Villa on the look out for their missing ingredient
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Wanted signs are being put up all over the Midlands ahead of Villa's midweek trip to Moscow.
Missing is the very thing that has served Villa so well all season. It has disappeared, hopefully on a temporary basis.
What is it you ask? Well, it's the ruthless streak that has epitomised the Claret and Blue this season, especially on their travels.
And, unfortunately, this mysterious loss of confidence in front of goal has come at the worst possible time. Ally that to a lack of luck and you have got a problematic combination, with the result - defeat.
In the days leading up to Villa's F.A. Cup fifth round tie against Everton at Goodison Park, all the talk was about the biggest week of the Claret and Blue season.
With crucial fixtures against CSKA Moscow and Chelsea on the agenda in the space of six days after the trip to Merseyside, Villa had no room for error.
But, despite making numerous goalscoring chances in all three fixtures, Martin O'Neill's men were unable to claim even a solitary win.
Cool
Everton probably deserved their victory, having said that, had Gabby Agbonlahor scored when presented with a free header just before half time with the score at 2-1 it could all have been so different.
Luck also played its part as the Toffees had plenty of it.
Against CSKA, Villa dominated but only after going a goal down after just 14 minutes.
Vagner Love struck in cool fashion and put the home side on the backfoot not only in the game but in the two legged tie as a whole.
Thankfully, John Carew equalised to give Villa hope but it could have been all the better had they not missed chances to win towards the end of the game.
Chelsea, were the final opponents in a tempestuous week, and they were being managed for the first time by Guus Hiddink.
Again Agbonlahor was presented with a golden Guus of a chance, but once again he spurned the opportunity with Petr Cech making a neat stop.
Prospect
Ashley Young tested the luck of the away side and unfortunately for Villa the Chelsea goal was leading a charmed life with the bar preventing the winger from restoring parity.
Gareth Barry was denied by the inspirational Cech and Chelsea saw the game out to make it just two goals in three vital games for the Claret and Blue.
Prior to the Everton match, Villa were scoring at will.
They were almost making it an art form away from home by playing badly and winning with just one trademark strike or a single piece of luck.
Wins at Hull and Sunderland illustrate that.
Now, they face the prospect of being knocked out of the F.A. Cup and Uefa Cup in the space of 11 days.
Also, Arsenal may come within three points of Villa with a win at home to Fulham on Saturday, although they will have played a game more.
Fans of the Claret and Blue will be hoping that the lethal touch that has deserted them recently will be found and returned quickly.
Preferably it will come back before the game in Moscow, where they will need it more than ever. |
