Source: Daily_Mail
Hull midfielder George Boateng insists Aston Villa can not afford another trophyless season
George Boateng has warned Aston Villa that this season will be a 'make-or-break' year for the club. [LNB]Former Villa midfielder Boateng returned to Villa Park on Saturday with his new club Hull, who lost 3-0.[LNB] But outspoken veteran Boateng, 34, says that, even though Villa were impressive, they have to win a trophy this season. [LNB] Dutch veteran: This season marks Boateng's twelfth in the Premier League [LNB] Bullard's cruel injury setback: Hull ace suffers knee ligament damage Aston Villa 3 Hull City 0: Bullard injury another serious blow for TigersWhy wingers are back in vogue at Villa - Robbo the wide boy wizardVilla deny Pennant interest as winger pledges future to Real Zaragoza The former Holland midfielder, who left Villa to join Middlesbroughin 2002 after a three-year stint, said: 'The reason I left Villa wasbecause I felt they weren't moving in the right direction. I had adrive to win silverware and in the five years since I left, Villadidn't achieve anything. [LNB] 'But this season, if Villa want to achieve anything, want to winsilverware, this is it. They've got good young mainly British playerswho know what this league requires, know what it takes to win matchesand they're in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup. [LNB]'Martin O'Neill is a manager who's won silverware so this could bethe season. If Villa don't win anything this season, it's going to bereally difficult to achieve this goal.' [LNB]A Hull lot of praise: Boateng says Downing should be in England's World Cup squad[LNB][LNB]Boateng says that the return of Stewart Downing from injury is a massive boost to Villa's hopes of a successful campaign. [LNB]Boateng knows Downing well from their days together atMiddlesbrough and he predicts a shock call-up from Fabio Capello forthe Englishman. [LNB]'Villa fans have not seen much of him yet but I promise you, he will be a bargain buy for you guys,' he said. [LNB]'I tip him to go to the World Cup. He's exceptional. [LNB] 'He can do three games (in quick succession) easily. He's apowerful runner and he's quick, but most importantly he's got adelivery which no-one else in this country can offer from theleft-hand side. [LNB]'Villa have bought a star in the making there, to go with the otheryoung quality players, so hopefully he will drive Villa on to greatthings. I wish Villa well.' [LNB]Boateng praised the Villa crowd for their reaction to Jimmy Bullardafter the Hull playmaker went off after 18 minutes with a knee injury. [LNB]Boateng said: 'It was a warm feeling to hear all the homesupporters applauding Jimmy as he walked away. Jimmy's a greatfootballer and a good entertainer.' [LNB] Enlarge Former Villain: Boateng made over 100 apearances for Villa between 1999 and 2002[LNB][LNB]The Dutchman denies that Hull will lose their way without him,saying: 'We showed against Everton that we are not a one-man team,when we played really well without Jimmy. We're lucky now that we haveBlackburn at home because we've just had two really tough away games,to Man City and Villa.'[LNB] Bullard's cruel injury setback: Hull ace suffers knee ligament damage Aston Villa 3 Hull City 0: Bullard injury another serious blow for TigersWhy wingers are back in vogue at Villa - Robbo the wide boy wizardVilla deny Pennant interest as winger pledges future to Real Zaragoza [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Jimmy Bullard, Fabio Capello, Stewart Downing, Martin O'Neill, George BoatengPlaces:The Netherlands, United Kingdom
