Aston Villa

Background

Aston Villa FC are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in England. The club was very successful at the end of the nineteenth century winning 5 first division titles within a seven ear period. 

League Form

As you can see from the graph of Villa's league form (Source: BBC Sport), this season has not been one to remember for the fans so far. A season high of 13th and several dips into the relegation zone is the never good for a supporters heart rate. You could argue that a key reason for this poor form is Villa's lack of experience. Aston Villa's team this season is incredibly young, an average age of 23 supports this notion of inexperience among the team. I personally do not understand why Lambert did not sign some experienced players in the January transfer window, maybe he didn't out of pride or belief in his own philosophy. The last two games for Villa were very important ones, they were up against two fellow relegation strugglers and they beat them. I simply cannot see Villa going down, I feel they are stronger than those around them and they will survive. 

Transfer Market

This season saw the arrival of many youngsters at Villa Park and the departure of a few older heads. Although, I am sure many Villa fans are happy to see the back of the one and only Emile Heskey.

Notable Incomings 

Christian Benteke      Genk                           £7,744,000

Ashley Westwood     Crewe Alexandra       £2,200,000

Jordan Bowery          Chesterfield                 £554,400

Joe Bennett                Middlesborough         £2,722,000

Ron Vlaar                  Feyenoord                  £3,344,000

Matthew Lowton       Sheffield United         £3.300,000

Karim El Ahmadi      Feyenoord                  £2,464,000

Notable Outgoings

Stephen Warnock     Leeds United              Free

James Collins          West Ham United         £2,816,000

Carlos Cuellar         Sunderland                   Free

Emile Heskey           Released                     Free

Firstly, Lets talk about Christian Benteke (pictured), Benteke has set the Premier League alight since joining from Genk, he is Villa's top scorer with thirteen league goals. Benteke's strength is a key asset to his again, he can shrug anyone off the ball and is excellent in the air. Aston Villa need to survive relegation to keep him at Villa Park, Benteke is a very talented young footballer and I'm sure he'll be linked with europe's finest in the summer. 

I hear from a friend of mine who's a villa fan (@Chloe_Villa) that Joe Bennett has not looked a good signing since his arrival from Middlesborough, would be interesting to hear if fellow Villains agree? 

There appeared to be no major outgoings for Villa this season. I always thought James Collins looked a solid centre back so maybe Villa fans were disappointed to see him leave for West Ham.  

Key Players

The first key player I have chosen for Villa is Brad Guzan (left) at times has saved games on his own for Villa this season. For example, his performance against QPR at Villa Park was nothing short of sensational. Guzan signed for just over half a million from MLS club Chivas he looks a bargain. 

Andreas Weimann (right) is another key player for Villa, he has notched up 11 goals for them this season. Aston Villa signed him from Rapid Wien as a 16 year old hot prospect for the future. Weimann has already proven what a good investment that was. Still only 21 years old, Andreas has the world at his feet and is becoming part of Villa's young core team. Weimann seems to like the big occasion, scoring when it matters in big games. I can see Weimann going far at Villa if he continues to develop at his current rate. 

The final key player I have chosen is Christian Benteke, now I will not bang on about him again as I don't want to bore you, but I also do not want you to think that I haven't included him as one of my top three key players for the Villa. 

Aston Villa Fact-file

Founded: 1874

Ground: Villa Park

Capacity: 42,778

Chairman: Randy Lerner

Manager: Paul Lambert

Nickname: Villa, The Villains 

Rivals: Birmingham City

Honours:   

• European Cup, 1 cup: 1981-82.
• European Super Cup, 1 cup: 1982.
• Intertoto Cup, 1 cup: 2001
• First Division Champions, 7 titles: 1893-94, 1895-96, 1896-97, 1898-99, 1899-1900, 1909-10, 1980-81
• FA Cup, 7 cups: 1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957. 
• League Cup, 5 cups: 1961, 1975, 1977, 1994, 1996. 
• FA Charity Shield, 1 shield: 1981 (shared)

An impressive haul by Villa over the years one I'm sure 'blue noses' are jealous of. Aston Villa have won the League and FA cup 7 times each which is sensational, add to that a European cup too. Birmingham City can only dream of the illustrious history that Villa possess. 

Outlook

Personally, I think Villa will still be a Premier League club next season, they have enough about them to stay up. After winning their last two games Villa seem to be gathering a bit of momentum which could well carry them through to next season. I think many Football fans would agree with me that Aston Villa being in the Championship would just be weird, I can't imagine it. Although, the same happened to Newcastle in recent years at the hands of Villa, that relegation if anything helped 'The Toon' but I think relegation for Villa would be a disaster. 

Is Paul Lambert the right man for Villa? I'd like to hear from Villa fans on this subject. As of yet I see no reason as to why he is the right man for the job, if he manages to keep Villa up I do think he deserves a chance to rebuild Villa and show what he can do next season. However, if Aston Villa were to be relegated he simply has to go, a new man with fresh ideas would have to be brought in. I hope Villa do stay up though, and I think they will do. Good Luck next season Villa wherever you may be.