Optimistic or still pessimistic

[Monty]

I think it'll be fun. There might be a scare or two but that's only because the league tends to bunch up at the bottom like a pair of rubbish underpants. Overall, we might be looking at a top-half finish and maybe even (as we say every year) a Cup win.

[TopDeck113]

Optimistic.  I genuinely think that it is shaping up to be an exciting few years down the Villa.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Its pre-season . Naturally I think we are going to win the league.

[paulcomben]

It is great to see a plan in development that is unlike other PL teams and yet exactly what those without megabucks owners should all be doing. Naivety will mean some defeats, but when it clicks it will be exhilirating. Could we please just win a cup, though? It'd be great to win a cup.

[eastie]

Outside the top 5 or 6, the PL is massively over-rated. If we can keep Benteke and sort ourselves out defensively then I think we can easily be anywhere between 7-12th.

Agreed, top 8 is very much a realistic aim .
I think we will still add another two players to strengthen the side further.

[PeterWithesShin]

Optimistic. We'll take a few batterings again, we'll dish a few out. Most importantly, I think it's going to be fun watching us.

[jeowje]

Very hopeful, as always at this time of the year! Keep Benteke, new signings click and we could do better than most on here are predicting. Not too much to fear outside the top three in my opinion. One-man spurs, boring same old arsenal, flaky liverpool? Lamberts Lions are coming after you!

[darren woolley]

Optimistic. We'll take a few batterings again, we'll dish a few out. Most importantly, I think it's going to be fun watching us.

I agree.

[Legion]

Optimistic, especially if we hold on to Benteke.

[walsall villain]

For first time in ages, very optimistic. Reading Guzan's comments today have added to this, his joy at getting an extended stay and how he talks about the players growing together as a family but welcoming the competition from new blood.

[Chris Smith]

I'm a natural optimist anyway but I do like the way we're going about things, I just hope that everyone keeps their nerve if things don't go to plan straight away.

[CyprusVillain]

On the up - like what appears to be PL's plan, the associated ethos seems admirable and I do like the idea of shopping in ALDI for bargains when others are fixated on paying full whack in Harrods.

Mid table finish for Villa next season  - onwards and upwards

[pauliewalnuts]

I think it's going to be another very interesting season. Top half would be nice.

Last season was tough going in patches, but I still believe in Lambert, and one thing I am sure, is that it won't be boring.

[Percy McCarthy]

Hugely optimistic. Had a b-loser criticising us today, saying he'd never heard of our new players and they were coming into a struggling team. By the time I'd finished telling him about our current form and Lambert's signings last season (especially Benteke, Guzan, Westwood, Sylla and Lowton) I was buzzing.

[Ads]

I am optimistic, but think it will be a lot harder than perhaps I would like.

I think we will struggle again with a lot of the sides in the top 6, but we will have more about us and enough to be top half.