QldVilla

1 minute ago, cheltenham_villa said:

Makes me feel a bit more confident if true, though I remember lots of people saying traore could also play through the middle of needed. 

Watkins and Emi are our biggest risks for me, if we have a long term injury we don't have natural replacements for either without changing the way we play. The same is probably true for nearly every prem team though. 

I still believe there’s one or two players that could still come in, but we need to move a couple on first.

5 minutes ago, cheltenham_villa said:

Has Diaby previously played as a through the middle forward though? I thought he'd always been a wide player. The other players you name certainly have.

I’m sure he played there at PSG, before being moved out wider.

4 hours ago, duke313 said:

20-25 goals is a bit optimistic, no?  That's Harry Kane numbers.  We've never had a player that has scored 20+ Premier League goals, a few have came close. 

I'd say a more reasonable 15-20 is probably the most league goals we can expect from Ollie. 

He needs to do better than last season and he had a slow start.

I can see Watkins scoring 20-25 goals this season in the PL, he will get the opportunities. If he can lift his game to that level then there is no need for a new striker. But if he fails to take those opportunities this season, then Emery may look for that elite striker to be the new number 1.

Big season ahead for him.

1 minute ago, Kiwivillan said:

He never got consistent starts or minutes. Left on the bench a lot

I think bringing in Alvarez annoyed him.

Expect a big season from Konsa, his game is evolving under Emery and becoming a more well rounded player.

53 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

I need to do some more research on Ferran Torres.

You can't go by highlights to judge players, but I don't think I've seen anything from him which has wowed me.

Is he just a good , 6 - 8 out of 10, consistent all round forward/winger?

As opposed to an explosive, sporadic match winner and defense destroyer such as Doku etc?

Which would people prefer between the two if given the choice?

Don't think I really noticed Torres when at City either.

I believe Torres is a very good player and will see the best of him at the Villa.

We have to remember not all players are the same, some can take a knock to their confidence and just shrug it off, others not so much and affects their performance. 

I don’t think Pep put an arm around him at City, seems to have this sink or swim approach. Same at Barca.

He’ll get that arm around him with Unai.

5 hours ago, Mazrim said:

Watkins was way off the pace today too tbf. Harsh to judge Archer when the whole intensity had dropped with all the changes. 

You can’t judge the players too harshly on performances, as most likely having two sessions a day plus friendly’s, they will be tired after 10 days in USA.

The reality is that we can't just sign anybody, and Emery has to prioritize certain positions in the team.

He obviously believes signing a back-up keeper isn't a pressing concern this summer.

2 minutes ago, Mozzavfc said:

Do we have 21 coefficient points just because we're a Premier League team or from when we last qualified under MON?

Villa’s coefficient is determined by the sum of all points won in the previous five years, which is zero, so then calculated on the PL coefficient over the same period.

Wish Wes all the best, his career was cruelled by that %^&*&%$ Mee, hopefully he can score a few goals and earn an extension.

3 minutes ago, paul514 said:

Good if they want 80m they can keep him, he isn't worth more than 40m

Agree. They sold Ugarte so probably don't need to sell to balance the books, Villa may revisit at some point though.

8 minutes ago, sidcow said:

 

Is it just me? They are AGAIN talking about next seasons Champions League as if they've already qualified?

Our eventual participation, not our possible participation. 

Is this not weird? 

They finished 4th this season and would have competed in the CL if not for the 10 pts reduction. 

It is more than likely that they will finish in the top 4 next season, however I get your point, it is arrogant to assume, but that's why they disregarded the FFP, they believe they have a divine right to compete in the CL.

Aston Villa resigned with Pot price - Sporting - Jornal Record

Far apart on price.

Me likely a lot!

I don’t believe we are far away from the Top 4, but still think we are 2-3 quality players short for that step.

10 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

9 hour flight and national team play on artificial pitch so could well be same for club teams.

One to avoid if they get that far.

You have to question how good the quality is, sounds like Basel just the bed.

18 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

Basle out looking likely, that was a 1-3 loss at home to Tobol (which East european league are they from?).

Big shock considering they could've easily made the final last season. Dosen't the Swiss league run over the summer aswell, I'm guessing they've just sold loads of players and haven't replaced many yet.

One thing we really need to avoid is a long away trip as that will be followed by either Burnley or Liverpool away. I'm assuming if we're seeded we'd be at home in the second leg.

Kazakhstan

7 minutes ago, gwi1890 said:

Douglas Luiz is twice the player sorry it’s not even a discussion. But I do agree being relegated doesn’t make you a bad player, Winjaldum & Sissoko come to mind. We were trying to buy Ward Prowse under Smith we’ve moved on to a far higher calibre of player now. I think Ward Prowse is lower half Everton , Sheffield Utd type player.

Think West Spam are the ones most interested in him.

1 hour ago, TRO said:

The problem is, its all opinions, and some folk take that as fact....Particularly when paid operators splurge it out in a trained media way.

Its also notable to me, that they try to make the simpliest of things complicated, in order to promote their perceived knowledge of the game.

I still subscribe to the theory that football is a simple game.

I think Neil and Paddy are pretty down to earth Podcasters.....Gregg for me is a bit condescending.....I like Luke Robinson UTV podcast too, for sheer passion and effervescence.

Long gone are the days of Leon Hickman below( Birmingham Mail )  or one of the best football writers of all in Hugh McIlvanney( the times).....whose works was captivating and educating.

 

I agree. Most of the Villa podcasts are on constant play to and from work in my car and makes it far easier than scrolling through football magazines and the internet to try and find news on the club like the old days. Well our old days anyway…

Luc Nilis!!!

Just now, lexicon said:

Mbappe ffs

He's only going to a truly elite club. Don't be silly lads. 

Some people still like to dream….