Villaphil

29 minutes ago, randy_69 said:

He’s really good at football but when he’s mad he starts singing “suddenly” ...

 

 

 

 

...(sorry, showing my age, anyone else remember angry Anderson and that neighbours tune!!!!)

Solidarity with a fellow old ‘un.  I remember.

Tarkowski gives us the opportunity to go 3 at the back.

3 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said:

I reckon Young will be a back up full back rather than a winger.

 

Probably, although I’d play him ahead of AEG.

Let’s be honest though, the real reason he’s coming is to help his mate Lukaku settle when he joins from Inter as well.

Ok, so currently, when Jack gets injured next, our front 4 will be:

                  Ollie

Young.      Emi.      Traore

That feels so much better.

Crack on with the next signing please....

2 hours ago, MotoMkali said:

 

Just look at those percentiles  

Only 38th percentile for pressures ??  Not really our thing these days.

33 minutes ago, RichiBoi11 said:

Nail on the head here. We clearly don't have an unlimited budget, and the money required to sign a player better than last seasons player of the year would mean not being able to strengthen other areas adequately. Not every signing has to be direct and long term competition, Young would plug a gap, allow us to sign players in areas with a greater need of improvement, and allow Targett and the youth team left backs another 12 months development time with a dependable back up if required. Then in 12 months time if left back is a priority, we can always go out and sign a replacement for Targett. I doub't we'd have to do that though, for me Targett has been on an upward trajectory ever since joining the club, even in his ropey first season (which was in a struggling side). I think next year he will improve even further.

A little more eloquent than my post but yes, this.

49 minutes ago, Philosopher said:

Everyone keeps banging on about our Owners and the ambitions of the club then want us to sign Bertrand, Ashley Young and Ross Turnbull! I think we are too used to thinking small time! 

Villa are building for the future. How is signing past it players, and players that clearly lack the physical qualities to succeed in the Premier league.

The other thing that annoys me is the 'we have Targett so we only need cover.' Now i like Targett, but he is limited, and his limitations restrict our tactics. He has good technique, solid in the tackle, decent in air (for a fullback), and found real consistency. Lots to admire for sure. But no top team would sign him because he is too slow and doesn't have the natural fitness to tear up and down the touchline relentlessly for a full 90. Used as traditional fullback he has shown quality. Used as a modern fullback he has shown to be a liability. A good season doesn't make a top player. He needs competition, and Villa need a speedy, energetic alternative.

They’ve also shown they’re not ready to spunk £20m up the wall for a left back that may not be any better than the current incumbent. (What I like to call an ‘O’Neill’)

Maybe they’ve decided to give Targett another season, see if he continues on his development and then look again at that position next season or the one after that.  Instead directing investment to areas with a great need than back up LB ?

24 minutes ago, Philosopher said:

Ashley Young is 35, no way we should sign him. A premier league team looking to get into Europe should never be looking at a 35 year old. 

Ibrahimovic led Utd to a League Cup and Europa League trophy at the same age.  He provides cover in all manner of places and fills the dressing room with winning experience.

Given the current squad, I’d be starting him on the wing (ahead of AEG) with Jack in the middle.

6 minutes ago, thabucks said:

See some sense in signing Wood at the right price as he would offer us, a different option and is a good premier league striker who is underrated imo.  He bridges the gap until Barry is ready in 18/24 months…. Not worth what Burnley would want and cannot see it happening 

I’d expect Barry to come through playing wide left, rather than ‘up front’.

24 minutes ago, DaveAV1 said:

It will be very difficult to find a back up for Ollie who is good enough and happy to sit on the bench. Probably impossible. In my opinion the answer is a wide forward who can play with Ollie and instead of him when required. They don’t necessarily have to play every game but at least enough games to keep him interested and sharp. 
 

Still not an easy player to find but at least more possible and more desirable than a backup. Backup players shouldn’t really be a thing we’re looking for anyway. They should always be able to provide at least some completion for places. 

We could rotate Ollie out of that starting position.  Either on to the bench, for a rest, or to LW, which would allow the 2nd choice striker (Wood etc) game time.

9 hours ago, MotoMkali said:

I think we still clearly need a midfielder DM whatever you want to call it and a LW or CAM. As is we have 4 players for 3 positions. For me ideally a LW but others prefer Jack outwide so whatever.

