ramshackler

@VillaChris Rondon is a great shout. I agree about the risks signing strikers. If you can add quality on the wings and midfield then a beast like Rondon will work wonders. Only issue is didn't he go to one of the oil states on some insane weekly wage??

The kalinic transfer was extremely bizarre. Came in for fairly big money, I remember the way the club spun it was unusual and I genuinely believe a good number of villa fans actually thought we were signing the Croatian number 1! I'll be honest from the wording of the press releases I assumed it myself until doing my due diligence. Has looked like a donkey anytime he had played

He hasnt

He hasn't removed all pictures of him at Villa. Literally loads a few scrolls down. Not sure he ever had Villa in his bio? I'm sure I remember it being odd initially. His insta is a little odd tbh, strange detached character. Nothing ever in English, no attempt to communicate with English fans doesn't even bother with translations

Yeah sorry and looking more closely they may not be UK number plates

Have we all seen Marvellous Nakambas Instagram today?? Photo with him and "his brother" Milot Rashica. Rashica has replied "my brother " Photo looks to be taken in England based on car number plates in background....

Not sure if serious? Can play on either wing very very well. Our two weakest positions. Also can play through the middle. Whether he is rated or not, you will struggle to find a player who positionally suited to our weaknesses imho.

Yes, the very first post on this thread is Percy saying we were to trigger his £18m release clause...... And now he has no release clause which makes you question his information full stop really. Hate to be pedantic but no, the release clause came from the ever reliable source that is villareport! Just attributed to Percy.

Believe the clause only activated if not promoted

Hmm haven't been convinced by him at championship level so not particularly excited by this

Jesus that's some flawed logic right there! These two are absolute shit and a waste of £40 million, so anyone decent should be worth £40 million... No, those two were just spectacular waste of money

He can't defend. He'd also demand huge wages. There's much, much better value out there. Good god this. John Stones is an absolute car crash. Has made a career out of this belief that young English centre backs who can play football are the most incredible thing. In reality Stones is someone who wasn't good enough on the ball to be a midfielder and not strong enough and positionally aware enough to be a CB. How the **** man city spent £50 million on him after his second season at everton is laughable

5 in 9 , correct one pen. (Missed one as well) only missed the game against Millwall (win number 10). As said, that little run came after a baron two months, and I distinctly recall him being pretty ineffective in that winning streak missing multiple chances but also not being involved in build ups as he had been earlier in season, the less frequently he scored the harder he tried and it showed as he started making wrong decisions and being a bit too greedy. As I say I wouldn't say no to having him back, but he would cost ridiculous money and all the factors I've alluded to make me think there will be problems if he was to make the step up in a side that isn't full of Chelsea's quality. I said before the season he wouldn't cut the mustard at Chelsea, fair play to him he had a great first half to the season, but overall his performance dropped massively. He is a big confidence and numbers player

Alot of talk about signing Tammy, for me this would be a huge mistake. He did well in his time here, but let's not forget it was at a lower level and his goals from open play dried up massively from January onwards (strangely almost completely in our winning streak). He had a good start with Chelsea but again dried up hugely. Tammy is a numbers forward, he scores but misses alot of chances in comparison. He would get a lot less chances here than at Chelsea and as a result could be far more costly. I'm not saying I wouldn't like him back, but he is going to cost £30-40 million in current English player market, that is a huge amount of money, money absolutely better spent elsewhere

My god, this Ebrechi Eze lad, I'll admit I hadn't heard of him till today, but after watching him on YouTube for the last twenty minutes Jesus Christ!! What a player!! I'm not usually drawn in by YouTube, but it is obvious this lad is an incredible talent. If grealish goes he looks like a ready made replacement. The way he carries the ball commits players and his distribution looks incredible, surely he'd be more than the twenty million quoted?

That wasn't my point though. I agree absolutely. I'm just pointing out that technical players that look great in championship often struggle when making the step up. Benrahma is going to cost alot of money, money that could buy proven premier League players. He would probably be quality, but there's no denying it is a risk

He does look a very tidy player. I was all for signing him last year and he would undoubtedly be better than Trez or el Ghazi. My only concern is as technically gifted as he is, he doesn't have raw pace. Time and time again we see good players not make the same impact in the premier League, I think having outstanding pace really does help when making the step up

I admire the positivity in this thread, but I fear this will be a disappointing transfer window. Not convinced our owners will spend heavily without knowing what Jack's plans are. Can see a jack transfer going down to the wire, frustrating everything Also can see alot of uncertainty in the market. Covid , losses what is the new normal? People will be cautious about spending large amounts and likewise clubs will be reluctant to sell for less than the going rate last year. Could be a slow window all round I fear Hope I'm wrong!

I'm reality I think his future will go to the wire. His heart and emotions will be thinking of staying but ultimately he will decide based on our business this summer (which will be tricky as the club will need to know beforehand and likely effect budgets) also if we start well as the deadline will be a fair way into the season this year.

If this season has taught us anything surely it's to have a good depth of squad. Sturridge looked very good in Turkey this year, only the pandemic saw him leave. If he is fit, in the right frame of mind and willing to accept more realistic wages and a squad role then he is an excellent player who we should not be turning our noses up at. Isn't his family all based here as well? Obviously a few big IFS but if Smith and Suso are convinced by him then I'm all for it

Last night's miss was poor no question, but one thing I took from that video is just how unlucky he is in front of goal. Every single attempt is on target. Several hit the woodwork, loads of absolutely incredible saves, even the ones which were not worldy saves were hard and low and hit and ankle and go wrong side of the post. 8/10 those type of finishes hit an ankle and go in. Like or loathe him he is hitting the target and being really really unlucky.

Making hourihane captain is crazy. I'll say it again but short memories. He was an impact player used for goals / set pieces even towards the end of our stay in EFL. Great squad / impact player but need an upgrade for starting 11 if we are serious about automatic promotion

New manager thread and the majority of VillaTalk voting for Pochettino . Never change VT, never change

Sorry I'm just not having any part of that. I have played academy and semi pro level myself. But even a parks player who is in anyway decent would be very upset at themselves for missing that! AEG is a professional paid thousands a week. You know when that close to goal you may not get a clean contact, rule number one is make contact and keep it down and on target, whether it's with your foot/ shin/thigh. At that range keep it down and on target. He went In half hearted expecting to get clattered and didn't keep his eye on the ball

Don't forget Conor was still largely inconsistent in the championship. When you took away goals and assists it was even more damning. He would be a great squad player / back up, but if we are looking at automatic promotion we need to get better player in to start. Central midfield is still going to be a very important recruitment position for us. We are going to need to replace Jack and Luiz. Two excellent players and in jack's case our only talisman for years. Two more wingers, two centre forwards and two midfielders. Defence and keeper can remain pretty much intact