diehardvillan

Mat Kendrick ‏@MatKendrick 1m Spanish reports that #avfc are in for Sevilla's Antonio Luna, 22, are correct, but they have also looked at other left-backs #lunalanding

Sounds like this one is a real go'er.

haha. That info was from me. Cheers. I got that info yesterday off someone who has been very closely connected to Villa for over 25 years. But like he said to me yesterday, still a long way to go on this one and nowhere near completed or a dead cert. Lol. I heard it from a guy who's involved with our local supporters club, and doesn't usually bullshit. Did you put it on Twitter? (That's if you're on there?) It just seems a very random one..... Yeah, I put it on twitter yesterday. Like I say, the guy who informed me of this yesterday morning told me we were working extremely hard to try and make this happen, but by no means even close to being done. All needs to be taken with caution right now. Exciting though.

The guy who informed me of it said it was nowhere near complete or a dead cert. But he believed that we were working very hard on a potential deal. Would be a great coup though.

All these links are very exciting.

Apparently, according to reports in Spain, we are close to agreeing a deal for left back Antonio Luna LaLigaenDirecto ‏@LaLigaenDirecto 44m Antonio Luna, ex del Sevilla, es nuevo jugador del Aston Villa. http://www.vavel.com/es/futbol/sevillafc/243998-antonio-luna-nuevo-jugador-del-aston-villa.html

haha. That info was from me. Cheers. I got that info yesterday off someone who has been very closely connected to Villa for over 25 years. But like he said to me yesterday, still a long way to go on this one and nowhere near completed or a dead cert.

What do you mean he has shown us none so far? Have I missed something? Everything that has been reported regarding Benteke's future has either come from random twitter updates, holiday snaps, or his agent drumming up potential interest. Has Benteke himself come out and categorically stated that he wants to leave? No. Like any footballer after a long first season in the Premier League, he is currently taking a well earned break. And he is hardly going to tell a fan that he is leaving. Come on.There is no rush. I know that will frustrate many Villa fans. I want it sorted out as much as anyone, but we have plenty of time & I am sure once he returns from his Holiday, we will have a clearer picture on what Benteke himself actually wants. Personally, I think he would be mad to leave after only being with us for 10 months and committing to a 4 year contract. I know contracts mean nothing these days, but I think Benteke will do well to remember that Lambert was the man who took a punt on him & he seems a level headed enough guy to me who will take that on board. We are building something for the future. Will Benteke want to be a part of that. I hope so. But, I will be reserving judgement on Benteke's loyalty until he gives us an answer. Give it time. The fact that we're even having to sit down and wrangle over a new contract, one year into his current (first) one tells me enough. I'm not saying I dislike the bloke, he's your average modern day footballer. I'm just not about to idolise him. You have just quoted yourself about the modern game. So I won't go there. ; ) But, in all seriousness, idolising doesn't even come into the debate. The fact is, Benteke has earnt the respect of the Villa fans. The fact that we are having to sit down and wrangle a new contract with him only tells me what a fantastic acquisition he was and what a superb season he had. It would happen at any other Club. The whole point in Lambert and the board wanting to discuss a new contract is purely based on us wanting to keep him and prize off any suitors for his signature. That is a good thing in my mind. As I have said, I believe he would be mad to leave after only 10 months into a new contract, but because of the season he has had, Lambert is keen to tie him down to a longer deal. It is all about protecting the Club. Let's just wait until Benteke states what he wants. He obviously bought into Lambert's philosophy before he signed. Lambert I am sure will have gone into great detail on what his plans were for the Club going forward, each individual player and the timeline in which he believed his targets would come to fruition. Benteke doesn't strike me as a quitter. Yes, yes money talks. But Benteke has to think about what is best for him right now and that is staying with us. Be patient. Yes I'm emphasising my point about the modern game. I understand it and I'm comfortable with it. Idolising does come into it when I start to wonder how I'd feel if he was to leave, something I have highlighted above. I am being patient too, I'm just saying. I'm bored of it, I can't be arsed to worry about it. The club comes first, the manager a distant second and the players aside from a dwindling few are completely irrelevant when it comes to dolling out respect. Tell me, what has he done to earn my respect, aside from being good at football? It's been fun, but I am off out now. I have made my feelings perfectly clear as have you.

