Aston Villa are eighth in the Premier League table. How would you summarise how things have gone since the previous meeting with Brentford at the start of December?
Disjointed. Villa have picked up impressive results since the last meeting with Brentford, but a lack of consistency has really cost them.
Dropping points to Wolves and Ipswich, then a resounding 4-1 defeat on the road to Crystal Palace: they do not really go hand-in-hand with Champions League football.
The increase of games – and the intensity at which they are played against Europe’s elite – have taken their toll.
However, the likes of Pau Torres and Boubacar Kamara are on their way back, so the team could finish strong.
Given Villa’s impressive performance in the Champions League so far, is their focus from here finishing as strongly as possible to ensure this is not a one-off?
Champions League is the priority, especially given the draw with Club Brugge and the financial implications associated with progressing.
However, that FA Cup dream is bubbling behind the scenes. Villa have drawn the only non-Premier League side left in the competition and are now just one win away from a trip to Wembley.
It’s been nearly 30 years since they last lifted a major trophy. If the chance is there, they need to give it their all.
I have enjoyed watching him play. There seems to be real intent with everything he is doing on the football pitch and, most importantly, he is doing it with a smile on his face.
He has three assists to his name already, and that elusive first goal seems like it is just around the corner after going close on multiple occasions.
We all know how fantastic he can be, and I think he’s well on his way to recapturing his finest form.
The £40 million fee to make his move permanent at the end of the season could end up looking like a bargain.
