abdulaziz1

I never had a proper look into his performances, didn’t know he actually played in Barca (and usually that’s something alarming rather than positive), but the whole deal is shrewd piece of business. As a backup we won’t find much better, no time to negotiate for younger with potential, so a loan for a ball play cb (from what I hear) is the best right now. Especially as a temporary replacement for Mings. We can address a younger one later on, which can be viewed as a longer term. 

Just now, gwi1890 said:

Any update on this transfer?

I hope it ends in success and we can cut some of the loss, some nice memories, one of the things is that I wanted him during Lambert days, I think 2012-13, we were linked to get him from Inter. Then waited 9-10 years for him to come. I was one of the few that wasn’t really expecting anything from this signing (probably the fear of his wages and him being a burden), didn’t like what Gerrard said about getting only experienced players, but the only part I liked is that we wanted him while ago and didn’t happen. 
Anyway it’s been a roller coaster, ended up perfectly so far, and the rest is history.

Up The Villa.

We were linked to Zaniolo even before Diaby links. I don’t think he’s a replacement for anyone, he was one of our forward options. We pushed hard after Buendia injury, but we possibly plan to add one wether him or someone else. After Buendia we had to had him, then see if we can add another. 

1 minute ago, trom_borg said:

Most people seem to miss that Philogene and Archer, at least in terms of europa registration, cant be replaced by bringing someone new to the club in. In the europa squad they have to be replaced by a home grown talent.  Even with the current squad (and if we get anotehr defender in which looks likely), either Couthino or Traore misses out. 

We’ll use Young, Kellyman…etc

But does Kellyman consider as he has not been here for two years? 
I guess we’ll use the new player or two that came from Baggies as well. O’reilly if he didn’t go on loan. 
We still have a few to give chances and use, some with a view to develop for the team, other to raise their profile and prices.

Does it close tomorrow or 2nd of September?

What’s happening with links with him to Liverpool? Any mention of a release clause? Or nothing to worry about?

3 hours ago, May-Z said:

Is there a more pointless skill than the no look pass? Not even sure it's a skill tbh. 

He looked very encouraging though. I think once he's got used to our system he's going to be very productive for us. 

 

Yes, how he got past their player (although he was gonna get cought if Watkins wasn’t in the right place) but he likes to do this, and glad he still has it. Even when he stopped before the shot he’s done it a lot before. 

5 hours ago, Monkeypuzzle said:

Don't want this transfer, don't think Emery or Monchi want this transfer. Hope this puts an end to any links. It's like with Maguire. All the links make me worry it might happen, even though it's based on hacks making nonsense up. He is simply nowhere near good enough for us. He is not even as good as Bailey or Traore.

He isn’t bad, it’s just the financial look of it isn’t pretty.we could find much better value.

3 hours ago, VillaChris said:

West Ham has always been a difficult match up for us since coming up so in reality getting even one win from them will feel like overachieving. They have similar profile to Leicester in the 1990s who we could never beat either.

Would worry more about defending set pieces against them without Mings.

We only failed to beat West Ham and Man City since we got up from what I can remember.

4 hours ago, VillaChris said:

Think people just based it on Maddison getting relegated with Leicester and deciding he was complete rubbish. When you think about it that was actually a really smart signing to fill the Kane void as he's got the personality to always get on the ball and usually hit double figures for goals and sometimes assists over a season.

Better than just sticking Bryan Gil there anyway.

Having Richarlison as CF will hurt them in tighter games though when you need to be clinical from minimal chances and I'm not convinced Son is as good as he used to be either so think they'll go a few games without a win soon enough.

