Realistic Expectations

[Hookeysmith]

Another positive article about us

https://www.itsroundanditswhite.co.uk/articles/are-aston-villa-the-premier-leagues-surprise-package-for-2019-20

[Toronto Villa]

McNulty's predictions from the Beeb. Difficult to argue against.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49236095

"A season of consolidation is in prospect at one of the great old clubs"

I'd be delighted with 14th.  It would be a hell of a platform for the season after.

And in truth the gap between 10th and 16th could be a matter of a few points. So we need to just be solid throughout and maybe in January add a player that can secure that mid table finish. And in fact as much as it would be great to get into Europe again I’d much rather build towards it. I think a Wolves will really suffer this year because they don’t have a very deep squad and Nuno likes playing with a core group. I still believe once we settle in 12th is very achievable.

[Dogtanian]

https://lastwordonfootball.com/2019/08/05/big-spending-aston-villa-survive/

   If his predictions are as good as his research, then we will finish anywhere but 10th. 

[Damo70]

I'm most looking forward to not being the dullest team in the league, which is a significant improvement from the last time we were in it. Whatever happens this year, it won't be boring.

We were entertaining to watch in our last few years in the premier League under Lambert, Sherwood and Garde. I lost count of how many goals I saw in our games. Admittedly the vast majority went into our net.

[themossman]

McNulty's predictions from the Beeb. Difficult to argue against.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49236095

"A season of consolidation is in prospect at one of the great old clubs"

Ah sorry, checked the other thread before I posted but didn’t look on here.

Agree with the comments on here, I’d bite your hand off for 14th and a season of consolidation.

[PeterWithesShin]

I just hope that if we have a bad run and/or take a few pastings that DS sticks to his beliefs and doesn't start doubting himself.

[themossman]

I think he set a nice precedent for that last season when we had the wobbly period with jack out of action. Idiots like me were crying out for him to be more pragmatic but he stuck to the plan pretty closely.

[hilts_coolerking]

I just hope that if we have a bad run and/or take a few pastings that DS sticks to his beliefs and doesn't start doubting himself.

Indeed, but equally I wouldn't want him to dogmatically stick to something that isn't working.

[Lastfootstamper]

It'll work.

[DrGonzo]

Low double figures will make me very happy. We came from relegation potentials to promotion succsesfuls in 10 games, a positive start and i believe top ten is within our grasp.

[ktvillan]

Agree with Dogtanian - £100m was the least we needed to spend given the ageing, not quite PL standard and loan players that got us up.  That just gets us onto a level playing field, sort of.  We're still about 90% unproven at the PL level in terms of players, manager and coaches.   It could go either way, and experience indicates at least some of our new signings won't cut the mustard.  But at least we have a philosophy/strategy that makes sense and the money and people to have started putting it into place.  For me consolidation at 12-15th is still the realistic aim, anything else is a bonus. 

[ChicagoLion]

I think we are in for a lot tougher season than most on here.
It’s a new team that has very little PL experience and it will be a while before it comes together.
3 very tough games coming up.

[not3bad]

https://newsthump.com/2019/08/08/newly-promoted-aston-villa-storm-to-3rd-place-in-premier-league/

[Toronto Villa]

I see Peter Crouch has us being relegated. Warning, the doing an F word makes an appearance

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7339411/PETER-CROUCH-predicts-Premier-League-finish.html

[PeterWithesShin]

Yeah ok Pete

Burnley

KEY MAN: Tom Heaton - appears to have won the battle for the gloves at Burnley after Tom Heaton was sold to Aston Villa. If progress continues, could even challenge Jordan Pickford as England No 1.