CVByrne

8 hours ago, Alakagom said:

Seem he has good chance to be in the squad tomorrow, huge to have him back and hopefully can be fit for Brighton to get some fresh legs 

Yes any experienced player who can and has contributed this season being fit is most welcome. He's had some key moments for us this season. 

10 hours ago, TomC said:

I can't see selling him unless we've got someone else coming in. We've got 8 established first team midfielders (JJ, McGinn, Doug, Buendia, Zaniolo, Kamara, Tielemans, Rogers) and that really isn't enough, as can be seen by the fact that 5 of them are currently hurt, leaving us at 3. If we don't buy/extend Zaniolo, that already puts us at 7, and selling JJ would put as at 6. Then you have to consider that Kamara probably won't be ready until at least October/November and Buendia may not be 100% yet in August. We're going to be very thin if we sell.

I think Buendia is more the 10 / second striker role than midfield. We are short a CM that's for sure. I think LM is covered by Rogers / JJ as it stands. 

7 hours ago, brommy said:

There's yet to be an announcement of the 150 year celebrations and it surely can't just be the AV150 centre circle display, given the committee assembled to plan the milestone.

Could Heck's rather muddled statement of the expansion postponement have been made to re-evaluate the plans AND make a 'good news' expansion announcement to time with the other 150 years celebrating event(s)?

We have to wait contractually before announcing new kit as it will impact sales of the existing kit and thus hurt Castore. I think we will be trying to make a big splash all at once with new kit, sponsors, AV150 and a lot of new brand and merchandise at the same time. Some special AV150 things to buy. 

Heck is a proven at this type of thing. He knows how to work to build our brand. I think announcement for the future of Villa Park plans would likely come at the same time. Especially as with the Atarios investment. 

8 hours ago, T-Dog said:

Whilst the point about running in Zone 2 is true, I thought it was proven that the overall difference was considered almost pointless unless Calories consumed was restricted too? (This was a long time ago, but I'm sure there was a whitepaper on it). For someone running at Zone 3 and eating normal food, the overall % of 'fat' calories burnt was usually lower, but overall calories burnt was higher, which meant the total 'fat' calories was about the same? I might be wrong, but I definitely remember reading something about it, but this could've been 10+ years ago.

But also, there's a million other reasons to run at Zone 2 anyway, not always, but definitely embrace it. Running at that Zone fixed so many problems for me, with injury, stamina, even just the desire to run. 

It depends what you mean by this. If you are talking about fat burning, then yes the primary is the overall net deficit of calories burnt vs consumed. But the fitness benefits for your heart, muscles, bones etc.. will take place at Zone 2. 

In relation to the Zone 3, yes it will burn more calories but it will put more stain on the body. Easy running (ie Zone 2) is easy, thus you can get to the 180 mins a week of it where you get the maximum benefits for general health. Doing that at Zone 3 is much harder, could lead to injury and doesn't give the right marginal benefits for the extra effort. 

I started out Zone 3 and Zone 4 for all running. Put as much as I could into each run and then had rest to recover. I was aiming for fast Park run times. I was doing the wrong training for sure. 

Really all running is broken down into 3 types. Easy, Threshold (or tempo) and Vo2 Max (or speed).

Easy is Easy running, it trains your Aerobic threshold (also known as where you have raised lactate in the blood but its steady). 

Threshold, is lactate threshold (zone 4), or the point just before lactate starts building up exponentially in blood and you get the burn and have to slow down. Basically this is the speed a few seconds slower than your fastest 10k time. Or There are a few ways to kind of work this speed out. Training at this speed basically improves your bodies ability to clear lactate from the blood and thus allows you run faster at this speed over time.

Finally Vo2 Max or speed, these are to improve your maximum capacity to use oxygen. These are short repeats of high intensity, so 200m sprints wth recovery for example. 

The 80:20 rule is the most significant thing I ever learned about running. 80% (or sometimes as high as 85%) of all running is done Easy, then 15-20% done at Threshold or Vo2 max. 

For example, I now do 5 runs a week. Two 45 min easy runs, and one 90m+ long run, 1 Threshold repeats (for example 5x 2k at threshold pace with 500m jogging recovery between). Then 1 VO2 max session (I mix sessions between hill sprints, 200m or 400m intervals). 

Monday - Rest

Tuesday - Threshold

Wed - Easy

Thurs - Rest

Friday - VO2 Max

Sat - Easy

Sunday - Long Run 

7 minutes ago, CHW said:

I think that's wrong.  I think you can make an allowance for the lost revenue due to the redev, so the impact on FFP revenue would be de minimus.

So it's absolutely the right time to do it, if indeed a North Stand redev is what we plan to do.

You are incorrect, we've had in depth discussion on FFP within the specific thread.

