Well, well, well, folks, it's season preview time!
With the Premier Leagues in the UK kicking off this weekend (although how "Premier" a leage can be considered with Burnley in it is a point for debate), this writer is going to sum up the chances (and give some betting tips) for the season ahead. So, in no particular order, here are my thoughts on the teams:
Arshavin (i.e. Arsenal)
They've been here before: Key, experienced players leaving, with Arsene Wenger deciding to trust young talent over spending megabucks on established players. How is it different this time, you ask? Well, Wenger looks set to change his side's shape this season to a more fluid (apparently it's possible) 4-3-3, with a front line consisting of any 3 from the rejuvenated (and fully fit again) Eduardo, the brilliant Arshavin, van Persie, the rapid Walcott, young Vela and even younger Wilshere. They also have Nicklas Bendtner. Defensively, Kolo Toure has departed, with Belgian international centre-back Thomas Vermaelen joining from Ajax. Manuel Almunia has firmly established himself as 1st choice, while Bacary Sagna impressed in his first season. Expect Cesc Fabregas to be on form again, dictating, pushing on, and numerous other things besides. The anticipated return from injury of Tomas Rosicky will add another option in midfield.
Verdict: They could go either way from last season's 4th place. They undoubtedly have goals in them from a very talented set of forwards, who should all revel as part of a front 3. A lot will depend on how new signing Vermaelen settles into defence. If luck is on their side, they could come very close to the title.
Aston Villa
Manchester United weren't the only team whose season was turned last time out by the intervention of Federico Macheda: after going down 3-2 at Old Trafford, Villa struggled badly, and ended the season with something of a whimper. Thus far, their transfer dealings have been unconvincing to say the least: while Gareth Barry's departure was to be expected, Villa have yet to see him properly replaced, the arrivals of Stewart Downing (out injured until December, and even then his position of left-midfield is firmly occupied by Ashley Young) and Fabian Delph (who is still a teenager, and thus cannot be expected to perform twice a week for 10 months in the exemplary manner Barry did) notwithstanding. The retirement of Martin Laursen is a blow, exacerbated by the departure of Zat Knight to Bolton. The arrival of Habib Beye gives Villa another option at right-back, but they are still weak in the centre: a lot will be asked of Curtis Davies. But perhaps the more worrying outcome of their game at Old Trafford last season was the discovery that Villa are in actual fact a rather limited side, with a somewhat primitive plan A of long balls for the height of Carew or Heskey to knock down for the quickslilver Agbonlahor, and no plan B. Added to this a possibly extensive (if not extensive, then most likely morale-shattering) Europa League campaign, and this could be (assuming they don't bring in some real quality between now and September 1) a long, hard, and ultimately disappointing season for Villa.
Verdict: Without a new central midfield, and reinforcements in attack and at central defence, Villa could slide down the table, especially considering the improvements made by some teams who finished below them. They are 40/1 to be relegated. Think about it
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