1 Premier League Preview: Aston Villa

The Big Issue: Are the kids really alright?

Five wins and two draws from their last 10 games propelled the Lambert Babes of Aston Villa to safety last season. A campaign plagued by defensive nightmares and catastrophic mistakes had been turned on its head as a squad full of talented but inexperienced footballers found their feet, under the greatest of pressure, in the nick of time.

So goes the theory, anyway – and this is the season when that gets put to the test. In the aftermath of the great escape, manager Paul Lambert has remained true to his policy of investing in youth – of seven new faces to arrive this summer, the Bulgarian midfielder Aleksandar Tonev is the oldest at an almost geriatric 23. Danish international Jores Okore (21) looks set to partner captain Ron Vlaar at the back, while Antonio Luna (22) should usurp Joe Bennett at left back.

The adored former skipper Stiliyan Petrov has retired, but competition for midfield places will be ramped up by the arrival of Leandro Bacuna (21) from Groningen, and the return from long-term injury of the hugely talented Gary Gardner.

Still, who are we kidding? The biggest news to come out of Villa Park over the summer was the new contract signed by Christian Benteke – the biggest and best kid of the lot.

Keep an eye on…

Ron Vlaar – Brought in for £3.2m last summer, Vlaar was the rock upon whom Paul Lambert wished to build his defence – but calf trouble ruled him out between November and January, and the Villa rearguard fell apart without him. Restored to the team and given the captain’s armband, the Dutch international ranks alongside popular goalkeeper Brad Guzan and Christian Benteke as the players his manager cannot do without. Even if he is, at 28, far too old.

The Stat

1 – At the time of writing, the number of players in the Villa squad over the age of 30. And that’s 37-year-old Shay Given, whose fat salary they can’t wait to get rid of.

If they were an animal, they would be a…

Dolphin – Exuberant and fast learner that responds well to an appreciative crowd. Communication sometimes puzzling, however, and regularly all at sea.

Prediction: 10th