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1 hour ago, stuart_75 said:

Media this weekend haven't said a peep about the 115. Is there a unofficial blackout on whispering the word "charges"?

Man City have a crack team of lawyers, a lot better than Sky Sports, TNT Sports etc. Man City have unlimited money.

Just a threat of being involved in a lawsuit, costing millions would be more than enough for bosses to ensure it is not mentioned; at all. 

Sad state of affairs

Looks like next season could be his last. Fingers crossed for the Premier Leagues sake.

1 hour ago, CVByrne said:

 

Dendonker = £8m per year

Coutinho = £11.25m per year

Digne = £12m per year

Carlos = £12m per year

Slightly off topic but what an absolute ******* Gerrard was.

We all knew the Grealish profit on the books would run out this summer. Genuinely his plan was to leave us in an FFP hole, mid table with a load of 32 year old unsellable assets- and about now he would be be announced as Liverpools new manager.

It's 1600 pages of taking the complete and utter Pi** out of them. Try being a normal club and we'd have nothing to talk about. 

On 15/05/2024 at 21:43, sidcow said:

I could totally see these were just ordinary fans who wanted somewhere a bit nicer to be pre match and half time in more comfortable surroundings, casual dining and drinking. And they're prepared to pay a bit more for it. 

It's never going to completely displace every day fans because there just aren't enough of those people around to fill all the lounges.  But there are plenty.

I honestly do think it's a missed gap in the market and good luck to them.

With our increased profile, there is definitely an opportunity in Birmingham. It's a quick and cheapish way to increase our revenue per match; especially with the Champions League this season where hospitality will definitely sell out.

My Brother in Law works in a London law firm. If Fulham are playing midweek, management go to a game (some don't even like football), indulge in hospitality, write it off. Fulham making an easy £3/400 per person for a random midweek game against Bournemouth. 

1 hour ago, villa4europe said:

wiki says 777 bought 70% of them for $330m, that seems like mental money to me

payet and medel are there but they're bang average after relegations, got a small stadium (plus share the maracana) not sure where the value is

It is high, a lot of money. But building a thriving, PL level academy within Brazil could literally be a gold mine for the entire group.

Also worth noting that Brazil is considered an emerging world market and with the correct leadership is likely to thrive in future decades. Coupled with their currency being 33% down since the pandemic vs the USD it could be the opportune time to purchase.

4 hours ago, VillaAlex said:

Luckily for them they are playing one of the worst teams in Premier League history. A team albeit who somehow got a point at VP despite shipping over 100 goals this season. (How I'll never know)

Probably something to do with the 2 clear penalties we was denied, the most clear handball you'll ever see, and the perfectly good goal disallowed.

However, this had absolutely nothing to do with the potential of little old Aston Villa going top of the Premier League at peak international viewing and merchandise sales time.

It's a nothing game, Spurs will walk it 4:0, which is good for us; their squad isn;t good enough to run 2 competitions.

6 minutes ago, omariqy said:

If we can do well then it’s more likely that 5th place also becomes a CL spot. Which is eminently achievable for us.

Spurs, Chelsea and Man U will go far in the Europe / Conference league which should help. I think Liverpool will struggle with their new manager / identity, and we will do well to get into the playoffs.  

16 minutes ago, rubberman said:

I'd really hope we can get past the league stage. Getting through the knockouts and into the round of 16 would be excellent and anything more than that dreamland.

It's basically £12 million just for the last 16 game.. To get last 16 or even quarter finals would hugely benefit the club to solidify as a top 4 team.

We're the type of club the elites will hate visiting. Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool all dropped points at Villa Park.

Id half expect us to lose to a Lille, Marseille etc but go and beat PSG.

The playoff round is a definite possibility. 

48 minutes ago, oishiiniku_uk said:

This exactly! Everyone was patting them and Arteta on the back for such a 'mature' performance against City, but it looks like they might as well have gone for it... Losing by two points is no better than losing by three.

A draw with Man City was a decent result.

Its King Unai that's cost them the title. 

On 04/05/2024 at 09:48, The_Steve said:

City’s model damaging Troyes in France - their biggest signing Savio never actually played for them despite being a record signing - loaned to PSV and then has massive success with Girona (of the City group) before eventually landing at City

 

 

France is an easy route to get European Visas for African players. They have no interest in the club, just looking for the next Drogba. 

Looks like the narrative on Ange is turning already. He's being very abrasive in press conferences, calling fans out etc.

If they don't start the season well, can see the fans turning quite quickly

This squad beat Man City, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and sat comfortably 2-4th in the Premier League until injuries took hold. This was all despite missing our leader at the back and best creative player.

I don't think wholesale changes are needed, just need an upgrade at RB / RWB when playing in a 3 and a genuine DM backup to Kamara who unfortunately does get injured regularly.

13 minutes ago, Zhan_Zhuang said:

If Villa sell:

Olsen, Dendoncker, Hause, Digne, Archer, Chambers surely that helps out immensely with any FFP worries?

If we qualify for CL there is no way we sell Luiz.

Selling Digne is borderline insanity, makes financial sense to pay him for another 2 years than spend 30 million replacing him. He's also really experienced and vital in the CL.

The new Adidas deal may be front loaded and paid within this financial year. That will probably get us close to even.

Any quality we want to bring in will be from sales of the above. 

FWIW I think whatever terrible culture has been festered over the years at Man U is the biggest problem, not ETH. They've hired good managers, they've hired good players and some bad. There's something about that club that's cancerous and sucks performance away. All the best clubs (us included) have firm strong leadership from the top, a clear unified vision wit the players being the final piece of the puzzle.

Off field matters and leadership changes crumble a club (Chelsea).

Back OT - I wonder what type of pulling power Man U has,

They are all now convinced they'll sign Olise.

39 minutes ago, Zatman said:

Not sure the hate towards him, Villa fans are obviously not his target audience

He has been one of the few praising us when he can this season considering some people get angry the media never talk about us

Agreed. On YouTube he is clearly farming for engagement with over the top reactions which get clipped and shared.

If you listen to his TalkSport show, he is genuinely one of the most knowledgeable pundits about all teams. He's spent most of this season bigging up Villa / Emery. 

47 minutes ago, rjw63 said:

I’ve asked this numerous times, no one seems to know or they just aren’t saying.

Its very odd.

Personal health matters are required to remain confidential, unless given explicit permission by the individual. The fact it's remained silent, might indicate something that's still a little taboo such as "mental health".

46 minutes ago, Genie said:

City need to be embarrassed to win games.

Man City are an amazing football establishment. We are just jealous bitter Villa fans.

I for one can't wait until they showcase their exceptional talented players, acquired through organic growth, loyal fanbase and absolutely destroy Tottenham next week. 

*Birmingham City left the conversation*