ViewFromT2

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/exclusive-aston-villa-sell-land-14751409 He's gonna sell everything isn't he? We won't be worth jack shit by the time he's finished!

No idea who the true villan is, Xia or Wyness or both....seems pretty clear though that our only way out of this is new ownership, and fast! Can see us going into administration, most likely forced by the banks, before our saviour steps forward with his massive briefcase full of cash!

Official statement from club.

.... Re the club sale rumour I know a (genuine) football agent and I messaged him the other day regarding the Matt Southall rumour. I asked him if he knew him and whether there was any truth in the story. He replied this morning. Yes, he knows Matt Southall personally, and there is definitely truth behind the story, but there are many interested parties. He reckons Xia has run out of cash....I don't know if that's a guess or whether he means that's the 'word on the street', so to speak! - Anyway, to read this morning that we had cash flow problems last season, this could make sense? I've asked if he knows who any of the other interested parties are, but he hasn't replied yet. He did say however that Amanda Staveley has no 'real' money....whatever the hell that means! Think we could be in for another eventful summer.

Saw something about that (from a bluenose) on Twitter. Surely any cashflow problems should be eased going forward by relieving the ridiculously high wage burden?

100% option 2! He hasn't made a shrewd appointment in 2 years, nothing to suggest he will start now.

Man City are the only european team with chinese investment, to be state backed. CITIC Capital own a 13% share. The laws changed in China late last year. It's not illegal for Chinese companies to invest in football clubs now, but it certainly is not welcomed and any deals open to scrutiny. Interestingly, the chap that owns Fosun is the only owner to publicly state his approval of the new rules. Clearly their deal with Mendes is their advantage, but all the Wolves fans thinking they will be spending big money in the premier league are very dillusional.

well I don't read it.....not since the mid nineties, so I'll bow to your wisdom on the subject. I would still be very surprised if they just totally invented the story though. Simon Jordan alluded to it last week on the radio aswell. Is he lying too? What would he gain from making it up? I'm open minded to it. Until Xia puts the story to bed

Are we supposed to assume then, that because we lost the playoff final, a national newspaper has decided to completely invent a story of a takeover? I just don't buy it! With the current Abramovich situation, if ever there was a club to 'invent' stories of takeovers from a sensationalism point of view, then it would be Chelsea surely? I just don't see the merit of a national newspaper making something like this up? I could be completely wrong obviously, but instincts suggests something has or is currently going on. I read a tweet earlier that the consortium mentioned are not in the running, but another party could be, so who knows! Do I think Xia has decided to sell up?...not sure. Do I think he would if the right offer came in.....absolutely!

Well in my opinion Yes, because he proved he can score goals in the premier league. He scored more than the odd goal in the didn't he?...In my opinion, a player scores 19 goals in the premier league is proven at the level. He was the highest english goalscorer the season Ipswich went up. He never played in the premier league till he was 29, so arguably in his prime the first season. He scored the same amount as Benteke got for Villa in his first season in the Premier League. He then got 6 goals in a relegated Ipswich side (Benteke only notched 10 the 2nd season). In my book, if Hogan got 7 in 7 one season, then 14 in 25 the season after, he is proven at the level! However, I accept you don't agree.

Interesting psychology going into the playoffs, for all teams. Villa - Will have had several weeks of planning for the play offs. Should be mentally prepared. Squad full of big game players as proven this season. We can beat any of the play off hopefuls at home, we just have to be resolute in the away leg. Cardiff - If they blow the chance of automatic they could be mentally spent for the play offs. Particularly if they do end up losing to us tonight, having already lost to wolves. Self doubt could be key. Fulham - Currently on the longest unbeaten run in english football. If they don't get 2nd after the run/form they've shown, having lost out in the play offs last season.....how will they respond? Derby - Look booked for 5th barring a catastrophe. Much the same as Villa...will have had several weeks of mental preparation. Boro/Millwall - Both dangerous opponents and will arguably be the form side going into the play offs. Don't personally think either have the quality to make the final however.

I know who he is....was just astounded he was used as an example

Marcus Stewart

Proven that he can scores goals in the championship....would of thought that was pretty obvious really! 21 goals in 33 championship games spanning across 2 seasons....how many goals/games constitutes 'proven' if that isn't enough?

You're clearly no Sherlock Holmes Just alluding to the fact that the bloke was firing in a poor side....and until he was Bruceyfied, was firing for us.....took around 4 games to nullify the dynamism he brought to us.