Maddison talent never in doubt, it’s him being fit which made people fear this signing. Same goes with Ward Prowse, it’s just the long term gain is what prevent us from getting him. You’d spend big amount for a squad player (I don’t think I would start him above Luiz). Some signing could even be better than some if we’re looking short term, but longer term it’s a different story. Last winter we didn’t panic yet we got to Europe. This season our main goal should be winning the UECL, that give us a wild card for Europe, while we try and compete in 3 competitions as well. 
I’d be more than happy to be around top teams, while qualifying in Europe (and getting easiest possible draws), while going to the final of the League Cup and qualify first round of FA Cup before January. That would give us more belief in our chances, we’d look again to improve what needs to be improved during January. Best scenario is to win League Cup in March, while being around in the league and all other competitions. Winning that would confirm another UECL at the very least. 
I’m not saying not to compete, I would even like to keep winning and be title candidate, but we have to take the backup plans seriously. 
I can’t believe how people easily overestimate or underestimate teams, people say Arsenal are definitely top 4 team, while I agree they’re the second best, but if they go in a bad form and Man City were away from them it could affect them mentally. 
Chelsea have a quality manager but it could easily go either way. Liverpool are a dangerous team, so far they don’t have a proper DM which could affect them. Newcastle are the best tactical and focused team, toughest to beat but how long will it continue? I still think the 5-1 are a blessing in our side regarding the timing, especially if we won tomorrow (our most important this season so far, we’ve been decreasing in our away form since last season). I think a draw between Liverpool and Newcastle would be the best result, not only points, but it won’t make any of them act according to a bad result. 
Man City is Man City, then comes Spurs who people underestimate them, all forgot they didn’t have a manager last season. They had some quality players, some got back as well such as Lo Celso. West Ham are being tough to beat, Brighton are beginning very good, they would lose the odd games with many goals (such as Everton last season) we have to be careful. Brentford looking a top 10 team again. Man Utd main issue so is trying to accommodate Mount and Bruno, actually Ten Hag want to implement his style by playing 2 10’s. Once it clicks on, or he change his idea and play an 8 instead, their form will change. So we can’t conclude that they’re bad because for example we tried the high line away at Newcastle and got punished. They’re on the process of building their style.

On 25/08/2023 at 13:44, juteface said:

One more win and he has the same number of wins as he who shall not be named in half as many matches. Newcastle was only his 6th loss and considering he barely changed the squad last season it's an incredible achievement. 

Which one of them?

46 minutes ago, The Fun Factory said:

Are we going to have a squad big enough to challenge on all fronts if we keep selling our youth prospects?

Those who we are selling aren’t really prospects, well possibly Ramsey is. I guess by 21, the club will see wether a player is ready or sell this way. Archer wants minutes, he’s third in our list, not because of him being bad but his style. I think we should look at the younger ones and give them minutes this season such as Kellyman and O’Reilly.

6 minutes ago, DCJonah said:

Early door but spurs and Chelsea look like they'll be better than last season and Brighton don't look like they've fallen off. 

 

Both were always going to be better if nothing their managers. Still early days, but the gap will reduce with Man Utd, Newcastle. Arsenal might be a bit better, but a bad early form could throw them aswell. Brentford seem good as well. 
Let’s win tomorrow then see what can we do in the next 3 6 pointers coming.

He’s a very good player, other teams get aware of him, which give more space for other players (especially Bailey). He’d still have had couple of assists and a goal last two games, but it’s also good that he gives other players more space. Always a threat to other teams.

9 hours ago, useless said:

Truth be told he could really do with a loan, doesn't have any first team experience and turns twenty in December.

I agree, his main issue is he’s small, atleast if we can give him some minutes until January, then he might be more ready for a loan. 

4 hours ago, MWARLEY2 said:

As he is only 17 he can be playing u21s and youth cup games and then get the odd first team appearance , all the while developing. 

Whereas Aaron is 20 and needs 30 games this season minimum to develop. Playing u21s and the odd first team game would make him stagnate. 

Exactly, they’re not in a stage not to play regular minutes. We can now use those chances for some younger players, if they showed their qualities and being ready they can even appear in some PL games. By doing that top Championship teams might queue for getting him next season, then if he was finally at the quality we assume and hope he joins the first team at 19. It won’t be his first run as well. 
During the time he’s on loan we give others a chance. Most will just be to up their values, few will be a long term plan. Some might even be used in the first teams if they were quality while not in our standard, to fill a squad position, with an eye to raise their value.

All of that process will encourage more talents to come to Villa because we’re trying to find success for players wether with us or other teams. 

35 minutes ago, Supervillan78 said:

Really dislike the idea of signing Felix on loan.  

Can’t stand the thought of paying his astronomical wages as he struts around the place with his inflated ego ‘dreaming of playing for Barca’, while churning out a string of inept performances before inevitably getting injured.

