Adman

47 minutes ago, tomsky_11 said:

IMO we shouldn't be looking to sell either Ings or Watkins at this point in time, but especially not Watkins. There's obviously a choice to be made between the two in terms of who starts, because we clearly can't set up with both in the team, either because of how they (don't) work together or because of the way it changes our shape and the way this impacts the rest of the team, both offensively and defensively. For me the choice of who should start is obviously Watkins.

First off, too me it doesn't look like there's been any significant drop in Watkins' performance to last, beyond that which I think could be attributed to trying to fit both him and Ings into the same side. His non-penalty goals per 90 is down from 0.35 to 0.31 and non-penalty xg down a smaller margin, 0.39 to 0.37. This seems almost entirely attributable to him having few shooting opportunities, 2.65 per 90 down to 2.42. His goals to shots and shots on target ratios have stayed the same from this season to last. 0.13 and 0.29 respectively. Seems reasonable to assume the small drop in chances could relate to him not always being the leading striker as he had been last season. Play Watkins consistently without Ings and I feel like we'd at least end up seeing a similar goals return to last season.

Then there's the choice between Ings or Watkins. Ings definitely appears to be the stronger finisher of the two, 0.38 goals per shot on target compare to Watkins 0.29, though Watkins does hit the target more often 43.6% vs Ings 40%. Ings also outperforms his non-penalty xg with his goals scored, where as Watkins scores marignally below his xg.

This though is about the only area where Ings scores above Watkins, and is somewhat negated by the fact the Watkins appears to be a lot more involved offensively to the point where he should score more than Ings over a season despite being the worse finisher. Watkins leads Ings in non-penalty shots per 90 (2.42 to 1.55), non-penalty xg per 90 (0.37 to 0.20) and also in shot-creating actions per 90 (2.17 to 1.14).

On top of this, Watkins' would appear to be the better aerial threat (35.4% vs Ings 19% for aerial duels this season), better ball retention (pass completion 73.6% vs Ings 65.3% while making twice as many under pressure, better dribble success rate), marginally better defensively (better tackle and pressure success rates and more blocked passes) and draws three times as many fouls per 90. All these elements seem pretty important to the way we are setting up under Gerrard, with quick passing, wing backs providing lots of crosses, compact defense based on cutting passing lanes in forward areas and a number of good set piece takers.

I agree with you 100% and Ollie is so likeable too.  It was just a thought of where the owners might be pointing if the Suarez rumours were correct

1 minute ago, Loxstock92 said:

It’s certainly giving me these vibes to be honest.

 

2 years to get into Europe or he'll be sacked

I think he's off to arsenal if we're getting Suarez. He's not looked himself since ings arrived and I think a Suarez / ings type finisher is maybe more suited to how Gerrard wants us to play

£40 mill would give us I'm guessing £20 odd mill profit (once we amortise purchase fee and avoid any add-ons ) . Suarez plays for 18months for free but high wages and archer / Barry / Caleb Chuck are primed to take over . Makes good financial sense to be honest and helps us keep spending elsewhere

1 minute ago, IrishVilla10 said:

What's the contract situation?

Hypothetical...

Get him in, sell Watkins / Ings then get archer supported to become 1st team regular.  Makes good financial sense if Suarez is free or very cheap. 

How many games has he played up top on his own in a 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 etc this season?  As if you ignore all the times he's played out of position or part of a 2 up top then I don't think he'd be getting criticism.  He's done good when played in his best role imo

19 minutes ago, sne said:

Transfer window will be closed by the time the AFCON finishes. Go back for him in the summer?

Oh yeah...I think we'll get someone in this window

Just now, jacketspuds said:

Would imagine we will go all out to sign Bissouma. It just makes sense (in my head) based on whats happened in this window so far.

Listening to Purslow's interview was really encouraging.

I think so too.  It's on hold because of Afcon, but as soon as that's done we'll go all out to get him.  Whether we can get him over others remains to be seen but I wouldn't be surprised considering past signings.  

Time for Gerrard to earn his monster salary and actually put a side out that can compete at home with a mediocre team

Just remembered we've signed coutinho and he now plays for us.  Brill

1 hour ago, Villarocker said:

So, what do we think the unfair decision will be this time?

1) Incorrect penalty decision in favour of Manure

2) Villa denied a clear-cut penalty

3) Manure player should be sent off but isn't

4) Villa player sent off unjustly

5) Manure score a goal that should be disallowed by VAR

6) Villa have a goal unfairly disallowed by VAR

7) An other..

I am sure it will be something controversial!

1, 3, 6 and 7 for me

http://sportwitness.co.uk/negotiations-started-aston-villa-exit-club-looking-raise-funds-january-deal/

Galatasaray are in talks apparently

17 minutes ago, wsag said:

Everton fan here. I have read bits of this thread and thought I would offer you my thoughts.  

