Football Season Guide

After what can only be described as a season of transition under Gerard Houllier, Villa look to rebuild with Alec McLeish at the helm. The Scot makes the short trip from rivals Birmigham City and will undoubtedly need a good start to win the fans' hearts. He inherits a squad bereft of both Downing and Young, who were the motors of the side in the past season. Goalkeeper Brad Friedel has also departed, along with Nigel Reo Coker. McLeish has shown a good eye for a deal on the transfer market so far in the summer with the signings of Shay Given and Charles N’Zogbia. He will undoubtedly need more players of the same ilk to bring Villa back to where they belong, in the top tier of the table. One of the few encouraging points last season was the emergence of young players such as Marc Albrighton, Barry Bannan or Ciaran Clark. The Scot should look to integrate them in the mix along with stalwarts Dunne and Collins in central defence. Luke Young and Kyle Walker look favourites to return at full backs while Stiliyan Petrov and Jean Makoun should animate the midfield. In the attack, the signing of Darren Bent in January proved an important, if expensive one and was probably the difference with rather safe finish and a relegation scrap. The former Spurs and and Sunderland man can always be relied upon to find his way to the net. He should be once again the focal point upfront, with Agbonlahor a likely accomplice. Stephen Ireland will look to make up for lost time in offensive midfield and with the addition of N’Zogbia roaming the wings, Villa could prove a force going forward.