Aston Villa Fan View: Hitting form at the right time

Let’s make no secret about it, the majority of this season has been a struggle. Villa had a dreadful start, where Bruce was close to the brink of losing his job, a ‘team’ that lacked any kind of cohesion and a fan base that was coming increasingly worried that Villa wouldn’t even make the playoffs for the second season on the trot.

Even as recently as December, Villa went on a run without a win in five games, and rumblings of discontent were being heard all over Villa Park. But, with four wins in four, including impressive away wins at Middlesborough and Nottingham Forest and a 5-0 demolition of Bristol City, has seen this Villa team potentially turn a corner just as we approach the business end of the season

Bruce’s team has been on similar runs before, even this season when we took 29 from 35 points, but this seems different. And that’s because no more slip-ups are affordable, its make or break now. Eighteen games to go and if they maintain this form, Aston Villa will be back in the Premier League at the end of the season.

The togetherness around the squad feels very genuine and fringe players like Scott Hogan, Alan Hutton and Birkir Bjarnason have all stepped in and made huge contributions to Villa’s fantastic form. Hogan in particular looked completely devoid of confidence just a month ago, now four goals in three games, he will have no problem scoring 10-15 more this season, if he can stay injury free.

Overall, Villa are much stronger this season, and in fact are 14 points better off now than at this point last season. Last month Steve Bruce appointed Steve Agnew as his assistant, who he worked with at Hull City. Bruce rates him highly, and noises coming out of Bodymoor Heath is that Agnew has done a lot of work, especially with Hogan, and we are now all reaping the rewards.

Villa can’t afford to go on another run of not winning in five, the chance of automatic promotion would end immediately, so consistent form is key between now and May. Losing one game is OK, as long as you bounce back immediately.

The relentless games and teams in this league demonstrates that momentum is promotion. Villa do have a very good squad at this level, even without the talented Jonathan Kodjia, who is out for the season. With John Terry, Jack Grealish and Scott Hogan being the spine of the team, there is now a real possibility that Villa have a chance to gain promotion this season.

Villa now have a ten break before a very tough trip to Sheffield United, as Villa attempt to win five games on the bounce! UTV