Robbie Savage angered Aston Villa fans by predicting their relegation. Two games in, Villa have done little to suggest he is wrong
So far Paul Lambert’s arrival and impact has been a false dawn for Aston Villa fans, with two consecutive defeats.
Just one goal scored in two games and four conceded, the problems of last season are yet to be fully solved- Much work needs to be done behind the scenes and on the pitch.
And there is not much time to do it. The season is well underway and there are just four days left before the transfer window closes.
Aston Villa need a striker or two ideally to offer Darren Bent real competition and support, a creative midfielder, and reinforcements in defence. Clearly not all of those are going to materialise over the coming days.
So what are Villa’s prospects for the season ahead? Is Robbie Savage going to be proved correct in predicting them to be relegated?
The bookies are reacting to their opening defeats already, cutting their prices on Villa being relegated from 6/1 to just 5/2.
Most Villa fans put Savage’s prediction down to his biased background as a Birmingham City player, but so far Paul Lambert’s side are doing a good job of making him look like a blonde Mystic Meg.
The good news for Villa, is that their two defeats must be viewed in context. Two games have gone, and 36 remain, and they have it all to play for. Last season Tottenham lost both their opening matches and finished fourth, while Arsenal gained just one point and finished third.
While both of those sides had far more quality in their ranks than Villa have to offer, their comebacks underlined that little can be drawn into the opening two matches of the season.
What is clear is that the damage done by Alex McLeish is not going to be easy to repair. Young players like Ciaran Clark and Nathan Baker played during Villa’s terrible spell last season, and while having their moments, have work to do if they are gain a necessary winning mentality.
Star youngster Gary Gardner is out injured for several months, a tough blow for the player who was tipped by many to have a real breakthrough season. His injury if nothing else should tempt Paul Lambert back into the transfer market.
Villa have since the defeat been linked with strikers Christian Benteke and Bafetibis Gomis. Either of them would add a much-needed goal threat to the side and ease the burden on Bent.
The club’s two defeats could prove to be a case of good timing, as they have highlighted the work that needs to be done, rather than papered over the cracks.
It is up to Paul Lambert, with the financial backing of Randy Lerner, to get busy trying to solve those problems while the transfer window is still open. While Villa should have enough to avoid relegation, nobody is ever safe, but acting decisively in the transfer market over the coming days will give them as best a chance possible of pulling away and starting to look fowards a top 10 finish, rather than looking back over their shoulders for the entire season.
What do you think of Villa’s start? Are they in danger?
image: © ell brown
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