wilko154

Just watched episode one based on the reviews on here. Thought it was very good, much better than the films, and as near as you could get to how I imagine Jack Reacher to be. The way he reels off stats and his views on a case is exactly how it comes across in the book. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Is Reacher a one book one episode type of series? I'm halfway through the books at the moment...

I watched the game, Davis was the best player on the Forest team when he came on. He's actually superb on the ball, his hold up play is fantastic and his passing was really good. He ended up dropping back and taking the ball from the centre backs at one point. Hopefully this loan spell continues in this way.

I think the only logical reason to sell Targett will be if he has asked to leave and is unhappy at being backup, or if Newcastle offer us stupid money. At some point though we need to sell players, FFP won't allow us to keep spending season after season. If we can double our money on a backup full back, then it would make sense in the long run. Unfortunately Newcastle are the only team that are likely to offer the stupid money. Not taking anything away from Targett, he's been fantastic for us and was immense last season.

I would sell him for 25 million personally, anything over that would be a bonus. I get people's worries about a backup left back, but Young and Chrisene should be enough for the remainder of the season. The reality is Targett's price is now going to begin to decrease the more time he spends on the bench, and the acquistion of Digne shows that Targett isn't in Gerrard's plans long term. Cash in whilst we can, and look to fill the backup position in the summer. It could also be money we can invest in a defensive midfielder tomorrow.

Buying a player as a stop gap, and lumbering ourselves with 3-4 years of wages is something the Aston Villa of old would have done. If we can't get the right player in this window, I have no problems with waiting until the Summer. Our midfield is at least mid-table level right now, with Sanson still an unknown quantity. It gives both him and Chukwuemeka a chance to establish themselves. Saying all of that, I wouldn't be surprised to see Villa pull something out of the bag tomorrow.

Good money for Cash if we could get £40 million, but as others have said we would need a replacement who is better than him. I would be inclined to keep him regardless, it just show's the level he is now that clubs like Athletico Madrid are calling.

It's weird, I was fuming when Jack left us in the Summer. Mainly due to the fact that it felt as though he had committed his future to the club with both his contract and his words to the fans; as well as the fact that the it put the club back a few years in it's 'revolution'. I didn't boo him on his return to Villa Park, but I didn't clap him either. I disliked him, and I wasn't bothered. Now, I'm actually past it. I can understand why he left; and I'm really pleased how the club have responded to his sale. We've invested well, we're pushing for big signings, we've made a managerial change that's pushing us forward, and it no longer feel's as though Jack's loss has set us back a few years. If Grealish goes onto win the PL this season, then fairplay to him, let's be honest he's a fantastic footballer and he deserves it. He dragged us through the mud to get us where we are today. I'm not going to be out there singing his praises or begging for him to come back. But I'm also not going to slag him off or make out he's the worst footballer in the country. Aston Villa is in a great place, and from what I've heard Jack Grealish leaving has helped that, both financially and in the dressing room/training ground.

Yes, although it would be a tougher decision if Luiz had a 4 or 5 year contract at the club.

Yeh I agree, McGinn and Luiz together almost allow Ramsey a free role in the midfield.

For me I would be torn on whether to sell him if a £50 million bid came in for him. On one hand games sometimes pass him by, but on the other he does so much for the team that goes unnoticed and you don't realise it until he's missing. I actually think McGinn could become better with better players around him, and once the new additions settle into the side. A bit of steel behind him could also free him up to make more of those late runs into the box.

You can write yesterday off as a tough game. Everton battled hard and made it almost impossible for us to play any football. Watkins struggled, but most of the team did as well. Personally would have given Ings a bit longer on the pitch instead of Watkins to see what he could do.

Mings is undroppable as well, it showed earlier this season when he was dropped how much the team needs him. I would also say our midfield looks it's strongest when McGinn is present. The four of them are essentially the spine of the team right now.

I would start him against Everton on Saturday, I think he is a better option as a number 10 than playing Ings or Watkins out of position there. It gives him an opportunity, and shows him that he's a first team player going forward. Coutinho can then replace him late on. He's some player, and the stronger he gets the better he will be in the PL.

