Villa’s Heart
By: Cesar | November 15th, 2008
A quick post before today’s match-up against Sporting Gijon.
Gijon aren’t a particularly sexy club. They finished 3rd in Spain’s Second Division last season and were promoted for the first time in 10 years.
They’re currently languishing in 14th place, eleven points behind Los Che.
The RojiBlancos were trashed 6-1 by Barcelona in El Molinón, their stadium in Gijón, Asturias and crushed 7-1 by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu the following week.
So why am I writing a post about this rugged club from the north of Spain?
David Villa used to play for Gijon. And he adores them.
Villa debuted with Gijon way back in 2000, an unknown striker playing for his hometown club.
Now, he’s one of the most recognizable players in the world.
Today marks his first time playing against his former employers since he left for Real Zaragoza in 2003.
“It fills me with great pride to finally be able to play against my old club, Sporting Gijón,” he said during a ceremony where he was honored for his achievements at Euro 2008.
“It will be a very special match for me but I will be playing as well as I can to help my current club, Valencia,” he affirmed.
So if we see El Guaje score and not celebrate, if we see Villa get emotional playing against his former club, just remember what Gijon means to him. And what Gijon did for a young lad who’s now the toast of the town.
Let’s thank Gijon … and let’s hope Villa celebrates by scoring 4 goals against his former club.
AMUNT!
Category: Team News
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Comments
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guys, let’s not get too carried away here. i understand that in the heat of the moment it’s hard not to totally criticize the squad, which definitely deserved after that amateurish display today, but to say we can forget about the champions league is premature, to say the least. we certainly need my boy silva back and some defenders. as i’ve said numerous times, moretti needs to be axed. but we have a good squad, and we will have a shot against sevilla next week. but all of you are right, if we play like we did today, we will be decimated. but hopefully we won’t – emery should have the boys ready to play.
Posted from
United States
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@Almendras: But actually Renan played a bad game. The first goal, he was too slow to react, although the ball is not too far away from where he stood. Second goal was worse, he was beaten right in his near post, the ball was not too hard, but he was late to react. The third goal wouldn’t happen if Renan had better reflex. So, actually, Renan IS one to blame, although not the only one, because the defence and even the midfield have contributed something to defeat our own team.
Posted from
United States -
@ Almendras: You must have watched a different game, Renan was VERY poor. Goal #2, regardless of Moretti’s inability to block the shot, to be beaten at his near post in that manner is unacceptable in professional football.
Albiol didn’t have his best game, and Marchena is still a bit off his game. Moretti… jeez, I feel like I would make a better LB given today’s display. Not too many complaints about the attacking effort, Gijon’s keeper was in excellent… Hopefully Del Horno comes in (and plays better) against Sevilla
Posted from
United States -
I agree with Daniel. I never said Renan was the only one to blame (our defending was pathetic too) but he didnt have a single save in the whole match, when the Sporting goalkeeper kept the match from becoming 5-3 or 6-3. Renan shouldnt play anymore he hasnt just had a bad night he has been terrible in almost every single match(he seemed OK because he was never really tested), the guy isnt good enough for us its as simple as that. That second goal was comical, there is no excuse for not doing anything about that.
If Emery plays Renan again and we lose because of silly goalkeeping problems then Emery clearly is lacking in the common sense department no matter how much he improved the team in other positions. He has Timo and right now he has no excuse to test him again after what we’ve seen tonite. Let’s face it we know our defending is terrible but we cant fix that right now, but we can fix our goalkeeping (or at least try) with Timo.Posted from
United States -
I cant believe we lost 3 points tonight.
If we cant beat gigon how the hell we are goink to endure in the next month. yet 3rd spot is not so diffcult seing how real and sevilla plays.Posted from
United States -
Say goodbye to the title Real and Barca smashed sporting i fell empty what a weak performance.
Posted from
United States -
Being a bit too negative Conor, football always has its ups and downs… Barca lost to Numancia on opening day, Real lost to Union in the CDR. I actually think we’ll improve over our next few tough games because I believe the team gets complacent when playing weaker teams, as if they just think we’ll get 3 points by showing up in a Valencia kit, but when teams like Racing and Gijon take it to us, the players are stunned and try to fight back, and its usually too little too late. Against the big boys they’ll know that we’ll get our ass kicked if they dont hustle for 90 mins
Posted from
United States -
Daniel, I agree with you. But I still think it’s also the fact that we simply have trouble with teams – usually coincidentally the lower class teams – who stack their defense and counter us. We’re too slow to get back on defense. That has to stop.
Posted from
United States -
Overall, I think we’ll be fine.
The sky’s falling a bit but Armageddon hasn’t taken place quite just yet … Renan is poor and the defense still has holes.
