Premier League Preview: Aston Villa

Last Season: 15th

Pre-Season Prediction: 14th - A generous 14th. Don't let this fool you, they will be battling relegation all season but should stay up by the skin of their teeth.

Last season was one to forget for Paul Lambert's side as they failed to show any signs of progression, finishing 15th for the second year in a row. Lambert's youthful revolution was supposed to improve year-on-year but it seems as though the Villa fans may have to endure what is a very average side for a while longer. With star man Christian Benteke failing to replicate his form from the previous season - albeit suffering from numerous injuries - Villa looked short of quality across the park and their summer dealings will be turning no heads in the build-up to this season.

Villa have raided the Premier League veterans club with free transfers for Joe Cole and Philipe Senderos as well as purchasing Kieran Richardson from newly-relegated Fulham. Whilst all three provide a wealth of experience none are invigorating signings with all three well past their peak. That said, amongst a young squad the knowledge that these players possess can only be beneficial.

Most fans would love to see some sort of marquee signing to boost the general squad confidence but with Randy Lerner putting the club up for sale there is going to be no financial investment. The squad has some depth if not lacking plenty of quality but a couple more creative midfielders wouldn't go amiss with rumours that Ki Sung-Yueng is on Lambert's radar.Their main challenge though will be to hold onto the services of both Ron Vlaar and Christian Benteke as the two stars are courted by numerous clubs.

It's been a mixed pre-season so far from the Aston Villa boys, with three early victories before back-to-back thumpings from Chesterfield and Groningen respectively. Confidence is hardly flowing amongst Villa supporters after these results, with new signing Philipe Senderos looking particularly suspect. This may not be a problem though, as it seems as though Lambert will opt for the more solid Okore and Vlaar as his trusted defensive pairing. One highlight has been the performances of Jack Grealish who has stepped up following a very successful loan spell last year at Notts County.

What are we to expect from Villa this season then? Well it's a lottery as to which Villa side will actually turn up. Last season saw notable scalps against Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea alongside heavy defeats to teams such as Stoke and Swansea and consistency is key if Villa are to improve. The addition of Roy Keane as assistant manager may whip some of the slackers into shape but is more likely to create tension and alienation in the dressing room if his track record is anything to go by.

Key Man: Ron Vlaar - The Dutchman put himself firmly on the map after a stellar World Cup and will be looking to carry that form into this season after never really performing consistently in the League in the past. Vlaar may benefit from having some stability in his defence after having numerous different centre-back partners over the last few seasons but if last season is anything to go by then the captain will be having another busy year.

One to Watch: Darren Bent - After being forced into the wilderness over financial reasons during the last few years and after a disappointing loan spell at Fulham the journeyman will be looking to rekindle his career with a strong season for the Claret and Blue. With Benteke not fully on the mend from a long-term injury, Bent may get his chance in the early stages of the season and after banging a few goals in and looking sharp in pre-season, who knows whether the ex-international striker will find some form again for the first time since his Sunderland days.

Best Signing: Kieran Richardson - Least depressing signing may be a better header in Villa's case but I suppose Richardson is the one who you feel is the closest to his peak. Whilst he tends to play left-back nowadays he is versatile and can play on either flank both in defence and midfield. He has also worked with Roy Keane before at Manchester United and may form a strong bond with his former team-mate. Perhaps more than anything he brings some experience to a young Villa side.