mattjpa

Completely agree with this, I would be disappointed if a multimillion striker set his sights any lower than than

You are missing my point regarding Gabby. I am aware he has been a bag of shit for four years, thats not worth going over again, but im big enough to look past that and see a player in good physical condition who is putting in a bloody shedload of work. you asked what I think he is showing: much improved touch as his match sharpness is coming back, he was holding the ball brilliantly when it was played into him and bringing others into the game which is critical for how SB wants us to play, he was harrying defenders against watford and created a couple of chances by actually nicking the ball off them, he has two well taken goals in preseason also and he showed no signs of tiring or letting up in his last 2 appearances (so basically everything in contrast to your conjecture filled response). He was also a good save in a self created 1 vs 1 or a marginal offside goal that was disallowed away from being our top goalscorer in preseason. from the birmingham mail to back up my point: A man who has been criticised so heavily in the past is giving his all in claret and blue once again. Agbonlahor should have given Villa the lead early on but couldn’t beat Gomes before seeing another effort chalked off for offside.It’s early days, but this looks a much fitter and willing Agbonlahor than the one supporters have seen at Villa Park in recent years. I think he is less of a natural finisher than Hogan, less talented, less instinctive, he has behaved poorly and played even worse for a number of years. He is not the future of the club like Hogan, I like him less than Hogan and agree that he is playing for his future at the 11th hour BUT I still think based on what ive seen in the last couple of games he should probably get the nod while our team gets up a head of steam.

some people just need scapegoats. Gabby is currently looking better and working harder than he has since 2013. Maybe he has had a genuine epiphany or maybe its because hes unemployed in 12 months but I think he has to start ahead of Hogan, just think he is showing a bit more. Its very close though and I think its on a knife edge over who gets the nod. Bruce could always go 2 up top now Jack is out

Richards is not going to Forest, they have no interest. Being reported as absolute BS, probably started by his agent

Has conducted himself really well - been playing in the youth side unpaid and kept at it. I would go as far as to say he has been in the top 2/3 so far in preseason so an absolute no brainer. With Baker having a few injuries, JT getting on etc, this is perfect for us Well done Chris

Got to say he has looked fantastic in pre season so far...in fact i only actually remember him misplacing one pass in the time ive watched him. I would find some money from somewhere and get him signed up. I dont think he will cost much and we dont appear to have much competition for his signature.

Well done mate, great post. really puts it into perspective. Some are so quick to judge - Im amazed at the amount of people who have written off Bjarnesson already despite a bad injury and coming into a transitioning team in poor form

Tossing it up the wall? Really? Hourihane and Lansbury were bought for peanuts and are EXACTLY what we need - quality players. Taylor has been absolutely flawless, Bree, Hogan and Bjarnesson all suffered injuries and have not been able to get going yet but ive seen nothing in any of them that makes me want to write them off just yet. Most of those players are still very young as well. My point still stands as well - being skint is completely different to being "effectively skint" as you call it. I have complete faith that if we are in 2/3 place in january and Bruce highlighted a 10m player who became available, would drop a league and would all but guarantee us going up automatically, Dr X would sign them as promotion would negate FFP (I think?!)

It proves nothing of the sort. Merely that we are at the limit for FFP and are also trying to build a sustainable business model with a squad that has alreadyreceived heavy investment over the past couple of transfer windows and now needs to develop as a unit. Dont let the facts get in the way of everyone losing their shit though!

Off the top of my head, more than adequate for mid-table in the top tier: Terry, Chester, De Laet, Taylor, Jedinak, Lansbury, Hourihane, Grealish, Veretout, Kodjia. That is a goalkeeper off a full team. I would add that in the right condition and with the right coaching we could also potentially count: Johnson, Amavi, Bree, Baker, Lyden, Green, RHM as easily good enough. Finally, We have the likes of McCormack and Bjarneson who we surely havent seen enough of to make a judgement on.. The others, the likes of Agbonlahor, Richards, Bacuna, Gardner, Hutton, Elphick have all had golden patches in their careers at one time or another. With a good preseason and the right condition, I wouldnt be surprised to see a renaisance from a couple of them. I dont think its as big a rebuild job as you think

We have a good base for a prem league squad and a good crop of young players. We do not need to concern ourselves with ages at present, we simply need to supplement what we have with seasoned professionals. Long term does not matter at the moment, only the next 10months. If we achieve what we need to, we can worry about the long term then

Chester is a quiet unassuming type that leads by example. Im sure he will completely understand

Im going to hang my hat and say this will be our best signing since Benteke. I think we will see more benefit from JT in 12months than we have seen off others in 5 years. Just like Gareth Barry, he has grafted a career out of footballing intelligence to make up for a lack of pace which has kept him at the top of the game....If you don't have it in the first place you cant lose it, which is why they are both still going well into their 30's. Hopefully, He can pass some of it onto Chester, Baker, Toner and the rest of them and benefit us long after he has gone as well

Not sure if mentioned previously but Yousuf Mulumbu has been released by the baggies and is being linked if we fail to sign Joe Ledley. 30yo defensive midfielder

Steve Bruce is only 56. So you could say it, but it is more than likely he has 10 years managing at the top of the English game if he keeps winning things and getting promotions. Seeing as Sven Goran Eriksen is getting paid like an absolute lord in China at the ripe old age of 69 it is likely there is a few good paydays left in Brucey yet. Id say you are probably wrong

Bacuna has enough natural ability to be a midtable prem midfielder i agree, He has shown it in glimpses. He will never be that because he would need the application of someone like Ronaldo to match it and I just dont think he will ever display that. Occasional petulance, some disinterested games, poor decisions and a lack of natural instinct etc have littered his career here.

Villa fan man (36) and boy. Matt is my name, jpa is my favourite player. Have previously used other forums but after reading for a while i would like to get involved in this one! Thanks