A Villan Collapse?

In what was always going to prove to be a pivitol month for Steven Gerrards side, it was a month of great up's to start but an alarming end to the month has the potential to spoil what has been a fantastic season for The Villans who deserve a top four birth, although it is still really close at the top.



Villa started the month off really well with a home match with Southampton and usually it would be Dwight Gayle grabbing the headlines but in this match it was a stunning hattrick by Jordan Ayew that gave Villa a 4-2 victory with Traore getting the first goal.

Up next was Man City, which has already been reported on and Villa won by four goal to two.

Then Villa played Everton and this included a rare clean sheet as Jack Grealish ran the show for 70 minutes before being took off to be rested for the match against Arsenal. Grealish's first goal was a stunning twenty yard screamer and Villa had racked up 21 shots by half time alone.

When Grealish got his second goal, which was a very scruffy goal but it was his all round performance an the standing ovation he got was absolutely outstanding. Villa added a third goal through Ahmed Elmohamady with a arrowing drive into the bottom left corner and the match was finished by Dwight Gayle.

Then came the trip to Arsenal and a chance for Villa to go top of the table. The side however, completely froze and with goals from Sanchez and Giroud, Arsenal completely and utterly thrashed Villa. It was not the result that disappointed Villa fans, it was the fact that they had hardly any shots on goal and hardly any possession which was even more disappointing.

West Ham Smash Villa In F.A Cup Semi Final

Villa went into this match, still in good form but in West Ham, there was a side that had found a red hot streak of form and it showed in this match. Villa named there usual F.A Cup side, Vlaar, Carroll and Sinclair all came in after carrying Villa through to the semi final.

It was after 15 minutes that Villa were in all kinds of trouble because Villa were already 2-0 down as goals from Valancia and Sakho put West Ham in complete control and Villa never recovered as Jordan Ayew and Dwight Gayle beig really wasteful in front of goal and Gerrard did not really have an answer to The Hammers so it was not surprising that West Ham grabbed the third through Sakho again as Villa crashed to there second defeat in so many games.

League Table

With three games left for most, there is no tense finale as far as relegation is concerned with Stoke and Leicester already relegated and Bournemouth just needing one victory to guarantee they stay up, however the bad form of Sunderland will mean they will stay up anyway.

The race for the top four is where the interesting bit is this season with still only three points covering the top five but it has been Villa who look to falter as Man City and United look stronger but with Villa having the slightly easier run in anything is still to play for.

Title Hopefuls Final Matches

As we look at the run in for each of the five teams, you would argue that Man City and Aston Villa have the better run ins because they have matches against three sides that have not a lot to play for, for the rest of the season. We anticipate they will both score nine points which would put City on 76 points and Villa on 74 points.

Arsenal, we think will lose against Chelsea and draw against one of the other sides so will get 7 points, putting them on 75 points.

Chelsea will beat Arsenal but lose to Man Utd and we believe Liverpool will get a point too meaning they will get 5 points putting them on 73 points and we think West Ham, who are in fantastic form will get a point off United too, giving them 7 points putting them on 73 points.

Predicted Top Five At End Of Season

Judgement Day

So as we approach the final match of the season and there are three points covering the top four positions. Villa place Bournemouth, Liverpool play Chelsea, Man City play Southampton, Arsenal play Norwich and Man United play West Ham.

Going into the match, Chelsea were sitting at the top with Man City and Arsenal just behind and Aston Villa were the outsiders for the title and not really in with a chance of the title and needed a huge goal swing in there favour.

First to strike first were Arsenal in the second minute after Oxlade Chamberlain beat the Norwich offside trap to temporarily put Arsenal almost top of the tree and it got a lot stronger for Arsenal when they doubled there lead through Welbeck, and with nothing happening in the other games so far, Arsenal fans were already starting to believe although they new that they needed two more goals or Liverpool to score against Chelsea.

Mean while though in the Chelsea match Diego Costa hit the bar as Man Utd went one goal behind to West Ham after a powerful Sakho header. Liverpool also went close against Chelsea as Benteke headed just over.

Diego Costa hits the woodwork

Meanwhile Villa were dominating against Bournemouth but Ayew and Gayle missed sitters.

Just before half time, Norwich got one back through Jesse Lingaard with a lovely free kick and at Old Trafford, they were hitting anything but the goal as with much of this season, they proved to be very wasteful this season.

Half TimeTable

1. Chelsea 75pts
2. Arsenal 75
3.Man City 74
4. Aston Villa 72
5. Man Utd 69

So when the second half kicked off there were only three teams in with a chance and as things stood Chelsea would win the league on goal difference. Villa were first to pose a threat in the second half as Elmohamedy went close from 25 yards out but there were obviously a lot of nervous players.

Chelsea thought they had scored in the 51st minute, only for the linesman to rule Loic Remy's goal out for offside, the replays showed the striker was on-side. Was that going to prove to be a pivotal moment in the title race?

Bournemouth almost scored against Villa as Matt Richie danced through the defence but hot straight at Hahn and still Chelsea were winning the title!


