Paul Lambert's time at Aston Villa between 2012 and 2015 was tough to watch. The club was struggling under Randy Lerner, fighting relegation while trying to cut costs. Lambert looked to lower leagues and Europe for bargains, with mixed results to put it kindly.
Most of his 20 permanent signings flopped. But there was one absolute gem that made it all worthwhile. Let's take a look at where these players ended up after leaving Villa Park.
The Legend: Christian Benteke
Christian Benteke was pure magic at Villa. The Belgian striker scored goal after goal, becoming one of the most beloved players in recent club history. Villa bought him from Genk and later sold him to Liverpool for £32.5 million - four times what they paid.
Benteke struggled at Liverpool but bounced back at Crystal Palace, scoring 20 goals in his first season. He's had quite the journey since, playing for DC United under Wayne Rooney before moving to Al Wahda in the UAE this January at age 35.
He still speaks fondly about Villa: "It was the best time of my career. I came from a small country in Belgium and I was 22. I wasn't known and I came with a lot of dreams."
The Defenders Who Came and Went
Matt Lowton was solid at right-back and scored a screamer at Stoke. He left for Burnley in 2015, helped them get promoted, and stayed in the Premier League for years. He eventually ended his career playing in the UAE's second division.
Ron Vlaar - nicknamed 'Concrete Ron' - was dependable when fit. Injuries plagued his time at Villa though. After leaving in 2015, he returned to Holland with AZ Alkmaar where he eventually retired. He now works with their U21s as an assistant manager.
Philippe Senderos arrived as an experienced defender in 2014. The former Arsenal man never really settled, making just eight starts before leaving for Switzerland. He bounced around clubs before retiring in 2019.
Antonio Luna scored on his Premier League debut against Arsenal but got caught up in a sex tape scandal. He's now 34 and playing for Spanish lower league side Antequera after stints across Europe.
Joe Bennett never won over Villa fans despite arriving from Middlesbrough in 2012. Tony Xia blocked his move to Sheffield Wednesday because they were promotion rivals, so he went to Cardiff instead. He famously tweeted about beating Villa: "Won't enjoy a win as much as that one all season." He's now at eighth-tier Walton & Hersham.
The Midfielders: Some Bright Spots
Karim El Ahmadi made 57 appearances and scored three times. The Moroccan returned to Feyenoord and won the Eredivisie title. He later moved to Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad and now mentors young players.
Ashley Westwood became a bit of a scapegoat during Villa's dark days. He was a decent passer but couldn't escape the toxic atmosphere. "The chairman pulled the money out and it created a toxic atmosphere," he said. He moved to Burnley in 2017 and later reunited with Dean Smith at Charlotte FC in MLS.
Leandro Bacuna had moments of quality but Steve Bruce sold him to Reading for £1.5 million in 2017. He went to Cardiff for £4 million and is now 34, playing in Turkey for Iğdır FK.
Aleksandar Tonev played just 17 times - a forgettable stint. He's retired now and runs a construction business in Bulgaria.
The Attackers Who Struggled
Jordan Bowery cost £500,000 from Chesterfield but never scored for Villa. He made just six starts and now plays for Mansfield Town after bouncing around lower league clubs.
Libor Kozak was meant to challenge Benteke but managed only 12 starts in three and a half years. He scored four goals early on then disappeared. The Czech striker is now 35, back home playing for Opava.
Nicklas Helenius had a nightmare time in England. The Danish striker suffered from a serious bacterial infection that led to depression and fear of death. He's opened up about his struggles and still plays for Aalborg in Denmark.
Joe Cole arrived at 32 with his best days behind him. The former Chelsea star made 16 appearances, scored once, and was loaned to Coventry. He's now a TV pundit after working as a Chelsea academy coach.
The Full-Backs
Carlos Sanchez bounced around after Villa. The Colombian went to Fiorentina, Espanyol, West Ham, and lastly Argentine club San Lorenzo. Limited game time followed him everywhere.
Aly Cissokho had no future under Steve Bruce and headed to Turkey. The Frenchman is now 37 and plays in Thailand for Lamphun Warrior after stints with multiple clubs.
Bakary Sako struggled with just 22 league appearances in two years. The Mali international has played for countless clubs across Europe and is currently a free agent at 35.
Kieran Richardson had a short spell that ended in 2017. After brief stops at Cardiff and Coventry, he retired and now deals in luxury watches.
For Villa fans and bettors watching the club today, this era serves as a reminder of how far they've fallen and climbed back. Lambert's recruitment was mostly terrible, but finding Benteke alone might have saved his job for as long as it lasted. When backing Villa these days, remember they've seen much darker times than whatever struggles they face now.
