Curbishley would be step backward for Aston Villa

Today former-Charlton boss Alan Curbishley is being linked with the vacant Aston Villa job.

The 52 year-old made 36 appearances for the Midlander’s in his playing career but was never regarded as a fan’s favourite.

Experience

Villa owner Randy Lerner has already stated that he expects to appoint a new boss with Premier League experience before Villa’s next game at Stoke on the 13^th September.

Curbishley is vastly experienced in the top flight but has had mixed results.

Charlton

He did a sterling job with little Charlton getting them promoted to the top flight of English football and keeping them there. The season after Curbishley left the Addick’s they were relegated to the Championship and are now in League One. He is still regarded as a hero at Charlton. He decided to leave the club to spend time with his family and stated he needed a break from football.

West Ham

His next move was to become manager of West Ham. The Hammers fans didn’t take to him for some reason, despite a top ten finish in the 2008/2009 season. They wanted exciting, attacking football but unfortunately Curbishley couldn’t produce consistent enough form because key players were sold without his permission, which led to him leaving the club.

Unemployed

It’s exactly two years since he left West Ham. He took the club to a tribunal for unfair dismissal and allegedly won £2.2million in compensation. He has been linked with a number of big clubs but has yet to find a new challenge.

Midtable

Aston Villa have been challenging for the European places under Martin O’Neill but Alan Curbishley has always struck me as a good manager for a midtable team but nothing more. Villa should be more ambitious than that.

Villa fans are now accustomed to finishing in the top six or seven in the league and I’m sure they don’t want a return to the days of being also-rans, which under Curbishley I’m sure they would.

Moyes

Over the weekend the odds on Everton boss David Moyes becoming Villa boss were slashed dramatically with by the bookies. I can’t believe people were silly enough to put money on Moyes becoming Villa boss.

Moyes has started building a team capable of challenging the top four, even if the start to the season has been poor. Lerner couldn’t promise any significant financial backing and Villa’s team needs strengthening. Moyes has a loyal relationship with the Everton supporters and chairman Bill Kenwright so I can’t see him moving to Villa Park anytime soon.

Alternatives

Other names have been mentioned with the likes of USA coach Bob Bradley one of the frontrunners for the job and former-Benfica boss Erwin Koeman also being linked with the vacant post. However the Villa chairman has backed himself into a corner by saying he wants somebody with Premier League experience.

There are very few managers around with Premier League experience and who are good enough to take Villa forward. In fact I don’t think I could think of any at all.

Progress

It’s going to be difficult for Villa to find a boss that can take them forward. Martin O’Neill did a good job but he raised expectations at the club and maybe that will be their downfall. Villa fans now expect success but can their chairman find a boss to bring them it? Only time will tell but my hunch is the answer will be no.

Will Alan Curbishley be the next Villa boss?