2012/2013: 15th
Player(s) In: Jed Steer (Norwich City, Free), Antonio Luna (Sevilla, Undisc), Nicklas Helenius (Aalborg BK, Undisc), Jores Okore (FC Nordsjaelland, Undisc), Leandro Bacuna (FC Groningen, Undisc), Aleksandar Tonev (Lech Poznan, Undisc), Libor Kozak (Lazio, £5 Million)
Player(s) Out: Stilian Petrov (Retired), Richard Dunne (QPR, Free), Jean Makoun (Stade Rennais, Undisc), Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest, Free), Brett Holman (Released), Darren Bent (Fulham, Loan)
Transfers Review:
Comparing the completed transfers to those predicted in my Aston Villa season review post a couple of months ago, we can see that Villa have been far more successful in the transfer window than the papers thought they would. They have also got rid of far more players than initially assumed. In terms of whether they have filled the positions I thought they required, whilst they have bought a central midfielder to replace the retired Stilian Petrov, in Leandro Bacuna, he remains a youngster, meaning that ability may have been brought in, but experience certainly has not. This is certainly something that I feel is needed for Villa to exceed their objectives this season.
This lack of experience is illustrated further when we look at the Villains' other recruits. Not a single one older than 24 years old, and covering positions all over the field, Paul Lambert has sent another signal of intent over his transfer policy. He has also let go of several of his most experienced squad members, with Richard Dunne, Jean Makoun and Stilian Petrov all absent from Villa's ranks this campaign. I do worry about the resilience of this Villa side, as less experienced players tend to allow one defeat to turn into four, and we often see more fledgling sides towards the lower end of the Premier League table.
However, Villa's best piece of business this campaign has not been any of their acquisitions. Keeping hold of 20-goal Christian Benteke is undoubtedly the highlight of Lambert's summer. The big Belgian looked destined for a larger club, with both Spurs and Liverpool seen as potential suitors, but after crisis talks with Lambert, he was persuaded to sign a contract extension and stay at Villa. After his outstanding performances last campaign, I am certain every Aston Villa fan will be delighted at that news.
Pre-Season:
Villa's pre-season form has been patchy, with Lambert attempting to give many of his younger players a test. As with last season, youth appears to be the way forward for Aston Villa, with Lambert entrusting his younger players with positions of great responsibility. In their early pre-season friendlies, the mix of new players and inexperience left Villa with only a draw and a defeat to show for it. A 2-2 draw against Wycombe Wanderers was followed by a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Luton Town. As the season moved closer, August's friendlies produced more positive results. An expected victory against Irish champions Shamrock Rovers was followed by a testing tie at home to Champions League quarter-finalists Malaga.
In their final warm-up game before the start of the Premier League, Villa were certainly at the races. In-form Benteke opened the scoring after 12 minutes, before experienced centre-back Ron Vlaar beat Malaga keeper Caballero with a bullet-header from a corner. Benteke seemingly put the game beyond doubt on the half hour, when he won and converted a penalty, taking his personal total to 7 goals in 5 games. Villa 3-0 up and crusing. Their sense of ease did not last long, as firstly new boy Jores Okore miscued a clearance into his own net, before Sergi Darder added a second to make the last few minutes decidedly nervous. But the Villains held on to give themselves a morale-boosting win going into their opening league game at Arsenal next week.
Key Players:
Villa's determination to keep hold of this player over the summer means that there can only be one to watch out for at Villa Park this season: Christian Benteke. After a stunning breakthrough season last time out, the big Belgian will be looking to solidify his reputation in English football, and push Villa away from the drop as a consequence. His goals last time around certainly ensured that the Villains would not be playing Championship football in 2013/14, and all of his pace, power and accuracy will be needed to ensure that Aston Villa finish higher than last year. Villa could perhaps be accused of being a one-man team, as without him they often looked toothless in attack. Lambert will be hoping for as few injuries as possible to his star man, as the replacement is inexperienced in the Premier League.
Key Fixture Dates:
(Based on who I believe are their main rivals this year)
14/09/2013: Aston Villa vs Newcastle
02/11/2013: West Ham United vs Aston Villa
30/11/2013: Aston Villa vs Sunderland
03/12/2013: Southampton vs Aston Villa
07/12/2013: Fulham vs Aston Villa
01/01/2014: Sunderland vs Aston Villa
08/02/2014: Aston Villa vs West Ham United
22/02/2014: Newcastle vs Aston Villa
05/04/2014: Aston Villa vs Fulham
19/04/2014: Aston Villa vs Southampton
Top Goalscorer:
Once again, a simple choice, with the powerful Benteke bearing a large burden on his shoulders for Aston Villa. Excluding a serious injury, I cannot see any other Villa player coming close to scoring the number of goals Benteke does this campaign. The only worry for Villa will be whether they can provide enough service so that the Belgian extends his fantastic scoring run, and betters last season's total.
Prediction:
Aston Villa's initial objective will be to avoid relegation this season, but with the quality in the squad I think they have the potential to progress higher than that. Dependant on the fitness of Benteke, and the progression of many of the youngsters and new signings at the club, the fringes of the top half is about the best Villa can expect from this season. My only concern is that the inexperience rife in the Villa ranks could cause mistakes like the ones we saw from Carl Baker against Reading last year. Experienced players would help settle their younger counterparts down, but the Villa squad doesn't really possess many. For that reason, a top lower half finish is my best guess.
Aston Villa 2013/2014: 12th
No comments:
Post a Comment