Let him dream what he wants, as long as he comes and committed then why not? He’s a real quality. I normally don’t like big names, but I think his qualities are hard to ignore (add to that the fact that not many teams can use him, he’s perfect for our way of playing). 

3 minutes ago, romavillan said:

Well that makes a nice change from years of stupid and shit in the transfer market. (NSWE days excluded!)

Even during NSWE, DS panicked with the Grealish money, and then SG continued after that and I remember him saying with Dinge and Coutinho he’s willing to get similar players (high prices and no resale values). 
NSWE are never in doubt, but now the full team are on the same direction. When the manager look at things financially as well you know what the chemistry between all of them. 

22 minutes ago, ender4 said:

My guess is still that we don’t have any big incoming transfers.

Generally I don’t like big incoming and fear most of them. But I still think that getting Felix on loan (with a buying option) would be one of the best moves by the club. He’s a real quality (and I mostly saw him with Chelsea), so I’m saying that based on a bad Chelsea team. Other than that I’d be happy with what we’re doing. Pau, Diaby and Zaniolo are all big names but not coming from big teams (which I do usually fear). You get players on the up rather than other way round, (well, Zaniolo is a different story but still minimized the risk by the loan).

I think Zaniolo could play as an attacker with Diaby beside him. We’re actually having Watkins mostly because of his pressing (which we didn’t like Archer for). We have Duran as well. Much more choices than last season. I’d keep Traore around just incase (he won us 6 points last season). 
I don’t mind getting a left forward but then what would we do when Ramsey is back? I’d still be happy with Fati for example but definitely not on that price. Glad that Emery is saying we’d be intelligent and smart, that would possibly mean another loan to buy. For now I’d sell Coutinho if there is still any buyers. If we do that it would make sense getting one of the 3 Barcelona linked players. 
To be honest the more I think of it, the more tough it becomes. Glad that we’ve put the left back aside, as Dinge would be as good as anyone we’ll get and loaning him isn’t the best. If he was to go permanently then yes. 

I think only Ramsey we might get back, but it’s nice to have a buy-back clause for all of them. To sell them at these prices make you think about the work our management are doing. 
Some great talents still coming up, if those guys showed their qualities, our academy players which we produce will be looked at by many clubs, which would make it easier for us to sell in good money.

I actually think that us needing Dinge this week could make Nice feel the danger and change their offer to a permanent fee to convince us to take the risk on selling him. If that happened it’s better to go for a loan signing such as Sessegnon. 

4 minutes ago, Kiwivillan said:

I bet Spurs and West Ham wish they hadn't wasted ££££ over they years on absolute potato "strikers". Man U too the list is endless

That’s why I prefer to be careful about who to get especially strikers. It’s the most failure signings from what I can see and cost most. Hopefully Duran steps up, Zaniolo could do a great job I assume. I’m not sure who’s our next academy striker, is it Smith? I’d like him to have some minutes if we made it to the group stage of UECL or if we can have a big win tonight, we can give him some minutes next week.

18 minutes ago, WallisFrizz said:

If we sell JPB and Archer in addition to Ramsey we lose 3 home grown players. Wonder if we’re raising money for an English purchase, maybe Brennan Johnson?

I think the issue is players that have been in the club for 2 years and got through the youth system is our problem. Kadan Young probably? I don’t think Kellyman will fit that although I look forward for his potential minutes to play this season. Possibly Revan? 

5 minutes ago, Captain_Townsend said:

McGinn, Mings, Luiz are club icons and if we win something soon will be legends.

If you include Luiz then I guess Konsa should be included as he played a big part in our survival season (such as Luiz), even last season with our revival. It’s really great that those players matured with us and went to next level with us. McGinn and Mings began the journey with us by promotion as well. 

I’d still like Felix and think he might move in a good deal later on.

regarding Ryan Sessegnon, I can’t say I’m watching him lately but that Fulham season come to mind. A loan with buy option could be shrewd piece of business, while he could fill Dinge place. Again I’m not following him to know how far he got worse, but I assume he’d be atleast ok offensively. Two loans in Felix and Sessegnon might help our squad while not affecting our FFP. For the RB possibly the Rayo one if he didn’t go anywhere would be a good addition.