The shackles are off!

It appears that the shackles are finally off, following years of decline under previous ownership. It was a tough time, watching on as our beloved club slipped out of the Premier League’s tender grasp and into the jaws of the Championship. The three years outside English football’s top flight now seem completely insignificant.

I am sure I am not alone when I say there are some things I will miss about the Championship, including the frequency of games. Games on Saturday, Tuesday and then Saturday made for weeks of nerves and excitement. It will be rare that Villa will play 2 games a week this season, let alone 3.

The fans in the Championship appear to be very passionate about their clubs and talk of money seems to be the last things on most peoples lips. Even if Villa did have Financial Fair Play hanging over them if reports are to believed.

Spending Big

Nevertheless, our return to the big league has allowed Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens to spread their wings. It will allow them to open their pockets as we are released from the shackles of the ever-present FFP. FFP restrained our new owners in terms of spending money but we are now free from its claws and can spend big.

If you believe every rumour you read then Villa’s final outlay is going to be a big one. Off the top of my head, we have been linked with Jack Butland (£20M), Tyrone Mings (£15M), Kalvin Phillips (£14M) and Said Benrahma (£15M). I am sure Dean Smith will also have his eyes on lower fee players, as we saw with the Jota deal. Let’s not forget our record signing, Brazilian striker Wesley for £22 million.

Despite now having the ability to spend big, we must be careful and astute with our business. We all saw what happened to Fulham last season. Villa appears to want to get their business done early, so Smith has time to allow the new look squad time to gel before the season opener at Tottenham. We will need to be at our best as Spurs will be heavy favourites, especially with a Betfair Promo Code.

Realistic Goals

Villa has their fair share of friendlies before the season curtain raiser. That includes a trip to Germany to take on RB Leipzig and the US to come up against Minnesota United. Hopefully, these trips will allow the squad time to gel and get some minutes under their belt so they are ready for our return to the Premiership.

As hopeful as some may be, we must be realistic. The priority next season is survival first and foremost. I for one would snap your hand off for 17th position right now. If we are able to stay up, we can then look to strengthen further next summer.

Who knows, if we do this right, we could be back in European competitions in years to come.

It feels good to have our Villa back. We had a painful few years but we are now right where we belong and are only looking forward.

UTV.