GeneralJazzman

13 minutes ago, VillanousOne said:

Not sure fall apart is the right words, but so many players were out of position or had rushes of blood to the head for all three of their goals. They were awful, we actually looked decent for most of the game then we effectively handed them the win on a diamond encrusted plate. We defeated ourselves, all Middlesborough had to do was turn up and play for 90 mins.

I watched online and I was going to say players lost shape and tried, foolhardily, to first regain the lead and then level it. I think, as you put it, rushes of blood caused us to make bad choices.

The same happened in the final third a lot, we get near the box, get over excited and make poor decisions. Felt Ayew was the worst for it. But movement ahead of him and think he would have easier passes to make. 

Similar sort result and feeling to last season, but not the same manner. 

32 minutes ago, terrytini said:

I don't know if you went on Saturday but the view of everyone at the game was unanimous - the players who fell apart mentally last season did so immediately Boro scored.

It was very dramatic, very noticeable, and very much a re-run of last year.

 It is this mental aspect, rather than their ability as footballers, that is the concern (and the obvious need for a couple of people who score goals).

Out of interest who do you feel fell apart?

I felt Ayew tried to do too much and gave the ball away cheaply, the introduction of Tshibola destabilised a solid DM pairing and Gestede lacks pace and intelligence to play in our system. 

From that game, I agree, we do need another midfielder, some attacking invention and a much more mobile striker. But I don't think we capitulated in the same way as last season.

22 minutes ago, TrentVilla said:

What like Pires?

Sorry I'm being deliberately obtuse there but for a purpose. I just think a players character is more important than what they've achieved, someone like Osman gives everything in every game, someone like Pires.... well we don't need to go there do we. I just think someone who has had an exceptional career at the age of 35 isn't likely to want to join us in the Championship and even if they did I doubt they would give much of a damn.

But just my view...

I think there are a lot of people who believe ability is 100% technical; mentality, desire, resilience, pride, leadership, intelligence are very human but forgotten attributes. 

I agree that Osman and/or Barry would add more than ability to that midfield and set the standards expected to achieve success. 

22 minutes ago, rodders0223 said:

Been saying it for 12 months. It isn't going to happen. He is a braindead **** lump.

Gestede plays as a starter, no promotion.

Nicely put sir.

he is surely going to be backup or alternative option if we start playing long or crossing.

I would like a more dynamic forward, strong, pacy, gets into more dangerous areas. 

2 minutes ago, Jareth said:

Please let us get Delat to replace Hutton and Mcormack to replace Gestede. We'd be set. 

Not convinced on McCormack, think there are better options out there. Hoping our scouts know who and where they are. 

He really needs to sharpen up in the final third, seems to be behind play constantly in the pre-season games so far. I know he's hardly quick, or and on the shoulder striker but he isn't gambling where the ball may go. 

Deffo a position that needs strengthening if we play with Ayew as a number 10

8 minutes ago, Dr_Pangloss said:

I think he'd be an upgrade on Veretout, a player who is also lacking in the pace department. Knockaert isn't rapid but he's not exactly slow. He's able to go past players using technique and a little bit of acceleration.

I am going on what my friend told me about him being replaced at Leicester, for Albrighton I believe, saying decent in championship but not a Prem player. I know we are not in the Prem but that's where we must have an eye for. 

Clark, Okore, Elphick, Hutton, Gardner, Westwood, Gestede, Sinclair, Gabby will all be competent at this level so we should look for players who could do both divisions based on growth - not sure Knockeart will get any quicker whereas Veretout is quicker just not used to the pace of the game. 

I agree he is better than Veretout ATM, just not convinced he is good enough or has enough growth in him. Happy to be proved wrong if we sign him though. 

34 minutes ago, guyavfc said:

I've read that Newcastle have had a £6m bid turned down for Knockaert. That is someone who I'd like us to be in for. 

A Leicester supporting friend said they got rid of him as he is too slow, especially for the prem.

Newcastle replacing Wijnaldum with Knockeart......

Be like us replacing Gana with Bridcutt.....

34 minutes ago, villa4europe said:

IMO part of that plan isn't signing 25-30 year old championship level players on 4 year contracts who sure will get us out of this league but then not be good enough to make that step up when we do leaving us with more players on the books that we can't shift

not saying Ross McCormack is that player but he's what 29? Will score goals and get us promoted...then what do we do with him? Been a goal scorer for a long time and no prem team has gambled on him, might not be good enough to make that step, we could be stuck with him

its a minefield, not as simple as saying lets go buy 6 players for £50m and get out of this league, that would be like we've learnt nothing 

Agreed. Don't think McCormack is the answer, I hope we build for longer term. 

8 minutes ago, troon_villan said:

Wow,  it's only just dawned on me we're in the Championship. 

I think it's quite humbling.

The past few years treading water have been thoroughly miserable. I would much rather we have a solid plan to return to the Prem and be fighting for Europe again. Part of that plan is trusting the people running the club to make wise choices.

