Football Season Guide

In contrast to the last two windows, it has not been an overly busy summer for Aston Villa. But they have added experience to a squad that could do with it. Marquee signing is John Terry, the former Chelsea captain, with Steve Bruce beating a number of other managers to his signature. Glenn Whelan, Chris Samba and Ahmed Elmohamady are other players who have been there and done it. Villa really underachieved last season given the vast sums of money they had spent in both windows in an attempt to go back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking. There surely can be no excuses this time and Steve Bruce will be under pressure to deliver. Much could depend on the strike force of Jonathan Kodjia, who misses the season start with an ankle problem carried over from last term, and Scott Hogan, a player that really struggled to have much of an impact after arriving in January from Brentford. Villa have suffered a blow with Jack Grealish injuring himself in a pre-season friendly, something of a worry given he promises to be a hugely influential player if he can stay fit and put off the field distractions to one side. Sam Johnstone has returned to the club on loan and offers some stability in goal. Villa are unlikely to make many, if any, further signings with Bruce seemingly happy working with the players he has. And who can blame him? On paper they are an outstanding set and if he can get the best out of them, promotion really should be assured.