What's the minimum Martin O'Neil must acheive this season?

[Webbo]

After a disappointing season with Villa last season, where must Villa finish for MON to keep his reputation?

He had great success with us but coming from low expectations. He won lots with Celtic, but so did Strachan and nobody thought he was a great manager in England.

With a large amount of money to spend I think he has to finish in the top 6 and qualify for Europe or be considered a failure.

[Stevosevic]

Was last season a disappointment? I dont think so They finished 11th? Following a season of 16th? Decent improvement and i believe he didn't have pre-season to prepare the side?

[Cheese Me]

Definitely top 6 but I think it'll be a struggle with Spurs looking very strong he'll probably have to finish above Newcastle or Arsenal (who are surely about to drop away this season) to achieve it.

Hope he does though. I've got no love for Villa but do want MON to be sucessful wherever he goes.

[Stevosevic]

I personally think the top five will consist of the same sides but maybe not in the same order, then it will be Villa, Newcastle and Everton battling it out for 6th spot.

[Webbo]

then it will be Villa, Newcastle and Everton battling it out for 6th spot.

And possibly Pompey, apart from that I agree.

[Brainy]

Top half is the priority.

I expect the usual 5, plus Newcastle, Everton and West Ham to be above them though.

9th or 10th.

[Jay]

being the manager of a team whose fans believe that they should be in the champions league final every season because they won it 25 years ago anything less than top 3 in the fans mind is a failure

[Mort]

Alway remember how important pre-season was for MON, last season he didn't have that added to which he'd been out of the game for a little while. As it stands last season they got off to a good start and then had a shocking run of at best unimpressive and at worst poor results before rounding off the season very strongly.

As it stands he's got to get the club into Europe to be completely secure, to do that he'll need to do more than just bringing in Reo-Coker (but thats a decent start IMHO), but he's got the resources and has been able to organize he's own pre-season this time around, both of those factors have got to help him... Villa fans have stupidly high expectations though (remember when some where calling for O'Leary back when they were going through that bad run of results last season?! ).

[Blue Bob]

It is going to be a really tough league this season. I think the top four are still going to be chelsea, Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal. After that there are a lot of teams that have spent lots of money on players who they think will make a difference.

Newcastle, Man City, Fulham, west ham, spurs, portsmouth and villa are all spending big money but they cant all finish in the top six so some are going to be really disappointed, I think it all depends on which clubs gel as a team and play as a team instead a bunch of big time charlies.

[Head Honcho]

Between 8th-10th I reckon they'll finish, any lower it'll be disappointing any higher will be a very good season for them.

[Daggers]

If they don't qualify for Europe and have one decent Cup run then he'll be out on his arse.

Let's put it this way, they don't raise a glass to him in the pubs of Aston at the moment...he's got a shedload of proving to be done to the Villa faithful this season.

[lildave3]

I reckon they'll be aiming for top 8 tbh, but there is a few teams atm looking like they could get into Europe.

[Simon]

If they don't qualify for Europe and have one decent Cup run then he'll be out on his arse.

Let's put it this way, they don't raise a glass to him in the pubs of Aston at the moment...he's got a shedload of proving to be done to the Villa faithful this season.

Really? I guess the Villa fans have never been the patient type...

I always thought they were painfully boring whenever I saw them last season. It was all about closing down and stopping the game with little else. I think this season he'll have a bit more to work with. I'd expect them to be top 8, but will that be enough?

[Brainy]

I'd expect them to be top 8, but will that be enough?

I think so. It'll be an improvement on last year anyway.

[Koke]

I dont get it. Last season was very average for Villa, loads out, one in, smallest squad in the league and seem to be leaving their transfer business late.

[Daggers]

Marlon.

Harewood.

*the sound of choking back tears of laughter*

[Ultra]

Marlon.

Harewood.

*the sound of choking back tears of laughter*

Indeed.

As if a journeyman like that could achieve anything under MON...

[Flynny]

13th, I reckon. Big four, Spurs, Everton, Man City, Portmouth, Bolton, Reading, West Ham, and Newcastle above them. Maybe Middlesborough and possibly Sunderland too. Not in anything like that order, though.

Bolton might be godawful this season without Allardyce. If there's a suprise relegation, it'll be them. But yeah, I see Aston Villa floating in the bottom half of mid-table again this season. The other mid-table clubs have better to start with and have spent better, for the most part.

[lildave3]

13th, I reckon. Big four, Spurs, Everton, Man City, Portmouth, Bolton, Reading, West Ham, and Newcastle above them. Maybe Middlesborough and possibly Sunderland too. Not in anything like that order, though.

Bolton might be godawful this season without Allardyce. If there's a suprise relegation, it'll be them. But yeah, I see Aston Villa floating in the bottom half of mid-table again this season. The other mid-table clubs have better to start with and have spent better, for the most part.

Reading? I'd be surprised if they finished top half this season, I think bottom 6 tbh.

[Flynny]

Reading? I'd be surprised if they finished top half this season, I think bottom 6 tbh.

I'd have said so a couple of months ago, but I think they'll learn the lessons from Wigan and West Ham and keep it together. 10th-12th, I'd say.

[lildave3]

I'd have said so a couple of months ago, but I think they'll learn the lessons from Wigan and West Ham and keep it together. 10th-12th, I'd say.

What has changed from a couple of months ago then? Who have they signed that's any different?

[Flynny]

What has changed from a couple of months ago then? Who have they signed that's any different?

No-one I could name, which might just be a good thing. I think Coppell's a less matey manager than Pardew and'll find it easier to keep feet firmly on the floor. I also think that they'll be taking every possible step to avoid 2nd season syndrome and the players will be having it drilled into them that they've achieved nothing yet and their work effort needs to stay just as high as it was.

[lildave3]

No-one I could name, which might just be a good thing. I think Coppell's a less matey manager than Pardew and'll find it easier to keep feet firmly on the floor. I also think that they'll be taking every possible step to avoid 2nd season syndrome and the players will be having it drilled into them that they've achieved nothing yet and their work effort needs to stay just as high as it was.

Fair point, I just think that there is alot of strong teams in the premiership this year.

[bringbackWalshie]

They've lost sidwell who was there best player, and Doyle dried up. Similar to ricketts, harewood and many others that find it tough going after a great start to their prem careers. As replacements they've signed three S Koreans.

On MON i personnally couldn't give a toss where he finishes and whether he keeps his job. He did a fantastic job here but after all they are our rivals. With a very ambitious board if he doesn't start the season well and be in the top 8 by oct, he'll be collecting his p45 and signing with sky to commentate

[Geo V]

Villa started well and fell away as they got injuries and suspensions and their younger players faltered. This season I can see them doing OK and finishing in the mid table in proper Leicester style . Between 9-13th for them for the next 4 seasons.