Brad Friedel hopeful Aston Villa can avoid relegation
Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel admits he's hoping that Dean Smith's side can avoid relegation this season.
Villa gained promotion back to the top flight last season via the play-off final - but have endured a mixed return to the pinnacle of English football.
They currently sit 17th in the table, one point clear of the bottom three following defeat to fellow relegation fighters, Bournemouth.
Friedel is hopeful that his former side can pick up and avoid the drop - but believes the powers that be at Villa will have an eye on potential relegation, should the worst happen.
"There’s usually one team that slides down in the second half of the season, and another team that picks up." The American said, speaking to https://bonuscodebets.co.uk/.
"When you look at what’s happened in recent seasons with Aston Villa, they’ll have one eye on relegation, they’ll be in a better financial position than most to deal with it if they do drop.
"I’m really hoping they don’t go down, from my time there I realised it’s too big of a club to drop down into the championship, but they’ll have their eye on both staying up and going down.
"Hopefully they can stay up, and if they do, let’s hope they can bolster the squad for next season."
Villa are back in action on February 16, giving them more than ten days to recover and prepare - as they host Jose Mourinho's Spurs ahead of a huge clash with Southampton.
