skarroki

Yeah think he's been finished for a while now. He can do a job at Championship level, he's clearly keen to get out and play games with the amount of loans we've sent him on over the seasons. But there aren't any professional clubs around who would take on a sick note as their first choice unless their ability is far above any alternative they could hire, which would push him down into league 1/2. Your first choice needs to be ready to play week-in week-out and your second choice needs to be dependable and safe imo. He's neither unfortunately. Nothing against the guy, he's still had a good career and written his name into our history.

Can someone describe the goal to me whether disallowed or not

Absolutely essential he's kept on and I can't imagine Emery feels any differently

If we do sneak into Europe I think Mount would be an excellent signing and could definitely see it happening. Would love to see things come full circle when Mount starts the season for us on fire whilst Grealish is on the bench for City and Villa fans absolutely slate Southgate for going with Grealish ahead of Mount. We truly would be in the multiverse

Honestly hold my hands up and say I'd have rather had Potter when Emery came in, now I would be absolutely devastated if Chelsea came in for Emery and we only had Potter to replace him as best option.

I do think he's happy to be here and happy that's he's starting to re-write the British narrative about him as being boring and defensive and only good in the cups. Plenty of evidence against this but as it's not been shown in highlights on MOTD in the last 6 months the wider footballing fanbase I think just remembers he came in at Arsenal, didn't win anything or get top 4 and got sacked, rather than adding any context. So in short I think he's happy he's starting to change people's mind on him but I don't think he'll feel his work is done for a while yet which benefits us. The bad thing I think is he's done well everywhere and so most fans like him at their clubs. I worry that he won't feel any more attachment to us than he would to Sevilla or Villarreal and he left them fairly promptly when an offer to step up again in his career came about. That's a future problem and a big "if" though so I'll shut up

Pedro and Lukaku linked on the last 2 pages. Thought Gerrard could attract big names yet here we are being linked to players way beyond what I expected. Part of me wants to go for a couple Chelsea players as I think the club seems to be so poorly run in terms of financially sound deals, I think we could pick up a couple of players for way less than market value and even if they're not a huge success, as long as we're not handing out 5 year deals to 31+ players we should cope. I imagine Mount will end up at Newcastle but I'd like to see us go for him and still a big fan of Gallagher. If there's even a remote chance of picking up someone like Lukaku then I don't see why we can't ask the question about Sterling either.

Definitely needs a season-long loan

I was thinking last night how it just dawned on me then that Ramsey and McGinn both had really good games. I don't think I was in the minority of fans insisting that they were too similar and should absolutely not play together in the same midfield. 6 months later with some good coaching and they both played well together and performed completely different roles to a high standard. Obviously a massive well done all round for the players taking on the instructions and turning form around but also without Emery it wouldn't have been possible.

Gonna be a "hate to say I told you so" moment from myself but there were a loud section of people on here saying that the squad simply wasn't good enough for this level and we needed a root and branch complete overhaul when Gerrard was on his way out. I think Emery is doing absolutely fantastic but I don't think it should go unnoticed that we do have some really good quality players in this squad that's been put together. There's been maybe as many misses as hits in the transfer windows but the hits are players that could keep growing with us as high as we get. Watkins, Buendia, Cash, Moreno and Digne all look very good in a system that suits and then there's the likes of Luiz, Kamara and Martinez that could potentially play for any side in Europe if you ask me. Luiz could be close to winning the league this season with Arsenal right now. Those 3 in particular I think Emery will want to build around and our smallish squad will be bolstered by some real good talent returning with people like Archer surely ready to step up now. I really hope the recruitment in the summer goes well because Emery has done everything to prove he should be backed to the hilt and nothing held back from giving him exactly what he thinks he needs to push on. The same goes for player sales, if Emery wants them gone and we're not getting any offers, I hope the club (FFP allowing) go with him and take the loss with our annual loan out to a Turkish team

Is it doors from the upper holte that open up, so you're kind of stood outside on a balcony before, after and half time for games? I think it could really look the part especially if tastefully incorporated into that stand. Those pictures need an artist rendition for me though, feel like I'm looking at a spreadsheet.

I really want Bailey to work out, it should have, he was so good in the Bundesliga, but honestly I'm getting a bit fed up with him now not showing enough of his talent. Traore however can't seem to contain his talent.

