Vancvillan

Moaning about consistency when in the last two months you've said: 1. You doubt anyone could do better than Gerrard with this squad. 2. Ollie lacks ability but is more talented than Andy Grey. 3. Luiz doesn't impose himself on games. And the list goes on. I honestly wonder if you're more interested in finding a problem than being intrigued by a solution, which ironically is something you berate other posters for. At this point (given how concerned you were with any manager after SG doing better than he did), do you not have some trust in Emery after 3 wins from 4 very tough games? At some point you have to have some faith that if the one man who is undoubtedly performing above expectations wants Deulofeu, he should get backed.

Plenty of people on VT over the last few years have complained that we're too nice, lack bite or that win at all costs attitude. Emi would probably do anything to win a League Cup second round game vs Accrington Stanley. He's my favourite keeper since Bosnich, and if he stays a few more years he'll be a legend.

Droba, Vardy and Ian Wright are better examples of late bloomers. But there is also the counter point of players who didn't pull up trees in their early twenties who went on to be shit. we just don't know with Cam. He's got a bit of time on his side but he's not ready yet. I think that's all you can say about the lad.

Yeah, imagine the cost of a player that would essentially relegate you if you sold them. Never going to be moving in Jan unless it's embarrassing money.

I thought your comment was pretty measured. He's not ready yet. Will very likely improve with another loan and am excited for his future. He's 21. I don't expect him to make an immediate impact because he's still got lots to learn.

I don't think any of the players are going to be offended. When I think of the shit we tossed around under the guise of banter in our 20's... And it's not like a handled the ball into the net like Henry or Maradonna. Or got drunk and went driving like Jack, Dean Saunders, etc, etc. Then again I don't believe in role models, let alone expecting millionaires who kick a ball for a living to be paragons of virtue.

Two months ago you were saying Ollie is more talented than Andy Grey. Now he's down to just a willing runner? I think Ollie (like Ings) is a tool that if used correctly is very potent. Just depends if that tool works for our system. If not I think we'll see an addition in Jan.

Juan De Carroll

Yeah, I agree on Konsa. Mings I think it'd be more but not double or anything. Either way, counting Emi B as "about the same" and Ings / Digne as a loss, that's 7/8 profitable transfers from the 10 players who started our last game (excluding youth). Not exactly a bad record.

Martinez, Cash, McGinn, Luiz, Kamara, would all be a profit. Some would be around the same value at least (Mings, Konsa) Questionable on Digne, Ings and Emi B I guess, but could see Emi improving, Ings still being worth it to a team who need a striker. Digne hasnt looked great recently. The above + Ramsey was our starting 11 for the last game.

Tim's got bought out a couple of years ago by... the Americans. Vice (I know) did an article a while back on what a US invasion of Canada would look like. You can read the full article if you want but the following pretty much sums it up: "However, barring a Canadian insurgency, after that initial 24 hours, Canada would be conquered, surrender would be imminent and the US would quickly attempt to co-opt the Canadian military." https://www.vice.com/amp/en/article/9aa9az/what-would-happen-in-the-minutes-and-hours-after-the-us-invaded-canada

Mate we've got 76 active fighter jets sprawled across the second largest country on earth. We couldn't invade Seattle.

Could easily be four lonely bodies buried in your back yard.

Obviously fake. Show me a person who starts a puzzle with anything other than the corners and I'll show you a serial killer.

Gareth Southgate thinks James Milner is "a bit too edgy".

Insidious. Your dirty bastards.

Bumping this because the transfer thread is fast replacing this one. I think I'm the only person who still doesn't think this wasn't bad business. He's a great tool to have - he doesn't fit every game and I'm not saying he's a starter for the next three years, but his game doesn't rely on pace. In a dream world where we're in Europe in two years time, he's the kind of player you could bring off the bench who you know is a threat when you're getting balls into the box. I get the "we could have bought better for the money" argument. I also don't think he's a bad player to have in the squad, and frankly as a starter for where we're at right now.

I'm probably remembering this completely wrong (I'm in Canada, not the States), but weren't they saying a few years ago that they getting out of a lot of ammunition, handgun and "modern sporting" semi-auto sales? I remember reading something about them stopping the sale of "semi-auto ammunition" (spoiler, there's no such thing). Wondered if it was all PR spin. To be honest assumed it was but hoped for the best.

The fact that Mark Corrigan is your avatar means I always reads your posts in his voice. It really adds something special to this one.

I'm only interested in Jack if he's entertaining me. Wake me up if he's playing in a free role for England or appearing on Celebrity Countdown.

Man this aged poorly.

Dier had about 3 hours to think about his header and still gashed it up. The real question is would I swap Mings for Dier if I was Villa manager, and the answer is no I would not.

Yeah, to be fair I probably stopped playing it ten years ago. I think it's ok to be a fan of players in other leagues, but if they play for another prem team they're dead to me. Can't imagine too many kids are arguing over who gets to be Ronaldo or Rashford right now though! Will be interesting to see who the young kids are going for in the next 5 or so years. Man City obviously. Probably Liverpool. Either way, both my kids were born several thousand miles from B6 but they've both been cursed with watching dozens of hours of Villa already. They'll not be fans of any other prem team while there's warm blood in my veins. It's more fun if we all suffer together.

FIFA came out in 1993. Champ Manager in 1992. I'll admit amazing players on FIFA made me cheer more for their country at AFCON / World Cup / etc, but it had zero effect on my allegiance at club level.

Obviously it's early days but he has a quality about him where he seems to always have the time to do what he wants, or maybe he just picks the best option from the ones he knows he has time for. I think he he's a really clever player, and makes things look obvious or easy in a way that only elite-level players do. I'm really excited about him coming back in - can't wait for him to get a run of games.