it was billed by many associated with the club as a key month for the fortunes of Aston Villa this season and also for the prospects of Villa boss Steve Bruce.
After a poor August and start to the season, it was time to put up or shut up in terms of the big talk of promotion.
September presented the tall order of seven games, including six league games that would potentially define Villa’s start to the season.
Wobble at the Start
After two disappointing home draws against Brentford (lucky to escape with a point) and failing to sink Middlesbrough, despite having a man advantage for 60 minutes, it wasn’t the greatest of starts.
But a 3-0 away win against Barnsley, in hindsight, may have been the game that saved Bruce’s bacon according to what he told Harry Redknapp.
A cheap cup exit against Boro followed, so imagine, if Barnsley had won that game…
Admittedly, the two away wins, another against Burton, 4-0, have been a lot more impressive than the last two scrappy home wins, against Forest (2-1) and Bolton (1-0), but points-wise, strong foundations have been built in September.
Here’s the table from the month’s games…
Championship Table for September
Top of the Pile
While some may feel not entirely convinced by Villa’s overall September showing, no other team in the Championship did any better.
It’s good news that we’re not even in full flow yet, but we came out on top for the month.
They’ll be harder fixtures ahead, as Villa have only played four of the top ten form teams underneath them for the month of September.
Form
Interesting early pace setters and top of the table Cardiff City were only 10th for September form. Leeds, who have been second and top in the early stages have dropped a little, due to dropping points in September.
Norwich City, like Villa, have turned a dodgy start to the season around and matched Villa’s point total for the month but only scored half the amount of goals.
Nathan Baker’s Bristol City certainly remain a surprise package with very decent recent form.
Villa’s point away to them at the end of August doesn’t look too shabby now, likewise the 4-2 home win vs Norwich.
So, as the international break begins, MOMS has the feeling the season is about to start for real come October and the trip to second place Wolves.
Wolves are currently in the automatic promotion spots and that’s exactly where we want to be come the end of the next month.
UTV
Something to Listen to in the International Break
