As one of the EPL’S greatest Aussie imports leaves for the MLS, a potential hit-man arrives at Aston Villa.
Few Aston Villa fans would want to remember anything that Alex McLeish gave to the football club, with the dire statistic of 17 draws coinciding with a meagre 37 goals scored all of last season providing the definitive evaluation. But the bosman signing of Brett Holman, could be an inspired piece of business, with Holman having already won Australians soccer player of the year award, his 10 year stay in the Eredivisie has also proved his ability to compete with the leagues finest players. So if he can replicate his exploits such as this stunning volley against Valencia as seen in the clip below, than surely this season will offer much more than a 16th position finish for the Villa faithful.
Despite Brett being a signing from last season, Paul Lambert commented that he has ‘watched some of his games, he did well at Alkmaar so I don’t have any worries about him on that score’. Such endorsement’s from Paul Lambert were soon backed up, with the new number 14 scoring crucial goals in the clubs pre-season, including a last minute winner against Burton Albion.
In the Eredivisie season gone by, Holman helped his team AZ Alkmaar by claiming 10 assists, thus helping the club to qualify for europe once more, yet it was his performances in the Europa League that really caught the eye. With his 3 goals including a total of four assists, putting him on par with some of the tournaments skilful wingers such as Arda Turan and Diego Capel. An important facet of his game is to link up with other player on the left side, this could perhaps allow Paul to experiment between Charles Nzogbia and Brett in a wing back and attacking winger role.
The Eredivisie may be a league that pundits would now view as beleaguered and awash with second string quality players, rather than a league which once showcased the likes of Klass Jan Huntelaar, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. But with Paul Lambert securing the services of Karim El Ahmadi and Ron Vlaar, along with Brett Holman, the club will benefit from players who will add much needed astuteness to a new look Villa outfit who will provide more value than transfer duds Carlos Cuellar, Fabian Delph and Emile Heskey.
The move to the premier league could be one of the most important moves Brett will make, but his reputation will be put to the severest of tests, there is no doubting that he could eclipse the achievements laid by the likes of Cahill, Viduka, Scharzer, but whether Lambert will utilise his qualities to maximum efficiency is another matter.
Nabeel Perwaiz
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