Aston Villa’s plight this season has been sad to see, although some of the performances alone have bordered on comical. Their nine straight league defeats just about sums up how they have played for the majority of this campaign and it is remarkable that they have managed to muster up the 16 points that they have so far.
Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde both failed to make anything of a squad that is largely disinterested in football, it seems. The losses of Fabian Delph, Christian Benteke and Ron Vlaar last summer hit the club where it hurt and the questionable reinvestment of the revenue has left the Villans with a squad that may well struggle to hold their own in the Championship.
The side had clung on by the skin of Benteke’s teeth for the past few seasons, but they could not replace the quality of the three aforementioned players last summer and it has left the club in sheer turmoil.
However, the squad isn’t as bad as some might like to make out. We reckon that these FIVE deserve another crack at the big time…
Idrissa Gueye
If Aston Villa weren’t plummeting towards the Championship, Gueye might be getting the sort of praise that N’Golo Kante has received.
Gueye is touch-and-go with Kante when it comes to interceptions and tackles per game and there will certainly be several clubs across Europe’s top five divisions who will be targeting the midfielder.
Jordan Ayew
Ayew’s six goals in 26 appearances this season doesn’t exactly sound dramatic enough to be worth another Premier League chance.
However, the 2.4 dribbles completed per game this season is a fairer indication of the quality that he has demonstrated and he may well have a future at the highest level.
Although successive managers left him isolated, Ayew seemed to always perform a role for the team and looked a class above many of his team-mates. When Rudy Gestede was played alongside him it always looked as though Ayew was going to be a threat.
Carles Gil
Unsurprisingly, Tim Sherwood didn’t appreciate the class of Carles Gil.
The Spaniard, however, is the most naturally creative player in the Villa squad and should’ve been utilised far more since his arrival in the Midlands.
His statistics are nothing special, but several Premier League managers will probably consider a gamble on a player who clearly has the class to play at the top level.
Jordan Amavi
The 22 year-old left-back is likely to be a target for many clubs around Europe despite his knee injury meaning he hasn’t played since November.
Averaging over 3.5 interceptions per game and 3.6 tackles per match before his set-back, Amavi demonstrated that he could cope with the modern attacking demands of the full-back position, as well as being assured defensively.
With age on his side it would be surprising if the Frenchman didn’t return to the Premier League in the future.
Jores Okore
Okore, like Amavi, has struggled with injuries since arriving at Villa, and it was seen as somewhat of a coup when he arrived at the club after impressing against Chelsea in the Champions League.
Only Amavi and Gueye have completed more tackles per game – for Villa – than Okore whilst only Ciaran Clark has bettered his 6.9 clearances per match.
The Dane is still only 23 and certainly has his best years ahead of him at centre-half. Any club that will be looking for a younger partner to an experienced defender will surely consider a move for Okore.
