfect, and Gil's first touch to poke the ball into the box was also sublime. But, instead of shooting, Gil elected to take another touch and try to go around Sunderland defender Younes Kaboul. As he poked the ball past the Frenchman, he went down and appealed for Villa's second spot kick of the afternoon. Robert Madley, however, had other ideas. Hesitating for a moment, there was the possibility that he would point to the spot, but instead he pointed away from the Sunderland end, and showed the exciting Spaniard a yellow card.</p>
<p>There are a couple of things to address with this situation, but without the help of an AVTV highlights package, a comprehensive NBCSN highlights package, or a YouTube video, we will be going from memory a bit here. First of all, there is the fact that Gil categorically <i>had</i> to shoot after his first touch. He was drifting towards the center of goal, and his first touch lifted the ball up perfectly for him to hit with his preferred left foot anywhere towards the right half of goal, where Pantilimon was nowhere to be found. Gil certainly has the technical ability to do so, and sometimes in football you don't have to go for the spectacular goal, which surely what Gil had in mind.</p>
<p>Thoughts of rounding the entire defense to calmly slot into an empty net must have crossed Gil's mind, but when he tried to round Kaboul, something much more tangible presented itself - the opportunity for a penalty appeal. There seemed to be an ounce of contact, but that was only after a zoomed-in replay. If we are talking in an un-biased manner, that <i>probably</i> isn't deserving of a foul. If Jermain Defoe had gone down under a similar tackle from a Villa defender in the 94th minute, we would be cursing him out as a diver. Kaboul's contact was minimal, and impossible for the referee to see. From what he could see, he made the right decision, and the fault of the situation relies entirely with Gil.</p>
<p>Deferring the opportunity that such a clear opening represented was a fatal mistake, and was Villa's last notable chance to get the result they deserved. Hopefully this will be a lesson to the Spaniard - the challenge that Lee Cattermole made on Scott Sinclair gets you a penalty in the English Premier League - <i>that </i>does not. Just hit the volley.</p>
<p>What do you think? Let us know!</p>
https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/8/31/9230037/carles-gil-penalty-dive-villa-sunderland-sherwood-transferHerbert Crowther2015-08-31T12:01:01+01:002015-08-31T12:01:01+01:00No easy games in the Premier League
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<figcaption>Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It's sometimes hard to remember as a fan that even the worst team in the Premier League consists of 11 supremely talented individuals, who were they playing a match with us would have to be blindfolded and forced to only move by hopping while singing show tunes, and would probably still score a dozen goals.</p>
<p>Eight minutes into the match with <a href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sunderland</a>, Yann M'Vila provided a particularly unwelcome reminder of that fact by casually smacking a spinning free-kick around the one yard of space that the wall failed to cover and into the top corner, at an amazing pace from a ridiculous distance, having taken all of two steps as a run-up. Game on.</p>
<p>And yet Sunderland are still a cack team by Premier League standards and promptly proved it when <span>Lee Cattermole</span> decided to play surprise piggyback with Scott Sinclair. <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Aston Villa's</a> New Striker (no, he's not a striker, please stop it now) slotted the penalty neatly while the giant form of <span>Costel Pantilimon</span> lay in the foetal position, dreading the season to come.</p>
<p>The rest of the half was rather fun for Villa in a haphazard fashion. Jordan Amavi scampered up and down the left wing like a greyhound, and inspired <span>Alan Hutton</span>, not a man to let a Frenchman outdo him, to do a little racing up and down of his own. <span>Leandro Bacuna</span>, tired of the limitations of being a mediocre right-back, began exploring life as a mediocre winger/playmaker/second striker. Above all Idrissa Gana banished any lingering thoughts of <span>Fabian Delph</span> to the <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester City</a> closet where he now resides, as he stormed through tackles to fire shots a little bit more than narrowly wide.</p>
<p>It was Gana and Amavi who connected from the centre to the left, where the full-back put in a lovely cross (and what a strange sensation to write that about an Aston Villa full-back) where the New Striker (no seriously, we need an actual striker) was on hand to prod it home.</p>
