8pints

Only in one extremely specific area CI, in the sense of being our maverick player.

Haha I know, Delphino123, I just got carried away. As I went along I thought I might as well include everyone and then, like you wrote, it turned in to a squad analysis too.

Let's have a look at all of them - 1. Shay Given Could be an interesting choice as captain. As someone else said, Goalkeeper can be an interesting position for captain. Just look at the Euro Final. He'd be vocal I think, but does he possess the organisational sense to be captain? Can also be a little erratic. 2. Alan Hutton No thank you, please. 3. Stephen Warnock No thank you, please with sugar on top. Although, with the human pinball, we'd be a physical side under his direction. 5. Richard Dunne Maybe. He has the experience and level head but I think he's quieter on the pitch than we assume. 6. James Collins We'd be very gung-ho. 7. Stephen Ireland A lot is made of the Marmite Maverick Man (Bit of alliteration for you there ) Yes, he is erratic. Sometimes he looks disinterested sometimes he looks like a battling superstar glue that keeps it all together. Giving him the captaincy may focus his mind or it may be too much for him. I don't know, guess it can't be known unless he's given the captaincy. He's my third favourite for the armband. 8. Karim El Ahmadi The new guy but seems to have been brought in to be a consistent Ireland and/or fill the gap Petrov has sadly left. Would piss other players off if the new player got the armband, but some of our players need to be pissed off/kicked up the arse, so that may not be a bad thing. I have a feeling he may get the armband by January if things are going well for him. My second favourite to get the armband. 9. Darren Bent My favourite to get the armband (I've just realised all my favourites are next to each other). Like a lot of people have said, the captain seems to only be a big thing in England and the reason for that being the importance of it in cricket rubbing off makes sense to me. Bent is our highest profile player, and the focal point of our attack. Bent is like the opposite of a goalkeeper, if you know what I mean? In the sense a Goalkeepers only job is to stop the ball going in the net, Bents' job is soley to put the ball in the net. I don't think the armband would distract him from that because nothing distracts Darren Ashley Bent from scoring goals, or looking to anyway. I think an alien could crash land on the pitch and start shooting people and Bent wouldn't notice if the ball had just been driven in to the six-yard box for him to tap in. Like a few people have said, Darren Bent is very well spoken and has a good reputation and from what I can tell lives a scandal free life, (He was handed a formal warning by police in June 2004 after he was alleged to have shot a 12 year old with a pellet gun but that's eight years ago now) I've seen him say in interviews (And it's on his wikipedia page so must be true) that he doesn't drinki booze, so they'll be no naughty drunken antics. Basically I think he'd be a good representative of the club and the player most people know. 10. Charles N'Zogbia Think he's someone who needs to concentrate on his game and keeping his toys in his pram. If he was captain he'd probably stage a revolt in the 60th minute 11. Gabriel Agbonlahor Villa fan, I DO think that's a valid reason to give him the captaincy. But, another player who needs to concentrate on his game this season. I imagine he has a good chance of wearing the armband though, especially if it's shared between a few players. 12. Marc Albrighton One of the other Villa fans in the squad. But this may be a make or break season for Albrighton so I don't think he'll get the armband. Not sure certain players would listen to him or even if he'll be a first team regular. 14. Brett Holman I can see Holman having a stake to the captaincy, similar to El Ahmadi, in the future, but this season, especially at the start, he'll be concentrating on making a good impression I think. 16. Fabian Delph Injuries have prevented him shining at his time at Villa. If he has an injury free season (And stays at Villa) could be very interesting to see what impression he makes on the squad. Has the personality to be a commanding captain, I think. 21. Ciaran Clark Not yet. But I'd bet my most prized possession he'll be a fantastic vice-captain to Gary Gardner one day. Future Villa hero. 25. Barry Bannan Same as what I wrote about Albrighton, minus him being a Villa fan. Loves being the unofficial Spokesman for the team though, seems anywhere there's talk of Villa, Barry Bannan has something to say (I'm not saying that's a bad thing) He's probably got an account on here. 26. Andrea Weimann Future Villa legend but this season is about his development. 29. Enda Stevens ...Who? Seems to be the forgotten man. 30. Eric Lichaj Another one for who this season will be about development, I think. 31. Chris Herd He will be angry in the future when Gardner and Clark are the captain and vice-captain but he will get it when those two are injured/rested and be a great captain. But for now, it's a development season. 32. Nathan Baker Development season (I've copy + pasted those two words ) 33. Andy Marshall I think he may have forgotten what it's like to play football. May get the armband against Burton on Saturday if he's played. 34. Matthew Lowton Similar to Holman this season will be about making a good impression stepping up from a league of lesser quality to the Premiership 35. Daniel Johnson In the future maybe, I like him from what I've seen in Youth and reserves but this season for him will be my copy + paste point 36. Graham Burke Development season. Looks like a good goalscorer. 37. Derrick Williams Development season and trying to make an impact on the first team. Think he's a cracking defender. 38. Gary Gardner Future Villa captain, mark my words We'll all idolise him one day if we don't already. Would like to see him get the armband now and again if they do decide to pass it around. But he, like others, may be concentrating on making an impression on the side. 40. Samir Carruthers Development season. Looks like a very exciting player. Jean II Makoun His focus will be on other things...like playing for someone else no, if he is still at Villa I think this season, like others I've mentioned, will be about gaining the trust of fans and players and impressing us all (Which I think he has the capacity to do) Nathan Delfouneso Another one who will be focusing on making an impression on the side. People forget how young he is, like they used to do with Gabby, because he's been in and around the squad for a while. Have I missed anyone out? Personally, I also quite like idea of players voting on who will captain the side each week, although that could get messy.

