I was waiting for Villa to sign some players before I write a preview of them. But the season is starting in just 3 days! I don't think they would sign any big name in time for the season to begin. I'll investigate their line up as of now.
After a disappointing campaign last year, Villa have got a new chairman, new fundings and a new manager. I like the headline 'Lerner drives new Aston Martin' (football365.com). Jokes aside, Villa really should be a force this year under the whole new club board and manager. Martin O'Neil was known as one of the best managers around, but the Scottish League and EPL are two very different leagues in terms of class. He might find some trouble in his first season - especially with the current members of his squad.
Goalkeeper: Thomas Sorensen is the undisputed number 1. With reserve keeper Stuart Taylor making only 2 appearances last term, it is unlikly anything would change. Sorensen is an excellent keeper - stats say he made 240 saves in the EPL alone -, but he needs his defence to help him.
His defence need help though. Wilfred Bouma has been looking less than steady while Liam Ridgewell is prone to his mistakes too. Olof Mellberg is a rock in defence, though they need some pace at the back. Aaron Hughes is Villa's best defender I think. He is consistent and stable.
In midfield, Villa need strengthening too. I don't think very much of Gavin McCann or James Milner. Is Milner still there though? The news of him going to the club permenantly or going back to his former club seemed to have died down. Anyway, the more consistent performers in midfield are Gareth Barry (Garry Barry) and young Steven Davis. I was expecting Barry to jump boat, but thanks to wise words from the new manager, he's decided to stay, I can just say it's good for Villa because he is their best player. Davis on the other hand is a good young prospect, but I don't see him playing for a big club anytime soon.
In attack, O'Neil needs to find Phillips' scoring boots, Angels compass on the field and teach Baros how to kick a ball. Phillips is getting old, but he proves to be the only Villa striker who knows where the goal is. Angel is most probably going to be sold while Baros... I hope O'Neil can bring out what Gerard Houllier and David O'Leary saw in him. Don't worry though, if all else fails, they have promising Luke Moore to come off the bench. This is one player I think would go to a big club one day.
Other than their strikerforce, the Villa team look horribly short of depth. Out of everyone NOT mentioned above, only Mark Delaney made more than 10 appearances last term. All the rest like Lee Henderie, Ulises De La Cruz, Patrik Berger, Peter Wittingham have all made at most 7 starts.
I don't see them being a force yet this season, but I would like to see who O'Neil brings in and what he can do with the team. A highly-rated manager with money should be able to transform even the crappiest teams.
Prediction: 10-15th position
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