Well it’s just all go isn’t it, lately?
The transfer activity is coming so thick and fast, I’m struggling to keep up, to be honest and it’s going to take me quite a while just to get all the new names sorted in my head.
I think we all knew we were going to have a bit of a clear out this summer, but not for one minute did I envisage that Tim Sherwood would be looking to totally change the team!
So what’s actually happened today?
Rudy Gestede and Jordan Veretout have both signed five-year deals, for, I believe, both undisclosed fees.
I really can’t say I know anything about Veretout apart from he’s a midfielder and frankly, don’t know much about Gestede; except that he was fairly prolific with twenty-two goals for Blackburn in the season just gone.
Perhaps I’m being slightly optimistic, but even with my lack of knowledge about pretty much any player we’ve signed, I suspect Sherwood has carried out some great business in this window.
Perhaps the big shock of the day is Nathan Baker signing a new five-year contract.
I know he’s Marmite to Villa fans, but whatever, that’s one in the eye for The Times, who were insistent that he was going to Burnley for a puny £2 million.
That said, the Times’ story did make a bit of sense where they suggested that Baker wanted to leave to play regularly. I wonder what Sherwood has said about that?
Another surprise was the story that the club bid for Joleon Lescott and seemingly had the bid accepted by West Bromwich Albion, but then overturned by manager Tony Pulis. I’d have loved to have been a fly on the wall watching that conversation between Pulis and Albion’s owner, Jeremy Pearce and it wouldn’t surprise me if Pulis had threatened to resign, as we all know he hates interference.
I’ve had a bit of mileage in that story, in winding a couple of Albion fans up, saying we’re going to get him.
The interesting point here, is that both the fans don’t want to lose Lescott. Serves them right for taking the proverbial and offering a stupidly low £2 million for Cieran Clark, in my opinion.
And finally, some of the papers would have us believe we’re still in for Denis Praet.
Like I said, it’s all go.
And I still don’t believe we’re finished yet.
Last point is that I read a blog in last night’s Birmingham Mail, where the writer voiced his concerns that with all these new players, the team might have a problem in gelling quickly enough.
He was ripped to pieces in the replies, but the truth is, I thought he made a very valid point.
We all know that some players can take a season at least to get used to the English game, after all.
I mean, Ligue 1 is a pretty decent league, but it isn’t the Premier league is it?
I’d personally expect a third of our signings to fail and the blunt truth is, it may be more, which does give me some cause for concern.
But then, I’d take the argument that wholesale change was desperately needed, as we were going nowhere with what we had.
I’m not going to let my slight concern put me off though and I’m still excited.
Oh, sorry, this is definitely the last thing.
Can someone tell me how many strikers we have now and if we sign another one, where do we think this leaves Gabby?
My head was swimming as soon as I woke up this morning, as I’ve got a stinking cold.
It’s even worse now after this flurry of news 🙂
Good post Badger. No chance of Praet he’s not French and dosnt have a beard oh and his names not Jordan 🙂
You be careful Oohah.
Your reply contained no moaning and people might think you’re slightly optimistic 😉
Lol I feel positivity coming all over me Badger I must see a Dr 🙂
Slow down Timbo, deadline day is end of Aug, not July 31. At this rate we will be expecting another 60 signings by the end of the window. ????
I personally am not to worried about the team not gelling as the bodies we now have means TS can have numerous options to swap things about and allow some to get used to the rigors of the EPL. Basically for the last 4 or 5 years the team has picked itself week in week out. We now have a squad that unless you perform you will be out. The pleasing thing is nearly all of these new signings could have gone elsewhere but chose Villa. I still see a couple going or at least on loan for the season. Pleased Baker signed as on his day he can be solid but as others have said he can be a bit injury prone. That may be down to the fact our defense has been hammered for the past 3 seasons. I would say apart Adebayor that is our buying concluded. UTV ONWARD AND UPWARDS.
Good point Rocky1. How many times over recent years have we been in for players who then use us to negotiate better deals elsewhere. Great to see players choosing us over other sides. A little more competitive wages, a more competent Chief Exec or just a hugely more charismatic manager?
Agreed, Rocky.
Sherwood must be some special kind of salesman.
All the players rave about his enthusiasm and how the hell did we get (was it Veretout’s or Ayew’s?) president to accept a lower bid?
That’s just unheard of.
Sherwood is either selling snake oil or he’s the real thing, imo.
The first option, we’re f*cked.
The second, watch us go!
Veretout and I agree, but then I don’t think Ranieri has the greatest reputation in France, though it’s understandable why he’d want us too. He respected Veretout which does seem odd because not a lot of President’s have that much respect for their players to allow them to leave like that. Bar Barcelona’s with Delfeleu and such.
