How Villa’s new squad is already taking shape
Even though it is far too early to know what the starting XI will be when the players walk out at Hillsborough on the 7th August, Roberto Di Matteo has already made the Aston Villa squad look a lot stronger than the incapable mess it was only a mere 2 months ago.
While there will be much debate on whether a total overhaul of the squad is needed or a ‘clean slate’ can be given to the failures of last season, the squad already looking revitalized under RDM; with the addition of new faces, the returning of loanees and emergence of young talent, all making Villa’s Championship squad look much healthier than it’s Premiership predecessor. It is clear when compared to last season how different the Villa squad looks across the pitch as Di Matteo has begun to build the spine on which his new team is built upon.
Starting from the back there is the acquisition of Pierluigi Gollini. While the former Manchester United and Hellas Verona goalkeeper can be considered relatively inexperienced, only managing 29 first team appearances, any keeper of minimal quality would be able to surpass the performances that Guzan and Bunn were able to provide last season. That is not to say that Gollini will not be the vast improvement in goal that the team desperately needs, as the highly rated 21-year-old shot-stopper turned down a move to Juventus to come to Villa this summer according to a number of online sportsbook websites.
Last season Villa lacked any real guidance or leadership, whether that be from the management staff or on the pitch from captains; Richards, Lescott and Agbonlahor. However, Villa look like they have found a true leader with the signing of former Bournemouth captain, Tommy Elphick. Not only does Elphick add much needed footballing quality to Villa’s leaky defence but also brings a vast experience of the league, having led his former club to the Championship title in the 2013/14 season. While additionally, Jordan Amavi’s return from injury will also feel like a new signing for the club; finally addressing the lack of quality Villa have had at
Not only does Elphick add much needed footballing quality to Villa’s leaky defence but also brings a vast experience of the league, having led his former club to the Championship title in the 2013/14 season. While additionally, Jordan Amavi’s return from injury will also feel like a new signing for the club; finally addressing the lack of quality Villa have had at left-back for a number of years.
Moving into midfield; with Jordan Veretout and Carlos Sanchez, both of whom failed to have any real impact last season, looking likely to leave for France this summer, their replacements Aaron Tshibola and the returning Gary Gardner can be seen as a significant improvement. Not only providing the vital championship experience, both playing key roles last season for Reading and Forest respectively, the two energetic and committed midfielders will add a
Not only providing the vital championship experience, both playing key roles last season for Reading and Forest respectively, the two energetic and committed midfielders will add a much needed work rate to the midfield that has been desperately lacking over the last year. Alongside either Ashley Westwood or Idrissa Gueye, Tshibola’s power and strength and Gardner’s technical ability makes the centre of the pitch look already much more capable going into the new season.
Up front, Villa’s attacking options remain relatively similar to last year, as Jordan Ayew, Rudy Gestede, Libor Kozak and Gabby Agbonlahor still lead the line, however, Jack Grealish will be looking to play a much more important role in Villa’s next campaign than he did in the one previous. Only managing a total of 16 first appearances last season, Di Matteo looks to finally get the best out of Grealish , granting him a free reign in his preferred number 10 role. A position where he can fully utilize his dribbling ability and creative spark, something that Villa fans have only seen glimmers of in the last couple of years.
Although there is certainly going to be many more alterations to the Villa squad between now and start of the season, as Di Matteo looks to trim the squad significantly and bring in the services of a new striker; the changes that have already occurred should fill most Villa fans with much needed optimism about the upcoming Championship campaign.