ejs1111

I for one am satisfied with our strikers going into the season. The conversion rate was not terrible comparing to the rest of the league. Our league goals was top half. This was with our poor, unbalanced midfield. Villa's main problem was sorting out the midfield, full stop. We were too disjointed, no balance, often had huge gaps from front to back in games. Fix the midfield and our offensive output will naturally improve because our flair players will see more of the ball in advanced positions. I fully expect Villa next season to leak 5-10 fewer goals with better CB and DM in the side. In addition, I expect Villa to score 5-10 more goals because we create more chances due to our midfield NOT being overrun every other match. Last season we finished with a GD of -2. This season I can see us being about +10. That alone will yield alot fewer losses...more draws... and a few more wins. I'm hopeful we can push for 60 points next season. That puts us squarely into European contention. Or a cup final and try for Europe with a cup! That would be brilliant too. I'm optimistic for this season.

with both... 7th

I'm having a tough time visualizing. Can someone tell me how tall he is in Tommy Elphicks please?

If Tim goes out on loan...keep him. If Tim stays. Try to sell. For me its as simple as that. Either player is used in cup matches and the occasional rotation spell for Kamara. I find that more beneficial for Tim.

Obviously Jesus for the whole water into wine thing, rising from the dead, yada yada yada. I don't see Marcus performing any miracles FFS.

Everton like Y Mina so much they went out and signed another one name Tarkowski.

I've read inflation in Turkey is up 73% That means we can sell Trez for $30million now right?

ahh yes the elusive 'Elite Badge' That season Neil sold the most cookies in his Uefa class and was summarily awarded the coveted 'UEFA Elite Badge'

Its obvious Villa need more steel and a physical side to their play. For the me the appointment is obvious. Ronnie Pickering

I was against this initially. However after doing some research I have come around. He was a very good ball playing CB with Brentford so he certainly has that in his locker. He has shown that he has very good instincts and defensive ability in the Premier League. I agree with the age/mobility concerns. But Mings is the mobile CB, Tark is the defensive stallwart. The two could actually make a very good pairing. Plus, with Kamara signed and possibly Bissouma or similar still to arrive... our CBs will have much higher quality DMs types protecting them AND providing passing outlets. That will certainly make their lives easier, less need to lump it forward if you have someone like Kamara always properly showing for the ball. In addition, him arriving on a free leaves transfer funds available to go after the CMs and STs etc etc that Gerrard covets. I'm still of the opinion that we might very well sell 1+ CBs and bring in 1+ CBs. With Konsa injured until January, the Tark signing is just filling the Konsa void imo. I still think we will sell Hause and sign another CB, maybe younger with promise?

middle name Bottler

just my opinion. I doubt players think they are losing their spot. They are all competitive pro athletes, I'll bet they believe in themselves to beat out whoever arrives

One could argue that Luiz stays and Nakamba goes. Both Boubs and Biss can be rotating at DM if needed. We also have young Tim waiting. I see Carney being lumped in with Coutinho/Buendia as an AM, along with Bailey. Those 4 rotate 2 spots. Leaving 3 midfield spots for 6+ players. AM- Coutinho/Buendia/Carney/Bailey DM Boubs/Tim CM Bissouma/SJM CM JJ/Luiz Sanson and Nakamba are the odd men out imo. Plenty of game time to rotate for cup matches etc next season. Maybe one mid stays in case of injury? idk

This is one signing I'm not on board with myself. He's just a big goon who cannot pass the ball AT ALL (68% completion this season). Complete anti SG style of a CB. We need a ball playing CB, full stop. That is mainly what made Chambers look so good in our games, he is capable of passing the ball. Konsa cannot, he only gives the ball sideways and back to Emi, who then lumps it forward. Mings passing is dreadful as well...he dwells on the ball forever only to lump a hopeful ball to the channel for Watkins. Signing Tark would just be more of the same. The only positive I see would be he's a better defender, and a shitehouse, which our side lacks. Hopefully its just agent talk to get better offers.

you mean 12.5 Tommy Elphicks??

Yes I do.

For all the people talking about how the Villa players and staff need a change in culture/attitude towards winning...and not accepting mediocracy. I'm baffled by how many posters here are doing EXACTLY that. I for one agree with alot of Nick76 comments...the owners are definitely not here to just toil around in the Premier League and be content with mid-table like many clubs. They want a seat at the big table. They have already shown how ruthless they can be despite all the wonderful things that have been done with Villa. Coaches and players need to produce. Period. Or they will be replaced. End of. This season was simply not good enough. The mentality of this squad is weak. I think our vast youth is actually hurting us to an extent. We need some experience in the squad: calm players during the game, keep them focused in practice, etc etc. I don't expect SG to fill Villa with a bunch of old players, but I think he knows what we need. Obviously, the spine needs to be improved as well (DM, CB). Frankly I think those simple fixes will really unlock the potential of our team. 1 top class CB to partner with Konsa/Mings, and 1-2 top class DM/CM types to allow our CMs more freedom... suddenly we will look like a different team imo.

maybe we can share grounds with BCFC like they are with Coventry! One big happy family

We paid more for Wesley. Both are Brazilian. By my maths that means this signing will turn out to be shite.

behave.

I think selling Watkins is a mistake. Especially at the prices bandied about. We bought him for about $30mil plus... why in the world would we sell him for 40-50? He's had less than 2 seasons in the Premier League, 14 goals and 10 goals (and counting). Double digit scoring STs don't grow on trees in the Premier League. He's not even at his physical peak years yet either (27). My money is on him staying next year, then we cash in when he's in his prime and has 3 years of success under his belt. If we sell him at all of course.

Maybe I'm in the minority... but honestly I hope Villa don't try for Phillips. His injury history is as bad as Grealish. I'd rather see us go after one of the younger DM players that has been bandied about. Where is that Venn Diagram?? It never lies!!

I agree with both sides. He is not good enough technically for Villa to be a true top6 side. However... he is the ONLY midfielder we have that is a truly physical player. Everyone else is a lightweight in the middle. JJ is improving- but SJM is the only one who can battle and not get pushed off the ball. Until we get more physical players, he's irreplaceable for me. I'm so tired of seeing Villa sign and go after these little technical players. We need a couple bastards in the middle sometimes. Watching Villa flop and throw their arms up for 90 minutes is maddening. Nobody wants to battle.

this is a fascinating topic regarding SG. Personally I'm willing to give him more time despite the poor performances lately. He has not even had a full season OR preseason yet. He has not had a summer window yet. Frankly imo, I lay alot of the blame for the poor performances at the feet of the players. They are the ones that cannot string 2-3 passes together, cannot put a shot on target, zero movement without the ball, constant schoolboy defending, etc etc. Villa are simply not even doing the basics well at the moment, and I blame the players for that. That is effort and concentration. Those are all rudimentary footy skills that I'd expect any professional footballer to posses at a minimum. They are being paid to play this game as a professional athlete. I'm shocked by the apparent LACK of pride this Villa side show. They don't seem to care about losing until the 80minute mark. That is not on SG. That is on the players. Whoever at Villa is doing the data analysis when choosing players via scouting needs to be sacked. This mentality with Villa has been going on for years. Something is wrong with the 'type' of player we are bringing in imo. The algorithm needs to be revised.

nice to see Villa finally playing the same 442 diamond that I use on FIFA. I always win the Premier League and UCL with it.