Choosing a team with only ONE player or manager from the last 12 years, wasn't an easy task. To set some ground rules for this squad...
One player/manager from each year since 2008/09
This doesn't have to be how the player was at Villa, but instead how the player was in their whole career and if their best was at Villa, that's a bonus.
433 Formation, with it trying to be a balanced team as possible.
GK- Brad Friedel - 2009/10- The American was a servant for Villa but also an outstanding player with a great career. He won a league cup and the Turkish league whilst also keeping hundreds of clean sheets over his career span. A safe pair of hands won't go a miss within this team and form a team ready to push for a European place.
RB- Kyle Walker - 2010/11- Arguably one of the most decorated players within this team, winning multiple Premier Leagues and numerous other trophies with Manchester City whilst also being a key player within this team for City. With his blistering pace, Walker could easily support attacks within this team and allow the team to build from positions like the halfway line. His ability to strike one against teams like Sheffield United may have also come in handy this season ;).
RCB- Ezri Konsa 2019/20- Well what else can you say about Ezri Konsa, Quick, Strong, Techinaclly good on the ball, Amazing awareness he really does possess the attributes to be a top-class CB and play at the highest level. With Villa being able to steal him for 11 million he has already shown to be a class piece of business by the Villans and show within this team why he would be more than capable at holding his own.
LCB- John Terry - 2017/18 - One of the best players of all time in his position, I definitely think so. Winning 5 Premier Leagues, 5 FA cups, A Champions and Europa league and making the World XI of the year multiple times he is an all-time great. With an amazing no-nonsense style of play and ability to win the ball in any situation Terry who in some respects wouldn't be as fast as Konsa would improve the Defenses ability hugely. Forming a formidable defence of pace and technical ability.
LB- Ryan Bertrand 2013/14- With little choice of good Left full-backs my shortlist came down to Targett, Amavi and Bertrand. Amavi was a close second however from that year I wanted a different choice and felt these two were more of an even match. Bertrand playing Premier League football for much of his career and being a reliable left-back. Making his debut in Champions League football in the final for Chelsea shows his ability to step up to a big occasion and having already played with Terry at Chelsea help to form a bond between the two on the left.
CM- Styllian Petrov (C)- 2011/12- Styllian what a player. For me, he takes captain because of him previously captaining Villa within the Premier League and his ability to pick a pass from a deeper position was great. An easy pick from a very lacklustre side.
CDM- Idrissa Gueye- 2015/16- A bright spark in an almighty dull Villa team that was eventually relegated. A good ball stopping Central Defensive minded midfielder. Working hard to clear up for the attacking flair that is within this team. Playing for PSG and Senegals national team shows the levels he is now at and would provide great shape to this team.
CM- Jack Grealish -2014/15- Well... What can be said about this man? Captaining our club at 24 and scoring vital goals from everywhere. Without him, we definitely would not be in the Premier League not only promoting us but also single-handedly carrying an attack that couldn't hit a barn door for half the season, with one striker tearing his cruciate ligament in January and one managing to score one league goal for the rest of such season. His natural flair and ability to take the ball past players and manage to create something out of nothing makes sure he was on the list, even though he was first on the team sheet anyway...
LW- Ashley Young- 2008/09 - Scoring goals, setting them up. Ashley Young arguably at his best when at Aston Villa. Unplayable on the wings the creativity for the other players within this team would be phenomenal. Young has won Premier Leagues and would be able to provide cover at other positions in the team.
ST- Benteke - 2012/13- The problem of scoring goals would be solved with a prime Villa Benteke, headers, vl=olleys, set pieces it won't matter, goals, goals, goals. The big Belgian enjoyed a great spell at Villa and with him spearheading the attack.
RW- Gabby Agbonlahor 2016/17- A Villa cult hero, goals-against Blues and many others. Slightly out of position, however, with his blistering pace from the 2000s, he would be able to play outside and provide goals from this position.
Manager- Dean Smith- 2020/21- It was a choice between him and Martin O'Neil and realistically it was never in doubt with Deano winning. Villa through and through, with this bunch of players he would be sure to get the best out of them and know what's right for the club moving through a season, even if at times his substitutions are a bit off...
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