What do you mean he has shown us none so far? Have I missed something? Everything that has been reported regarding Benteke's future has either come from random twitter updates, holiday snaps, or his agent drumming up potential interest. Has Benteke himself come out and categorically stated that he wants to leave? No. Like any footballer after a long first season in the Premier League, he is currently taking a well earned break. And he is hardly going to tell a fan that he is leaving. Come on.There is no rush. I know that will frustrate many Villa fans. I want it sorted out as much as anyone, but we have plenty of time & I am sure once he returns from his Holiday, we will have a clearer picture on what Benteke himself actually wants. Personally, I think he would be mad to leave after only being with us for 10 months and committing to a 4 year contract. I know contracts mean nothing these days, but I think Benteke will do well to remember that Lambert was the man who took a punt on him & he seems a level headed enough guy to me who will take that on board. We are building something for the future. Will Benteke want to be a part of that. I hope so. But, I will be reserving judgement on Benteke's loyalty until he gives us an answer. Give it time. The fact that we're even having to sit down and wrangle over a new contract, one year into his current (first) one tells me enough. I'm not saying I dislike the bloke, he's your average modern day footballer. I'm just not about to idolise him. You have just quoted yourself about the modern game. So I won't go there. ; ) But, in all seriousness, idolising doesn't even come into the debate. The fact is, Benteke has earnt the respect of the Villa fans. The fact that we are having to sit down and wrangle a new contract with him only tells me what a fantastic acquisition he was and what a superb season he had. It would happen at any other Club. The whole point in Lambert and the board wanting to discuss a new contract is purely based on us wanting to keep him and prize off any suitors for his signature. That is a good thing in my mind. As I have said, I believe he would be mad to leave after only 10 months into a new contract, but because of the season he has had, Lambert is keen to tie him down to a longer deal. It is all about protecting the Club. Let's just wait until Benteke states what he wants. He obviously bought into Lambert's philosophy before he signed. Lambert I am sure will have gone into great detail on what his plans were for the Club going forward, each individual player and the timeline in which he believed his targets would come to fruition. Benteke doesn't strike me as a quitter. Yes, yes money talks. But Benteke has to think about what is best for him right now and that is staying with us. Be patient.

What do you mean he has shown us none so far? Have I missed something? Everything that has been reported regarding Benteke's future has either come from random twitter updates, holiday snaps, or his agent drumming up potential interest. Has Benteke himself come out and categorically stated that he wants to leave? No. Like any footballer after a long first season in the Premier League, he is currently taking a well earned break. And he is hardly going to tell a fan that he is leaving. Come on.There is no rush. I know that will frustrate many Villa fans. I want it sorted out as much as anyone, but we have plenty of time & I am sure once he returns from his Holiday, we will have a clearer picture on what Benteke himself actually wants. Personally, I think he would be mad to leave after only being with us for 10 months and committing to a 4 year contract. I know contracts mean nothing these days, but I think Benteke will do well to remember that Lambert was the man who took a punt on him & he seems a level headed enough guy to me who will take that on board. We are building something for the future. Will Benteke want to be a part of that. I hope so. But, I will be reserving judgement on Benteke's loyalty until he gives us an answer. Give it time.

Was it ever a go'er?

Seems to be a lot of people confirming on Twitter that Lambert has told Enda that he is free to leave. I can find any firm link anywhere else, so take it with a pinch of salt. But, if that is the case, we will surely be looking at a new left back. Cresswell anyone?

Wednesday next week.

As can Helenius, Luiz style! Once he signs of course.

I think Cresswell is nailed on myself. I expect him and Murphy to be signed up before the season starts. We shall see, but Cresswell was always his number 1 choice and Murphy has been on his radar for some time. I disagree, Bacuna is a box to box so is murphy so why sign murphy when we have probably just siigned a better prospect for the same position. Plus we already have Delph, Westwood, Sylla and KEA in the middle. Creswell was second choice behind bennett and he had an average season in an ipswich team that struggled last season can't see either happenning! Cresswell was never second choice. He was first choice, but he opted for Bennett as Ipswich were playing hardball on fee. Also, Murphy has been on the cards for some time. Lambert is a known admirer of him and has been spotted watching him a few times last season. Will it happen? Who knows. But I don't see that signing Bacuna will completely cast aside our attempts on bringing Murphy in. Not one bit. Options and depth. Let's say we get rid of Ireland and Bannan. Nothing wrong with replacing the two with Bacuna and Murphy. Nothing wrong with having two 'box to box' midfielders.

I think Cresswell is nailed on myself. I expect him and Murphy to be signed up before the season starts. We shall see, but Cresswell was always his number 1 choice and Murphy has been on his radar for some time.

May well be the case and I hope it is. But it is safe to say that, that account is completely full of.........

Superb post. Thanks so much for your input. Always refreshing to hear from fans of the Club a player is departing. Interesting to hear of his attributes. Will Murphy still be in our plans I wonder?

Give me Cresswell, Murphy and a back-up keeper and I will be

Welcome to Villa Okore. Really, really pleased about this signing. Power, strength and pace. Welcome.

He used to be a winger, but he has been used more as a box-to-box player now with a lot of success. Something which we have been lacking for quite some time is a player arriving late in the box, and this kid seems to fit the bill. Fingers crossed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gNosiPCeWVQ Looks suspiciously like NZgobia in his play. Agree totally. Think this could spell the end of Nzogbia. The wages are the main issue I think. Welcome Bacuna.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gNosiPCeWVQ

Matt Law ‏@Matt_Law_SM 1m Aston Villa set to land Leandro Bacuna - medical today #avfc http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-sign-leandro-bacuna-1950316 …

Looks pretty decent here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gNosiPCeWVQ Likes to take a penalty as well. Apparently, he has moved into a more Attacking Midfielder role. Could be interesting.