So far we have been getting the house in order at a governance and management level, the operational point will be pulled into order once their ability has been assessed, which is now happening. We will have a solid squad come the close of the window, maybe not what we want as fans but a viable squad. 

24 minutes ago, romavillan said:

Still though for a fistfull of euros...

As long as it's not For a Few Euros More....

I don't think RDM will be hoping for anything, if Kozak has shown his capabilities in training and pre-season he will stay and be a useful squad.

If not RDM will be saying to Tony, these guys aren't good enough lets get rid and I want to try and get these guys in. So if he is still there come end of window we either couldn't shift him, or he is actually capable. I for one am trusting RDM to know if he is good enough or not. 

31 minutes ago, kurtsimonw said:

I'd like to see him given a chance. Not the most technically gifted player in the World, but we're playing in the Championship. Shit players don't become Europa League top scorers. If he scores 20 goals by the ball deflecting off his face, great.

I think he does have technical ability, it was one thing I felt he could do better than Gestede - control, hold, short pass either forward or layoff. Felt he could also be strong enough to roll his man. Think his shooting is more instinctive than technical though and he is slow. 

But as another poster said he is a potential menace and agree that give him a chance where he may bag a few goals. Last season he wasn't confident after injury, may be different now. 

3 minutes ago, bobzy said:

Personally, I think we'd have seen more from Gestede if we actually played to his strengths. 

What we've done instead would be akin to lumping crosses in at Jamie Vardy.

Our crossing was dire last season and we did not set ourselves up delivering to Gestede.

It's interesting seeing how Pelle linked with Eder this tournament. I would say that's how Gestede should play with Ayew but he doesn't seem mobile enough and Ayew was never really close enough to him. 

Maybe a more all round forward is needed: strong but more mobile, decent touch etc. 

43 minutes ago, dont_do_it_doug. said:

Thinking back to when Ayew joined, he had been posting stuff via Facebook about Villa for a while. I got the impression that it was in some respect his dream move. 

Modern day footballers are painted as mercenaries. In truth they're no different today really to how they have always been. However, they are also human beings. If it was his dream to be here, he could well want to stay and fight for that dream regardless of the advice. 

I'm sure money is not and never will be an issue for Jordan Ayew and not all footballers are pawns for their agents. 

I hope he stays. 

I hope he stays and hope he cares. 

The advice could be, hold out as this team will get better. I had a choice when I was young, join the top team or join the bottom team. I had friends at both but opted for the bottom club. They could only get better and you have a chance to really make a name for yourself as being someone who builds something. 

We got better, grew together and in time we won that league. The other team got worse and dropped off. Ayew might be seeing this as something he can really become part of and grow.

He's probably either been advised not to burn his bridges with us as the offers may not be great or told to bang em in for a season and show some prem clubs what they are missing. 

If he stays will be useful and much better than Gayle, if he goes then we will get the necessary replacement. If we play 2 up top in a similar manner to the Italians then Rudy and Ayew might work well together. Maybe we have been looking at Lambert cos his link up play is better.....

On 29 June 2016 at 14:29, HarryVilla15 said:

Is the back of the away shirt full white?

Aston villa ladies attack versus Aston Villa men's defence

1 hour ago, dounavilla said:

Strange bulge in the front too?

That's a football, we didn't see much of it last season but that's what they look like.

2 hours ago, Folski said:

That kind of money for Ross McCormack wow that is insane. 

We said the same about the £15m Vardy links last year.....

After reading positive reviews of him in Euro qualifying - the mistakes are showing more often in both Villa and Eire sides. Next season is make or break for him for us, he needs to show he is capable and not a liability.

That Cruyff turn he did for us near the half way line and got robbed still haunts me. 

7 minutes ago, Villan4Life said:

He can also take Jack Woodward's place as face of AVTV. Directing all the video's as well

A very efficient squad. Liking the new order already. 

13 minutes ago, Villan4Life said:

 

Iceland's keeper Halldorsson also directed the video for their 2012 Eurovision Song Contest entry.

 

Legend.

Sign him up

What a legend, that makes him the most talented keeper we could have since Bosnich. 

Icelandic keeper looks better than Brad....... And Bunn........

47 minutes ago, PieFacE said:

Is it legal to turn a football club into a franchise and have multiple "Aston Villa Football Clubs'" in different countries? 

Red bull clubs, don't they have a New York side, Salzburg, Leipzg.... So must be ok. 

Ship Gabby off to Aston Villa Dragons in China and Lescott to Aston Villa Chevies in the US. Good luck fellas. 

36 minutes ago, Demitri_C said:

Fletcher linked on a free i think this would be a great signing on a free. Rather him than spending 12m on mcormack

Fletcher won't score as much but he helps others around him get goals. Has a decent touch, good on the ground and the air. Decent for free. Needs a poacher around him though.