Today was the beginning of Tim Sherwoods reign as Aston Villa manager and it doesn’t seem to have got off to a cracking start. A last minute penalty condemned Villa to another week in the relegation zone and it looks to be a sticky situation Sherwood has found himself in.
The sad thing about Villa is I can’t see them getting out of this situation without signing some real class. They had some good youth players come through their team last year in Baker and Clarke, add in lads like Delph and Westwood who are coming off age nicely and you’ve got a nice platform to build on.
As some of you may have noticed most of those players are defensive players (Baker and Clarke are centre backs and Westwood is a defensive midfielder) so naturally you’d think that Paul Lambert when he was in charge would have brought in attacking quality to go with. Sadly the addition of Kieran Richardson left a lot to be desired…
Then with the the additions of Tom Cleverly (who I actually don’t mind) and Carlos Sanchez (who I think is absolutely terrible, Championship standard at best) who seem to just pass the ball from left to right with no real conviction seems to have put a halt on the promising Premier League start Benteke made last season.
~ Side note: Tom Cleverly isn’t all that bad. Thought he was an easy scapegoat for Manchester United fans after Fergie left. If Fergie gave it another season Cleverly would’ve been crowned to next Paul Scholes ~
Obviously they have some creativity in the team. Gabby Agbonlahor has been injured or suspended or dead or something for most of this season and Joe Cole left his boots in 2006 so naturally Aston Villa were going to struggle for goals. Plus the stubbornness of Paul Lambert to loan out Darren Bent has baffled lots of fans...after today he has now scored 7 goals in 8 games, this lad is far too good for the Championship.
Unlucky in my opinion that Lambert lost his job before Scott Sinclair got a proper run out. This lad proved to be the creative spark that got Swansea promoted and kept them in the Premier League, had an average loan spell with West Brom last season and is now just feeling the water at Villa. Might not be the best in the world at his job but he’s good enough for most sides in the Premier League.
If he picks up where he left off 3 years ago at Swansea he could be lethal with Gabby and Benteke.
The big thing for Villa this season would be Premier League survival...as it was last season. He can only do that by creating a solid defensive foundation (if you don’t concede you’re guaranteed three points). With the young players he’s had come through he can do that definitely and pray that the creative talents he has, however few they are, can nick him a goal.
Then he can start next season afresh. Hopefully get rid of the lackluster foreign players he has and try to bring in some proper talent...hopefully some English ones. I think it’s a given that Ron Vlaar will be leaving the club in the Summer transfer window so Sherwoods first push should be for an established centre back that has experience in the Premier League. If Hull get relegated possibly Michael Dawson? Reunited with his old manager? It’ll be so romantic.
Another big step forward would be bringing Jack Grealish into the team. He is Villa’s Ross Barkley. He’s got a big career ahead of him and will be vying for a first team place next season. With a midfield five of Grealish, Agbonlahor, Westwood, Delph and an one more experienced head Villa could push on for a mid-table finish. Of course thats if Sherwood survives the drop.
Anyways all done talking about Villa. In other news Sheffield Wednesday lost 3-2 to Derby. Darren Bent penalty securing three points for The Rams… #110%Bent
Cheers for reading.
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