Aston Villa had a real mixed bag of a season last campaign – finishing 4th in the Championship table has to be seen as an overall success, but missing out on promotion by losing the play-off final to Fulham has plunged the club into a financial turmoil.
One of the top priorities for Villa this summer must be to keep hold of their manager Steve Bruce. The experienced tactician revealed that he wants to stay at Villa Park after the club’s Championship final loss to Fulham at Wembley at the end of last month. But with the financial insecurities surrounding the club, it remains to be seen if Villa can persuade him to continue at the club.
Season’s Target
Aston Villa have to aim for promotion to the Premier League once again next season, and if they can keep hold of their star players and make some shrewd signings in the summer, then they could even win the Championship in the 2018/19 campaign.
The teams which have come down from the Premier League don’t seem as strong as the teams which earned promotion, and Villa should be able to give them all a good game next term.
Best Sell
This will sound controversial to many Villa fans, but selling Jack Grealish would bring in a lot of money for the club, thus stabilising them financially and allowing Bruce to make the signings which he needs to help the club push on in the league.
Tottenham have made a £15m bid for Grealish, whom Villa value at close to double that figure. And if an improved bid in that region comes in then Aston Villa should definitely let him go and use the funds to recruit well.
Best Buy
Villa’s success last season was largely built on the foundation of some excellent loan signings, and they will need to use a similar strategy this summer as well.
Robert Snodgrass and Lewis Grabban were an essential part of Villa for the second half of the 2017/18 campaign, and it would be a real signal of intent if they can bring those two players back to the club either permanently or on loan this summer.
Predicted Finish
2nd in the Championship and thus gaining automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
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