<p>At half-time Dick Advocaat made two substitutions, presumably after being persuaded that summary execution <i>pour encourager les autres </i>was not permissible. Meanwhile Tim Sherwood contained his laughter at the mere thought of a half-time substitution to protect the lead. Less than ten minutes later, Sunderland were level.</p>
<p>Carlos Sánchez lost a challenge in the middle of the field, Amavi had over-enthusiastically scampered upfield and left <span>Ciaran Clark</span> exposed. Presumably the sense of abandonment and need for physical contact led to the Irishman's clumsy lunge at Jeremain Lens, who was in no mood to provide emotional support, deftly avoiding him to get Sunderland the equalizer. Sherwood looked on, stony-faced, puzzled as to how this could possibly have happened.</p>
<p>A few minutes later <span>Micah Richards</span> redefined our understanding of physics and probability in a stunning practical demonstration of a ball failing to cross a line. Fans could be forgiven for not instantly understanding the scientific implications of the event, but at least humanity may benefit from their misfortune.</p>
<p>The rest of the match was a frustrating mixture of Villa being clearly better while in no way sufficiently better to get a goal. Carles Gil's introduction for Bacuna added neatness but his brain was working quicker than his colleague's feet - and while he may have been "entitled to go down" in Sherwood's phrase, he probably shouldn't have done so while throwing his hands up and splaying his legs in a ´Han Solo frozen in carbonite' impression.</p>
<p>The continued absence of substitutions saw the game fade into a series of speculative balls launched at Gestede's afro, both beckoning and mocking like Gatsby's green light, until the referee's whistle brought the dream crashing down.</p>
<p><b>Random thoughts - </b></p>
<p>- 4 games and 3 yellow cards, Ciaran Clark is endearingly consistent. This may not be so endearing if he receives a ban.</p>
<p>- On that note I'm glad that Sherwood backs his players in his press conferences, but a certain amount of Fergie "I didn't see the incident" evasion may come in useful at some point - especially if one of Clark's ‘enthusiastic' challenges goes a bit too far.</p>
<p>- As frustrating as this was from a Villa perspective, we can be heartened that Sunderland looked pretty dreadful. If Cattermole and Van Aanholt continue in the side they'll be down for sure, but Advocaat may well have them in unmarked graves before the winter break.</p>
https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/8/31/9230185/monday-thoughts-no-easy-games-in-the-premier-leagueAdamClark2015-08-30T10:00:00+01:002015-08-30T10:00:00+01:00Aston Villa 2 - Sunderland 2 Tactics Talk
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<figcaption>Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><b>Tactical set-ups: </b></p>
<p><a title="Click to view tactic" href="http://sharemytactics.com/51113/"><img alt="Villa v Sunderland vs Away team - Football tactics and formations" src="http://sharemytactics.com/51113/Villa-v-Sunderland-Away-team-formation-tactics.png"></a></p>
<p><b><a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Aston Villa</a>: </b><span>Tim Sherwood</span> set up with a modified 4-2-3-1 but with some interesting choices in the absence of the injured <span>Jack Grealish</span> and Adama Traoré, along with the absence of Gabriel Abgonlahor. He chose to give <span>Leandro Bacuna</span> another chance in an advanced position on the right, from which he often floated inside, while <span>Scott Sinclair</span> remained wide out left. <span>Ashley Westwood</span> was given the freedom to move forward by the hustling presence of Carlos Sánchez and Idrissa Gana. Finally, <span>Alan Hutton</span> returned at right-back.</p>
<p><b>Sunderland: </b>Dick Advocaat played a type of defensively orientated 4-3-3 with Jermaine Defoe and Jeremain Lens supporting <span>Danny Graham</span>, backed up by a trio of more defensive midfielders and very conservative full-backs, with the wide men having responsibility for tracking back.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>First-half: Villa dominate via flanks but open to counter</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>High full-backs provide threat but also vulnerability: </b>Perhaps reassured by the presence of two defensive midfielders in Sánchez and Gana, Villa's full-backs played incredibly high up the pitch, especially Jordan Amavi on the left. It was an effective threat as seen by the second Villa goal where Amavi combined with Sinclair cutting in, but also a vulnerability - the free-kick for Sunderland was given away by Amavi as he clumsily came in from behind as he came back from the attack.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Struggles in the final third: </b>Though Villa were dominating in possession and passing, they found it very difficult to play through the centre, where <a href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sunderland's</a> central midfielders remained compact and channeled the play out wide. Rudy Gestede again seemed unable to get the upper hand over the central defenders. Meanwhile Villa's attacking midfielders struggled to really connect higher up the pitch - Sinclair came inside to receive balls but played very few, Westwood was tidy but didn't attempt a single ball into the box in the first-half and Bacuna drifted erratically. The lack of Grealish, who links the play into the box so well, was dearly felt.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Second-half: Sherwood fails to find key </b></p>