Ritchie celebrates hitting the winner against Villa

In the match between Liverpool and Chelsea, Liverpool should have had a penalty as a cross from Adam Lallana was blatantly handled by Azpillcueta only of the referee to say no penalty, could that be the moment that won Chelsea the title? At this moment one goal for Man City was all that was needed.

Man Utd were still struggling to break down a stubborn West Ham defence and Arsenal also were not making in-roads.

It was the Villa match that gave the next goal as Richards gave away a penalty and Surman rifled the free kick home to give Bournemouth a very surprising lead, but with Man Utd losing and they had to win to displace Villa, they look safe as houses for the top four.

But then a goal in the Man City match on the 81st minute, but just who was it too though? Man City had won a corner after good play by Kolorov to buy a corner. For this I will let Phil Thompson talk you through it in his own unique way.

Jeff, he placed the ball down and played it short to Toure. Toure back heeled it to Kolorov who was running away from the goal. He launched this amazing ball into the box and it was Kompany who rised higher than Van Dijk and Jose Fonte to power a header home! That is it in my view Jeff Man City have just snatched the title from Chelsea and Arsenal and by god they do not deserve it but that is a sign of a good side!

As the final whistle went in all the matches there were scenes of amazing celebrations by fans at Man City as they picked up there fifth title and there third in five years. Aston Villa however have managed the impossible and qualified for the Champions League and it was such an amazing effort.


Man City win the league and there fans enjoy it

Final League Table

Villa Strengthen As Bid Comes In For Grealish

Aston Villa having such a shock season has meant that they needed to act quick to secure quality players for the upcoming season. It is understood that Chairman Randy Lerner want Villa to kick on even more next season and has apparently put his money where his mouth is by giving manager Steven Gerrard upto a reported £45m to spend on players.

Lerner has also said that the Villa manager can keep all moneys raised by selling players too and it is understood there are a couple of players that Gerrard will be looking to ship out.


Richards could leave after training sluggishly

Micah Richards could well be the first name to leave as Gerrard has bought in another central defender, more on him later. Richards who signed for Villa for free last season and was also the club captain played for Villa 22 times and scored once but he was sent off on 3 occasions and it is thought that Gerrard feels he does not train well enough.


Will it be Gestede or Bendtner to leave?

Another player who might well be on the way out is target man Rudy Gestede. This would be harsh on the Benin striker but Villa have just splashed £15m on a new striker so one will have to make way. Jordan Ayew and Dwight Gayle have been fantastic this season and have scored a hat full of goals. The other striker that could leave instead is Nicklas Bendtner, the Dane is unhappy with lack of first team football and it looks like he could leave instead of Gestede.


Could Grealish be leaving?

Finally the guy that Villa fans probably do not to leave, Jack Grealish has interest from Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal are all interested in the striker with City bidding £14m which has been rejected as out of hand, with Villa reportedly looking for atleast £25.5m for the Winger but with Villa now competing in the UEFA Champions League it is hoped that the Englishman will stay wth the club.

Aston Villa have announced three new signings today though and they have raided Sunderland for an exciting youngster, Leicester for an explosive striker and Stoke for a much needed central defender.


Watmore was Villa's first summer signing from Sunderland

Lets start with Duncan Watmore, who has cost Aston Villa £300,000 who played on loan at Colchester United last season but with Sunderland in debt and expecting to be deducted points they had to sell the attacking midfielder but it i thought that he will be loaned straight out to the Championship side. The 22 year old has signed a £3,100 a week two year deal with the option of a third year.

Joining next from Stoke City is one time England capped Ryan Shawcross. The 28 year old has signed for Villa for a reported £9m and this will most probably signal the end of Micah Richards Villa career. Shawcross thinks he could force himself back into the England reckoning by joining a side in the Champions League.


Shawcross joins Villa

I think I am joining a side that is going places! No one gave them a chance last season and with one game to go they still have a slim chance of the title so when they came in for me, it was a no brainer.

Aston Villa beat off competition from Chelsea and Spurs to capture the signing of Shawcross and Villa beat off Chelsea to capture there next signing too.


Vardy chose Villa over Chelsea for next season

Aston Villa today announced the signing of former Leicester striker Jamie Vardy. Vardy, 29 years old, joins Aston Villa just before he flew off to go and represent England in the European Championships. The striker bagged 18 goals despite Leicester being relegated last season and it was Chelsea who first went in for him but Villa quickly followed in with a bid of £15m

Villa then quickly offered him a contract and although Chelsea offered a bigger deal, Vardy wanted to play in a 4-4-2 formation so opted for Villa, he was very complimentary of Leicester when leaving.

I want to thank Leicester and there fans for giving me such a wonderful four season's. I have come up the hard way and now I a min the England squad it was important for me to carry on in the Premier League and it was Villa that was most attractive and I get to stay in the midlands.

Villa have also had a £9m bid rejected for Jack Butland with Stoke saying he is not for sale at any price. It is understood however that Steven Gerrard is going to go back with an improved offer but it is not known when or how much.

