Aston Villa Mean Business in 2024/25 Season
It probably was best to air on the side of caution going into the 2024/25 Premier League season, when it came to Aston Villa. They looked light up top, if John Duran was really trying to fashion a move away, the Champions League was going to be a big demand, and then there was the question over the defensive side of the team, which seemed to have regressed last season.
The difficult trip to a West Ham team that had been positive in the summer transfer market, answered many questions though and within the first half-hour, the season was looking bright, regardless of what the result was going to be.
Amadou Onana certainly demonstrated why he’s a one-man embodiment of the club’s principle aim of their summer transfer strategy – to have an increased physicality in the midfield, to stop them being a soft touch. At times, last season, Villa gave up heavy defeats to Newcastle United, Liverpool and Crystal Palace and in the case of games against Brentford and Manchester United, allowed their opponents to take points, even when they were 2-0 up.
Onana, in one game, showed what’s he’s going to bring to the team both in defence and in the opposition’s penalty box on set pieces.
Meanwhile, the John Duran soap opera took another delicious turn. Of course he was going to score when he came on for Ollie Watkins on the hour mark. His celebration seemed to be both apology and signal that he intended to stay at the club. For the 20-year-old Columbian, it’s had to think of a better opportunity in world football that he could have. He’ll get good minutes in both the Premier League and Champions League, so he needs to settle down, focus, and make the most of what is to come this season.
Villa made five substitutes in their 2-1 win at West Ham, yet Ross Barkley didn’t even get on the pitch. That’s testament to the depth the Villa squad now has.
In the latest episode of the My Old Man Said podcast, we talk about all of these points and much more, plus, we catch-up with the latest Villa News, Three Points and Emery’s Clipboard.
You can listen below or follow the show on Apple, Spotify, or any other place you get your podcasts from.
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