In a season that has been drab, to say the least, I honestly couldn’t think of any one topic that warranted its own column, so I’ll quickly touch on several different topics.

  • The United States defeated Italy for the first time yesterday in Italy. It was also the first time Italy had ever lost in Genoa, the cradle of Italian football. Hoffenheim’s Fabian Johnson played very well at LB for the Yanks, with longtime RB Steve Cherundolo from Hanover occupying the other fullback spot. With FC Nuremberg RB Timothy Chandler, and Small Heath utility man Jonathan Spector also in the mix, Eric Lichaj faces stiff competition to break back into the US setup.
  • Brad Guzan was called up by the US for the first time in a while, but his impressive run for Villa was not enough for him to make the match day squad with Real Salt Lake GK Nick Rimando dressing in his stead. DC United keeper Bill Hamid has also been called into recent camps with the US and made several fine saves as the US U-23’s defeated Mexico 2-0. Guzan hasn’t been capped since 2010 and needs first team football to get back into the US setup. There is no chance he signs a new contract with Aston Villa and the club will lose him for nothing in the summer.
  • Michael Bradley was man of the match for the US as McLeish’s decision to pass on him looms worse and worse by the day. He is not long for Chievo given his current form and could easily end up back in the Premier League and/or playing in the Champions League. Villa could’ve had him permanently for less than they paid for Alan Hutton. Something to think about.
  • Every time I see the initials QIA in association with Aston Villa, I roll my eyes and fight the urge to bang my head against the wall. It is not going to happen. I understand fans wanting it to happen, but the way some fans long for QIA to be the clubs saviour reminds me of Newcastle fans waiting for the next messiah. Please stop the madness people. Besides, if Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias can run a club mounting a credible challenge toward the top of the tablem maybe there is hope for Randy Lerner and Paul Faulkner after all.
  • Alex McLeish has always understood that his appointment was controversial. What he doesn’t appear to realise or publically acknowledge is that the increasing hostility is due to the way he has managed since being appointed, not his appointment in and of itself.
  • When Darren Bent was carted off it was the first time all season I was legitimately concerned. Get ready for all the Heskey you can stomach, and then some. A 4-4-2 with him and Gabby Agbonlahor up top might not be the worst thing in the world, well if Emile Heskey wasn’t so past his prime, but the veteran striker can no longer do the things he used to do well. Andreas Weimann or Charles N’Zogbia would both be better options to pair with Gabby.
  • Speaking of Gabby, this has been a typical Gabby season. A hot start, a niggling injury, and then a goal drought. The club desperately needs him to find his goal scoring form, especially in light of Bent’s injury. Asking him to keep up his torrid pace from earlier in the year may be unrealistic, but asking for more consistency isn’t. He could still go to the Euros with a strong finish to the season.
  • Earlier in the year, Gabby was our best player hands down. If the season ended today, who would be Villa’s player of the year? I’d probably say Richard Dunne. Given that he is going to miss the rest of the season, I have no idea who would be able to claim the title come the end of the season. Stiliyan Petrov has probably been the team’s most consistent performer this year, so maybe it’s him?
  • With Lichaj and Chris Herd both fit, I’d love to see them in at the back. A 4-2-3-1 of; Given, Lichaj, Collins, Cuellar, Herd; Bannan, Petrov; N’Zogbiam Ireland, Albrighton; Agbonlahor would be my XI given the players available. However, we’ll probably see Warnock, Hutton, and Heskey in the team, and another bore draw.

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