Wally with a Brolly

When Randy Lerner arrived at Villa, it seemed as though the club was going places. With the brilliant Martin O'Neill in charge, the Villains made their way up the table, playing exciting counter-attacking football and regularly falling just short of the Champions' League places. Not only were Villa competitive but they regularly fielded a very British side and even started to include players who had gone through the ranks. It was clear to many that Villa just needed a little push to potentially break into the top four and 'do an Everton'. Even more impressively O'Neill managed to do so despite succumbing to Heskey fever, a common sickness amongst many highly-rated managers.

A surprisingly common sight over the years.

And then it all crumbled. Disillusioned with demands by Lerner to reduce the wage bill (which at one point accounted for an unsustainable 70% of Villa's turnover!), O'Neill decided to leave of his own accord in early August. I'm a huge fan of the current Sunderland manager but this was a stab in the back of a chairman who had supported him throughout and was making legitimate demands.

Whilst some football clubs do not necessarily need a strong manager to be successful (see Chelsea under Avram Grant and Roberto Di Matteo), Aston Villa were the opposite. Stressed by the prospect of starting the season with only the able Kevin McDonald as caretaker manager, Lerner and co went into panic mode. They would not get out of it for two years.

It all started with the appointment of Gerard Houllier, a man with an interesting managerial pedigree, especially in England with Liverpool. Whilst with the Reds, he had helped mould players like Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Danny Murphy into established Premier League players and internationals, helping them move through the ranks (except in Murphy's case, bought from Crewe). The plan, a sensible one, was to apply the same solution to a Villa side supposedly brimming with young talent. As we said, a sensible plan. Except the Villa youngsters are genuinely average.

A quick list for you: Chris Herd, Eric Lichaj, Ciaran Clark, Marc Albrighton, Barry Bannan. These were meant to be the future generation of Villa players. Show me which one has shown Premier League quality. OK, maybe Albrighton, but he's no better than a number of Championship wingers such as Matt Phillips and Tom Ince for example. And they play for the same club. And they're the first ones who come to my head.

Lichaj and Herd: two examples of Villa's mediocrity

So the Houllier experiment failed, noticeably due to a lack of communication and certain players acting like divas. Whilst youngsters failing despite their best endeavours is acceptable (not their fault if they're not good enough), the sight of Richard Dunne, James Collins and Agbonlahor behaving like spoilt children was toxic. Even though Gerard Houllier perhaps isn't the most likeable manager and has his faults, when did James Collins, he of Cardiff and West Ham "fame" (cough cough) ever earn the right to openly and publicly question his manager? Disgraceful.

So Houllier failed, and it was with relief that he left after a diabolical season. Aston Villa fans rejoiced everywhere, hoping for a sensible appointment to bounce back from a disappointing year. The Martin O'Neill years seemed far behind. And then disaster struck.

In surely one of the strangest decisions ever made by a Premier League chairman, Lerner turned to Alex McLeish. Despite managers such as Mark Hughes being on the market after arrogantly leaving Fulham (look where he is now!) or Roberto Martinez basically being offered by Dave Whelan, the American owner turned to the fiery Scot.

Alex McLeish. Alex 'long ball' McLeish. Yes he beat France once through a prayer of a shot by McFadden and a mistake by Landreau. Yes he won 'titles' with Rangers. But that's akin to saying Shakhtar Donetsk or Dynamo Kiev will win the Ukrainian League. And yet I don't see their manager lined up for a job in the Premier League.



He also got Birmingham relegated when he got there, only to see them promoted and relegated again whilst playing horrendous football. And yes, he did win the Carling Cup. But did you watch that final? Do you remember Koscielny and Szszszszszszszczczesny committing a schoolboy error?

Where was the piece of skill from one of McLeish's players?

So not only were his achievements overblown, but the man had just managed Birmingham City, aka Villa's main rivals!

