2013/2014 Predictions

[Concrete John]

I watched a load of the pre-season highlights on AVTV last night and a couple of things struck about what I expect from the coming season, so thought I'd share them.  This isn't about where we'll finish or stuff like that, but rather what I expect we'll see during matches and talk about after them:-

1.  Tony Moon will be a cult hero, despite being suspect defensively.
2.  Okore will have a season quite like Westwood in 12/13, where he takes time to adjust before becoming a key part of the side.
3.  Westwood and Lowton will be touted for an England call up, but I doubt either will actually get it.
4.  Helenius will be our secret weapon.  And we'll grow sick of commentators saying he has "Good feet for a big man."
5.  Tonev won't feature too much barring injury.
6.  Sylla will find himself the odd man out in midfield and not play too much.       
7.  Carruthers will have a breakthrough season similar to Weimann in 11/12.
8.  Vlaar won't improve greatly into the CB we want/need him to be. 

Feel free to share yours.

[RussellC]

Completely disagree with 6. I think Sylla will be this year's Benteke.

[garyshawsknee]

Yeah, ive got a feeling Sylla will get better this season and will have a good season.
Agree with everything else. Got a feeling Gardner wont quite cut it this season, hope im wrong.

[Villafirst]

Totally wrong about Sylla - he'll be a star this season. Remember he got man-of-the-match against Chelsea in our last home game? I think he'll be immense.

[Dave]

Fabian Delph will score at least five goals.

[rob_bridge]

Sylla - the man will be a legend for Villa

[Concrete John]

I suppose I'd better explain my thoughts on Sylla:-

I do like him and rate him, but in that midfield three Westood is the first choice as he's so crucial to how we play.  I think we'll sign Kiyotake or similar as a more attacking player, so that leaves one spot between Delph, Bacuna, KEA and Sylla.  KEA has looked good in pre-season, as he also did last year granted, so I see a hard fight for that spot.  And to me Deph edges it as he's got more of a goal threat and being left footed adds some balance to the side. 

We've got a big squad now and that means good players not playing, which in the midfield I think will be Sylla.

[paul_e]

Westwood and Lowton will both make the England squad, probably by October, it wouldn't surprise me if Lowton is in the squad announced later today, he's definitely in their thinking.

Edit

He he, the squad was already announced, I think he must be close to it.  However what the f**k is rickie lambert doing in there.

[pauliewalnuts]

1. Delph will have an excellent season.

2. Benteke will score even more, and move to one of Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid or Paris St Germain in the summer.

3. Luna and Okore will both become folk heroes.

4. We will finish 9th and reach the league cup final.

5. Sylla will at some point score a 40 yard belter.

6. Poor defending will continue.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

I've got a feeling Yacouba Sylla is going to be an Aston Villa legend.
Fully expect him to establish himself as a regular this season.

[eamonn]

We'll want to lick Martin's face for buying Delph.
Darren Bent will score against us. Andi Weimann will score against them.
Helenius will be up and down. As will Tonev.
Lowton will go to Brazil.
We will break Blackburn's record for lack of clean sheets.

[Damo70]

Guzan will be immense.
Lowton too.
And Westwood.
Luna will nail down the place and Bennett will fade away.
Clark may also drop out of the picture.
Vlaar and Baker will be better than last season.
Okore will get better as the season goes on.
Sylla and Delph will continue progressing.
Benteke will continue to score goals.
Gabby and  Weimann wll score more than last season.
Helenius is a very good signing.
Tonev and Bacuna could be good, bad or indifferent.
We will finish ninth.

[Matt C]

We'll win the FA Cup, obviously.

[SirSteveUK]

I think Tonev will surprise some people (in a good sense)
I agree about Sylla - could be a really good season for him.
Lowton for Brazil ? He's 4/1 to make it.(Skybet)
Mildly impressed with Bacuna - really impressed with Helenius.

If Gabby continues in good form - we could do well

[edgysatsuma89]

I'm not old enough to have seen any glory days, but I'm looking forward to this season more than any other. Genuine buzz that I've never really felt before, I think we're going to surprise a few people.

Oh and the baggies will be relegated.