The increase of Aston Villa fans on a matchday has been a regular occurrence lately in the Transfer Tavern and although we love the pleasure of their company, seeing them drown their sorrows in pint after pint is not a pretty sight.
They haven’t had much to cheer about so far this season, as they occupy the bottom spot of the Premier League with only one win in eleven games so far in their disappointing season. When Tim Sherwood took over in February last season Villa fans were in a similar situation, facing a relegation battle that looked as if it would go down to the wire.
Sherwood managed to retain Villa’s Premier League status, finishing 3 points above the dreaded drop but after an underwhelming season so far, Sherwood has been relieved of his duties and Remi Garde has been given the objective of revitalising Villa’s season.
With a squad of players providing poor performances and no sign of an increase in fortunes, Garde must look to the January transfer window to build a squad of his own. Out with the old, in with the new, here are 5 players that we think Garde should axe in the January transfer window.
Click Garde below to see FIVE players he should axe in January!
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Philippe Senderos
Philippe Senderos’ time as Aston Villa has been similar to that of Tim Sherwood’s but a bit more stop-start than he would have hoped.
Originally joining Villa from Valencia in June 2014, Senderos enjoyed a fine start to the 2014-2015 campaign. Starting in all eight games of Villa’s Premier League campaign as they made a surge towards the top of the table, Senderos had a season of two halves.
The big Swiss defender has had the rest of his time plagued by injury and upon his return, was left sidelined on the bench. With a list of defenders with plenty of potential already ahead of him, Senderos’ time at Villa could be up, with his wages used to sign reinforcements for the impending relegation scrap.
Libor Kozak
Libor Kozak is a player that has never really performed for Villa. In his entire time throughout the 2014-2015 campaign, he failed to make an appearance although Kozak considered the season to be one of progress.
After breaking his leg at the Villa training ground on New Years Day 2014, the striker was forced to undergo his second operation. A player that has had his career ruined by injury so far but his dogged determination has helped him to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Paul Lambert was in charge of the Villans when Kozak was initially snapped up but despite managing several goals in the appearances he has made, the wage budget has to be freed up and Kozak can only be considered as expendable.
Joe Cole
The former England international joined the claret and blues on a free transfer in June 2014 on a two-year-deal. Spending the majority of his career in England’s top flight league, the attacking midfielder has always had the reputation of being good enough for the Premier League.
However, age seems to be catching up with the Englishman as he moved further down the pecking order under Sherwood as the likes of Jack Grealish and Charles N’Zogbia became the first-choice attacking players.
Cole went out on emergency loan to League One side, Coventry City. Unless Remi Garde decides that Cole is a player that is still a necessity to Premier League survival, it may be time for him to permanently exit the club in January.
Joleon Lescott
Another one of Villa’s former England internationals, Lescott is another one of the players that has fallen out of contention for first-team football under Tim Sherwood. The 33-year-old’s career seemed to be at it’s peak during his five-year spell at Premier League giants, Manchester City.
Making 107 appearances for City between 2009 and 2014, Lescott could have been considered as one of the Premier League’s best defenders. However, since his release from City and an average-at-best season at West Bromwich Albion, Lescott arrived at Villa hoping to be a first-team starter at a well-established top flight club.
With Lescott only signing in September this season, it became apparent quite quickly that his services may not be satisfactory as Villa’s defensive woes continue. New defenders will be a necessity in the January transfer window and Lescott’s first-team place may not last much further into the New Year if form continues to dip.
Gabriel Agbonlahor
Gabriel Agbonlahor has always been a vital player at Aston Villa but this season in particular, questions have been asked about whether the long-term frontman is capable of doing enough for the club anymore. Longest serving member of the club, named club captain at the start of the season and the club’s record goalscorer in the Premier League, it’s hard to take anything away from the fantastic service he’s provided for Villa fans.
However, with Villa’s frontline failing to fire on all cylinders and Agbonlahor’s form as of yet and results continuing to go against them, Garde will need to look for fresh forwards in the January transfer window. Whether or not the former England international will stay at Villa remains to be seen but if his form doesn’t improve swiftly, he may find himself sidelined under the new boss.
