GrassyNoel

6 hours ago, Steero113 said:

I've dropped the bomb on the Norwich forum.

Awaiting results!

No nibbles? Not even “King Canary”?! 

2 minutes ago, TRO said:

as an example........Its like an abused Dog, who finds a loving home.....loyalty for life.

Perfect!

This on the back of reading Arsenal regret the decision to sell Emi (blimey, Sherlock) and Arenal's hopes of signing the Brentford goalie dashed - Emi is a phenomenal signing for us, and agree @TRO, he seems an honourable man who will stick around.

Shame is, Villa are on a major upward curve - he could've been a part of that. For whatever reason(s), he's missed the bus.

Just now, KMitch said:

To be fair, they're going through one as well with Ancelotti.  James looks like he may be the spark to push them into the Champions League, either this season or next.  I've always had a soft spot for Blue Scouse and wish them well, just not when we play them!

Yeah I agree, one of a small list of teams I have no animosity towards, same for Forest personally. I wish them well, regardless of how some feel about us signing RB. I've seen a few decent tweets from Everton fans wishing him and us well for the season - I'm sure it's just a minority of 12 year olds acting up.

And yes, hope we stuff them home and away!

Can't wait to hear what TalkS***e make of this...lackof ambition for RB no doubt...

Welcome Ross!

On 11/09/2020 at 12:40, alreadyexists said:

                   Martinez
Cash    Konsa    Mings    Targett

                         Luiz

       McGinn                Hourihane

Trezeguet       Watkins        Grealish

 

Maybe won’t have Martínez... but that’s a fair guess I think. Could even have a wide forward by then too (Rashica?).

Impressive!

Bit like Samatta agreeing terms with FSK. That parts done, now the moneymen get involved.

Should be a formality, unless one side gets obstinate which I doubt in the Rashica case. Next few days should see the details sorted (not ITK just seems logical). Good times.

It'll be an amazing perch-is

This is not a good use of the net.

Any guesses what his induction song might be?

52 minutes ago, KevinRichardsonsMoustache said:

Christ, what an utter gentleman. If you're a professional, that's how you want to conduct yourself: loved by fans when you leave a club, respected by fans of your new club. A class act.

Absolutely. Got a bit emotional myself watching that. Hey, I'm getting on a bit...

So happy about this. Welcome!

8 minutes ago, Keyblade said:

Might be arrogance. An unwillingness to believe a local lad like Jack at a club like Villa is such a talent. Seems like teams only think he's worth a place on their bench. Their loss.

Long may it continue. Next time it'll be Real Madrid.

39 minutes ago, The_Steve said:

We aren’t a selling club but one with great ambition. I’m honestly so happy. The potential here is so vast and Jack will be the centre of it. 

So true and has been for so long. Amazing how badly wrong some have got it until now.

Big. Very, very big. Massive signal to other clubs that we can keep our best...NSWE are the real deal.

9 minutes ago, CarryOnVilla said:

“No matter who you vote for, the government always gets in.”

At the behest of the mods...

Full article here:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/ollie-watkins-ticks-most-boxes-for-a-modern-striker-except-top-flight-experience-q0tbvgwfn?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1599616897

Posted in response to a request for the full article which is not behind a paywall i.e. is free to anyone who simply registers with The Times. 
————————

Eyebrows will be raised at the fee but there is no doubting the talent of the player: Ollie Watkins is about as sure a bet as there is in the Championship. It was a blistering season for the Brentford forward, who is quick, skilful, athletic, intelligent and a scorer of all manner of goals. The 24-year-old ticks most boxes in a modern forward — apart from top-flight experience, hence those questions about that hefty £28 million fee.

It was the £20 million sale of Neal Maupay to Brighton & Hove Albion last summer that prompted a shift into a central role, which neither Watkins nor Brentford could have envisaged being so successful. The pace and trickery to terrify defenders was always there but in the past 12 months Watkins has also shown the knack of finding a yard of space inside the penalty box, of being in the right place at the right time consistently.

Watkins will be under pressure to deliver goals in the Premier League

He uses his frame well to link play with his back to goal, but Watkins is at his most dangerous playing on the defender’s shoulder, splitting the opposition’s back line with clever, incisive runs.

And he can finish. Of his 26 goals last season, 11 were scored with his right foot, seven with his left and eight with his head. None came from the penalty spot. It helps, of course, that Watkins spearheaded the most fearsome forward line in the second tier last season, in a team filled with movement and creativity.

Chances for Villa in the Premier League will be more precious. But those who know Watkins — who spent a half-season on loan at Weston-super-Mare in the Conference South in 2014-15 — say he has the temperament to be a success in the top flight.

Brentford’s remarkable return in the transfer market, meanwhile, has now yielded almost £150 million in player sales since 2014. Exeter, whom Watkins joined as an under-11, can expect a windfall too: the 15 per cent sell-on clause inserted in their sale amounts to more than £4 million.

What the hell happened to the Mail? Tragic.

29 minutes ago, MrSmirch said:

I’m not that worried, West Ham’s players have got nothing to play for, their heads will be full of holiday ideas safe in the knowledge they’re premier league players. As long as they get the running stats up and keep the score respectable they’ll be satisfied with their collective performance in the run in.

The Villa players know this game is an absolute must win, which will decide if they drop to the second division or remain premier league players. 

2-0 Villa, hugs and high fives all round. 

Yeah but Brady & Co have probably put them on a 1M per man bonus if they win. Long memory that Brady! 

3 hours ago, TRO said:

I was delighted for him the other night.....and judging by his expressions, he had his mojo back.

Losing games, drags us all down, inc the CEO....it creates doubt, indecision and when a solution can't be found....change is the first thing we cling to.....its partly natural.

He has to win more games to convince the doubters like me......We all want him to succeed.....I sincerely hope he does.

We had more players the other night committed to their game, sure there was some technical lapses, but the spirit, workrate and determination was on show....they played more like a team and less as individuals, it showed.

Arsenal had 4 yellow cards and were niggling all night, we stood up to the physical challenges, which wasn't always the case all season.....that for me was encouraging....because it is not what we have always done.....They were on us as soon as we had the ball, we have wilted in the past, but we was resolute on the night, it gave me heart.

Mings, Konsa had good games and Jack coming back to form and Conor with his wand, made life diffcult for them......Dean looked like he had a bit of confidence back.....bully for him.

Can’t say it better than this. It was bang on the other night. More please.

39 minutes ago, OLDVILLAIN said:

Only difference is that we are going to be relegated and chelsea are not.

And what bugs me is I can never see a team like Chelsea getting relegated. All sorts of action would be taken the moment it seemed even remotely likely. Villa, on the other hand, now seem to aim lower.