But overall, given what we knew at the beginning of the season (Silva being out, no strikers behind Villa), we should be satisfied with where we are … having said that, how the FUCK could we lose to these guys????Posted from
United States -
Valencia lost this match because Renan is a liability in goal… that second goal Valencia conceded was Renan’s fault totally Moretti did what he was supposed to do and the shot went straight at renan as it was supposed to and Renan let it pass 3 inches from his left hand and go in… that was the worse bit of goalkeeping i saw from a Valencia goalkeeper in years and the third goal Renan was out of position for no apparent reason other than ball watching. Renan was a good goalkeeper in Brazil he was lively and pulled good reaction saves now he looks uneasy every shot on goal and mistimes and miscues saves as if he were a second or third devision keeper… what ever his problem is he has to fix it or Valencia wont be able to maintain a top four spot.
it seems that once teams knock Valencia out of its offensive rhythm they score on Valencia easy. and to add to that Albelda who is the dedicated defensive midfielder really struggled this match and did a poor job of cutting out counterattacks, combine that with the fact Valencia were chasing the game an had to push forward and bad things happened. it was not so much the defenders had a poor game as it was that hey had no protection for the central midfielders. Maybe Emery should look to play that more defense minded 4-3-3 that he played last week at home from now on to eliminate Valencia’s vulnerability to counterattacks.
Posted from
United States -
Alright ive calmed down a bit and here is what i think is wrong. Frist Moretti.. he is trying to be miguel and run up to attack but simply isnt fast enough to run back. Also isnt very skilled in his position and is outclassed often. the opposition know this and draw their attack to that flank.
Second.. our defence has to stop attacking deep and stay back. because frankly its shakey with all 4 back there. Except Miguel.. he can come forth.
Third. Today we played with a bizzar setup.. I know trying new things is cool but keep it on the practice pitch. Mata on the flank.. Vicente in the middle? WTF.. then Morientes in for Vicente.. Frankly Vicente on the wing would be much more smooth.. players playing out of position ruins the chemistry.. recall Joaquin in the middle?
My setupRenan
Miguel Albiol Marchena Del Horno
Joaquin Baraja Fernandes Vicente
Villa Mata (morientes super sub)Its solid.. its the proper setup. And When Silva comes back we pop him in For Baraja in front of fernandes. Silva can play anywhere.
Posted from
Canada -
I think we have to start with the basics first, I am one of those people that agrees with fixing the goalkeeping and defending problems before we think about the other positions. I think to secure a top 4 place we have to have a reliable goalkeeper and 2 secure CB.
1st problem: Renan is not capable to be our goalkeeper. He has proved this time and time again. I do not know if he will improve in a few years time (he’s only 23) but at the moment he is simply not good enough for us. Timo might have leaked goals last year, but the opposition used to test us with 10-15 attempts on goal and 2 or 3 would pass through, now we are tested with 2-3 attempts and they all seem to go in. Every dangerous attempt is bound to goal under Renan.2nd problem: Marchena, he simply does not have the talent and judgement to be a CB. To be honest I think he should be played as a defensive midfielder (maybe instead of Albelda in some matches), he certainly does a pretty good job there and would fit in a 4-3-3 (or a 4-5-1) pretty well. Pairing Alexis and Albiol is our best option in the back (unless we get a better CB).
3rd problem: We need a new left back, I think getting a new left back should be our second priority (if Timo leaves) in the transfer market.
4th problem: We could use a striker (especially if Zigic is leaving), but I think it is not as important as fixing our goalkeeping and defensive problems. Our strikers are scoring almost 2 goals every match in la liga, that should be more than enough to secure a win, or a draw against stronger teams.
So if we can fix our goalkeeping problems and our defending, the rest of our positions seem well covered (or at least doing their job).
Posted from
United States -
I’m sorry but wth happened to Valencia last night??????
Posted from
Switzerland -
Hi, it is quite clear from the comments that we should not have dumped Canizares who would have made the present performers look like novices and we should have bought Palop for 8 million as the main goalie. We are not going to do any buying so we must make the best of it. Di Stefano said that a good footballer should be able to play anywhere, so lets put that into practice.In fact
this already happens when you get most of the defence in the attacking area (most of the time with Valencia !!)
and then of course you get forwards defending their own goal. Apart from Miguel, I think the other 3 should be moved or rested as they are not doing their job. Albiol made several kicks upfield which just went sailing over the goal line nowhere near anybody, and he was not being rushed. This is not 1st div football. We must make DRASTIC CHANGES NOW. Maybe EDU in the back line at least he is as tall as Albiol, maybe Viana who showed some good ballwork in the copa matches, dont say Oh No because I have never seen a worse defence in a team of our standing. Only 2 weeks ago Racing scored 4 in counterattack fashion with Tchitte and little old man Munitis (33 and 5ft 6) came tearing through our defence as if they wernt there. Dont tell me that because we play Barca, these woodentops are going to do a Pinnochio and come to life. MAKE CHANGES our good work is slowly being destroyed,,,,,AlmendrasPosted from
Spain -
Oh and Fayez. I am not a fan of Renan but it is certainly wrong to say he didnt make a single save, he made quite a few OK they were directed at him but he stopped one certain goal when he dived to the far right and just got a hand to it to push it round for a corner.
