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THE HOLTE END OF SEASON REVIEW

It was on the 26th May 2017 when Nick Justice was appointed the new head coach at Aston Villa on a 3 year rolling contract, he replaced the out going Ben Hall now of Russian outfit Rubin Kazan. The 22-year-old took on the roll knowing he was in for a tough fight as his side were just one spot and a matter of 2 points above the relegation zone. His first game in charge was a tough trip away to a Newcastle United side who found themselves at the time in a similar scenario to Villa.

It was to be the start of a change in fortunes for the Midlands based club as they went on to gain a 2-1 victory at St. James Park. Shortly after his first game in charge came a big game changer when Justice decided to bring in France international striker Alexandre Lacazette, the 26-year-old striker arrived from SSC Napoli in a trade deal that saw Dzeko and Glik head back to Italy, a country both are very fond of. Even with a couple of injuries, the French forward Lacazette managed to grab 8 goals and 7 assists in 18 games from out wide, a great return in his first half of a season for Villa.

Lacazette pictured prior to Villa's season ending fixture at Newcastle United, a game in which he watched his new club Villa prior to joining the club from Napoli

After seeing his side victorious in his opening game, Justice would see his side go on to win a further eight games, and drawing eight whilst losing just three times, which saw Aston Villa rise all way up to 8th in the league, agonisingly close to a play-off spot, with just a point separating them from 7th place Sassuolo who would go on to be promoted via the play-offs, showing just how cruel they can be, having slid into them on the final game of the season and then winning them- it's what football is made for!

Villa found themselves in a much better position than they were when Justice took over the job. We were able to catch up with the gaffer at a press conference ahead of a pre-season tour, he had this to say! 

"I'm delighted with how my first 21 games in charge went at this illustrious club, as I look to change the fortunes of recent seasons, the fans have tasted success here in this and lower divisions and I'll look to re-create that in the next couple of seasons. 

I'm at the start of my journey here in the amazing league full of some brilliant managers and I hope to be successful and remain at this club as long as is possible. There's been a few openings in recent days but nothing has even tempted me, I'm committed to this club and I hope I get given the time needed to make this team a force again. 

I have been adding my own style on the pitch and that's meant that some players have left in my tenure so far and that will only continue to be the case until my team is where I want it to be- I have taken strides towards bringing in a number of players and have done so successfully so far.

We've recently managed to add in some quality younger players in Mario Lemina and Gianluca Caprari; and that's how I intend on carrying on by bringing in good younger players under the age of 25-years-old where possible, of course a great blend of youth and experience will be key for long term success. We finished brightly this season and I'm delighted for the fans that I took the club out of the situation it was when I took over to an 8th place finish, now next season we take that and push on again and go further and break into that top seven! That is the hope, and it all starts with our Pre-Season friendlies and our pre-season transfers and ensuring that we are in the strongest possible place as a team and as individuals. 

As a club we still have a little way to go before we can look to a title push but I don't for sure think it's a world away at this point. I'm happy with Mario and Gianluca so far but they won't be the last in the door here at Villa Park- mark my words!"

It would appear that Justice is rather optimistic that his club can push on from a positive first season in charge at the club. It appears that domestic football, rather than cup football will be his main priority last season; not only that but it could be a busy transfer window for the club this post season and ahead of the pre-season. That can only excite the Villa faithful and it could well be an exciting season ahead, if all goes as by Justice's plans.

Big things appear to be happening at Villa Park under gaffer Justice, after his initial 21 games in charge of the club, with many new faces set to hopefully arrive!