We are currently in the depths of Silly Season. Every tabloid, broadsheet, blog, podcast, and any other news source is speculating on who will be arriving at Villa Park. At his first press conference, Alex McLeish indicated he will evaluate the current squad before he embarks on strengthening. Instead of adding to the constant noise that is the football close season, let’s take a long, hard look at where Villa stand right now.
The question of whether or not the player in question should stay or go is pretty straightforward; it’s just one man’s opinion. I’ll also estimate whether I think the player in question will be a Villan at the end of the transfer window. The over/under is a popular American proposition bet. The house sets the over/under (usually total wins in a season for a team or total points scored in an NFL game), and the gambler bets the over or the under. Here I’m setting the number based on the assumption that the player will at least start the season with the club.
Goalkeepers
Brad Guzan: Guzan has been stuck behind Premier League Ironman Brad Friedel since arriving at Villa Park. In pre-season and cup games he has shown himself to be an adept shot-stopper while struggling with crosses and commanding the box. He likely has the ability to be a starter in the Premier League, but isn’t seasoned enough to be handed the #1 shirt.
Should he stay or should he go: Go
Chance he’s a Villan on September 1: 5%
Over/Under League Games Played: 3
Andy Marshall: Has been the third-string keeper for the past couple of years and has yet to make an appearance. I don’t think he would ever want to actually play for the club. Right now he has it made: he is paid handsomely, has full use of the club’s world-class facilities, receives the first-class amenities he would not be getting if he was actually playing for a lower league club, and all he has to do is not embarrass himself in training. There’s no upside for him to actually play. Sure he might get an appearance bonus of some kind, but imagine if he did play and was found out? The gravy train would be over for good.
Should he stay or should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 100%
Over/Under League Games Played: 0.5
Defenders
Luke Young: He had his moments in the beginning and end of the season. Given his age and injury problems Villa should not count on him as the first-choice RB or LB. He rejected a move to Liverpool last year when he could not agree to personal terms. It’s unlikely there is another club who would match his current wage packet.
Should he stay or should he go: Go
Chance he’s a Villain on 9/1: 95%
Over/Under League Games Played: 17
Stephen Warnock: He was a complete an utter failure before trying to shoot his way out of town. Unfortunately, he was so awful Villa couldn’t give him away in January. McLeish has already spoken about reaching out to players who were in Houllier’s doghouse. Given the dearth of quality LBs, the 29-year-old could be a prime candidate.
Should he stay or should he go: Go
Chance he’s a Villain on 9/1: 80%
Over/Under League Games Played: 19
Richard Dunne: Two years ago he was a stalwart. Last year he was inconsistent to say the least. On the wrong side of 30, if Villa could move him and receive a fee of any consequence they should seriously consider moving him.
Should he stay or should he go: Go
Chance he’s a Villain on 9/1: 70%
Over/Under League Games Played: 23
Ciaran Clark: While Marc Albrighton was Young Player of the Year, the versatile Clark could very well have been the most important. If McLeish is serious about giving youth a chance in the first team, Clark should be one of the cornerstones in the center of defence along with James Collins or a new CB.
Should he stay or should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on 9/1: 100%
Over/Under League Games Played: 21
Habib Beye: Definitely not one of Martin O’Neil’s best signings. Even with McLeish extending the olive branch, he’s just not good enough. For better or worse he seems the type of guy who would rather collect his money than actually play.
Should he stay or should he go: Go
Chance he’s a Villain on 9/1: 97%
Over/Under League Games Played: 1.5
Carlos Cuellar: The fan favourite had a rocky season last year as he was stuck behind Dunne and Collins in CB, and a resurgent Luke Young at RB to start the year. He also battled injuries and is currently rehabbing. Rangers have made a bid and it appears Villa are holding out for a higher fee. Depending on McLeish’s plans, he might want to think twice about moving the versatile Spaniard.
Should he stay or should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on 9/1: 15%
Over/Under League Games Played: 10.5
James Collins: Like Dunne he had the majority of the starts at CB and was inconsistent last year, albeit slightly less so. Collins is also only 26. Ideally he would be paired with a more skilled CB like Ciaran Clark who can compensate for Collins’ shortcomings in distribution.
Should he stay or should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 90%
Over/Under League Games Played: 31
Eric Lichaj: He had some solid performances filling in at RB before Villa’s embarrassing 4-0 loss at Manchester City, where Lichaj was particularly poor. He did not start for Villa again and was loaned out to Leeds. At Leeds he filled in at LB and has also played well there for the United States. Depending on what the club does with Warnock, the 22-year-old American could see time there. If Warnock and Young impress in pre-season, another loan could be in the cards as well.
Should he stay or should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 45%
Over/Under League Games Played: 6
Nathan Baker: Made his debut with the first team last season. His opportunity was helped along by the fact Beye and Warnock were frozen out by Gerard Houllier. His opportunities next season will largely depend on whether or not the veterans are reintegrated, who’s fit after preseason, as well as his own performances. Realistically he seems a prime candidate for a loan to the Championship.