Aside from. That depth is probably the necessary next step. LB, CB, GK (could we re-sign Heaton now his move to united has fallen through), and ST are the Notable areas where we lack depth especially if we plan to send Davis out on loan which I would hope we would do. Whether to develop as a first team player or to sell on as he enters his final contract year. 

LW = AEG with Watkins as 3rd choice, but only if you rate your support striker.

1 hour ago, VillaChris said:

Would still love us to get in a Carew type for the final third.

When we signed him in Jan 2007 he was 27 and had already started a CL final and started for top clubs in Spain, Italy and France.

Sort of signing you knew would instantly improve us and he did and we moved from bottom half to top 6 three years running.

Any gettable similar type in europe currently?

It’s Kane.

He’s 27 and has played in a Champs League final.  Admits to loving playing with Grealish.  Lets drop a £120m bid in and see what happens.

7 minutes ago, ender4 said:

Ah yes true.  2 key players. 
 

So possible for a couple of back-up cheap deals as well

I’ve seen Deano, on a few occasions, make reference to the third summer window being the one where you fill out your squad depth.  So 1 more record signing, then LB cover, RB/CB cover, then the decision as to whether you keep Wes or loan him out and bring in alternative cover.

Saw an interview with Jack where he said, with England, there’s loads of players that can take advantage of the free kicks that he wins, but not so much at Villa.  Thought that was strange, makes sense if we are trying to sign JWP ??

If we’re buying JWP and Buendia with Jack still at the club, would tend to mean 1 of 2 things:

1). They are spending the money we’d get from Jack and pocketing the change.  (Doesn’t sound like our owners), or

2). We are confident Jack is staying.

Sounds a lot more likely to be 2).  I get the feeling Jack’s agreed a new deal, only to be signed and announced after all our in comings (Avoiding wage inflation).

8 minutes ago, Delphinho123 said:

I think we all do. 

Hopefully Buendia will help, but we still seem to struggle when teams are dominating us. We haven’t got that player in the middle to just calm it down and wrestle back momentum. Palace away being a great example of this.

Think having both Jack and Buendia on the pitch will help with maintaining possession, which will help reduce this.

This Grealish / Kane love in has got me thinking.......

                           Kane

Watkins.          Grealish.          Buendia

                McGinn.       Luiz

Targett.      Mings.    Konsa.     Cash

                         Martinez

Honestly think the money is there if Kane would come

16 minutes ago, useless said:

I say we won't sign any midfielders, I wouldn't be surprised if we signed Maitland-Niles as he can also fill in at right back and left back.

Have you mentioned this to Gareth Southgate ??

3 hours ago, The_Steve said:

Just saw a hilarious tweet from Football Insider claiming we are going to be bidding £30-£40m for Chris Wood from Burnley. Can we blacklist this source?

Sounds like an AV source leaking a bullsh*t story, putting pressure on Chelsea, intimating that we could go elsewhere.

Elmo and Taylor were both on c.£40k each.

58 minutes ago, Jas10 said:

We worked hard on defence during lockdown and it was a major success.

Now, this preseason, the thing we need to work on hardest/most is ball retention, composure and pass selection…

Learn to keep hold of it, especially under pressure, look up before playing the ball and pick out the right man. Constant short passes and playing in triangles will help but players need to make themselves available and give support.

A lot of the time we get it out to the wing, for example (I’d like us to mix it up and play through the middle a bit, not so predictable), and the receiver is left isolated and crowded out and, again, we easily surrender possession. We need to get closer to each other and keep playing…

 This.

Without Jack our ball retention is woeful.

To be fair was still a problem even when Jack was playing, how could we not close out that game at Burnley ????

FWIW - My reading of the situation is that the noises coming out the club regarding transfer activity are similar to last year.  

Dampen expectations, and so we will be less likely to be overcharged, like we were in our first window back in the Premier League.

‘Less than last season’ comments tend to be more aimed at quantity of players rather than fees paid.

Maybe I’m being optimistic, but I’m expecting LB, ST and AM to come in, along with Guilbert returning.  The other Aaron Ramsey anyone ??

Davis and Wes out on loan, along with those with contracts ending to leave.

31 minutes ago, HanoiVillan said:

What were they?

With a clip of fans singing his name on Sunday.

Anyone else spot Tammy’s Twitter comments on Sunday, seems like it’s a no go.

2 hours ago, Lord Willard said:

Just get someone that can play as a winger and a striker. Someone of Gareth Bale ilk. Plays as a winger but if called upon can play as a striker. 

2 birds with 1 stone.

Ronaldo?