I'd like to see Marshall in action actually, I don't think I've ever seen him play.

No, no need to apologise, I can understand why it'd remind you. I think my statement was pretty ambiguous and that's the thing with both those players (Ballotelli and Ireland) they're like marmite so you were right to be uncertain if I meant it in a positive or negative way.

That's a great idea The SufferingVilla

I just meant he's our maverick, our ace in the hole type player, Ashley Young was it last season.

Toivonen could be our Ballotelli Although that may be Stephen Ireland.

I think he was a good player Kiwivillan, he was whole-hearted with a great engine, busy and determined, he really shook the game up and took it to the opposition, got in their faces and made things happen. Unfortunately, his tendency to throw himself in to challenges (And he could be rash, always needed to be partnered with an experienced calm head, like Petrov, to tell him to calm down now and again) was the reason his career has been hampered by so many injuries.

I'd love to live in a parallel universe to watch a Delph without all his horrendous injuries, to see what he is like then, but since I obviously can't I worry the tragedy of his injury problems will prevent us from ever seeing him at his best.

Here is the latest speculation concerning us from my 11 year old brothers' MATCH magazine. - WHO YOUR TEAM NEEDS MATCH takes a look at which players each Premier league club should sign to strengthen their team ahead of the new season. Aston Villa What they need Boss Paul Lambert got Norwich playing great football last year, and he'll be on the lookout for technically gifted players to do the same at Villa. He's a big fan of Kyle Naughton, while Yacine Brahimi is a quality playmaker. Shopping list Kyle Naughton £4m (There was a lovely all-action picture of him) Ashley Williams Swansea £4m (Who is also linked with Liverpool) Yacine Brahimi Rennes, £2.5m (Not heard Williams being linked with us before but I like him, I think he's a good defender and an intelligent footballer) There were also players we have been linked with being linked to other clubs. Luuk de Jong, from FC Twente, linked with Newcastle, if they lose Cisse or Ba, for 12m (I don't think Ba or Cisse will leave Newcastle but I'd feel we'd have to sell a few first before we'd bring someone in for 12m) Reading were linked with Jermain Defoe for £8m and Joe cole £5m, as players who can unlock tight prem defences. (Wouldn't mind either of those with £2m knocked off both their fees) Steven Fletcher linked with Stoke for 10m because Pulis loves players who are good in the air. (I think Fletcher is an underrated player and would link well with Bent) Sunderland were linked with Ryan Bertrand on loan as a 'hungry young star'. As was Adam Johnson for 10m, as a 'brilliant winger to partner another brilliant winger in James McClean'. (£10m may be too much for us and Bertrand may not go on loan from what Di Matteo was saying but I'd still like to hope we were buzzing around both of these) Daniel Sturridge £10m to Spurs because Villas-Boas is a big fan. (Think he'd go to Spurs rather than us but I still like him, even at that price, I know I know, we should've never let him go from the youth) Peter Whittingham £4m to West Brom as someone to play killer passes from midfield. (I'm one of the few who wouldn't like to see Whittingham back as I feel he was sold for the good reason of not being quite good enough for top flight football but £4m is a good price for him) Junior Hoilett £1m to Wigan, to give the team width and pace. (1m is extremely cheap for Hoilett and I'd love to snap him up at that price) At the end Ciaran Clark is interviewed about transfer talk - EVERY DEAL IS TOP SECRET! Being a player is just like being a supporter - you never know who's in for you and who isn't. People hear things and rumours go around but you never know if it's true or not. Until it's done, you can't be sure. I WATCH THE RUMOURS! I'm sure every player has a look through the papers - and MATCH - to see who's getting linked with who, and I'm no different. I had my iPad with me on the beach on holiday, just to keep up to date with all the gossip. TRAINING GROUND BANTER! There are a few 'busy' lads at Villa who like to banter about the rumours. It happens on the pitch, in the canteen when we're eating lunch or on Blackberry messenger. Transfer talk creates a good buzz within the squad. THE MAN IN THE KNOW! It's Nathan Delfouneso who keeps a really close eye on things. He's always seems to know what's been happening and who's being linked, so if you need any infomation he's the the first man any of the lads would ask. MY BEST SPY WORK! The earliest I've known that a move was going through was just before N'Zogbia signed for Villa. I saw him at the training ground before it was announced and, when that happens, you can feel confident it's a done deal!

