Intercourse_The_Penguin

Little drunk now (and trying to conceal this from the wife), and I don't think it's just because of this fact that I feel my optimism reinvigorated. This was a tricky game. AFCB played at a high tempo, they have inter-playing pairs down both wings and a settled team that's used to winning and we played them in their own back yard on the biggest day in their history. I think their sheer energy overwhelmed us at times, which I admit you never like to see as a team with decent ambitions, but we stood up to it, rode our luck and I don't think anyone could begrudge us victory on the balance. It may be the strong French lager talking, but I have a feeling we'll see this Villa side grow together and have an enjoyable and comfortable season. I also think AFCB might end up stopping up. Anyway... Ashes won, Villa won... I'm gonna continue supping my Pelforth and savouring the day

With everyone fit, I think we've got a potentially pretty solid defence with right back being the one I would look at strengthening before the deadline, though I would like a CB to add depth to the squad. That said I don't mind Bacuna and as it stands I think he should be our first choice RB. I'd like us to improve on him, though I've said it before but right back is his only effective position. Playing further up field he is completely nullified, as it is attacking from RB that gives him space to make an impact, he just doesn't get that space and can't work it for himself in a more attacking position. If he is RB throughout the season then at least he is likely to create at a least as many goals as he could give away. I agree with all of that tbf. I like Bacuna, but he's a player it's difficult to know what to do with. Play him at RB and he'll create a decent number of goals, but he doesn't really look a premier league RB. Play him anywhere else and he looks lost. We could do worse with him at RB this season because as you say at least he'll create, but the discrepancy now in quality between LB and RB is a glaring imbalance in our team.

Looks like we can finally stop harking back to the distant past for the last recollection of a decent Villa left-back. This guy is a cracking player. When he gets fully fit and used to the English game he's going to be one of the best in the league in his position.

Looking a genuinely solid premier league CH. More power to ya, Ciaran!

Not a brilliant game, but good to see him sticking to defensive duties and doing generally well after we took the lead. Still not convinced about him as first choice RB, though.

Holte hero in the making.

I came into this thread to post exactly this!

Feeling confident that in a month or two we'll be seeing Gana as a comfortable improvement on D****. Like the way he plays the game.

First half a bit ropey, but second really promising with so many new faces in the side. Loved Amavi, Richards, Gueye and Clark. Gabby was anonymous at times, but played his part in some nice moves. Rudy's gonna become a Holte favourite this season, I reckons. But opening day win, away from home in a tricky fixture. Feels pretty damn good.

Nerves kicking in. As kick-off approaches my optimism is fading. Not sure if this is reflective of reality or just typical Villa fan despondency.

Why so proud next to that sign? 1892? Bloody arrivistes!

Ahh, summer speculation. I love this time of year. I hate this time of year. It is a time of great optimism. It is a time of great pessimism. It is a time of promise and possibility. It is a time of grim inevitability. It is a time of renewal and rejuvenation. It is a time of deterioration and decline. It is a time of hope. It is a time of despair. I don't want it to end just yet. I wish it were over already.

I'd feel a lot more comfortable going into the season with a powerful, experienced centre-half brought in as well. But would put another midfielder ahead in terms of priority.

Do please explain. Indeed!

Not really, he ran abotu a bit in an alice band with his head down ignoring everyone. Is that a success? Bars scored a lot of goals for us and arguably his goals kept us up in does final season A little off-topic, but I Googled Baros as I didn't remember his scoring record being that great for us. The thing that is still leaving me a little befuddled though is that he's still only 33! I could have sworn he was 30 when he joined us. Also he's had a career of nothing since he left us. But anyway... I would be cautiously optimistic about getting Adebayor for a season or two. He's scored goals consistently throughout his career at different clubs and I've seen him a number of times be an absolute handful for opposition defences. Also, tbh I need some causes for optimism because it's all feeling a bit bleak recently.

So let's summarise: we've not bought enough players; we've no money to spend; and now Okore and Gil are injured.

Gah, some of these transfer sagas are really starting to drag on.

I really don't know how Paul O'Grady has got away with this. Should be interesting, though.

Wow! Just as we'd all bid him farewell in our various ways. Guess you could say now that it was all much adieu about nothing. (I'll get my coat)

boom, boom, boom, let me hear you say... er... Lexo? This is gonna need some work.

Enjoy watching the Euros, Fab. Shame, you could have been going. Oh well.