Lerner's decision was incomprehensible, incoherent and several other words starting with -in which would probably be worth using.

I don't think I need to mention how the season went for Villa, we all witnessed it. Horrendous football devoid of any creativity, a lack of ambition and a long flirt with relegation.

And then Lerner woke up and sacked McLeish. And speaking on behalf of football fans, and probably football itself, we thank you Randy for waking up from your coma.

Likeable and likes entertaining football. Obviously not named McLeish

So now Villa have gone for another Scot tasked with a considerable rebuilding job. Has Lerner succumbed to 'Flavour of the month' syndrome? Only time will tell.

But we're sure of one thing. Paul Lambert is not Alex McLeish. And for that he will be granted a longer honeymoon period.


THE TRANSFER REVIEW

BRETT HOLMAN

Now this is an intriguing one. The Australian had been plying his trade in Holland, turning out for the last 4 seasons for AZ Alkmaar. Not only does this mean that he helped them win the title in the 2008-2009 title, but also that he has been under the stewardship of Van Gaal, Koeman and Advocaat. When you compare these guys to the last few Aston Villa managers, then it is safe to say that Brett Holman has perhaps received a better footballing education in the last four years than Gabby Agbonlahor.
Consider as well that Villa have seriously struggled to provide any width since the combined departures of Downing and Young and this looks like a match made in heaven. Despite its failings, the Eredivisie is still quite a technical league. True, they have given us several Mateja Kezmans and Landzaats. They have also given us van Nistelrooy and Bryan Ruiz. Finally, the fact Holman came on a Bosman means this is a relatively risk-free move. Clever from Villa.

I am therefore expecting Holman to easily beat off the competition of Agbonlahor on the wing, helping Gabby retain his place up front, where he prefers to play. Brett will be given his chance, but will he be more Harry Kewell or more Danny Tiatto? I'm hoping and guessing, to a certain extent, that he will more closely resemble the former.

Also, on a totally unrelated matter, you have to be rooting for Holman. I mean, the guy just has gorgeous hair. We're talking early 90s Backstreet-boy style hair. Delightful.

Brett Holman second from right. Notice the moustachioed Alan Smith on the far left.

Best case scenario: A better Brett Emerton, a poor man's Harry Kewell
Worst case scenario: Australian Heskey when he played on the wing.


RON VLAAR

Haaaa Dutch centre-backs. They are akin to the Portuguese striker or the English left-midfielder of recent times. In teams stacked with talent they always seem to be the biggest liability. Name me a decent Dutch centre-back since Jaap Stam and De Boer. Johnny Heitinga? Joris Mathijsen? Please.

Ron Vlaar is no different, except he's actually deemed to be worse than the tow previously-mentioned players. Heck, he even has less caps for Holland than the mercurial Andre Ooijer or old Villa favourite Wilfried Bouma. I mean, these distinctly average players held 55 and 37 caps for Holland respectively. Vlaar has 9.

Do I need to make myself clearer? Maybe I am a tad harsh in the sense that the Premier League does not really bother with tactics, and so maybe Vlaar will settle in nicely. However, we're talking about a 27 year old Dutch centre-back only finally moving abroad after 6 years at a distinctly average Feyenoord side. Call me circumspect.

Ron Vlaar in a Holland shirt. Not necessarily a sign of quality.

Just to reiterate my point: Vlaar was part of that infamous team that lost 10-0 to PSV in 2010. Just saying: Vlaar doesn't inspire confidence.

Best case scenario: Wilfried Bouma
Worst case scenario: A younger, willing-to-play version of Chelsea's Winston Bogarde (also known in simple terms as a 'waste of space')


MATTHEW LOWTON

Now this transfer on the other hand, I like (read with Borat voice). And I'll even go as far as saying that clubs should do this more often. Let's just look at a few defenders to have come up from lower leagues in the last few years: Kyle Walker, Kyle Naughton (both graduates of Lowton's alma mater Sheffield United), Nathaniel Clyne (finally snapped up). Young English players with lower-league experience should be given a chance, and I'm glad Villa have gone with Lowton. You're telling me you'd rather buy the Lee Young-Pyos, Noe Pamarots and Pascal Chimbonda of this world? Players like Lowton will demand lesser wages and have more of an interest in proving themselves.

