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10 hours ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Let's worry about consolidating top 7 and trying to push into top 6 first, before we start being pre worried about scenarios which would see us miss out on Champions League ffs

That will be difficult enough.

Agree 100%. Unrealistic for us to be considered a CL contender this season. The 2 huge injuries will significantly hamper us, especially TM. 
If we were able to match our 7th place finish and win the ECL that, for me, would be a fantastic season. 

10 hours ago, STO said:

Get him fit, play him instead of Bailey. 

This. Zaniolo as the LHS 8/10 and move McGinn back to the RHS. Or move Zaniolo to the RHS. We then get JJ back and have much better options….

Like others I am trying to figure out Unai’s reasons for the approach he took on Sunday. After listening to his pre and post match, he regularly stated his ‘excitement’ at facing Liverpool with our ‘style and structure’.

Could it be that he really wanted to see exactly how we would perform playing in the same way as we had in the previous 2 games…..a benchmark test as it were to see where we are right now? It’s early in the season so plenty of time to recover if it didn’t work out. I get the feeling that Unai would prefer not to be low block ultra defensive in any away game (particularly vs the top teams) as it diffuses his raison d’etre….control. Ideally he wants us to have fairly similar styles irrespective of opponent/venue etc. 

Clearly it didn’t work so he now knows we have to return to a more pragmatic approach when the opponent dictates. 

11 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

We all have these concerns.

However also have to take a step back.

The way we are talking it's as if in all of La Liga and Europe ( Champions League etc ) there aren't other strong and fast players .

He's been playing at the highest level against the best opposition for a while.

Physicality and " explosiveness " etc can defoe be improved with training.

Just needs the right program.

Yeah will be very interesting to see how he develops physically.....but I guess as his adaptation to the pace of the PL continues, his imprved anticipation of ball and man will mean we wont need him to turn into Mings MKII.

17 minutes ago, KentVillan said:

I don't think he necessarily needs to become quicker. What he needs to adapt to is the pace of the game around him, and the pressing styles of the best sides in this league, which he probably hasn't encountered before.

Lots of elite CBs in the PL and other top leagues in Europe have been relatively slow. It obviously helps to have that lightning recovery pace, but it's not essential if the rest of their game is solid.

Valid point re the pace issue.....i think its more the unfortunate combination of lack of pace with a lack of physicallity/agression. Hopefully adaptation to the overall pace of the PL will help him improve.

Pau's ability on the ball is superb. My concern is that we are all hoping that he will adapt and improve from a defensive perspective. The main attributes we need him to improve on are physicality/strength and pace. I am not convinced any amount of training and work will actually produce tangible developments in either of those areas. 
 

I’m struggling to think of a PL defender who lacked both attributes but was able to develop them and become a top quality CB….unless anyone can correct me?

1 minute ago, villa4europe said:

Yep

There's a difference between giving him opportunities at the end of games and vs opposition that's his level and starting a run of PL games for us

100%. Look, UE has prob forgotten more about football than I have ever known in my 47 years, the guy is a top, top level manager - he’s fantastic …..I just don’t understand what he has seen in JD at all??? Yes he’s physical and has a bit about him but technically he is poor and clearly has very little football intelligence. Unai believes he is good enough to be Ollie’s back up…..that staggers me but, as I have said, he wouldn’t have kept Duran in the squad without good reason. 
At the moment, I cannot for the life of me see it or understand it. I just hope to god that Unai’s called this one right. 

Just now, Zatman said:

He comes on for Watkins most games and started ahead in the Europa when he was rested

Why wont he play

…..because he is no where near the required standard. 

As expected, absolutely no where near he needs to be in terms of touch, control and ability. Tbh I found his performance a bit embarrassing. 
Not his fault and he probably has some decent potential but for a squad looking to get top 7, again I just don’t understand what UE sees in him. 
I want to be proved completely wrong but I’ll say it again, if OW is out for any length of time we cannot rely on the kid at all. I just hope that Zaniolo will be able to play up there in that scenario, although he’s never really done it before. Concerning. 

Probably been mentioned before....but the delay in JP's move to Hull could indicate a slight change of approach from UE in regards to him staying if no replacement can be found.....much like the Digne situation.

5 hours ago, Kiwivillan said:

If people bother to look at every teams back up keepers the majority are no better than Olsen, several I'd argue are worse. Even top teams.  Car crash Carson is at City. Just pointless constantly moaning about this. If Emery thinks he's adequate that's that

Well it’s a Villa forum designed to allow Villa fans to express their opinions on all aspects of the club from the owners to the manager to the players. 
 

