Woody1000

To say that MON was a flop is ridiculous.

Sure, he had more money available to him than the other 3 managers mentioned in this thread, but then I think he achieved relative success in his time here. Decent cup runs, and top 6 finishes - I hope PL 'flops' like that!

Of course we were left with rather inflated wage bill once he left, but you cannot compare the guy to McLeish or DOL, or even GH for what he achieved in his 4 years at the club.

The "youngsters" are growing up. It is time for them to show Lambert why they deserve to remain part of his squad. It really is a make or break season for many!

I think especially the likes of Bannan and Albrighton - they've had chances!

Is it sad that I'm as excited, if not more, about who we're getting rid of this summer than who we're bringing in?

I think it is, woody. I don't get the recent posts about Collins from a lot of people. He's not Paul McGrath, but for me he gave his best in the shirt. It always seems a shame when players are metaphorically shoved out the door by fans with a boot up their backside, on the way. He played for Aston Villa, which is a) an honour and something that unless the player concerned behaved appallingly kind of gives them a bit of kudos and respect in my book.

Some leave having never been remotely good enough, some having been excellent and most, somewhere between those two extremes.

Personally I wish him well.

Agree with all of that.

I don't get the whole abuse thrown at him.

I think we're moving on to better things and i think collins will do well at a club that will like him.

Its a win for everyone involved.

Sell to buy....

It is hard to not conclude that Vlaar's arrival is directly linked with Collins' departure.

Sell to buy still implies that we need the cash from the Collins sale to pay for Vlaar which IMO is not the case. I think Lambert is just being prudent, obviously has wage constrictions and it would make more sense to get rid of Collins before Vlaar comes in.

To be honest, I don't mind if it is 'sell to buy' as long as it doesn't stop PL getting in who he wants.

Is it sad that I'm as excited, if not more, about who we're getting rid of this summer than who we're bringing in?

Hwyl Fawr James

Swansea/ cardiff????

If it was any other club but Spurs, I'd perhaps be open to it.

It would either end with him doing well for us, then Spurs just keeping him or quoting us a ridiculous fee to buy him, OR him being injured/shite, and a waste of money. As always, Spurs have much more to gain from the deal than us, so it's a no from me.

To be quite honest, I'd rather we never did business with Spurs again while Levy is in charge.

Definitely looks like captain material but we shall see

For me, I'm glad that the Vlaar deal was put on hold until we had confirmation of an exit(s) from the club being imminent.

I don't see it as "Sell to Buy" so much, more just balancing the books.

The last 2 years at Villa Park have been awful, and have been caused by the financial irresponsibility of RL during MON's time at VP. I cannot see that Lerner has any other choice but to be more careful if we are to avoid being in a relegation scrap each season. I think in Lerner's defence from what some are posting, you can't criticise him for letting the wages get out of control 2007-2010, and then criticise him for trying to keep them in check. It's taken 2 years, but we've finally got them to a manageable level - I can't see RL ever letting this happen again!

As for Vlaar, I'd be lying if I said I was impressed by his little outbursts in the last week or so - even if we were in the wrong over the deal, I just don't believe you need to talk to the press about those things.

That said though, I feel there's something about this guy that makes me think he's going to be talked about in years to come in the same conversations as God, and Laursen. The rumored £3.2m sounds like a snip too!

I'm so delighted that Collins looks to be on his way out.

If we can get rid of Hutton and Warnock this summer, I will be over the moon! I can accept Dunne staying for another year if fully motivated, but the other 3 MUST go if we are to get ourselves back to where we want to be.

Richard, you didn't see them coming

Stop trying to be someone you are not

And you should really stop being someone you are

There's being backed and then there's being backed with limitations. I think lambert will be given money but I don't think that's enough if he loses out on players because he has to sell before he can spend it.

We shall have to wait and see....

I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be a bit disappointed if we missed out on Vlaar, but with that said I trust PL 100%.

If he's changed his mind, or found another target then so be it.

As for people saying that this could be showing a back-track from the board re transfer funds - I don't believe for one minute that PL would've come here if he was going to be working under a penny-pinching budget.

You guys really MUST try to get over O'Neill, you know.

I see now why I tend to just read VT rather than post, if you try to put your opinion across about something then you get accused of being 'obsessed'.

I liked O'Neill a lot and I even liked his brand of football, which whilst it was a bit agricultural sometimes it was done with pace, lots of wingers, great set pieces and loads of enthusiasm. His problem is that he has never built a legacy at any of his clubs and we suffered more than most by his short-termism. That's what stops him being regarded amongst the very best managers imo.

The thing I really agree with you on is the lack of build for the future. I read somewhere a few months ago that MON is one of the best managers around for getting you the result on Saturday afternoon, but isn't worried about Saturday afternoons in 5/10 years time.

Anyway, I don't want to seem that I'm always criticising the guy; he did a lot of good things during his time here, I think he's just copped a lot of the flack as he left just as the bubble burst.

I thought I'd bump this thread as the Collins one is in serious danger of going WAY off topic....

My take on the MON transfer business during his time at Villa: Too much hit and miss for me. Ashley Young, Milner and Downing all were bought and sold at a tidy profit, but the likes of NRC, Sidwell, Curtis Davies, Beye etc cost the club too much in wages for the club to maintain.

I understand when people are saying that we only had the 6th or 7th highest wage bill in the league at the time, so how could we expect to finish higher than that? By looking abroad, that's how! The French, German, Dutch, Portugese leagues were all paying much less in wages, and we probably could've got much better value for money - take NRC for example, just think what £8m in transfer fee and £40k per week could've bought us from Holland or France?

Sure there would've been some flops, look at Makoun for example, but there have been plenty of British flops brought into our club in the last 4/5 years.

If this is true, I might jizz in my pants!

A bit disappointing when you look at the total fee talked about, but then if they'd been playing well enough to command decent money then we wouldn't be so keen to see the back of them!

I almost feel sorry for Sunderland!

Why we aren't or weren't in for Butland is bloody baffling and annoying

Are you schizophrenic, or do you just talk shit?

The reason I would imagine that we haven't made a bid for Butland is because we have little to no interest in signing him.

I know it's Twitter, but...

@JamesNursey James Nursey twitter

Not correct #AVFC agreed deal already to sell Collins & Warnock to #SAFC Sunderland. But wouldn't surprise me if happens later in summer

I know Nursey has got a few things wrong before, but I'm hoping that there is something in this.

Personally, I think it's only right that MON takes them to Sunderland considering he inflicted them on us in the first place! ;-)

There is a stable player somewhere in Warnock. But what has happened to him is quite strange. He is 30 years old and should be in the prime of his career, so I would be willing to give him another season. We would be getting very little for him, and who is to say his replacement would be that much better? Paul Lambert could encourage him and get him on the right track, even though I guess that the chances are he has already lost his talent.

Warnock's been poor for two and a half years. Why does he deserve yet another chance?

Get rid ASAP.

I do not know how the guy has managed to make it as a Premier League full-back with a total lack of positional sense, and such poor timing.

The problem is that we're going to struggle to find a club that would want him!

I agree Cheltenham_Villa about it needing to be somebody respected by all, the problem is that it leaves Shay Given as the only option in that department IMHO, and I don't think goalkeepers make great captains.

If he stays, I can see it being Dunne (although I hope he's gone by August!).

After last season, there cannot be enough change

I would be really pleased if this comes off, a defender who can actually pass the ball (it's been a while!)

Anything £8m or under would be great business for a Dutch international.

Keep fighting Stan we are all in your corner right behind you.