As we published a match preview yesterday ahead of the Newcastle game, I thought I would put up an article I was asked to write for AskMen UK regarding Aston Villa’s dealings in the transfer window.
In order for Aston Villa Life readers to check out my views, I’ve pasted my section of the full window review below for our readers:
Transfer Window Review
As the transfer window closes until January next year, most fans will be worrying if their club has done enough to survive. Personally, I’m not a massive fan of transfer windows — given they just seem to increase prices — but I do want to cover Aston Villa’s spending.
Villa fans were left with just one signing on deadline day — Libor Kozák — but this wasn’t due to a lack of spending, rather that manager Paul Lambert got his work done early. With Jores Okore, Leandro Bacuna, Aleksandar Tonev, Niklas Helenius, Antonio Luna, Jed Steer, and deadline day signing Kozak, Villa have certainly augmented their numbers, though the question will be if the quality is sufficient.
For me, the role of Jores Okore & Antonio Luna will be key in the success of Villa’s season, largely because it is in defensive areas that Villa have had issues in the Lambert era — if they succeed, the club will achieve a mid-table target.
Kozák and Helenius are two purchases which have driven speculation than Belgian star striker Christian Benteke’s days at the club may be numbered — given their height similarities – but the reality isn’t as simple.
Yes, Villa will face a challenge to keep hold of Benteke should he have a good season, but Lambert’s choice of increasing squad depth – something of an alien concept under the recent management of Martin O’Neill — is critical if Villa are to succeed.
The reality is that Villa may struggle to keep Benteke beyond the end of this season, but Kozák and Helenius are ideally placed to take on his battering ram role.
Of course, if Benteke does stay beyond the end of the season, Villa fans should be delighted, though fans should be hopeful regardless after the squad has been improved with new players in this transfer window.
Check Out The Full Review Below
For those interested, you can read the full Premier League transfer window review featuring writers from all clubs via the following link – http://uk.askmen.com/sports/galleries/transfer-window-review-3.html
The Author
