Aston Villa – C
Following on from last summer’s policy of signing young, hungry players for little money Paul Lambert has largely stuck to that same formula only this time he’s dipped into the foreign market instead of strictly buying British.
Jores Okore has been a particular coup, especially when you consider that he rejected the advances of the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United in order to move to the Midlands. Striker Nicklas Helenius also appears to be a shrewd signing and will most likely be expected to fill the void that could be left by Christian Benteke should he move on before September 1st.
Like Wenger, Lambert has begun to clear some of the deadwood from the squad with the likes of Richard Dunne and Brett Holman being allowed to leave, whilst Shay Given, Stephen Ireland, Darren Bent and Alan Hutton have all been told that they are to find new clubs over the next six weeks after failing to make an impression.
Experience is still needed in the squad. With the average age still only 23, an experienced ball winner in the middle of the pitch will be paramount if they hope to avoid flirting with relegation again like they did last season.
Overall, Villa can be happy so far with their new additions, none are Premier League tested, but it follows on very much with the Dortmund model that Lambert admires so much.