Steven Gerrard embarks on his first full season in Premier League management in 2022-23. Gerrard guided Aston Villa away from the relegation zone last term, but the Midlands club finished the season poorly with just two wins and three draws from their last 13 matches.

A non-factor in Premier League top four odds, a top half finish is the most reasonable ambition for Villa in 2022-23.

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Along with Crystal Palace, Leicester and others, sports betting markets tab them as a mid-table side, likely heading for a placing between ninth and 13th.

Anything more would represent drastic overachievement, but this squad should have enough to stay away from the peril of the bottom three.

Exciting Window

There’s a lot to like about Villa’s transfer window to date. Matt Targett’s move to Newcastle became permanent, and other departures are minor.

Philippe Coutinho is at Villa Park long-term, while Diego Carlos arrived for almost £30 million. Ludwig Augustinsson is another option at left-back and Boubacar Kamara is a very exciting acquisition on a free. 

The combination of Carlos and Kamara should only enhance a defence which was already up in eighth in expected goals allowed last season.

Searching For Goals

Where the defence was solid, the attack was less so.

Newcastle and Wolves were the only teams in the top 16 to amass fewer expected goals in 2021-22 with Leon Bailey, Danny Ings and Emiliano Buendia all having a limited impact after arriving last summer.

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard


There is hope the trio can contribute more this season, and Ollie Watkins remains a reliable goal threat. Of course, Coutinho is going to provide moments of magic.

It has been reported, however, that Gerrard would like a new striker before the season kicks off in August.

Where Can Villa Improve?

Consistency has to be the goal in 2022-23. Taking two points from the last four matches last season can be excused given that there was little to play for, but Villa were streaky in Premier League predictions all year long.

That’s partly the life of a mid-table team. Still, if they are to make a meaningful step up in Gerrard’s first full season in charge, Villa’s form needs to move away from the sharp peaks and troughs of 2021-22.

Aston Villa Prediction for 2022/23:

Villa fans will be eyeing a top half finish this season. They were ninth in the table from the day Gerrard was hired, and this should be a markedly improved squad with impressive signings and other players settling in.

The output of Villa’s attacking players last season means not many are among the best preseason tips, but there’s sufficient talent there for the group to be more productive having had a full preseason under Gerrard.

We can’t see Villa being roped into a relegation battle as they were in the first few weeks of 2021-22. There are enough other good teams to stop them notching a top half finish, though.

Aston Villa Premier League prediction: 11th 


*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.

He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.

Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.

Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.