DamsonwoodVillan

I said in the Summer thread the bloke scores goals and will get into double figures if he were to stay fit. When we lose Benteke I can't really see us getting better than Adebayor. As long as he doesn't bankrupt the club ala Friedel, Harewood, Davies, Knight then I would say it's a good signing. If we were to sign him as well as someone like Austin then I think our goals-for tally would be a lot healthier this season.

I would agree it's not a priority - unless Sherwood is of the opinion that if Vlaar, Delph and Benteke are gone already he might as well just carve the whole Lambert squad up and start again with his own guys in as many positions as possible. I wouldn't be too fussed to see Guzan go but who could we realistically sign who is better?

Kozak knows where the back of the net is but don't do a fat lot else in a game. Some would say that's a good thing/sign of a great striker etc, but the fact is Benteke did so well for us because as well as being a finisher he was also the nearest thing we had to a flair player and could fashion chances for himself. I think Kozak is a fair enough fringe striker that will get you a few goals over a season if you can get the right balls in for him, but he certainly can't pick up the mantle. We need at least two new guys in that position before end of August.

I could live with him going to a Champions League club, but I would be hurt if he went to Liverpool. I guess if they're the only ones going to pay the money we'll just have to accept it but it wouldn't exactly be his dream move surely, and it would be making sense other ordinary mid table Premier League side a lot stronger.

I've always wanted it to work for him but he's just never delivered. Can't see this season being any different. So disappointed as I thought we'd signed a major player and done well out of the Young/Downing situation at the time.

I agree. Whatever his age and level of wages the bloke certainly knows where the back of the net is, and is decent from crosses and scraps in the box. 31, 32 or whatever, in terms of goals I'd definitely back him to hit anything in the 8 - 15 range. If we signed Adebayor as well as an Austin or Oulare I'd fancy us to be a lot more dangerous and prolific than last season.

Depends really what you want Sherwood or anyone from the club to say. The fans might want Sherwood to open his mouth and have an angry rant about it but in the end what good does it do for anybody? It would just be dismissed as unprofessional, and sour grapes which strengthens Delph and City's position. The professional approach is to get on with the task at hand. I just don't want the loss of Vlaar, Delph and then Benteke to seriously damage Sherwood's enthusiasm and morale. He's managed to sort the backroom team out how he wants it now and the club seems to be on the up with a forward thinking Chief Exec and new SD. Some of the deadwood has been moved out and Sherwood this time last week was probably thinking it would all go his way this summer. One week later I really really hope hasn't left him thinking that it's a war he can't win.

Richards played 4 tonight. Sinclair 9. Gil 25 and Kozak 27 if that means anything.

No Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Gueye, Delph, Benteke, Sanchez or Grealish so who gives a toss?... All of those players would probably start at Bournemouth as things stand. The teams that went out tonight are so far removed from our first choice that I just couldn't see any point really other than fitness. The games against Wolves and Forest should be the only ones to even discuss meaningfulness to the new season to be honest.

I know it means nothing really but the shape of the team and personnel for the two games will be interesting. Bunn Richards Okore Clark Bacuna Westwood Gardner Cole Richardson Grealish Benteke ?? Pre-season huge this year with so many outgoings and probably a new shape to get used to.

In my opinion Clark is the best and most natural choice, but as someone else has said it wouldn't surprise me if Tim wants to send us in his own direction and it will be Richards.

Richards Okore Clark Bacuna Sanchez Gueye Delph Amavi This might work?? I always favour a back four myself as I think it's a bit more flexible for the players, but maybe it would work for someone like Bacuna.

Grealish and Gil instead of Praet? Seriously? Possibly Praet ahead of them, I have to admit I don't know him well enough to comment. Either way we'd have decent options.

I agree, players like Amavi and Chery are in a good position as age and a decent reputation is on their side. If Villa want to compete we will have to outbid our rivals. Nothing so much wrong with this, I believe clubs like Swansea and Stoke have done it and that is how they have overtaken clubs like us and Newcastle at present.

I've included Gabby. Although I think a move might be a good thing for both him and the club, I think he'll be a career Villa man. Unless he has a seriously good pre-season though I think he'll be a bit part player this season.

Apologies missed Bacuna out there. He'd be in that group with Gardner and Westwood for me.

Not a bad squad if we can get these guys in - and keep the main group together... Begovic (Guzan) Richards Vlaar Clark Amavi (Hutton) (Okore) (Baker) (Richardson) Sanchez Gueye Delph (Gardner) (Westwood) Grealish Gil (N'Zogbia) (Sinclair) (Gabby) (Praet) (Cole) Benteke (Kozak) (Robinson) I'm confident that squad could compete for mid table - maybe even more if we found some consistent form and some better luck with injuries. A lot depends on whether we can keep the Beast and Delph though, and to a lesser extent Vlaar. I still wouldn't be sure about lining up with Hutton first choice rb and Richards in the centre. I'd certainly be feeling sprightly come the start of the season if all these deals came off though.

No definitely not. I think I'm in a tiny minority but I really liked the 1999-2000 home shirt which was striped claret and blue with LDV Vans badge.

I don't know if I have the numbers quite right but in my lifetime I think it is... 1. Bosnich 2. Barrett 3. Staunton 4. Southgate 5. McGrath 6. Barry 7. Taylor 8. Milner 9. Saunders 10. Yorke 11. Agbonlahor For my choice on best players in each position not worrying about numbers (in my lifetime) would be... Bosnich Barrett Laursen McGrath Staunton Milner Platt Barry Merson Benteke Yorke

Playing N'Zogbia?? Lol I must be in a minority but I thought N'Zogbia did ok in the run in. He'd lost it completely by the Soton, Burnley and Arsenal games but hadn't everybody? During the 'golden' period of the season versus Spurs, Liverpool semi, Everton and West Ham I thought he did well in there with Grealish.

Given the positivity around him when Gil broke into the team I would be seriously surprised if we have already seen the last of him. Gil looked like he would possibly be a really big player for us around late Jan/early Feb. Sherwood is no fool, he knows we can't afford to turn our back on talented players. I think this is a conversation really for late this year when Gil's had pre season and the early part of the new campaign to make a bit of impact. If it has just rumbled on like this with no progress all the way up to January then fair enough get rid, but this summer is premature. I think Gil will be a pretty big player for us next season as Grealish continues to develop and Sinclair tries to hold down a place.

I would be happy with Heaton and Townsend. Don't think much of Garbett to be honest, would be more interested in Amiva although the jump from Ligue 1 to Premier League is huge. Most people seem to think Richards has been brought in to play at heart of the defence?? I would be playing him in his right back position definitely, much better option than Hutton, and it would mean Bacuna could concentrate on trying to get the right wing shirt. If both Senderos and Vlaar are going I'd still be looking for a top class centre back, as well as signing Richards to be fair.

I'm encouraged by the signing definitely if it comes off. This is more like the calibre of player needed if we are to have designs on the top half of the Premier League again. I don't think anyone can be too precious about the level of wages needed to entice players here this summer. It's just the way it is with the TV deals now. All clubs our size are going to have to do it. In fairness to Sherwood and Lambert as well, we've hung on in there with a declining wage bill for a couple of years. If we want the Sylla's and the Tonev's then it will continue that way, if we want the Richards' and the Trippier's you have to pay for them.

I've quite liked the kit the season just gone. I'd be more than happy with something similar.

A bit of wishful thinking the swap deal with Derby? I know we can't say for certain but I don't think much will get done at all until the takeover goes through.