Submitted By: Terry Jones
Editted by: Adam2231
Well 4 days to go before we kick a ball in anger and things are looking good. But a certain ex-Villa player i;e Stan Collymore is only predicting a finish in 14th place. Now for me I am expecting us to finish above half way or even in top ten as long as Lambert can sell off the load of dead wood and bring in his other targets. The press seem to think there are quite a few Paul Lambert is looking at. So what are your predictions for this season?
I believe we can take at least a point against Arsenal, a win against Liverpool & Chelsea could go either way in my opinion. Collymore also predicts that the likes of West Brom, Newcastle & Everton to finish above us; does he really know what he is talking? I just can’t see an Everton side managed by Martinez finishing in the top 10!
So come on lets have your views. I’ve said mine, and I am really optimistic for our great club this season. Benteke has carried us in the last few pre-season games and we could end up with a player who can be a forty-goal-a-season striker. All we need is the defence to play their part & Collymore,s predictions are out of the window.Predictions Please.
I have seen so called experts placing us anywhere from 8th to 16th. About 11th sounds right to me. This would be my predicted final league table.
1. Man City
2. Chelsea
3. Man Utd
4. Spurs
5. Arsenal
6. Swansea
7. Liverpool
8. Everton
9. West Brom
10. West Ham
11. VILLA
12. Southampton
13. Norwich
14. Newcastle
15. Cardiff
16. Fulham
17. Stoke
18. Sunderland
19. Palace
20. Hull
About right I’d say but can’t c Swansea finishing ahead of Liverpool. Plus if palace get bent I think they will stay up.
I’d be happy to finish in either the top half or the top ten too lol !
I’m cautiously optimistic for this season, although I think that Lambert probably sees it more as another step to giving more experience to the team, and being in a stronger position yet again next year.
Certainly think that he’s keeping some powder dry, and that getting rid of some of the bomb squad would lead to a couple more signings, but that he won’t spend for the sake of it, and is happy in himself that most bases are covered.
We look good up front, keeping Benteke was immense when most took it as read that he would go. Great work from Lambert behind the scenes in whatever he did. Helenius has looked a prospect in what I’ve seen, and Bowery and Burke are decent back up.
Think we have a more competitive midfield, Westwood, Delph, Sylla, Bacuna, Tonev and El Ahmadi will be battling out the places, as I think we’ll be adopting 4-5-1 going 4-3-3 on the break with Gabby and Weimann wide.
Add to that the likes of Gardner, Albrighton, and N’Zogbia when fit again, and there is competition for places. Johnson and Herd are back up, can’t see Ireland or Bannan getting a game.
Goalkeeper is as safe as it has been for many years, maybe back to Spinksy. Guzan is showing himself to be very reliable and a great shot stopper. Who would have dreamt of saying that after the Blackburn League Cup semi-final home leg lol !
Defence. Hmm. This is the key area for me.
The forward line will get goals, of that I’m confident. The midfield a season on look far more competitive and will match most.
I have liked the look of what I have seen in and Luna, and Lowton looks ready to break through to International level. Watch out Glen Johnson.
Centre half is a key area. I can see him starting with Vlaar and Okore at the Emirates, and they are probably his two first choices. Baker cannot be out of his thoughts, I rate this lad, brave, strong, and reads the game well.
Clark is still a worry, there’s a decent player in there somewhere, but he seems to be finding harder and harder to come out. Haven’t seen enough of Donacien to comment.
Doubt Bennett will get a run unless Luna is injured, and even then Baker may take the LB role. I imagine that Bennett will get game time on the left wing if anywhere this season.
Overall, I’m pretty hopeful. It’s been a real shake up in the league this season managerially, and I am very happy that we still have Lambert, in year two of his evolution of the club.
Everton with Martinez may not click, Newcastle seem in real disarray, as do Sunderland, and the likes of West Brom have lost key loan players from last season.
Swansea are one of the few teams that I would expect more from, but I think that it will be the last season for Laudrup there. They probably know that too.
Saints and West Ham have spent, but I am not envious of any of their signings, the rest are pretty much as you’d expect.
A really good season could see us eighth or higher, I would be very disappointed with anything less than fourteenth.
The biggest difference for me this season is that I am looking at every game as a possible win, yes, even your Arsenal, Man U and Chelsea away games.
This team have big performances in them, we will get a couple or more great results, and let’s enjoy them.
I don’t see a frightened team of rookies staring at relegation and being filled with self-doubt.
They’ve been through that, and emerged, stronger, better, and older.
Bring on the season, can’t wait for the 10:50am from New St Saturday morning.
COME ON YOU LIONS !!!
Good post there Vaze.
Sorry, should have added especially the bit about the team having gone through the relegation dog fight, plus dragging themselves back into it after the awful December results.
