A Midlands charge!

Whisper it discreetly, but after early stages of the 2024/25 football season, West Midlands clubs seem to be ‘on-the-march’ .

Walsall sit third in League 2 and have been performing fantastically in the season to-date – last years change of ownership now appears to be bearing fruit as ’The Saddlers’ attempt to return to League One.  Things are certainly looking up at the Poundland Stadium and Midlands fans would be delighted to see them continue current form and finish in the promotion spots.

In League 1, current media favourites Birmingham City have so far lived up to the hype and sit second behind Hollywood side Wrexham, having completely dismantled them at their recent St Andrews clash which saw Hollywood and sport royalty attending.  Although TV and media cameras spent more time star-spotting than on the actual game, Blues were genuinely impressive and with a game in hand, currently look ‘nailed-on’ for a return to the Championship at the first attempt.

Talking of the Championship – West Bromwich Albion sit top of a very difficult division and are playing the type of football ‘Baggies’ fans demand.  As with Walsall, a change of ownership seems to have ignited the club and their eyes are firmly fixed upon promotion to the Premier League.

Unfortunately, things haven’t started well for Wolverhampton Wanderers who have managed only single point so far.  During their recent 3-1 loss to Villa, they certainly showed glimpses of high quality but will need to turn those glimpses into winning performances if they are to avoid a season-long relegation fight.

Aston Villa have begun the season incredibly well and sit third in the Premier League after 5 games.  Unai Emery’s men have started impressively and interestingly, have come from behind in successive games after being behind at half-time, having failed to turn around a half-time deficit on the previous 99 occasions!

Villa also kicked-off their Champions League campaign with a superb 3-0 victory away to Young Boys of Bern.  Safely negotiating their plastic pitch, The Villans now look forward to a repeat of the 1982 final against German giants Bayern Munich, who arrive at Villa Park as one of the tournament favourites.

One of the stars of Villa’s ’82 victory against Bayern was, of course, Gary Shaw, Villa’s brummie blonde-mopped striker who progressed from youth-team ranks to become an iconic players - his tragic passing last week, aged only 63, has certainly dampened the clubs fantastic start to the season.

Shaw was the player every Villa fan wanted to be and his goals were crucial in the clubs 1981 League Championship glory as well as the European Cup campaign a year later.

From Aston Villa supporters everywhere - Sleep well Gary!

Image Credits: Planet_fox via pixabay.com / Fitzyt & Marcel Antonisse / Anefo via wikimendia commons