It is Time For Aston Villa To Panic

It is Time For Aston Villa To Panic

A big story thus far into the season is Tottenham Hotspur’s lackluster performances heading into matchweek five. Spurs have yet to score a goal or win a game in four matches after spending over $400 million on new players in the Summer window. 

Spurs have been marked as an early candidate that will battle for relegation. However, one team with loftier expectations has performed even worse to start the season.

Aston Villa came into this season riding the high of winning the Europa League, its first major European trophy since 1982. The club also achieved its second fourth place finish in three years, once again securing Champions League qualification. 

Aston Villa looked to quickly be establishing itself as a top team in the Premier League and in Europe and looked primed to aim for an even higher finish.

That vision has quickly shattered only four games into the season. Aston Villa currently sits in 19th with only one point. 

The warning signs for Villa started in the Summer transfer window. Striker Ollie Watkins joined Saudi side Al Hilal, midfielder Youri Tielemans joined Manchester United, defender Ezri Konsa joined Arsenal and midfielder Morgan Rogers and goalkeeper Emi Martinez joined Chelsea.

Villa lost five key players in one window and did little to properly replace them. Villa’s most notable signings were goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, midfielder Johan Manzambi and striker Nicholas Jackson. All three have done little to warrant their expensive price tags and fill the shoes of those they replaced. 

Villa has looked completely outclassed in all of its first four league games. The season opened with a 4-0 loss to Brighton where Villa never had any control of the game. They followed it up with a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, 0-0 draw to newly promoted Hull City and a 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest. 

What makes Villa stand out from other teams populating the lower half of the table is that they still have the Champions League to worry about. While other teams fighting against relegation can focus solely on the Premier League, Villa has to focus on two elite competitions.

Their current squad has done little to show that it is up to the challenge. There is a severe lack of squad depth and star power that helped propel Villa to its success from last season. 

At this current time, it is best for Aston Villa to put all its eggs into the Premier League basket and focus on avoiding a relegation scrap. A successful Champions League campaign means little if you are fighting relegation.