Jas10

O’Kelly used to be a striker and works with the forwards. I agree though, think we could do with someone better or more specialised. Former strikers? Can’t think of many good ones or those that would be available... Dublin? Angel? Saunders?

Yeah, he seems to have the right technique. Who knows, he could be our next Benteke if we manage to get him signed.

He’s got great technique & footwork, makes a change from our other strikers. I just don’t think Davis & Samatta are even close to good enough and Edouard should be a massive improvement on both of them. Samatta should be 3rd choice at best, Davis doesn’t score and you can only wait so long for players to improve at this level. We desperately need goalscorers. I keep reiterating that we can’t afford to carry any passengers if we actually want to compete in the PL (rather than struggle to survive), ineffective players is what hurt us this season most of all. The most encouraging thing about Edouard is how much promise and potential he’s already showing at such a young age, plenty of goals (and assists too, which is great). He completely fits the kind of profile we have been looking for (young, high potential, capacity for high profit if sold in future). If we’re in for Watkins too, I’m sure that would be a huge upgrade on Samatta & Davis who I would have no qualms about us moving on. Wesley will be like a new signing and different option when he returns and will have to up his game to compete with that pair. 3 good striking options there, that would make a nice change for us. The amount of upgrading & improvement this squad needs is a fairly huge task... I‘m hopeful we can get the right players in but it’s going to take a lot to make us a mid table team rather than a relegation battler. That first signing or two will give us an idea of which way we are heading...

Wouldn’t it just be best and most sensible to wait on bids being accepted and make judgement on or react to our first couple of signings before theorising/speculating/getting emotional etc.? None of us know anything about the inner workings of and mindset within the club. Since NSWE came in, we have undoubtedly been on an upwards curve (compared to so many previous years of misery and languishing or struggling to get out of the championship). Deano has done a great job and the club seems well run for once (by actually credible & reputable people, that makes a change!). I can’t understand any negative thinking tbh, just be patient and at least see what happens before overreacting. There’s little to no doubt that the owners want to push this club forwards and keep improving and progressing plus they have the genuine funds and wealth to back that up. I know we are a very impatient bunch as fans but there is a lot to consider and perspective that needs to be taken. Overnight/instant/quick success is impossible (moreso nowadays with all the restrictions in place such as FFP). The club is being run correctly and we are ambitious... there’s every chance we will get better and better and make some brilliant signings. No one is completely positive or delighted (or even deluded!), after all we’ve had to endure we are a cautious and often sceptical bunch but I genuinely believe the good times are coming (we’ve made a decent start and staying up was a huge step, let’s see how much we can progress now!). It is time for patience and cool heads and there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of positivity too... There’s no actual or tangible reason to be downbeat, negative or upset by our transfer activity (not yet anyway). These things take time (you’ve got to take into account the impact of Covid too) and I’m sure there is a lot of hard work and research being done behind the scenes... keep the faith and look forward to another (better) season of Villa in the PL! UTV

On a more pleasant/positive note, I randomly came across this channel & videos on YouTube. So pleasing to see Jack (plus a few other players) & Gabby engaging with young fans like this. The lad has some sort of medical problem and they’ve been really supportive of him (as well as other young fans). Enjoy: (the one with Gabby is hilarious )

Yep, 2 60 min games vs Bristol City. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/report-aston-villa-host-bristol-18832677 Samatta scored in a 1-1 Kesler played in one of the games (tweeted about it)

Had forgotten about him but just remembered we still have Hogan.... How the hell are we going to get rid of him? Doesn’t seem like there’d be any takers (unless on loan but that hardly benefits us), could Celtic be convinced to take him as part of a deal (& big fee) for Eduoard? Apparently, Deano & Lennon are good friends (though this could sour that relationship ). Always remember Bilic being after him and he was also quite vocal about it, back when he was still playing for Brentford. Crazy how badly it worked out really, it was seen as quite a coup at the time & Wyness bragged about it at least on one occasion. We need to offer him around really...

It really is a tough one... having to rely on Nyland is a recipe for disaster. I think we do need another GK in, offload Nyland & Kalinic & review Steer’s position (will sadly have to go if he keeps breaking down). Dunno why we treated Sarkic the way we did & let him go so easily. If 3 keepers go, we need to sign 2. But, we have to sort out our attack most of all...

Options (of high quality) is something we desperately need and severely lack atm, would give us more tactical flexibility and adaptability in games. This season showed just how poor our squad is and we need quality beyond the first XI also. So much work to be done, we need to act quickly but sensibly.

If he could just overcome his injuries he would get decent game time and could eventually succeed Heaton.... what a great option to have as a backup. Hasn’t had much of a chance to display his abilities but he was a major factor in getting us promoted. He’s not a walking disaster like Nyland either and has the ability to pull of some spectacular saves. If the pair of them could stay fit, Heaton & Steer really is a great GK department.

Not seen much of Edouard, but his goalscoring record and prowess at such a young age (has to be taken into account) is encouraging and he has huge potential.... even if it’s mostly/just been in the SPL. Probably shouldn’t be compared to other transfers from Scotland that didn’t work out, for that reason in particular. His France U21 record is great too. Imo, it’s unlikely that he would be a failure and he should get better & better. He’d be a vast improvement on Davis (similar age) and could be our best & most reliable goalscorer. If it works out, he could become a massive player for us. It’s the kind of profile that appeals really rather than an older or more (there’s that word again) “experienced” player with a lot less room for growth/improvement. You never know, could be our next Benteke

If fit, Steer over Nyland EVERY SINGLE TIME. Orjan OUT. Was Jed still injured/unfit after lockdown? Has he recovered now? Wondered why he didn’t get a look in. GK is a really awkward one for us, Heaton is a great first choice... it’s just his injury record & proneness that is a worry (also applies to Steer) and if we bring in a new no. 1 then I’m fairly sure he’d be displeased and maybe think of moving on... Maybe either an older/experienced keeper to compete & rotate or a loan are our best options for now... Having Heaton back ASAP will be a great relief & help.

Let’s do this right:

It’s not just the rare or occasional blunder with him, the guy‘s a nervous wreck and doesn’t instil or inspire any comfort & confidence in the defence. He has the ability to mess up massively in any game. A couple of decent performances or even outstanding saves do not make up for his overall “crapness”. He’s always a worry. His blunder (another of many) against Sheff Utd was typical of him too, I can’t see any/many keepers being that careless & soft. He always has a look of worry & discomfort on his face throughout games too, he’s not cut out for this level. He makes mistakes WITHOUT PRESSURE. It’s simply unacceptable and I have run out of patience with him. He doesn’t possess the right character or personality for a top/reliable keeper at PL level. I am eager for us to get rid in all honesty and would be bricking it if we ever had to rely on him again. He’s a massive risk and I’m tired of having these kinds of players...we are a PL team again and need to reestablish ourselves as a mainstay of this division and progress from there. We simply can’t afford to carry anyone at this level and mustn’t forget that we barely survived... no passengers... To succeed, we will have to be a bit ruthless and make some ambitious moves. This squad is not even nearly good enough as it is and needs major improvement. I’m glad we have Heaton but his injuries are always a concern so we will have to bring in another GK and offload Nyland & Kalinic asap. If Steer could overcome his injuries he could be good cover but, again, not a reliable option (only for that reason).