Gareth Barry. James Milner. Ashley Young. Stewart Downing’s desire to win things. Villa fans can be forgiven for feeling a mix of cynicism, anger and resignation about modern-day football. It’s not easy supporting a club that seems to be forever on the outside looking in. Especially when a proud past leads you to believe you belong among the elite.
But the sad fact is that the deck is stacked against us, just as it is for virtually every other club. The game has become faster, more sophisticated, more athletic, and more professional. But it has sold its soul.
And when a club has had the sort of upheaval and turmoil Villa have faced this season, it feels like Villa have taken several steps back when only yesterday, it seemed, we looked to be making progress, despite our limited financial clout. We had sixth, and wanted more.
Instead, we survived the drop, and our only smiles came from the Blues’ misfortunes. The Europa League doesn’t look so bad now, even if it is a bit silly.
And once again we’re looking squarely in the face of yet more upheaval. But we can get ahead of it if Lerner acts decisively.
Job One
Obviously sorting out Houllier’s position is the first order of business. Houllier seems to want to stay.
But the decision on Houllier’s future apparently won’t be made by Houllier. It’s said Lerner will weigh the tests, Houllier’s best interests, the club’s best interests, and make a decision. Not an enviable task, having to call time on a man who stepped into the hot seat and found himself hounded and then in hospital for his troubles. And no, I’ve not forgotten Anfield or the City cup tie.
While I’ve gone on record as saying in purely footballing terms that I’d be happy to see Houllier stay on, I’m hard pressed to believe he really should when it comes to his health.
I’m not a doctor, and perhaps there is no connection. Perhaps being at the helm would do Houllier no more harm than quiet walks in the park, and a glass or two at the bistro. But it’s hard to imagine.
So, Randy Lerner, if you don’t call time on Houllier’s brief reign, I really hope the both of you know what you’re doing. We should be grateful to Houllier, who had everything going against him, and wish him the best. If he moves upstairs, either to the board or a DoF-type job, I’ll be happy. I wouldn’t mind him overseeing the youth setup, scouting, and that sort of thing.
It’s a natural opening to bring in someone who can be here for a while and do what you thought O’Neill could. You know you’ll only be replacing Houllier in a year or two anyway. And the right manager will do a lot to keep us from losing our star player every year.
This business about the tests, etc., leads me to believe Lerner will call time on Houllier. It’s being set up that way.
Job Two
We’ll know about Houllier by Wednesday, it seems. We might even know by the time this is up. Regardless, we’ve started the work by releasing 10 players, and I don’t think anyone is upset about the list. Reo-Coker had played his way back into our hearts, somewhat, but isn’t worth more than we were paying him. So, goodbye, good luck.
If Lerner makes what I think is the right call, we need a new manager. Every name under the sun has been put forward. Randy has to make a statement here, and we need to get this right.
For me, Moyes isn’t the future. I just don’t see him taking us forward. If Lerner can pull off a minor coup and get Ancelotti in, I’d be well pleased. He could get players in, continue the path to better football, and keep our profile up. My up-and-coming pick would be Roberto Martinez.
Job Three
The players. I started off making a list, got a bit bored with it. We know what we need: An attacking center mid who can control games; a Vidic-type CB; a new keeper better at set pieces; a left back, and some cover at both fullback positions. With Bannan, Delph, Makoun and Petrov we have most of the other midfield pieces. We could use some cover on the wings. And that probably isn’t Gabby, even though we all like him.
Job Four
This is where I’d like to think Houllier, or someone of his pedigree, can step in and do what needs to be done: turn our academy into a true developmental program that is finding young players with the right physical and mental attributes, training them up to play a composed passing game, and instilling a style of play from top to bottom that is cohesive. Fitness, awareness, movement on and off the ball, close control.
We’ve done it to death, but the only way we can compete is to develop enough talent from within to fill out the squad, produce at least five quality starters per footballing generation, and free us up to spend big on the impact players we don’t end up producing.
End of the day
We’re all chomping at the bit, Mr. Lerner. We need an end to false dawns. We need a vision and not stopgaps. Get someone like Houllier on the board. Get in either a big manager like Ancelotti who can attract top-class signings and back him, or pick a Martinez to build with. And set the expectation and provide the resources so that the academy and reserves methodically develop players for the first team.
And while you’re at it, agitate among the non-oligarch owners for a salary cap without loopholes like signing bonuses. The game is broken, and you know how competitive these measures have made the NFL.
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