da bet vitoria： It seems strange to think that only 34 years ago Aston Villa were crowned champions of Europe. The Villans were one of the 22 founding members of the Premier League and one of just seven teams to last until now in England’s top flight. This season has seen the hopes and dreams of the Villa fans shattered though.
da fazobetai： After just three league wins all season – one of which came on the opening day – Villa have known for some time now that they will be playing Championship football next season. The Villans’ fans have vented their anger towards the side on many occasions throughout the season, and rightly so. For a side with seven league titles to their name, it is crazy to think that they will be in the second division.
‘Proud history, what future?’ are the words that have been seen around Villa Park throughout the year. Aston Villa must be fearing the worst after the second most appalling season in Premier League history – only Derby County in 2007/08, who claimed just 11 points, have put up a worse showing.
Illustrious clubs such as Leeds United, Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest have all suffered from relegation in the past few years, and they’ve all discovered being a big club doesn’t help much when you are in the second division! Sides such as Newcastle United and QPR have managed to bounce straight back up after only a year’s absence from the Premier League, but Villa may find it more difficult… and here’s why.
Aston Villa have done some crazy things over the past few years. Firstly, the Villa wage bill is the 12th highest in the league – the side sit 25 points away from 12th place in the league.
Chairman Randy Lerner is wanted out of the club by the fans after Villa’s rapid decline. Aston Villa finished 6th for three consecutive seasons less than a decade ago and flirted with the Champions League positions during those years. During Lerner’s reign, Villa have sold stars such as Ashley Young, Christian Benteke and James Milner, all of which have infuriated the supporters. Lerner has sacked six managers and seen Villa change from top four hopefuls to one of the worst sides in the history of the top flight.
The fans have not just turned against the owners, the supporters have been furious with captain Micah Richards as well as centre back Joleon Lescott this season.
There are a few steps that Villa could take that would aid their bid for promotion at the first time of asking. They must get a manager who has previous success in the championship. Names like Mick McCarthy and Steve Bruce have been mentioned, but due to the turmoil upstairs at Villa I don’t see any reason either would leave Ipswich or Hull respectively for Villa Park.
Villa need many changes in the squad next season. The side lacks passion and commitment as well as a stern manager with tactics that can out-wit the tough competitors in the Championship.
I personally can’t see next season being a very successful one at Aston Villa. Few players will want to join the team wrapped in such uncertainty. The club has not just suffered in terms of relegation, as managers now know how difficult the task in the Villa Park hot-seat really is and the man in charge next season will have to be prepared for many twists and turns.
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