Now the dust has settled on Sunday’s result, I’d say the majority of us are still feeling hopefully optimistic about the season. Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday were always going to be a tough test, especially for a side in transition. There’ll still be some arrivals while others depart for pastures new before the transfer window slams shut on the 31st of August.
Twitter is awash with us all speculating who’s going to be next to join Dr Tony’s revolution and he’s making sure to keep us all informed too.
Twitter: Very exciting news for fans: very close to a deal with the mid! Hopefully b4 Saturday! (@Dr_TonyXia)
While we sit with baited breath awaiting our next arrival, it’s important to remember we had plenty of new arrivals last summer and we all know how that worked out!
Towards the end of our ill-fated season, I soothed the pain by taking more interest in our young lions.
Big credit goes to @AVFCU23 for their coverage and allowing me to keep up to date on our future prospects!
At the time I was personally watching the pride these kids had in the badge thinking ‘what would happen if they were in our starting 11!?’
Towards the end of the campaign, we witnessed a few get their opportunity: Kevin Toner, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Andre Green (who just signlong-termlong term deal). As a football club, that’s what we all want right? Our own homegrown players breaking through, it makes successful team performances that bit sweeter.
As a football club, that’s what we all want right? Our own homegrown players breaking through, it makes successful team performances that bit sweeter.
So far this season Andre Green looks to be on the peripheries of our starting 11. In my opinion – throw the lad in! He makes our right side a whole different kettle of fish. He had a very brief cameo on Sunday and you could see Wednesday’s left side were forced deep instantly; his pace and drive towards the by line gives any back four something to think about.
Gary Gardener has returned to hopefully kick start his Villa career, he had a bit of a quiet game on Sunday, but I’m sure he’ll settle back in quickly. His experience at this level he’s played at will be called upon without doubt.
Nathan Baker has been much improved since his return to Villa. He got caught up the field for the Wednesday goal and is yet to convince me 100%; however I’m sure playing alongside Tommy Elphick will improve his decision making massively.
My main message here is that while we are in need of new faces, let’s not forget what’s inside our academy. Rushian Hepburn-Murphy is currently scoring for fun as he wraps up his pre-season.
Twitter: RT @joshua18avfc: Let’s get a retweet for this sick goal @Rushcmpt https://t.co/1hzXhpf6Zh (@joshua18avfc)
I would like to see Rushian given the opportunity soon and I doubt we need to wait too long as I’m sure he won’t have gone unnoticed by Roberto Di Matteo.
The youngster is full of confidence at the moment and looking at some of the defending in The Championship this weekend, opportunities will most certainly present themselves for a striker in form. So while we’re all speculating about who could join us before the transfer window closes it’s wise not to put all our eggs in one basket. Spend for now but invest for the future.
