How Aston Villa’s EPL rivals shape up and the prediction table

Aston Villa Manager Paul Lambert

Villa’s rivals- the teams that will be in and around Villa

Now, in recent years, it’s been hard to define whom exactly we have a rivalry with! In 08/09, we were challenging Arsenal for the Top 4, and a year later we were challenging Tottenham and Man City for the same position.Last season, half the league were rivals! Given that I expect us to finish around mid-table, I will briefly describe the positions of other clubs I believe will challenge for 8^th place.

8^th – Swansea City

Last season: 9^th. The acquisition of Wilfried Bony could be the signing of the summer. This signing will allow Michu to drop back into the second striker role. Key issue: How will they cope with playing in the Europa League this season?

9^th – Southampton

Last season: 14^th. Pochettino showed his intent last year by taking over from Nigel Adkins and producing some excellent results in taking Southampton to safety. Pochettino has broken Southampton’s transfer record by signing Victor Wanyama from Celtic, and the role in the double pivot besides Morgan Schneiderlin will be pivotal(!) to their success.

10^th – Aston Villa

Last season: 15^th. My second surprise team of the season after Southampton, is Villa. The key issue for me is whether the midfielders can take the pressure off Benteke. Benteke either assisted or scored in 49% of our league games last season, and we need the likes of Tonev and Weimann to contribute more in this area. The signings of Okore and Luna in particular will help strengthen us defensively.

11^th – West Ham

Last season: 10^th. Having been bought by Liverpool for £55m, West Ham managed to buy Carroll and Downing over the summer for ‘only’ £20m. With an experienced midfield of Nolan and Joe Cole, West Ham could be set for another decent season. The signing of Rat at left back is another sound acquisition.

12^th – Fulham

Last season: 12^th. Fulham will start with three new signings at the back: Riether (who was there last season on loan), Amorebieta, and Stekelenburg. Taarabt has also been signed on loan, and Darren Bent will give them goals up front. Jol is an experienced manager and I can see Fulham being a safe, mid-table team once again.

13^th – Norwich City

Last season: 11^th. Van Wolfswinkel and Hooper are both players who will score goals – only Stoke and QPR scored fewer goals last season.

14^th – Sunderland

Last season: 17^th. Sunderland have signed 9 players over the summer, so the key issue is how players like Giaccherini and Altidore will adapt to the league. Di Canio could be an early managerial casualty if Sunderland don’t start well, though.

15^th – Newcastle United

Last season: 16^th. The signing of Remy is a good buy, and is a player I’d have been happy with at Villa. However, Cisse seems unsettled and Ben Arfa’s fitness is again questionable.

The Villa faithful

Relegation candidates – teams that should provide a buffer below Villa

16^th – West Brom

Last season: 8^th. Now, lots of Villa fans will be happy about this prediction. Key issue: Can Anelka and the on-loan Vydra replicate Lukaku’s astonishing form from last season? Vydra was excellent in the Championship at Watford last season, but can he step up? Lukaku was like Villa’ Benteke – with him, West Brom could look lost. In their favour, Lugano at centre-back is a brilliant signing.

17^th – Stoke City

Last season: 13^th. With only 34 goals last season, Stoke City are often a team that relies on their defensive stability. However, will Mark Hughes, taking over from Tony Pulis, be able to replicate this? We saw at the end of last season that when Stoke are poor defensively, they will get dragged down the table. Pieters and Muniesa are solid signings, but with no new attacking signings of note, Stoke will struggle in front of goal.

18^th–Cardiff

Last season: 1^st (Championship). With the best defensive record in the league last year, Cardiff have shored up their defence further by signing Caulker from Spurs and Brayford from Derby, who will both start at the back. Furthermore, Cornelius has been signed in a club-record deal. They could surprise a few, and are my pick from the three promoted clubs.

19^th – Crystal Palace

Last season: 5^th (Championship). Like Cardiff, Palace have broken their transfer record by signing Dwight Gayle from Peterborough. Signings such as Dobbie, Thomas and Phillips will add experience, and the Spanish U21 player Campana will give fans more to be excited about.

20^th – Hull City

Last season; 2^nd (Championship). Hull City have made some astute signings this summer. Hull will most likely start with Davies, Figueroa, Sagbo and Elmohamady and Danny Graham – all new signings who will take time to gel.

In summary, the league will be tight, and there are still more unknowns to come. Rooney, Suarez and Bale could all leave, and lots of clubs including Villa have strengthened in important areas of the team. All three promoted clubs have the potential to stay up, and it will take a few months to see how the league will play out.

Last year, only 10 points separated 10 teams – from West Brom in 8th on 49 points to Sunderland in 17th on 39 points. This again will be the key battle ground for Villa. Just two more wins last term would have seen Villa finish 10th, such was the fine line. Considering Villa lost to Wigan, Southampton and Newcastle at home, there’s plenty of room for improvement.

If they can tighten up the defence and stop shipping late goals, there should be a real improvement in league placement on last season. 50 points should be the bottom line for Lambert’s rapidly improving team.