Villa Fans Know Best

Vital Villa asked what type of player was most needed at Villa and it seems the answer is clear.

Villa, according to 79% of the vote, are screaming out for a playmaker. Lets face it, since Magic Merse left, we’ve not had an out-and-out playmaker who can change a game with a moment of brilliance. Trouble is, players like Paul Merson are in very short supply, especially in the bargain basement department that the manager is now being forced to operate in.

11% said we needed a centre-back. Hopefully the return of Martin Laursen will be successful but he won’t be fit until September and although we all wish him all the best with a full recovery, he will need a huge slice of luck to get back to the stop and to stay fit. IF he does, we could have one hell of a player on our hands. Gary Cahill is also emerging but the same as Liam Ridgewell, us fans expect too much too soon and the pressure is immense. I’m not even sure Olof Mellberg will be returning after the world cup, he seemed to lose some of his edge last season due to the constant changes at the back, I hope he doesn’t want to move on but fear he will. He is a top player and deserves European football.

4% want a new striker and with the likely exits – if anyone bids – of Juan Pablo Angel and Milan Baros, it seems obvious we will get one or two! Again we have Luke Moore and Gabriel Agbonlahor coming through, but additions will be needed. The most frustrating thing is if we did buy a playmaker, Angel and Baros would be perfect for us up front. Shame Doug can’t see the same.

4% said we needed a new left-back and with the likely departure of Jlloyd Samuel, I guess O’Leary will be in the market although I’m not sure how many quality left backs are available for 3 pints of lager and a packet of crisps (you have to be of a certain age to get that reference, if you aren’t then I hate you!). We also have Wilfred Bouma who with a pre-season to get fit, should be a great player for Villa.

Only 2% voted that we needed another midfielder which is kind of baffling although I guess many would count the playmaker as that. I think Gavin McCann looked very jaded towards the end of the season, what we really need is a holding midfielder who can win a few midfield battles. Again, they cost mucho luca (as they don’t say on the continent).

No one thought we needed a right back, which would be true if Mark Delaney could stay fit as we would then have him and Aaron Hughes to compete for that place.