Macca1888

Quite a smalltime sounding post there, pal. It was around a mere four years ago that Villa were challenging for top four and the mighty spuds were battling relegation. I wouldn't fall into the trap of labeling clubs on league position because nothing is fixed in stone.

They haven't got £25 million. Levy, right at this moment, is going around all those 1980's style executive boxes at "The Lane" (sigh) and rooting around the backs of all the mock leather sofas they have for loose change. Failing that it's up the road to "Spurs Lodge" (sigh) to flog off a football pitch or two.

It's winning the league twice that gives them that arrogance.

I could see this type of thing happening. I could also see him being left to rot for a year. I could also see him playing for Villa for another year. The one thing I'd be mightily shocked to see would be him ending up at Spurs - thinking rationally, for me, is the least likely scenario out there.

I think the Spurs boys think we are going to bite or snap in the manner Sunderland fans did when we bought Bent but, as is evident from the reactions of people here, this is a completely different situation in so many ways. Instinctively my take on this whole episode is that it is ridiculous: we have a club that desperately wants to achieve top four losing out on its striking targets left, right and centre. Without doing their homework, said club has got into bed with one of the most duplicitous and insane agents around and cooked up a pretty tasteless plan to prize away a player from another club on the cheap. The club that owns said player have him on a long, long contract and very low wages and don't need to sell. It's like a marmoset monkey trying to steal a banana from an elephant - it'll be interesting to watch how it plays out. EDIT - Maybe they will compromise. Arf.

Should no club match Villa's valuation I foresee no problem having him back in the team, we all know how football works for certain players and I'm sure the lad will pull his weight for the next twelve months. Benteke is in the Adebeyor/Anelka/Nasri mould of footballer, but I'm pretty sure Lambert will be able to get the most out of him.

Currently richer club, not bigger.

Joey, you are correct, there will be a compromise: Villa will sell and the buying club will meet Villa's price. That's the compromise. Villa don't need to sell but they will compromise and sell if a buying club pays the asking price.

In the meantime, why do you think Villa will be interested in compromising from a position of strength on their prized asset. For context, think of Spurs selling Bale to Real Madrid. Why should Lerner not spit on his knob and bend Spurs over? Because Villa have said they'd sell the player and have a price in mind. They have access to our accounts and no what sort of fees are viable. The compromise works both ways. I doubt Levy would want to potentially pay over £25 million for the player. But I think it's far more likely a resolution is found than Benteke stays at Villa. This is of course if he is even a real priority for us or if the options are as limited as has been suggested. It's only been a day since we lost out on our number 1 target. You think we give a shit what is viable for you? We don't want to sell, a fee non-viable for you suits us very nicely. As to you giving offence, I've never taken offence before at any of your posts and have generally found them a good addition to this site. However, that complete bollocks about you effectively coming in and taking a highly prized asset and doing it on your terms was offensive. Your notion that we should give a **** about whether the signing would be any kind of risk for you and one we should "share" or we should have any interest in "protecting" you against a potentially bad investment was astoundingly arrogant and verged on the moronic. I had come to expect better of you and you deserve any hammer you get for that crap. It's not offensive in the least though. Go and read my original post of the subject. I start with the works "if a deal can be struck." I've not suggested we'd take a player on our terms. I used the term compromise. There is nothing arrogant is suggesting both sides of a deal what want to protect themselves as much as possible. The key word you use is "if". The only way a deal will be struck is when whatever buying club pays the fee we feel the player is worth.

Not to mention Spurs fans who want to milk Real for every penny on Bale yet think we should compromise on our own prized asset. **** the **** off already. Patronising rocket polishers. It's not patronizing. Villatalk can be so frustrating at times, as you take offence to the slightest of things. I'm not saying I think you should compromise, but that I think a compromise will be found. I think we should look at other targets, that's my opinion. I'm not or haven't patronized Villa in the slightest, yet, as is often the case the posters here go into ultra defensive mode. The patronising is probably unintentional. We're being talked down to because Spurs happen to be in a better position at the moment. There seems to be an attitude that we won't get what we want for our player - hence this compromise - when in reality we hold all the cards. There is no reason for us to compromise, in the same way there is no way you will compromise with Real. But you aren't being patronized or talked down to by me though. I'm not brokering a deal here or trying to get you too do what I want. I'd rather we focused on other options. I think Benteke is a good player, but not a priority for me. We have compromised with Real. We did so with Modric. Most transfers are essentially compromises. Yes, Spurs compromised because they are a textbook selling club. Villa sell on their terms - you meet our value or no deal.