Watkins held the ball up, laid it off and created the opportunity for Coutinho to score the goal. It was good centre forward play. Next question?

I see we've got a new scapegoat. Attitude problem? Absolute rubbish, he was part of the celebrations after Coutinho's goal, he called other players to join in then high fived Coutinho on the way back to the centre circle. The bloke was probably just looking knackered from all of the running he had been doing for 90 minutes. Yesterday he struggled in the 10 position. He's so much better when he is up front as the central striker. If you look at the balls into him, the majority are where he has his back to goal with a defender behind him. He's a striker, it's where he was so good for us last season, and it's where he needs to play this season. I would bench Ings, and play Watkins up front with Buendia and Coutinho in behind him now. If he's off the boil in a game, then bring on Ings to give him a go with half hour remaining.

Absolutely brilliant second half yesterday. First half he suffered with the midfield not being active enough around him. He benefits from having McGinn doing the dirty work next to him and allowing him to get on the ball and make direct runs forward. With a proper DM in behind him, winning the ball, freeing him up, and giving it to him in areas he wants it; he will become an even better player for us. He's going to be massive for us, and is now by far my favourite player in this team.

Why would we sell Watkins and Cash? And why would we sell Sanson, Nakamba or Luiz? We need a DM and CB, and this window will then have been perfect. In midfield we are currently short, we play with three central midfielders and we currently only have four available whilst Nakamba is injured. We should have six in the squad, ideally in the summer we can then look to move on one of the six and bring a youngster in to be the sixth first team player if they are good enough. At centre back we currently only have three, we should have four. If Kerr Smith has been signed to be the fourth centre back this season, then in my opinion Hause needs upgrading as he's not good enough to be the third choice in our squad. Upgrading a striker or a right back at this point of the season though is not something we will even be contemplating. Completely unnecessary.

Strange atmosphere yesterday, probably proves just how much the on pitch performance impacts a Villa Park crowd. When we play poorly the atmosphere is not there, if the players get into a game the crowd can be fantastic, and they were for the last 20 minutes. The one thing that frustrates me is the amount of people getting on the backs of the players when we pass the ball backwards. If you watch any good team they do this, recycle the ball through the back four and look to restart the attack. It's about retaining possession at times, a lot of our fans seem to think we should be attacking 100% of the time, and moving the ball forwards at all times.

I missed this interview yesterday, so for anyone else that also hasn't seen it.

No chance Carney is starting in a game like this. He's not ready for starting games in the PL in my opinion, as Jacob Ramsey wasn't really ready last season. Run out's from the bench and integration to the first team next season after a summer bulking up a bit. Watkins, Ings, Buendia and Coutinho the main 4 front players today (Coutinho from the bench).

It's funny watching this game, the players just don't seem to pass to him. In some ways it feels like where at Villa we would give him the ball in any area, knowing he has the ability to wriggle out of it and create an opening. City are so in control of games, with so many players available that they don't need to give Grealish the ball in areas where it's deemed a risk. Unfortunately this has become Grealish's game, he's a skilful player who creates and alleviates pressure by holding the ball. His movement off the ball is also just not the same as the players around him. The runs he make are different and it's why they don't feed it to him at times.

He will either start and play up until the 60th minute if fit enough. Replaced by Ings... Or he will come on second half around the 60th minute... All dependant on his fitness. I would be quite keen for him to come off the bench, play against tired players where his fitness and rustiness may not be so telling.

I think it is very unlikely we will go for another attacking player this window. Bailey, Ings, Buendia & Coutinho are all new to the club and are still adjusting. You have to give them all time to prove themselves. Watkins & Traore are both still fairly new to the club as well and are adapting to playing with new players. Archer may well go out on loan, but Young and Barry are back at the club (possibly going back on loan at some point) It makes zero sense right now. Maybe we will see some changes in the Summer window. But right now we have more pressing issues.