jimbojames

Dwight Yorke Dwight Yorke.

Villa sign Denis Bergkamp and have our pick of the best young players across Europe who want to come and play in a side with him in it, trophies galore follow and Villa are seen as an example to all as to how the beautiful game should be played.

Should have gone to Specsavers before he signed Luna.

That was back in the days when the owner was prepared to dig deep into his pockets. We were in a worse position at this stage least season then we are now and we ended up with Sylla and Dawkins. Its not always moaning its realism of where we are at.

Or sees Helenius as a different type. As to the timing I'm afraid you cant legislate for that in transfer deals. They depend on so much more than us making a bid that you cannot put them in a specific order or think, "I'll leave him until I've signed him and the other one" FFS having a go at the timing of it, when in essence whether he signed him now or after two others is a bit petty. It's still the same player! Could have worded that better. I don't see what he is going to add or that he is a priority signing. If PL wants another striker fair enough and I have no objectons when they sign, the sooner the better of course. But is Holt the best striker we can get on loan? Whether he sees Helenius as a different player or not he has not shown at all that he rates him. A couple of cup starts and once or twice off the bench shows that.

Needs to get through a medical yet which looking at the state of him is no guarantee. If he was a midnight deadline day, under the radar signing as back-up after we had signed a few players of the sort of quality we need I and others probably wouldn't be too upset. At the minute I would hope his priorities are elsewhere. Incidentally he really must not rate Helenius.

But which is better? There's only one way to find out...

Surely he will have to in the summer anyway when his contract expires? Nobody will give him the wages that he is on now at Manchester City. Why not just come to Villa now on less wages instead of being released? Maybe he fancies a few more months of rolling around in cash and maybe a few more medals too? Although joining us on much reduced wages must be tempting

Before HaryHands went and deleted all his posts he hinted that Lambert had called about Lescott but the wages were astronomical and City were not willing to pay any of them. Might just be their starting position?? And I believe that was on loan - maybe offering cash up front to take him permanently may sway their decision on paying some of his wages (being as he'll be off their books no matter what in the Summer anyway). But what about his wage after the first six months?

Has there been any reliable quotes saying that Lambert has only 1.5m to spend? No thats why I said if. One would assume if he has £20 million to spend for instance that we would be in for a different calibre of number 10.

This is the most split down the middle transfer we've seen for a while. Probably because its a player we all know for a change, ultimately if PL is only being given £1.5m or there or thereabouts to spend I highly doubt he will be able to make the vast majority on here happy. Surely its better to have something in that position than nothing. If he can help us get towards midtable perhaps we can look at better options in the summer as I doubt there's a queue forming around the block to join us at the minute.

He's not getting a regular place and Lambert always used him. If WH thinks he's wanted then I'd imagine he'll do the necessary to make it happen. He's getting on and this is probably his last big move. Who knew that when I watched DOL's Villa & Leeds come to Ireland for a pre-season tour all those years ago, that the little winger terrorising us for Shelbourne FC would one day find his way into our team. Getting ahead of myself a bit there, but it's still a crazy thought Was there for that too never knew Hooahan was in that side. You learn something everyday.

It would be a realistic signing in the short term for where we're at and probably what we can afford and an improvement on creativity. Seem to remember him him doing well against us once or twice. Assume he's only not getting in the Norwich side because they paid a lot of money for Fer and Houghton generally plays negative stuff.

Not writing him off. Clearly confidence plays a massive part in his game, let's see what happens after he scores next. Suspect he will go on a run. In hindsight maybe we should have sold him but until today he has only missed a couple of guilt-edged chances.

No doubt we'll go again.

If we beat Arsenal all will be forgiven.

Why not? Surely it comes down to attitude. If he's not motivated for the tie how can he motivate a side to win. No excuses that line-up should have beat a League 1side.

Would like to think there's a couple of hungry players on the bench who want to prove their worth. Surely time to roll the dice with Gardner and Helenius.

As people say you pay your money you have your say however I've never seen any evidence of booing at half time helping this Villa side.

Once one goes in for Benteke I think he'll be back with plenty more.

Back playing unfortunately as he may have been available if AVB was still there. Scored at weekend.

I used to spend a long time on my projects. I didn't always get an A* sometimes I didn't even get a pass. What I'm trying to say he should we wait and see how the project ends up. I fear Championship mid-table or worse or should we perhaps scrap the whole project and start again. Mr Lerner it's up to you.

Didn't think much of Vlaar last season but this season there's a gaping hole or at least a huge loss of experience without him. Has to play as this is massive then he can have the weekend off. Just hoping for another smash and grab. I'm sure Marc will be back in as will Kozak if Benteke isn't back.

Just doesn't fit in with the lambert style of play. The amount of crosses we get in the box is not playing to his strengths. All in all a strange signing.

He's got an awful lot to learn about playing at this level. Can only assume (and hope) he's been getting a game because of our limited options and the plan was to use this season to get him accustomed to the change of pace, style etc. It's clearly too much for him at the minute if he were winning games we could possibly carry him and build his confidence but he needs some time out on loan or the reserves. At moment can't help thinking I'd rather see a youngster closer to the squad as when he has the ball he plays like a footballer on FIFA stuck on the shoot button.