Aston Villa, Premier League
Season Preview - Aston Villa: The Renaissance Continues
2007/8 in a nutshell: Martin O’Neill’s second year at the Villa Park helm brought significant progress. A deserved 6th place Premier League finish resulted in qualification for the Intertoto Cup. An assessment of the style in which the Midlanders achieved their return to European competition can be gleaned from a glance at the goals for [...]
2007/8 in a nutshell: Martin O’Neill’s second year at the Villa Park helm brought significant progress. A deserved 6th place Premier League finish resulted in qualification for the Intertoto Cup. An assessment of the style in which the Midlanders achieved their return to European competition can be gleaned from a glance at the goals for and against columns in the final league table – Villa outscored runners-up Chelsea (scoring 71), but conceded as many as 14th placed Wigan (51). As many – Señor Benitez in particular – noticed, Gareth Barry was the driving force behind the revived Villans, but significant contributions from creator-in-chief Ashley Young and line-leading John Carew were paramount in fulfilling O’Neill’s blueprint of high-tempo, attacking football.
Summer Activity: A slow start to proceedings has given way, of late, to a rapid influx of predominantly defence-minded reinforcements. Though clearly nearing the end of a career defined by a rarely-paralleled consistency, Brad Friedel represents a definite improvement between the sticks following the confidence-drained Scott Carson. Compatriot Brad Guzan will provide Freidel’s competition. Steve Sidwell should prove a valuable addition once he can shake off the ring-rust accumulated during a wasted year at Stamford Bridge. Full-backs Luke Young and Nicky Shorey (recruited in the aftermath of Freddie Bouma’s awful injury) are solid if not spectacular signings and can expect to slot straight into the first XI. Acquiring, from Rangers, centre half Carlos Cuéllar for a reasonable £7.8m fee could be a vital step in shoring up a back four prone to the odd Zat Knight-mare or two. Departures: ever-reliable Olof Mellberg will be missed; Patrik Berger and Luke Moore less so. Oh, and apparently a tentative enquiry has been tabled about ex-captain Gareth Barry’s availability by an, as yet, unnamed 3rd place-chasing Merseyside giant. You heard it here first.
Key Men: Barry, if he stays. Without Young’s set-pieces and tireless wingplay, Villa would struggle even to make an impression on the top 10. The ex-Watford man can expect to wriggle his way further into the plans of Fabio Capello if he can continue the rapid progress made during the past 18 months. Prospective new skipper Martin Laursen can continue to make an impact at both ends of the pitch. Friedel’s vast experience is sure to becalm an occasionally jittery defence; notwithstanding his excellent shot-stopping ability.
Rising Star: Nathan Delfouneso was one of the brightest stars of Villa’s run to last year’s Youth Cup semis. The 17-year-old Brummie offers a poacher’s presence and will hope to make a greater impact in the coming years than the now-departed Moore brothers, Stefan and Luke. He has been handed a place in the senior squad and the no. 14 shirt.
Manager: A canny operator in the transfer market, an astute tactician and with a tangible passion for the role; O’Neill casts his recent Villa Park predecessors in the heaviest of shadows. The tenacious Ulsterman has once more given the Villa faithful a team of which to be proud and the natural progression would be to make a concerted challenge for silverware - at home or abroad. Of course, that is far easier said than done.
Prospects for 08-09: A repeat of last season’s exciting showing is desired; but Spurs’ expected rejuvenation and an improved Pompey will make finishing top of the Premier League’s unofficial second tier (5th– 10th) a tough old task. Progress in the cups has largely eluded Villa under Martin O’Neill’s reign, and they’ll harbour a not unreasonable hope of making a semi-final or two. A long UEFA Cup run though, may stretch the still under-staffed squad to breaking point.
Footballing World Prediction 7th
Tags: Aston Villa, Brad Friedel, Gareth Barry, Luke Young, Martin Laursen, Martin O'Neill, Nathan Delfouneso, Nicky Shorey, Steve Sidwell
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Jonathen’s analysis has a strange mix of backward truth and forward projection. The ‘future’ truth is more about the ability to change. So Villa’s future is less about past indicators and more about their ability to transform and strenghthen. If MOM signs an established player is because he recognises his crucial contribution. But mostly he seeks players for their potential. Where is your analysis of the potential? Zilch!
Jonathen’s analysis has a strange mix of backward truth and forward projection. The ‘future’ truth is more about the ability to change. So Villa’s future is less about past indicators and more about their ability to transform and strenghthen. If MOM signs an established player it’s because he recognises his crucial contribution. But mostly he seeks players for their potential. Where is your analysis of the potential? Zilch!
You say pompey are stronger because of Peter Crouch and Kaboul. I disagree I think you are undervaluing the role played by Muntari, and Benjani before his departure in Jan. They were creators for pompey. Personally I think Pompey will struggle to create chances with only Krancjar as their only decent creative outlet. So I expect Villa to comfortably finish above pompey.
Secondly Spurs Are losing their two most influential players of the last 2 seasons in Keane and Berbertov. They also Have an injury prone first choice central defensive partnership, and have to bed in an entirely new midfield, two of which have never played English football. I think you will that without another quality centre back, striker and defensive midfielder they will struggle at least in the first 10 games or so, and then all they need is an injury to King (which is likely)and they will could struggle defensively again.
As for Villa we have strengthened our defense which was our weakness last season, improved our central midfield and are still after at least a right sided midfielder. There are only 2 positions where we lack strength in depth, upfront and right back so our squad depth has significantly improved on the season where we finished 6. Of our competitors for uefa cup qualification only Spurs have strengthened as significantly as us, yet you predict us finishing one place lower than last season. Where is the logic?
Kevin - with respect, your comment has a “strange mix” of patently obvious genericisms and indicipherable waffle. In a brief summary of Villa’s recent activity & future expectations, I believe it’s quite unreasonable to expect an in-depth analysis of the potential future worth of their summer signings. I’ll get back to you when I’ve completed my AVFC thesis.
Alexei - mostly agree with you about Spurs & Pompey’s relative weaknesses (I also expect Man City to make a strong run for 5th), but don’t underestimate the extra strain constant Wednesday/Thursday night football will have on a still very small Villa squad - with little recent Euro experience - should we (Villa) reach the group stage. Of course, Villa’s rivals may face similar difficulties.
7th was a prediction which errs on the side of caution & allows for the distraction of cup runs which’ll hopefully be forthcoming this season. That said, if we do sign Milner (or better) & another forward, then I’d gladly adjust my initial prediction.