"Villa Park is an Exciting Place to be Again"

(www.gettyimages.com)

Over the years, Villa Park has become a stadium filled with frustrated, agitated fans, yet since Sherwood's arrival it's not just the team that has been rejuvenated. The fans have been too. In recent games, the atmosphere has returned and fans are enjoying having their Villa back once again.

As part of my fan interviews reviewing the 2014-15 season my second Q&A is with Daniel England, who you can find on Twitter @Dengland80.

1) What did you make of the sacking of Paul Lambert?
I was delighted. It should have happened after the Bradford City debacle. It really couldn't have got any worse.

2) Initially, what were your thoughts on Tim Sherwood's appointment?
Apprehensive. The mixed views from Spurs fans made it difficult to judge but I was hopeful we'd see some attacking football.

3) Has your opinion changed since?
I've been delighted with the impact. The improvement has been exponential, Villa Park is an exciting place to be again. He is more tactically aware than I thought he would be.

4) What do you think he's done to change things around?
The freedom given to the midfield is the most obvious, our midfielders are getting into the box and scoring. Benteke obviously, and the style of football has been great; one dimensional to a team that can change style in the blink of an eye.


Grealish, Delph and Benteke are a trio worth building the
team around.
(Kieran McManus)

5) Who has been your player of the season?
Delph has built on last year and been fantastic. Young player has to be Jack (Grealish), a brilliant impact.

6) What has impressed you about them?
Delph's energy, ability to keep the ball, drive, passion, pace and creativity. Jack's enthusiasm, ability to draw a foul, vision and attitude. Both clearly love the club and give their all. Too many over the years couldn't have cared a bit.

7) What are your thoughts on this season as a whole?
Disappointing. I spent a lot of time arguing Aston Villa were no where near as bad as our league position. It is really frustrating to see what could have been if we had a decent manager all season. Underachieved doesn't come close.

8) What are your hopes for next season?
Hold on to Benteke. If that happens there should be no reason why we can't challenge for a top 6 finish. On paper we should be as good as Southampton, Swansea or Liverpool.

9) If you could sign one player, let one player leave and extend one player's contract; who would they be?
Cleverley to sign, Weimann to go and extend Benteke.

10) Have you got tickets for the FA Cup final and what is your prediction?
Yes today! (Tuesday). Our record against Arsenal says they should win but with Sherwood you never know.

Thank you to Daniel.

If you would like to answer the ten questions, please direct message me on Twitter @m0llyfaith or email me at molly.jennens@outlook.com

"Sherwood Brought us Back into the Light"

(www.independent.co.uk)

As the 2014-15 season draws to a close, Aston Villa face Southampton and Burnley before the FA Cup final on May 30th. After a turbulent time under Paul Lambert, there is now renewed hope under Tim Sherwood, with a feel good factor flowing through fans and players alike. Who would have thought this time last year that Lambert would no longer be at the club and Villa would be at Wembley for the second time in six weeks? With that in mind I've been asking Villa fans via Twitter to do a quick Q&A reviewing this season.

My first interview was with Lewis Raybould who you can find on Twitter; @LewisRaybould.

1) What did you make of the sacking of Paul Lambert?
100% agreed. I thought he should have gone earlier than he did. We were so negative as a team and I felt that was because of him. He had to go.

2) Initially, what were your thoughts on Tim Sherwood's appointment?
I didn't think he was the right person, I thought there may have potentially been better options but I wasn't so opposed to it at the time.

3) Has your opinion changed since?
Yes, I love him. I'm amazed by what he's done to the same team.

4) What do you think he's done to change things around?
He has a positive approach and he's managed to rally the players and all the fans together and get behind him and the team. It's paying off massively.

Ciaran Clark's demanding displays at the
heart of the defence has turned him for zero
to hero during this season's campaign.
(www.zimbio.com)

5) Who has been your player of the season?
It would be between Clark and Hutton, but because of the way Clark has improved this year, I would give it to him.

6) What about young player of the season?
I think it's hard to overlook Jack (Grealish) for that one. Under Sherwood he's been brilliant and proved to be a first team player.

7) What are your thoughts on this season as a whole?
The start was great. Then it spiralled into hell before Sherwood brought us back into the light. But under Sherwood my thoughts are that we look like a team that can go into any match with a shot of winning and that's awesome.

8) What are your hopes for next season?
If we can get top 10 next season and then build upon that then that would be great.

9) If you could sign one player, let one player leave and extend one player's contract; who would they be?

During Milner's time at Villa he scored
22 goals, with many fans wishing for a
return to Villa Park
(PA Wire)

I'd love to see Milner back, Weimann can go and I'd extend Benteke's contract even further!

10) Have you got tickets for the FA Cup final and what is your prediction?
Despite working there for three years I don't have the chance to buy one. I say 4-3 Villa, Delph (2), Benteke and Westwood.

Thanks to Lewis for his time.

If you would like answer the ten questions, please direct message me on Twitter @m0llyfaith or email me at molly.jennens@outlook.com

Claret & Blue Army's Views: #3

There has been a lot of instability at our club, last season and then the first quarter of the summer, and manager Alex McLeish has to rectify that. His appointment from relegated rivals was met with protests by some Villa fans and if the team get off to a poor start, starting with Fulham today, then all sorts of questions will be asked. Not only of McLeish but Mr Randy Lerner and Co.

My third interview is with Dan Matthews, you can follow him on twitter @Dan_Matthews_ http://twitter.com/#!/Dan_Matthews_

1) How did you feel about the appointment of Alex McLeish?

