After slipping to a seventh consecutive league defeat just 10 days ago, Aston Villa looked to be in real danger of losing their status as a Premier League side. Occupying a bottom three spot, with just Leicester below them, the prospect of relegation beckoned.
A lack of goals and dull football, forced the club to sack Paul Lambert in search of a change in fortunes. Tim Sherwood was the man tasked to turn things around at Villa Park and save them from the drop – and already this decision looks to have paid off.
A week is a long time in football, and this has once again proved to be the case with Aston Villa. Two vital victories over city rivals West Brom has galvanised the club and appears to have revitalised both players and fans.
The relief was clear to see after Christian Benteke stuck away a last-gasp penalty with supreme confidence following a calamitous error from Ben Foster in the West Brom goal. Just like the fans and players alike, Sherwood celebrated as if it were a cup final, and it certainly had the feel of it.
The victory lifted them out of the bottom three, giving them a three-point cushion from those sides below them. Stopping the rot was one thing, but the manner of the victory boosted everyone around the club, and should provide them with the confidence to kick on and beat the drop.
And this confidence was taken into the second of a double header against West Brom as they booked a date at Wembley and a FA Cup semi final clash with either Liverpool or Blackburn. Another improved performance, with Villa netting another two goals, and although it’s early days – Tim Sherwood’s arrival seems to be having the required effect.
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Another pleasing aspect of the victory was the way in which new recruit Scott Sinclair took his goal. Since arriving at the club in January on a loan deal from Manchester City, the winger is hungrier than ever to make his mark as he looks to get his career back on track.
He certainly has the right manager in place to ensure his confidence is fully restored, and early signs look good with two goals already. If Sinclair can recreate the level of performance that made City take notice during his time at Swansea, Villa can really benefit.
A league and cup victory in the space of a week certainly won’t ensure survival, and there’s no hiding the fact there is still plenty of work still to be done. But the past 10 days may well prove the turning point as Villa strive for survival and build a platform for a better campaign next season.
Under Sherwood, they are perfectly capable of picking up a few more wins to climb the table, and the quality within their squad should ensure just that. With the potential of a cup final in May, the next couple of months may well help to put a positive complexion on a disappointing season.
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