With faith in Tim Sherwood rapidly decreasing, the London-born gaffer needs a big win to get the Villa fans revitalised.
Some fans became sceptical of Sherwood’s ability after the dismal end to last season, following Villa’s confirmed safety in the Premier League.
While at times the football has been better and more attractive than what was on offer in the Paul Lambert era, the results this season have not only been bad, they have been worse. It is Villa’s worst start since the 1986-87 season, in which the Villans, managed by Billy McNeil, finished bottom of the First Division.
That is not an encouraging fact to read for Villa fans, especially after the past few seasons in which Villa have continuously flirted with relegation.
A win against Stoke City this weekend would help. But it is not the sort of result people will be talking about for weeks. It would not create a buzz about the club. It would be a relief to Villa fans to see their team win again this season.
A win against the Potters by at least a three-goal margin would excite the claret and blue faithful.
Or an unexpected result against one of the ‘big boys’, akin to Villa’s 2-1 win away to Tottenham Hotspur last season. Villa fans were jubilant in the North London sunshine, singing praises about Sherwood’s win ratio.
Villa have got a lot of games like that coming up and they need to win some of them because of the abysmal start to the season, which leaves them sitting in 18th place.
Sherwood had the perfect opportunity to build momentum after the derby victory against bitter rivals, Birmingham City, but the Villa fell short at Anfield, losing to Liverpool 3-2.
It is not a result that shocks the world, but in recent seasons it is not unheard of for Villa to grab a point or all three against the Reds in Liverpool. Some positive thinking Villa fans (if they exist) may have expected a result against Brendan Rodgers’ men, especially since the Liverpool gaffer has been under intense pressure in recent weeks.
Now, with Bournemouth losing Callum Wilson to a lengthy injury, there is a perfect time to kick on and get some points on the board and try and drag the Cherries down into the relegation zone.
If Villa does not win this weekend, fans will start to get increasingly impatient, especially as Sherwood’s recent comments about expecting the team to struggle have frustrated fans, after all the positivity surrounding the club in the summer.
Get the Holte End rocking and there is nothing else like it, but if the Villa continue as they are, Villa Park can become a very hostile place.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
