After a tough first year under Paul Lambert, Aston Villa confident

To have kept the side together is Lambert's first achievement; steering it into the new season with some momentum, despite the obstacles, would be a

Despite rumors of a move to Tottenham, star striker Christian Benteke is returning to Aston Villa :: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images

To have kept the side together is Lambert's first achievement; steering it into the new season with some momentum, despite the obstacles, would be a significant second. "We've played a lot of games and we've found it beneficial," Fabien Delph said this week. "We've got a lot of game time under our belts, so going in to the start of the season we should be sharp." Perhaps we should be wondering about a new sum: Villa plus confidence equals?