Villa blog: Rhythm is the key for Sherwood and co.

With three league games played, Aston Villa need to find their rhythm or face another season of looking over their shoulders writes Villa blogger Matt Turvey.

To call this week one of highs and lows would be a little excessive, but a win against Notts County and a loss against Crystal Palace does offer some contrast.

In reality, neither game is likely to provide some major impact to the overall season, but Aston Villa need to kick into gear before long.

Perhaps such a statement seems overly harsh on Tim Sherwood - a man who has only just had six months in the job, with half of those being during close season - but Villa are not a team who can afford to give anything less than their best.

After all, the Villans came close to going down last season - surviving by just three points - and the Premier League is shaping up to be as competitive as ever.

Fans will be hoping that Sunderland will be the poor souls who give up the points this weekend, with Dick Advocaat's men already looking lost, managing just one point from three games.

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Which isn't to suggest Villa are miles better off - given they have just three from the opening trio of games - but rather that the boys in claret and blue need to make the most of these kind of fixtures.

Yes, points can come from any team, but probability dictates that Villa will take more from the poorer teams in the league - and Sunderland are arguably in that category - and Sherwood must be ruthless in his tactical approach.

No doubt Sunderland will look to exploit the counter, especially if Villa manage to push on through the attacking style that Sherwood espouses, but the home team have what it takes to take the glory - and the points - to ensure they are not dragged into the lower depths of the table.

For Villa, much depends on the youthful exuberance cultivated by a summer spending spree. Jordan Amavi and Adama Traore both look almost ready made for the Premier League, and arguably it will be this pair who will be the most likely to succeed, as well as most likely to be poached should their talents shine.

Of course, it is early days for all of Sherwood's purchases, and their careers in claret and blue will no doubt have their own highs and lows. What matters now is that Sherwood wins - whether it is pretty or ugly - so that this nascent team can gain confidence and look up rather than down.

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.