In the meantime, why do you think Villa will be interested in compromising from a position of strength on their prized asset. For context, think of Spurs selling Bale to Real Madrid. Why should Lerner not spit on his knob and bend Spurs over? Because Villa have said they'd sell the player and have a price in mind. They have access to our accounts and no what sort of fees are viable. The compromise works both ways. I doubt Levy would want to potentially pay over £25 million for the player. But I think it's far more likely a resolution is found than Benteke stays at Villa. This is of course if he is even a real priority for us or if the options are as limited as has been suggested. It's only been a day since we lost out on our number 1 target. Joey me boy, have a little read of Villa's statement and then come back to us. Remember, Benteke is on the same wages as the likes of our some of our first year senior pros - the likes of Delfouneso and so on. Sticking him out in the wilderness will not be a problem. If Villa do not get the fee they want they will stick him out with the kids along with our other £24 million striker and the rest of the bad influences. Remember also that Lerner got £ 20 million out of Liverpool for a past his peak Downing! Levy has chosen the wrong club to try and act Mr. Billy Big Bollocks with. I'm really going to enjoy this little tangent to the pre-season and I am 110% certain Villa will come out of it smelling of roses and all the stronger for it.

Not to mention Spurs fans who want to milk Real for every penny on Bale yet think we should compromise on our own prized asset. **** the **** off already. Patronising rocket polishers. Zaha went from the Championship to a Premier League club for £15 million. Benteke is worth at least twice that. My hunch is Benteke is heading for twelve months in the reserves and Villa will ship in a new striker.

Yeah real sense - How longs Darren Bent been on 100k a week? A rookie Belgian? The same rookie Belgian that kept us up last season? Stan's got it spot on.

What's your point? Totally agree. All the positives you cite for Spurs could be countered by saying he has made some very good mates at Villa (Sylla being one of his big buddies, to name but one), he is first choice forward at Villa, he is part of a top notch strike force at Villa, and, despite the recent managerial changes, he is currently at a club that could do very well next season (yep, Villa can do very well next season - especially if we keep our attacking three together). There's a reason Spurs don't sign decent players from Villa and that reason is we are a bigger, more historic and successful club than them. I don't think Benteke would care about our history in all honesty, for most footballers it's about the here and now IMO. At the moment, Spurs are a more attractive proposition than us and even if we do have a very successful season this year, do you think we'd finish above them ? I don't. I genuinely think that he's quite happy here but if they came in with a big enough offer, I don't think he'd hesitate to move there. Our one saving grace could be the fact that we do get top dollar when selling players (like I mentioned above) which might put off some clubs trying to negotiate with us for a player that's only proven himself for one season Have you seen Spurs' squad? Yes, they have Bale, they've just signed the Brazilian lad that none of his new team mates have heard of, and they have one or two other decent lads in there BUT there's a whole load of aging, mediocrity in there, too. Dawson, Huddlestone etc. are decent pros but they are hardly world-beaters. People are being brainwashed by these endless pro-spurs newspaper articles. Who else do they have? Dempsey? Defoe? Aaron Lennon...would I want Lambert to sign any of those three? Hand on heart, nope - they remind me of O'Neill era Villa players whose best days are behind them now. I get the impression AVB is going to go all out for top four next season but Spurs will fall short again as they do not have the quality or strength in depth. By this time next year Bale and AVB will be gone leaving spurs to begin their inevitable descent to the relegation zone where 'Arry picked them up from a few short years ago. You've conveniently left out Dembele, Sandro, Vertongen, Walker, Kaboul, Holtby, Siggurdson and Lloris who would probably all get in our first 11. Spurs have an excellent squad with decent options and cover for most positions but what they really lack is a decent striker. Look, I hate Spurs as much as you do and i'm properly annoyed that through bad management they have been able to overtake us recently, but if they are willing to pay the cash we'd want, he would happily go there IMO In my opinion Benteke would happily stay with us. The players you've mentioned are good but Lowton has impressed me as much as Walker and Holtby and Siggurson have been steady if unspectacular. The phrase "would probably get into our first eleven" is meaningless. The only other guy I rate is Dembele, but my original post did state that Spurs had one or two other decent players. There's no being selective about it, I rate our players. Now, if people can't quite get their heads around how quickly things can change in football, I ask them to read this article from the Daily Mail and remind themselves of how things were not too long ago. Villa are rebuilding and are back on an upward curve. Don't let spurs supporting journalists - and their short memories - get the better of you. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1153063/Harrys-game-Sportsmails-guide-Tottenham-wont-40-point-safety-barrier-Redknapp-targeted.html?ITO=1490

