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Can Aston Villa Go the Distance? | 
Since the 2004/05 season when Everton finished fourth, the Big Four have had a stranglehold on the four Champions League spots. This year, though, Martin O’Neill’s talented Aston Villa side are proving to all of England that they have what it takes to assert themselves in the top four. With just under half the season gone the only question that remains is whether or not Villa have what it takes to sustain this challenge.
It is refreshing for fans around the league and around the country to see a side that is full of English internationals doing so well. Led by Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young, Aston Villa have a side that is both young, entertaining, and most importantly, effective. While Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side play “beautiful football” they don’t always win matches; Aston Villa are combining heart-warming attacking football with results.
Just ask David Moyes and Everton. At Goodison Park one week ago Everton fans thought they had salvaged a point following a 90th minute equalizer. It wasn’t the end of the day for Villa just yet. Ashley Young showed his blistering pace as he trudged through the Everton defense and slotted a stoppage time winner past Tim Howard. This match was a statement to the rest of the league that if you are playing Martin O’Neill, if you score two, they’ll score three (or four!). It’s magic football that hasn’t been seen since Manchester United rampant late-1990s form.
Under this attacking mentality can Aston Villa continue to win games? Or is it only a matter of time before teams learn how to contain them? At the moment it’s hard to say. Villa have played all of the big four already, and have picked up five points from those four matches. They drew United, drew Liverpool, lost to Chelsea, and convincingly beat Arsenal (at the Emirates, mind you). This form would be applaudable for any side, and Villa fans will take heart from that. What they do need to focus on, now, is finding a way to win when their attacking threat isn’t working. While they almost lead the league in goals scored, they have already had four 0-0 draws this season.
So, what do you think will happen with this year’s fourth spot? Have your say in the Premiership Talk Forum, and tune in to the Premiership Talk Podcast to hear my thoughts on the issue.
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Agreed! I saw about the last 20 minutes, and I’m so glad I did. It was a fantastic finish!
That Everton match was the most exciting I’ve seen all year.
I’m rooting for Friedel.
I think they definitely have what it takes to stay up there. I can’t see Arsenal moving back into the top 4 with how inconsistently they have been playing. Villa is a major threat, and I can’t wait to see what they bring into the 2nd half of the season!