Breaking news: the Villans have gone several weeks without losing…
I cannot be the only one who is enjoying his weekends again. The past few football-free weekends have offered me much-needed respite from what was an unbearable season, I have even spent some time (and money) at the Microgaming Casino!
With the new manager, Roberto Di Matteo, now in place, there is plenty of work to be done this summer. Not least, the takeover needs to be resolved and recruitment needs to be dealt with correctly.
What I am currently enjoying most, at least in the short term, is the chance to sit back and relax at the weekend rather than have it ruined by a club that refuses to win.
I am of course being slightly frivolous, but there is an important point here somewhere. Many Villa fans are angry and bitter at the current state of affairs – and with reason. However, a toxic atmosphere in a stadium leads to toxic performances from players who never really get into second gear. We need to embrace this time off from the torture that has been following Aston Villa so that we can start next season refreshed. If we can create an atmosphere of excitement, understanding and energy then the players should, if recruited and managed properly, respond accordingly and reward us with points.
There is a big elephant in the room and that is Euro 2016. As someone who is lucky enough to be going, it may be wishful thinking to believe that English football fans can enjoy a stress- free summer – unless we win the thing – but it’ll be a different kind of stress, less relentless hopefully, so I think there is still some scope for internal rebuilding, which will go a long way to helping the Villa players next season.
The key is to accept that what has happened has happened. There is no way we can delete the past but we have a real chance of making Villa great again and it could start in August.
As fans, we may just be one part of the process of rebuilding Aston Villa Football Club but we are the most important. Wthout us, the club is nothing so have the summer off and come back hungry for success.
