What Is Aston Villa’s Best Five-Aside Team?
By Chris Nee
Here’s my ideal Villa five-aside team:
BRAD FRIEDEL – There’s not too much choice for Villa in goal. Little Brad doesn’t get much of a chance, what with Big Brad’s amazing consecutive games record, so Friedel gets the nod. He’s still got good reactions so he’d be a colossus in such small goals.
CARLOS CUELLAR – Another easy choice. King Carlos’ main weakness at right back was keeping the ball on the pitch, something he wouldn’t have to be concerned with in the short-sided game. He’s arguably Villa’s best combined game-reader and tackler ahead of Richard Dunne and James Collins who rely on their last-ditch tackling to get them by – not much use when no sliding is allowed.
STILIYAN PETROV – Stan’s biggest assets are his control in tight spots, his cunning and the ability to know when ‘contact’ becomes ‘foul’ and make damned sure he gets the free kick. Perfect anchor for a five-a-side team that would otherwise have included Gabriel Agbonlahor and been as fast as lightning but a tad spineless.
MARC ALBRIGHTON – Hard work is a virtue, and nowhere more so than on a tiny football pitch. Albrighton’s made a bit of a splash so far this season but Villa fans have known about him for ages. Of his many attributes, it is his industry that gives him the edge over Stephen Ireland here.
ASHLEY YOUNG – My first thought was to include a natural goalscorer, which I believe is crucial to any five-a-side team. Then I realised Villa don’t have one, and that as well as being the most skillful and the quickest player in this team, Young would be a serious threat to the opposition goal.
Chris is an ardent Villa fan and the man behind the superb twofootedtackle.com
Agree/disagree with Mr Nee’s selection? Let’s see what you’ve got…
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Good team, but Stephen Ireland in there, probably ahead of either Young or Albrighton.
My team: Friedel, Cuellar, Albrighton, Young, Agbonlahor. Electric.
But yours would be more secure!
got to be
frediel cullear petrov young agbonlahor
I say
Friedel
Dunne (zero tolerance…..to non sense)
Albrighton
Ireland
Carew (gives the defender one nudge, makes one turn and needs very little space to unleash very very very mean shots)
Friedel
Dunne
Petrov
A.Young
Agbonlahor
Friedel – Duh.
Dunne – It’s necessary to have a defender who will actually stay back.
Petrov – The link between defense and offense.
Young – First touch is more important than speed.
Carew – Size is king. Great hold up play, thunder shot.
Mine would be a Futsal team
GK-Friedel
DF-Cuellar
WG-Ireland
WG-A.Young
PV-Agbonlahor
friedel (shot stopper)
collins (size and no nonsense)
young (skill pace)
agbonlahor (pace finishing???)
ireland (skill long shots)
who wants ireland, he is shite now, and no he cant take long shots.
@mcitysheldon
Long shots? It’s a 5-a-side team, long shots are hardly going to be a requirement for that are they.
I detect a bias.
But well done for contributing and picking a team aswell, oh wait.
Anyway aside from that. I’d probably consider Barry Bannan actually, maybe in place of Young or Ireland in my team. I see people mention size a few times on here, but that isn’t such a problem in Futsal, it’s more about skill and technical abilty. Unlike some of these traditional 5-a-side pub leagues. But even then size isn’t as important as it is in 11-a-side football, because the ball isn’t played in the air as often (that’s if some leagues rules even allow it) and it’s more quick passing play. Though having a player able to hold the ball up and a defender with strength (not so much height) is important.
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I don’t see why size has much to do with it. I’ve played futsal against guys twice my size and never had any problems against them. I’m faster and have better technique. Young and Albrighton all day ahead of Carew.
I’d probably agree with Pies’ team here. Except I might include Agbonlahor over Petrov. One defensive player is enough if 2 others are willing to do some running.
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