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The talk a few weeks back was of a deal for a big money European number 8. A loan move for Barkley or Loftus-Cheek seems a bit of a shift in that area. They’d both definitely improve our squad though and could end up starting potentially. Don’t see what the issue is particularly with the odd loan, if they help keep us in the division. So long as we’re also buying young developing players.

Was thinking he would be a very strong addition but Juve are paying him €400k per week so can’t see him moving (similar to Bale) unless he wants to continue playing and is willing to take a significant pay cut. Haven’t followed him in Serie A, don’t think he’s played that much. He was so good in his final Arsenal season. Cant see him being a favourite of Pirlo!

Went to have a look for tickets for this yesterday. Surprised they aren’t on sale yet. Assume it’ll be next week. Might be a tough sell in mid-late January if they are hoping to charge Liverpool prices. £20 would seem reasonable to me. Full house more important than marginally higher profit

I can understand them not automatically giving it to ST holders again. A lot didn’t turn up or resell their seats against Wolves in the previous round. The majority of tickets being around £30 for this game is a bit of a joke though. Especially considering it’s midweek, on TV and we know both teams are highly likely to be second string. They should have made it at max £15 and it would sell out.

Lolley would be a perfect replacement for Adomah for me - him and El Ghazi can swap sides. Reckon £15m would do it?

Seems reasonable enough to me for an 'English' premier league striker. Hugill cost West Ham £10m. Tammy is a fair bit better and coming from Chelsea not Preston. Not too much more than that however

Last team to do so was Leicester City in 92 and 93. Let's hope that will remain history! Saying that, look at them now

With us more than likely at home first leg, it’s going to be quite the week for ticket sales following the final game on Sunday. 5 days of sales before the Semi-Final first leg on Saturday 11th May. Will be interesting to see how sales are staggered relative to booking history.

Lot of empty seats in the lower Trinity. Transport issues or sore heads?

Looked like he was fouled in the build up ahead of the through ball to Tammy. Would have provided a better pass

We look a bit flat but it's one half of football, no need to panic. We haven't conceded. Thought McGinn, Bolasie and Abraham all look up for it.

We've had the better opportunities, Swansea haven't made much of their possession. Quite frustrating so far but plenty of time yet for us to develop into the game.

In my view Bree struggled with Leeds physicality in the box today. There might be some games where he can play CB. Where we are likely to dominate possession for example, but under the pressure of their play, including their ability from set pieces, he was up against it. As mentioned by others, would definitely give him an extended chance at RB. Elmohamody was disappointing in defence yesterday. Our defensive issues are created by lack of CB cover. Got to be a key area for January

1 point or 0 point, disappointing when you've been 2-0 up at halftime. The late winner from them is sickening but that will happen from time to time playing top sides. That's football. Positives, we were in the game and created chances. Gave them a proper match and their top of the league right now so realistically we're not far off their level, if not equal. We've got our issues though, that's been clear for a while and they need to be addressed in January. We've already been making moves, bringing in another option in goal. Need more options at the back. Will be interesting to see how the new team, sporting director and management trio go about it. I have confidence we have the right people in place to resolve the issues which lost us three points today.

Calf injuries don’t tend to be too serious if it’s just a strain. Needs rest which thankfully the international break will afford. Anyone else at ends with it still being 10 days till this game...

Elmohamedy is basically playing RW! Looked very lively so far.

Surely would go to a Premier League side ahead of us. Not to say we wouldn’t be a good option for him but imagine there would be strong competition.

Surely the player is going to prefer Villa over Boro. Biased obviously but we’re a bigger club and beat them in the playoffs only a few months ago. The only benefit I can see for Boro is from Everton’s perspective, they may be more open to agreeing to a loan to buy than us given the sales they’ve made this summer. There is an element of risk with his injury but you’d hope our medical team would be up to reviewing that prior to agreeing anything. Not convinced by Ojo personally based on what I’ve seen but would be happy to be proven wrong. He is young and still developing. Hoping we’re in for a centre forward also.

Bolassie has come up through the ranks of English football including a fair spell at Championship level. I can’t see why he would be that opposed to ‘drop down a level’, unless he’s seriously arrogant which I don’t believe he is. There was a short documentary about him in the FA Cup Final programme when Palace reached it a few years back. He seems to have come from nothing so you would expect he’s fairly grounded. May not even see it as dropping down. Would help him get fitness/form back playing at a slightly lower level. Also I don’t think Villa would be a step down from Everton in terms of facilities etc. We’ll see what happens but I can’t see any major barriers. If he wants to play, it’s a good option for him.

Bolassie would be a class signing. Would love to see that happen. Come what may.

I think it's very interesting Jack continues to start every pre season game. Surely if Bruce was confident he was likely to leave, he wouldn't be structuring his team around him? You'd want to see the remaining players and give them the match time. The result isn't important in pre season beyond minor confidence boost which can easily go out the window in the first game so there's no reason to play the best 11. Bruce is experienced enough to recognise that. It's about forging a system which you intend to use for the season ahead, gaining fitness and seeing where the players who haven't played much are at. It's not like we have another player that can fit into that role naturally (as far as I'm aware). There's no point in playing a system with him in it unless they've got a similar target lined up. I'd like to think so but his skillset is fairly unique, so unfortunately I doubt it. Or alternatively, they actually reckon he's staying! Here's hoping!

Team sheet as expected. Lansbury unlucky to miss out but you can’t play everyone. No back up centre back again. Definitely a position to look at this summer! Up the Villa!

Anyone got any tips/plans on how to stay sane until 17:00 tomorrow?? Can’t think about anything but Villa.

Tomorrow is going to be tough, more bearable if you’re going, plenty to take your mind off it. Nothing for it other than to get on the beers to pass the time! Would like to remember the match though

Also Bank Holiday weekend and people may have other plans. Suspect we might not actually sell our allocation.