Has Randy Lerner really got value for money at Villa?

By James Nursey

Published 08:02 18/03/10

• 

Aston Villa have once again become a force in English football under Martin O'Neill, but they surely must have a strong finish to the season if benefactor Randy Lerner is to get value for money.

Villa have finished 11th and sixth twice in the Premier League since O'Neill and US billionaire Lerner arrived at the club in August 2006.

And they have proved they can now match any side in the division after taking points off Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal this season.

The club possesses plenty of talented English players like Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Stewart Downing and James Milner, who are the envy of bigger teams.

But Lerner must want some silverware this season to justify his staggering £179million investment into Villa - including the initial £62m he paid for the club.

Recent financial results show Villa lost a whopping £43.7m in 2008-09 and their wage bill has soared with stars like Young picking up £65,000-a-week.

So it is easy to appreciate why manager O'Neill appears to be taking the Cup competitions more seriously this season as it represents the club's best chance of success.

Already Villa have gone desperately close to winning the Carling Cup, suffering a controversial defeat in the final to Manchester United when Nemanja Vidic should have been sent off in the first five minutes.

And Villa also now have a FA Cup semi-final to relish, when they will face Chelsea on Saturday, April 10.

But, until then, Villa must continue to pick up points in the Premier League.

The club are seventh, impressively just three points off fourth place, ahead of Saturday's Midlands derby with Wolves.

O'Neill is aiming to break the monopoly of the top four by qualifying for the Champions League, which would be a tremendous feat.

Villa had a good go last season when they occupied a top four spot for much of the campaign before fading badly.

But they have a much stronger squad this term and O'Neill can utilise able players like Steve Sidwell, Luke Young, Fabian Delph and Nigel Reo-Coker in the run-in to keep his side fresh.

With Liverpool's problems under Rafa Benitez, Villa may never have a better chance of gate-crashing the top four.

The race is certainly intriguing and wide open with Spurs, Man City, Liverpool and Villa all in the shake up.

No club outside the usual suspects of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool has made the top four since Everton in 2004-05.

So it would be a heck of an achievement by O'Neill if he pulls it of.

But Lerner could be forgiven for demanding some silverware or a top four spot after the millions he has poured into the club.

Fancy winning £3,000 for FREE this month? Play Mirror Football Streak for your chance to win cash prizes! Start predicting now!