The three wiser heads on the pitch, Bennett, Lowton and Tonev clearly struggled to match Chesterfields determination and none of them really impressed. Tonev looked purposeful but struggled to either make or take chances, Lowton didn't struggle as such but some poor passing, slow reactions and wing back defending didn't make up for his ability to link with Gardner as the first half progressed, and Joe Bennett showed that even League 1 could be a struggle as he was constantly caught out of position and lacked any sort of bite in the challenge. Clearly targeted in the game Bennett showed Villa fans that a struggling season could be on the horizon and that the flying winger Richardson really has to play, despite his own defensive inadequacies.
Despite the first 20 minutes of Chesterfield domination there was most certainly some positives in the next 25. The return of Gardner after a battle with injuries was great to see and the young central midfielder showed he hadn't lost his ability to spot a pass and switch the play, even if some of his passes were floated and not hit with purpose, his touch was decent and he managed to build a decent partnership with any player who was able to play one touch football but mistakes were made and he looks like a player returning from injuries rather than one with a new lease of life. The same could be said of Johnson who was extremely neat on the ball, happy to pass through the middle of the opposition and extremely useful getting up and down the pitch. Johnson built good partnerships with his teammates and although some passes went awry he showed he has the character and determination to be part of both defensive and attacking needs, his energy was a huge part of his good play but he's clearly trying to impress, sometimes to his teams detriment.
There were some eye catching performances from a youth perspective and Robinson looked lively and determined to show he had a good first touch and desire to go forward with or without the ball. Chesterfield were excellent at stopping him attack but it was clear that he wanted to push the defence backward and with Burke next to him they looked like players who are improving rather than stagnating. Burke especially was part of many good moves and his determination and strength allowed other players the opportunity to take better forward positions and build attacks. Though few and far between any chances created were due to Burke's good work and he should be proud of his ability to disrupt the oppositions defence.
The second half saw a raft of changes but two players who started in the first were strong throughout, Donacien and Carruthers. Donacien started poorly and was at fault for Darikwa's goal but as the game progressed the young defender grew in confidence and started to show that he has the ability to make tackles, win headers and spot an interception. The central defender is blessed with excellent pace and this was of huge benefit both on and off the ball allowing him to either dribble out of defence or cover mistakes made by the likes of Bennett, Gardner or Johnson. Central defence is a very tough position but the youngster showed great signs of building on the minutes he's been given and is a definite option instead of Clarke and Baker when we need to dig for young replacements.
Similarly Carruthers started poorly, with a few squeezed passes intercepted by a busy Chesterfield defence but the naturally offensive player showed real signs of class missing from previous Villa teams and deserved to play the whole game. He created many opportunities for attackers to move forward, his passing became creative and although he didn't make many chances for himself the Villa team would've looked flat and uninspiring without him. In his previous game the midfielder played as a holding midfielder and it really didn't suit him but as he pushed forward Villa did too and tactically the more advanced position helped the team look dangerous.
The second half also saw Grealish and N'Zogbia come on and the impact was immediate, N'Zogbia ran with the ball well, worked well with his team and constantly pushed the Chesterfield players out of position. The usually selfish player had a part to play in Villa's only goal and while one on one with the keeper he squared to Grealish who nipped ahead of the defence and slotted the ball into the net. Energy levels were much improved in the second half and Villa's trio of N'Zogbia, Grealish and Carruthers showed that together they could link up to good effect. Sadly tactical ineptitude reared it's head throughout the game and two goals were conceded from set pieces with a visibly frustrated Guzan confused at how stationary his defence could be.
The positives were clear to see and although Chesterfield could have scored a few more the game was a good work out for the younger Villa players and the impact of the better players would have made Lambert a happy man. Huge problems remain, sadly Bennett was back to his worst and on set pieces nothing has improved but some of the Villa youth got important minutes and the confidence to play for the club.
An honourable mention for Herd who is back, lets hope in the long term as we need a central midfielder with bite (though he did play centre back in this game), and Okore, Herd's replacement in defence who looked a little rusty but confident on the ball and unfazed by any previous injuries.
Well done to Chesterfield who played good purposeful football and made Villa's trip a fight or get trampled affair.
Hopefully the future is bright but it will still require a lot of tactical consideration from the manager and personal development from the player, though only a friendly most Villains can count themselves lucky that Guzan is still a Villa player as once again he could be the difference between survival and relegation.
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