Delphinho123

A very good point. I was unimpressed with Luiz last year but he has the chance again now to really show he can develop into a top player. I was impressed with his performance against Brentford, but he needs to play like that more often. He has the horrible job of receiving the ball under pressure with his back to the opposition and popping it off to another Villa player. I think it's the toughest position to play in many respects. Good deep lying playmakers are scarce. I really hope Luiz has a super season and we then compliment him next Summer with a player to play alongside him. If he has a bad season though, we as a team will struggle. A lot depends on how well he plays. I have no doubt if he doesn't perform then he'll be moved on next year. Potential is great but we can't wait forever for him to realise it. In many respects, after a poor season just gone, he is quite lucky, with the owners we have, that he hasn't been replaced by one or two players that play in that position. The same can be said for a lot of our midfielders. McGinn and Sanson need to show they can step up without Grealish and dominate games otherwise you can guarantee the next area of the team that is upgraded will be the midfield.

If they lose Wilson or ASM (both very injury prone), they’re done for IMO. With Willock, ASM and Wilson they probably have enough, but like I say, lose them and there isn’t much left.

Meh. We’ll stand still at best.

Lol, exactly! Thats probably the most uncontroversial thing I’ve heard from Villalad.

No way, really?

Disagree but ok buddy. You crack on with your nonsense

I think Kessler will be a great player for us. Let him enjoy his loan at Swindon this year. Get him out on loan to the championship next year and the season after that, I’d be surprised if he wasn’t knocking on the door of the first team. He’s got everything it takes to be a top player in my opinion.

4/10 for me, mate. Signed some good players but not sure the areas that needed strengthening were focused on. Probably done enough to stand still, if we’re lucky. Very surprised we didn’t sign a defensive midfielder to compliment our new attacking prowess, but hey ho.

Great. I’ve watched him a few times for the youth teams and he is so quick dribbling with the ball at his feet. Would bloody love it if he came through this year. Still felt a loan to the championship would have done him good but if they want to keep him around then fair enough.

I disagree but fair enough. Like I say, I don’t think the fans will put up with mediocre performances from him this season. He’ll get a run of games I’m sure and if he doesn’t perform, someone will take his place. I really hope he comes good and improves us. Right now, I’d much prefer Ramsey based on what Jacob has already done this season and what I’ve seen of Sanson last season.

He won’t have many excuses this season. A few games to get up to speed and then if he isn’t performing, well, it’s disappointing isn’t it. We can’t wait forever for this guy to come good. He was fairly poor in his first few games for the club and folk seem happy to forget that for now. They won’t if he doesn’t perform this season. You can’t carry players in the PL.

Saying the same earlier. A lot of our season depends on him playing very well. If he plays like he did last season, we’ll struggle a bit. FWIW, I thought he was excellent against Brentford.

Lol. No. One of the reasons Traore fell out of favour at Lyon was because they played wingbacks. I can’t see a 3-5-2 formation as it wouldn’t benefit Buendia or Bailey who have been brought in as our creators. We’ll see a 4-4-2 before we see a 3-5-2. Both aren’t good ideas though IMO. 4-3-3 is the way to go with our squad I feel.

Time for this lad to get some minutes in the first team. Would love him to break through this season. Anyone know if he prefers to play on the left or the right? My only criticism would be he’s quite lightweight atm, does he need to bulk up or could he stay at this weight/level of muscle and if not affect his progress? Genuine question. Grealish had a similar build when he was 20 and look at him now. He really benefitted from some serious muscle gain. Just wondering if this lad could use a similar programme. Exciting.

And the same people posting with their head in the sand is really boring too

No issue here. In a way, I hope that’s the case (I really like Ramsey). But if it isn’t, and he’s needed, no excuses, he needs to perform.

Just as I’d expect given the money theyve spent and the fact we had one of the best players in Europe playing for us. This season is the first time we’ll see the club go backwards IMO pal.

You have to remember on here that if you post anything to suggest we didn’t have a good transfer window and everything this season will be absolutely f****** brilliant, you’ll be labelled a moaner and asked to stop being so negative. Personally, I don’t think it’s been a dreadful window, but it hasn’t been a good one like last summer. If the club have ambitions of getting into Europe then they’re in for a nasty shock. At best, I think we’ll stand still which oddly, I’m absolutely fine with. I’m also pretty confident that Smith will come under real pressure at some point this season. I’d like to think he’ll keep his job unless we’re hovering around 16th/17th at Xmas.

And there are people on here who refuse to entertain the idea that the club can do any wrong and every decision that is made is the correct one.

We don’t have the luxury of carrying players.

Fair enough. I think we’ll get taken apart by teams with 2 in the middle but agree it’s the only way we can fit them both in the side. You don’t see many teams play 4-4-2 these days either.

Fair enough. You think we’ll go 4-4-2 then?

I’m in no way speculating on how good Sanson will or won’t be, BUT The excuses this season for him will have to stop. Injured, new league, getting up to speed etc. When he gets his chance in the first team, which I’m sure he will, he’ll need to take it otherwise I can see the club moving him on in the summer. From the very little I’ve seen of him, he’ll do well to get in the side ahead of McGinn and Ramsey (if he continues to play well).

I was just thinking that! I am intrigued to see how Smith will play both Watkins and Ings in the same side. For the life of me, I can’t work out how he will!

I’m a bit disappointed with the window as I’ve said many times before! We’re probably two short of where I thought we’d be having lost Grealish but it is what it is. Let’s hope we can do the business this year and try to improve on last season. I’m really hoping Ramsey has a great season as I really think he has the tools to kick on and become a very good player. Im surprised JPB and Chuk haven’t gone out on loan - maybe they’ll surprise too.