Pre-season has come to a close and Aston Villa have gone through a massive squad overhaul. Aston Villa have sold 11 first team players for a combined fee of around £45.3 million while bringing in a total of 9 players for a total of £43.55 million. At the same time Adebayor is still rumoured to join Villa on loan sometime this week.
Aston Villa played a total of 6 games, winning one (Swindon 0-2 Aston Villa [Sinclair, Stellars]), drawing four (Braga Vs Aston Villa, Walsall 1-1 Aston Villa [Robinson], Wolves 2-2 Aston Villa [2 Kozak] & Nottingham 3-3 Aston Villa [3 Sinclair]).
Results on paper might not look great but the main concern for Aston Villa was to build up fitness and start to gel as a team. Most players admit that the team never tries 100% because they’re worried about injuries so results shouldn’t be a large concern.
During pre-season Sherwood stuck to two types of systems, 4-4-1-1 and a 4-4-2. In the first few games, Sherwood played a 4-4-1-1 with Carles Gil playing in behind of a forward, this was usually Agbonlahor, Kozak or Robinson. However as Gil picked up an injury, Sherwood reverted back to a 4-4-2 with Kozak partnering a different forward, in most cases this was Agbonlahor, Robinson or recently Ayew. On the wing, Bacuna often played on the right hand side with Sinclair on the other side. However, Gil, Ayew and Grealish can also play out wide.
The back 4 has been widely consistent, it seems as though Aston Villa will most likely start with Guzan in goal, Hutton at right-back, Clark and Richards as centre defenders and Amavi at left back. New signing Crespo can play anywhere at the back and will be used as a utility player should Hutton or Amavi pick up an injury. With Okore and Baker most likely used as back ups for centre-back pairings.
One of the most outstanding players during pre-season was Carles Gil. Gil was a revelation in Portugal even earning Sherwood’s praise. Sherwood admitted that Gil will play a big part this season after being left out of favour during his tenure last season. Gil linked up play very well, had great technical ability and created a host of chances for Agbonlahor. Another stand out player was Libor Kozak who returned to the first team after missing the entire 2014/15 season through injury. Kozak scored two goals against Wolves and looked very lively. He will have to compete with Gestede, Ayew, Agbonlahor and most likely Adebayor next season, but early signs show that Kozak is on form and will make an impact. Sinclair had a great game against Nottingham Forest and hopefully its a sign that Sinclair can take his goal scoring form to the game against Bournemouth.
From the new signings, Amavi stood out immediately. Amavi is a very attacking left back and he was often bombing down the wings providing some quality crosses. He provided an assist to Sinclair with a lovely cross during the game against Nottingham Forest. Amavi also showed some quality in defense but that will be an area where he will have to work at. Some of his last ditch tackles were good as well. Gueye is another player brought in to replace Tom Cleverly. Gueye held the ball very well and was a good all around midfielder. He had received praise from many Villa supporters as he doesn’t shy away from having a shot at goal.
During pre-season a number of young players were given a chance in Tim Sherwood’s side. The most impressive was Jerrel Sellars who scored in the game against Swindon and provided lots of energy in the back. He is a highly rated midfielder who has caught the eye of Tim Sherwood. Gary Gardner also featured in pre-season, but despite picking up an injury he did look solid and may play a part this season, amid fierce competition in midfield after bringing in Veretout and Gueye. Callum Robinson also played very well, he scored and and assisted a goal during pre-season, hopefully he’ll play a part but it might be best to off-load him on loan as I don’t see him starting ahead of 4/5 other first team forwards.
But there were also some poor performers in the side, notably Cissokho did not impress Sherwood enough and since Portugal has failed to feature in pre-season. Tonev often misplaced passes and is also one of the players that will be overlooked this season.
Currently, Carles Gil, Jack Grealish, Crespo, Gardner and Agbonlahor have all picked up injuries and may miss the first game of the season against Bournemouth
Overall the main concern was fitness and gelling the team together. Despite many players making a claim for the starting spot this season most Villa fans aren’t sure of how the squad will line up against Bournemouth. With our squad introducing 9 new players there may also be a few first team players that will miss out on the 25 man squad list for this upcoming Premier League season.
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/2547589/adama-traore-set-for-€10m-villa-bid-amid-liverpool-link?
ESPN link on Traore
also talk that Senderdross could be on his way to turkey 🙂
Hurray
still no takers for Aleksandar Tonev, Aly Cissokho, Kieran Richardson and Charles N’Zogbia.
i think we will see cissokho leave but the others are looking unmovable loaning them out maybe our only option .
I think Richardson could still fill in when needed so that isn’t a terrible to have him sitting around as backup. As for Tonev and Cissokho, I definitely could see them getting at least a loan move before the end of the window.
