Aston Villa legend Ian Taylor believes the days of last-gasp escapes are firmly in the past as Dean Smith's side look to kick on after a busy summer of spending. The former midfielder turned club ambassador has been impressed by the club's recruitment, including the £28m club-record signing of striker Ollie Watkins from Brentford.
Taylor, who played for Villa from 1993 to 2003, watched the team beat Arsenal and Manchester United in pre-season and is confident the squad is now stronger. "Last year was tough after winning the play-offs because you don't have much time to get the signings but we managed to stay up by the skin of our teeth," Taylor said. "Now we are not thinking about surviving, we are thinking about consolidating and hopefully getting as far up the league as we can."
Villa have also brought in right-back Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest for £14m, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal for £16m, and winger Bertrand Traore from Lyon for £17m. The club are reportedly interested in Werder Bremen's Milot Rashica, priced at £18m, and another striker, which could push total spending past £100m.
Taylor expects Smith to stick with a 4-3-3 formation after the bold approach helped secure survival on the final day last season. "Hopefully we will still be solid at the back like we were when we tightened up after lockdown but with a bit more punch going forwards as the transfers have suggested," he added.
However, the 52-year-old admitted the absence of fans due to the coronavirus pandemic is a major disappointment. "Opening game of the season we have Sheffield United and we know Villa Park would have been filled to the rafters with such a fantastic atmosphere," Taylor said. "The fans missing is such a massive minus it is unreal."
