A party atmosphere will surely await Aston Villa at Selhurst this weekend. Unai Emery’s team have secured Champion’s League qualification, and Palace’s strong run of form will mean the home fans are also in good spirits.
To find out how the Villa faithful are feeling, I caught up with Dave B from the VillaYamYam.
TEB – How would you describe your season? From afar it has been brilliant, but are you left with a little sadness about not making a European final, given you were so close?
DB – It’s been a fantastic season on and off the field. With the new kit deal with Adidas announced and Heck working his magic commercially everything looks bright for the future. On the field, yes, many would have wanted the Conference trophy and a top 10 finish. But Emery has overachieved with the squad available. So top 4, isn’t too bad to be fair!
TEB – And what is the ambition for next season, is it about the Champions League, staying in the top 6? Both?
DB – We have to build on this season. That means a good spell in Europe, but a cup run and top 6 wouldn’t be a bad return in my book.
TEB – Do you foresee major changes in the summer?
DB – There are so many names being thrown about including Baena, Hermoso and a few others. In terms of outgoings, I can see Hause, Chambers, Olson, being moved on.
If a big offer comes in, I could see Ramsay or Douglas Luiz being added to that list. £40m+ for Ramsey and £80m for Luiz would be hard to turn down.
TEB – Over the course of the season who has been your star performer?
DB – Ollie Watkins has stepped up massively. At the start of the season, I was convinced another striker was needed, but he’s proved me and other critics wrong!
TEB – Where do you think the game will be won or lost?
DB – We are looking tired, due to the number of games and travel in one go. To be fair, this has a Palace win on it but if we can get something, obviously I’d take it.
TEB – Your general view on Palace this season?
DB – Palace have been a bit hit and miss under Roy, but since Glasner has come in, Palace have become a team nobody wants to face. The questions are about the summer – will he be backed; will you keep hold of your players?
TEB – Yes and Yes (we hope!)
TEB – Finally, a word on the Euros. Should Ollie Watkins be starting for England?
DB – It will be Kane because Southgate loves him. Kane deserves his spot at that number 9, but if anything happens, Ollie is in next.
Can we win the Euros? Yes. With Southgate? No. Southgate’s refusal to introduce talented players such as Ramsey and even Eze, just screams of a man out of his depth.
God help him if he ends up at Manchester United.
TEB – Cheer Dave!
If you’d like to hear more from Dave, you can catch him on the his YouTube channel.
