crossman

Platini mentioned something about it when he was elected President of UEFA the other week, but no real specifics. Of course he also mentioned only having the top 3 in every major league qualify for the Champs League. I'm just not sure how they could stop Europeans from playing in England...surely they'd have the same rights as all non-football playing Europeans to work in this country??

I'm not sure why so many people seem so keen on Ashton. I think he's good enough, but hardly proven quality, especially considering what he'd cost (If WH bought him for 9 million, they'd want at least that, probably more for him). He's also been out injured for months now, so would be a risk even going in for him, until he's proven that he's totally recovered from a bad injury

His wages alone until the end of the season would cost us a couple of million, so no thanks. Would rather put that towards a Diop signing...

I'd rather have Bardsley than Lauren to be honest, especially if we can get him for good in the summer which seems likely from what he's been saying. Young, hungry and a decent player.

I'm pretty sure that last year, and probably the year before that, most deals in January were done right at the end of the month. Just the way it seems to be, for whatever reason, but I'm sure that will happen again this window. So, even though it's frustrating now, let's just hold on and see what happens. I've got no reason to think that if/when deals start to happen (and none are really happening anywhere right now apart from in the papers) Villa and MON won't be in the middle of them all, and we'll have some new players in the C&B by West Ham game at the latest

Who are the other Premiership Clubs who have been doing all these amazing deals then? Boa Morte to West Ham is hardly earth shattering. Every year in Jan most of the business gets done in the last few days of the month. Am sure it'll be the same this year for us and every other Club. Just hang on...

Yes

Neill is going to Liverpool according to reports. Pretty certain that Bridge just signed a new 4 year deal with Chelsea so doubt he'll be moving Crouch?? He'd cost around 12Million now...not worth that at all Defoe/Keane...take your pick, as I doubt Spurs will sell both! To be honest, I don't think they'll sell either. Personally I'd love to see Defoe in C&B Alan Smith - i'm not convinced. Hasn't really seemed to play since coming back from that broken leg. Is he fully fit, or has anyone got an idea of his form? Milner & SWP - be happy with both of those, but again it just depends if Chelski & Barcodes are willing to sell. I don't think either need to, so we'd probably have to pay a premium to get them. People seem to keep talking about Ashton as well, but I don't know why. WHam only bought him last Jan on a 5 or 6 year deal, so won't sell him just yet That's the problem with January transfer window IMHO - sounds great and gets people talking, but not much ever really does or can happen. Best bet is to get players from Championship Clubs in the window, but i don't know who really stands out. Earnshaw anyone??

What a great article. Good stuff

Newcastle won't sell Parker...made him Club captain this season and he's really good so they'll need him. I also think that Spurs are more likely to sell Defoe than Keane. Would rather have him as well, though he'll cost silly money

What a missed opportunity. No offense, but who'd want to go to Preston if they could avoid it?? And it's not the sort of place you just happen to be passing through very often is it! Maybe we could ask them to 'move the footy hall of fame franchise' down to Villa Park??

Pretty certain that this already exists at Preston's ground, Deepdale

great comment :nod: Personally, i feel that if you "expect" as much as avfcinwales does then you are just setting yourself up for a life of disappointment. I don't 'expect' Villa to succeed. I am desperate for them to succeed, but I don't expect it, as generally nothing in life, or specifically football/any sport is that simple. What i do expect is for the Club to genuinely strive to succeed. To respect us fans, and treat us correctly, rather than just as a group of walking pound signs. To invest in the team and infrastructure of the Club. To back the manager and give him all the backing possible to get the team he wants and believes can succeed. I expect them to invest as much as possible to bring success (emotionally and with hard work, not just cash), as I invest emotionally as a fan. If they do all of the above then I'll be happy, as we certainly won't be far away from success on the pitch, and I'll be proud to follow a well run, and respected Club. If we come second in the League for the next 10 seasons to Chelsea who keep buying every top player by paying inflated transfer fees and wages (funded by money gained through possibly 'dubious' means) then I won't be disappointed. I don't want success at all costs, and I don't want Villa to be Chelsea. If we lose a Cup final through a missed penalty, or a last minute header hitting a post then of course I'll be disappointed, but I won't be angry, or feel that my expectations haven't been met. That's just footy. It happens. Can't blame the manager, players or owners for that (not in the same way you can for a series of inept performances over time, which are clearly the result of poor management and effort throughout the Club). Personally, I don't expect the new team of MON & Randy to wave a magic wand and suddenly bring success. They need to get to grips with the Club, understand it and its needs and then work at making it better. I'd rather have a long-term fix than a short-term one such as spending 30 million quid in January on a player who could 'do a Shevchenko' and not fit in with MON's plans, but whose signing would attract headlines. Each to their own at the end of the day. Interesting article though