26 isn't young in my opinion. Strikers should be at their peak between 26-29. Not saying he is a poor player by any stretch, but he wouldn't be an exciting signing would he? I think the fact he cost that much money highlights just how exaggerated the transfer market is.....ridiculous really isn't it?...but that's another argument. In respect of that however, surely the authorities need to look again at the FFP levels? Teams can only lose a max of £35m per season in the Premier League....and when players like him are costing £18.5m, what chance has any club got of breaking into that elite 6?

and?

Surprised nobody picked up on this.....you are 100% spot on! Hogan is awful in this Villa side....but proven at this level. You can apply the same comments to McCormack. Steve Bruce is responsible for Hogan's form. It's not unfair to also have a look at the Bruce affect of Lewis Grabban....on fire this season for Sunderland, comes to Villa, smashes goals left right and centre....now the Bruce affect has kicked in, he looks cack! I would love to see what Dean Smith could do with this squad next season (minus the old legs) and £10m to spend!

I fear you're right. He's only in there because him and Snoddy played together at Hull. He is absolutely crap...I would rather see Micah Richards come back in at RB than Elmohamady! His delivery from promising positions is as bad as Hutton! That said...Hutton has been far, far better than him this season...and Bree (not sure about him yet)...has been better than Elmo too.

Andre Gray - 13 goals in 58 premier league appearances Troy Deeney - 28 goals in 98 premier league appearances If that's the reference point for level of 'success' then we have no need to worry, Hogan will be equally as bad as that I'm sure give 50-100 Premier League games!

Kodija isn't gonna be good enough in the premier league in my opinion. 28 years old, no improvement to come in all likelihood and has never played in the top tier, not even in France! Doubt he is even as good as Jordan Ayew really, let's be honest! ....and Ayew struggled in prem for us and despite getting a few goals for Swansea, he now can't get back into what is generally a poor side. Snoddy is only on loan....but again, what's he gonna do in the Prem?....certainly wouldn't be paying any money for him. Free transfer only.......Elmo?...christ alive! Hourihane willl be totally invisible in the premier league, as will Lansbury. Jedinak will need an outboard motor, as will Whelan! Grealish and probably Chester are the only players that could cut it at the top level in my opinion, but I think Bjarnasson could possibly do a job in the DM role, certainly worth a try. This squad is 100% relegation fodder next season if we were to go up. We don't have the funds required to get the improvements we would need and would you entrust the money (if we had it) to Bruce/Round anyway, to get the right players in? Over the last 18 months we have bought an established championship side. We are slow, methodical, predictable and one dimensional. Only when Grealish came back into the side in December did we actually look like we could compete at the top end of the Championship, before that we didn't even look like making the play offs. There is no real 'potential' within our squad, and we don't have a manager that is likely to explore any potential from within the younger ranks. I don't think remaining in the chumpionship next season would be the end of the world to be honest, but we simply have to get rid of Steve Bruce and start building for the future. Another year down here and involving the likes of O'Hare, Doyle-Hayes, etc etc week in week out might be a good thing in the long run.

In fairness to him (although I agree he isn't great going forward)...that shot you're referring to wasn't exactly easy. It would of taken all of an accomplished strikers ability to hit the target in that exact circumstance as a left footed player. He's tried to hit it with outside of foot as it cam at him and just caught it wrong.....you're right though, it was hilarious! Especially as the Reading fans started shouting 'shoot' every time he touched the ball afterwards !

Whilst we're wishing for stuff....let's all hope Wolves totally implode and end up in the play offs....hopefully losing agonisingly in the final....shut them idiot fans up once and for all!

All fit according to Bruce, although Whelan most likely not included tomorrow as will train all weekend and might be involved Tuesday. 'All fit' includes a certain Jonathan Kodija, whom Bruce says played 45 mins in a behind closed doors friendly this week and has trained since with no problems. Bruce says he will be involved this weekend...this is huge news! It's like we are signing a new player for the run in, a player that will hopefully want to finish the season on a high. I wouldn't want to be picking a starting lineup with everyone fit. We have a seriously strong squad in my opinion. Possibly.... Johnson Elmo Terry Chester Taylor or Hutton Bjarnasson or Jedi Snodgrass Grealish Adomah Grabban Kodija Bench from : Bjarnasson or Jedi, Hutton or Taylor, Lansbury, Hourihane, Hogan, Davis, Green, Whelan, O'Hare, Hepburn-Murphy Wow...if only we had avoided the long term injuries!