<p><b>Sunderland changes provide instant impact: </b>At half-time Advocaat switched Graham for <span>Steven Fletcher</span> and <span>Lee Cattermole</span> for Ola Toivonen who instantly added a far more attacking edge to Sunderland. In only the 52nd minute Toivonen found Lens, who had got in behind Amavi going high up the field again, Clark sold himself far too easily and the ball was in the net. Again, a second-half change had an instant impact against a Villa side that was too careless, especially in the full-back area. The priority should've been to blunt the Sunderland attack after the break but there was a lack of maturity on the pitch.</p>
<p><b>Fitness issues and lack of subs: </b>As the second-half went on, Villa began to dominate again but many players seemed too tired to take advantage. Amavi and Gana both seemed dead on their feet and often chose to float a ball into Gestede who had another bad game. <span>Carles Gil</span> was introduced and provided spark in the middle of the field, but he was playing balls that were too quick for his tired colleagues. Libor Kozak, Jordan Ayew and Jordan Veretout were all sitting on the bench and could've been introduced to try and break the deadlock and it seems astonishing that Sherwood didn't believe any of them were worth a go.</p>
<p><b>Hutton grows into the game: </b>A small note, but while everyone else looked dead on their feet, Alan Hutton made a number of fantastic runs into the box in the second-half and had anyone picked him out, could easily have scored the winner.</p>
<p><b>Substitution watch: </b></p>
<p><i>Carles<b> </b>Gil for Leandro Bacuna (76 min) - </i>A sensible change, bringing on the assured Gil for the largely ineffective Bacuna, though it did raise the question of why he wasn't playing from the start. Almost paid off instantly as he darted into the box, though Gil let the ball run too far and got a silly yellow when trying to get the penalty. Overall the Spaniard did well but he needed someone else who was fresh to pick up on his passes.</p>
<p>That raises the bigger issue, which is why was there only one substitution for the second week in a row. Gestede was playing badly, Gana was clearly exhausted, Sánchez began to drift off the pace, but Sherwood refused to pull any of them off to gamble on one of Kozak, Ayew or Veretout.</p>
<p><b>What we learned: </b></p>
<p>- For all of the focus on the attack and the need for another centre-forward, it's defensively where Villa are throwing games away. Two goals at home should be enough to win a match. Amavi is still learning but needs to be told when to go forward and when to stay back for a while, and Richards and Clark both throw themselves rashly into challenges. Another centre-back option would be great, and Hutton deserves to stay in the side and provide an older head.</p>
<p>- Sherwood has a serious substitution problem. Charitably this could be interpreted as faith in his players on the pitch. Uncharitably, it could be interpreted as lack of ideas. The worst possibility is that Sherwood does not believe in the signings that he didn't personally select, and prefers to persist with Gestede or Gabby when they're not working out.</p>
<p>- If this side ends up in a relegation battle, it will be due to shooting themselves in the foot. They were clearly higher quality than Sunderland, and with Grealish and Traoré in the side this probably would have been an easy victory. But the Premier League is brutally competitive and mistakes do get punished. Amavi is learning that, Sánchez and Clark should already have learned it already. But most of all Sherwood should know it, and it´s his task to coach the kind of stupid mistakes we saw against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/crystal-palace" class="sbn-auto-link">Crystal Palace</a> and Sunderland out of them.</p>
https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/8/30/9225953/inexperience-tells-aston-villa-2-2-sunderland-tactics-talkAdamClark2015-08-30T08:00:00+01:002015-08-30T08:00:00+01:00AVFC Player Ratings: Villa Park Sunderland draw
