Fan voice: What can Aston Villa fans expect from this season?

Stuart Young from avillafan.com gives his thoughts and expectations on the campaign ahead
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Anwar El Ghazi of Aston Villa celebrates with teammates in front of the fans after scoring their side's second goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Villa Park on August 21, 2021 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Anwar El Ghazi of Aston Villa celebrates with teammates in front of the fans after scoring their side's second goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Villa Park on August 21, 2021 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Anwar El Ghazi of Aston Villa celebrates with teammates in front of the fans after scoring their side's second goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Villa Park on August 21, 2021 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

Aston Villa began this Premier League campaign with supporters as excited as most. Football fans finally returned to stadiums and the first game at Villa Park proved worth the wait. With 30,000 season tickets sold out and a further 10,000+ on waiting list, expectation has been high.

Most of the talk around Villa this summer surrounded our former captain Jack Grealish. We all know what’s happened so I won’t go into it in too much detail. I am gutted he’s gone but at the same time, glad it’s sorted so we can all move on. I wish him all the success in the world and who knows, one day he may return.

New Signings

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Villa have once again not been shy in the transfer market as we continue our pursuit to return to the European Elite. We are not foolish enough to think a top-four position is a possibility just yet, as Dean Smith stated recently, we are probably around 18 months away from where Grealish wants to be. This suggests that the club expects us to be challenging next season. But that’s then and this is now. This season for me is all about a solid top-half finish, if we can pinch a place in the Europa League then great.

Emi Buendia was the first through the door for an estimated £30million. A player who will hopefully bridge the gap Grealish will have left. Not only did he break records left, right and centre in the Championship last season, he also impressed in his only season in the Premier League two years ago.

Ashley Young followed Buendia through the door on a free transfer and a shrewd signing at that. Although age is against him, he looks in good shape and he joins the club for his second spell on the back of winning the Serie A with Inter last season. Not only does he add versatility but he will add some much-needed experience within a young squad.

Next up was Bayern Leverkusen speedster, Leon Bailey. I am a big fan of Bundesliga football so I know a lot about Bailey and he is probably the signing that excites me the most, providing we can get the best out of him. On his day, he is unplayable but the problem in the back end of his Leverkusen career was his reliability. Maybe a new challenge and fresh start are exactly what the Jamaican needs. His pace will add something we don’t currently have and I know as well as most defenders, that there is nothing worse than when a fast attacking player runs at you with the ball.

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Danny Ings also arrived on the same day as Bailey in a move many described as the biggest secret of the summer. The 29-year-old has scored goals wherever he has played so hopefully, he will take some of the pressure off Ollie Wakins.

And finally, Axel Tuanzebe is back for his third spell at the club on loan. He is a firm fan favourite and most Villa fans will hope there is an option in the loan deal to sign the defender on a permanent deal.

Tactical Options

With Grealish gone and the signings mentioned above, it allows Villa to not be as predictable. We can now play with two up top, five at the back or continue in the 4-3-3 formation we played so much last season.

Smith expressed his delight in being able to have more options. It adds another dimension to our threat, especially when we have a plan B and even C. Something many have criticised the manager for in the past.

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It will be interesting to see what route he goes with as the campaign progresses.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith and striker Ollie Watkins. (Photo by Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images)Aston Villa manager Dean Smith and striker Ollie Watkins. (Photo by Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images)
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith and striker Ollie Watkins. (Photo by Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images)

Exciting Youth

Many won’t be aware of how Villa is slowly going about snapping up the best youngsters at the academy level. Unless of course, you are a West Brom fan as Villa continue to take their best prospects.

Villa won the FA Youth Cup last season and many of that team are being sent out on loan this year to gain first-team experience. Kaine Kesler at Swindon and Louie Barry at Ipswich are two examples.

Premier League fans will no doubt get to know two lads who made their debuts at the back end of last season.

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Carney Chukwuemeka is regarded as one of the country’s best youngsters, and Villa is expecting a lot from the 17-year-old. He can play in the number 10 position or a midfield three.

Another name to look out for is Jaden Philogene-Bidace. At 19 years old he looks ready to make a real stake for first-team football this season and if pre-season is anything to go by, he will certainly be one to watch.

The 18-year-old made the switch to European superpowers Barcelona aged16 before joining Villa last summer for a reported fee of arund £900,000. Barry bagged for Villa in their FA Cup to Liverpool and was called a 'little Jamie Vardy' by Jurgen Klopp afterwards. He also helped his club claim the FA Youth Cup last term.The 18-year-old made the switch to European superpowers Barcelona aged16 before joining Villa last summer for a reported fee of arund £900,000. Barry bagged for Villa in their FA Cup to Liverpool and was called a 'little Jamie Vardy' by Jurgen Klopp afterwards. He also helped his club claim the FA Youth Cup last term.
The 18-year-old made the switch to European superpowers Barcelona aged16 before joining Villa last summer for a reported fee of arund £900,000. Barry bagged for Villa in their FA Cup to Liverpool and was called a 'little Jamie Vardy' by Jurgen Klopp afterwards. He also helped his club claim the FA Youth Cup last term.

Target

As I have already touched upon, the aim and target has to be an improvement on last season. This means a top-half finish with a push for some sort of European football. With the squad depth we now have available to us, I think the Villa faithful will expect a better showing in the cup competitions also.

Dean Smith will know the pressure has ramped up even more this season, just as much as the players. The owners have shown they mean business and won’t stand for anyone not giving 100%.

Make sure to follow Stuart on Twitter @avillafan and check out his excellent fansite if you haven’t already: avillafan.com.

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