Finding our level
Tuesday, 19 December 06, 10:33 AM · Comments (5)
There's been a lot of talk recently about expectations. Villa are sliding towards mid table and there is palpable disappointment for those of us who may have thought for some heady days that we were destined for Champions League glory.
Perhaps now is the time to get real and assess the new Villa, the new regime, the new manager, the squad and our prospects for the season.
The spat with Spurs fans published recently on these pages is utterly pointless, but also interestingly acute. Spurs are a club who see themselves quite rightly as potential challengers to the Big 4: they have a good squad, with a sound defence, great young players coming through and challenging for England places, and genuine goalscorers within their ranks. A big club, with big support, big tradition and big ambition. And I like them.
But does all that set them apart? I don't think so. Some of the talk from the Spurs fans suggests to me that they think we are on the brink of a "Big 5". In truth, Spurs are further down the line than Villa, Newcastle or Everton.
They have brought in and backed a good young manager, who has built a great squad which is beginning to achieve things. But only time sets them apart: Villa will become contenders with O'Neill's skill, judgement and motivation, Lerner's investment and the loud backing of Villans.
It may take a couple of seasons - O'Neill more than anyone has suggested that - but it is going to happen. Those who attempt to suggest that Villa are a perennial mid-table club are going to be surprised. And that is their fault for the frankly childish suggestions - and here I do point the finger at the Spurs bloggers - that "our club is better than yours".
They are blogging about a moment in time. And times change. Ask Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City or Leeds fans whether they agree.
For me, I think there are a number of leagues playing themselves out within the Premiership this season. Notably this weekend the Big 4 became the Top 4, and I will have a tenner with anybody on it staying that way, and on the gap between 4th and 5th widening from now on.
No side, not even Spurs, is going to get close from now on. I have a feeling Spurs will find themselves in a lonely but detached 5th place - miles from the Champions League but assured relatively early of a UEFA Cup berth. The real fights are between 5 and 10.
Can Reading become the new Wigan or will Wigan be the new Wigan? Of the sides fighting to revitalise and "come back", who will prevail: Villa, Newcastle or West Ham? Can Everton do anything remotely interesting? Can Portsmouth hold out and challenge Spurs for 5th?
It's an interesting season. My target? I would like to see Villa aim for a top 7 finish and an outside UEFA Cup place. That would mark progress. It would bring European football back to Villa Park. It would be attractive to target players in the summer market. And it would be a strong foundation for further progress.
I believe 7th is a worthwhile ambition for a squad which is sorely stretched in a number of key areas. We're not Tottenham, you see.
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5 Comments · Add yours
I agree with you entirely Doc, i have always thought we would finish 7th and luckily qualify for the Uefa cup that would be a great success. I dont know what to say about Lerner's investment, i have my doubts on what sort of players we'll be challenging for, i know we cant compete with Chelsea, utd, Arsenal or even Liverpool but we need to be there when Newky and spuds are sniffing around, i await the summer with excitement i just hope im not let down
Doc, I like your summing up of the situation; your prose is crisp and your logic seamless, but I think MON has bigger ambitions than 7th, I think you understate the impact of his personal will and I believe he will prevail. As is his wont. A bottle of Gewurztraminer says 5th.
I think a lot depends on january,if we can and i mean can; get 3 quality players in i think it could push us on to a 5th or 6th place finish cant see us being in the top half after xmas with the games we have, but there is still a long way to go.my wish list is; striker; close(Bremen) r wing; swp(chelski) defender c Davis(wba) £25m-£30m bargain!
Eventually Villa will be on par with most of the premiership clubs, notice the most?
There are obviously the ones like Chelsea and Manure who will pour money into the team, and with Liverpool becoming Saudipool, that's another one in the equation.
What can we expect this season? I believe we'll get 9th place, the squad is being transformed, but not overnight, so that would be a respectable position.
But as to the next few years, that will be a differant proposition, Martin O'Neill will have his players and playing the way he wants them to, then expect 4th and 5th to be the norm, much to the disappointment of Spurs fans.
I'm confident in that.
Players i'd love Villa to be looking at whether realistic or not: -
Shaun Wright-Phillips, James Milner, Gareth Bale, Darren Bent, Kieran Richardson, Curtis Davies, Steve Sidwell, Joey Barton, Micah Richards!
Sign some players like these and we can push for a European place!
Lets keep the faith boys & girls!