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<img alt="In: Scott Sinclar. Out: Gabby Agbonlahor. Result: Two goals." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gmbkWzXKgh8AGiu3rXfl_N2qeOk=/0x148:2598x1880/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47054892/GettyImages-485709092.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>In: Scott Sinclar. Out: Gabby Agbonlahor. Result: Two goals. | Mark Thompson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Aston Villa dominated Sunderland for much of the match but missed opportunities and defensive mistakes cost Villa two points in a 2-2 draw with the Black Cats on Saturday. Vote for your Aston Villa Man of the Match below!</p> <p>It wasn't the result that <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Aston Villa</a> wanted against a pretty bad Sunderland team, but Villa fans have to be encouraged by the dominating display the team had at Villa Park on Saturday.</p>
<p><span>Scott Sinclair</span> bagged two goals, <span>Ashley Westwood</span> continued his good form, <span>Carles Gil</span> made a Premier League appearance for Aston Villa for the first time this season and even <span>Alan Hutton</span> looked pretty solid. One spectacular goal by Sunderland and one mistake by Villa meant the spoils were shared in the 2-2 draw, despite the positive performance of many Villans.</p>
<p>Based on a scale of 1 to 10 -- with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best, here are the Aston Villa player ratings from the team's draw with Sunderland on Saturday at Villa Park. Vote for your Aston Villa Man of the Match below!</p>
<p><b>GK: <span>Brad Guzan</span>, Rating: 5</b></p>
<p>Guzan didn't have much to do in this match with Villa thoroughly on the front foot for long spells, but he unfortunately was forced to pick the ball out of his net twice. A great free kick by M'Vila and a cruelly deflected goal by Lens both beat Guzan, who only made one straightforward save. The American's 80-percent passing was a positive for him considering his poor distribution early this season.</p>
<p><b>RB: Alan Hutton, Rating: 7</b></p>
<p>Impressive display from Hutton in his first start of the season. Bombed down the right wing with great energy and created four chances while whipping in a total of eight crosses. Perhaps should've done more when given acres of space several times, late in the first half especially. Hutton will never be a dynamic player, but he's still a solid professional and reliable squad player. Saturday confirmed that.</p>
<p><b>CB: <span>Micah Richards</span>, Rating: 6</b></p>
<p>So unlucky to deflect a shot by Lens into his own net for the tying goal. While Richards again played pretty well on the whole, it seems like the Villa center backs have made a nasty habit of that early this season. Richards also got involved going forward too. He started the move for Villa's counter-attacking second goal, but he really should've scored as well. He had the right idea to get into the box in the 58th minute, but his run was too eager and he wasn't able to react to Sinclair's cross across the face of goal. Two yards from three points for Villa.</p>
<p><b>CB: <span>Ciaran Clark</span>, Rating: 5</b></p>
<p>Completely turned inside out by Lens for <a href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sunderland's</a> equalizer in a return to the old Ciaran Clark after the Irishman had made a good start to the Premier League season. The likely incoming addition of <span>Joleon Lescott</span> will put pressure on Clark to keep his place in the side, and he wasn't great on Saturday. His 12 clearances and five interceptions were fine, but he was yellow carded and was far from convincing when pressured by the Black Cats.</p>
<p><b>LB: Jordan Amavi, Rating: 6</b></p>
<p>Truly a mixed bag from Amavi in this match. He conceded the foul that Sunderland scored the opener from. But he made up for it by setting up Sinclair's second with a great cross into the six-yard box. In total, Amavi sent 11 crosses in and attempted a remarkable 11 take-ons while creating four chances from the left back position, all of which is a resounding positive to see compared to recent Villa left backs. But the young Frenchman certainly needs to improve his defending.</p>
<p><b>CDM: <span>Carlos Sanchez</span>, Rating: 5</b></p>
<p>Five tackles, three interceptions and 90-percent passing for "The Rock" on Saturday all would indicate he had a fine game. But it seems like his mistakes are magnified unlike any other player. Sanchez was dispossessed early in the second half by new Sunderland signing Ola Toivonen, who found Jeremain Lens to level the match. It's harsh because he does so many good things, but Sanchez needs to understand his role and be more safe with the ball for the entire match.</p>
<p><b>CM: Ashley Westwood, Rating: 7</b></p>
<p>Another quality outing by Westwood. He understands his role and capabilities perhaps better than any other Aston Villa player at the moment. Unlucky not to score late with a fierce volley into the ground that Pantilimon parried away. But seriously...how much longer do we have to watch Ashley Westwood take EVERY corner the exact same way with minimal success? Change it up occasionally. The driven ball is fine, but not EVERY time.</p>
<p><b>CM: Idrissa Gana Gueye, Rating: 6</b></p>
