thunderball

I really doubt Darder much as I would love it, Praet would be a better bet as he's more offensive. Adebeyor may still happen. Austin would be the icing on the cake.

Hurrah!

You can see he has talent, but he is way off the pace in the Premier League, needs to be much quicker thinking and more instinctive, he wont have time to dwell on the ball like he thinks he can. Needs a total rethink but at least you can see its there somewhere - they will coach him to success I am sure of it. For me he showed more than Gabby yesterday.

I know we have Grealish and Gill to come back as well, but wish we would pursue Praet as well, at £7m its a steal and he wants to come here too - would have been ideal to sub for Veretout yesterday. Charlie Austin is a deal made for us - get the boy in please, forget value and potential, he is a no nonsense goal getter.

Some proper immature opinions flying around? We are no more likely to be relegated after tonight's defeat as we are to win the league or challenge at the top after the Bournmouth win. Like Man Utd last season, it's going to take 10 games to find our feet. We may well be 17th by November but I think we will be 10th or so by March next year.

We could have got a penalty, we should have scored from Amavi's whipped cross across the goal mouth. That's a solid Premier League chance that should be taken. Memphis Depay should've scored for them. 2-2 would have been fair. We were not embarrassed by a hoodoo side. Man for man they were better on paper but not on the pitch or the night. fine margins.

Thought we showed more promise than I expected at this stage, a lot more. we are solid and hard working. Add in creativity and a goal scorer and I think by Christmas we will be a solid mid table side. Positives: Amavi - great value, class; Richards - better than I thought he would be, early days; Bacuna - given a chance, taking it, not shy; Sinclair - some have polar view but I thought he was bright and tricky; Gana - solid; Westwood - steady, solid; Gil, Grealish, Adama yet to figure; new forward yet to be bought; midfield energy, can see a growing understanding; tight interplay; Gestede looks a threat. We didn't look too bad and there's a lot to come. Negatives: lack of creativity; Gabby - it's over dude; back 4 unfamiliarity; Veretout - needs to find his groove, it I'll come; Ayew making poor decisions, needs to be more direct and decisive, it will come. We need a solid goal scorer. I feel happy and content.

Maybe be dull but Charlie Austin for me. Would feel quite relaxed if he turned up. I am still worrying about putting the ball I the back of the net.

A three year deal makes sense for a 19 y.o. Bound to be a [relatively] low starting salary (£15k pw) for renewal as he develops. If he is all he promises to be then he re-signs next summer for a new 4 year contract (£30k pw). Everyone is happy.i

Mr Avenatti, Richard? https://youtu.be/9ad4NKNrWPQ The standard shitty trance pop tune is even called 'Villain'... hes a big lad isn't he ! ;-) He is indeed - perhaps Tim wants us to score from corners again, whatever next! i expect Avenatti would mean Kozak going out maybe on loan He's a whopper! Quite a few misses at the start of the YT clip?

I don't care about being greedy. I want our squad to improve and players like Praet would do that. Bring it on I say, two quality players for every place and get rid of our deadwood. I am just not used to it, I am now thinking of how it could all go wrong rather than how it could all go right - but hey, I'm a Villa fan, that's what we do (nowadays). Good things no longer happen, do they? Such is this window, I fully expect this to happen and will be disappointed if it doesn't. I am very happy ;-)

Wot no Praet?

Lessons obviously being learned which is reassuring, rather have a few overstay (Weimann not Westwood) than lose them for nothing. He is the new Gareth Barry, without the nailed on Penalties - a grower without setting the world on fire. At £900K great value and earning his keep, and zero attitude.

Out of all these players I had never seen or heard of before July, Praet excited me the most. Fingers crossed, but it's starting to feel greedy now.

Who's next?

May be premature but can't help but thinking of the pitch parade before the Man Utd Game to great applause, then later the cameras pan to Adama, head in hands as the third goal goes in a Rondon WBA moment.

Even after Adama Traore we are in profit. C'mon Randy....

Praet would be like getting Sneijder before he blossomed. They should just for the investment. This is a deal begging to be done

We know a GK, Winger and forward are all likely to arrive. It's been a good window for us even if we don't. We are stronger generally. But do agree that Lerner realistically should have been aware he needed to be spending £30m to improve a relegation side AND keeping Benteke and Delph.

What did he do for them to spit at him ?Unsure why but this is what the report said Some one email Tim

Interesting point well made Mark. Not thought of it like that. However I would still prefer another [new] player with more creativity/goals to be the default choice on match days. Gabby has a squad role, perhaps as back up for injuries and rotation, maybe not as impact sub, but we need an improvement in this position for the first 11.

I only saw the Sky Match Choice 1hr highlights but didn't think Sinclair was bad at all, I really didn't. In the absence of someone younger and more exciting I would like to see Lennon join, would be a great squad addition. Agree that it's a big improvement over N'zog.

I think Lennon could bring something to the squad, from the bench he can add impetus and urgency. He is direct. Would prefer a youngster but we have already allegedly tried for Ntep and Thauvin, and possibly Traore. Austin is nailed on goals at this level. The press suggest £13m and the wages would be £65kpw not £85k. Ayew will need time evidently. Austin signing would make our forward line look strong for once. Another attacking centre mid would be nice too. The club needs to spend, especially after the Sky windfall, we need to kick on and distance ourselves from the past 4 years debacles, £30m won't be much especially when Amavi and Gana are sold in the Summer!

Not much in the press or Twitter, guess we must be after another forward and winger. Looks like Traore will end up at Liverpool, just our luck. Tim still has money to spend. Balanta, Austin and Lennon before the window closes would make me feel very content.

We will surprise ourselves and win this. I reckon Bournmouth 0-2 Villa