Villa End Of Season Awards

Fan's Player Of The Season

In a very tight battle for the Fan's Player Of The Season central defenders got both first and second with Leander Dendoncker grabbing the title with 36% of the vote, with Micah Richards just 9% behind in second place and Rudy Gestede a further 4% behind in third place.

Dendoncker was also vote as the signing of the season and the young player of the season for Villa too.

The only thing that he did not get was the goal of the season, which goes to Dwight Gayle for his wonder goal against Sheffield United on the 20th February 2016.

Commercial Summary

Aston Villa had a great season commercially and announced six new sponsorship deals worth an estimated £25.5m per year.

The most notable of these is a three year deal with soft drink manufacturer Pepsi worth £6.25m. They take over from Coca Cola and will see Pepsi release co-branded Beverages and Promotions. Coke used to pay £4.97m per annum.

These deals will see £20.5m increase for the club annually, and based on previous figures there will be an annual revenue of £30.13m

The total number of merchandise sales for the season were just over £2m with non-domestic sales mounting to£208k of this total. The club sold 18,421 shirts with the following five names selling particularly well.
1. Adama Traore
2. Mousa Dembele
3. Jordan Vertout
4. Nicklas Bendtner
5. Jack Grealish

1

In's and Out's At Villa

I has been a busy week or two at Villa as players a plenty have left Villa Park for better things and Villa have added two more players to there squad also.



Lets start with the players out first then shall we? We are going to start with club captain Micah Richards departure to Middlesbrough for a reported £2.9m. Richards, who was voted the second best player by the fans for the past season, just behind Leander Dendoncker helped his side finish forth in the table but with the signing of Ryan Shawcross, he was deemed surplus to requirements.



Next out the door has been Carles Gil, who has left to play for BMG in Germany. He has moved for a reported £1.8m and it just did not work out at Villa for the twenty-three year old Spaniard. He moved to Villa for £3.2m but only made fifteen appearances in two season's and was sold on to release the wages that he was on.



Also leaving is Ciaren Clark, who has moved to Norwich for £1.2m. The Irish defender made 126 appearances in ten season's for the Midlanders and had been at the club since being a youngster. Clark though was finding it tough to break into the Villa side and decided that he wanted first team football and has decided to go to Norwich to find it.



Next out the door is Nicklas Bendtner, who has moved to Denmark toplay for FC Kobenhavn for £875k. The striker, who spent just six months at Villa only scored three goals and is most probably Steven Gerrard's worse signing in his Villa career so far. Bendtner seemed to think he deserved to be starting ahead of Gestede, Ayew and Gayle but just did not have enough quality to displace them.



Also leaving is Joleon Lescott, the boyhood Villa fan again found himself on the fringes of the first team squad, has moved to Leeds United for a fee of £120k and is again more wages saved as Villa's clearout continues as they enter the Champions League for the first time since 1982, the year they won the competition.

The have been three more leave so far too with Charles N'Zogbia being released after his contract expired and two young prospects have moved out on loan. Easah Suliman and Anes Omerovic have moved to Dundee and Woking respectively to continue there development.



There has been two players bought in at Villa Park by Steven Gerrard too with Tom Carroll making his move permanent. Carroll, 24, moves from Spurs to Villa for £8.5m and Gerrard is very happy to have got his loanee on a permanent basis, Errr, yeah I am so pleased that we have got Tom on a long term deal. He does not score many goals but he does such an important job when called on and with Tom and Jordan we have two top quality deep lying play-makers challenging for the number one spot.



Also joining Villa is someone that manager Steven Gerrard knows well, Jon Flanagon joins Villa on a free transfer after Liverpool did not extend his contract. The defender who has been capped once by England, has not lived upto his potential and with Gerrard looking to move Bacuna into the midfielder, he needed to find someone who could challenge Douglas and Flanagon was happy to be back at a club. When Steven came in for me, I new that I was going to move here and hopefully I will get a few more chances here than I did at Liverpool.

Villa also though missed out on two signings after they had a bid accepted for Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez of £14m but the winger rejected Villa's contract and moved to Marseille instead of joining Villa and Vardy.

Villa also lost out on Birmingham City attacking midfielder Demerai Gray after both Villa and Liverpool had a bid of £5m accepted but the attacking midfielder had no intention of moving the Villa Park and chose Liverpool instead.

Villa Sign Joel Campbell

Aston Villa today have spent £4.7m on Arsenal attacking midfielder/striker Joel Campbell. The Costa Rican joins the Midlanders on the back of a successful season for The Gunners, making 24 appearances and scoring four goals.

It seems though that Arsenal manager Jurgen Klopp did not have him in his plans for next season and manager Steven Gerrard struck straight away to sign the 24 year old on a 3 year, £36k per week deal.

I am very happy to have acquired Joel from Arsenal and he showed a willingness to come to us and is going to try hard to become a regular starter for Villa. He can play on the left or the right of an attacking three or up top if needed and I can not wait for him to show the fans how exciting he can be said Villa manager Steven Gerrard.

It is understood that the Costa Rican will make his debut for Aston Villa in the match against Chivas USA in Aston Villa's tour of North America.