1958Villan

As a direct replacement for Bent, I would be looking at Phillipp Hosiner of FK Vienna. He scored 32 goals in 36 league appearances last season, a pretty good return no matter what league you play in. The need for a defensive midfielder is still pretty urgent in my view, that being said I would probably go for Lucas Biglia of Anderlecht. Wilfried Bony of Vittesse Arnhem gives you three players in one, as the out and out striker, as the second striker and finally as an attacking midfielder. I think all three would be worth a look.

I seem to be agreeing with the majority on Bennett, in thinking that he isn't really a left back but, an out of position left-sided midfielder. One of the reasons I disagreed with the release of Eric Lichaj, leaving us with one left back in Enda Stevens.

Of all those mentioned as a replacement for Bent, the one that makes the most sense is Wilfried Bony from Vittesse Arnhem. Simply because he is not only capable of scoring goals but, he is also capable of playing the second striker role and making as many goals as he scores. A partnership between him and Benteke,(if we keep him), has the potential to be devastating. I'd like to suggest that the club take a good look at FK Vienna's squad as well. They have some really good youngsters, who might really turn into something special.

Overall I have been impressed with Bowery. He makes intelligent runs but, needs to start getting the timing of those runs right, as at present he seems to be getting in the right position either half a second too soon, or too late. This will change with experience. Of course it could also be changed on the training field.

Personal opinion but, that's what opinion is anyway isn't it. Anyhow mine is that BB will eventually be as effective, if not more so, than any other midfielder we have had in a very long time and on a very consistant basis.

And it has been confirmed that Tonev has passed his medical and signed a contract with Villa. The only thing left to do is agree a fee with his club.

As has been said by several already, I for one am sorry to see Eric leave. A far superior player to Bennett, even though Eric is a natural rightback. I wish him all the best and look forward to seeing how his career progresses in the future.

He injured a knee ligament three weeks ago. He will be ready to restart training the week after next, unless something happens to hinder his progress.

The player does not want to sign an improved contract, that would lead one to assume he wants to leave, so fans getting angry and saying never let him leave, is kind of stupid. It all comes down to do we sell him as soon as possible and get the most money, or do we let his contract run down and eventually lose his services for nothing. There is only one option that makes any kind of business sense. Don't any of you be fooled, running a football club is a big business. As fans we tend not to think of it in those terms but, it's a good job the owner and board do, otherwise this club we all love so much would cease to exist.

It would help the club if they were to keep in touch with the fans on a regular basis. Thats why the Generals thread on several sites was so good. Maybe if the club would just make a statement every week as to whats happening, taking into account any and all rumours that have hit the sites. It would be good PR for the club and it would mean the manager would get more time to get his idea's over to the players, before the fans jumped on his back, if they knew what he was trying to do.. It might help if the manager did a weekly thread, even a one off would help, just to explain his footballing philosophy.