Blog: Will the Tim Sherwood era be any different?

The Tim Sherwood era kicks off, but will it be any different? Matt Turvey thinks style is unimportant in the club's relegation battle...writes blogger Matt Turvey.

With the game against Stoke City, the Tim Sherwood era begins. After several years of Paul Lambert, many fans will be wondering if things will be any different.

In the abstract, very little has changed besides the manager, but that simple change can be enough to make a difference to team form when the cards are down.

Will Aston Villa surge on to safety this season? Initial indications appear to imply that the club will be able to do enough to survive, but there's no real knowledge of how far the team can progress in terms of reaching mid-table - or higher.

What is certain is that Villa must make more of their creativity. Under Lambert, there appeared to be a lot of effort, but very little end product, leading to the abysmal scoring record that Villa have at present.

That may well mean a change of formation as well as mentality. People may lament the idea of a 4-4-2 system and wingers as old fashioned, but Villa aren't in a position to be debating style as all they need to do is win - whether they win ugly, is largely irrlevant.

The first way of moving such a plan forward could involve playing the likes of Carles Gil and Jack Grealish in the wide positions, floating the ball in for Christian Benteke. If Libor Kozak is able to return before the end of the season, a massive front line - supported by the appropriate wide players - could be a physical force to be reckoned with.

Some will suggest such a plan as archaic, reflective of an era long-gone, but it doesn't matter - West Ham have done well using wide players this season, and all Villa fans need to worry about is getting out of the bottom three.

The game on Saturday may well feel like roles have been reversed if Villa do take such an approach given Stoke's legacy, but this isn't a time to be sitting around, stroking chins and debating the role of the enganche.

If Villa can start off positively and maintain that forward momentum, there is every chance survival is possible. It may well mean a lot of tight, high-scoring games but, and this is key, Villa fans need to know that if the club is going down, it is going down fighting.

You can follow Matt Turvey's regular opinions at his own site, Aston Villa Life at http://www.astonvillalife.com, via the site's Twitter account @astonvillalife, or via his own Twitter account @mturvey_star.