I thought this week we I would try and take a break from the mess that is Aston Villa at the moment. Instead, I wanted to take a look at a couple of players who have all but confirmed they will be leaving us.
Now most of us expected these moves, but nonetheless it is still a kick in teeth for those fans who have enjoyed watching these players play for the club.
Carlos Cuellar – Long Live The King!
First off – the king! Carlos Cuellar came with a hefty price tag and was, and has been, mostly played out of position. “The King” didn’t complain though and just got on with the job he was asked to do.
At the rare occasion he was actually played in his right position, he mostly got a man of the match award which, for me, seems a little strange why he was never given the opportunity for a continued run in the team as a centre half.
Carlos is arguably as good as, if not better than, James Collins, and he is definitely better than Alan Hutton in my eyes.
Sadly for Carlos, he stood still while at Villa mostly because he hasn’t been given the chance to play in any position, never mind his preferred one.
I would like to thank Carlos for being the professional that he is, and providing us with some moments of brilliance. Good luck King Carlos, you will always have a place in the hearts of Villans.
Emile Heskey – The Eighth Wonder Of The World
The big man is controversial – some love him, some hate him. For me, Emile Heskey does a job no one else in the team does, and he does it better than anyone in the league.
When you play to his strengths the guy is unplayable and undefendable. Don’t believe me, just ask the Fabio Capello why he was continued to be picked for England as the Italian oversaw the best win percentage of any England manager post war.
For all or Heskey’s faults, he gives his all when he is on the pitch and off it. He has invariably passed on tips that will have provided Gabriel Agbonlahor and the youth with valuable experience from Heskey’s years playing in the top flight.
As evidence of the impact Heskey has, cast your mind back to Tottenham away last season I think it was. We had them on the back foot, Emile went off injured, and we subsequently collapsed because of his lack of workrate.
Another game was this season, I think early in the cup. We hadn’t had a sniff all game, Emile come on and three minutes later the opposition had to clear the ball of the line. Heskey has done his bit for us when he has needed to and when given the opportunity so, to that end, I can’t fault his commitment to our cause.
Again I would like to thank Emile for continuing to give everything time after time, and this is in the face of continued stick from many fans, often becoming a scapegoat or a figure of fun to be picked at. Despite all these issues, he has still got on with his job and done what was asked of him. For Villa, especially in the current climate, it is a shame the club do not have many other players with his attitude.
Who & What Next?
These two are the first of many that we will see leaving Villa as the wage bill drops, and the club get its house in order.
Now we will spend many a day discussing the managerial role within the club, but today let’s look at the playing staff. Who or what do we need to progress as a team? What system do we play? Who do we keep?
I’d like to know your thoughts, so feel free to drop a comment below and let me know who you think could come in and do a job for us.
The Author