It's a fantastic ideal The Blues and baggies will have a field day though, start up the chants once again. I love it though, gets them chanting our name.

Haha thanks Jamaican-Villan and daft, I got carried away.

Sorry isgill88 I got carried away and bitterness took over.

Haha I love that team photo Imagine the work rate of that team? I like how we talk about wanting Milner back in every close season. He's like the girl we loved who's now with the successful rich partner, but they don't treat her right and bore her, make her sit on the bench and give her shiny medals that her and her work-rate mind feel they didn't earn themselves. James Milner, please come back and be the Obi-wan to Gary Gardners' Luke Skywalker.

Agbonlahor is always gong to receive a lot of attention, positive and negative, from Villa fans, because he's one himself. A lot his made of his mind, is he stupid or clever? He hasn't had to use it as much as others, in the youth he was bigger, stronger quicker than everyone else so had an easy time He arrived in to the Premiership with a bump, was still very quick so defenders decided to take him out whilst he was running or stop him from running at all so bulked up. We have to realise just how much physical abuse he takes, not only from himself with the extensive weight training he has done but also every game he plays from the defenders, next time you're watching a Villa game, keep an eye on him only, I did against Liverpool last season and he got kicked, pinched, punched, grabbed, elbowed etc all the way through. I watched him in games following that and same happened, I know a lot of players receive this treatment but that adds to my point, regarding his injury issue, you wouldn't have a go at a boxer for having a black eye from getting punched, but at the same time he chose to get in to the ring. He is clever, in some senses. He's a better crosser of the ball than he's given credit for and can pick a pass when he gets his head up. Tying in with the game-by-game batterings he takes. He's a wind up and a very good one, he can give it and take it extremely well. I've seen him frustrate a defender more than he frustrates his own fans, tying them in knots then charging past him. He is a fantastic athlete, explosive, strong and quick. He scares the shit out of defenders People say "His reputation is tarnished, other clubs wouldn't want him". I don't agree, watch Match of the Day or any programme similar and pay attention when he comes up in conversation, they're scared of him too. Don't forget they don't watch him as much as we do. Plus no one watches us, Aston Villa, as much as they did when O'Neil was in charge and we were finishing 6th, people don't watch the boring teams as closely as they do the exciting/on the brink of successful teams. They still think of him as the O'Neil Gabby. Imagine the conversation between opposing defenders at the start of the season he bulked up; "Bloody Hell that new villa kid was quick wasn't he? We'll just knock him off the ball or take him out before he even gets to it, like we did last season" Suddenly another defender comes rushing up to the conversation, panic in his eyes "Lads, you'll never guess what? Bad news. You know that quick Villa kid from last season?" "Yeah we were just talking about him, we've decided to just knock him off the ball" "We'll have a job! He's built like a brick shithouse now" "Oh dear, guess we're just gonna have to stick the boot in on him double time!" He does have a lot of pressure on his shoulders, to be fair. Not just in being a Villa fan but he's also built a reputation being a player who turns hit and hopes in to goal scoring chances latching on to them with a burst of pace. Another thing that'd worry defenders as they see something they imagined to be going out of play suddenly picked up catching them unaware. There's a level of expectation. When Agbonlahor doesn't get to a ball he's attempting to get onto, there's the same level of disappointment in the crowd as when Bent misses a sitter or Given spills a cross. The thing with Gabby is he runs at a million miles an hour and thinks at that pace too. If you notice, it's only once play has slowed down, or more specifically, he's slowed down with the ball at his feet, that he doesn't know what to do, which is the reason why he's shite at 1-on-1s, becaue he has to think. He's at his best, and arguably untouchable, without time to think. Playing on impulse he naturally soars. In my opinion he has been undercoached, it's an assumption yes, but I feel that way because his plan A has been so effective all the way through his development, but now with each season he plays in the Premiership, he has to develop yet another string to his bow with oppositions working him out; First he was quick, then he was strong, now it's time for him to...score goals...odd for a striker The only thing slow about him is his development. after a lifetime of being head and shoulders above the rest in the youth system, he's having to learn the things now, that most players had to learn whilst he was whizzing past them. His strength is what sets him apart from Walcott, Lennon and all those types. But I do think their intelligence and speed of thought is improving quicker than his. He's almost in a category of his own. Plus he doesn't have the players around him that he used to, and their way of thinking to get the best out of him. Ashley young - "Just stay onside and I'll knock the ball in front of you and you just run on to it" Downing - "I'll knock the ball in to a dangerous area and you run on and get it" Carew - "I'll hold off the opposition with my little finger and knock it in to space for you to run on to" Milner - "I'll do all the hard work, win the ball and knock it in to your path" Barry - "Yeah so will I" Basically all his team-mates telling him to follow the path to where they pass it. Now he's surrounded by - N'Zogbia - "I will just tit about with it and give it to your feet" Bent - "Not my problem mate, not my area of expertise, I'll be in the right place right time to tap it in" So Gabby is having to learn where the right place, right time is. Ireland - "When I can be arsed, I'll play a clever ball to you and then make a run, you guess where I'm going to go and pass it there". (Gabby - What?) And , with Heskey, who he was partnered with up until very recently, He saw an experienced player having a tough time, losing his cool about the batterings he takes in battles with defenders and generally not enjoying it anymore. In my opinion, I don't think Agbonlahor is adaptable at all and that's why I feel the management changes will have effected him more than most. Under O'Neil he had a team that suited him, like I wrote earlier. Houllier confused him and to be blunt, didn't fancy him. And Agbonlahor seemed to have felt unmotivated by Mcleish (Like a lot of people). I do think the fact he's a Villa fan has some huge effect. Imagine living the dream of the forty thousand people that surround you. On the flip side of that, imagine being the embodiment of what the majority of people around you hate. A good example is of course everytime he has to turn up at Saint Andrews. We'd all like to do it in our dreans where the outcome is determined by our imagination and incosequential, we'd all score a double hat-trick and wind them up no end. But what if it was real life? And they've beat you (Like they did couple of seasons ago under Houllier when our next manager was watching on) and are invading the pitch and you know you're the one they're coming for and you've hurt them in the past. Or In a shit performance, like the Norwich game (Under our last manager with our next manager watching on...there's a pattern emerging here ) and you're captain and you've never been the responcible one throughout your career. Basically, I feel the pressure's on. I hope he can step up to it because he's an exciting player who, like I've already written, most opposition players and managers' are scared of. Although, if he does have a bad season this season he may lose that reputation.

