Former striker hopes Villa can build on victory against Leicester City
Monday 8 December 2014 08:59, UK
Dwight Yorke believes the fans will flock back to Villa Park if Aston Villa continue to play with the same purpose as they did in the second half against Leicester City.
With the game level at 1-1 at half-time, Villa raised the tempo after the break and deservedly got the winner in the 71st minute thanks to Alan Hutton’s first goal for the club.
They could have won by an even greater margin too as Christian Benteke was denied by a couple of excellent saves from Kasper Schmeichel.
Nevertheless, the Villa fans went home happy after seeing their side win at home for only the second time this season, and former Villa striker Yorke hopes they can build on the victory.
If was Paul Lambert I would look at the second-half video and say that’s the way Villa should play
“If I was Paul Lambert I would look at the second-half video and say, 'that’s the way Villa should play to get the Villa faithful back at the stadium and enjoying football once again',” said the Sky Sports pundit.
“They had more of a go and it showed in the possession, passing accuracy and all the stats. That’s what Villa need to show a lot more of at home to get the fans back here, to get the fans back on their side; that’s the sort of encouragement they need to see.”
Yorke, who made more than 200 appearances for Villa, was particularly impressed with the performance of man-of-the-match Gabriel Agbonlahor.
“He was outstanding in the second half,” said Yorke. “He’s got pace and he used that for the second goal. He kept his composure, picked out a good pass to (Christian) Benteke and he made a fantastic pass to Alan Hutton. It’s a great goal. Agbonlahor is the one who really triggered things and really set the tone for Villa in the second half.
“All credit to the players, they deserve it based on their second-half performance. They dominated possession in the first half but I felt Villa really lifted their game and the way they went about it, the spirit they showed, they were a lot more decisive with their passing. I like how they look.”
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith agreed with Yorke’s assessment, saying he was impressed with Villa’s defence in particular.
“There were meaty challenges and I think it helped Villa,” he said. “They needed that to get themselves alive. There were some good performances, the back four had really solid games, (Jores) Okore and (Ciaran) Clark are forming a good partnership and giving them a platform.
“They have got some experienced players out, but those two have really performed excellently. It was a good day for Villa. Paul Lambert will be feeling a lot happier tonight.”
