Okonokos

The problem with only buying players with Premier League experience is down to value for money. English clubs charge way more than European clubs. I do agree that buying players from abroad without PL experience is riskier but that doesn't mean quality players aren't out there. It is purely down to scouting and recruitment. If you have proper people in doing those jobs, there is a serious amount of talent across Europe to be had. The Bundesliga is my favourite league and I could probably name at least 10 players who would improve us but also wouldn't cost half of what a similar level player based in England might do. Really, the best signing we can make this summer is Suso's replacement.

Brekalo is very good and always catches the eye but I just think Rashica has that bit extra. Would be happy with either though. Also Amine Harit from Schalke is a lovely player and may be getable as Schalke do love to sell a good player.

That didn't take long!

We only had 10 million to spend in January without going over the FFP limit. Also, the reason we didn't stretch to £25m for Benrahma in the summer was because we had £140m to spend on nearly 15 players. We had to spread the budget out a bit. That won't be a problem this summer as we don't need another 15 players. I think we'll see us signing players for £25m+ this summer.

I've mentioned Rashica every transfer window for the past 2 years I think. Quality player, would love him here. There are so many players from the Bundesliga who would be amazing value. Really hope we do some shopping there.

Bang on. There is nothing more ambitious than trying to get the club you love back to the top. If I were in his position I'd spit at Manure if they even tried to talk to me. All this nonsense about him "needing ambition" and should leave does my head in. Just read every tweet he makes. There's plastic glory hunters replying to every one saying things like "nobody dreams of playing at Villa Park, come to the theatre of dreams" Vile club. Even worse "fans".

In fairness though regarding point 4, we had virtually nothing left to spend without going over our FFP limit. This season they spent the absolute maximum we were allowed to.

Based on what?

We have to say to them it's £100 million and no less. If they want to send us Lingard and James then they'd have to make the bid about £180 million.

Dortmund want €120 million which is about £109 million. If they pay that much, surely they won't have another £100 million to spend on one player. Then again FFP doesn't apply to them, the cheating scumbags.

I think there are better strikers out there that would cost a lot less.

He's gone on loan to RB Leipzig.

Not looked through this thread so don't know if he's been mentioned but my number one target now we've stayed up would have to be Milot Rashica. I watched quite a bit of Werder Bremen this season and he's a star in the making. Apparently he wants to stay in Germany but we have been linked with him over the last few days.

For me, we demand no less than £100 million. We literally have no reason to sell him so if nobody can pay us what we think he's worth then they can do one.

Yeah, I'm treating it as the end of that horrific chapter and now the start of a hopefully more positive one.

Correct. He didn't. Almost as if they knew how bad a decision it was...

That seems so long ago now but I remember it so vividly. I've never been so angry after a match and I said at the time that it may be a factor on the last day of the season. It would be gut wrenching. Kevin Friend had better not show his face at Villa Park ever again, the useless scumbag.

Exactly. Leeds blatantly cheated that day. We did nothing yesterday.

So, for those interested. Following on from my Championship win on the last day of the season with Villa in FM19, this just happened the following season... Took us 10 years, but we got our revenge!

It's a joy to watch. The 4th goal was a thing of beauty, even if the defending was shocking.

Mainz are hilariously bad defensively. If Leipzig keep up this intensity it could easily be another 8-0.

I think Gotze was an awesome player. Looked to have so much natural ability but when your body lets you down like his has, there's no amount of ability that can help. One of the players I feel genuinely bad for.

Do you know what actually went on with Klinsmann? Seemed to come out of nowhere when he quit.

On course to smash England's goal scoring record too. 21 in 20

Decided to give FM 19 another go and try and get Villa promoted using the August 2018 squads database. I never usually do games as Villa manager but fancied the challenge. Blitzed the first season in a few days and here's the result... It agonisingly went to the final day of the season, with me needing a win or Blackburn not to win. Never been so nervous in a game of FM before.