I think Eric Lichaj is a good player has the potential to be a great one. Very raw at the moment and will benefit from the experience of first team games (Even if coming on as a substitute) and learning from those with more experience around him in the first team.

Yeah, I'd imagine the same as you KSV, Petrov will be the official club captain and there may be various vice-captains taking on the role for the ninety minutes. Will Petrov still write a piece in the programme? I imagine not, I wonder if the captain on the pitch will write a column?

Me personally, no, I don't think a striker should be captain, he should, like AVFCforever1991 stated shouldn't have the extra responcibilty and concentrate on scoring goals. Unless they're a rooney type of forward who covers vast areas across the pitch, which Bent obviously isn't I just wonder with Bent being arguably are 'biggest player' in the sense of reputation, what giving him the captaincy would do? Would giving him the responcibility tie a man with the reputation of having loyalties to himself and extra incentive to stay at a club? It'd be interesting if he was captain because his tactics would wholly consist of how everyone could pass him the ball to tap in Which may not be a badthing.

I wonder if Darren Bent would be thought of? There's a difference between being a clubs' star player or their captain

I've just seen this sentence on that web page I linked to - We are not saying they are true – just that they are out there Sums it all up

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2012/07/09/transfer-rumours-%E2%80%93-july-9/ Talk that Gabby Agbonlahor is off to Sunderland has been intensified by claims Villa are set to bid for Leeds forward Robert Snodgrass

Thanks for the great reply

Yes, and this is just my own thoughts, a shot in the dark, I think we'll buy four reasonably priced additions to the squad plus a marquee signing. And the Marquee signing will be a striker.

I agree KSV Makoun played seven games where he'd constantly give a simple short pass to a team mate and look for a return that never came, except from Petrov but they could hardly just pass to each other all game because they were playing next to each other. He was easing himself in to the pace of the Premiership and he did get caught out, yes, but it was seven games.