Our most important player this coming season from the current squad?

[olaftab]

If Ron Vlaar does not deliver better defencively than Collins we will be in trouble. So Vlaar is key to a good season.

[Dave Cooper please]

Ciaran Clarke.

[Brend'Watkins]

Darren Bent.  Scoring more than the opposition is what this season is about.

[Chipsticks]

Vlaar. We know how shaky we're going to be at the back and we're desperately going to need him to fulfil his hype if we're going to stay clear of relegation.

[Ron Manager]

Another one for El Ahmadi. Bent is the player to take us from midtable to top 8, but we can get by without him should Gabby get back to his best.

If El Ahmadi flops (I don't think he will) what are we left with?

We can get by without Darren Bent if Agbonlahor gets back to his best?. Words fail me.

[supertom]

Bent. He's going to be key. If he gets the chances, he's the only person I'd put money on getting over double figures for us. In fact, keep him fit and use him right and he'll nab 20+.
We just can't be sure with Gabby. Back to his best he'll get 10-15. Weimann and Fonz I'm not convinced about at all. Both, particularly Andy, have potential.
If we're not to struggle again this season we certainly need goals, so a 20 a season striker will be essential. Bent could be the difference between 8th and 18th.

[Dave Clark Five]

There is a case for most players here. Young players that are now at make or break and older ones that have under performed, for whatever reason.
One real disappointment for me has been N'Zogbia. He will be like the proverbial new signing if he can switch himself on. Unfortunately, I think it is more likely that his attitude will be the end of him at Villa Park.

[LeeS]

Another one for El Ahmadi. Bent is the player to take us from midtable to top 8, but we can get by without him should Gabby get back to his best.

If El Ahmadi flops (I don't think he will) what are we left with?

We can get by without Darren Bent if Agbonlahor gets back to his best?. Words fail me.

Agreed. When exactly was Gabby's best? he has bright spells every other season. If he wasnt Villa through and through I'd say get rid. But it is all about opinions, I suppose.

For me the most important player will be Vlaar. Success starts from the defence. Over the last 20 years we have had some good defensive units and often conceded fewest goals in the league. I would love us to get back to that again after a poor few seasons.

[LeeB]

El Ahmadi for me.

[silhillvilla]

DB9 our captain and main goal threat
If we can get gabby fit and back to how he was at the start of last season (goals v Blackburn & everton were class) he can be equally as important

[Irish villain]

Bent. An £18m+ striker, we need 15+ Premier League goals from him at a minimum.

[Meanwood Villa]

Expecting big things of Bent this season and I don't appear to be alone. It's about time Ireland and N'Zogbia did something in a Villa shirt as well.

[JJ-AV]

Re. Gabby - without his early season form last year we'd have been relegated.

He tailed off midseason but so did everyone apart from Given.

A few years ago we also nearly finished fourth with him carrying the frontline on his own. That was his best.

Gabby is always going to be one of those players who divides opinion, and for some reason evokes extreme reactions. But about 10 months ago his early season form played himself back into the England squad. He withdrew from injury, came back too soon and has been mostly shite ever since. Ireland, N'Zogbia, Albrighton, Dunne - those players have been shite for just as long, if not longer - yet the majority seem optimistic they can get back to their best. Why not Gabby?

[ozzjim]

Ciaran Clarke.

Ditto for me. Think he is going to be vital both defensively and setting up the ball going forward. So Clark for me. Make or break, and I hope we are talking about him as player of the season next summer.

[olaftab]

Bent. An £18m+ striker, we need 15+ Premier League goals from him at a minimum.

He is not a Rooney or Drogba. He is a goal poacher and can only succeed with service. For Bent to score a team must dominate play, something we didn't do last season. Let's hope we can give him the the right support and than I am sure 18+ goals will be delivered.