Aston Villa must spend to survive

Following Aston Villa's latest major setback in the Capital One Cup, Christian Crowther looks at where Paul Lambert may have to strengthen...

 

As if Villa fans hadn't suffered enough lately, their beloved team went and succumbed to a 3-1 humbling at the hands of a fourth-tier team in their Capital One Cup semi-final.

 

Of course, huge credit must go to League Two side Bradford for a rousing display which will live long in the memory of Bantam followers, but for Villa it was yet more evidence that their current squad is not coping on any front at present.

 

Historically, Villa are the second most successful club in the land in the League Cup though, after giving themselves a titanic task in turning their tie around, their odds of adding a sixth trophy have understandably drifted to 8.4.

 

Cup glory aside, anyone who witnessed this latest debacle would recognise that Villa's vastly inexperienced squad is in need of reinforcements.

 

They are currently available at around 2.62 to drop out of the top tier and if Villa are to survive in the Premier League this season then it's paramount that they add some experience and quality to their ranks.

 

At Valley Parade on Tuesday night, Lambert fielded a back four with an average age of just 22.

 

While lads such as Nathan Baker and Ciaran Clark are certainly promising talents, Lambert must twig that he needs to bring in a seasoned defender to bolster their options.

 

And though the Scot has been unfortunate in losing Ron Vlaar and Richard Dunne to long-term injuries, Villa still need to add in this department.

 

Reports suggest Randy Lerner will make around £20 million available to the manager and rumours linking Villa to Manchester City outcast Joleon Lescott, a boyhood fan, are encouraging.

 

The England international would be a first-class signing for the Villans, and being a league champion he is exactly the sort of role model this young squad could feed off.

 

Failing that, Lescott's former Everton teammate Sylvain Distin is reportedly open to offers as time runs out on his Goodison Park contract this summer, though it is unlikely that they would let him go this month while he is a first-team regular.

 

A midfield anchor in the mould of Gareth Barry would also serve Villa well as the likes of diminutive pairing Fabian Delph and Barry Bannan could do with the support of a more physical presence.

 

A player such as Scott Parker would make the ideal fit; though prising him away from Tottenham would not be easy.

 

Good teams are built around strong spines and right now Villa's is in serious need of an osteopath.

 

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