Following the 1-1 draw against Brighton, yesterday meant that Villa only lost once from a possible four games against the division’s top 2 this season but a 13th place finish in the Championship simply isn’t good enough and next season we must do better.
I don’t want to sit here writing this telling you how to suck eggs because I am sure the vast majority of Villa supporters will be disappointed in where we finished this season.
Villa has spent £71.91million this season according to TransferMarkt.co.uk and although when you dig down deep into the figures isn’t as bad as it first looks. For the record Villa’s transfer income reads as £39.02million so their net spend is actually £32.90million.
Aston Villa chairman Dr Tony Xia rated Villa’s season as 59/100 – stating that 60/100 would have been a pass mark. He went on to say that only the results matter which is something I fully agree with despite some fans insisting that performance also matters.
59 of ?. That’s I rated our season. Only results matters. We need RESULT next season. #UTV
— Dr. Tony Xia (@Dr_TonyXia) May 7, 2017
I am sorry but you can give me successful football over attractive football first and foremost. The main problem this season has been that we have failed to find neither on a consistent basis this season.
We all knew that the squad needed rebuilding this season as it just didn’t work last season and I honestly believe we are a few ‘team’ players away from having a team to push us on and have a better season next year.
The reality is the top two this season passed the 90 point mark with Villa finishing on just 62 points so we need to somehow find another 30 points from somewhere. Away from home is certainly a place we need to work on and this isn’t something new because Villa supporters have known this for years.
I don’t want to kiss the owners back side but another thing he stated was about building a better ‘team’ and not a bunch of individuals. Again, this is something I agree with.
I had a similar conversation with a fellow Villa supporter today who said something that I
have been saying all season. Jonathan Kodjia is a brilliant individual at this level but is he a brilliant team player?
Now don’t read that into me having a dig at Kodjia because I am not. He has been arguably our best player this season and without his goals, I dread to think where Villa would have been without them. I used him as an example.
Jack Grealish is another example and has become a marmite kind of player at Villa Park. Some love him while others think he is completely over-rated. Jack is another individual talent – much like that of Jordan Ayew – who joined Swansea in January.
I don’t believe a team can carry 2-3 individual stars, especially a side in our current situation and this is where Steve Bruce has to get a better balance. Bruce needs to build a better team and not a group of individuals. If he achieves this over the summer then I firmly believe that we could have a much better season next year.
Agree with that footie is a team game & all too often a team will beat an assortment of “star ” players but too many fans think it’s just down to tactics & ther ability of the manager to get the best out of a group of “star” players .
Yet there’s little a manager can do to prevent issues such as the Bacuna tantrum over who took the free kick against Brighton