In Lowton's case, Villa just bought a young player (23 years-old) with already 78 league games for Sheffield United. Not only that but Lowton has come up with his fair share of goals (10 goals, a high number for a wing-back) and is versatile. What's not to like about this signing? At 3 mil, people could argue it was relatively expensive for a player unproven at this level. I personally disagree and look forward to seeing Matthew Lowton perform for Villa. He can't be any worse than Eric Lichaj or Chris Herd anyway. Now there's a source of consolation if ever there was one!

The man Lowton will seek to emulate. Don't push it as far as getting the same hair Matthew!

Best case scenario: A right-sided Alan Wright
Worst case scenario: Habib Beye


KARIM EL AHMADI

Who? My thoughts exactly. A 27 year-old defensive midfielder who plied his trade for FC Twente and Feyenoord (where he played with Ron Vlaar) but also for Al-Ahli on loan by the time he was 26 and as recently as 2011. With 3 transfers coming from the Eredivisie you have to hope Paul Lambert and his scouts know something we don't. In El Ahmadi's case that's exactly the prognosis. An unknown yet risk-free acquisition. A gamble.

El Ahmadi: gamble or stroke of genius?

Best case scenario: what Jean Makoun should have been
Worst case scneario: Jean Makoun


WALLY'S ADVICE
Here are our pearls of wisdom for a soon-to-be overworked Paul Lambert

Give your wingers a chance
Holman, Albrighton and the forgotten man N'Zogbia are Villa's available wingers. One is an unknown with a decent pedigree, the other is still a promising youngster and the last one on the list used to tear defences apart for Wigan. Give them a chance to shine and Villa will prosper. Lambert seemed to like a good old-fashioned 4-4-2 with genuine wingers last year, and this system could help Villa regain some sort of respectability by taking advantage of their decent wingers.

Remember him? You gotta let him fly! (see clip below)

Hold your senior players accountable
Alan Hutton, Richard Dunne, Stephen Warnock, Steven Ireland, N'Zogbia and Gabby Agbonlahor need to react after a disappointing season. Lambert has to ensure they show the way or they should be shown the door, especially Warnock and Ireland who were simply atrocious last season.

Challenge your youngsters
Whilst I have criticised the distinctly average youngsters Villa have produced recently, they did seem to show some glimpses at the end of last season. Even though Chris Herd, Eric Lichaj and Fabian Delph have flattered to deceive, they still have potential. It is time for Lambert to mould them into Premier League players or let them go. It's crunch time for these young men.
A special mention to Andy Weimann, who actually looked like a real prospect with his enthusiasm.
And it's an especially big season for Barry Bannan who needs to start producing.

Get your influential players fit asap
Darren Bent, Shay Given and Stylian Petrov need to be fit for Villa to perform adequately. Whilst Petrov's illness puts things into perspective, Villa needs at least 2 of the 3 to be able and ready to participate to a revival.


THE LINE-UP

In our view

                                                             Given

Lowton                                Dunne                         Clark                         Warnock

                                            Bannan                       Delph

N'Zogbia                                                                                                  Holman

                                           Agbonlahor                 Bent


How they probably will line up

                                                            Given

Hutton/Lowton                  Dunne                           Vlaar                          Warnock

                                          Herd                              Clark

                                                        Bannan

N'Zogbia                                                                                                    Holman/Albrighton

                                                    Bent/Agbonlahor


PREDICTIONS

A slight improvement with more attractive football but growing pains throughout the season. A quick flirt with relegation at one point but Villa will finish a comfortable 13th.