OPINION
Aston Villa were subjected to a heavy 3-0 defeat away to Wigan Athletic on Saturday, and there were plenty of talking points to take away from the game.
Gary Roberts, Michael Jacobs and Joe Garner ensured that the Latics came away from this match with all three points, a result which means that Villa now slip to 12th place in the Championship table – five points from the play-off places.
It was certainly a debut to forget for new signing Kortney Hause, who replaced Tommy Elphick in the middle of the second half.
Here, This is Futbol has rounded up the three things learned about Aston Villa v Wigan:
Villa still searching for a solid left-back
Neil Taylor’s performance at left-back for Villa basically summed up how they have not found the perfect player to fill this position yet. Taylor was beaten far too easily for Wigan’s opener, and looked far too off the pace for the majority of the match. Aston Villa have chopped and changed the left-back role over the last two years, and Taylor’s performance essentially summed up that their efforts have gone to no avail.
Bolasie needs to be dropped
Yannick Bolasie was incredibly woeful throughout the clash and looked devoid of confidence the longer time went on. Where has the player that ran riot at Middlesbrough in December gone? That player has completely disappeared, and in his place has come a player who lacks any sort of effort. The longer Dean Smith continues to play the 6ft 1in [Transfermarkt] player, the longer Villa are going to go lacking any sort of attacking prowess. The chopping block must beckon for the 29-year-old flop, as this performance was nowhere near good enough.
McGinn the best out of a bad bunch
Villa midfielder John McGinn was perhaps the best player on the pitch for the away side on Saturday. In fact, he was their most industrious player, and for that, the fans must be thankful. He never fails to shy away from working hard, and that is the one thing that put him above the rest of his teammates. Admittedly, it was not his best performance, but it certainly was not a woeful one compared to the rest of Smith’s side.