Thanks, and I have another one
Villa reserves lost 4-1 to Liverpool reserves at Villa Park yesterday and just got done watching the match. Villa were outplayed for most of the match and had very little attacking impetus. Liverpool had basically no first teamers playing with Nathan Eccleston probably being the most experienced having been out on loan in the Championship and League One as well as Raheem Sterling who made his debut last week. This is how Villa lined up.
Derek Williams was relatively solid at centre half. Still looks very composed on the ball and seems to like to make the odd burst forward with the ball like Richard Dunne. Am somewhat concerned with his aerial ability as, though he dealt with most balls that came his way when unchallenged, he didn't win too many of the balls lumped forward from the Liverpool defence (though he didn't let the target win them, they mostly went over his head).
I thought Enda Stevens had a poor game -- rarely got forward to help Grealish (who needed help) and was sloppy at times in defence.
Samir Carruthers I thought did OK, made some clever touches and decent passes as well as taking some decent free kicks and putting in some decent crosses. Very concerned about his discipline though, seems to go flying in wildly if he thinks he has any chance at the ball.
I wasn't impressed with Jack Grealish after all I've been reading. He's only 16 but made basically no impact on the game from the left wing until the last 15 minutes. At that point he did start to get on the ball and tried to cut inside and make things happen. Won the penalty that gave Villa their only goal though I'd say that was more poor defence than great skill. Still, certainly some flashes of potential.
Graham Burke I thought did OK though was hauled off after about 65 minutes. Was essentially playing as a striker but was dropping very deep and helping to recover the ball when needed. Played some very neat passes the opened up the Liverpool back line and looked competent on the ball in tight situations.
Mikey Drennan was very isolated up front and, when the ball did come to him, did not pose much of a threat at all (even perhaps killed off what could have been a couple of chances).
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