Ten years ago, Aston Villa beat Liverpool and Arsenal in their final two games of the 2010/11 season, securing a well-deserved top-half finish in the process.
Steven Gerrard was still one of the Premier League’s star players back then. Philippe Coutinho was just starting to make a name for himself, a baby-faced Brazilian blinking into the San Siro sunlight at Inter Milan. Jacob Ramsey was ten years old.
But, for the first time since the days of Emile Heskey, Robert Pires and Richard Dunne, a place in the Premier League’s top ten doesn’t just beckon.
It feels, at this stage, less like an aim and more like an ambition.
Gerrard’s side are 11th as things stand. But following the January arrivals of Coutinho and France international left-back Lucas Digne, Aston Villa look a better side now, on February 2nd, than they did on January 1st, Gerrard adding a dash of elite-level quality to an already impressive roster.
With the exception of the so-called ‘Blue Noses’ from down the road, few would begrudge Aston Villa a seat at the Premier League’s top table.
They’ve been through the mill in recent years after all. Relegation, play-off heartbreak, threats of administration, the rather dystopian sight of airborne garden veg spiralling towards their manager’s head.
Villa supporters with long memories will be able to emphasise with the position Ligue 1 giants Bordeaux find themselves in. A huge, historic club, bound for relegation and beset with more problems than a Jay-Z on a bad day. The dramatic 4-3 victory over Strasbourg last time out kept the wolf from the door but not for long.
Bordeaux are 17th, one point off the relegation zone, and their house could come tumbling down with a huff, a puff and countless recriminations.
Will Marcelo end up wishing he’d joined Aston Villa instead?
Bordeaux entered administration in 2021, have debts in the region of £130 million and, a fortnight ago, suffered a 6-0 drubbing by Rennes. Who would blame those in ‘Wine Country’ for popping a few corks right now? Drowning your sorrows may feel very tempting indeed.
Bordeaux supporters probably couldn’t believe it, then, when a proven Ligue 1 centre-back in the shape of Marcelo was willing to throw himself into the midst of a bloody relegation battle.
Especially with Aston Villa also making their interest in the 34-year-old Brazilian.
According to The Athletic, Villa expressed their desire to sign Marcelo, turning to Arsenal’s Calum Chambers after he opted to remain in France.
“Marcelo is a player known to all, not only for his footballing qualities but also for his character and leadership,” explains sporting director Admar Lopes.
“In the conversations we had, I saw someone very motivated and eager to wear the shirt of Girondins de Bordeaux. He knows Ligue 1 well and will bring rigour, experience and leadership on and off the pitch.
“We are delighted that Marcelo has joined us.”
While Bordeaux circle the plughole, Aston Villa a perfectly-placed to seal a spot in the top half of the Premier League for the first time in ten years.
Four months from now, it will be interesting to see whether Marcelo comes to regret his decision.
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