Martin O'Neill liked to move Ashley Young around the field. He played right wing and left wing. He gave him a roaming role occasionally, one time against Birmngham City that ended up with a 5-1 win.
But, for the most part, especially when James Milner arrived, left wing was his home.
Then, this season, with Milner gone and the money needed to buy a striker wasted on a twit nicknamed "superman", but who played like Clarke Kent, Kevin MacDonald decided the way to go, was to play Ashley just behind the forward. As it was tough to get Heskey, Carew and Agbonlahor fit, it seemed just as well.
Pre-season was a disaster and it really didn't look good. The Villa beat West Ham 3-0 and it looked like it was going to work. But, West Ham were playing so poorly, that most championship sides would have done the same thing at that time. Then Villa crashed out of Europe, were torn apart in Geordieland and slid down the table in no time flat.
Along came Monsieur Hou, and he decided to keep with the Young out of position idea and then added to it. Agbonlahor is on the left wing, natural left winger Downing plays either midfield or right wing and Ciaran Clarke, a centre half, who actually looked comfortable in a Michael Carrick role in midfield, now plays at left back.
Of all these decisions, Agbonlahor is the worst. He is an out and out forward. True, Martin played him on the right wing, back in the days when JPA still spearheaded the front line, but, Gabby was also a step faster, lighter weighted and unknown to the poor defenders that didn't know his tricks, or lack thereof.
Gabby forced his way to the forward line and bulked up his body. He began knocking defenders around, while still scaring them with his speed and banged in goals. His forte, it seemed was moving from the forward position and dragging the centre half into the left channel with him, causing confusion in the defence. His crosses from the left were good as he was played down to the bye line to run onto the ball and get it back across the goal face.
Now, stuck on the left he is lost. Passes played to his feet, invariably bounces off him too far, as his first touch often lets him down. Let's be honest, although he has worked hard on his game, this is the same lad that started the game late and was almost let go by Villa, who felt he was nothing more than a speed merchant.
If the ball is played past him for him to run onto, the centre half can leave Darren Bent with his partner and cut off the pass easily, leaving the footrace beteen right back and left back a non event.
On Saturday, Makoun, Walker and Downing were causing so much damage to Fulham's left back, Baird, in the first half, they had to do something about it. They cut off the supply route and forced Villa to the left. Gabby and Bent couldn't keep possession of the ball like Johnson was doing at the other end.
Clarke is being torn apart by decent right wingers and right backs. Nani left him on the floor, Ciaran trying to foul him, before putting a killer cross for Rooney to bury. Damian Duff, whose better days were 2 world cups ago, looked like a spry young lad at times and Clarke was once again giving away silly fouls.
Fulham, actually lined up the same way as Villa, but, honestly, was there anybody you would switch position for position if you had a choice? But, Fulham were able to keep the ball away from Villa for long periods of time in the Villa half. Why is that? One reason is that pivotal role that had Dempsey playing off Johnson. Dempsey, is stronger than Ashley and can deal with Petrov/Dunne better than Young can deal with the strength of Murphy/Hangeland. Get him against a fullback and running at the defenders or midfielders and he's a menace.
Villa need to go back to playing players in their positions. Give Bent help up front with Gabby, Heskey or Delfouneso. Put Young on the left wing so we can see those crosses that used to entertain us so much. Let Downing and Albrighton share that right wing spot until young Marc wins it outright and we'll put up with Clarke at left back for the time being.
Oh, and don't forget King Carlos. He's a centre half....and a good one!