Totally agree. All the positives you cite for Spurs could be countered by saying he has made some very good mates at Villa (Sylla being one of his big buddies, to name but one), he is first choice forward at Villa, he is part of a top notch strike force at Villa, and, despite the recent managerial changes, he is currently at a club that could do very well next season (yep, Villa can do very well next season - especially if we keep our attacking three together). There's a reason Spurs don't sign decent players from Villa and that reason is we are a bigger, more historic and successful club than them. I don't think Benteke would care about our history in all honesty, for most footballers it's about the here and now IMO. At the moment, Spurs are a more attractive proposition than us and even if we do have a very successful season this year, do you think we'd finish above them ? I don't. I genuinely think that he's quite happy here but if they came in with a big enough offer, I don't think he'd hesitate to move there. Our one saving grace could be the fact that we do get top dollar when selling players (like I mentioned above) which might put off some clubs trying to negotiate with us for a player that's only proven himself for one season Have you seen Spurs' squad? Yes, they have Bale, they've just signed the Brazilian lad that none of his new team mates have heard of, and they have one or two other decent lads in there BUT there's a whole load of aging, mediocrity in there, too. Dawson, Huddlestone etc. are decent pros but they are hardly world-beaters. People are being brainwashed by these endless pro-spurs newspaper articles. Who else do they have? Dempsey? Defoe? Aaron Lennon...would I want Lambert to sign any of those three? Hand on heart, nope - they remind me of O'Neill era Villa players whose best days are behind them now. I get the impression AVB is going to go all out for top four next season but Spurs will fall short again as they do not have the quality or strength in depth. By this time next year Bale and AVB will be gone leaving spurs to begin their inevitable descent to the relegation zone where 'Arry picked them up from a few short years ago.

Totally agree. All the positives you cite for Spurs could be countered by saying he has made some very good mates at Villa (Sylla being one of his big buddies, to name but one), he is first choice forward at Villa, he is part of a top notch strike force at Villa, and, despite the recent managerial changes, he is currently at a club that could do very well next season (yep, Villa can do very well next season - especially if we keep our attacking three together). There's a reason Spurs don't sign decent players from Villa and that reason is we are a bigger, more historic and successful club than them.

I fear you are being ground down by the tripe of London journalists. If the Europa League is such a draw we may as well flog the lad to those other giants of the game, Swansea and Wigan. Imagine Bale and Benteke? I'd much rather imagine Gabby, Weimann and Benteke picking up from where they left off last season - far more devastating and enjoyable to watch in my opinion.

i think it's more to do with Spanish folk associating the song with football and friendship in general. When Fernando Torres was at At. Madrid those words were stitched into his boots. Liverpool fans thought this meant he was a Liverpool fan when he signed for them but he explained later that this wasn't the case, it was just a general expression of gratitude and camaraderie to his friends in Madrid. I wouldn't be surprised if someone spots the photo and tries to spin some mischief/fun at Villa's expense from it, mind you. Expect a Bloser to see it and re-tweet it with the aim of unsettling Luna and Villa!

Everyone sang it at various times.

It was put to bed a while ago but people seem hellbent on taking the words of some random Twitter wind-up merchants as gospel: it's as clear as day that Villa are not interested in this player.

Nope. Despite repeatedly being told by a very reliable source close to the club (Kendrick) that this is not happening, a handful That's that then Who do you trust, the player himself or a sky reporter? I trust Pete Colley and Mat Kendrick. They're both Villa fans and are reliable sources. Villa have NEVER been after this player.

I'd rather this "big signing" Danlanza talks about was Benteke signing up to a new contract. The most reliable source out there, Mat Kendrick, has said the club aren't interested in Belhanda and he's consistently been saying that since day one.

It's more a case of that if he signed for Villa he would be a guaranteed starter and our 2nd or 3rd best player, whereas if he was to join a team in the top 6/7 with a lot more money, he would only be rotation so is not deemed worth the money (especially as they could probably splash a bit more cash on a bigger name) as much he would be if Villa signed him. I think you are wrong with how you think the top 6/7 are a million miles better than us and I think you are wrong in both your assessment of Belhanda and your assessment of the abilities of our squad. I also believe Lambert is not in the slightest bit interested in Belhanda.