Villa?s missing Lion

I would like to discuss the fast becoming enigma that is Eric Djemba-Djemba. Is he heading down the same road as Monsieur Berson?

When Gavin McCann was injured last season it became pretty obvious that we had a soft centre. We missed the type of player who would break up play and give the defence some protection.

Berson was close, although the pace of the Premiership always looked to be a bit too much for him. O?Leary used the transfer window to correct this with the purchase of Eric.

?1.35 million rising by ?500,000 based on appearances seemed like a decent enough deal for a player that Man United had paid out ?3.5 million with ?700,000 to be added on.

On signing for Utd, Alex Ferguson said 'Eric is a young player we've watched throughout the season, and he's impressed us each time with his understanding of the game.

'He's quick, aggressive and a good passer of the ball, and is the kind of athletic footballer we are looking for. In the last few months he has shown his development playing in a very good Cameroon team, and he looks like a Manchester United player in every sense.'

Sounds like just the kind of player we need.

Stiff competition for places meant it wasn?t to be at Utd for Eric. Aston Villa seemed like the perfect opportunity, after all he was and still is a mainstay of the top ranked African Nation in world football. He has played in title winning teams and Champions League games.

With fitness an issue his start at Villa was not ideal and an injury pretty much ended his season.

So that brings us to this season, a bit part player so far despite the injury to McCann. I thought he looked promising when he came on against Man Utd and that we had a player on our hands.

It is strange that he hasn?t even made the bench for the last three games. He was reported to have been outstanding for the reserves against Blackburn in midweek, scoring a wonderful individual goal.

In a team that lacks pace and bite in the middle of the park, it seems odd that a player with both cannot even make the squad. I feel that with McCann sidelined for at least two weeks, it was the perfect opportunity to put him in.

A chance to have three or four games, to see what he can bring to the team. It will be a real shame to lose a player who seems to have all the attributes needed to be a success in the Premiership, without really seeing the impact he could make on the side.

Do you agree? Email karl@astonvilla.biz.