Aston Villa - Where did it all go wrong?

Prior to the 2008-09 season, noöne expected Aston Villa to be comfortably sitting in the top 4 of the Premier League by the end of December. One of Villa's highlights was a 2-0 victory against Arsenal at the Emirates; add that to victories over the likes of Sunderland, Tottenham and Blackburn, plus the outstanding form from the likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew and Martin O'Neill was treated like a God by the claret and blue-half of Brimingham, and so too by the rest of the country. And the reason why we were praising them? The fact that they displayed so many English players. It sounds stupid, but in this modern game it is near impossible for a Premier League team to field a fully-English side and win a game deservedly. But Aston Villa could do this. Not just with Young and Agbonlahor but with Sidwell, Milner, Curtis Davies, Barry and Knight; players that were performing well week-in week-out. Very few foreign players were seen in the starting line-up, with the exception of American Brad Friedel, Dane Martin Laursen and Norweigan big man John Carew. And secretly a lot of us were hoping that they did break into the top 4 and emerge next year in the UEFA Champions League - everyone besides Arsenal and Everton fans perhaps. Yes, everything seemed to be going swimmingly. O'Neill had even sent out a weaker, young side to face CSKA Moscow - which showed that O'Neill had no interest to progressfurther into the UEFA Cup, and instead wanted to focus on cementing a place in the Champions League for 2009-10, which seemed to be a very smart idea. This run of good results lasted well, until we got to March; Villa lost ground to Stoke at home with a 2-2 draw, and then a string of defeats to Man City, Spurs and a 5-0 whooping by in-form Liverpool. Suddenly, everything had turned dark for Martin O'Neill's men. And to make matters worse, Arsenal had closed in, with some good results after regaining injured players and the signing of the wonderful Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin. Moving into April, and Villa still couldn't win. Draws with Bolton, West Ham and Everton weren't good enough, as Agbonlahor lost his scoring touch and Young failed to flourish. Now, as we arrive at the end of the season Villa find themselves fighting for fifth, but are guaranteed a place in the newly revamped Europa League.

So, why did Villa fall near the final hurdle? I think a major part of it is inexperience. Villa hadn't been in a very good position for decades, as managers like John Gregory, Graham Taylor and David O'Leary had failed to create a good squad harmony. Martin O'Neill managed it though. But I think that Arsenal, who won the league a few years ago and are used to winning trophies and being placed in the top 4 of the League, had more experience of how to grind out results and finish off games, especially with the experienced Wenger in charge. But for Villa, they just couldn't quite get there, which is slightly disappointing. But I think, next year they'll be back up there contesting, and the more times they are up there fighting every year, the more experience they'll get. I don't think there is need for Martin O'Neill to revamp his squad or spend big, just a little signing here and that will give them more of an edge. One thing for certain, I am really looking forward to seeing them next season.