What a difference a few weeks can make to a league position and the atmosphere of a fanbase. The drop-off in Aston Villa’s form has been severe but despite the current malaise and desperate need for a win, here are the latest Five Reasons To Be Cheerful.
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Redemption
Aston Villa’s wins against Fulham and Bologna feel like a lifetime ago, but the good news is that one day Aston Villa Football Club will surely once again win another game of football. The following two league fixtures are home games against two sides with the poorest away records so far this season – both Brentford and Southampton have only managed to secure one point on their travels. Two wins and the table will look a lot different, so if there was a time for Unai Emery’s men to get it together, now is the time.v
Touching Distance
The points dropped against Ipswich, Bournemouth, and Crystal Palace could have seen Villa in fourth place, leaving fans content with the team’s position and waiting for them to step up a gear after playing within themselves. Improvement was needed regardless of league position, and despite sitting in twelfth, Villa are only four points off fourth. Several teams above Villa have already endured poor spells and were written off, yet in a topsy-turvy season, they have managed to turn things around. Spurs, Brentford, Manchester United, Brighton, and Fulham have all faced difficult results and will undoubtedly face more. The onus is on Villa to turn the corner promptly and climb back up the table. That said, it needs to happen sooner rather than later.
The Boubacar Factor
The red card and subsequent injury to Boubacar Kamara a year ago have been highlighted by many fans as the beginning of the decline in Villa’s performances on the pitch. Most recognise Villa as a better team when he starts. While the problems run deeper and are more multifaceted, Kamara’s promising performance against Juventus provided hope that he can have a positive impact in turning things around. The return of a fully fit Kamara will finally put to rest the theories about whether he is or is not the lynchpin of Emery’s system.
Champions League
Similarly, Villa sit three points from second place in the Champions League. Despite a poor defeat in Bruges and a frustrating draw against a Juventus team down to its bare bones, qualification as one of the top eight is still a distinct possibility. Villa would realistically need to win two of the three remaining ties, but regardless, qualification for the knockout phase is as good as secured.
January Sales
If the club remains in a mid-table position come January, then the opportunity to freshen the squad and make adjustments may come in handy. Villa has several prospects out on loan that could be recalled, if the injury status worsens. While it will probably wait until the summer, Villa will also have the opportunity to address the persistent nagging concerns of supporters at right-back and reserve goalkeeper.
It would seem that with existing PSR pressures, any big spending is unlikely though.
If players like Amadou Onana, Jacob Ramsey, and Boubacar Kamara can return to full fitness and remain fit, it would likely have a greater impact on the team improving this season.
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