A lot was expected of the two last season,.£9 million signing N’Zogbia has failed to live up to his price tag and stated last season was the first time in his life he wasn’t enjoying playing football. Big things were also expected from Albrighton after he burst onto the scene under Martin O’Neill, but he too has failed to live up to expectations. Perhaps a combination of too much pressure and niggling injuries has stalled what promised to be an exciting career.
Another serial under -performer has been Steven Ireland, the former Manchester City player of the year. He won the supporters player of the year at Villa last season, but the talent he quite obviously has was only on show sporadically. The majority of the time, he drifts in and out of games and off the pitch still manages to cause controversy. Last season his wife uploaded a photo of him smoking a shisha pipe the night before a game and this weekend saw her upload a photo of him driving his Porsche with his son on his knee, whilst also not wearing a seat belt.
The controversy was fuelled by the stupidity of his wife putting them in the public eye, but a player who is serious about his career wouldn’t allow her to do it in the first place. Questions mark surround Ireland about his desire, or if he is just there to collect his wages. There is undoubtedly talent still in his locker, but if Villa are to push on, they need these types of players to start performing consistently, or else shift them on and bring in players that want to be there to fight for the club.
This week has seen the papers and the internet linking Villa to numerous players, as they have also picked up on the need for Villa to sign someone desperately. Charlie Adam, Jay Spearing, Stewart Downing, Kenwyne Jones, Jermaine Defoe, Christian Benteke, Dale Stephens and Kevin Doyle are all names which have been banded around, but as it is with gossip, they have to be taken with a pinch of salt, as after all, 90% will be fiction not fact.
With time running out for new signings to be brought in, it is clear the club is trying to get some business done, but if Lambert doesn’t get to bring in the players he wants, then it could be a tough season ahead for Villa fans. Failure to move Warnock and Hutton on may also add to Villa’s problems. They face the prospect of having two players, who know they aren’t in the manager’s plans, training away from the first team but who may ultimately get called into action if injuries are incurred later in the season. What mental state are they going to be in, particularly Warnock who is entering the last year of his contract with the club?
The Martin O’Neill days are long gone, where the club would go out and splash money on players, and meet their high wage demands. This week is crucial for the club. If they are to continue in the top flight of English football, they need to splash some cash and improve like their rivals or face being left behind.
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