Premier League preview - A look at how Aston Villa are looking to rebuild

It would be easy to look back at Aston Villa last season and say that they underperformed compared to previous seasons, but Paul Lambert had to put together a team full of young players and he did a pretty good job.

Although earlier in the summer there was uncertainty over top scorer Christian Benteke being a Villa player for the new season, that was quashed when he signed a new deal in July. Benteke signing a new contract was probably the best piece of business that Paul Lambert has done so far, simply down to the fact that the Belgian had a great impact on the team last season. Without his goals, Villa would have almost certainly been relegated.

Lambert has continued in the same vain as last season in terms of transfers and only signing young players. Centre back Jores Okore looks like a top prospect and will provide support to Ron Vlaar. Leandro Bacuna and Aleksander Tonev look as if they will bring some flair and excitement to the midfield, something that was missing last time around.

Throughout last season, pundits criticised Paul Lambert for selecting such young players, but they’ve got a season of Premier League football under their belts and that will give them confidence ahead of the new season.

Prediction: 12^th. 

Thomas Baxter