<p>Did a little bit of everything for Villa on Saturday, creating five chances with four successful take-ons, three interceptions, two cross and two shots. Gana doesn't exactly do anything spectacularly, but he certainly contributes to the cause. His run and ball to Amavi that led to Villa's second goal was brilliant, something that Villa midfielders haven't done much in recent years. Yes, his passing can be sloppy at times, but his drive and tackling make up for it most of the time.</p>
<p><b>RW: <span>Leandro Bacuna</span>, Rating: 6</b></p>
<p>Linked well with Hutton down the right. His stats were all well and good: 88-percent passing, three shots and three crosses completed, but this display doesn't really convince me that Bacuna is good enough offensively to warrant a starting spot in as much of an advanced role as he had in this match. Villa have more creative options, but Bacuna remains a solid squad player.</p>
<p><b>ST: Rudy Gestede, Rating: 5</b></p>
<p>Continues to struggle with all things passing and shooting -- a real issue for a striker. He's just a bit too one-dimensional with his aerial ability, which makes him a great option off the bench (see Bournemouth game), but not really worthy of a starting spot at the moment. He did, however, almost set up Westwood for a late goal. There's still belief that Gestede will come good, but it'd be worth seeing Libor Kozak given a chance soon in this role at some point.</p>
<p><b>LW: Scott Sinclair, Rating: 8</b></p>
<p>Sinclair is just a scoring machine right now. After his hat trick in the League Cup during the week, Sinclair bagged a brace against Sunderland with an early penalty and a poacher's goal right before halftime, reading Amavi's cross and rippling the roof of the net. It's great for Villa to have him in goal-scoring form, and his created chance at the death that Richards spurned was also a positive sign from the winger. Sinclair, a player who Villa need to score AND create goals this season, deserves a lengthy run in the team based on current form.</p>
<p><b>SUBS</b></p>
<p><b>RW: Carles Gil, Rating: 6</b></p>
<p>Great to see Carles back in a Villa kit in the Premier League. It's been way too long. He showed glimpses of his potential with slick passing and movement, even though none of his dribbles came off and he was booked for diving in the box when he should've shot anyways. The biggest frustration was that it took him so long to enter the game. Someone please tell <span>Tim Sherwood</span> he has three substitutions per game and they can be made at any time.</p>
https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/8/30/9226673/player-ratings-aston-villa-sunderland-scott-sinclairRJSepich2015-08-29T17:02:57+01:002015-08-29T17:02:57+01:00AVFC 2-2 SAFC: Instant reaction
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<figcaption>Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Aston Villa played like junk against Sunderland. </p> <p>There's not going to be much here today. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a> drew Sunderland 2-2 at Villa Park, and while a point is better than none, it's hard to feel anything positive about this match.</p>
<p>Villa dominated for much of the day, and especially had control of the midfield. If you want something good to point at, Idrissa Gana was fantastic. His motoric play, good passing, and energy were one of the highlights of the day. The other highlight came from <span>Scott Sinclair</span>, who converted a penalty and a tap in to make it five goals in four days. Sinclair should absolutely be starting right now and may even be the best player on the squad at the moment.</p>
<p>Everything else? Pretty bad. Jordan Amavi had his second rough match in a row. His needless foul in the first half set up a Yann M'Vila free kick that gave Sunderland the 1-0 lead before ten minutes had even passed. And when Jermain Lens scored <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland's</a> second in the 52nd minute, Amavi was nowhere to be seen, leaving <span>Ciaran Clark</span> all on his own to miss a tackle.</p>
<p>Speaking of Clark, the missed tackle was terrible. Left with only him and Guzan between Lens and the goal, he fully committed to a tackle, whiffed on the ball, and allowed Lens a tidy shot.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, Rudy Gestede was awful. He constantly got himself into good positions only to do nothing with the ball. <span>Carlos Sanchez</span> had some great moments spoiled by a sloppy giveaway that led to the second goal. <span>Ashley Westwood</span> was pretty good, though.</p>
<p>But if you want to blame anyone for this loss, look at Tim Sherwood. Once again, he only used one sub. Once again, he refused to use Libor Kozak. Once again, he failed to respond to halftime changes made by the opposition. And once again, Villa lost out on points due to Tim's incapability to adjust.</p>
<p>There is a lot to like about Sherwood, but his in-match management is not part of that. He needs to learn how to adjust, and he needs to do so quickly. While Villa lost the win themselves through poor sloppy play, Sherwood made it nearly impossible for them to recover.</p>
