Football News: Team Review - Aston Villa

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Team Review - Aston Villa

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League Position: 8th

Ins And Outs

Ins:
Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City
Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen
Danny Ings from Southampton
Ashley Young from Inter Milan
Axel Tuanzebe from Manchester United

Outs:
Jack Grealish to Manchester City
Ally Samatta to Fenerbahce
Bjorn Engels to Royal Antwerp
Tom Heaton to Manchester United
Conor Hourihane to Sheffield United (loan)
Wesley to Club Brugge (loan)
Frederic Guilbert to Racing Strasbourg (loan)
Neil Taylor released
Ahmed Elmohamady released

Goalkeepers:

Emiliano Martinez
Jed Steer

An excellent first choice keeper, though it would be a worry if he was out for an extended period as the back up is not a player I personally would have any faith in. It is probably the most difficult position in football to buy a player for, as any keeper that is top class is not going to be happy to sit on the bench. I do like that they have not gone for an older head third-choice, leaving a potential gap for a youth player to get a chance at some point.

Defenders:

Tyrone Mings
Ezri Konsa
Axel Tuanzebe
Kortney Hause
Matt Targett
Ashley Young
Matty Cash

On paper a strong centre-back line up, though I would personally not have Mings as a first choice. However, as well as Mings having a regular mistake in his game, there are also worries over Tuanzebe's ability to stay fit and neither Konsa or Hause look ready to lead the team at the back. That leaves Mings as the default starter, just due to the leadership qualities he has. They are light in full-back areas, but they have a very strong youth set-up so it just opens up an opportunity.

Midfielders:

Douglas Luiz
Marvelous Nakamba
John McGinn
Morgan Sanson
Carney Chukwuemeka
Jacob Ramsey

It is a decent midfield unit with huge potential from its two young starlets, Ramsey and Chukwuemeka. It is a group that can grow together to become one of the best in the league if they can keep hold of those two youngsters in the long term. I would call it exciting for the future, especially under a coach that seems willing to back the youngsters to hold down a place.

Forwards:

Leon Bailey
Trezeguet
Jaden Philogene-Bidace
Emiliano Buendia
Bertrand Traore
Anwar El Ghazi
Ollie Watkins
Danny Ings
Keinan Davis

There are goals, there is creativity and pace in abundance but they do seem to be a group that picks up a lot of niggly injuries, particularly Bailey. I have my doubts Buendia was the right signing, but there is no doubt Ings was an excellent one and takes them a big step forward, regardless of who they sold in the summer. Last season they really missed a quality striker at times, now they have one of the better ones and it now looks like a team that should be aiming for European football.

Manager: Dean Smith

Smith has done remarkable work taking Villa forward year on year. It is difficult to pick any fault with the job he has done there. His difficulty is going to be maintaining the improvement in the long term.

Conclusion:

Villa are a team on the up, but they will need to maintain the investment in the team if they are going to continue to climb. Just how much further they can rise is the big question. Has Smith got the tactical nous to take them all the way? Does the club have the financial clout to make the next step? These are questions that only time can answer, but so far it is looking good.

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Written by Tris Burke October 01 2021 17:11:46