Tim Sherwood fears for Aston Villa ’s Premier League survival – especially now behind closed door games will negate the Villa Park factor. Sherwood spent eight months in charge of the claret and blues, steered them to top flight safety and the 2015 FA Cup final before departing five months later. During that time he experienced the influence a full and passionate Villa Park can have on a game – and he believes Dean Smith’s side will be hampered by its absence. Indeed, with ten games to go, he admits he is not hugely optimistic about them dodging the drop.
Tim Sherwood said “I am not confident at all, no, I think they have got as good a chance as any down there obviously they were relying on a lot of games late in the running to be played at home – but it is going to make no difference now. If you are looking at the Bundesliga the home form counts for very little without the fans being there. I hope they say up, they are a big club, I want to see them in the Premier League, but there is a lot of other teams fighting for their lives down there as well. That’s massive (Having one game in hand) – and that’s a good thing for Villa if they win this one they jump straight out of it after the first game, Getting that first three points, there is no honeymoon period, no bedding in period, they have got nine cup finals. To get that first win breeds confidence through the whole of the squad – no matter what team you play for. You bounce into your remaining games. Managers are not going to be able to come out in press conferences and say ‘We are a bit lacking of fitness’ – they are all in the same boat. On a level playing field they have got to get at it, no excuses, try and win as many football matches as they can – they are all in the same position.”
