Aston Villa faces challenges ahead in their new Premier League campaign as they aim to build on the success of the last season where they secured qualification for Champions League football. The league phase draw is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 29, just a day before the transfer window closes and two days before Villa’s third Premier League fixture against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The team will kick off their campaign against West Ham on Saturday, followed by a home game against Arsenal at Villa Park the following Saturday. Both opening matches will start at 5:30 pm and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Predictions for the Season ahead:
Leading up to the new season, the Claret & Blue podcast crew consisting of John Townley, Mat Kendrick, and Dan Rolinson have shared their predictions for Aston Villa’s performance in the upcoming season:
John believes that despite losing key players from the previous season, Villa has the potential to finish fourth again. He also mentions that English clubs’ performance in Europe could impact the qualification for the Champions League, with fifth place potentially being enough. Mat is torn between realism and optimism, acknowledging the challenges but also expressing a desire for a top-five finish. Dan, on the other hand, is confident in Villa’s ability to secure a top-four spot again, emphasizing the team’s potential under manager Unai Emery.
As for the champions and relegated teams in the Premier League, John predicts Manchester City to clinch the title once again, with newly-promoted teams Ipswich, Southampton, and Leicester City facing relegation. Mat echoes the sentiment, selecting Southampton, Nottingham Forest, and Brentford as his picks for the drop. Dan also predicts Manchester City to retain the title, while singling out Southampton and Leicester for relegation, with a surprise mention of Everton and Brighton as potential candidates for the drop.
Key Players and Signings to Watch:
The crew also discussed Villa’s key player and best signing for the upcoming season. John highlighted the importance of Ollie Watkins’ goals and Emi Martinez’s saves for the team’s success. Mat emphasized Watkins’ role in the team’s attack and the need for him to continue his scoring form. Dan echoed the sentiment, underlining Martinez’s significance in defense and his winning mentality as crucial for Villa’s performance.
In terms of signings, John pointed to Ian Maatsen’s potential impact on the left flank, drawing parallels to Alex Moreno’s transformative effect on the team. Mat expressed optimism for Maatsen’s arrival and the potential contributions of the new signings under Emery. Dan refrained from naming a definitive best signing, suggesting that Villa’s most impactful addition might be yet to come, particularly in a no.10 role to support Watkins in the attack.
Challenges for Unai Emery:
The crew also discussed the biggest challenge that manager Unai Emery must overcome in the upcoming season. John highlighted the task of replicating last season’s success without Douglas Luiz, emphasizing the importance of finding a suitable replacement in midfield. Mat pointed to the pressure of expectations following Villa’s recent achievements, noting the need for Emery to handle the increased scrutiny and maintain the team’s performance. Dan echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the challenge of managing expectations and delivering consistent results in the face of heightened pressure.
In conclusion, Aston Villa faces a season of challenges and opportunities as they aim to build on their recent successes and compete at the highest level in the Premier League. With a talented squad, experienced manager, and ambitious goals, Villa will look to navigate the obstacles ahead and achieve their desired outcomes in the upcoming campaign.