Villa predictions for 2012/13 (fans & media)

[brontebilly]

I'm worried. I dont doubt that Paul Lambert is a better manager than the many characters who have presided over our team over the past 2 seasons but we are stuck with many of the same players that have been piss poor over the same timeframe. As with all new signings you can never tell for sure if they will be a success but Lowton will be jumping up 2 divisions, Vlaar, Holman and El Ahmadi will definitely take some time to settle in to english football. Vlaar in particular worries me, as the few times I have seen him play i thought he was woeful frankly. Even at this early stage, I cant see him having a better season at club level than the 2 centre backs he is effectively replacing, Collins and Cuellar. Holman to me should settle in pretty well but is more of a squad player than a regular starter. Lambert obviously had targeted El Ahmadi from a long way off so he clearly rates him anyway. Fingers crossed he settles in early and nails down a spot in a real problem position for us.

We have a gaping hole at left back with no obvious selection to play there. The success of this season seems to be dependent on Lambert getting consistent performances out of the likes of Clark, Delph, Bannan, Nzogbia and Ireland. The later two are particularly flaky but certainly have the ability. Delph and Bannan have never shown anything at senior level. Clark will be part of a centre back partnership with little pace and will have to thrive I think early on if we are not to concede goals all over the place.

Given's performance at the Euros was very worrying. It took him a long time to get over the WC in 2002 if I remember correctly, seemed to blame himself for not saving the last Spanish penalty. Far more experienced now but his performances were so ghastly that I'd be worried about him. Throw in the fact that his injury problems arent going away and I can see Guzan playing quite a bit of first team football this season.

We need to sign proven quality in a few positions I feel to ensure we wont be dragged into another relegation scrap.

[Steve kirk]

12th and playing better football, Lambert to steady ths ship but dont expect miracles with that squad
League Cup quarter finals
F A Cup 4th/5th round

League position based on Bent staying for the whole season.

[ez]

9th. Well if albion can get 10th without being very good...

[hawkeye]

10th

[Holtenderinthesky]

I think we can surpass expectations this year and finish 10th. 

There is absolutely no point in trying to predict which round of the cups we will reach as it totally depends on who we draw and when.

I predict Ciaran Clark to get POTY and CNZ to be sold at the end of the season after an awful season comprising of (at most) 1 goal and 2 assists.

In addition I expect Guzan to be our number 1 before the trick-or-treaters' are out and  Ron Vlaar to score off a corner on the opening day in a 2-2 draw at West Ham.

Oh, and PL to get manager of the month for September......

UTV

 

EDIT:  And our first 40,000 plus home attendance (likely to be v Everton) to be met with claims of Villa fans being fickle etc..... some of which will come from our own "fans" who just feel the need to perpetuate the talk sport bollocks that we are in some way a more expectant crowd than any other club.

[ACVilla]

15th.

Our squad is right down there with the poorest in the league.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

I expect to watch Villa try and win games, even against teams we're not expected to. As a result, I expect to see more goals scored and conceded, which should make for a more entertaining season.

In terms of position, I think 9th to 12th is likely and a similar season to MON's first season would give us something to be very optimistic for the following season.

[Villafirst]

15th.

Our squad is right down there with the poorest in the league.

Correct, Lerner needs to go - he's not supporting PL and clearly won't sink the funds into the club to ensure we have half a chance of winning anything. The squad looks woefully weak and ripe for another relegation battle.

[curlytailavfc]

out of the bottom 6 will do me this year

[AlwaysAVFC]

It could be anything really, the last few seasons nearly everyone from 18th to about 9th for most of the season could have finished in any of those positions if they hit a small run of good or bad form. A few of these teams you never thought would get dragged into it but points wise they could have quite easily.
I'm hoping for a good season and would be really happy with 8th or 9th, whether that will be possible I'm not sure but one good thing is my optimism has returned after fearing the worst for the last 9 months.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

12th for me.
Think we'd do well to get top 10 with the austerity measures that we have in place.

[Toronto Villa]

A Brian Little-esque 5th place. I like the cut of Lambert's jib.

I like the cut of your jib Riss. Not sure I'm that confident for 5th this season, and I can't even recall what I might have posted before on this thread. But right now I'll say 7th, and a cup win. That would be a great first season.

[hartman_1982]

15th.

Our squad is right down there with the poorest in the league.

Correct, Lerner needs to go - he's not supporting PL and clearly won't sink the funds into the club to ensure we have half a chance of winning anything. The squad looks woefully weak and ripe for another relegation battle.

No it isn't. 8th.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

If there's one good thing to have come out of the McCatpiss fiasco, from Lerner's point of view, is that expectations will be sufficiently lowered towards the point where most supporters will be happy with a 12th-ish placed position, as long as the football itself is reasonably entertaining.

[manic-road]

League 12th
League Cup Qtr Finals
FA Cup 4th Round

If we buy some decent players i will revise my predictions.