RoyalVilla

Amavi really is looking very good

Just acknowledging it

Quite an amazing feat of arse covering in so few characters

What a mental summer so far. I reckon after today's signings we're just about net neutral in terms of transfer funds. Can't wait to see what happens next. Genuinely think we will see a few more outs and 2 or 3 ins.

I like Baker. Committed, strong and dominant in the air. Been with Villa since he was 8, which is probably longer than quite a few on this forum have been fans. On the other hand he isn't the quickest so he really needs to improve his decision making and reading of the game. He's got time on his side and is young for a prem CB without a lot of pace, so he could make it. Also, just because he's signed a new deal, doesn't mean he'll not go out on loan. Will be interesting to see what our CB options are when the transfer window closes slams shut.

Spoken like a man who's been on a stag do to Leicester!

"I am not going to go against the boy. He is a boy who has never done us wrong, who played the game right until the end, contrary to others, who did not sulk" Sounds like he's got the right attitude (and of course good taste and his brain in the right place choosing Villa over Leicester!) He's highly rated by all accounts - excited about this one!

Being reported in the Independent "Under the terms of the move Villa will take sole responsibility for Adebayor’s wages. There is also a loan fee involved in the deal for the player."

Berbatov story = part of negotiating strategy with Spurs for Adebayor???

January 2015 "I am a loyal person and committing my future will hopefully show everybody what type of guy I am. I feel like this is me - I love the club, I love being here and I want to put 100% into everything I do here. This is my club and I want to be here. That's why I am committing my future. There was no way I was going to bail out. I am here for the long run." July 11, 2015 "I'm aware there has been intense media speculation surrounding my future in the last 24 hours and I want to set the record straight. I'm not leaving. I'm staying at the football club and I can't wait for the start of the season and captaining this great football club." July 17, 2015 "I am now excited for the future with Manchester City and helping the club to succeed in the coming season and beyond." "The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity" Bob Marley

11 July 2015 I'm aware there has been intense media speculation surrounding my future in the last 24 hours and I want to set the record straight. I'm not leaving. I'm staying at the football club and I can't wait for the start of the season and captaining this great football club.

I had a lot of respect for Delph when when he signed a new contract - it gave the club a real boost when we needed it. He didn't need to sign so the £8m is also a real boost and quite unselfish of him. When it looked like he was leaving last week, I was obviously disappointed, but could understand. I think he'll risk his Euro's spot, but that's for him to worry about. However, since then he has totally cocked up. Making bold statements about loyalty, then doing this u-turn - come on Fabian, know you're own mind! If he'd have gone last week he'd have disappointed Villa fans, but many will have begrudgingly understood. Now though he will be universally hated and derided by Villa fans and have lost the respect of many other football fans all around the world. Massive PR disaster to turn yourself into a hate figure. can't wait to hear his comments and those of Villa, Tim and the players. Lots more to run on this one I think! Anyway, I think as a person he was a good captain on the field, but as a footballer he is very much replaceable IMO - in fact I've personally never really rated him that much and was only coming round to him last season as he sometimes single-handedly provided the forward impetus we needed in a dire Lambert managed team. It's going to be a very different Villa team next season, which I'm quite excited about.

Nope, if clause is triggered, it's up to CB where he goes - Villa have no say Edit: though you're right, we don't know exactly what the clause states

Unless the new owner or a representative is also present.... It doesn't make any sense to sack Lambert & Faulkner, even if prospective owners are in attendance. What if the takeover falls through, as theses things can. What other manager or CEO are going to come in when there is no guarantee of who will be owning the club in a month, or six months, time? I've been involved in a bit of M&A work myself, including a deal that wouldn't be a million miles away from the size / complexity of the Villa sale. Now, I'm not an M&A expert; my role was a Programme Management one on the acquisition (and eventual integration) side. However, in my experience, the buyers would certainly want to meet with the senior / key management in place. In my example, it helped us define the new structure for the organisation and in that example some directors / senior managers exit terms were agreed as part of the deal and some stayed on (but left post-deal). The acquisition process isn't simple in terms of financial agreement and there are a lot of details to be sorted out as revenue and costs are fluid over time (day-to-day). I'm just speculating now, but I think it could certainly be plausible the PF and PL could be discussing, amongst other things, exit terms as part of facilitating the structure of the acquisition. There are many things new owners would want to discuss with them, even if they're not in their post acquisition plans. This makes sense when you think about it. Now, IMO, and this is purely my conjecture, we are in advanced stages of a deal. I think all the signs are there - the planned communications from Lerner, in particular the 'farewell' element from both his statement and GK's. The timelines seem to fit - communications after we're confirmed as safe, change of messaging re contract renewals from earlier this year. From a timeline point of view its possible we might hear something soon, but probably within the next 3-4 weeks (hopefully!). Anyway, I really hope the news is good. I'm not so bothered about the net worth of an individual / consortium who might want to buy us (though I'm hoping for significant investment like any fan). What I'm most concerned with is that we get buyers who have a good plan and commitment to taking the club forward. I think there's a lot of value and potential to be had for a club like Villa if we get the right owners / plan in place. Despite his faults, I think RL genuinely sees himself as a custodian, so I hope that is represented in the choice of buyers. Keeping fingers crossed - RV

