How did the signing’s made by Aston Villa and Alex McLeish perform this season?
Here’s our verdict…
Charles N’Zogbia
Signed from Wigan for £9.5 million, N’Zogbia arrived with big boots to fill. He was expected to instantly replace Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, who had both departed the same summer. Sadly for Villa, he never once showed the form which caused the club to sign him. If he had been a hit, then Villa’s whole fortunes would have been transformed, and who knows, perhaps McLeish would not have been sacked. As it was, he was an immense disappointment. He clearly did not fit with, or like, McLeish’s safety first brand of football, and will hope to flourish under a new manager, especially if it is his former boss Roberto Martinez. Grade: E
Shay Given
Shay Given was brought into be a safe pair of hands after Brad Friedel left, and that is exactly what he proved to be. Early in the season especially he was particularly excellent, but suffered when Villa’s defence started to fail to be as effective. He missed a few games with injury in the middle, which allowed Brad Guzan opportunities, but generally did everything which was expected of him without being spectacular. Grade: B
Alan Hutton
Villa fans will want to check the receipt for the £4 million the club spent on Hutton, because he has been disappointing. The Scottish right-back failed to show anything like his best performances for Spurs, and ended up with a section of fans on his back. He received one red card too which did him no favours and needs a better second season, although he will expect a first team place. Grade: C
Jermaine Jenas
Injury meant Jermaine Jenas’ loan from Tottenham never got going. He would have been strong asset for Villa and would have had a point to prove, so both player and club were terribly unlucky. His misfortune means it is impossible to fairly grade him.
What is your verdict on Villa’s signings?
image: © ell brown
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