Carles Gil only joined Villa in January, but the ups and downs of his eight months so far at Villa Park could make a best-selling novel already. The Spanish wizard announced himself to the Villa faithful with a sublime goal in the FA Cup Fourth Round encounter with Bournemouth. The goal oozed class and was one that fans hoped would kick-start a poor campaign under Paul Lambert. In reality that would not be the case.
The Villa faithful were blown away with the ability Gil possessed as he waltzed around defenders and opened up countless gaps during his first few games for the club. Paul Lambert’s negative approach meant unleashing Gil was easier said than done though.
When Lambert was sacked in February, fans expected to see a lot more of the Spanish maestro, but it was not to be. Despite Tim Sherwood preferring a more open attacking style of play – Gil was not picked again after Sherwood’s first game as manager – much to the disgust of many fans who believed the Spanish winger had been treated harshly.
The press reports soon followed suggesting Tim Sherwood had already told Gil his time at Villa was over before it had even kick-started. Reports in May said that a move to Celta Vigo or Real Sociedad was on the cards. The Villa fan base were shocked that Gil was already on his way out of the club – if you believed the reports.
But fast-forward to August 2015 and contrary to suggestions back in May – Gil is still a Villa player and very much in contention to start under Sherwood.
Gil Back From The Brink
In pre-season, Gil shone with inventive and innovative performances. On the ball, the Spaniard showed himself to be a real handful with the ability to turn a defender inside out in an instance. The tricky winger was unfortunate to suffer an injury against Swindon that meant he missed the start of the Premier League season.
Tim Sherwood has openly suggested that Gil will be a key player in his new-look side this season. This is a great decision by Sherwood as the silky winger certainly looks like a real handful from what fans have actually seen of him.
The creativity the ex-Valencia man brings is something the current Villa side needs. It has been clear after only the first two games this season without Gil – the side lacks creativity. The Villa fans only saw a small snippet of what the Spaniard could do last season. Now it is time for the winger to take to the main stage at Villa park and take the Premier League by storm.
His exile towards the tail end of last season remains a mystery. Tim Sherwood suggested that Gil wasn’t physically ready for a Premier League relegation dogfight. One thing for sure is that Gil is now a vital cog in any plans for Villa going forward.