What a great start to my Friday evening - Benteke staying and the opportunity to have a good laugh at all those arrogant spuds knobs!

Pretty much joint faves (with Reading) on betting exchange to go down now. We're 3rd favourite to finish rock bottom which offers better value to the punter

Yep. Every other week. Outside places like Huddersfield, Derby and Ipswich

Would have been a good signing

Sorry to butt in, but this doesn't make any sense at all - that is the exact way a player's value is determined The price the buying club is willing to pay is exactly how a player's transfer value is determined, which is a matter of fact. Whether that represents good VALUE is, of course, a matter of opinion. As regards Bannan - I think he is a talented player with potential, but for his style of play he really needs good / experienced players around him if he is to have the freedom required to develop at this level. At the moment he looks like he'll develop into a squad player at best.

I think dropping Bent has been the first time I've been annoyed by anything that Lambert has done. I'd have personally played Bent alongside Gabby and had Benteke on the bench, or played Bent and Benteke with gabby in Albrighton's place. Having said that, we are still very much in early transition and Lambert is trying lots of different things and really mixing it up. I think his approach will pay off in the long run. I think that if Lambert's life depended on winning that game, Bent would probably have been the first name on the teamsheet. He does need to manage Bent carefully tho IMO as Bent needs to be confident and feel wanted. It is a team game, but Bent's position and strengths require him to be selfish. I think we're really lucky to have a natural goalscorer as good as Bent and are a much better team for having him in our side.

Going against the tide, I personally don't really rate Adam Johnson. Attacking and direct, yes but also one sided and one dimensional. Also not convinced he would really fit in with PLs style of play + I think there have been some doubts cast over his attitude. I think Downing is a better player btw. Also, I have more pragmatic view on our transfer activity. Getting the right players together isn't simply a matter of opening the chequebook and calling around agents. What's happening at Villa is a rebuilding process and this could take quite a few transfer windows to get to a good base. PL knows we need to be more sustainable and wants to really maximise his resources so I don't think he'll be making knee jerk reactions. I think this is the right long term approach. FWIW I think we might see another couple of additions, esp if we see an out or two, but this might not happen unless other factors fall into place (though I think loaning J2M opens up some space). However, if we didn't make any more signings I wouldn't be getting my pants in a twist as the re-building is longer term than just this window and it's important to get the RIGHT players in and that sometimes takes time.

That's the word around the campfire. Mirror and Mail are reporting £8m deal. I think I might prefer Sinclair to Johnson. You cannot be serious ! We need someone to make an instant impact not ballet down the wing for a few seasons. I'd welcome sinclair any day... but get in line and make way for AJ ! Am I the only one who doesn't really rate Adam Johnson??? He's attacking, yes, but not creative. He's very one sided and generally limited IMO. He might well improve our squad a bit, but he'd cost £££ in both transfer and wages and I think we could use our resources better.

I agree!!!

Quite right too. Why go for excitement and fear of relegation when you can have mediocrity. And fear of relegation. More of the same please Randy, I LOVED last season. Let's wait and see who we get first, but I'm becoming more and more pessimistic as time wears on. I don't think the fact that things seem to be dragging on is something to be pessimistic about. There's a mini manager merry-go-round happening at the moment. I think when Liverpool take their manager, everything will fall into place. Maybe. Wonder if we'll see anything happen this week? Apparently Martinez is having further talks with Liverpool tomorrow according to Whelan. The fact that Martinez has been on holiday and is talking with Liverpool makes me think he's our first choice and we're waiting to see what happens, which is why there hasn't been any proper action on our behalf just yet. Again, just my guess.

Quite right too. Why go for excitement and fear of relegation when you can have mediocrity. And fear of relegation. More of the same please Randy, I LOVED last season. Let's wait and see who we get first, but I'm becoming more and more pessimistic as time wears on. I don't think the fact that things seem to be dragging on is something to be pessimistic about. There's a mini manager merry-go-round happening at the moment. I think when Liverpool take their manager, everything will fall into place.