The shocking Aston Villa blunder at Sunderland that could develop into major problem for Unai Emery
Aston Villa’s start to the season has been worrying enough, but the goal conceded at Sunderland really compounded their problems.
Villa remain just one of two teams without a Premier League win this season following Sunday’s disappointing 1-1 draw away at Sunderland.
The Villans finally ended their goalscoring drought through Matty Cash’s long-range strike but it wasn’t enough to secure three points, as Wilson Isidor equalised for the hosts in the 75th minute. Villa, given just how strong they’ve been in the past two or three seasons, should be beating a newly-promoted side but they weren’t able to do so, even with a numerical advantage.
Despite Reinildo Mandava being sent off just 33 minutes in, Villa were unable to capitalise. Unai Emery’s side actually registered fewer shots overall and fewer efforts on target than their opponents, even with 72% possession. That’s poor against Sunderland full stop, especially considering they had 10 men.
Shocking Villa blunder at Sunderland could grow into bigger problem
The result is a worry in itself but it was even more disappointing to see the performance that went with it. The lack of intensity has been glaring for several weeks now and it really came to a head on Wearside. It’s a severe problem that’s costing Villa as they fall further and further behind their rivals.
One blunder at the Stadium of Light really stood out and it was pivotal, as it ultimately cost Villa two points. The overall performance was bad enough but the goal conceded was absolutely hopeless from a defensive point of view. It was an excellent finish from Isidor to beat Emiliano Martinez for his third goal of the season, but he should never have had the opportunity in the first place.
The move began with Chemsdine Talbi as he drifted in from the Sunderland left and saw a long shot headed away by Ezri Konsa. But the clearance, looping in the air, only went as far as the edge of the area, where Granit Xhaka was waiting to nod to the near post for Isidor to slot home. The Swiss was gifted all the time in the world to pick out his teammate, and nobody tracked Isidor’s run.
All 10 of Villa’s outfield players stood and watched as the ball took two or three seconds to drop to Xhaka. Not a single Villa player made an effort to win the ball. Not one. Ollie Watkins was in a defensive position but backed off when it mattered. John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara, the others closest to it, were flat-footed and showed no intention.
Emery recognises ‘lazy’ Villa issue
Infuriated by his team’s defending - or rather, lack of it - for Sunderland’s goal, Emery held very little back during his post-match press conference. “We were lazy sometimes, lazy,” Emery admitted. “The goal we conceded, we were lazy. Perhaps that’s because we didn’t play in our style.
“My worries is through how we are not feeling confident getting our identity. I am missing it. We have to get confidence. Some players are not confident. Sometimes lazy when we are playing here away, we have to fight the duels, and we were not fighting all duels. I watched the goal we conceded and we were lazy. We are lazy.”
The goal conceded at Sunderland was not only very costly from a points perspective, but also a reflection of where Villa are currently at. Rather concerningly, it showed the lack of effort and belief in the squad at current. That’s not promising when the games are coming thick and fast.
If Emery cannot get to the bottom of why this is happening quickly, it could develop into a much bigger problem than just a poor start to the season. It could put him under serious pressure for his job. The Spaniard certainly has plenty of credit in the bank for just how much he’s done for this football club, but this can only go on for so long.