AVFC NEWS: GREAT TURN AROUND SINCE THE ARRIVAL OF JUSTICE
Last week it was confirmed that Nick Justice was to take over the helm at Villa Park, replacing the out going Ben Hall. The newest addition and one of the youngest managers in game Justice has said that his age will have no input on the outcome of Villa under his guidance but in fact his 11 years of experience within management will be the key factor. Yes, that means he was a mere 11-years-old when he took his first role on.
The 22-year-old English born manager has made a number of changes since arriving at the club, the biggest being the arrival of French international Alexandre Lacazette from Italian side Napoli. The 26-year-old join a huge deal which saw Glik and Dzeko head back to Italy where they both respectively had successful spells previously.
On arrival, we caught up with the new Villa manager to discuss all things Villa, including recent transfer activity. Here is what the new manager had to say, " I was delighted to be offered the chance to come to this superb club and help them reach the heights they and the fans deserve. We find ourselves in a compromising position at the moment; but this side once won this division and I'm determined to ensure this side rockets up the league table yet again. I cannot promise we will be up there this season as its at mid-way point already but we can for sure put in a good showing this season which will hopefully see us move firstly above the dotted line and then further.
When I signed the initial 3 and a half year contract I told the chairman Tony Xai that I needed funds and needed the backing of the board to come in and make my mark. Thus far we've had a great relationship and I'm enjoying working with this club and making my mark and trying to put my philosophy into the team. My philosophy when I take a club is to ensure the sustainable future of the club in my time and for the foreseeable future, I believe i'm doing that by bringing younger players into the club and getting out perhaps some of the elder players that are not committed to the long haul. We have brought in a number of top players already, with the arrivals of Lacazette, Lascelles, Callum Wilson, Hefele, Villanueva and Kamara. We have lost some great professionals, but unfortunately they made it clear they wanted to leave and I do not want players in this club that want to play just for the name on the back of their shirt as a pose to playing for the badge on the front. This is a big club that needs to be in bigger places and better competitions, and I hope I can be the guy who can bring that to this club currently in turmoil. Yes we've made a great start with a league win and an U-21 cup win, but we did however get knocked out of the cup by Real Madrid recently which obviously is no embarrassment but we still have room to grow and improve. We face tough opposition this Thursday evening is Sao Paulo of Brazil and they'll be no easy feat, but we must, must win to keep up our chances of a top half finish or even just getting out of trouble!"
Lacazette now with Aston Villa after huge switch from SSC Napoli
Under-21 Cup: Justice takes charge of Villa for his first game in charge
2- 4
Location: OL Park
Goal Scorers: Raphiniha (14,39), Ezatolahi(65,77), Martinez (73,79)
Justice had only been in the hot seat for a number of hours when his Aston Villa side traveled to Lyon in France for their second from last fixture in the Under-21 cup, knowing that a victory could ensure qualification heading into a very tough last round fixture against one of the favorites Barcelona.
Both sides fielded their strongest players under-21 and went to war in what was set to be a big game for both sides. Aston Villa made a superb start the game and for sure dominated the early proceedings of the match, they eventually took the lead in the 14th minute through Belloli Raphiniha in the 14th minute. It was to be a fairly even contest after that but Villa again found the back of the net five minutes before the break when the Brazilian 21-year-old grabbed his second goal of the game. It was an even first half for both sides but it was dominated in goals by the visitors Villa!
H/T 0-2
The second half started much the same as the first, with both sides hitting each other equally and both gunning to improve on their circumstances. With Lyon trying to claw a goal back to ensure they weren't completely out of the contest.
It was to remain 0-2 for some time, but then in the 65th minute came a lifeline for the home side as Ezatolahi struck one back for Lyon to make it 1-2...game very much back on!! The game had the feel like things were far from over as both sides clearly wanted more. The next goal could well be a very crucial one and it was to come in favour of Aston Villa who found themselves 1-3 in the lead when young Lautaro Martinez scored in the 73rd minute- seemingly putting some light between the two teams.
However Lyon were not about to lay down and let the game slip away from them! Just minutes later, Ezatolahi struck his second of the game to put the pressure back on the travelling Villa 2-3 (What a game!!!) It was a tense couple of minutes before it seemed that Villa ruined any chance of Lyon coming away with anything from the game. 2-4 and it was Lautaro Martinez once more with the strike.
With the way this game went it could have easily been a draw but Villa came away with a vital 3 points and secured a top 4 finish in the group meaning they've already qualified ahead of their final round fixture at Barcelona.
F/T 2-4 (Superb Game)
Argentine U-21 striker Lautaro Mrtinez shone in a 4-2 victory for Villa in their U-21 Cup fixture.
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Matchday 19: Justice takes charge of Villa for his first League game in charge
Location: St. James Park
Goal Scorers: Khazri (5), Noble(46), Ozyakup(48)
It was just a day and bit after Justice had taken over the helm at Aston Villa and his side traveled to a packed out St James Park where they faced a very strong and somewhat inform Newcastle United side managed by a strong manager, knowing that a victory could do both himself and the club some real good.
You could for sure forgive the side and manager for having some nerves at kick-off! That wasn't to be the case though as they got off to a flyer when Wahbi Khazri smashed the ball into the back of the net past the on looking Tim Krul in the Newcastle net. Aston Villa looked a much different side to that of previous games as they again went on to dominate the first half and but for a number of stops from the Dutch international Krul it could've been far more embarrassing for the Toon army!
H/T 0-1
After the break it was much of the same as the visitors Villa dominated the early proceedings and notched themselves another to make it 0-2, this time it was a simple finish from the skipper Mark Noble. There was nothing Newcastle's shot stopper Krul could do to keep it out. It appeared the two goal lead had made the Villains switch off for a moment as Newcastle's first shot on target from Ozyakup went passed Villa's Italian keeper Marco Sportiello in the Villa goal. 1-2 Game on!
At this stage you'd of thought that Newcastle would of then pushed on to try and press Villa for an equaliser but it wasn't to be and the away side continued to dominate but simply couldn't get the ball in the back of net. It was to end nervously at 2-1, but none the less a 2-1 victory, which was much needed at the half-way stage of the season for struggling Villa- a great league debut victory for Justice also.
F/T 1-2
Tim Krul had a superb game between the sticks for Newcastle, keeping out six shots on target in the game, to prevent a humiliation for his side
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More to come later on other games, such as cup fixture and tonight's fixture....
A wonderful post!
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