thunderball

3 goals at “fortress Villa Park” with only  a whimper in return is the concern

7 hours ago, Kiwivillan said:

Frimpong hasn't played fullback for a couple of seasons now

Maybe that’s the plan with Konsa and Nedeljkovic covering orthodox defensive duties on the right?

Surprisingly good window, very pleased, we are in good hands.

However, I fear Rogers is lined up ahead of the possible departure of Ramsey before end of June. Let’s hope not.

Very happy, the club knows what it’s doing, we already have a squad full of players with Mings, Buendia, Pau, Digne, to come back, Tielemans to properly integrate, Irogboeum being integrated, Zaniolo on a possible loan-to-buy, Lenglet on loan and allegedly some irons in the fire for Summer free transfers. I just doesn’t see the rationale to buying immediacy when we likely have some very key targets in mind for Summer that will likely be expensive?

Duran 20

Nedeljkovic 19

Sousa 19

Rogers 21

Gauci 23

We will soon re-sign:

Archer 21

Philogene-Bidace 21

Going big on youth.....

Just now, maltesemike said:

He's a left back? We need someone on the right... but seems this ones for the future anyways?

We also signed a right back earlier in the window? 

Low on confidence at the moment. But thats hopefully temporary, as others have pointed out, look to Bailey as your inspiriation. Still his first 6 months in the country, club and the division so give him a break. The good thing is we have all seen there is a player there, he is naturally talented and an intelligent person so I back him to shine long term. Not many doing themsleves justice at the moment, maybe he's no different, except he is someone who's position is an easy swap with Zaniolo, Bailey, Ramsey, Cash, Duran, McGinn and Tielemans all players Emery is happy to swap around. 

Wow, he is certainly polarising opinion.

FWIW, I thought he is and was OK, in fact quite good (and yes, more rounded than Carlos), and think his recent outings have been pretty good, whilst he is not at Pau's level, his range of passing is good too. Yesterday everyone was poor and you could make a case for everyone being the reason for others failing, but I certainly couldn't pin our problems on him, we failed as a team. Somethings not right in how they have been set up and we are no longer effective, and certainly unable to respond to what teams are now doing to us now. 

I also believe Mings will struggle to return to this team and meet expectations, lets hope he does. I dont believe we can afford to sign Lenglet and it appears the club has already targeted a replacement, but you get the sense the club is making plans for some one else to partner Konsa and Torres at the back.

This results probably sees us 5th now. Still in the mix at the top, need to rediscover the magic

2 minutes ago, villa4europe said:

Luiz with zero belief there

Small squad doesn’t help them, these guys look drained.

We are so much better when we play at pace, few teams can stay with us, problem is you can’t play that for 90 minutes, but that’s how we used to start games and then hung onto leads.

Just now, Tom13 said:

Douglas has been crumbling under midfield pressure the last few games.

Have to say we are quite static though, there is little movement, not sure it’s on him, something has changed and they all seem to be suffering

Is Moreno rusty or did he flatter to deceive last season?

Watkins positional play isn’t great at the moment.

5 minutes ago, Herman22 said:

Disagree. He’s been poor on and off the ball. How many times have he just aimlessly pumped the ball down the pitch? 

I disagree. Hadn’t you noticed they are all pumping it long, the team can’t handle the press, it’s not solely Lenglet issue. 

4 minutes ago, Rugeley Villa said:

We’ve played some great stuff this season but there’s times we’ve won where we’ve been very average or poor. I was hoping we’d hold out for top 4, we may well still do but cream always rises to the top and we may just be lacking that class at the business end of the season 

Overperformed for sure, but we have always impressed in the league at home so it is a worry. We started against Chelsea like this only to kick on second half, but two goals is a big ask against these now with their tails up.

2 minutes ago, Herman22 said:

I’d be more specific and say Lenglet can’t handle the press. 

It shouldn’t get to that though? Yet again I think Lenglet is having a decent outing.

1 minute ago, switters said:

Garbage ref but utterly dire so far against the most hateful team in the country. Need to turn this round second half or season is going down pan.

Thought the ref is having a good game? 

Let’s see what Zaniolo and Bailey can do. Diaby is totally out of confidence, can’t put a foot right at the moment.

Done enough to score one or two so not all bad. But this team cannot cope with a press, it’s our Achilles heel.

Gash so far. Emery needs to earn his money tonight. Second best in effort and ideas.

It would help if we actually took a shot on goal when the goal is at our mercy rather than cutting back or squaring.

They are over running midfield and Cash is looking a weak link (worst of several). But it’s a tactics thing. Kamara is heading towards a red too.

37 minutes ago, Aston_Villan4 said:

Wonder what the final proposal was. Thought we had done our 3rd and final?

£8m up front with £7m add-ons according to the Athletic's Ornstein. Man CIty due 25%.

Good Luck Morgan!

Lets hope he becomes our Paul Warhurst (for those who remember that)?

9 hours ago, Muller Yogurt Long Sleever said:

I've left the crest subject alone for a few weeks but am still exasperated not only at the lack of consultation, but at the glaring design faults with the more-than-likely new thing. Everyone has an opinion on stars, 1874, crest or roundel, which lion, which way it faces and whatnot - and none of these opinions can really be considered right or wrong. But what is pretty much inarguable are the terrible colour choices, resulting clunky drop shadow and positioning of the lion scraping his head.

What's also so annoying is that this basic design - which whilst not my choice of arrangement - could at least just work with a bit of refinement (in my opinion). Since it leaked, we've all seen enough Villa badges to have a different one every season until the end of time. So I know this is futile but I appear to have done it now, blame insomnia...

You have nailed the star location, why can’t the “experts” know this is where it should go?

That shield, star, detailed lion looking right and ‘Aston Villa’ (not AVFC) is all spot on.

I like Neuhaus, funnily enough I would have likened him to McGinn, but my concern is he also reminds me a little of Todd Cantwell.

49 minutes ago, Tom13 said:

Need to persist with him, huge potential.

Seems to me he would suit an Henry style wing/forward. He is such an athlete he could be quite a handful where ever he plays. This season has been a surprise (in terms of the table) which may have restricted his outings as every game is now critical, but agree we shoudl persist. I think getting in another forward and loaning him out next season would be best for his development, he could easily be another Abraham (i.e. nomadic loans; his ceiling is above Tammy's) given his age, he would do well for who ever he joined.