Aston Villa and new boss, Paul Lambert endured a difficult
start to the Premier League season but there are real signs they are on the up,
and fans looking for betting tips should expect a much better second half to the
campaign.
When the amiable Scot left Norwich - a job he had excelled
in - over the summer to take the reins at Villa Park, he was expected to lead
the side up the table after a difficult previous 12 months under old boss, Alex
McLeish.
It did not begin like that, though, and plenty were tipping
the Midlanders to be involved in the relegation battle for much of the season.
Lacklustre performances, a threadbare, injury-hit squad that
was conceding plenty but struggling to find the net at the other end, and the
ongoing surprise omission of record signing, Darren Bent, led many to claim it
was a club going backwards.
Step forward a certain Christian Benteke - surely one of the
signings of the summer - and, suddenly, Villa's fans have a man they believe can
lead them to - who knows? - even a place in Europe in 2013.
Benteke has slowly adapted to the demands of the Premier
League and the in-form forward is now one of the most feared strikers around.
Seemingly unplayable at his bustling best and able to create
goals as well as score them, the Belgian's excellent all-round displays have
been one of the highlights of the autumn in the top flight.
His double in the impressive victory at Liverpool in December
took his tally for the season to eight in all competitions and his form has
justified Lambert's decision to continually leave Bent out of his plans.
For the team as a whole, after a much-improved last few
weeks, it now appears Lambert has stamped his mark on a very young side that is
now buzzing with confidence.
Bigger tests await for a developing side but Lambert's
managerial ability, which was foolishly being questioned early on, should not
be underestimated and the future looks bright for Villa - with Benteke leading
the way from the front.
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