English Era

Last updated : 29 June 2008 By Tom Vickers
Aston Villa is a football club with English blood running through its heart.
The Claret and Blue are becoming a provider of more and more English players for the national side.
And with a summer shopping list that is predominantly compiled from Englishmen, that trend looks set to continue.
Some may speculate that a poor scouting system is the reason for such a patriotic approach.
But in reality, Martin O'Neill is building a side that knows the rigours of
England's top league. A side that knows the mentality of the country. A side geared for success and formulated from English grit.
Obviously the odd overseas signing cannot be dismissed but such a capture should only add to the make-up of the side not dictate it.
At clubs such as Arsenal and Spurs, foreign players carry the burden. But they do not always carry their side to success.

Crack

The two most successful clubs in recent years, Manchester United and Chelsea, have been built around an English spine.
When they grabbed back to back titles, Jose Mourinho's
Chelsea pivoted around the consistency of John Terry and Frank Lampard.
Sir Alex Ferguson's current dominant United side is structured around Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, as well as a Portuguese guy called Ronaldo.
Martin O'Neill hopes to emulate the Big Four and then crack them.
Villa targets include
Blackburn winger David Bentley and Chelsea's midfield dynamo Steve Sidwell.
They are players who know what the Premier League is all about and know what the fans expect.

Ideology

While Rafa Benitez brings in endless internationals sourced from overseas, managers like Ferguson and O'Neill make sure that English is the first language at their respective clubs.
Benitez might just be changing his policy a little as he aims to bring in Villa's very own Gareth Barry.
Maybe now he realises that to reach his ultimate goal, buying British is best.
Of course he has had great success in European competition, but he has never come close to a Premier League title.
When his
Valencia side were crowned champions of Spain, he possessed a team of Spanish distinction.
Players such as Angulo, Albelda and Baraja drove the Mestalla club to glory.
This, along with the success of Mourinho and
Ferguson in England, fully vindicates O'Neill's current ideology.
There is no doubt that a little foreign flair is needed at
Villa Park, but a side packed with English enigmas is a good basis to build from.
The rest of the Premier League might just be taking note.