It's an interesting comparison with the great escape season! I'd say that team seemed to have more characters, scrappers than the current team who seem (all perceptions) a little quiet on the pitch. Teams that stay up against the odds generally have to find an x factor which is a sudden patch of goalscoring form or they have the character to dig in and fight for results. This 'character' factor is the biggest difference between a Villa last season and a Swansea this year. Players can have less quality but find an % together, as a team by working their socks off and focusing.
As you say Sturridge is the only potential x factor for goals and I have seen little character in the important games so far (against teams around us) to show that the players can dig out results.
This team feels more like Robson's relegated team the season after so far - flat, overpaid, selfish with in fighting being the only fight they had.
I'd love this bunch to find some balls and quickly!