Seconded, well said Vaze mate, good insight.
yes enjoyed this post vaze
lmao but to much sense for around ere
This IS how the PL will look next May
1. Chelski
2. Citeh
3. The Arse
4. Manure
5. Spuds
6. Swansea
7. Liverpool
8. West Brom
9. Aston Villa
10. Southampton
11. Cardiff
12. Newcastle
13. West Ham
14. Norwich
15. Stoke
16. Fulham
17. Sunderland
18. Everton
19. Palace
20. Hull
Everton are too big for Matinez, they’re gonna go into free-fall. This prediction is based on the scenario that they don’t sack him by 15 games in.
Even with how bad Martinez as a Manager is, Everton’s players are too good for the drop.
Everton 18th and us 9th!! Shouldn’t that be the opposite way round
have some bloody faith oohah, every team below us in my prediction is shit. We can easily finish 9th
Every team below us finished above us last season or most of them did Ffs
Poor, 2nd rate unknown signings = another season of struggle I’m afraid. We just have not learnt anything from the last 3 seasons. Another relegation battle lies ahead!
Poor 2nd rate comments = another season of negativity not helping anyone but your own ego’s. haven’t you learnt anything from the past 3 seasons??
Poor 3rd rate comments = diluded = licking Randy’s arse and filling his wallet = he must love misguided fans like you = your negative for accepting 14th or 15th place at best. Randy is laughing at you all. Its just that I wont allow him to take the piss out of me.. Itsvery sad that you DO!
I’m not accepting 14th/15th place as I do not think we will finish there. We’ll finish easily higher with progression coming. That’s called a sensible view. Plus, due to being absolutely skint, I don’t have a season ticket or shirt so I’m not giving Lerner any cash at all. Also, I’m not into rimming. So i’m not the sad. I feel you are for coming on here repeating the same old bullshit all the time. And there’s an e in deluded.
There is an ‘e’ in egg too… But thats not my fault lol 🙂 Loved your response mate. I’m only here tongue in cheek. I actually think we will finish top 10. Money wise, hope things get better for you!
You are taking the piss out of yourself by claiming you won’t allow him to take the piss out of you, your statement is ridiculous, as is your incessant whining.
6. Swansea .. really?
My guess would be villa finishing 12th this season and that will be a success even if some only believe champ league is a success but they are just negative idiots who don’t know what reality is, steady progress is whats needed and Lambert will deliver that, i still think we will make a marquee signing for about 8-10 mill, we probably have to move bent on for this to happen but im fairly sure he will be gone once a few teams struggle at the start of the season, the question is should it be a DM or an AM we need both but unless we get rid of the whole bomb squad we won’t get both, btw have to agree everton will not do well this season bottom half is my prediction and man utd 5th their reign of terror is over IMO, i tink moyes is a good manger for sure BUT not a top manager, honestly its goin to be a very interesting season but one the villa will be safely mid table all season(except maybe after 1st 3 games lol) UTV!
I can’t see moyes lasting long at utd tbh. He is not a big enough name for them. I thought they’d go for mourunho or someone like that. Amazing how saf didn’t recommend mclown for the job!!
lol oohah, that would have made my life, bloody hell imagine it
Lol that would be funny. Utds glory hunters would be jumping of cliffs if that happened.
haha, I think you’re right though mate, Manure fans will be out for blood soon ebough if they’re slipping by Christmas
So my mind has been changed after watching the preseason games and how they’ve panned out and how we’ve played. Before I was adamant in the belief that we needed a good flair player like Kyotake (I still do by the way) who can link the midfield and attack together and pop up with a few goals while assisting for fun. However, my opinion on the priority signing we need has changed slightly. It’s now very clear that our attack is and is going to be one of the finest in the PL this season and we are going to terrify some defences and literally tear some apart, it’s quite a sight the speed, power and ability we have with Gabby, Weimms, Benteke and Helenius, add Tonev and Bacuna in there who seem like there going to perform very nicely and it’s quite frightening. Other teams will envy our forward line. I think that KEA has the ability to link play in the AM role and Helenius says he is happy playing in the hole as well as Tonev and Bacuna. We have a lot of options going forward.
With all that in mind and some the on going creaks and cracks in defence (not as bad at last year but they are still there for sure) I think it will be wise for us to invest in a Viera type player. The prospect excites me because we have a manager who is capable of finding the next Viera. We will score goals this season, that’s a given but I’m concerned that we might leak a few like last.
So, all Lambert has to do is go and find a Van Bommel, Viera protege, easy.UTV
Agree md8 feeling positive with us going forward and think we will ge in the top 8 of goals scored. The problem as u rightly say is a poor defence. Lets hope we don’t gave to score 2-3 goals every game just to get a result.
Ya have to agree with that mark, we might not have an out n out AM but we hav plenty of players who can fill that role and we will score goals just like last season but if we can get a proper DM and concede a few less goals (or a lot less lol) we will be serious contenders for a top 10 finish.
Helenius made some lovely passes in pre-season and scores goals. Gabby and Wiemann are strikers playing on the wings, if Helenius can plug the gap successfully can you imagine us with four predatory strikers up front banging in goals?
We brought Benteke and Bennet on the last day of the window last season.. that’s around 9M spend..
So hopefully we have money in the kitty still.. a Diame type player would be perfect along with a young creative player..
