September Primer: Aston Villa prepare for busy month

It has been awhile since Aston Villa last played a match — so time to catch up in case your international disappointment (stupid USMNT) or success has caused you to mute all things Villa.

• The transfer window ended with only two loan exits on deadline day (Gary Gardner and GK Matija Sarkic).
• Aston Villa tied up yet another young academy prospect in Jake Doyle-Hayes
• CEO Keith Wyness gave a glimpse into the future plans of Aston Villa. It is worth reading through but the cliff notes version is as follows. Create what they are calling the “Villa Engine” – the creation of a clear direction of the club off the field and in terms of style of play — including building up the youth team, potentially buying foreign clubs, and a possible Villa Park expansion. But the first hurdle is getting back to the top division. (Writer/Important note: Wyness won the Price is Right?!?!)
• Jonathan Kodjia suffered an injury setback and will likely be out a few more weeks. In reality — the injury was a fracture and Villa’s public remarks were always on the hopeful side.

August: Don’t look back in anger (or at least try not to):

• Aug 5 Aston Villa 1 - 1 Hull City
• Aug 9 Colchester 1 - 2 Aston Villa (Football League/Carabao Cup First round)
• Aug 12 Cardiff City 3 - 0 Aston Villa
• Aug 15 Reading 2 - 1 Aston Villa
• Aug 19 Aston Villa 4 - 2 Norwich City
• Aug 22 Aston Villa 4 - 1 Wigan Athletic (Football League/Carabao Cup Second round)
• Aug 25 Bristol City 1 - 1 Aston Villa

Player Ratings

Best and Worst Player of the Month

I’d post the table — but I don’t want to. You can Google it if you want to look back in anger.

September: Light at the end of the tunnel, or an oncoming train?

• Sep 16th 17:30 A Barnsley (TV)
• Sep 19th 19:45 H Middlesbrough (Football League/Carabao Cup Third round)
• Sep 23rd 17:30 H Nottingham Forest (TV)
• Sep 26th 19:45 A Burton
• Sep 30th 15:00 H Bolton Wanderers

We will know alot more about this year’s version of Aston Villa by the next International Break which hits after the Bolton match.