M_Afro

Blaming Emi is a bit harsh. His level of performance this season has been consistently exceptional. He and Jack have saved us from a much more nerve wrangling season. 

The corners drive me mad. Every time we win a corner I never get excited. We don’t even come close to scoring. It really needs addressing

2 minutes ago, Talldarkandransome said:

Who is the ref

Not sure. Almost certainly Crusty or Coko 

I would like to see Ruban Neves in a villa shirt. I wonder if Wolves could be tempted to sell? Maybe they could throw in Neto too!

Just watching Sheff U. How on earth did we lose to them? They are awful. Results like that since Christmas have really halted our chances. 
Also, if Sander Berge is the answer then goodness knows what the question is! No thanks!

6 minutes ago, villalad21 said:

Why are people attempting to downplay MON achievement? 

3 sixth place finishes in a row is an unbelievable achievement. No one can take that away from him. 

Absolutely loved those times. 

We were so badly managed through that period, at all levels of the club. MON had pretty much free reign to do what he wanted. He was awful in the transfer market. He spent massive fees and gave huge wages to bang average players with no sell on value ( there were a few exceptions). Lerner/ Faulkner had not got a clue how to run a football club and as a result let him get away with it. MON then left us on the verge of a new season with a squad past their best.

That period led directly to our subsequent downfall. MON will always be remembered by me as an arrogant, wasteful individual who was more concerned by his own ego than the welfare of our magnificent club. I was a season ticket holder through the whole of that period and it’s the only time I have ever left the match before full time. Some of the football was sterile and turgid.

That was also our best opportunity to break the top 4. I have no doubt that given the same set of circumstances Deano would have got us playing Champions League football. Our whole management structure is now light years ahead of those days. I have been harsh on Dean at times but thinking back to those days is a good perspective gauge.

7 hours ago, JamieZ said:

Word in Italy is that there is an abundance of interest from Premier League clubs in Weston McKennie and that cash-strapped Juventus are prepared to let him go for half that.

I think Phillips is good, but I don't think he's £50+ good.

I really wanted us to sign McKennie last summer. He is a different type of player to Phillips but I would love to see him in a Villa shirt. Is it to greedy to wish for both!

Any news on his injury?

1 hour ago, gwi1890 said:

Joe Willock looks decent would he add something to this team?

He can’t get in Newcastle’s midfield which would be my concern. He does seem to have an eye for goal though 

4 minutes ago, paul514 said:

Who's that? He just talks about players we are always linked with in the media

He’s got 1 follower! Move on.

Nas and Wes really mean business. We have so much to offer new players now. This summer could see a real marquee signing. So exciting to see what happens. 

Anybody seen much of Zambo Anguissa at Fulham? I have only seen him a couple of times and he played well on both occasions. May be a cheaper alternative to Bissouma? Looks a similar player.

4 minutes ago, turvontour said:

Wouldn't imagine he'd play again this season as only a couple of weeks left and he isnt back in full training is he? No point rushing him back for final two games for him to make it worse.

I think Jack will want to play if he can. He will want to prove his fitness ahead of the Euros. He is a naturally fit lad so there’s hope. Maybe Everton?

Any news on his return? Will he be back for Man U?

Whoever we sign, there are some things that I’d like us to address. We need a set piece specialist. A reliable penalty, free kick and corner taker. Our set pieces really could do with being improved upon. Our two best currently are Connor and AEG and neither of those will be starting (hopefully). 
We also need more pace across the team, particularly in centre midfield and out wide. 
Finally we need greater physicality. We are too easily knocked off the ball.

19 minutes ago, MotoMkali said:

Mings and martinez would still be better. And yes neto would be an upgrade but not enough of an upgrade to warrant spending that much money on him. Especially since we desperately need a right footed LW rather than a leftie. 

Someone like oyarzabal (14g, 9a, 45m) or Diaby (10 goals 15 assists 40 matches ) would be massive but if they are out of reach someone like thuram (10g, 13a 40m) or Rebic (7g, 9a 32m) would be preferable. And if we are going for a Left footed player Leon Bailey would be my choice given he has refound his from and has scored 15 goals and got 12 assists in 41 appearances. 

Compared to neto 6g, 7a, 38m. Although he is the youngest of the players he would also be the most expensive aside from oyarzabal because he is younger and better than Jota and wolves sold him for 35 mil. So he'd cost at least 40 most likely 50 mil. 

Lots of YouTube homework for me there. I will enjoy checking out some of those guys.

I agree about Emi. He is world class. Maybe the best gk in the league. I still can’t believe we got him for so little. He is also a world class bloke.

19 minutes ago, MotoMkali said:

That's shit depth and you know it. Neto and Mcneil are less productive than AEG or Traore. There's no reason to spunk 40 mil on them. Bissouma is great though would love him. 

We need 2 big signings that are worth 80 mil to improve the first team quality but after that the key is depth. This season our first 11 can beat anyone but our depth is so poor if our players get tired we don't have a valid way to change up the game that will make us more likely to score a goal. We need an attacking player on par with grealish someone like Oyarzabal would be massive and would make us a dark horse for CL spots. 

Neto would be our second best player. The kid is class. I don’t think we are at the stage to have amazing depth. That will come in time by continuing to invest in the youth set up. Until then there is always going to be a need for some fire fighting now and then.

We should just buy quality now and forget quantity. We have kids capable of coming into the team on the odd occasion they might be needed. How else are they going to get experience?

Three top signings only. Neto, Bissouma and McNeil or three suitable equivalents. Add our back 5, Luiz, Jack and Ollie to that and we would have some team. We would also have plenty in reserve with the likes of Heaton, Guilbert, Hause, McGinn, Ramsey, Sanson, Berty, Wes, AEG and Davis. Plus youngsters Carney, Louie, etc.

What are the rules around issuing cards? If Ollie doesn’t score that goal then Mason should have been sent off. He pulled him back and then slashed him down from behind. He committed the offence despite Ollie picking himself up and scoring. He didn’t even get a yellow card! In rugby he still would have been sent off for committing the offence regardless of what happened afterwards!

9 minutes ago, May-Z said:

The ball in for Watkins thighed chance was incredible.

Totally agree. It was impossible to defend.

I am desperate for him to get a couple more clean sheets. He really deserves to beat our record. He has been immense.

On 29/04/2021 at 22:34, DevonIsAPlaceOnEarth said:

Great bunch of lads.

Ollie is better than Tammy and he better suits our style. We won’t be signing Tammy to play Ollie wide! We would be better buying a wide player and keeping Ollie where he is. £40m is also double the real value of Tammy.

I love everything about Ollie. Top player. Top bloke. Must be worth £70m already.