<p>What a dreadful afternoon. Thank heavens we get the international break to reset everything. I can't believe we didn't even beat Sunderland.</p>
https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/8/29/9224901/aston-villa-sunderland-recap-report-premier-leagueRobert Lintott2015-08-29T15:17:13+01:002015-08-29T15:17:13+01:00Sinclair buries the penalty<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/eIhjKnI1Qxq/embed/simple" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>If you're keeping track at home, that's four goals in four days for Scott Sinclair, and it's all even at Villa Park, 1-1.</p></p></div>
https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/8/29/9224645/sinclair-buries-the-penaltyRobert Lintott2015-08-29T12:00:02+01:002015-08-29T12:00:02+01:00AVFC-SAFC: How to watch, lineups, open thread
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<figcaption>Bennett Berry</figcaption>
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<p>Aston Villa take on Sunderland in the last match before the international break, and we've got everything you need to follow along right here. </p> <p>Three matches and three points. If we're honest, that type of pace would likely be enough to keep <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a> away from relegation this year. But so long as we're all being honest, let's admit that simply avoiding relegation is not good enough this season. We want more. Losing to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> is understandable, and a one-goal loss at Selhurst Park (no matter how sloppy it was) was something we can live with.</p>
<p>But this is <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a>. Aston Villa haven't lost against Sunderland in more than four-and-a-half years. Since then Villa have only allowed Sunderland to score three goals. Villa have won 6-1 at Villa Park and 0-4 at the Stadium of Light. And this is an Aston Villa team who, while there is potential downside, are absolutely bursting with potential. They will be playing in front of a packed and roaring Villa Park.</p>
<p>A loss here, unlike in the last two weeks, is simply unacceptable. And if we're frank about it, a draw isn't much better. It's time for another win.</p>
<p>We've got everything you need to watch the match right here. Be sure to check out <a href="http://7500toholte.sbnation.com/aston-villa-2015-16/2015/8/27/9217905/aston-villa-vs-sunderland-premier-league-2015-news-lineups-updatesd" target="_blank">our coverage from throughout the week</a>, and join us in the comments! Up the Villa!</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Villa Park, Birmingham, England</p>
<p><b>Kick-off time:</b> 3 PM GMT, 10 AM Eastern, 7 AM Pacific</p>
<p><b>Available TV:</b> None (UK), Premier League Extra Time (US)</p>
<p><b>Available streaming:</b> NBC Sports Live Extra</p>
<p><b>Available radio:</b> AVTV (subscription required), Westwood One Sports (US)</p>
<p>For listings in other countries, check out <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1613891/aston-villa-vs-sunderland/" target="_blank">LiveSoccerTV.com.</a></p>
<h4>Aston Villa squad</h4>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TEAM NEWS: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash">#AVFC</a> side to face <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAFC?src=hash">#SAFC</a> this afternoon. Kick-off is 3pm. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVLSUN?src=hash">#AVLSUN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BPL?src=hash">#BPL</a> <a href="http://t.co/RZB5eqcpcI">pic.twitter.com/RZB5eqcpcI</a></p>— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/637610710957191169">August 29, 2015</a>
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<h4>Sunderland starting XI</h4>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p lang="ht" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAFC?src=hash">#SAFC</a>: Pantilimon, Jones, van Aanholt, O'Shea (c), Kaboul, Cattermole, M'Vila, Rodwell, Lens, Defoe, Graham. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVLSUN?src=hash">#AVLSUN</a></p>— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC/status/637610666505936896">August 29, 2015</a>
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<h5>Sunderland subs</h5>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAFC?src=hash">#SAFC</a> subs: Larsson, Toivonen, Coates, Fletcher, Watmore, Gooch, Mannone. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVLSUN?src=hash">#AVLSUN</a></p>— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC/status/637610761385320449">August 29, 2015</a>
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https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/8/29/9223589/aston-villa-sunderland-streaming-watch-online-tv-schedule-team-news-premier-league-2015Robert Lintott