Should he stay or should he go: Go
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 20%
Over/Under League Games Played: 3
Midfielders
Stewart Downing: It will be incredibly sad to see Villa’s Player of the Year leave. Unlike Ashley Young and James Milner, he fits a very specific need for Liverpool and figures to be an automatic selection in the First XI. Desperate for width, the move makes perfect sense for Liverpool and the player. He does have two years left on his current deal. he club weren’t afraid to let Ashley Young’s and Gareth Barry’s contracts run down to their last year. James Milner was sold with two years left but for an exorbitant fee. The club won’t or shouldn’t let the player leave for less than £20m, an £8m profit over two years ago.
Should he stay or should he go: Go
Chance he’s a Villain on Septerber 1: 20%
Over/Under League Games Played: 34
Stephen Ireland: A complete disaster last season, his complete lack of anything resembling accountability is sickening. It’s always somebody else’s fault when he fails. I’ll admit I was a huge supporter of his when he arrived but I could not have been more wrong. His wages are so high, and he was so awful when he was actually able to take the pitch he will be difficult to move. He is everything that is wrong with the modern pampered and entitled athlete.
Should he stay or should he go: Go
Chance he’s a Villain on September1: 70%
Over/Under League Games Played: 3.5
Marc Albrighton: The club’s Young Player of the Year, he figures to slide in seamlessly on the flank vacated by Ashley Young.
Should he stay or should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 100%
Over/Under League Games Played: 30.5
Fabian Delph: Given the club’s current options at CM he could be a huge piece of the puzzle. Entering his third season with the club he should be fully accustomed to life in the Premier League. He has all the talent in the world, Villa will surely be hoping his body will hold up long enough for him to realize it.
Should he stay of should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 100%
Over/Under League Games Played: 18.5
Jean II Makoun: He made an immediate impact upon his January arrival. He was held back by suspension and injury as the season wound down. When he was on the pitch his class and creativity were evident. He did lose his place late in the year when Gary MacAllister deployed a more direct 4-4-2. His playing time will largely depend on the tactics McLeish uses.
Should he stay or should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 95%
Over/Under League Games Played: 22
Stiliyan Petrov: The Captain looked like a good bet to move on as he lost his place last season. Fortunately he was able to regain his spot and turned in his best performances of the season at the end of the year. He is another year older and legendary baseball executive Branch Rickey used to say it was better to move a player a year too early than a year too late. That could well be the case here. Figuring he does stay asking him to start 35+ matches in all competitions would be a lot to ask. If limiting his appearances means taking his armband, then so be it.
Should he stay of should he go: Go
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 90%
Over/Under League Games Played: 25
Barry Bannan: When given his chance due to injury the young Scot impressed with his passing and chemistry with Marc Albrighton. He failed to make an impact on loan at Leeds and didn’t make an appearance after returning. His defensive issues are well established, but for some reason it appears there is more to the story as to why he hasn’t made more of a breakthrough. If he can’t get regular playing time at Villa, Bannan could want to move to another club to keep his Scotland place.
Should he stay or should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 65%
Over/Under League Games Played: 11.5
Chris Herd: When I have seen him in his limited chances with the first team I’ve never come away overly impressed. He is versatile and does potentially have his uses as a squad player. Depending on the fitness of the rest of the team a loan to the Championship might be best for everybody.
Should he stay or should he go: Go
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 35%
Over/Under League Games Played: 4.5
Forwards
Darren Bent: If nothing else Gerard Houllier will be fondly remembered for signing Darren Bent. He is the goal scorer the club has lacked for a generation. With any luck he will be the first Villa player to score 20 league goals since Peter Withe.
Should he stay or should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 100%
Over/Under League Games Played: 34
Gabriel Agbonlahor: His year last year was a complete disaster. A fresh start could be exactly what he needs. When your job is to score goals and three months into the season you haven’t opened your account that can wear on any forward. As the funk continues the reality can set in that whatever goal target you had going into the season is out of reach. The whole season can feel like a lost cause as the statistical hole gets deeper and deeper. McLeish’s biggest challenge will be to figure out how to play Gabby and Bent at the same time and get the most out of both of them.
Should he stay or should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 100%
Over/Under League Games Played: 26
Emile Heskey: His renaissance last fall helped keep the club above water. That said, his Villa career as a whole has been disappointing. On the wrong side of 30, the club would be wise to cash in while they can. As it is, he is blocking younger strikers who figure to have more of a role in the club’s future. Still McLeish might keep him around if he feels the need to have a pure target man.
Should he stay or should he go: Go
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 40%
Over/Under League Games Played: 10
Nathan Delfonueso: Doesn’t it feel like he has been around forever? He is still only 21. He held his own when he was the club’s only fit striker. The time is now for him to be given more of a chance with the first team.
Should he stay or should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 100%
Over/Under League Games Played: 8
Andreas Weimann: He seemed poised for a breakthrough into the first team before he injured his knee. Weimann did well on loan at Watford. Like Delfonueso he is ready to make a contribution. If Heskey is sold, a four-man stikeforce of Bent, Gabby, Delfouneso, and Weimann would be young, energetic, pacy, and deep enough for Villa to rotate as needed in both domestic cups. If Heskey stays, Weimann could easily be the odd man out. I’d rather give youth a chance instead of relying on veteran mediocrity.
Should he stay or should he go: Stay
Chance he’s a Villain on September 1: 60%
Over/Under League Games Played: 6
Who do you think should stay or go? Which man is going to be way over or far under in league appearances?
The Author
