turvontour

But theyre not as big a club as Villa historically. They have a core fan base of 30 to 35k but inherited a ground about 50% bigger than their previous one. Are you saying that youd rather they had even more glory hunters going to their games like Man United do? I mean i suppose they will with time anyway, sadly. I'd rather they just had their actual fans wanting to see them play and if that results in empty seats then that's really not an issue.

I think we will be far less sentimental going forward and much more ruthless in our transfer dealings. The Digne business is a flavour of that. We were very sentimental under Smith it felt. The manager was a villa fan, the star was a villa fan, it was nice to keep the players together that got us promoted etc. I agree with the players you mention but I have a feeling that a couple of the players that started last night might be sold too. No one specifically, I just think there will be a different feel now going forward. It looks like we are going to finish midtable again this season. The owners will want to see serious improvement next season.

I think this'll likely be the first window in a while that we'll have a fair few players leave for fees. Other than Grealish, there hasn't been many in recent years.

That goal before half time ensured a really nervy atmosphere from then on. Would have been far louder and upbeat second half without that. As I say, rightly or wrongly, it's the match circumstance that drives the atmosphere.

The atmosphere generally tends to move with the performance/scoreline, unless it's a local derby.

Well atleast the other is Watford at home. Youd like to think we have enough there.

Oh sorry, ye I mean who is adding it up, who is doing the counting?

Not meaning to sound like a moron but how is that calculated? Like each players carry of the ball each game.

I think in his defence, neither of the second or third goal crosses he could have caught. Both were deflected crosses which took the ball away from him. He did seem very nervy though. But defensively we were soft.

Would love to see that turn he did in the first half

Atleast he has value now.

There was that ball that Digne flashed across in the second half and Watkins couldn't quite reach it. He didnt anticipate it. He just isnt a poacher or out and out goalscorer. It feels now with this side that we need that sort of striker. Ings is more that, but then I question his mobility.

Love a midfielder that can run through and finish, reminds me a bit of Lee Hendrie in that respect. Would be great for him to become a 10 goal a season player.

It easy to say in retrospect because he was dispossessed and they scored not long after, but I didnt get the need for him to charge 60 yards up the pitch with the ball when we had just gone 3 - 1 up and were heading to half time. It looked that he was trying to win a free kick but the ref wasn't interested. And then we were positionally all over the place as I dont think we were expecting him to charge forward. Ultimately the goal for them before half time was pivotal as we lost the momentum and undid the positives minutes earlier. He made a number of poor decisions tonight. I just hope he bounces back from this.

Yes he hasn't improved l, and you could question whether he has regressed slightly.

No he runs towards their keeper and pulls him back as he is trying to start a counter attack quickly. It's a nailed on booking, which is completely brainless when you've already been booked.

I dont blame Targett at all for wanting to play first team premier league football. Its pretty blatant/direct what happened, Digne has joined as an upgrade on him.

I dont get why var didn't look at it? They got the opinion of an ex ref on the tv coverage who said the ball could have run through to the keeper. Absolute rubbish. Maguire did exactly the same thing to McGinn this season and got away with it.

Hows that not a red for Maguire. Haha rediculous

Wow. How poor are Everton?!

Looks really strong now, very exciting prospect. Also how good is that celebration!

Just came across something saying he now plays for Bournemouth and is 31 years old! Why did I think he was about 26, I'd also assumed he was playing in Germany or Scandinavia. It's a shame that this looks to have been his career, kind of peaking with us as a second choice keeper when we were poor. It's a bit like Steer.

Get back to Witton you dossers!

Possibly, but is there not also an element of the Grealish transfer value about a hypothetical Martinez sale? I.e. what he is worth to us may be different to what he is worth when compared to others, particularly after his new contract. I think if we were to sell him for £60 mil we would be getting the bad end of the deal. His personality and presence are massive to us, on top of his ability. All hypothetical anyway thank god.

I dont see why he would be any less than £80-90m now, given his contract, age, form etc. His form for Argentina is unreal. If a major club was to go for him they would be getting a top top goalkeeper for the next five years.