At the start of the week Randy Lerner whipped out his dusty cheque book and addressed a sheet from it to Dutch club Feyenoord for the reported sum of “Two million pounds only”: and with that, that Karim El Ahmadi became Paul Lambert’s first acquisition as Villa boss. Some fans are referring to him as “The Moroccan Magician,” but I do believe that tag belongs to QPR’s Adel Taarabt. Regardless, I wish Karim all the best. He can’t be any worse than Hassan Kachloul.

I remember watching Karim in a league game for Feyenoord a couple of years ago and distinctly remember how solid he was. He’s what I like to call an A-B-C player. He’s a good reader of the game and will often break up the play, before quickly releasing the ball, often out wide. And very much like Stiliyan Petrov, he won’t score many goals but he knows how to strike a ball.

“Karim El Hamadi – A good early piece of business, together with J Makoun restored in similar position a positive change of philosophy.” @VillaLions82

El Ahmadi sang the right tune as he strolled into the claret-and-blue half of the Second City. He claims to be “very excited about coming here to a massive club” and realises that the fans expect nothing less than to be competing with the teams at the top half of the Barclays Premier League table.

It’s fair to say that this transfer took us all by surprise because it wasn’t a name being hotly tipped and touted around. Lambert kept this one very close to his chest. The fans are probably content with the signing of winger Brett Holman and this most recent of captures, but we’re all still chomping at the bit to see some new defenders entering the Villa dressing room.

Chiefy wrote a very interesting article last week that touched upon a Villa trait, a tradition that has gone on for a many a year, and that is of a solid foundation particularly in central defence. In recent weeks speculation has been rife as to whom Lambert will be bringing in with many supporters believing a full refurbishment across the back line is required.

“If rumours are true about Nathaniel Clyne are true it will be a great bit of business.” @JHClose

Crystal Palace starlet Nathaniel Clyne is the latest name to be linked to take the right back spot. The 21-year-old has in the past been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park and I for one would be a happy bunny if we were to secure his services.

Being Windsor-based a few years back I took a trip to the Madeski Stadium to watch Palace at Reading (Crystal Palace won 4-2, and I was sat in the away end) and behind the outstanding and unplayable Victor Moses, Clyne was the other standout player, scoring the first goal of the match.

Swansea’s rapid wide man Scott Sinclair and Chelsea’s young forward Romelu Lukaku are two further names we’ve been rumoured to have shown interest in. The latter likely to be on loan.

Taking the players that we currently have at our disposal and the names we’re being linked with I’d like to discuss shape. Where do we see things going with regards to the formation of the starting XI? I know this maybe very speculative, as is much of the pre-season talk—but what would you like to see?

A 4-2-3-1 formation appears to be standout from my point of view. Strengthen the back four this summer and add an attacking pacey player like Scott Sinclair and Bob’s your uncle.

With Makoun and El Ahmadi sitting just in front of the two central defenders, marshalling the back line and breaking up the play, it allows the attacking players like Gabby, N’Zog, Ireland, Albrighton and Holman to do what they do best: carry the ball, run at defenders and launch speedy counter-attacks.

And that leaves us with Darren Bent alone up top. Undoubtedly he prefers playing as the lone striker with the attacking midfielders giving him adequate support. Plus that means Lambert doesn’t have to shell out a lot of money on a decent forward.

Up The Villa.

Leave a Reply