OPINION
Aston Villa got back to winning ways with a scrappy 1-0 victory over Swansea City on Wednesday, providing their travelling fans with some Boxing Day cheer.
Dean Smith’s side weren’t at their best at the Liberty Stadium, but a Conor Hourihane header and a late Orjan Nyland penalty save secured all three points for the Villains.
The manager will have wanted a response from his players after they threw away victory against Leeds United last weekend, and while he didn’t quite get it in terms of a performance, he’ll be pleased with the result.
As usual there is plenty to be gleaned from the game, and This is Futbol has rounded up three things that can be learned from Aston Villa’s win over Swansea City.
Nyland provides timely reminder of his quality
It’s safe to say that the Villa goalkeeper hasn’t had the smoothest of rides this season, and that was confirmed by the club’s recent ready-for-January purchase of shot-stopper Lovre Kalinic.
Nyland must be feeling the heat a bit, and he responded with a match-winning moment of quality late on against the Swans. The 28-year-old produced a fantastic save to deny Wilfried Bony from the spot, showing that there’s life in the dog just yet.
Kalinic likely wasn’t signed for a spot on the bench, and one positive intervention doesn’t redeem Nylon’s multitude of sins this campaign, but it was nice to see him have his moment in the sun after what’s been a trying season for the Norwegian at Villa Park.
Hapless Bree must be axed
Admittedly the possibility of this happening has been made more remote by Axel Tuanzebe’s injury – and the club’s lack of centre backs – but James Bree needs to be dropped after a second successive sub-par outing at the heart of the defence.
The 21-year-old, nominally a full back, is only playing through the middle because of Tuanzebe’s injury, of course, but it’s clear that he does not belong there. He struggled again against Swansea, and was given a torrid time by Oli McBurnie.
Smith would be wise to consider utilising a Steve Bruce tactic until he can bring in some January recruits. Mile Jedinak operated at centre back at the start of the season, and that’s something that Smith should go back to over the next few games.
Bolasie needs to find consistency
We all know how talented Yannick Bolasie is, but for some reason the Everton loanee can’t seem to put it together on a weekly basis for Villa.
The 29-year-old was hit and miss once again on Wednesday, contributing to Hourihane’s goal but doing precious little apart from that. He shows flashes of brilliance but can’t seem to put it all together in a Villa shirt.
For someone of his quality he should be doing better on a weekly basis. This is a man who excelled in the Premier League; he should be tearing Championship defences apart. It’s vital that he finds some consistency over the second half of the season.