This is my story of managing my beloved Aston Villa in FM 2008, this is “Holt Enders in the Sky.
I decided to start the season with the squad I inherited, I knew the areas that I needed strengthen and decided to do some in depth scouting to make sure I could make the right purchases in January
Pre Season 07/08
Pre-season started well with a 2-0 win at Walsall, Carew and Barry got the goals. A 4 game tour to Italy bought 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat so all in all it was a good preparation for the new season.
Results
Walsall A 2-0 Barry, Carew
Fermana A 2-2 Carew, Osbourne
Ternana A 3-0 Barry, Petrov 2
Genoa A 1-2 Osbourne
Ascoli A 2-1 Petrov, Agbonlahor
AUGUST 2007
Middlesboro A
So ready for the big kick off first match was away at Middlesboro. I opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation with Carew the lone striker and play on the break using Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor on the wings. At halftime it was 0-0 and my tactics were working well, despite having most of the possession Middlesboro could only create a couple of half chances.
The second half started well when on 47 mins John Carew turned in Barry’s cross to make it 1-0. That’s how it stayed until 10 mins from time when Lee Dong-Gook equalized, still 1-1 was a decent result and I would have been happy with a point away from home in the 1st game of the season but in injury time Dong- Gook the winner and we were defeated.
Portsmouth H
First home game was against Portsmouth, I left the team unchanged but altered the formation to 4-4-2. Pompey set up to defend and space was very difficult to find in an un eventful match ended goalless and there were no chances of note.
Manchester United A
Next up a televised trip to the Champions, Man Utd. Utd dominated from start to finish and were 2-0 up by the break with goals from Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney. The second half went much the same as the first and had Scott Carson not produced a string of world class saves then the result would have been far worse.
So not a good start just 1 point from 3 games, next up was Bolton Wanderers at Villa Park.
Bolton Wanderers H
Finally the first win of the season was in sight, after a tense start a fantastic free kick from Ashley Young bit Villa 1-0. The goal settled us down and we were in total control but could not get the vital second goal. On 39 mins we were punished when Anelka headed in the equalizer. H/T 1-1.
I could sense the confidence was draining out of the team so I gave an explosive team talk and sent the players out after a win. Both sides created a couple of chances and it was clear that the next goal would decide this match, thankfully Agbonlahor raced on to a Gareth Barry through ball and rammed in his first of the season to gives the much need points.
Barnsley A (Carling Cup 2nd Round)
Next up was a potential tricky tie at Barnsley in the Carling Cup. I made several changes, Taylor started in goal and Luke Moore and Marlon Harewood in attack. I also rested Laursen and bought in Gary Cahill.
My concerns were headed when Barnsley took the lead after 2 mins through Ferenczi.This gave them confidence and were well in control until Marlon Harewood scored his first Villa goal on 16 mins. 1-1 at the break and we were quite fortunate to be on terms.
Barnsley took the game to us in the second half but we defended quite superbly, On 73 we were awarded a penalty after Harewood was tripped, clear penalty no debate. Gareth Barry confidently stepped up and scored from the spot. We held on to the 2-1 victory and were very relieved to do so.
SUMMARY
So a very difficult August came to an end, we had stuttered in the league with just 1 win from four and lay in 12th place, although we were through to Round 3 of the Carling Cup.
Scout Reports
I have decided that my top two priorities for new signings will be a right back and a striker and have charged my team of scouts to draw me up a short list over the coming months.
Early targets include Nelson from Benfica, Jose Bosingwa from FC Porto and Justin Hoyte from Arsenal. I am also keeping track of Jermain Defoe has he has not yet started a game at Spurs this season.
END PART ONE
I decided to start the season with the squad I inherited, I knew the areas that I needed strengthen and decided to do some in depth scouting to make sure I could make the right purchases in January
Pre Season 07/08
Pre-season started well with a 2-0 win at Walsall, Carew and Barry got the goals. A 4 game tour to Italy bought 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat so all in all it was a good preparation for the new season.
Results
Walsall A 2-0 Barry, Carew
Fermana A 2-2 Carew, Osbourne
Ternana A 3-0 Barry, Petrov 2
Genoa A 1-2 Osbourne
Ascoli A 2-1 Petrov, Agbonlahor
AUGUST 2007
Middlesboro A
So ready for the big kick off first match was away at Middlesboro. I opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation with Carew the lone striker and play on the break using Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor on the wings. At halftime it was 0-0 and my tactics were working well, despite having most of the possession Middlesboro could only create a couple of half chances.
The second half started well when on 47 mins John Carew turned in Barry’s cross to make it 1-0. That’s how it stayed until 10 mins from time when Lee Dong-Gook equalized, still 1-1 was a decent result and I would have been happy with a point away from home in the 1st game of the season but in injury time Dong- Gook the winner and we were defeated.
Portsmouth H
First home game was against Portsmouth, I left the team unchanged but altered the formation to 4-4-2. Pompey set up to defend and space was very difficult to find in an un eventful match ended goalless and there were no chances of note.
Manchester United A
Next up a televised trip to the Champions, Man Utd. Utd dominated from start to finish and were 2-0 up by the break with goals from Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney. The second half went much the same as the first and had Scott Carson not produced a string of world class saves then the result would have been far worse.
So not a good start just 1 point from 3 games, next up was Bolton Wanderers at Villa Park.
Bolton Wanderers H
Finally the first win of the season was in sight, after a tense start a fantastic free kick from Ashley Young bit Villa 1-0. The goal settled us down and we were in total control but could not get the vital second goal. On 39 mins we were punished when Anelka headed in the equalizer. H/T 1-1.
I could sense the confidence was draining out of the team so I gave an explosive team talk and sent the players out after a win. Both sides created a couple of chances and it was clear that the next goal would decide this match, thankfully Agbonlahor raced on to a Gareth Barry through ball and rammed in his first of the season to gives the much need points.
Barnsley A (Carling Cup 2nd Round)
Next up was a potential tricky tie at Barnsley in the Carling Cup. I made several changes, Taylor started in goal and Luke Moore and Marlon Harewood in attack. I also rested Laursen and bought in Gary Cahill.
My concerns were headed when Barnsley took the lead after 2 mins through Ferenczi.This gave them confidence and were well in control until Marlon Harewood scored his first Villa goal on 16 mins. 1-1 at the break and we were quite fortunate to be on terms.
Barnsley took the game to us in the second half but we defended quite superbly, On 73 we were awarded a penalty after Harewood was tripped, clear penalty no debate. Gareth Barry confidently stepped up and scored from the spot. We held on to the 2-1 victory and were very relieved to do so.
SUMMARY
So a very difficult August came to an end, we had stuttered in the league with just 1 win from four and lay in 12th place, although we were through to Round 3 of the Carling Cup.
Scout Reports
I have decided that my top two priorities for new signings will be a right back and a striker and have charged my team of scouts to draw me up a short list over the coming months.
Early targets include Nelson from Benfica, Jose Bosingwa from FC Porto and Justin Hoyte from Arsenal. I am also keeping track of Jermain Defoe has he has not yet started a game at Spurs this season.
END PART ONE
[/