As for N’Zogbia, the guy is crazy if he thinks any major club would be interested in him and I could honestly see him declining a loan move to a Championship club. Personally, I think his best move would be to get a transfer to a European club where he could at least compete in the Europa, because if the club signs 1-2 more this window I honestly don’t know if he will make the squad.
I wouldn’t mind keeping cissoko with our luck Amavi is bound to get injured and he would be good cover. Think Cossokho isn’t a bad player tbf
I agree – we are now talking about substitute players here and I know he may not make as many runs forward as Sherwood would like, or have a great cross, but he is still a good option.
Decent option but we still need rid of players if we are to sign more due to the amount we currently have, or Villa will be paying wages of players they can’t register due to having more than 25, and if teams want Cissokho then he should be sold as no one seemingly wants N’Zogbia, Tonev, Richardson and such.
The Spain Under 19 international is represented by the same agents who look after Jose Angel Crespo, the right-back Villa signed from Cordoba last week.
Villa have discussed paying a fee to take the winger on loan for the season, while a permanent £7million deal – with buy-back clauses included – is also an option.
So basically if he’s shit we are stuck with him if he’s good he goes bk to barca and we lose another good. Player
Yep, welcome to how Barcelona do business for their youngsters. They have that with Delfelou, had it with Bojan, they have it with everyone of their youth players, and why shouldn’t they?
He looks and sounds like a quality signing on loan or for a few seasons, although my only concern is where does he play? (yes, on the wing) I am starting to get confused on who might be in the starting 11, plus I would have thought after preseason the one area we looked weak was in defense. I definitely would have thought we might be in for an extra defender instead. I suppose if we outscore teams it doesn’t matter though…
Probably are in for a defender, but it doesn’t hurt to get an extra wing option, especially one you don’t have to register. He and Grealish supporting Gestede? Would be quality. Especially after Sherwood said Gestede’s better in the air than Benteke, I would think wingers top his list right now.
You’re right – getting the ball up to Kozak or Gestede will probably be a large part of how we play this season, although given our options in midfield it will be interesting to see who Sherwood picks this weekend. I’m just not that sure Grealish is even a guaranteed starter now (regardless of injuries right now). Every position up front will have to fight to earn their place, which is encouraging.
He’s not guaranteed, definitely not. Just thought an attacking duo as young and talented as Grealish and Traore sounded great. Agreed Sherwood’s far from easy to read on how he’ll set the team up.
Also supposedly Sherwood wants Baker to go on loan for experience, meaning a CB has to be coming in if Senderos goes too.
Give vlaar a roll on contact ?????
Prefer Praet, but take him for but only a buy not loan. I think we are still light in the AM position so think its right we are looking at that position still but agree a RB/CB is imperative.
As much as i hated the thought a few weeks ago, with my new found optimism from some of the new signings with potential, i would quite like Johnny Evans with his experience to sit in our back 4 now.
Agree we need another defender but RB or CB and to start or as a squad player? Clark / Richards is going to be the preferred choice at CB with Okore then Baker (if he stays). Doesn’t Donacien (sp) also play as a CB and we also have Crespo who can play both RB and CB. A pay as you play contract for Vlaar isn’t such a bad option (I can here you moaning from here OohAh!). TS experimenting with Sanchez at CB suggests to me that we aren’t in the market for a CB at present. I think a top quality RB would be my preference with Mutton to cover.
I think we should hold on to Richardson – he provides decent cover in a number if left sided positions and was one of the few to come away from Wembley with his pride intact.
No to Vlaar even if he paid us.Problem is Crespo is injured already and we know the rest will be as well.NO idea why but our CsHs struggle to play more than half dozen games without some injury
H60….. Vlaar is out for 4 months (oohah gave him an extra kick just to make sure) 🙂
Johny Evans or Ashley Williams are decent options IMO. I also agree that Richardson should stay as back up!
It was me that kicked him in the first place lol
NEW POST UP and Positive ouch
I’m not sure why some seem to have a downer on this Traore kid.
He’s one of the WORLD’S best young prospects apparently and I’d be happy with that sort of player coming, even if there is a buy-back clause.
Because if Barca wanted him back, that would mean he’d been great for us.
No doubt it’ll all come down to money, but if the kid wants game time, he most likely won’t get it at Pool, which means we must have a very good chance.
Especially with Sherwood’s seeming silky sales skills.
If the story is even true, that is.
Which I doubt, myself.
Started in Spain so it’s most likely true.
Agreed, and Barcelona would probably have a relatively large buyback clause in it, say we pay 10m, they’d probably be paying twice that next summer and three times that the following summer, as that tends to be how they do it.