the-savman

FWIW I also disapprove of a Spurs fan posting on a website called VILLAtalk. It's like an away fan in the Holte End, if ur gonna do it at least try mingle with some subtlety and not harp on about your own team. I don't give a rats arse who Spurs are signing and I certainly wouldnt go visit a Spurs forum to start telling them about potential Villa signings, because I'd just look like a twit trying to make myself and my club look cool. I'm all for constructive discussion and criticisms etc that relate to VILLA and welcome any outside opinion, but this Spurs Spurs Spurs crap really gets on my tits...

My whole point! If anything we should be looking at cover for Carew who is unlikely to play every game.

I went to Man Citeh V Liverpool with a mate recently, Distin definately stood out. Strong and commanding in the air, would be a steal at free!

I agree with you there, but let's look at the facts here. Whether we get Defoe or Bent or whoever, we seem to have an idea of what we're after. A young, athletic, pacey finisher who can play off Carew. It seems we just want a named striker to get on the back of our new Nike jersey in August because those are attributes Gabby has, admittedly still to be developed. Imagine Man United had a 20 year old lightning quick striker, who was being touted for England senior and scored 10 in his first full premiership season, how much do you think Man U would price him at? Are they not the key ingredients in a young striker? Pace and finishing? We may watch him week in week out and know his faults but I would go so far as to say there isn't a club in the premiership who would turn down a prospect like Gabby. Playing alongside someone like Carew who has european footy experience can only be good for the guy.

Agreed - but MON didn't sign Gabby did he ? What relevance has that to anything? I think we're all just hellbent on new signings our brightest prospect is being overlooked.

Its funny, we want a striker partner for Carew yet most of you seem to overlook the fact we have an England u21 international who is our top scorer in his FIRST FULL SEASON and won our Young Player of The Year award. Once upon a time, that kinda thing woulda meant something.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kKMG37NQGo Not bad

Let Chelski have him

lol @ Crespo He wont go back to Chelski never mind us He said he wants to stay in Italy. We can defo attract top players, but if its CL footy they want they have to be prepared to wait.

My right what? Maybe he will, maybe he wont. But in order to get championsleague footie you have to buy players capable of getting you there, else how do we get to the CL level that, apparently, players want. And one of these days we will just have to sign one of those type, I happen to think it will be sooner rather than later. I agree, but if you read that Link to what Ribery has said publicly only in the past coupla days it's clear he's not Villa bound. Simple, we're not in CL yet so cant offer that to him. Any player who makes CL football an absolute is not for Villa. This is only phase 2 of the development.

Out the door I can see Ridge, Djembe twins permanently, Hendrie, possibly Davis & Moore too.

Ribery? No chance. He wants to play Champions League footie. LINK

I'd also go for Defoe over Bent.

Of course we'll still sell players, but the suggestion that MON would even think of selling his prize asset is crazy. MON has praised Gabby all season, need I also mention he's no doubt gonna win Young Player of the Year and is now our Top Scorer! On the other hand, the body language from Moore and Davis doesnt fill me with confidence tbh. Both look like they may be tempted away.

Not a chance of Gabby leaving, just signed a new contract only last month IIRC. Won't stop clubs trying though, but I'd be fairly sure MON would decline any offer, its not like we need the cash. We're not a selling club anymore.

Bad news for Defoe....good news for Villa?? LINK It has to be hard for Defoe when the strike partnership without him play so well together and get joint Player of the Month. If you ask me, this could mean the end for Defoe at Spurs as he's an England international and will not want to sit on the bench. I think we could celebrate someone of his ability at Villa and along with Carew, Gabby & Young would give us some serious firepower. Sign him up!

i'd say we'll be fighting Juventus and half of the teams in Spain for Tevez. Super player though.

McShane brilliant, could be a real diamond in the rough. Barton/Bellamy I really cant decide on, both lunatics but good players. Their arrival would be nothing short of controversial, not sure if MON wants that kind of negative PR for the club. He may feel he can tame either/both but you have to ask yourself, with the re-branding and everything else, is it worth the risk?

Spurs wud be idiots to sell Keane, the sorta form he's in. I have to sit on the fence with regard to Bellamy, can see both sides but the argument for Bent seems sound if we can get him (why not?) Remember we're building for the future so I would think MON would be after youngsters a la Ashley Young and if Villa is known as a club with opportunites to young players then we could attract any number of talented players. Tevez would be signing of the century, but it looks like all the top European teams will be in for him so not much chance there. Who'd rather live in Birmingham than Madrid?

Hi General, any possibility of any pre-season games in Ireland?? Fairly good following and not that far away!

Hi General just a quickie! I travel over from Ireland for certain games, whatever I can manage. When booking thru AVFC website, although the process is quite nifty, there is no option to search for "best available" seats like when booking on Ticketmaster.co.uk It would be cool if the online ticketing system could automatically offer me the best seats available instead of me having to try and calculate myself and going thru stand by stand, block by block etc. Just a thought...thanks for everything!

It's a long story but it stands for "Small Heath Alliance" - which is basically their proper name. Full story can be found Here aaaaah! cheers

Lads what does SHA stand for? Overseas villan here, always wondered....

Aye, looks like an escaped convict.