VIEW FROM THE STANDS

The big talking point among the fans is who will play upfront. Fans want a marquee purchase to limit any worries about our goalscoring prowess ( or therefore lack of). This season will be different to

last because Villa’s side is settled, happy and should be buoyed by a few key summer purchases.

I won’t be happy unless we are comfortably away from relegation. I’ll lose even more years off my life! Our most underrated player is

Trezeguet. He’s a grafter, has pace and ability, but nothing came off until he came good – big time – in our last few games of 2019- 20.

Look out for striker Louie Barry. Once of Barcelona, he’s absolutely electric at youth level and still 17.

The opposition player I secretly

admire is West Brom’s Romaine Sawyers. He has reached the top flight the long way round and has style, skill and discipline. The pantomime villain will be

Jack Grealish. Other clubs’ fans absolutely despise him.

Save the date for Villa vs Leeds. There’s no rivalry, but recent games between the clubs have been eventful, atmospheric and electric. The best Villa social media

account is @ AVFCWIKI, which is a wonderful Twitter account on top of everything Villa- related.

The fans’ opinion of the gaffer

is that he’s a good coach, who has improved a number of players – not least Grealish. Online, opinion is mixed; in person, fans are much clearer backers of Smith.

We’ll finish 12th... I hope! It would mean progression and an eye for more the season after.