Villa still to prove their European credentials

As Aston Villa stay on course for a Champions League spot this season, the issue of their strength and depth will come into play.

With James Milner and Emile Heskey out for their UEFA Cup home leg tie against the capable CSKA Moscow, Craig Gardner slotted in on the right and the experienced John Carew started up front with Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Villa’s commitment was there from the outset, but they struggled to contain the Russians’ classy technique and beautiful one-touch passing. The home side’s defenders will need to become well-attuned to dealing with the quality of attackers like Vagner Love and Milos Krasic if they are to build upon a Champions League qualification.

As it was, for the first goal, it was all Villa’s defence could do but to sit back and admire Love’s precise one-two with Alan Dzagoev before releasing a left-foot shot past Brad Guzan.

Home side's confidence

The home side’s confidence this season came through in the second half when Ashley Young delivered brilliant crosses into the box and Stiliyan Petrov made some powerful runs through the centre.

The equaliser came after another Ashley Young delivery, Craig Gardner got on the end and played John Carew in to finish.

Craig Gardner

In the absence of Milner, Craig Gardner played one of his brightest games for Villa, his excellent work ethic and runs forward showing the benefits of having a competitive squad. Manchester United have shown that again this season, and it often decides the fate of a team’s success within Europe.

The Russians had not played a competitive game for three months since their season finished in December. Villa were unable to exploit that by adding a winner in the final minutes, so a difficult tie will face them on the plastic pitch of the Luzhniki Stadium in two weeks time.

Villa will have come off playing Chelsea this weekend, and the Russians will be fitter and stronger, thus providing them with a real test of their European credentials.

Arsenal are crying out for Arshavin’s dynamism

Andrei Arshavin’s much speculated move to Arsenal would rejuvinate the North London side’s season, providing them with much needed bite and creativity.

Since the Russian playmaker’s highly effective appearances in Euro 2008, in which he was twice given man of the match against Sweden and Holland, his departure from UEFA Cup holders Zenit St Petersburg has been inevitable.

Barcelona seemed the most likely to secure his services last summer after Arshavin himself expressed his “dream” to play there. But Barcelona bought Arsenal’s Alexander Hleb to fulfil that role for a cheaper price at £12m and with Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Bojan, Iniesta and Xavi they are hardly in need of any more exquisite playmakers.

Beat a man

Arsenal, however, are in desperate need. Without the pace of Theo Walcott, who is out with a shoulder injury, they have no ability to beat a man and take pressure off their defence.

Belarusian midfielder Alexander Hleb could retain the ball gracefully and curtsy around defenders with ease.

Hleb’s movement thrust the team forward and gave the strikers something to latch hold of. Hleb’s replacement, Samir Nasri, certainly does not do this at well.

Too often he is seen passing back to the defence, rarely does he run at players and he is shown to offer little width, looking far more comfortable like Luka Modric playing in the centre behind the strikers.

Sport-Express Player of the Year, Andrei Arshavin, at 27, has shown time and time again that he can do this.

Pundits and Gooners are calling out for defenders, goalkeepers, strikers etc. but realistically, the frugal Mr Wenger is not going to buy three or four players.

And to be fair to Wenger, Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said little money would be available to him.

Arsenal have one shot at the transfer window. And the dynamic Russian should be it.