At the press conference for Paul Lambert on Wednesday and during the AVTV video I saw the focus has shifted to next season. Here’s what I think would constitute a successful 2012-2013 season for Aston Villa.
Regaining the throne as “Kings of the Midlands” – For the better part of the last 100 years Villa have been something of an also-ran in the big picture of top flight football. Given the lack of league titles or cup wins, being the undisputed “Kings of the Midlands” has taken on added importance with supporters. It says “The Pride of Birmingham” on the inside of the shirt for a reason.
Doing the double over West Brom – Not only did Villa cede their throne to Smethwick Town last year, they also failed to beat them. Baggies fans have been mouthy on Twitter, and I’m sure they have been worse in person for those of you who live locally. With the Dingles joining Small Heath in the Championship, the clashes against West Brom will be the only derbies in the league next season. Form is temporary, class is permanent. The Villa need to set this right and do it now.
Wins and battling performances against the top sides – The only such performance I can recall was the win at Stamford Bridge at Christmas time. Assuming Newcastle come back to Earth a bit, the big teams next season will be the Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, and maybe Liverpool. That’s 10-12 matches against the big clubs. If the team could win 2-3 of them with 2-3 battling draws fans would be generally happy. Even in losses the team can’t go out and put on dire displays like they did at home to Liverpool and at White Hart Lane.
Play better football – That doesn’t mean playing like Barcelona or forcing players to play tiki-taka football who are incapable of it. The club can play direct or play a flat 4-4-2 with wingers but do it better. There were too many long balls to nowhere and crosses into the box with no claret shirts in sight last season.
Continued development of the kids – Youth is the way forward. Even with money to spend this summer, it’s not going to be enough to completely rebuild the squad – our young players have to step in and compliment the new players Lambert figures to bring in.
Rejuvenate Gabby – He is the heart and soul of this club. Most fans want him to finally fulfill his potential or at least play like he did under Martin O’Neil. If he can do that I think most of us would want him to stay as opposed to selling him to Sunderland for a relative pittance.
Deep cup runs – Both cup runs last season were bitterly disappointing. Losing at home to relegated Bolton and blowing a two goal lead at Arsenal. If the Villa draw United and lose or lose to one of the big clubs late in a tournament that’s one thing. Villa’s performance in the cups last season was not good enough.
Those were just a few things I’ll be looking for and I’m sure a lot of you would agree with. As the team begins to take shape later in the summer we will all have a better idea of where realistically the club could be expected to finish in the league. These benchmarks would be the minimum requirements for me and accomplishing most, if not all of them is eminently doable. Lambert’s Lions need to make up for the sins of the past to bring the passion back to Villa Park.
If they can do that, then I imagine we will see fans louder and prouder next season, and glad the a new era is, finally, dawning.
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