4 hours ago, CHW said:

It's hardly a decrease in revenue as FFP takes account of a stand being redeveloped in the calculations.  The North doesn't bring in much anyway.  

But the result is any redev is probably pushed back so far that the eventual benefit will now be post Emery.  So instead of having 50k+ in 2 seasons time, with massively increased corporate facilities we'll end up with below par fudged GA+ facilities and stadium income significantly lower than Everton, let alone the teams we are hoping to compete with.

If the delay is for anything other than looking at a wider project, then it's madness.

The cost of building the stand isn't included in FFP, the loss of revenue is. 

The delay is for the obvious reason. The reason stated. This is the absolute wrong time to do this. 

9 minutes ago, Stephen_Evans said:

Maybe it really was a “pause” and not a cancellation.  Allowing for potential incompetence, it has always struck me as strange that the North Stand plans have remained on the website.

The pause was the most sensible and obvious thing imaginable and the fact so many people fail to grasp the legitimate reasons despite all the PSR and FFP discussions that have swirled all season. It's boggles the mind tbh 

16 minutes ago, RichW said:

Where was this reported? I can only see that it was a season-long loan deal. 

I think they have the option to extend for another year. At the time it was being reported a 2 year loan was being agreed. 

7 hours ago, sheepyvillian said:

I would be happy for JJ to stay, but someone has to go to generate funds. JJ seems like the only one, of the possibiles, who could demand a hefty fee. 

Who would you choose?

It's a fair point, if we are signing another attacker who can play wide. 

I think the main issue is we can't really sell JJ, or Buendia having been injured and not really been able to show their peak worth. Plus losing JJ impacts us with the European squads.

It's very hard to think who Emery has in mind. I think if we map out 23 first team players (exclude Kamara) we can best see what might be plans.

It's a bit simplistic as lots of players can play multiple positions

LM - JJ, Rogers

CM - Luiz, McGinn, Tielemans, New

RM - Bailey, New

S/S - Diaby, Buendia

CF - Watkins, Duran

I'd see us signing 2 new players to fill out the squad, possibly a CM in on Loan as cover for Kamara

3 hours ago, jacksonho said:

I feel this late in the season there isn’t any real point in them playing games. They might as well continue their rehabilitation without needing to worry about returning to the pitch. Gives them a few extra months and a proper pre season.

It would be awesome to see them in the squad if there is room for them just to sit on the bench if we go into the last couple of games with 4th sorted though, otherwise no point risking leaving out someone who may play a part if we need the points.

Yeah I think they are taking part in training and meetings etc.. so they are learning this seasons style of play and out there on the training pitch. There is no point in using them this season it's better to wait for pre-season games and then bring them in off bench slowly next season. IT's said that ti takes 18 months to fully recover from ACL when you include match fitness. 

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - nothing gets lose for me. So many seasons of hilarity.

Carlos has been very good squad player and done well when needed. Especially as it's his first season in the PL and he was overcoming a season long injury. 

Personally I think our best lineup is to use Pau in LB and play with Mings and Konsa in CB and have an attacking RB. However that doesn't work too well with Bailey in RM so prob one for when he's an impact sub.

10 minutes ago, villa4europe said:

€55m + 10m for a barca player? You're mugging them off for lamal not Raphina, absolutely not a chance are we after hin for that number 

A left footed right winger. Like we don't have any of those at the club right now

3 hours ago, david-avfc said:

No way will we get £10m+ for Tim Iroegnunam. The other players mentioned both established themselves as top attacking players in the championship, Tim did OK for an inconsistent mid-table side as a decent all round midfielder… those players don’t go for that sort of money in the Championship and no PL team is going to buy him for big money based off his 137 minutes of PL action this season 

Tim was as good at younger age for QPR in his first Loan season in Championship. He graduated to the PL squad with us as a result.

Fair play to Monchi and Emery, we just got home early. Rather than allowed his value increase and attract more interest by summer. 

He himself must be enjoying this season immensely. Joining another new team in Boro and then getting to join Villa, then getting to play regularly and winning a European penalty shootout. 

16 minutes ago, thabucks said:

The area behind the North Stand is ripe for development.  Just take a look at what Spurs are planning in a predominantly suburban area. 

 

I’ve been in the relocation is necessary  camp previously but Spurs have proven with their stadium which is in a deprived area location doesn’t matter with foresight. 

Yes Tottenham is a horrible shit hole. You get out as fast as you can after you get in. However they had Wembley Stadium to use while they demolished White Hart Lane and built their new stadium. Also as it's in London it has excellent transport links and a modern stadium can house all the fans on site before and after games and other sporting events. 

