Mat Kendrick's Dentist

7 minutes ago, Gary Thomas said:

No one is getting through that lot....

Ditto

5 minutes ago, Gary Thomas said:

If things go as we expect with 3-4 new players (e.g. Bamford, De Laet, Jedinak and maybe Morrison) would we have the strongest squad in the league on paper?

Yup

Just now, Xela said:

Make it 2 strikers and another centre back please 

 

I reckon that by the end of the window, we'll have a RB, 2 CMs, an AM and a striker in, and I would be over the moon with that.

4 minutes ago, VillaAlex said:

I'm not against the player. I have never seen him play, and I imagine most haven't. Given the lack of Bologna matches shown on TV. 

I am merely questioning the deal for a club in our position. Tony may have mass amounts of money to throw around, although we don't know for sure yet if that is the case. This would be a deal that completely smashes the Championship record fee I believe? This is for a player in a position which not many would call a game changing one, although Kante seems to have made an exception to that last season with Leicester. 

We more importantly need a right back and a creative midfielder, and I would hope we are prioritising those positions over spending such a large fee on a player in which we are not desperate for. If we need rotation in midfield there are a lot of other options. We have to remember we are Championship club now, and teams like Juventus and Roma can afford to spend such a fee on a young player. 

If this was to happen, I will trust RDM's judgement, but I am just questioning this 'speculation' right now, as its a signing that doesn't make much sense to me. 

Agree that we need a RB and an attacking mid, but for me we are absolutely crying out for a quality centre mid, and have been for many a year. Number one priority imo.

4 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

How have so many of you seen him play?

Played almost every game for Bologna in Serie A last season, earning a big reputation.

Also I have no life

Just now, westholmevillan said:

Agree with most of that except! Say what you like about Hutton, but has never lacked motivation IMO. 

Can see what you mean, but to me Hutton is perceived as passionate as he is such an aggressive nutjob. He flies into tackles and berates opposition players, but shows no motivation or determination when getting back into position after losing the ball. Equally, he absolutely never engages a wide player, instead always taking the cowardly option - dropping insanely narrow and allowing an easy ball in from a dangerous area. 

15 minutes ago, VillaAlex said:

But where does he fit? We've already signed Tshibola, as Jedinak seems to be incoming. We can't have 3 defence minded midfielders in the team, which pushes Tshibola onto the bench. We also have Lyden who can do a job if required.

As others have said, it has been years since we've had the squad depth that is needed over the course of a long season, so let's not turn our nose up at it now. Aside from that, Diawara is younger and better than Lyden and Tshibola (not writing Tshibola off by any means, but Diawara is exceptional). Signing solid players to get us promoted is great, but if we can get one or two top-level players it'll not only increase our chances of going up, but it'll also mean that there's less of a turnover of personnel when we (hopefully) do go up, rather than being lumbered with a squad of "good championship players", who can't quite do it in the Prem.

1 minute ago, sne said:

A player who sees us as a stepping stone, playing for a move to one of the top clubs in Europe will be just as motivated (or more) as someone who always wanted to play for Villa. Just different reasons behind the motivation.

 

 

Exactly, it's the players lacking motivation (Gabby/Lescott/Hutton/Richardson/Sinclair, etc, etc,) who have been atrocious in recent years. Benteke, Ayew, Gueye are the ambitious players who have tried to use Villa as a stepping stone, and have been the guys to shine (if you can for a mind-numbingly awful side).

2 minutes ago, VillaAlex said:

I don't really want Diawara here, I want players who will fight for the shirt and want to be at the club, and not as a last resort exit route. It's also a lot of money for a club in our position on a non priority position if we were to sign Jediank.

In an ideal world we'd all like the same, but no top player will be dreaming of a move to the Championship. League 1 players will be, but I know who I'd rather us sign. Even the likes of Dortmund/Atleti are stepping stones these days, and it's clubs that embrace this current state of play that can punch above their weight, tough as it is to swallow.

4 minutes ago, StanBalaban said:

You sound quite clued up on this deal. Is that from our end or on the other side, or just piecing together snippets of info that's out there?

Villa side. In response to SBS, Roma would like to keep Paredes, but it has long been feared that he may be lured away this summer. Player has been giving very mixed signals. What I find strange is that no other financially-able English sides (many of whom offer Premier League football) have strongly pursued Diawara.

We're still trying for Diawara. Don't think Juve are interested, but Roma and Napoli certainly are. Both of those sides expected to have moved out a midfielder by now (Paredes/Valdifiori) to release funds for Diawara, but this hasn't materialized yet. The player has made it known that he wants a Serie A move but I'm still hoping that Roma/Napoli can't stump up the amount that we're willing to pay. Wonderful talent.

Still trying for Diawara. By miles the most exciting player we've gone for this window.

2 minutes ago, DoubtGin said:

:|

Important that he has speed AND pace. Nothing worse that a player with great speed but no pace.

1 minute ago, HalfTimePost said:

This could be Grealish's first win in a Villa shirt.

Pretty sure it's not!

1 minute ago, MikeMcKenna said:

As I write, I am the middle of the Atlantic sailing back to the UK with a limited connection and desperately trying to get confirmation that there has been a goal at VP. Can someone please confirm before my connection goes!!!

We did. Gestede.

Just now, trekka said:

Attempt missed. Ashley Westwood (Aston Villa) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

Ooooohhhhhh!!! 

Every shot Ashley Westwood has ever taken has been a right-footed effort that narrowly missed to the left.

1 hour ago, omariqy said:

Xia has said that more patience is needed for the midfield target. They are trying to get it done before Saturday but seems they are hopeful.

Just Chester today, which still constitutes a good day's work imo. Though I can't see him playing tomorrow and Baker is also a doubt 

I've only seen a handful of genuine 0/10 individual performances from Villa players down through the years. Alan outdid himself today though, and etched his name right up there in the pantheon of hilarious displays alongside Tonev vs Norwich, Sidwell vs Boro and Dunne vs Man United.

Anyone who wants Ayew out is insane. We have such an unbelievable amount of dross that you could make a case for almost anyone else to be shipped of to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but not Ayew. Not alone is he easily our best player, he's also hard-working. I couldn't care less if he gets the odd yellow and has a face like a slapped arse, he ran that slapped arse off tonight and offered the only semblance of quality on display in a Villa shirt.

Worst right-back in my time supporting Aston Villa.

Just now, sidcow said:

19 years old and HE has decided where he is going to play and nowhere else. It really makes you despair,  everything which is wrong with modern football right there. Steer well clear I say sounds like trouble especially if he has gone AWOL. 

Obviously not an ideal attitude, but worth remembering that Benteke, Ayew, et al went on strike before joining us and were well worth buying. Even Gareth Barry, who's seen by many as a model pro kicked up a hell of a stink to try and engineer a move to Liverpool. I'd much rather ambitious quality players like Diawara than loyal plodders like Westwood.

7 minutes ago, AntrimBlack said:

If there is any truth in the Diawara thing, it would certainly explain Xia's excitement.

And what a statement of intent it would be. He actually looks to be exactly what we need.

Ultimately, I expect it to end up like most things Villa - in disappointment. Despite this, the ambition and willingness to spend are very encouraging.

1 minute ago, rodders0223 said:

#ITK

Haha, in general I'm definitely not, so don't get your hopes up for future tidbits rodders! I'll leave that to Agent Dave and the other pros.