My point is that no goalkeeper should expect to deal with all the attacks he was getting if we consider we have a team that is looking for great things especially against Racing and Sporting. Villa was a waste of space last night, Morientes should have come on right from the start…….It was announced yesterday that Manchester City have 242 million to spend on Tores,Villa and Kaka.
We should be able to get a real goalscorer for 80 million
Villa is good to have around but he is overrated because he is not consistent enough or greedy enough for goalsPosted from
Spain -
defending pathetic..moretti is a waste of space..we play better without him..gives away the ball to cheaply up the field and doesnt track back..villa dint get the ball at all in the fisrt half..the attack midfield and defence were not gelling..the first 10 min was decent after that sporting totally dominated in the first half..Renan was very very poor..i blame him for he first and the last goal as well..the first was a delicate shot and not a power shot..
Vicente was very poor..we should just bring him on as a sub when we are 2-0 up..
fernandez ran a lot but was not his usual dominant self in the midfield..edu played better and even had a wonderful strike saved..
i think we severly underestimated sporting and expected to win without putting any effort..albelda and marchena are lazy players.. albiol had an off day though the last goal was a great effort by castro..
emery should really try out del horno and give alexis the start once he is fit..
by the by did any of you see the save asenjo pullled of against madrid in the 87th minute??too good..Posted from
India -
@ Almendras
Wow suddenly Villa is not good enough anymore? I mean this year i have never seen him work harder, try to pressure the defence, when in possesion always looking for a way to score with some pretty good distance shots. He has improved soo much, and for being the only striker we use he does a damn good job. I did not see the game yesterday so i cant judge him on that game, but for sure this season Villa has done and is doing everything possible to get us the goals!!!Posted from
Switzerland -
We were once as good as Champion winners when we lost on penalties in the final against Bayern Munich. A lot of guys on this site seem to imagine we are in this class. We are not,and have to look to strengthen. Villa is good to have in the team but he is looked on as God here. We lost at home last night, Villa did nothing but score a penalty,it was the only shot he made.The previous game against Getafe he did not score at all.The game before that we lost at home to Racing, Villa scored 1 goal. He just does not have the expertise to pull the fat out of the fire when it is vital………Almendras
Posted from
Spain -
Dont go around change everything, that doesnt work either. Most just had an offday and usually do much better.
However i think we do need to look at our malfunctioning defense, especially since it was problematic last year as well… I mean they are basicly giving away goals and points sometimes, fist goal was a disaster and with that shot on the post they looked very poor as well.
Most of our troubles seem to come from the left side with Moretti so if there is any money to spend responsibly I would make a new LB our first priority on the transfer market, Moretti just doest cut it.
Then afterwards we can see if we need a replacement for Renan but to be fair every keeper is gonna leak a lot of goals if you persist in defending this poor. Just look at Real for anather example or see some Valencia matches from last year with Canizares or Timo in the goal.
Posted from
Netherlands -
well, my in depth opinion is a huge ¨ WHATEVER ¨ does anyone on here not expect us to fuck up at times.we can judge after the next 6 or so fixtures what we are made of.
also i heaard the news in a packed bar lleno de campasinos that it was 240 million just for villa…..wouldnt it be something in this day and age if he said something along the lines of ¨ you can stick your ill goten ganes up your arab arse¨
and please dont call that racist on a site where someone can post ¨ what we need is an african¨ and not one person says anything
Posted from
Spain -
@ Bob : Hey there is no need for racial remarks here, that did sound racial to me. This is a football forum there is no need for language like that here. That other person said we needed an African player (they said that as a praise to them) while you on the other hand said something completely offensive. You could have gotten your point across with a better choice of words.
Posted from
United States -
fayez its not meant to be racist,and perhaps i shouldnt have said it in hindsight.i was trying to make a point.what one person considers racist another doesnt,in my opinion of course.
Posted from
Spain -
this is sweet for us (barca
) everyones losing or trying 
Posted from
Switzerland -
Ok akward moment here, shall we talk about football again
ManCity can do what they want but they wont get Villa!!! And im calme about this all, we are not in a crisis, we should just learn how to deal with these defensive teams. Give it some time, we cant win them all (of course this should have been a guaranteed 3 points but life is unpredictable)
Posted from
Switzerland -
Against defensive teams your defence should also stay back and let the midfield and strikers do their job. This attacking football isnt what wom Valencia 2 league titles and 2 consecutive finals in the Champions league. We were champions because our defence was amazing. We conceded fewer goals. We won many matches 1-0. But when weak teams are score 2 or 3 goals on your then you kow that the back 4 are a major problem. The only consistent defender is Miguel and he runs forward leaving 3 young defenders to gaurd the gate. And frankly only Albiol seems to be comming along.
Posted from
Canada
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