Jamie O’Hara makes claim that Aston Villa fans will not want to hear

Add as preferred source on Google

Jamie O’Hara has told Alan Brazil’s Sports Breakfast Show on TalkSPORT (Friday, 6:45am) that he believes Aston Villa will struggle to avoid relegation from the Premier League after a difficult start to life in the top tier.

Villa have picked up just four Premier League points from their opening five outings, and sit in a lowly 17th place – level on points with 18th-placed Newcastle United. They have scored just four league goals all season.

Dean Smith brought in a whole host of players this summer and it has seen many compare the Midlands club to Fulham, who spent big in the summer of 2018 and were instantly relegated following their promotion under Slavisa Jokanovic.

Former Tottenham and Wolves midfielder O’Hara, who has recently been appointed manager of Billericay Town, reckons Villa will struggle to avoid the drop after a disappointing start to the campaign.

“I think they will struggle to be honest,” O’Hara said. “I lived there when I was at Wolves and they’re such a big club. I loved playing there. But I just think they’ll struggle, they’ve brought in a lot of players and I just don’t see them staying up.”

TBR’s view – Villa need to gel, and get Wesley firing

There are signs that the side is beginning to become a unit. Glimpses of a side that can be successful in the top tier have come against Everton in a superb 2-0 win, while a decent point against West Ham will have impressed fans.

However, a lack of goals seems to be Villa’s problem. Spending more than £20million on Wesley was a risk and although the big Brazilian is only 22 years of age, he needs to start firing in the goals before it is too late. He has one so far, against Everton.

Wesley needs to channel Christian Benteke’s impact at Villa and score at least 15 goals this season. If he doesn’t, it could be a long season.