Herman22

I'd take Heaton if he was decent value. Better keeper than Butland IMO.

BBC are reporting that we are offering 10mil for this Egyptian Trezeguet. The BBC don't tend to report rumors so there seems to be something in this. Mentions Hegazi too.

Well that's the left side of defense sorted with Tyrone, Hause and Targett signed. Still hoping for another right sided CB and a DM as soon as possible.

Is this guy reliable?

Weird one but was thinking about it earlier. About a month ago our record transfer was 18mil for Bent. We have broken it for Wesley. How many more times do you think we will break 18m this summer? I think 4 more times. Mings, Webster, Phillips and some winger I've not heard of.

14m doesn’t seem bad value for a real problem position for us.

The DM role is so important to the way we play it might be worth paying the money for him. You see top teams how they suffer when their DM is out. Take Man City for example, no one can replace Fernandinho in their team. He's not a top top player but in their system he is essential. I think we need two new players in DM as Hourhane will get walked all over in this league at DM.

Do you include players who were here last year on loan? Easier to count who will start. For me: Grealish, McGinn are certs. I think Mings and ElGhazi will start too (assuming Mings returns which I think he will). Elmo at RB is questionable, I think if we buy a LB he will be a starter over Taylor, same goes for Hourihane. A new winger, Wesley up front.

Chester is a top professional. The fact he didn't miss a minute of football for so long tells you just how good he is. And that was across 3-4 managers too. I agree with most here, I hope he has a chance to play with Villa at the very top level. He deserves it just as much as anyone else.

I was going to post this but you beat me too it. I don't get this, maybe it's a generational thing (I'm in my mid 30s) but why do people spam these players with messages all day long? Do they actually think they are encouraging the player to sign? I know it would have the opposite effect on me.

That's the main reason why we shouldn't be going to the Championship if you want to get value. Nowadays scouting networks should be international, there's no need to shop on your doorstep. You look at the likes of Kante, Mahrez, etc. Brought in for relatively small sums and have excelled and eventually been sold on for huge profit. I think that's the Villa model now so don't expect 20+ mil to be spent on a championship player. That's why for me the Butland rumour seems a bit odd. Doesn't appear to fit the general approach.

There is talk that the fee is 3m. If that's true it is a fantastic piece of business. Good cover at left centre back (hopefully behind Mings) and cover at left back (hopefully behind a new starting LB) More great business from DS, looking forward to this season so much.

I think the best thing we can do is sit back and let DS and the team do the work they are doing behind the scenes. The Wesley transfer yesterday tells me there is no clue among the media who we are going for and they are clutching at straws. We all know the areas of the pitch we need to strengthen so let's all enjoy this summer, if you told us 3 months ago this is where we would be I don't think there would be too many complaints. UTV!

Ha, your right, he's from Cameroon. I always thought was Brazilian. My bad!

Djemba Djemba is the only one I can think of.

I saw this earlier, not sure what to make of it. Talking about it like it's done. Anyone on here know anything about the Belgian league? If he is anything like the last player we got from Brugge I will be quite happy. I'll wait until it's confirmed before I get too excited.

Spurs away first game!

I watched the game last night and his timing was off. Made runs too early and was caught offside. He had a decent chance when he went around the keeper but touch was poor and was forced too wide. He also had a shot just as he was taken off that he should have done better with. The entire team were poor, hard to pick Hogan out anymore than anyone else.

Has turned out to be a really poor bit of business. I don't think we will be able to sell him so most likely to go on loan to the Championship. There is talent there, just looks so low on confidence right now.

I've never been a huge fan of Butland, but he still gets in most England squads despite playing in the Champ (and Stoke had a pretty terrible season). You would have to expect if he is coming in Klanic and one of Steer/ Nyland must be moving on. For me he is a better keeper that what we have to would be happy with the squad improvement. I also agree with what others are saying, we can't let Steer start the season if DS doesn't think he is good enough. The first 10 games are essential if you want to stay up in terms of points and momentum. DS has so much work to do this summer, so many players have already gone so a huge change in the playing staff happening in the next month. I have total faith in DS to work his magic.

I think this is the type of signing we should expect this summer. Not huge money, not a big name but a player with potential that can develop in the Premier League and will be worth more in a few years than they are now. Welcome Anwar!

The contract length is the only weird part of this signing but it again speaks to the club being smart with signings and now giving stupid contracts to plays (Sherwood signing Richards and Lescott springs to mind!) I know GG has gone to Blues but he's a real disappointment for me. Thought he had real potential but injuries seem to have really set him back. Anyway, welcome Jota!

I don’t think anyone would disagree that he is a top pro and appears to be a top lad. But the right football decision. He will have plenty of offers from the championship and I wish him the very best of luck.

That's a fair point. But Laursen was another (not to mention God) who had injury issues before arriving at Villa. It's a risk you take with any player.

Keeping Steer will mean we are well stocked with keepers. I'd like to think we will get one or both of Mings and Tuanzebe back next season. If we get both I think that sorts the centre of defense along with Chester and Hause. If we don't we need another prem level centre back. I don't know much about Guilbert but hopefully, him and Elmo are enough at RB. I'd send Bree out on loan again. Only Taylor at LB is an issue. I'm hoping Suso and DS have something up their sleeves for this position. DM is a massive position, can we get another Gueye from somewhere? I'd take Hayden from Newcastle if he still wants out. The two remaining SM positions I think will be McGinn and Jack with Conor to come in. I expect Lansbury to stay so he may be used too. Another body in here would help but not essential. The front 3 is where we need most work (and money) if Tammy comes back happy days but I don't see it. ElGhazi is a good player but we need someone on the other side and another 2 for competition. Tammy up front with back up of Kodija, Davis and Hogan seems ok. I'd prefer to move Hogan on and use the cash elsewhere. I don't think I would keep any of the out of contract players. Jedi, Hutton, Elphick, Whelan and even Bunn all go and are wished the best of luck. Can't say the same for Richards.