Niall

Hoping for at least a draw. A loss could see us go into a freefall. Just think it would destroy morale around the club.

14 hours ago, DJBOB said:

It's not even for the book balancing, though it would help.

Again - if someone is offering 100M for Luiz - it would be club malfeasance not to consider it simply because any valuation that high is a good deal for the seller and not the buyer.

And I think Luiz has been magnificent this year - but he's playing next to free transfer Kamara who we were incredibly poor without.

So to think that we couldn't possibly find a replacement is pessimistic. We just have to be smart about it. 

Look at the top 10 transfers and aside from Mbappe, though I'm sure it helped out Monaco, every one of those transfers helped the seller more than the buyer.

If only Barcelona had had competent people in charge. Criminal waste.

8 hours ago, Captain_Townsend said:

Most important since about 1989:

Sid (Club legend)

McGrath (World class. The GOAT of my time)

Platt (Massive player, funded a new team in 1991-92)

Yorke (Bargain, top player. What may have been had he stayed in 1998)

Barry (Mr Aston Villa for a long time, a decade basically)

Merson (The heartbeat of the team, 1998-2002. A wand of a boot)

Mellberg (Just shades Laursen for longevity and games played)

Benteke (Crucial goals in a bleak era)

Martinez (Absolutely crucial to us since day one. World class.

McGinn (Symbol of our resurgence from championship to top 4 contenders).

Honourable mentions for Staunton, Bosnich, Ehiogu, Townsend, Angel and Mings. 

 

No Grealish on an otherwise sound list. Sorry, that smacks of petty bitterness for me. When he emerged from the under age ranks he was an absolute joy and made watching Villa fun again. Got us promoted and kept us in the league. 100 million came in handy too. 

11 minutes ago, foreveryoung said:

Delicious 

Media will be talking now!

Yeah.....but It'll be all about their injuries and such shite. Nothing they say can take away from that Villa performance. Statement win. 

Incredible performance to a man...all of them on it tonight. Brilliant half from Villa. C'mon!!!

Excellent free kick by Luiz. Hardly deserved but that'll do!!!

Delighted. De Zerbi had a cheek playing those babes against Luiz and Kamara. Deservedly spanked them!!

7 minutes ago, wishywashy said:

4 year contract with 6m euros per year in salary.

 

Monchi has paid his own release clause according to this.

After he scored free kick he seemed quite emotional. I think his almost gifting them an equaliser shook him somewhat. Showed great character to step up and slot home that free kick. Well done.

1 hour ago, AVTuco said:

Quietly doing better and better. Carlos has a fight in his hands for a starting position. 

Yes, quietly indeed. Going about his business. Thought he was excellent today.

Magnificent for 80mins or so. McGinn was outstanding, just what you want from your captain. He's a different player under Emery. McGinn and Konza both had great games and fair dues to Bailey who was much improved today. What a pleasure it is to be a Villa supporter right now.

2 hours ago, IrishVilla10 said:

Big fan of Mings and how good he’s been since Emerys come in, but Torres would be an upgrade and I wouldn’t be against it. 

I presume you've watched Mings all season and obviously realise how good he's been. How often have you seen Torres play? Why do you think he would be an upgrade?

6 minutes ago, SecretVillaScout said:

"Unlimited budget"
 

 

 

Apparently he said he could not work within Barça's salary limitations and hope to build a competitive side for next season. This guy did sell us Coutinho, so he's definitely got something about him!

8 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

Chukuweze scored twice tonight for Villareal in the Bernabeu so he'd be an interesting trade for Bailey if there's interest from his old coach

He's had a blinder tonight. Only 18 starts for Villareal this season, though. 

No surprise that. It was coming. They have dominated.

You know we can find better than Dougie. If we want to progress we really need an upgrade just not good enough.....

Very well done Ollie Watkins

2 hours ago, WallisFrizz said:

He’s having a good season and I’m a big fan but he needs to quit squaring up to other players in matches. He got his red card rescinded against Fulham but it’s a matter of time before he walks for it again. He had his forehead shoved up against someone, Fernandes I think, last night. Stop it. 

Actually, I love his passion and the fact that he never shirks a challenge. He stands his ground and refuses to be intimidated. Not a dirty player at all. 

A real breath of fresh air to see a group of players finally being allowed to play to their strengths. Unharnessed and allowed to express themselves. What a refief!! 

Difficult to choose a MOTM . Bailey, Luiz and Bendoncker were excellent.

Superb run from Bailey!!!

1 minute ago, Herman22 said:

I think Thomas Frank has done a great job at Brentford but I’d worry about him at Villa. I think we need a big name, someone at the Poch, Tuchel, Emrey level to come in and take us forward. I don’t think we can afford another gamble manager. 

What exactly is a 'gamble' manager? Wouldn't any potential appointment be a 'gamble' to some extent. It's impossible to predict how successful a new manager would be. So many factors in play. 

9 minutes ago, Xela said:

Could be, also might be the fact the players aren't good enough. I guess we'll see if we get an elite manager and if they can get a tune out of them. 

I do have a horrible feeling we were carried by Grealish. We've been garbage since he went. 

They are good enough to get top half, certainly better than 17th!!! 

Depressing. Terrible officiating but we didn't deserve anything from the game. They battered us!!!!  He has to go now. 

That left foot on Dougie!