Surprised and shocked at first, but now he's here I've got on with it and will support him throughout his time here. He needs to go attacking; get rid of the attached myth that he is too defensive as a manager. Hopefully with our squad he'll look to win games with flair!

2) Where do you think we'll finish this season?

11th. I can't see us doing better with the loss of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, but hopefully Zoggy (N'Zogbia) will come in and help Benty and Gabby with the goals! I'm hopeful we're improving defensively on last season though. We were awful at that part of the game last season, so hopefully Eck's got them working over time on that area. Clean sheets needed!

3) What do you make of your summer, pre-season and transfers?

I'm very happy with who we've signed this summer. Given is at top goalkeeper and Zoggy has enormous potential. Letting Nigel Reo-Coker go was a mistake though, we're missing some steel in the middle of the park now which could be exposed early in the season. We need to sign a few more players, a steely central midfielder, a winger and defensive cover. I'd love to see Kyle Walker come back on loan!

4) Who do you think will stand out this season? For good or bad.

Ciaran Clark. I think this will be a big season for him, I'm hoping Delph comes on this campaign too!

 

5) Looking ahead to fulham, what do you expect to see?

A bright, enthusiastic start. Maybe a bit of rustiness, but as long as the lads work hard for each other, I can see us getting a draw. 1-1.

 

6) Do you think McLeish has enforced an element of togetherness within he squad, compared to Houllier?

Yes. I don't think Houllier really had togetherness at all! McLeish seems to have the players behind him so it's a positive sign to see.

 

7) As a fan, are you backing the manager?

Yes, I'm not a fan of him but while he's here, he'll get my support. UTV!

 

Thanks to Dan for doing this. Today is the big day! Let's hear it for the boys in claret and blue!!

Claret & Blue Army's Views: #2

Long story short, my second interview is with Sandra Jennens, my mom. Dunne obsesser I'm afraid to say. You can follow her on twitter @Villa_4_eva http://twitter.com/#!/Villa_4_eva

1) How did you feel about the appointment of Alex McLeish?

Shocked initally, however the board obviously saw something in him that we couldn't see. We now have to give him a chance, a chance to prove himself.

2) Where do you think we'll finish this season?

I hope we finish in the top half. Hopefully higher than last season's 9th place. With the losses of crucial players, Friedel, Downing and Young, but with the new players they should keep us up there with the best.

3) What do you make of our summer, pre-season and transfers?

I think both players are good signings especially once they've found their feet and bonded with the squad. Pre-season, well, a disappointment at the Derby County game but I understand now that Alex McLeish, as it's a friendly, he needed to test his players, get their stamina up and see what positions suit them best etc. The rest of the friendlies haven't been bad results. The Braga game was impressive. We looked asif we can hold our own and stand up for ourselves against othe Premier League teams.

 

4) Who do you think will stand out this season? For good or bad.

I don't know to be honest. I hope the back four get back to their best and stand out. Just to prove the doubters and get our reputation back as a 'strong defence' and 'hard to brake'. Also Shay Given.

 

5) Looking ahead to the Fulham game, what do you expect to see?

I'd like to see a win, like most, and less of the silly passing outside the area. Someone just needs to be selfish and have a shoot. The pretty football we played was great at the end of last season however I would like to see a fast-tempo game.

 

6) Do you like we have the resources to produce a fast-tempo game for fans to enjoy?

With the addition of N'Zogbia, yes. It isn't just him though we do have other players that can contribute.

 

7) As a fan, are you backing the manager?

Of course, that's why I've got my season ticket again. Whatever manager had been appointed I would have supported.

 

Thanks to Sandra for the interview. Up the Villa!

Claret & Blue Army's Views: #1

Our Fulham encounter is just two sleeps away and as the excitement and tension reaches it's climax, I thought I'd do something a little different; interviews! Guys from twitter have thrown themselves in for me to rip there heads off. So this is the first of many I hope.

My first interview is with Phil Russell, you can follow him on twitter; @philrussell88. http://twitter.com/#!/philrussell88

1) How did/do you feel about the appointment of Alex McLeish?
I've always liked him as a person, even when he was at Blues, but I was bitterly dissapointed with his appointment. I thought we would have shown more ambition.

2) Where do you think we'll finish in the table?

12th. We have a weaker squad and a weaker manager than last season, I think there will be a few scares along the way but I think we'll stay up.

3) What do you make of our summer, pre-season and transfers?

I don't take much notice of pre-season but it's been a bit of a mixed bag really. Very happy with Given & N'Zogbia but disappointed to have lost Young & Reo-Coker, not too fussed about Downing because N'Zogbia is a better player. I would have liked a few more additions but it doesn't look like it will happen.

4) Who do you think will stand out this season? For good or bad.

I expect Makoun and N'Zogbia to impress. I think Albrighton could potentially be a key man this season if he can cut out the mistakes in his game. I also expect Dunne to be exposed this season, we need to replace him.

5) Looking ahead to the Fulham game, what do you expect to see?

A tight performance defensively, I dont believe we will create much in attack as this has been highlighted during pre-season.

6) Do you think that is because of McLeish's philosophy?

Yes definetly, he claimed that we would be more attacking but it isnt in his make-up. He's ultra-defensive and he isn't going to change now.

7) To finish, as a fan, are you backing the manager?
Yeah. I'm backing him 100% but if we're in the bottom 3 at Christmas I think my patience will be tested!

Thank you to Phil and hopefully this will be one of many more to come.