Time to Pay Up

THERE'S little doubt that three goals and victory over the Mexicans of Atlante wiped away some of the frustrations and misery of a fraught summer.

Following a poor display against Malaga and a pretty woeful opening 35 minutes last night, Villa suddenly decided to up the ante and gets some balls into the box.

Atlante had clearly not done their homework on Villa or watched any Match of the Day clips. If they had they would have realised that you cannot allow a Premier League centre forward, especially one who is 6'5" and as aerially dominant as John Carew, free space in the penalty box.

There were other plusses. Marc Albrighton looked particularly impressive. No show-boating, no feigning injury despite some close attention, just a refreshing desire to get the ball down the wing.

Eric Lichaj also looks one for the future. Sure much bigger tests lie in wait but with so many youngsters out on the field at the end of the match, it was difficult not to wonder at the fine work of Bryan Jones, Kevin MacDonald, Tony McAndrew and Gordon Cowans.

I've often wondered why some Championship club hasn't wanted to prize the whole lot of them away.

Anyway, it was a good win but would even reaching Sunday's Final against Real Madrid or Juventus mask the problems behind the scenes. It would be most welcome, of course it would, but injuries to Luke Young and Stiliyan Petrov have opened up what was already a severely limited squad.

Can you see a team of Friedel, Lichaj, Shorey, Cuellar, Davies, Milner, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Young, Carew, Agbonlahor seriously challenging for honours this season?

The manager thinks not. So there's your pointer. He says five players at least need to be brought in.

We're almost in August and just Stewart Downing has come in. It's the same every transfer window, isn't it?

This time Manchester City are being blamed for hiking up prices.

That may be so, if you are shopping in the same boutiques. But aren't we constantly amazed at some of the talent spotted in far off markets for a fraction of the cost?

It's all very well only wanting to buy English, but sometimes necessity demands an alternative.

With Martin Laursen, Gareth Barry and Zat Knight having departed and Young and Petrov injured, there has never been a more imperative time to act.

If Portsmouth want £4.5 million for a 31-year-old out of contract in a season then pay it.

If Leeds want £6 million for a teenager who has not played in the Championship before, then pay it.

It's all very well looking after the pennies like they were your own, but Villa are at a crossroads.

City and Tottenham look good bets to mount a charge on the top four.

Villa, it appears, will have the happiest accountants in the top flight. But exactly when did that win you trophies?