Villa’s sizeable fanbase and Premier League status suggests not, so why are they set to be beaten to the signing of a target by a League One club?
The Mirror has reported that Aston Villa could lose out to Charlton in signing Greg Wylde from Rangers.
Wylde is a free agent after releasing himself from his contract after the Glasgow giants went into administration.
The left-winger is a Scotland under-21 international, and could be just the sort of creative player Aston Villa need.
Bolton and Everton are also believed to be monitoring him, but Charlton are said to have stolen a march in the race for his signature, reports the paper.
It would be a major coup for Charlton if they do sign him, showing they are preparing for life in the Championship next season.
The club are close to securing promotion from League One, nine points clear of second placed Sheffield United.
With Norwich securing back-to-back promotions from League One into the Premier League, and Southampton looking good to repeat the feat this year, Charlton will head into the Championship full om ambition.
If Chris Powell’s side can clinch the signature of a young prospect wanted by several Premier League clubs, he is laying down a marker in terms of the club’s ambition, which will help attract further players of a similar calibre.
Which is Aston Villa’s problem, the word ‘ambition’.
What exactly is their ambition under Alex McLeish?
To avoid relegation? To finish mid-table? To win a cup? Or to push into the top 10?
He Scotsman needs to come out this summer with a vision for the club’s future. It is not inconceivable that with a few good signings and good fortune, they could produce a similar season next year to Newcastle this season.
Their away from is not bad, they are difficult to beat, but they do not score enough goals and draw too many games.
If the Villa manager can sell his vision to players, he will get the fans onside, and convince outsiders that the club are going places.
If he does not, and the club continue to dawdle in mid-table in the Premier League, players such as Greg Wylde may decide it is more exciting to join an ambitous side like Charlton, chasing promotion, and play a part in taking a club forwards, rather than simply help it stand still.
image: © Ewan-M
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