I know everyone has already said this, but i had to add my own "Welcome" General - and Thank You so, so much for lifting the gloom at Villa Park.

I still rate Beckham as a player and think he would be great for Villa for so many reasons (statement of intent, merchandising & profile, his right foot) but I just don't see it happening. I don't think Beckham, with the huge media circus that surrounds him, is the 'type' of player MON likes or traditionally seems to sign. Not saying he won't want superstars and top quality players, but i think that everything that goes with Beckahm would just be too much. Plus, he'd probably want at least 80k a week if not more, so would blow the wage structure out of the water and maybe piss off some of the other players as well. Better to put that money towards a transfer fee and lower wages of an SWP IMO

The team have exceeded my expectations so far this season, but I had prepared myself for the worse during the summer and my brain is only just catching up with events. I agree with the comment that the next 3 games will really tell us a lot. All tough, but if we can get 6 points or more then we'll be flying and certainly over-achieving. On the flip side, if we end up with 0 we'll probably be back in the bottom half of the table, although still well clear of the bottom 3. I'd have accepted that back in August, but i know I'll be disappointed now if that does happen

I don't think anything official has been said about SWP by us, him or Chelsea. I just think that he must be getting desperate to leave, and as he's not playing Chelsea will be glad to get rid of his wages, especially if Roman's wife divorces him!! I think Milner has a lot of Nolan about him, but is younger and cheaper, and could/should settle easily back at VP after last season

He's a decent player, but not worth £10-12 million. That's crazy money. You would probably be able to get SWP for less than that, especially if the Duff deal is anything to go by, and i think he'd be a better buy. in fact, you could probably get SWP & Milner for £12m...

With you 100% & i'm pretty sure that is what will happen. MON clearly isn't into ego and from what you see and hear about Lerner (and the fact he isn't doing loads of TV interviews and stuff like that) I don't think he's the sort of guy who would want to bankroll a team of overpaid galacticos - he seems to prefer the good honest approach to doing things

I agree that you're better off probably getting 5 like that for one over-priced 'superstar' like a Podolski. Is the MON style as well. He seems to always create a real team ethic, where the sum of the parts are more important than any individual with a massive ego

Might get him for that at the end of the season once they've been relegated!

That would cost much more than 15million. I'd say the price tags below wouldn't be too far wrong 4 mil for Milner 10 for Bridge & Johnson 5 mil for Bent 7 mil for Reo-Coker That's at least 26 million - may even be more than that as there is always a premium for English players

Micah Richards looks really good. Another one for the future. Any idea what City would want for him?

I don't think you can look at it just like that - as a straight swap. Otherwise we'd hardly buy anyone based on how the regular starting 11 is playing at the moment. SWP is proven quality, and, if available, would certainly make the team and squad stronger. Gabby is having agreat season so far, but is still young and got lots to learn. Both can play wide or central so no reason they couldn't play in the same team at all depending on who else is available etc.

I agree - not MON's style to spend a load of money just for the sake of it. He's all about team spirit and the sum of the whole being better than individual stars. He's the boss and based on his track record and what he's done here so far I'm happy to trust him. If he buys nobody in Jan I'll be happy if he thinks it's best for the club and keeps getting results. I don't want him to buy players just for the sake of buying players - proves nothing