pas5898

People who are giving Diaz the 2nd are probably biased. Conor knocked him down twice and controlled 3 and a half minutes of the round. The only debate is whether Diaz earned a 10:8 round later on, making it an overall draw. What people forget is that Diaz is a high-level BJJ black belt. If he gets Conor to the ground early in a round, its going to be over. Diaz needs to accept that (despite sparring with Adre ward), Mcgregor is the better striker and concentrate on getting him down!

Pre planned to increase the PPV buy-rate and sell seats.

Re: Balotelli - we are in the process of / have removed some bad apples (Nzogbia, Gabby, Lescott, Richards), why would we bring in the worst role model possible for the younger generation coming through? Whilst he is undoubtedly a talent, I can't help but feel the same about Morrisson too.

Maybe Eric has been reading this thread and is keeping the joke going?

Don't under-estimate personal circumstances in all of this. 1) He is a villa fan apparently and 2) He, his family, routine, schools, kids will all be set up in the area.

you sir have won the internet

That's the spirit

To the people concerned about Chester - just remind yourself that if we don't sign him there's a very good chance that either Lescott or Okore will play 20+ games this season.

Average and uninspiring ....... so a massive improvement on Richards and Okore

He is an upgrade on Richards / Okore. Good enough for me,

He's broke the transfer record for the Championship. That is indication enough that he is willing to "put money up". There's plenty of time left in the transfer window.

I f***king love Tony Xia. He is passionate, he cares, he has put money up, he communicates with fans, he goes to game. He is literally everything we wanted Lerner to be..... get a grip people!!!

The saddest part about that Video clip is the 3 players involved are probably considered starters for us at the moment.

Sorry, I do not know how to share tweets. But Pat Murphy (reasonably ITK) saying Lescott, Gabby off - But Richards is in RDM's Plans............ urgh

FWIW - If he stays fit and plays until January (proving his fitness) I can see a top 6 team coming in for him. That will be the true test of Tony.

The reality of the situation is he CANT go for a penny less than we paid for McCormack. If someone offers 15m+ for him i'm happy for him to go. Anything less and we look like mugs.

I cant judge Grealish yet - he played bad last season in a VERY bad team. Next season we will see if he is up to the grade. He will (literally) have to pull his socks up in the championship.

Even at the end of last season - I REFUSE to boo a player wearing a Villa top. The player might actually deserve to be booed, but it does not help the team in any way.

It is a little concerning we haven't signed many players yet , however RDM has probably asked for time to run the rule over the whole squad and make an informed decision on what to do best. I'd prefer him doing this than wasting money on a striker, RB etc. The transfer window doesn't close for over a month yet! Throwing money at players in the championship doesn't necessarily work. It's about building a team, a cohesive unit with the correct mentality. I really don't think we are too far away from a good team. Ayew, Grealish, Amavi and Traore (if ever fit) have the potential to tear apart the championship. We have a good proven Championship defender, all we lack is that one experienced combative midfielder. Should we get that, then I (for the first time in many years) will be excited and fairly confident about the season ahead.

To be fair i reckon Conte will need a little more time to assess the whole squad. Give it a week or two and he will decide who can go on loan. Can't see any of them other than Solanke dropping to the championship though.

I didn't see many crosses for him last season. What I saw was Sanchez and Westwood passing the ball side to side all game. When the ball (eventually) made it wide, someone like Sinclair would get all excited..... stop.... turn around.... pass the ball the Sanchez or Westwood and we start all over again. Point taken though, he is immobile, however he is proven in the championship when you cross the ball to him.

Its quite simple.. Cross the ball: Keep him, he will score 15-20 goals in the Championship. Dont cross the ball / play balls in behind: Sell him, buy a striker who doesnt play with his back to goal. Or keep him as a "plan b".

I for one am really concerned about this season. I think people predicting a promotion are fantasizing at best. During pre- season we have looked EXACTLY the same as last season. Same weak midfield, opening up time and time again like a hookers legs. Anyone with half a brain cell will conclude that we NEED an experienced midfielder. Whilst he is a c*** and already moved, someone like Joey Barton would be perfect..... Instead, we have signed an unknown, untried, injury prone youngster. I really hope RDM and Tony sort this out before the start of the season. Time and time again players like Sanchez and Gana were highlighted to be "not trying" and running back. If they didn't bother against the likes of Man u, Arsenal etc, then god knows how back they will be against the likes of Sheffield Weds. Up front, we have Gestede, who is masterful at heading the ball (capable of scoring 20 this season), yet we have 2 wide players (Grealish and Adama) who don't cross the ball. So for crosses we will be relying on Amavi and Hutton. The issue is with a midfield who can't be bothered to track back / cover - they are exposing the team by going forward. Whilst there is talent in the team, it is a convoluted mess. To sort it out we need 1/2 new midfielders and a winger who will actually cross the ball, or a striker who will run in behind.

Same here. He is a decent championship quality left back who will be a decent backup to Amavi. I really don't see what the problem is.

We need to keep him. Agreed he was a little hit and miss, playing in the PL with a poor directionless team. He should be head and shoulder above most in the championship as long as he keeps his good attitidue.