If we're not going to go down or get Europe then I at least want entertainment from the team to keep me tuning in and his name in the lineup almost guarantees that

Yeah I think it's just different ways of viewing it, I can see where you're coming from and I'm clearly in the minority. I just have never thought that the star signifies anything other than we are a historically successful club, instead of a club with any recent success. I remember getting ribbed about it in college when the announcement was made and the reason for the star on the badge was given, as one of very few villa fans in my area. I do see it as small time. Especially from owners who refused an open top bus parade of our promotion because it wasn't worth celebrating, we were going to celebrate trophies in the future - but also we'll make a new badge referencing that thing we did 40 odd years back.

Stars are given by the national fa of those regions. They aren't allowed in the UK officially "away" from the badge, you have to request special permission to add stars above or around a club badge on the kit to symbolise a won trophy. That is why us and forest incorporate the star into the design of the badge itself. My preference would be to have no star, and then have a third kit in a similar style to how teams like Liverpool do it, with just the lion stitched on with a star by it for European matches, so it still shows up as an important part of our history in a relevant competition.

Isn't 8th high enough if one of the English clubs wins one of the European trophies? Not sure if I read that somewhere. Think something like if Man Utd win Europa and finish 4th then they qualify for the champions League twice, so all qualifications drop down a peg. Same for man city / spurs / Liverpool winning champions league and getting top 4. I don't think Fulham or Brentford finish above us so it's just a case of having a better run in than one of Brighton or Chelsea for me.

Not sure what your point is? I was directly responding to someone saying that you get nowhere selling your best players and you have no ambition if you're fine with your club selling their best players. that's not unambitious, it's just a part of football. The same goes for your top 4 finish comment? It's not the 80's / 90's anymore. The last team to break into the Top 4 was Leicester and since then they've been in the top 4 zero times. The team before them to do it was Man City and they've been there ever since. You need a miracle, decades of history competing at the top or the wealthiest people in the world to use you for sportswashing. The only other thing you can do is be a plucky Brentford or Brighton boxing clever and overachieving and hoping one day you might have a good league cup run and finish 6th if you're an English club.

I think we need to do everything we can to keep Dibu at the club but if it becomes obvious that he's keen to go and we get the kind of offer that is way above a price you could realistically label him at, then I hope we've got a strong shortlist of impressive replacements. It's a big if but I could see a situation where a team offers £60mil for Martinez and Pickford becomes available after Evertons relegation. It's a step back in terms of keeping but a step forward in distribution and an extra £35mil towards a statement forward / winger

Brighton / Brentford / most teams outside England say hi etc etc etc You get nowhere by not making plans and scouting for replacements for every player in your squad. The best thing to do in modern football is be ready to buy a replacement / upgrade when someone offers money you can't refuse. Brentford bought in Watkins and Maupay before Vibe left, then they sell Maupay and promote Watkins, sell Watkins and bring in Toney, you can bet they've been following 2/3 options for Toney long before the betting accusations began.

Are any of the people on the list realistic other than the players we have and "other"

They have Easah Suliman on their books, although he's 25 and playing out on loan in the Portuguese 2nd division so I don't know how much longer he'll be there. Wonder which players we have that could go out to Portugal and benefit their team. I think someone like Archer could do well out there, but anyone else we have I'm not sure. If they're not performing in league 1 or 2 I don't think they'll be given minutes for a team that is consistently playing in Europe.

I think Mings and Martinez should be able to nullify their biggest threats. Really really really need to win this and go on a bit of a run now I think. Don't want the wheels to come off the good mood at the moment.

I think the reaction to Emi is a bit overblown. The guy seems a nice lad off the pitch, a family man embracing the area, seemed fully invested in Villa after moving and even gave an exit interview at Arsenal which not many players would agree to. I think the aftermath of the world cup has got to his head but that's bound to happen when you've gone from thinking you'll never be number 1 to winning the world cup in 2 years. That kind of turnaround is unheard of for a player of Martinez age. I also think the departure of Cutler has influenced his attitude. For me, stick with him, get his head screwed back on and do a similar agreement to the Grealish situation. You can go, but this is the price, this is the time that you need someone to pay it by and you can't announce a departure until we've bought a replacement in and Purslow has recorded an apology video at Villa Park with the new crest and home kit pinned up behind him, whilst also announcing a shirt sponsorship with Cadburys

I was about to comment that he's the new Fekir and then saw your comment! They've both been excellent throughout their careers, been linked to big big moves and failed medicals, then ended up at Real Betis. Something weird about that?

He's loved by the fans and playing really well at a good club with good tactics and good coaches. For me, we need to sign him up on a better deal, longer contract and send him straight back to Plymouth next season if they've made the championship. I'm sure they'd want to keep hold of him and his affinity with the fans this season would mean there would be more patience with him if he struggles to make the step up.