I am in a minority of Everton fans who don't mind Benitez. I think he is still a really good manager.  A lot of the fans on forums will pile into any and everything if they think it puts a negative spin on the manager. My take is that the sorcerer has seen the apprentice coming from several miles off.  This is a not bad deal for Villa, but a very good one for Everton.  Let me explain the context. We. can't spend any money, owing the the previous clowns who have spent over half a billion on the worst trash you've ever seen. So if Rafa wants to do anything with our two bit squad, he has to sell to do it. And getting these millionaires to shift from the pot of gold we've stuck under them is the devil's own job.  In my view the 'row' with Digne is strictly business. Digne may detest Benitez now, but I don't think Rafa cares at all. He just had to get him out. Why? Cos doing that frees up FIFTY million quid we couldn't otherwise spend. 25 transfer fee, 25 wages. But he took a terrible gamble, he got in the replacement before he'd sold Lucas.  Maybe just to underline to him that he wasn't going to kick a ball til the World Cup. and the big problem we had is his wages. You lot (and you are now loaded in a way that Everton never were) will now be paying your chap £150,000 a week as he enters his thirtieth year, and for the next four years after that. Why? cos that is the idiotic contract we had given him last year. 

So it is in this context that I am judging the deal  By rights Digne should be on. about £75g a week cos he is a good player. The fact you're paying him double means that in the real world you've paid £40m for him if you were paying him realistic wages. In that light, I think it's too much. But he is good, just not that good.  One thing that will not happen though, he will not form a flank with Coutinho. Maybe for a handful of games, no more.  Your whole flank would be targeted systematically if that happened (like what happened with us and James). Those two are just too weak defensively.  Lucas flourished when he was in a defensive set up, and so he had lots more time to pick his passes cos he was getting major defensive support from the midfielders and wingers. If you are going to be an offensive minded team, he have a hand in some great goals (no question) but he will also be a liability defensively. For whatever reason, when he makes a mistake, it's normally costly perhaps cos he flies in trying to compensate for a basic lack of strength. And he doesn't like tracking back once he's headed upfield. He is freakish good in the air mind for such a little chap.  And a truly tremendous crosser.  If Watkins is good in the air, this could be good. But he's not the messiah.  I really do think that this time next year your fanbase could be split on which is the better left back. Cos, no. question, Rafa would prefer Targett.  He wants his winger to wing, and his defender to defend.

To finish, I think villa have been really interesting the last few months. I literally sat up when you played Chelsea, I couldn't believe how strong your team looked.  You've got some cracking players compared with when you first came up.  I do though think you are now on an absolute knife edge.  You are still playing well, but the wins are drying up.  A good side doesn't get beat these days at OT. You know it deep down.    If you get beat tomorrow. I think it could send you into a mini tail spin, and that will be SGs first real test.

, h

Always appreciate visiting fans opinions thanks for sharing.  Hoping that coutinho will be part of the front three, not the midfield three so Digne will get cover from McGinn / Ramsey if he bombs forward.  Will see, and agree the contract seems too high and will be costly if it doesn't work out...

16 minutes ago, MaVilla said:

no way i would let him go in this window when we only have 3 fit senior CBs (inc. Hause).

I would personally take the 1 year optional extension, keep him until the summer, then look to sell him if he wants to leave then, and at least get something for him when its reasonable to do so.

Selling him now, unless we sell him and bring 2 x CBs in is just asking for trouble, and tbh, we have much more important things to spunk money on than 2 x CBs right now (ie: a CDM and a CB on loan/or buy)

I think he'll want to go though

23 minutes ago, MaVilla said:

wow, a stat i didnt realise:

Wood being bought for 25m (or was it 20m?), is the highest transfer fee paid for a 30+ year old in PL history.

Blimey.

I wood have thought it was someone else, can't beleaf it

I recon he'll leave this window due to a lack of game time.  With the signings we've been making, it wouldn't surprise me if we brought in genuine competition for mings and konsa

Just now, pete101 said:

Would assume you need to apply outside the uk

To work in the UK?  Makes sense

Why do you have to go to France to get a UK work permit for a Brazilian who works in Spain?

16 minutes ago, HanoiVillan said:

Hmm, sounds like a complete mess to me. If the manager doesn't want him he might well not play many minutes at all.

Wow. Feel sorry for Anwar if this is true.  What a crappy situation that is already a crappy situation to walk into

28 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

2m is a hell of a lot of money for a 17 year old! A lot of fans are moaning about us apparently ‘doing an Everton’, hope this shuts them up, I mean reassures them.

I bet we've just saved about £2mill on Tuanzebes loan fee..?

If they were smart theyd have left it until the last day of the window to sign him leaving burnley screwed.  But they're not so it's ok

Hope he does. Don't want them to go down and their run in is pretty horrible from memory

I think his character suits raffa. Model pro, won't answer back etc

Good luck Anwar, thank you for impeccable service