Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Saturday August 8 2009
Time: 8:22AM
UK time is: 07:28:59
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Wenger - Villa More Threat Than Man City
Well here is a quick one for us to look at!
I'm not sure if Arsene Wenger who is a master along with Sir Alex Chewalot at mind games is trying to 'play' with Mark Hughes at Manchester City or whether he does see Villa as their main threat?
The Arsenal manager has claimed in an interview for The Mirror that Aston Villa are the team he would worry about when it comes to keeping their top four spot, not the new big spending City boys.
The Frenchman, renown for his spats with Sir Alex and Chelsea's special one questions whether it is just about money and says it is also about 'the right balance'.
'If you do not find your balance straight away it can be difficult. At some stage a club has to make history.'
'For me I would say we are looking at a top six with Aston Villa - and you could have one surprise. There is always one unexpected team that fights but we can’t discard Aston Villa. Yes, last season they collapsed in the last 12 games, but at some stage looked like they could fight for championship.'
He also says, much like he did about Chelsea, that Arsenal will continue to be run properly and 'live with our natural resources' and says when they make money from transfers it is because they've worked hard at it and made the right decisions adding that living within your means does make it far more difficult.
Not unlike what Martin O'Neill was saying a few weeks back about the unbalancing effect these massive transfer spree's have and how 'disappointing' it can be having tried to build a team from scratch.
So, do you fancy Villa's chances of competing for the top four again or do you think that Man City have blown away all comers. I'm not asking for responses with the claret and blue specs on, when I put those on I think we'll win the world cup let alone anything else! City have to be a worry to all teams surely? Chelsea were drifting before Abramovich, now they expect top four every year, will Man City be the same? Makes you wonder if they are, at what cost and to whom?!
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Your Comments
love that picture, I think he is doing an impression of a tortoise!
The Fear
love that picture, I think he is doing an impression of a tortoise!
The Fear
I am also of the opinnioun that city wont be too much of a threat to the Big 4. If they start poorly then the preassure on them will be too much.I can see Mark Huges being sacked. I am predicting a Mid tabe finish for city. I think the Top 4 will reamin the same but if anyone is going to break into it this year then it wil be either everton or villa.
Yid_from_India
I am also of the opinnioun that city wont be too much of a threat to the Big 4. If they start poorly then the preassure on them will be too much.I can see Mark Huges being sacked. I am predicting a Mid tabe finish for city. I think the Top 4 will reamin the same but if anyone is going to break into it this year then it wil be either everton or villa.
Yid_from_India
Wenger knows we generally play well against them and has always been a manager who relies on evolution not revolution. May not like the man much but his achievements in producing attacking, attractive teams can't be disputed. Let's hope he's right.
northamptonvillan
Wenger knows we generally play well against them and has always been a manager who relies on evolution not revolution. May not like the man much but his achievements in producing attacking, attractive teams can't be disputed. Let's hope he's right.
northamptonvillan
Must be mind games. Villa are currently weaker than last season, imho.
Saurat
Theres too much pressure on City now.They probably wont be as good as they were under Sven.
Pking
Must be mind games. Villa are currently weaker than last season, imho.
Saurat
Theres too much pressure on City now.They probably wont be as good as they were under Sven.
Pking
City not only have some qaulity players, they are proven prem players. If they make a good start you can expect them to be a big threat. They were not a tough team to beat especially away from home but they had a decent season, for me the key to city lies in stevie Ireland, he is absolute class and given there new strike TEAM(lol) and his distribution as well as Barrys U have to admit they are a big threat.
Mix26
City not only have some qaulity players, they are proven prem players. If they make a good start you can expect them to be a big threat. They were not a tough team to beat especially away from home but they had a decent season, for me the key to city lies in stevie Ireland, he is absolute class and given there new strike TEAM(lol) and his distribution as well as Barrys U have to admit they are a big threat.
Mix26
Man City are definitely a bigger threat than us at the moment. We really need 3 top class signings because although Downing, Delph and Beye are all decent players I still feel we started last season stronger than we are now!
pjvilla
Man City are definitely a bigger threat than us at the moment. We really need 3 top class signings because although Downing, Delph and Beye are all decent players I still feel we started last season stronger than we are now!
pjvilla
While Wenger's comments make for pleasant reading, the established 'Big Four' are all no doubt well aware of the big threat that Manchester City will undoubtably pose, and they will only ignore the threat of Hughes' lot at their peril. City are now in the very enviable position of being able to field two very strong line-ups, having quality back up in virtually every position. Sadly, we are nowhere near to being able to enjoy that luxury. O.K., City's array of stars have to blend, but they are all players of genuine quality, how long will it realistically take them to achieve that requisite? While they might not be ready to lift the premiership crown at the first time of asking, I cant see them being too far away.
glensider
While Wenger's comments make for pleasant reading, the established 'Big Four' are all no doubt well aware of the big threat that Manchester City will undoubtably pose, and they will only ignore the threat of Hughes' lot at their peril. City are now in the very enviable position of being able to field two very strong line-ups, having quality back up in virtually every position. Sadly, we are nowhere near to being able to enjoy that luxury. O.K., City's array of stars have to blend, but they are all players of genuine quality, how long will it realistically take them to achieve that requisite? While they might not be ready to lift the premiership crown at the first time of asking, I cant see them being too far away.
glensider
I would actually love Arsenal or Villa to be presented with the 'headache' of an unlimited amount of funds..... just to see Wengers and O'Neils moral compass' start spinning or to hear their brains go *POP*! Alternatively they could just quit and wimp out of any decisions..........
RobsonGreensleeves
I would actually love Arsenal or Villa to be presented with the 'headache' of an unlimited amount of funds..... just to see Wengers and O'Neils moral compass' start spinning or to hear their brains go *POP*! Alternatively they could just quit and wimp out of any decisions..........
RobsonGreensleeves
If MON plays the young'uns we can be good again and who knows how far they could take us. Central defence the big question mark. Up front Carew and the Fonz would be my pick. Albrighton also to start the season and left out if things go wrong, not wait for other experienced players to go wrong - which they would. I realise up front it may be Heskey and Gabby. If so, I hope they will do brilliantly, but please please please if they underperform take them off and give others a chance. Not just a token 10 minutes or no time at all to change things. And if they do come on and do change things they should then win their place. This is hardly innovational, but sometimes MON is rather stubborn in playing players for ever and ever when they are clearly not deserving of their place. Hopefully we shall see a new attitude this season. Pick our best players and we can be in business again.
stennyvilla
If MON plays the young'uns we can be good again and who knows how far they could take us. Central defence the big question mark. Up front Carew and the Fonz would be my pick. Albrighton also to start the season and left out if things go wrong, not wait for other experienced players to go wrong - which they would. I realise up front it may be Heskey and Gabby. If so, I hope they will do brilliantly, but please please please if they underperform take them off and give others a chance. Not just a token 10 minutes or no time at all to change things. And if they do come on and do change things they should then win their place. This is hardly innovational, but sometimes MON is rather stubborn in playing players for ever and ever when they are clearly not deserving of their place. Hopefully we shall see a new attitude this season. Pick our best players and we can be in business again.
stennyvilla
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