Wezbid

Limited to 20 starts in the league though. You're right though, they probably wouldn't sell and if they did, Levy asks daft money.

No rumour or link but maybe Ben Davies as LB? Or is 26 too old now?

Captain Marvel in attack. Shows up well in the pre-season then does sod all but tap in when the real action begins.

He looks like he's mainly on the right in most of these clips.

Can we bet on them not signing?

You're not even trying anymore.

8 assists in 35 starts is decent for a right back. Corny saying or not.

Cardiff would have been down a month or two earlier without Etheridge. If we can find better again then I'm all for that but he's proved his quality last season.

Butland £30m or Etheridge for £10m? (If accurate) If they cost the same, I'd still pick Etheridge.

If we were after a new keeper and it was Butland or Etheridge, I'd have Etheridge every day of the week. I know plenty of you stopped watching Prem footy after we went down but I carried on because of playing fantasy football for money with my mates and the guy was an absolute monster last season. Cardiff would have been goners way sooner if it wasn't for him. If £10m is what they want then that's an absolute bargain!

Especially for a mass murdering face stomper

He's only just turned 26 too so we'd be getting his prime years. Not much in terms of re-sale value but this deal isn't about that. It's a solid investment for a good few years.

You must have somehow missed Isaiah Osborne.

I thought he was talking about Wolves and Nuno?

Last 3 seasons: Adomah - 113 games, 21 goals, 17 assists. Jota - 97 games, 21 goals, 21 assists. Twice the player is somewhat ott but he's more efficient in terms of scoring and creating goals and I'd suspect that if Jota played for us for the last 2 years and Adomah played for those shite for the last 2 years then the numbers would be much prolific for Jota. Adomah is 31 and his legs have gone whilst Jota's 4 years younger and not likely to lose his any time soon. I liked Albert but he's had the luxury of playing with much better players.

Chris Wood's goals to games/mins is pretty solid.

That Ruben Alcarez link just looks like lazy journalism. Any half decent Spanish player because of Suso. Watching that interview with Smith and Purslow, no way in hell will we be buying a 28 year old who's barely played top level football in his own country. Picking off these sorts of teams is the right idea but not the likes of him who'll have no long term benefit. May as well go for Milner as the experienced signing with no retail value if we do pick up one or two like that but listening to that interview. Most signings will be 25 or under.

Looked like really bad cramp to me. He was lucky his studs didn't get caught in the pitch going with his left foot for the tackle at that angle though. It was brave and perfectly timed but definitely awkward and putting himself at risk. Glad to see him running around after the game. Hopefully not the last time we see him.

It's been nice playing good football and winning plenty of games in the Championship. It's such an under-valued league. Most clubs would put up a good fight in most top European leagues imo. That said, the joy of swiping wins against the 'big boys' is also a lovely feeling. If our European scouting is on point then with the money now available then there's no reason why we can't see some really talented players arrive on top of what we've already got. Despite the few years away, I would like to think we have more pulling power than the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton and Burnley. Those clubs have a bit of a ceiling whereas Villa have far more potential. Even in defeats, the standard of football on show should be quality, if not as entertaining as the mentalness that the Championship could deliver at times. With Smith's style of play and clear ability to improve players from when he/they first get their hands on them then even if the season is a bit of a 13/14th place meh then there's always the pleasure in seeing players develop and the hope of closing the gap on the top teams season on season. Plus just having mad transfer links back will be fun. Oh yeah, having Villa players to choose from in fantasy football again

Those few headers were absolutely monumental and galvanised the troops. He absolutely towered over players who weren't that much different in height to him. The hunger and desire is there and half the battle in competing against players technically better which is why the likes of Burnley generally survive solidly. He's young and with a bit of ability on the ball too. Glad he's proven his fitness and we can pick him up for about £3/4m now. These days, that's a steal for a player who can cover CB and LB and with scope to improve further with Smith and co.

I worry that we'll be lumbered with a good few that we don't want because of nice, big paying contracts. Maybe we can pay off a few who are done next year. Alternatively, €120m on that Benfica whizz-kid. It's real to me, god damn it.

I've gone 3-1 Villa and McGinn to score first in separate bets. I'd happily lose £3.56 if Villa want to win by another score and somebody else scoring 1st.

Cole's lack of legs and pace need pushing on a big Wembley pitch. Happy to see him starting despite his experience.