Whether you see that as moaning and pointless is obviously your prerogative, however, we all have a right to reiterate our opinions if we like because, as we know in football, ‘that’ is never ‘that’. 

Good goal but still not good enough to replace OW if he’s out injured for any length of time, imo. Great potential though. 

4 minutes ago, Kiwivillan said:

Rashford has crazy amount of career goals and assists at Manure and he's a left winger playing as striker... just like Watkins. Manure fans mad with him and team form saying they need a striker and he shouldn't be playing there. The problem is no creation of chances from behind whereas we're not having that problem lately and not even relying on Watkins for goals. Just highlights point I've been making for weeks about Watkins striker need another striker for back up is bollocks. The Emery system is key. Players are just pieces regardless position labels

Its more the profile of a player than a posiitonal label. IF Watkins is out for a period of time we could do with a similar type profile at the top of the pitch i.e physical and has the ability to hold the ball up. I get the point re the system but if we are playing the better teams (without OW) and so will invariably have less of the ball, we may struggle to retain possession withut that type of forward. At the moment, I dont see JD being good enough to deputise in this scenario. 

6 minutes ago, villa4europe said:

Utd finished top 4 last season with weghorst up front...

Fair point that.

11 minutes ago, VILLAMARV said:

He only signed 8 months ago and I don't know why people think he isn't good enough to be a back up striker in the PL. I hope he continues to settle and feels at home here. That's how we'll see the best of him. I think he'll play a few European games and I think he'll score a few goals too.

For me its the fact that he is the ONLY back up striker. This coupled with my paranoia that Ollie is gonna get an injury lasting a few months at some point this season! Having watched JD's albeit fleeting minutes, I think his first touch is lacking and his control needs imporving.....both of which you would expect for a young player and that will no doubt improve as he develops. I know we have players who could play the OW role but not necessarily for a prolonged period of time and that is my concern.

I have no doubt that JD has huge potential and I could be completely wrong - it would be fantastic if he could come in when needed and score 5+ goals in the PL if required. However, that is a big ask for a kid who is still probably acclimatising to the country let alone the PL. I realise that its all if/buts/maybes regarding how often he will actually be needed, however, a squad needs to cover for these eventualities and I would kave liked to see an older/experienced ST come in on loan just to provide that bit more cover up top considering the amount of gameswe have this season. 

3 minutes ago, BleedClaretAndBlue said:

Its been a very productive window for us with both in’s and out’s. Monchi has been impressive in getting these deals done with little fuss in his opening act at the club. Lenglet it continue 

Bravo, sir!!

3 minutes ago, abdulaziz1 said:

Does it close tomorrow or 2nd of September?

11pm Friday 1st September

18 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

I agree, Unai loves versatility and I think it's a great setup to have in what has been constructed thus far and the options each player offers in being able to play other roles.

It'll equally be very beneficial this season with the amount of games we're anticipating on playing too.

Bringing off a nakered Watkins for a fresh Ramsey and then just pushing Zaniolo or someone into the striker position for the remainder of the game etc.

I would kindly agree you might be worrying unnecessarily.   

 

Yeah, think you're right mate. Guess the 2 x ACLs have made me paranoid about Ollie being crocked at some point for a few months!

3 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

To be honest with you, I think if we sign that missing piece of the puzzle on that attacking left side, with a player who can play that role and also adapt as a second striker then that will be all we need imo.

That would then give us:

       Ollie, Duran

*New*, Zaniolo, Diaby, Traoré - all of whom can fill any striker void left by Ollie, and/or the added bonus to be able to change things up in games too if ever necessary.

I like what Unai is building here.

Indeed. He really loves versatility in his players more than any other manager I can recall. I know that we have players that 'could' play the OW role if he is out but do feel we would miss the physicality/hold up play that he brings if, for example, Diaby moved forward. Then again, Arsenal have Jesus and Nketiah as thier 2 CF options, so maybe I am worrying unnecessarily. 

12 minutes ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

I don't believe we're finished just yet.

Still really need cover for Ollie - Duran is just too much of a gamble and an unknown quantity at this stage of his career (although his potential will be very interesting for us to develop over the next few years). 

Hopefully, a late Coutinho sale will facilatate a forward incoming who can cover as a 9. A serious injury to OW and we are struggling as he is so vital to how we play.

Mings replacement. Different profile but need 4 CBs. Unai clearly sees Chambers as RB (3rd choice?) so needed a 4th CB. Loan you would imagine. 

Defo feels like one out before anyone else coming in. Phil leaving will be only way be add any more imo. 

IIRC, I’m pretty sure the sell-on clause was 50% of ANY future fee….

We got him on the cheap so this would have been Barca’s way of recouping more of their losses.