Five Things We Learned as Aston Villa Defy Sheffield Wednesday

Aston Villa came from behind to go in at the break drawing against Sheffield Wednesday, before an extra-time rout saw the away side score two goals in two minutes to secure all three points. Hillsborough looked disheartened as both Albert Adomah and Tammy Abraham scored to make the final score 3-1.

We learned a lot from the game, but we’ve picked five key points to talk about.

Green is Growing

Andre Green has picked up some unwarranted slack for his performances in the last couple of games – but there’s a reason that he keeps getting into the side over Albert Adomah, who has scored three goals in the last seven games. 

Villa’s equaliser through John McGinn just doesn’t happen if Andre Green doesn’t put himself out to keep the ball in and whip it into the box. He shows a hustle in his games – and whilst he’s still a relatively raw talent and mistakes will happen – he looks like he might have a strong partnership with Frederic Guilbert who arrives this summer.

Defenders not as fit as first thought

This is the second game in a row that both Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause have spent time on the ground through injury, cramp or general fatigue. They’ve played a large number of games recently, and we saw Kortney Hause subbed off for Axel Tuanzebe during the Sheffield Wednesday game. 

They’ve both struggled with injuries or fitness in the past. Let’s just hope they’re both fit for the game against Bristol City, as both could be rested against Rotherham.

Point to Prove

It seemed that anybody that had been ostracised in their time at the club by Steve Bruce had a point to prove as they faced their former manager.

Andre Green, who had been shipped out to League One side Portsmouth on loan, popped up with an assist. Jed Steer, who shared a similar fate before being recalled, saved an all-important penalty to keep the scores tied. 

Neil Taylor came up trumps with one of the tackles of the weekend to stop a clear cut chance for Sheffield Wednesday, before ‘geriatric’ Albert Adomah scored the goal to put Aston Villa ahead and wheeling off to do an old-man celebration as a dig at Bruce’s treatment of him.

Reserves in the tank

Both of Aston Villa’s goals came in injury time, but they weren’t laboured at all.

It’s great to see that the majority of the team look fit and athletic enough to finish a ninety-five minute game and score two goals in the last few minutes.

In the past, the side have run out of steam at around the seventy minute mark, but not yesterday.

“We’re not invincible”

Dean Smith said this in his post-match interview, and he is right. 

We’re not invincible, and there’s going to be a time in these last few games where we’ll probably drop points.

It’s important for the players to remember this, but more importantly, the fans should too. Support the side regardless of what happens between now and the end of the regular season. 

We’re not invincible, but boy are we flying.