Didiersix

To me, he would fit in the mould of what Emery would want from a full back so I think he will be kept around the squad. 

I think we all agree he is an awful player, nowhere near the standard needed. Get rid. 




 

10 hours ago, Stoobs said:

Hampden I meant. Clearly I am pished. Wife away at Proclaimers in Inverness and I live in Paisley. 

10 hours ago, Stoobs said:

Wife at Proclaimers concert tonight in Inverness and she sent me video of Sunshine of Leith being sung by the popular duo. It brought me back memories of SJM winning his last major honour after humbling Rangers at Ibrox. Still think this is best song, sung by fans after a victory….

 

Have to agree - what an anthem. Pure emotion.

Erdz boy isn't he? So nice to be bringing through Brummie talent. We didn't have any real local lads for years... 

I have seen a lot of Joao Felix and not massively impressed to be honest. Yes he may be being played out of position, yes he may be unhappy at Atletico.... but I've never seen anything that has made me think he is a top player. His shooting is normally pretty weak and generally he is not a strong player (although this was supposedly something he worked on at the close of last season). I remain decidedly undecided about him and would be happy to miss out on this one.

53 minutes ago, sidcow said:

Aston Villa club crest 1874 - 1886.

We're back baby. 

We won the Birmingham Senior Cup with that crest. I think our first FA Cup was 1887? So not with that crest?

Feel a bit sorry for McGinn - a likeable character who has given so much to the club. But putting sentiment aside, I struggle to see a club that would be interested in buying him. Maybe in the Championship, but can't really see it in the Premier League (Everton maybe?).

9 minutes ago, sharkyvilla said:

I wonder if he's been doing a lot of gardening... 

Imo I think it would be harsh to get rid of him, it looks like Nas has taken the initiative over Emery which is great but he still needs Purslow to do a load of the other stuff.  I suspect he was given pretty much carte blanche to do whatever he wanted but has now been taken down a rung or two after the Gerrard disaster.

Why would it be so harsh? Purslow was the one who talked of 'continuous improvement' and the like. I think Purslow has his qualities as a salesman, but thinks above his station (as is well documented). I cannot see anything that he has done at Villa that has been so wondrous, so groundbreaking... 

14 minutes ago, cyrusr said:

Some quotes on the English language version of the website at least

https://villarrealcf.es/en/news/item/35951-emery-i-felt-at-home-at-villarreal

The most interesting quote is "Here I have been able to be me. They have given me great conditions to bring out my best version." I wonder if that is a slight dig at a previous job(s)? 

It also seems we acted fast, certainly with Villareal. Whether we were making noises before or not it is difficult to tell. 

In the press conference, it wasn't a dig - more a compliment at how Villarreal gave him the conditions to excel, eg, setting up a gym next to the training pitch and things like that.

22 minutes ago, cyrusr said:

Does anyone speak Spanish?! Emery's leaving press conference with Villareal

Basically talks about Villarreal.

He is asked 'why Aston Villa?' and whether he has he learnt more of the language (and the language of the Peaky Blinders)... his response just says he wants to talk about Villarreal (respectfully).

Overall very respectful, to the press, to the club owners (Roig family).

Sounds like we moved quickly being as Emery spoke to the owners on Friday about the offer, then had a meeting on Monday, Monday evening made his decision.

Asked about whether taking over a club in 15th in PL is progress - his response is that each league, each club is different. 

Emery will hold a farewell press conference at Villarreal today - at 11am UK time. Will be interesting to see what he says.

More, in Spanish, here from As.com

In short basically says he is considering whether to accept or not, but seems like momentum is building. 

2 hours ago, Sam3773 said:

Pub have confirmed it’s him. Mainstream media picking up on it now. Well, I say mainstream.. The Daily Mail. 

Not a great look - not because he’s not allowed a social life but because he does look absolutely hammered. 

Ah OK. I stand corrected!

5 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

I haven’t been as anti Gerrard as you guys but if, (and it’s a very big IF) he was on the lash the day after a defeat and a few days before a massive game I wouldn’t be happy at all as his employers.

Hasn't that photo already been debunked as being fake, old news? 

Seeing Gerrard's demeanour now (moody media interviews, walking straight down the tunnel with no acknowledgement of fans) I'd be really, really scared if we got into a relegation scrap. I can just see it getting really nasty, and not good for anyone, with Gerrard getting ever more bitter. Probably culminating in an acrimonious parting of the ways when it would be too late to salvage anything for anyone - Gerrard's reputation, Premier League status, Purslow's smug assuredness. 

6 minutes ago, RichiBoi11 said:

It wouldn't cost as much as relegation 

Yep - which is where we are heading with him. I still think until it becomes more distinctly clear that we are in trouble, they will want to avoid the cost of changing manager. But then will it be too late to stop the slide? That is where the owners need to have good judgement. Certainly Edens has proved himself ruthless in the past with the Bucks - I hope a similar approach is taken at Villa Park.

Question is: can we afford to sack him? I wonder how much it will cost. But as others have said, the whole backroom staff looks very 'patchwork', Struggling to see the value added by McPhee, Danks and others.

I'm so unenthused about watching Gerrard's Villa. It really does feel like he has sucked the life out of us. As others have commented, it feels like we are just 'circling the drain' with him - it's a matter of when, not if. 

Maybe a win tonight would kickstart things, but I just don't see it. 

It really has made me feel quite conflicted about Villa - I want us to win, but I also want to be able to feel excited about watching my team. Doesn't feel like both are possible under Gerrard.

So there seems to be talk of Gerrard being open to the prospect of playing three at the back. 

Birmingham Mail article here

Do we think this would make much of a difference? Ultimately the defence has been solid of late but I'm not so sure if this would give us extra impetus/options going forward.

 

3 minutes ago, Galway Lion said:

Coming from Ireland, I think NWSE should be more than a little concerned about Gerrards friendship with one of the most notorious gangsters and drug dealers in the world. Not a good luck especially when his daughter is dating his son.

You would hope they are. No way I would want my investment exposed to that sort of risk to be honest. 

This really does feel like it is winding down to an inevitable parting of the ways now. I watch Villa devoid of hope (I knew we wouldn't score yesterday) and bored to tears. I just wish we'd act now instead of waiting for something that we all know won't come. 

7 hours ago, sheepyvillian said:

And the end of the day, kids are not responsible for the sins of their parents. 

I'm glad you brought some clarity to the subject. 

No but he is manager of a Premier League football club. That in itself adds a different dimension. We don't know the extent of the relationship, sure, but if I were the owners I would want to find out. Given the level of investment they are putting in and the level of influence a manager has - and potentially the level of influence he is exposing himself to - I would want to make sure there were no conflicts here.

This Gerrard/Kinahan link is very troubling I think. If I was the owners, I would be very concerned.

I think most would agree Gerrard is walking a tightrope. 

But if a win means he stays put and defeat pushes him out the door... what are we thinking if it is a draw?