philgetaway

This is Aston Villa Football Club. We should be playing teams like Arsenal and giving them a game. We should be where Everton are - a decent game for any opposition on our day. Lerner / Fox / Sherwood etc are to blame for us 'getting smashed' by these teams. That's not a true standing where the club should be. Over time with generally been a decent top 8 side. Next Tuesday we're on TV away at Brentford the same time Chelsea are playing Liverpool.

There is a list doing the rounds on twitter, but its for FY15/16 so a few years ago. The drama queens on twitter seem to ignore this, even though its stated in the top left of the grid. So think, NZogbia, etc.

It was tongue in cheek! I'm glad we're signing players. i would say though it's a bit early to say these guys are both "far better than we currently have". 25 year old Houriane has had a decent half a season at Barnsley where the pressure is well and truly off. Let's see what happens at a team that needs promotion by next season, on TV most weeks, playing home games against teams are their big day out. In addition to a fan base that has been starved of success and can get on players backs. I reckon we have a few players already that would do well at Barnsley. In fact we have a players that have won this league before, and scored 66 goals in 3 seasons, and still struggled. Hopefully they hey will be great UTV

Big coup for the villa 2 Barnsley players. Did the Dr mean bigger than Barcelona in 5 years or Barnsley?

Maybe you're right. I just think the best I've seen of Jack is when he gets in behind defenders, as he's one of a few that can beat his man, and out left gives you that. At 10, and also when he's been played deeper, he beats a man but he's still yards from goal. i agree on Kodja and Ayew out wide, as their mindset is to look for a goal. Grealish will look to assist. I suppose my point was at this stage in his career, he's been asked to play wide left, in behind, and also deeper in midfield. He just needs a settled position so he can focus on his game. We're desperate for wide men so why not use him. Wide left has also been where he has played most of his football (and Notts County, Youth team etc).

For me he's not a number 10. Id have him out on the left. Get him settled into one position. He can focus on crossing and dribbling into the box, winning free kicks and pens. Also if he's in that same position, it will make it harder for teams to take turns fouling him. Most RBs will be sent off by the end. Some behind me in the Holte were giving him abuse yesterday, telling him to get up. There was a 10 minute period where whenever he got the ball they fouled him! What's he supposed to do? I'd get pissed off as well. He gets kicked off the park every week.

We all know he will get replaced, we're continually linked with fullbacks. In fact, he has already been replaced, but De Laat picked up a season long injury on his debut. Thought Hutton did alright yesterday, a few decent runs and tackles / blocks more so in the first half. Look forward to seeing a similar screenshot in the Chester and Baker thread for their second goal. You know, the un marked striker in the centre of our area.

Good idea. Teams are all about partnerships over the field, and if those two know each other's games could be seen as a benefit. However, they will need to raise their games, as together they're a proven mid table championship midfield, and we're aiming a lot higher than that. i personally think (and I know Ill will be shot down), that Westwood without doubt has, and will go on to have, a better career than Gardner.

Happy that we're finally getting some midfielders in. I think 40k per week is a bit much, but I suppose that is the rate for signing a player for a low(ish) fee, and is out of contract in the summer. I remain a little sceptical though, as our current 4th choice midfielder looked good in that Forest team last season.

Great answer mate - completely agree. I think you've hit the nail on the head when you've suggested that the goalkeeper would be favourite against all three. I think it's widely accepted that the striker should have the advantage in such a scenario, and that is the problem. The fact that we're even considering Chester puts it into perspective. I just can't imagine Gabby scoring the sort of the goal that Lincoln City lad did the other night. I'd back Kodja, Ross McCormack everyday.

If we're 0-0 V Preston, and in the 90th minute we're presented with a clear 1 on 1 opportunity, Villa Player V Preston GK, who would you choose between: 1) Our Striker - Gabby 2) Our Centre Back - James Chester 3) Our under-performing, confidence stricken midfielder - Westwood

I can't see how the next four can be easy? Both PNE and Bristol have already turned us over this season, with Preston above us in the league. Brentford were excellent at VP and drew. Forest are going through bad times, but they got a draw at VP. Plus we've just lost to Cardiff and Wolves in similar positions away from home. In addition we have no midfield and Gabby up front.

When outlined like this, we are simply not capable. It will involve winning, and scoring away from home. We are currently the lowest away scorers in the league with 7 ffs.

Fatboy slim

This guy needs to sack his agent, are whoever is advising him. We've all known since the start of the season that we will be short up front throughout January. So what does this guy do? He demands a better contract on Jan 1st! Play the month out, make some appearances, score and assist some goals. THEN start talking money. Talk about missing an ideal window to prove yourself. He wont get this opportunity again here.

Barry for me is a legend. Bit of a bad taste how he tried to engineer a move Liverpool, but you can't knock his reasons for eventually moving to City.

I always rated Petrov and what he brought to the side. It's fair to say though not everyone shared my opinion, so I agree he isn't a legend. Lads around me called him the crab for months until the horrific news, then was suddenly a legend. He is a legend though for what he went through, and how he played again. Maybe that makes him a club legend?

At the level we are now, Ross McCormack has scored 68 goals in the 3.5 seasons. We need a midfield to tap into this somehow. Or we can continue to back 11 goals in 3.5 seasons Gabby.

I would doubt opta getting it so wrong for two players. saying that it does fit the post truth world we live in.

Totally agree with you pal. I was at the game, he came on and offered something we didn't have in the first half - strength up against Cardiffs centre halves. But he had a shot at goal ffs, playing against a bottom of championship Cardliff side. Their keeper fluffed the save if anything.

I agree, he didn't stand out for me in that game. I'm also wary of any midfielder that stands out at Nottingham Forest as our very own Gary Gardner looked good there, and he is one of the worst Villa midfielders I've seen. Stand out midfielder we've played against this season for me was Will Hughes at Derby. He was excellent, even though Pearson had him playing deeper than usual.

Just checked their website: Westwood had 30 touches Gardner 41 Tish 45 The original claim was from some joker on twitter and people / the brum mail have lapped it up. Anyway... he's shit an needs to go obviously.

Didn't say it was a vendetta. But I know what I saw at the match yesterday in the first half. Maybe someone has applied a filter such as "completed passes", and sold it to twitter as "all touches" for effect?

Yeah I rate whoscored, but being at the game I remember Westwood in the 1st half tracking his runner into our box, and tackling/clearing the ball out for a throw. That touch in our box in missing. Both he and Gardner are woeful, but people shouldn't create bullshit stats to show this, we know it anyway.

The bar has been set pretty low for this guy for that 45 min display to be described as excellent. if he terrorised the Cardiff defence, how would you describe Kodjas recent performances?