Think PL will see how the likes of Sylla Delph K EA will perform in the first three games and will add if they aren’t upto it..
Would help if Bent Bannan Given Hutton and Ireland all fecked off..
i really fancy sunderland 2b relegated they just don’t score goals and rebuilding a new team like they av done is dangerous
as 4 villa i think its gonna b one exciting season ahead and i can’t wait ~ lump a tenner on us 2 beat arsenal
I think once again the Top 6 will pick themselves…although its hard to predict what order they will finish in this season. After that, I think its anyones for the taking. 7th place could be anyone from Everton (big season for them), Southampton, Swansea, West Brom or us. I think the teams that just came up will really struggle as will Sunderland and Newcastle. Stoke will be down there too.
1. Chelsea
2. Man United
3. City
4. Liverpool
5. Arsenal
6. Spuds
7. VILLA
8. Everton
9. Swansea
10. Saints
11. West Brom
12. West Ham
13. Norwich
14. Norwich
15. Cardiff
16. Newcastle
17. Sunderland
18. Stoke
19. Hull
20. Crystal Palace
bin dippers wont finish 4 if anything they will be weaker this season without suarez cus he wont play again for them
Agreed, it’s reported he’s denied he’s ever said he’s staying and not even most Liverpool fans would claim they could finish 4th.
**14.Fulham
villa turn down chance of Barry on 12 month loan
Heard that.. is that def concrete news or just talk sport speculation?
We’ll finish between 8th and 12th. Our squad is stronger now and the rest have that extra year experience. We seem to have a ruthless streak for goals to so we’ll be fine. We’ll be no-where near relegation. I think we’ll score more and concede less this season.
yeah talkshite&Manchester evening news
Does anyone think Scott parker would be a decent addition if for a reasonable price? Great dm when on form. I know he isn’t lamberts type so far but experience and his discipline could be a huge assett. We could easily snap him up from the clutches of qpr
Love to see Scott Parker he a players player and would be a brill captain. Just his injury record that worries me.
Hi Ya Lads as predictions go wonder where Savage & the rest of the muppet pundits will say where we will finish this season.I for one am expecting to see some improvement on last seasons finish can;t afford another season of struggle or the hospitals will be full of heart attack victims.
Perhaps I’m being naive, but I don’t think that either Barry nor Parker would add all that much to the squad, or the side.
If I genuinely thought we were going to be right up against it again, and the kids were facing a relegation battle, I’d want that experience in there.
However, both would want £60k+ per week (I believe that Barry has two years at £130k per week remaining) and I don’t think they’re worth it.
I’d rather see Delph, Westwood or Gardner getting game time to improve.
I’m going for a top 4 finish, a few surprises on the way.
Now you have to guess if I’m smoking stuff or drinking or maybe both lol
Is it just me but Hutton isn’t playing badly at all for Scotland. Why the guck is shrek on the pitch other than he’s a sky 4 player and sponsers want him picked.
Rooney goes of and lambert on then he scored. Sky 4 players just keep good talent out the squad
I have to agree with you mate, Hodgson said he would not pick players who were not fit Rooney has only played one per-season game then injured wtf is that all about then
Confedence lost with this manager as well, we will win nothing unless we change the attitude and mentality of these people
Agreed. England is just a showcase for sky 4. The players get picked time and time again despite not playing well. It’s a joke no wonder we win fuck all. Put Westwood in the utd team tomorrow and without kicking a ball he would be in England’s next match. It’s a joke
Chuffed to bits for Ricky Lambert……….
Me to glad to see a non sky 4 player get some credit for a change. I guarantee you that shrek will be picked over him next game even if he had a broken leg!!
Well after Gabby,s form towards the end of last season would it not have been fitting for Gabby to have been given a run out.Seems to me since Capello players whom would give their all are not going to get a chance and especialy if they play for Villa.
Hodgson is an old woman and a yes man. The reason clough didn’t get the job is because he would actually pick the team instead of the media and sponsers and would actually win win things. National side is a shambles to many players are picked because if who they play for. Rooney hasn’t had a decent game for us since he was about 20. Why we stick with these players is pathetic its not like we do well with them in the team anyway. Time to give players like lambert a run who will bust his balls for the team and show some fuckin passion
Mate Old Big Head would have certainly have not let anybody dictate to him on team selection and midlands clubs would have seen their players get a fair crack of the whip.He would have been the man to have won the world cup.
Agree terry I think we would of won wc with cloughie tbh
Looking at the England game tonight it’s depressing stuff..
We have so many problems you don’t know where to start.. No quality CBs.. No ball runner.. No intelligent Winger.. No fox in the box..
WTF is going on..
And 15 years on we are still trying Gerrard and Lampard FFS..
Fuck me thought u were talking about us until u mentioned gerrard. As iv said its the sponsers and media that pick the England team which is why lampard and Rooney always play. All sky four and London players will always get in regardless if form. Hodgson is just a puppet
Can I have a photo of the box please Lionheart before I volunteer?