It’s going to be a tough season for Aston Villa fans. Club chairman Randy Lerner has been trying to sell the club since May, to no avail.
As a result, manager Paul Lambert has had absolutely no money to work with – all incoming players were free transfers.
In the last three seasons, Villa have come 16th, 15th and 15th. Hardly anything to crow about for a club that was once upon a time champions of Europe.
For the Midlands club to have any chance of improving on their dismal recent history, they desperately require new players. But there is no money for Lambert to use, with Lerner loathe to pump any more of his cash into a business venture that has failed abysmally.
Such is Lambert’s inability to recruit players, he has been forced to bring record-signing Darren Bent back in from the cold. The inclusions – notably Joe Cole, Philippe Senderos and Kieran Richardson – while bringing vital Premier League experience, are not fantastic inclusions by any means.
Perhaps Lambert’s best hope is that some of the players returning from injury can have a significant impact. The most obvious candidate is talisman striker Christian Benteke, but he cannot be expected to keep the club up by himself, that is, if he remains at the club after the transfer deadline. Charles N’Zogbia (achilles) and Jonas Okore (knee) both played basically no football last season, and as such, their impact won’t be substantial.
Perhaps the necessary impact can come from new assistant manager Roy Keane? Also the Republic of Ireland assistant, the former Sunderland boss has been brought in to help Lambert. In the eyes of many, Keane’s presence only serves to undermine Lambert, whose own staff have been sacked by the club over the past few months.
Don’t be surprised to see Keane take the reins before the year is out.
Key players Ron Vlaar, Fabian Delph and Gabriel Agbonlahor are all in the final year of their respective contracts. All in all, the outlook is gloomy for Mr. Lambert.
In
Tom Leggett (Southampton) Free.
Isaac Nehemie (Southampton) Free.
Philippe Senderos (Valencia) Free.
Joe Cole (West Ham) Free.
Kieran Richardson (Fulham) Free.
Out
Marc Albrighton (Leicester City) Free.
Nathan Delfouneso- Released.
Marquee signing: Joe Cole (by default).
It’s hard to choose a marquee signing when there hasn’t been a dime spent on a single player! Simply for the fact that he is the biggest name of those coming into Villa Park, Joe Cole gets the backhanded compliment here.
Cole joins from West Ham, after only 18 months back at his boyhood club, with injuries curtailing a bright start to last season. In fact, the 32 year-old has had injury issues for many years now, highlighted by his terrible time at Liverpool. It would be a surprise if Cole could play for an entire season, in fact, it would be a downright shock. The fact that he is Lambert’s marquee signing is proof of how far Villa have fallen.
Key man: Christian Benteke.
The Belgian striker has been a revelation since joining the Premier League from Genk two years ago. He scored 23 goals in an excellent debut campaign, but attracted some criticism last season, despite scoring 10 goals in 24 games.
Benteke’s World Cup dream was shattered when he ruptured his Achilles tendon in April, sidelining him until at least September. Perversely, Villa will probably benefit from his injury, given he is unlikely to pass a medical to complete a transfer before the deadline, meaning their primary source of goals will be at the club until at least January.
It’s a big year for – Darren Bent.
Villa’s record signing Darren Bent was frozen out by Paul Lambert, then farmed out to Fulham on loan last season. However, Lambert has indicated that the striker could return to the fold this season and has featured (and scored) in pre-season.
Bent will have to fill the void up front until Benteke and Libor Kozak (broken Leg) return. Another poor year and Bent’s footballing future will be cast into extreme doubt.
Manager pressure: 9/10.
Two extremely poor years and a seeming lack of improvement, in addition to his restrictions in the transfer market don’t bode well for the Scotsman. An oft forgotten fact is that Lambert has actually spent £40 million ($72m), money that has been largely wasted.
Furthermore, it’s the last year of his contract, with fans growing increasingly frustrated, particularly with cup exits to lower-league opposition. With the shadow of Roy Keane looming, Lambert has his work cut out.
Headline Villa fans want to see: ‘Villa bought by Arab billionaire.’
Headline Villa fans don’t want to see: ‘Keane sacked as Villa boss.’
Headline you WILL see: ‘Benteke chases exit.’
Prediction: 19th.
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