Not since the early days of Martin O’Neill’s reign have Aston Villa entered a season with so much enthusiasm and expectation surrounding them.
Unai Emery transformed Villa last term to the extent they believe a top-eight finish, and a long run in a cup competition, should be the minimum ambition. They head to Newcastle on Saturday feeling supremely confident.
Villa fans are a fatalistic bunch and it is no wonder. In the last decade they have suffered a humiliating relegation to the Championship and were hours away from going out of business five years ago.