VIEW FROM THE STANDS

Last season was initially brilliant ( we beat Liverpool 7- 2!), then a bit disappointing from January... then good again. A pleasant mixed bag. The big talking point among the

fans is the notion of Jack Grealish following Gareth Barry, James Milner and Fabian Delph in leaving Villa for Manchester City.

I won’t be happy unless there’s some more steady progression – I know that might sound a little boring. That said, we haven’t won the FA Cup since 1957 and nothing since 1996...

Our most underrated player is

Matt Targett. After a tricky first season at Villa, he was absolutely fantastic last season. The opposition player I secretly

admire is Mason Greenwood, who is great and only going to get better. I also really like Raphinha at Leeds – you feel like he can create something from anywhere. The pantomime villain will be

Patrick Bamford: there’s animosity with Leeds from the Championship days... and he scored a hat- trick at Villa Park last season.

Our key player will be Grealish if he stays, because he’s the best player we’ve ever had. If he goes, then either Emi Buendia or Emi Martinez – now Argentina’s No. 1. What were Arsenal thinking?! The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is largely very positive. After the chaos of previous seasons, it’s just great to have some stability in that position. Dean Smith is a Villa fan himself, of course, so that certainly helps in terms of ‘ getting’ the club.

We’ll finish somewhere between 8th and 12th. So… 9th?

IAN WOODCOCK @ Ian_ A_ Woodcock