The Posh are next up on the preseason fixture list, providing Aston Villa with a consistent follow-on from their successful MLS tour. As a Championship side, Peterborough ought to provide Villa with a slightly more familiar challenge, one that will be followed by Nottingham Forest in three days’ time.
But really, I know you’ve got your hankies out and are quietly coming to terms with James Collins’ seemingly imminent departure from B6. While Villa’s two primary CBs have divided opinion, it’s probably the case that out of Dunne or Collins, most would prefer Collins to stay if only one were leaving. That it’s Big Sam and not Not So S’Martin who’s taking Collins off our hands and and wage bill and back to East London is probably not a big surprise. But I’d have enjoyed Sunderland’s faithful having to digest the sort of irrational dealings O’Neill subjected Villans to. Maybe he’s learned from his mistakes.
Never mind. The fee is said to be “nominal,” which, any fee at all I’m quite happy to see. One in, one out, and Lambert continues to tick along with his bargain-basement overhaul of the squad.
What’s funny is that these “value-for-money” signings have, in the preseason anyway, seemed better than the backhanded compliment implied by the label. Obviously, we’ll see what they’re made of soon enough. But I think we’ve got a bit more steel, stomach, and intelligence. Which isn’t to say that Jean II Makoun has learned a few words of English yet. That sort of dropped off the radar, and, well…I would sincerely hope he fails or succeeds on the pitch, not in language classes.
Speaking of value, Aaron Creswell has been touted by at least one online pundit as too good for Ipswich to let go at any price. I can’t really comment on the player, but when I read that kind of talk about a 22-year-old player of the season, it makes me think the astronomical £3m-£4m likely required to secure his services from Paul Jewell might be money very well spent.
As with all transfer speculation, I’ve no idea whether this one really has any legs. But I can’t imagine that Villa won’t be better with Lichaj, Stevens, Lowton, and say a Creswell all fighting for a spot and providing some depth. And then maybe we can get Stephen Warnock off the books. Paging Mr. O’Neill. Mr O’Neill? You can sign him and then ignore him…Mr. O’Neill?
As some have said, please pass the negative pills. Well, here’s one that’s not new, but Vlaar may be a bit injury prone. I’m imagining this is not news to Lambert or Gary Karsa, but I’m hoping that we don’t change things round just to have him go down. I’m liking the idea of Vlaar and Clark starting, given Clark’s mobility, which I thought he showed to good effect in the States.
And when it comes to the States, I think all of us were encouraged by what we saw. The best part of it was that Villa managed to play the ball around against teams in midseason form who employed a fair amount of pressure and athleticism.
The more interesting thing is whether the rather narrow 4-4-2 we saw employed is really how Lambert intends to set things up, or whether it was more a function of getting his four strikers on the pitch for a look-see. As we saw, while the players were tight and switching around without missing too many beats, there was room on the flanks to exploit, but Villa were up to it in the end against MLS opposition, and Lichaj and Lowton acquitted themselves well. EPL? Well, that’s a different story, but a more mobile back four, and certainly better fullbacks, will be fundamental to making that work.
Up front, we’ve debated the merits of Andy Carroll, and all that talk seems to have cooled off. We’ve talked about who could pair up with Darren Bent, and I’m not sure that anyone is really a natural partner for a player like Bent. Small and explosive like Defoe? Big and good in the air like Carroll? A more withdrawn scoring threat that blurs the lines between 4-5-1 and 4-4-2?
Lambert is known for employing a variety of setups, so I wouldn’t really be surprised by a choice that seems like it wouldn’t work. Gabby, well, I’m just afraid it’s not going to happen, and I do think it would probably be best for him to make a move and make more money for himself and Villa. Weimann was fairly invisible, to be honest. Delfouneso scored, and should’ve had two more in the same game, but he still has to win me over. If anyone can cure his attitude problem you’d think it would be Lambert.
Predictably then, rumored sightings of 20-year-old Swede John Guidetti in Birmingham caused a mini-furor. A Manchester City player on loan to Feyenoord who played with El Ahmadi. Sidelined since late April by a mystery virus or nerve infection. The latter seems to be case, according to the Manchester Evening News. Lost feeling in his right leg, omitted from the Sweden side in the Euros as a result, said to be making progress daily. Visiting ex-Feyenoord mates, a mis-identified Nordic type spotted by someone’s nan, or gearing up for a Stewart Downing 2.0? Who knows. But he did score 20 in 23 for Feyenoord, including three hat-tricks in four matches.
Makes me wonder whether we were scouting Holland or just Feyenoord…At any rate, as highly thought of as he apparently is, if there’s one club that can afford to carry him through his recovery it would be City.
And so, we come to the end of my rambling thoughts. Darren Bent has signaled support for a return to Holte End mayhem, and given the overall enthusiasm surrounding the club at the moment, why not? A big, loud roaring stand, the setting of some of my most treasured memories as a boy, the Holte can be a powerful thing. Streamers, scarves, toilet paper, singing…Everything but the piss running round your feet. What’s not to like?
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