WakefieldVillan

One I would keep, I think he has looked ok when playing for us and is still young enough to improve. Can cover anywhere along the back line which is a bonus.

However that said, I wouldn't rule out him going out on loan if our summer transfer dealings leave us with plenty of strength/depth.

5 minutes ago, romavillan said:

Lolley I'd take if it wasn't take the piss money.

Definitely, he's got great ability, can dribble, pass, shoot and would improve our starting eleven no end, add the Villa connection and I think he would be a perfect signing.

But you're right, at the right price.

5 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

The obsession with signing loads of Championship players is a bit weird. There's an entire world out there. 

I'd be looking over to Eastern Europe. The Slavic nations have been producing top quality technical footballers, with the athleticism to compete in the Premier League since forever yet this still feels like a relatively untapped market. It may be my imagination but it feels like these players often do a stint in Spain or Italy before they land in England, with some notable exceptions like Modric. Imagine signing a Modric. 

Whilst I agree with you that we should be looking at players from abroad and finding our own "Modric", my knowledge of the European league is non-existent to be honest, except for the household names. I think there may be others who are the same.

Hopefully you are right though and our scouting network is much superior to times gone by and we find a few hidden gems that can grow with us over a period of time.

I am interested to know though, if we were to purchase the likes of Lolley, Bowen, Phillips, Maupay ETC (and not be ripped off), would you be happy with any of these players or are they a definite no go for you? 

3 minutes ago, Hitzlsperger_12 said:

What about Tavernier at Rangers as another RB option. Pacy, Good engine, okay defensively, crossing and delivery on point. Freekicks and Penalties as well. Could maybe get him for £7-8M, as Guilbert is an unknown, Elmo is getting on a bit and Bree just doesn't seem up to it. Could De Leat be a left field choice? 

I agree with people saying Bowen, really impressed me the past couple seasons. Phillips at Leeds, whilst well thought of and most Leeds fans would say is their best player, he's always one tackle away from a red card imo.

Going to be an interesting few months ahead.

 

Tavernier is a good shout as is Kent from Rangers (for the right price), thing is with scottish football it's hard to assess the quality of the player due to the standard of football, though we certainly struck gold with McGinniesta  

Whilst you're right with Phillips, I think having someone in our side that is a bit on the edge would add some steal to our team and help us to mix it up when we need to. 

1 minute ago, MaVilla said:

Do we think Phillips from Leeds would be a good addition?, what kind of money would we be talking do you think?

Mentioned Phillips a while back. He would be a fantastic signing IMO.  

Strong in the tackle, athletic, quick, decent passer, can play central defence or sat in front (his best position), young, hungry, played under Bielsa where I am sure he has learned a lot  - He's got a lot going for him. 

I would envisage 12-14 million maybe?! Total guess.

Bielsa signing a year long extension maybe the main stumbling block.

Well, Bielsa signed for another season, my (in the know) contact certainly wasn't in the know  - Big boost for them and I think next year may finally be "their year".

Steady player all round,  played well yesterday and provided a superb delivery for the opener, I have not seen anything of Guilbert but I do hope however he is going to be an improvement on Elmo and make the right back slot his own. 

Elmo for me would offer more than Adomah at RM so would definitely keep him next season as a squad player.

Echo most people's appraisals of him. Yesterday he was very good, certainly seemed to have toughened up during the run-in. I actually think the turning point was the Klich goal at Elland Road, since then he has had fire in his belly.

Broke up play well, played a huge part in our first goal and along with McGinn and El Ghazi our best performers on the day.

11 hours ago, villalad21 said:

They seem to really dislike Frank Lampard for some reason.

I don't understand it. Lampard is respectful to everyone he doesn't deserve abuse.

Sums the majority of their fan base to be honest. They were happy enough singing songs to him after they beat them three times then when it all backfired and he gave them it back, suddenly he's the bad guy.

I think most neutrals like Frank, I certainly do, and almost felt sorry for him yesterday (almost  ), hope he stays at Derby and guides them to promotion (preferably at the expense of Leeds).

5 hours ago, Ponky said:

Reading Dean's comments about his dad almost destroyed me. My dad's starting to show signs of dementia and this just really hit me in the feels. To think his dad has probably missed out on one of the proudest moments of both their lives is devastating

So sorry to hear about your dad mate, I hope that you get through it the best you can, not going to lie, it is a very painful experience, but please treasure every moment you have with your old man. I lost my mum last year and I know what you and our gaffer is going through.

It really got to me too when he spoke about him and puts everything into perspective. Doesn't stop us loving our football or our football club and days like yesterday will be with us for the rest of our lives.

Thank you Dean, you have been a breath of fresh air, hope we all show patience next season with him, it will be even tougher but we are in the right hands for sure.

2 hours ago, MaVilla said:

my opinion:

1) sign Tuanzebe, Mings, El Ghazi & Hause. (35-50m? for the lot?)

