Villa Building Squad Capable of Immediate Premier League Return
If there were a word to describe Aston Villa’s relegation season, disastrous springs to mind. Any synonym associated would also be applicable here, however. The Villans were beyond poor. They gained 17 points from the 38 games, scored just 27 goals and conceded 76. Tim Sherwood, Kevin MacDonald, Remi Garde and Eric Black failed to have the desired impact at the helm as Villa threw in the towel with minimal fuss.
It was painstakingly obvious that change was needed, right through the club. Randy Lerner, who had been subject to plenty of criticism from the Villa support, and deservedly so, eventually found a buyer in the form of Dr. Tony Xia. Xia is keen to re-establish the club as one of the powerhouses of European football and has readily delved into his pockets to help improve the squad. New manager Roberto Di Matteo has been handed ample backing by the owner in the transfer market and the Champions League winning coach hasn’t held back this summer.
The glaring weakness came in the middle of the park on the back of Idrissa Gana’s sale to Everton. The Senegal international started somewhat slowly following his arrival from Lille last summer, but was able to end the campaign strongly making the second most tackles and interceptions combined (285) in the Premier League last season. As the tough tackling ball winner, Gana’s exit significantly weakened a Villa side that lacked defensive solidity at the best of times.
This was ruthlessly capitalised upon by Luton Town, who knocked the Villans out of the EFL Cup in the first round. As good as Gary Gardner and summer arrival Aaron Tshibola may be, defeat to Luton only highlighted the need for a defensive shield in the middle of the park as the League Two side carved Villa apart. The arrival of Mile Jedinak significantly strengthens the club’s midfield, with the Australian playing a key role in Crystal Palace’s Premier League return before establishing himself as a vital cog in the Eagles midfield in England’s top tier.
Despite his first team opportunities being limited in recent months, with manager Alan Pardew preferring a deep lying midfield partnership of Yohan Cabaye and James McArthur where possible, Jedinak has still made more tackles and interceptions combined (546) than any other Premier League player since the start of the 2013/14 season. While at 32 years of age, the Australian’s not quite the player he was in his prime, Jedinak still provides the ideal protection to the likely starting centre-back pairing of James Chester and Tommy Elphick.
Chester was a star player for Wales at Euro 2016 making more tackles and interceptions combined (36) than any other player in France. His arrival was somewhat surprising on the back of an excellent showing at the competition for Chris Coleman’s side, with many anticipating West Brom boss Tony Pulis to hand the defender a more prominent role in his starting XI. Yet, the Baggies manager was happy to allow his compatriot to make the same move Joleon Lescott made 12 months ago, though Villa fans are hoping for Chester to make a a far greater impact at the heart of the defence.
Elphick, meanwhile, was a solid capture from Bournemouth, as is Ritchie De Laet, who improves Di Matteo’s right-back options. Importantly, though, is that the defensive-minded quartet - along with Di Matteo - are well-versed in the demands that come with attaining promotion. Elphick captained Bournemouth to the Championship title in 2015, Chester earned promotion with Hull in 2013, the same year Jedinak’s Palace secured a playoff final win at Watford’s expense, while recent capture De Laet was part of the Middlesbrough squad that secured automatic promotion back in May.
While the new players are unlikely to gel straight away, the experience that comes with the demands of securing a place in England’s top tier in a 46-game season in the Championship is vital. However, with a new goalkeeper acquired in the form of Pierluigi Gollini, it’s of the utmost importance the defensive arrivals quickly adjust to their new surroundings, especially with errors costing Villa three further points this season. Against Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield, mistakes at the back saw Villa defeated at Hillsborough on the opening weekend of the season and draw with Huddersfield when they were minutes from victory.
Yet, with De Laet, Chester and Elphick in the backline, Villa will be a far more solid side, particularly once Jedinak is up to speed for his new side and the exciting Jordan Amavi has returned to full fitness. Further forward, the big money capture of Ross McCormack swells Di Matteo’s already impressive attacking options. While the club successfully retained the services of Jordan Ayew, at the time of writing anyway, and have at their disposal Rudy Gestede, Jack Grealish and Adama Traore, the arrival of prolific Championship hotshot McCormack sends out a huge statement of intent for Villa.
The 30-year-old has scored more goals (67) than any other player in the last four regular Championship seasons and is averaging more key passes per game (4.5) than any other player in England’s second tier this term. While he has just one goal and one assist to his name for Villa this season, the general consensus is that once McCormack - along with his new teammates - are up to speed with one another’s style of play, Di Matteo’s side can be one of the most feared in the Championship.
While much of the focus this summer was on Newcastle’s big spending and their quest to blow their Championship rivals out the water, Villa have recruited smartly as they aim to make an immediate return to the Premier League. With the players brought in and a manager capable of guiding the club back to the top division of English football, the butt of last season’s joke have the foundation in place to secure their Premier League spot next May.
Will Aston Villa secure an immediate return to the Premier League this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