We don't have a Wembley, we don't have any transport links anywhere near the level of London and we aren't in London (where people spend a lot more money than in Birmingham) 

I think iterative improvements to Villa Park is only viable option for us right now. Once all these PSR/FFP rules stop changing and settle down we can look more strategically 

On 12/04/2024 at 20:31, ender4 said:

Bloody hell. £220m revenue so 10% of total revenue on agents.

This is why we voted against the rule changes surely? Who knows 

3 hours ago, Mic09 said:

But we might play Sturm Graz, Monaco Fenerbhace and Stuttgard. Bring in another 3 players ready for first team, and we could have a week of playing say Spurs Saturday, Monaco Tuesday and Palace or Sunday. 

With a midfield of Kamara, Luiz, Rogers, McGinn, Tielemans, Ramsey, Buendia and one more senior player, we could very realistically rotate to always have a competitive side. 

I think there is no such thing as being 'ready' for CL football. What does that even mean? Having a CL worthy team for 3 years before you qualify for it?

I think there is a strong argument to say Watkins playing in Madrid on Tuesday will be even more fired up to score goals against Wolves at the weekend. 

I say bring it on. 

Yes but Kamara will be out until new year realistically. We've Luiz, McGinn and Tielemans of the level required in CM. We need a bigger squad and it's difficult to afford it. The 70% squad cost rule artificially constrains us Vs teams not in Europe who don't have as many games to play like Palace or West Ham or Brighton. 

It's difficult to compete in the level we are at the moment when the rules come into force. Next year 2025 we have to comply with the 70% rule in Europe. This year it's the 80% rule. 

5 minutes ago, rubberman said:

That is exactly what Spurs fans are saying. They are desperate for a trophy of any sort. We've never had CL and I want it and the team want it. Test ourselves against the very best and see what might happen. 

They are right to say it, they know they have massive financial clout now to rival the top clubs especially after the new pegging of spending. They have also been in CL many many times and really just want to win a final and start accruing some Trophies.

I think we are in a different position, CL for us will be a big profile raise and will massively help Heck with getting commercial partners and revenue growth

11 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

I actually get where @CVByrne is coming from. Our league form will be impacted next season, no doubt about that. I don’t care.  I just want to hear that Champions League music once in my life time.  I can’t wait ! 

I want Champions League too, but my point is the difference between last years CL and EL was bigger in terms of pros/cons than the new format is. 

Let's face it we will be playing in EL League at some point in next few years with Emery here. Hopefully we get one or two visits to CL too. I just want us competing for the top 7/8 positions for the forseeable future

7 minutes ago, villa82 said:

It is like saying that Birmingham City want league one because they can fight for promotion there. Or a better comparison, that Leeds will be in the Championship rather than the PL.

They aren't trophies. The only trophies English teams can win EFL Cup, FA Cup, Premier League or one of the 3 European Competitions. 

Finishing positions in the Leagues are qualifiers for competitions. Like winning Championship allows you to compete in Premier League and a chance to win it. 

Same way finishing in the top 4 allows teams to compete in the Champions League and win it.

10 minutes ago, Mic09 said:

Did European football take a toll on our performances this year? Maybe. 

But that's not to say we will struggle at all, it will likely work out as less games than this season!

It's not the fact the games exist, it's the quality of the opposition. The group stages saw us field a lot of players we wouldn't start in the PL and we only had 6 group games and skipped the knock out phase. In the same period we would be playing 10 CL level opponents, means more required from our best players and 4 more games. 

I know it's crazy but hear me out. 

There is a case to be made for us going into the Europa League on sporting terms (not financial).

1) The Format has changed to be the same as the Champions League, ie 2 extra games in group stages and a 2 leg knockout for those in 9th to 24th. This essentially removes some of the jeopardy for the top teams and increases the prize pool. 

2) No Champions League teams will drop into the Europa League in the new format, plus the 5th best Italian and German sides will also not be in it s they will go into CL. So the 2 teams from the PL who qualify will surely be the top 2 favourites for the competition

3) Having weaker European games for a club at the stage we are (when a European Championship was on in summer) will be a benefit to our Premier League performance and potentially our ability to make a go at the domestic cups.

4) Progression to Semi final or final stage in Europa League would bring good prize money and be close enough to the level we would get from going out in the playoff phase of the Champions League

5) Winning it is the biggest prize we can realistically win under Emery. We can't win the PL or CL and this is the 3rd best title available.

Make no mistake, if we qualify for CL the new format will take a big toll on our League Performances. The schedule is insane especially as we will most likely end up between 9th and 24th in the Group stage and thus play CL 10 games by the 19th Feb. with game weeks 22nd Jan, 29th Jan, 11th Feb, 18th Feb. Smack bang in where the FA Cup is. 

I think we are ceding the domestic cups in all seriousness while we compete in the top 2 European competitions for now. Europa League is the same format