Journalist, Jacob Tanswell has admitted that Aston Villa’s performance vs Zrinjski Mostar wasn’t great but got the job done in the end.
In the final European group stage game of the season, Aston Villa secured an all-important point in order to top the group.
The starting XI saw some changes by Unai Emery but still looked plenty strong enough to beat the Bosnian outfit.
After a slow first half, which was followed in a similar vein by the start of the second half, changes had to be made.
Following John McGinn’s introduction, he was instantly involved. His cross found Nicolo Zaniolo who touched it down with aplomb and passed it into the net. A first Villa goal and a well-taken one at that.
It must be said the hosts got into the game with a well-taken goal. This was as Matija Malekinusic smashed an effort into the top corner.
The Villans saw the result out and because of this secured top spot in the group and a place in the round of 16. With that being said, the performance was rather poor on a whole.
What has Jacob Tanswell said?
Coming into the game in Bosnia, Emery rang the changes with eight fresh faces coming into the fold. These were mostly in an attacking area which may explain the lack of cohesion in attacking areas.
With Jhon Duran and Moussa Diaby up top and Jacob Ramsey outside, there was a lack of minutes in that trio. This was clear for all to see.
Behind them was Leander Dendoncker who hadn’t started a game since the last time these sides met, in October. Before that it hadn’t been since April, the Belgian has suffered from a lack of minutes also.
This fact was picked up on by Jacob Tanswell who opened up on this point via Twitter. On that, he said: “Bit of a chore and Villa understandably sloppy, with peripheral players rusty and struggling.”
That it was. The play was slow and there was an apparent lack of quality when it came to passing and general chance creation.
It must be said that coming into the game, all that was needed was a point and that was secured. This may have had an impact on the play in the end. This sentiment was shared by Tanswell who added: “But the work was done before tonight with four straight group wins. Villa safely avoid having to play two extra games and top group E.”
Now Villa don’t have to worry about the Europa Conference League until February. But they do now have FA Cup commitments to add to the schedule.
