Aston Villa are struggling towards the bottom end of the league, despite a rather large summer invest by Tim Sherwood and his team. After ensuring Premier League survival and taking the club to the FA Cup final last season, the former Tottenham boss is really under pressure.
Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke have since left, with a raft of players coming in as a result. Despite some big money signings, the Villa Park outfit are still turning out disappointing results and are likely to be involved in another relegation scrap throughout the season.
Rudy Gestede, Jack Grealish and Micah Richards have been highlights so far, though their efforts have largely been futile. The loss to Leicester City summed the campaign so far – two great goals from their attacking gems, but lax defending ultimately costing them a result.
If Sherwood is to stave off relegation, and win the absolute of the Villa faithful, he needs to act in January. After such invest over the summer, he may need to balance the books in order to so.
Here are FIVE villains he can axe at Villa…
JOE COLE
The Joe Cole experiment hasn’t worked. Much like the same tests conducted at Liverpool and his West Ham return. We all know what a good player the former Chelsea and England man used to be – and the great player he could have been.
However, with Grealish, Carlos Gil and summer signing Jordan Ayew able to be deployed in similar positions, it’s time to cut their losses with the 33-year old.
PHILIPPE SENDEROS
Another experiment that hasn’t worked. It’s almost mind boggling that the Swiss defender is still knocking about the Premier League. Having played for Arsenal, AC Milan and Valencia you would have thought the centre-back is an imposing defender – he is not.
Age has not helped the ex-Fulham man, his experience has done little to rid the errors from his game, and simply can’t be relied upon.
ALAN HUTTON
With Micah Richards and Leandro Bacuna available in right-back berths, it’s time to move the Scotland international on. The former Spurs and Rangers defender did well to fight his way back from the wilderness after it seemed his Villa career was all but over – but should be sold.
A return to Scotland or a move down to the Championship would be best for all parties.
CHARLES N’ZOGBIA
The Frenchman, a bit like Cole, has been left behind as Villa have pushed on to secure younger, hungrier talents.
A £9.5m signing in 2011, he has shown glimpses of talent throughout his career, but never truly kicked on. The former Newcastle man is likely to be on a high wage packet, and should be cut adrift if at all possible.
LIBOR KOZAK
The form of new signing Rudy Gestede has gone a long way to filling the void left by Christian Benteke’s departure to Liverpool. Though fully replaced it, mind.
However, the towering Frenchman has performed well since he moved from Blackburn, scoring three times. This has had an effect on the Czech forward Libor Kozak, who can’t seem to get in this side.
Unable to become a first-team regular since his arrival in 2013, the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor and Jordan Ayew can support Gestede throughout the season, especially if Sherwood continues to play one up front.
