Villa blogger Dave Bytheway anticipates a summer of change at the club after his first season as the voice of the claret and blue.

Well, that was that then. So my first season as the Express and Star’s claret and blue blogger is over and, like the situation at Villa Park this summer, nobody knows the future.

If I am fortunate enough to be asked back for 2009/10, I really hope that we see new faces and another good challenge towards Champions League football.

So, in the final game, Newcastle were sent tumbling out of the Premiership by Villa.

Traditionally the Geordies are a feisty bunch, will play the game with their heart on their sleeves and die for the cause of the club.

I was amazed, on the final day of the season and only needing a point for safety, how little they showed.

They really seemed disinterested, so it was a relatively easy afternoon for our lads. Maybe the attitude of their players summed up their whole season, so if they are to bounce back there is a lot of work to be done over the summer by manager Alan Shearer and company.

Closer to home, I think Villa will – as well as players coming in – see a few notable leavers. The biggest one I fear will be skipper Gareth Barry.

We have apparently offered a record-breaking deal for the club to the player but, if he again chooses not to take it, I really do wish him well.

He has given his all this season for us, and proved what a valuable player he will be for any team.

I also think players such as Nigel Reo-Coker, Mustafa Salifou, Isaiah Osbourne and Marlon Harewood will move on to make way for the new arrivals.

Our new away kit was revealed over the weekend, apparently designed to reflect the 67 players we have had capped by England, which is apparently more than any other club.

One major thing that is good about the shirt is not the colour, not the design, but the continued Acorns branding on the chest.

This is yet another genuinely kind showing by Randy Lerner, giving back again the those not so fortunate.

Acorns Childrens Hospice needs £2million a year to survive, so it can only help with Villa promoting the cause on the front of the shirts. One year was a great gesture, to carry it on for a second season shows the class of our owners.

Well, that’s about it from me, a decent enough season of which some great memories will be taken.

The nights in Prague, Hamburg, with closer-to-home last minute goals at Everton and at home to Arsenal. One of my first blogs was called the ‘Villa Rollercoaster’.

Since that was written it surely has been, and an A ride at that!

Have a great summer, hopefully still be here next year to have my weekly chat.

Up the Villa!