2) Probably need 4 new players to complete the core (LB, DMC, AMR, SC)

3) I know some ppl love Tammy, but personally i dont think he would cut it in the Prem, so either Chelsea dont want to sell/loan due to their transfer ban, or if we could for 25m, i wouldnt.

4) Once the 4 core new signings are complete, anything else is a bonus.

 

                     Steer or Kalinic

Guilbert - Tuanzebe - Mings - Justin 

                         Phillips

                 Grealish - McGinn

 Lolley            Maupay            El Ghazi

I think key is signing up the loan players you've mentioned, there is a great team spirit and bond right now, understandably.

I dont think we need wholesale changes but just a few additions that will strengthen the starting eleven. I hope we can keep Tammy, he needs to improve his all round game for sure, but he looks like a really good character to have around the dressing room.

If we improve in the full back positions and on the flanks we will be just fine.

I'm not a scout but hopefully our network can find our own Maupay (for example), we need to be clever in the market (for a change)! 

2 hours ago, TheAuthority said:

I hope you're right.

I saw McGinn in 2 different interviews say "hopefully we can convince him to stay" 

I must admit I am a little concerned by McGinn's comments. I presumed it was pretty much -

Promoted = he stays (at least a season)!

No promotion = thanks for the memories! 

Still, would be amazed if he left now. 

2 hours ago, dudevillaisnice said:

Missed the ending as I couldn’t bare to watch. So so happy 

Same here. Switched off at 2-1 no bottle.

Put 100 quid on Derby promoted at HT. You can all thank me

Not a great performance by all means, but who gives a f%*# ! 

ASTON VILLA FC ARE BACK WHERE WE BELONG ! 

Derby have definitely gone with a more conservative line up than the one at Elland Rd, unsurprisingly. 

Our line up looks more attacking, with Hourihane instead of Whelan. Shame Davis isn't on the bench. 

Here we go, absolutely sh1tting it

No Keinan Davis in squad? 

I can see an argument for either player starting but I think Smith will go with Whelan. I think we are just about a better balanced team when he plays rather than Conor. Tough, tough call though.

I would however play Kodjia instead of Adomah/Green; I think if Whelan is playing we have that extra security for any of his defensive shortcomings but more going forward.

Just watched his pre-match press conference and must say I feel a lot more relaxed about the match than I did. He come across so calming when he speaks and I feel confident that he and the players will all have the right mindset on Monday afternoon.

5 minutes ago, imavillan said:

Big Sam and talkshite....pmsl 

UTV

That's why I put the sarcastic (I know, I know), I'm no fan of either

Talk Sport (I know, I know) did a quick 5-a-side team selection this morning from Villa and Derby players and both Big Sam & Ally McCoist picked 4 out 5 Villa players, I think that in itself shows why we are favourites.

Moving on from that, if I was to pick a starting eleven consisting of players from both clubs (yes, I am extremely bored) I would go; 

                                             Steer (Don't know enough about Roos, but can't be any worse than Carson)

Elmo/Bogle           Tuanzebe      Mings          Malone

Wilson/El Ghazi     McGinn     Grealish    Mount    Lawrence

                                           Abraham  

Not sure what this tells me, and is of course open to opinion, other than we have a strong spine to our team and if those 6 perform to a high standard we should be ok. Is it Monday yet?

21 minutes ago, jdguitar said:

Just saw that 8 tickets popped up in 143, as soon as I tried to add any it said event no longer for sale but when I checked on select seats, there were still 3 or 4 on there - I think that pretty much confirms that 3+ booking history is required still

10 minutes ago, 5-1 said:

Same thing that happens to me every time I try to add to my basket. Damn the PL semi final not counting otherwise I'd be there rather than in a pub at home now

I had this too. Going to keep trying but I think the chances of me going are about 0.0000001%

*awaits the "so you're telling me there's a chance* gif/pic.

In the very unlikely chance I did drop on one, what's the other chance of it arriving in time? IE do you need to physically have the actual ticket on you or will some kind of proof suffice?  

Voted. All cracking goals but in order of preference;

1. McGinn. 2. Grealish 3. Reach (Volley) 4. Forestieri. 5. Reach.

Apologies if I have missed it somewhere, but has a date been set for the unveiling/revealing of the new kits?

F*** me, this week is dragging soooooooooo much!

Is it just me or is anyone else wishing we were playing Leeds now and going in as underdogs? 

Probably just nerves, just pray to God we turn up and do ourselves justice!

Quite early for team selections, but bored at work and can only think about this game, so here goes;

Smith's selection (IMO)

(4-3-3/4-5-1) - Steer, Elmo, Tuanzebe, Mings, Taylor, Adomah, Whelan, McGinn, Grealish, El Ghazi, Abraham.    Subs; Kalinic, Hause, Jedinak, Green,  Hourihane, Kodjia, Davis.

My selection (this is why I am not a manager )

(4-1-3-2) -  Steer, Elmo, Tuanzebe, Mings, Hause, Whelan, McGinn, Grealish, Hourihane, Abraham,  Kodjia.       Subs; Kalinic, Taylor, Jedinak, Lansbury, El Ghazi, Green, Davis.