Alex McLeish has described Chris Herd as a ‘manager’s dream’ after the midfielder’s impressive emergence solved one the boss’s biggest headaches.
The 22-year-old forced his way into Villa’s starting line-up for the defeat to West Brom and, despite his controversial sending off, kept his place for the draw at Sunderland and the victory over Norwich at the weekend.
The athletic Aussie’s presence in a holding role in front of the back four has given McLeish confidence to employ a 4-4-2 system which seems to suit his players.
Previously, the manager felt Villa lacked the legs to play with just two players in the engine room and preferred to bolster the midfield with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
But the extra energy Herd provides and the added protection he offers as the claret and blues’ anchorman is now bringing out the best in captain Stiliyan Petrov.
Herd’s willingness to sit deep has given Petrov more licence to get forward and join the attack in the manner he did at Celtic.
The experienced Bulgarian responded with a cracking goal at Sunderland and is now enjoying a new lease of life in the advanced role.
McLeish reckons Herd’s effort and endeavour makes him the ideal partner for 32-year-old Petrov who, he admits, doesn’t have the “speed or legs” he used to.
“Chris’s introduction has been very good for us,” said McLeish. “He gives Stiliyan a bit more freedom to get forward because that is really Stiliyan’s game – he’s a forward-thinking midfielder.
Herd has moved above Fabian Delph, Stephen Ireland and Barry Bannan in the midfield pecking order.
