JPAngel

If true, this one really does sting. Not only has our best player and local hero left our wonderful club while it's trajectory is it at it's most upward for a decade, but because Sky 6 have won again. Grudges and rivalry aside, I don't know how any club other than CIty could be pleased with this outcome. Of course we'll move on and hopefully use these funds to improve the squad as a whole but the likes of Bailey and Buendia have some big shoes to fill. No one player is bigger than a club and we must prove that in the coming weeks.

It’s important that we sit and take note of how brilliant this signing is, I think. In any other situation we’d be losing our minds over this one but because of the other thing, it’s hard to get as excited as we should be. A massive welcome to this absolute baller. With or without players who may/may not be here for the start of the season, this is a phenomenal transfer. A front three of Bailey, Watkins and Buendia is, at worst, a top 10 attack. Over the bloody moon.

When you’ve got “reliable” journalists like Romano still hedging their bets with comments like “he’s going to Man City or staying at Villa”, it’s pretty clear no one other than those in the inner circle know what’s going on. For me, anyone else is just trying to capitalise on the media frenzy around the situation. All you have to do is mention Jack’s name on Twitter and you’re guaranteed a couple of thousand likes and 100 comments so I’d pay them no mind. As much as I hate it, we’ve just got to sit this out and see what happens.

I've been a positive Pete this week but the general body language of Jack doesn't look great in these shots. I'm not going to read into it too much but I beg this whole thing is wrapped up sooner rather than later!

Is this where you get your news from? Things are starting to make a lot of sense if so

Eugh, that is a horrible video. I know he’s “our Jack” but he’s still a human. I actually feel sorry for him.

If he does stay, it’s the bit on my front I’m more concerned about.

For anyone wondering what the chap on Reddit posted, I actually screenshot his final comments for posterity. Because… reasons. https://imgur.com/a/hSBsCsd

I think we all do! This transfer is the saga we love to hate, though.

Some of the worst Photoshop work I may have ever seen. Who in their right mind would believe this?

Yep, the Leeds fan on here posted it earlier on. Very nearly had me for a second!

Must be replacing Buendia then…

Bloody hell, can you imagine if Grealish tells City to stick their contract offer where the sun doesn’t shine and we finalise Bailey, then sign Ward-Prowse? It’d be like a fantasy football eleven!

Looks a bit better with professional footballers in it...

I just can't see this one happening. Unless Deano is planning on moving on Watkins out to left wing (where he's played earlier in his career) it just doesn't make sense to spend £40mil on competition for Ollie. I also dislike the idea of moving our top goalscorer into an area where he'd be less effective. --------------- Tammy --------------- Watkins - Grealish - Buendia It looks pretty, granted, but I think we could spend our money more wisely elsewhere.

Banter signing of the century if we can pull this off. I’m so in.

Oh but I do... I joined back in 2004 but I don't often post. I just wanted to fan the flames

What's changed?

Class signing. SO good to take a key player from one of our rivals, too.

I must say, there are very few players outside of the (perceived) Big 6 that would comfortably get in to our starting 11 and I'd also wager that a couple of our starting 11 would easily breach the big sides. Emi is one of the prime candidates as I'd chose him of Lloris, De Gea, Leno and Mendy. I also don't think he's far off Ederson or Alisson - but that could just be me! Grealish is another obvious candidate as I'd only place Son and Mane ahead of him if we're making direct comparisons to players who play on the left wing.

It might be too soon to say at this point as there are certain players in that team that fit our gameplan and ethos so well that I don't think they could be replaced currently. What a nice position to be in to be stumped when trying to dream up improvements to our squad? While I'm not saying we should replace these players, there are some little improvements some of the current crop could make. Traore - Improving with every game but his defensive awareness could be a little better. This could be tricky when playing against top teams. Targett - Another player who has improved massively but he does seem a little weak very ocassionally. McGinn - Seems to have patches throughout the season where he's not quite firing on all cylinders. Mings - A little bit clumsy from time to time. While I appreciate his swagger, he does sometimes appear too relaxed. As you can tell, I'm clutching at straws a little. At 31 years old, this is my favourite ever Villa team and I just want the good times to keep on rolling!

Out of interest, what's the general view of bringing the likes of Benrahma or Sarr now we've just executed a tactical masterclass against Liverpool? It almost seems a shame to bring in a new winger and shift Grealish in to centre mid doesn't it? The thought of dropping McGinn makes me a very sad panda.

9:51am this morning.

Is anyone else really excited for the deal to just bugger off and allow us to focus on grabbing Benrahma or a defender?