Emile Heskey and Carlos Cuellar are both set to depart the club, fans should be half happy.
It remains of of lifes mysteries that Emile Heskey is still a Premier League striker, especially when you consider some of the talent in the lower divisions.
Jordan Rhodes, Ricardo Vaz Te, Billy Sharp, all are players likely to be gracing the top division very soon, but most probably not with Aston Villa.
34-year-old Heskey’s time in the Premier League is about to come to an end. It is crazy to think that two years ago he was chosen by Fabio Capello to go the World Cup, but we all know how that turned out.
His record this season reads 17 league games played, and one goal scored. He also looks like he has lost his enjoyment of playing football.
His contract expires this summer, and he confirmed yesterday that he will not be carrying on at Villa, but is open to offers. Perhaps he could be Barcelona’s ‘Plan B’ ?
His departure will be good for both player and club, Villa can move on and reinvent their attack, while Heskey can drop down a level to the football league, and may even start knocking a few in on a regular basis.
If Villa had offered him a new contract, there would have been outcry, so this is the best solution all round.
Carlos Cuellar on the other hand, his departure will not be so welcomely received.
The Spanish defender has been one of Villa’s better players this season, and confirmed to fans on Twitter this week that he would be leaving, “Thank you very much for these fantastic years. [It] has been an honour to be part of one of the biggest clubs, I will miss you forever in my heart, [this] is one of the saddest days.”
It has not come as a complete shock, it has long been known he was reluctant to sign a new deal and sign in the summer, but all the same it is a big disappointment.
At the same time it is difficult to begrudge him the chance to leave, he has been at the club since 2008 and is likely to seek a return to Spain.
You wonder though, had McLeish got Villa performing, and showing promise for next season, if he could have been persuaded to stay.
As it is we’ll never know, but the Scottish manager will have a big job replacing one of the side’s most versatile and classy defenders.
Late news last night was that Aston Villa are looking at making a signing, but fans should not get too excited. The man linked with a move to the club?
Henry, and not Thierry, Karl. Sure Karl Henry’s tough tackling may be seen by some as a redeeming feature, often Villa’s young side has been accused of lacking the nous to get dirty in the relegation scrap, but fans don’t want to be in one next season.
Henry’s signing from relegated Wolves indicates money for really ambitious signings may be thin on the ground. It won’t sell many season tickets at Villa Park either. Fans will hope for more marquee names as the summer progresses…
Are you glad Heskey has left? Who will replace Cuellar? Karl Henry?
image: © Ben Sutherland
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