The end of the season is approaching and it maybe too soon to discuss, but which players need to step up in the last 7 games or will be at risk of being sold? It appears as though there will be a lot of transfer activity at Villa Park this summer with Paul Lambert set to be given a bigger transfer kitty, at least that’s what the papers have been talking about.
Benjamin Siegrist:
There’s been so much hype over the young goal keeper. I thought he’d definitely be Aston Villa’s future number 1 but things just haven’t been going his way. Especially since Jed Steer has arrived at Aston Villa. If there will be a massive clear out, I’m certain he’ll leave. He’s currently playing in the 5th league for Cambridge United.
Chris Herd:
He did well two seasons ago and usually offered back up over a variety of positions. But injuries and person reasons has seen Herd play very little this season. He’s certainly going to be sold and I fancy him to follow the foot steps of Heskey and move to Australia.
Joe Bennett:
A left-back will certainly be sold this summer, especially if Ryan Bertrand is signed permanently. Bertrand has played well, but I don’t think he’s played well enough to win a spot back in the Chelsea team. As a result either Luna or Bennett will be sold. On current form, Bennett will stay but I don’t think he’s played nearly enough (good) football to convince me he deserves a third season at Villa.
Alan Hutton:
He’s got to go, hasn’t played a game for Villa since his first season at Aston Villa 2011-12. Expensive on the wage bill and Lambert wants him to go. The biggest challenge will be finding someone that will actually be interested in Hutton.
Enda Stevens:
I don’t think that Stevens has done that bad for Villa. He had a few good games, well he’s only really made 7 appearances. Clearly not wanted by Lambert I don’t think he’s much worse that Luna and Bennett. Still, if a bid comes in, he’s out.
Yacouba Sylla:
It just hasn’t been his season, no other midfielder has played fewer minutes than Sylla this season. I thought he’d have a future after his good form at the end of last season. But now he’s been useless. Doesn’t off much going forward and he’s not much better in defence. You could argue that he’s been an interesting experiment but unfortunately for him I reckon that’ll be the end of his Villa career.
Darren Bent:
I feel so bad for him. He saved the club twice from relegation and unfortunately doesn’t fit into Lambert’s system. I still think he’s our second best striker we have and deserves a chance. Still, he hasn’t done much better at Fulham has he? As a result I reckon it’ll be difficult to sell a 29 year old striker on very high wages.
Jordan Bowery:
Not much hope or excitement for Bowery when he first arrived and hasn’t done much to change supporters opinions. Another failed Lambert experiment, failing to score a single goal.
Nathan Delfouenso:
The future Gabriel Agbonlahor! Unfortunately a youth product that has failed to produce the goods. He was given a small chance by Lambert last season but he didn’t quite take it. He’s a total failure of a striker, in his entire career he’s only scored 13 goals, from 130 appearances!
As you can see there are quite a few poor players in our squad that need to be sold. I’m sure that a player or two might be added to that list by the end of the season but as we learned from the last, selling is very difficult. If Villa successfully sell at least 80% of these players, that would be a success.
So clearly we’re not selling everyone… I think that’s well clear. So looking at it, this is a team I’d like to see.
Guzan
New RB – Okore – Vlaar – Bennett/new LB
Kea – Delph/Bacuna – New CM/DM
New winger – Benteke – New Winger
If of course we continue with the same tactics/same formation next season if Lambert stays. Of course, I’d saw a new RB, LB, 3 new midfielders, 2 new wingers… But I don’t think that’s happening. So I cut that down a bit.
As long as Lambert is among those on their way out, I will be happy!!
Claims he wants strong players who will make a difference. Does anyone really trust him to find these kind of players?