Wow. I can’t remember supporting Villa being this much fun in a long time! Very happy with all the French signings, yes some will take time to settle, and yes one or two probably won’t settle at all, but we’ve still got some tremendous prospects on our hands!
I’m glad when it comes to goal scorers Tim is going down the more tried and tested route, Adebayour on a financially good loan with a point to prove and playing for his last contract (with someone else) could be an absolute coup. Gestede will be a good back up option too. Where does this leave Gabby? Where he’s needed to be for a while, knowing he needs to improve his consistency to get in the team, another one who you want to be playing with a point to prove.
Delighted about the Baker news too, I feel he’s about to step it up a notch just like Clark did this year. I really hope we see more of Richrds at right back and Okore and Clark centrally, Baker offers us good depth and you can never question his commitment or attitude. One more winger/no10 and I think our incoming business will be done, I’m still hoping for Townsend!
Gabbys fucked now the day’s of performing SHITE but walks straight into the shirt the following game are over.LOL about time if we bring another few faces in I can’t even see him being on the team sheet along with CNZ oh happy days ahead, UTV
Gabby is great to have as an impact player of the bench especially away or holding on to a lead so he can run at a tired defence but that’s about it
when has he ever done that if he’s on the bench he has his arse in his hands and all he does is trot around until the whistle
True
never mind gabby think grealish gil and Sinclair wont be nailed on starters, think if adebayor was coming it would of been today.
I don’t know anything about Veretout other than what I have read, however, we do know that at 22 years of age, Sterling cost 49 mil, so surely,at 19 years of age, with a decent full season, Grealish would cost the same?…with that in mind, this signing could be a huge, huge snip, the only thing keeping him cheap is his nationality, cos if this kid was English, at 22, he would surely be priced at circa 40 mil?
Really exciting times, and fair play to RL for bank rolling the lot.
Can’t wait for tomorrow, just a “a message to you Rudy”………..SCORE!
UTV.
This transfer window has just been magical so far.I didn’t think that we would have so many new faces joining us. I still think we will see 1 or 2 more coming in. No messing with Sherwood.
Gabby will have to step up and be more consistent to even stand a chance of playing. I think he knows this with the influx of players that have come in, this will be at the detriment of him starting. I am sure that he will get his chance, but in the past when he has played badly an not scored he is always in the team until under pressure, and then always manages a goal to secure his place. You can not question his loyalty but that will mean nothing if he is under performing, as other options will get their chance at take it. For me Gabby is not a wide player and always looked comfortable playing along side a big front man. I would not like to even hazard a guess at the starting line for the Bournemouth game. But I would defiantly start with Kozak up front.Some of the new faces that have arrived this week may get a run out tomorrow, but they may have arrived a week too late to be in contention for the first game. I am very optimistic for the first time in years and glad I renewed.. I will not get carried away as we have had too many false dawns over the past few seasons, but I would not be surprised if we surprise a few people as an unknown quantity this season. I am going say we will finish between 10th and 8th place with this squad, any higher and that would be a real bonus. UTV
Best IV seen Gabby play was when we played arsenal away and won 3.1. He played through the middle and run at their defence from deep their defence couldn’t cope with him. For me that’s where he has to play.
A lot was made of Tim not having had a transfer window before, and doing the business at Spurs and saving us with other managers players. Well he has certainly made the most of this one , like a kid in a sweet shop , or patisserie, given the purchases. 13 gone 9 in so far, maybe 2 more in hopefully 5 more out.
Quiet likely that we will start with a completely different 11 to the cup final team.
For what it’s worth I think Tim will make it work big time.
100% agree 88, what a change from the last 5 years.
Agree Sasa – we’ve had nearly 5 years of players who seem to have only joined us because nobody else was after them, and who were virtually guaranteed a start if they were fit.
Now we may have some real competition for starting places among a bunch of players who’ve already tasted European football and are young enough to want a try at getting more with us.
Not expecting instant miracles – but this really is a breath of fresh air…
The pleasing thing is I doubt we will miss Delph and Benteke with the new additions. I think as a team we have more goals in us than if Benteke was still here already. TS will totally transform us from last year as there is more quality in key areas, and we will not be so reliant on one player to score the goals.
Agree we have a better all round team with lots of different options for once
Some really good replies up to now, which are food for thought.
Thanks chaps and keep up the good work 🙂
Gabby’s in trouble.
He quite simply has to start performing, which is exactly as it should be, as he and others have been far too comfortable, which is why we’re in the state we are, imo.
Sherwood seems to me to be absolutely ruthless, in giving plenty of stick, while offering plenty of carrot.
You either do the bizz or do one, no in-betweens.
And I like it!
Agbonlahor won’t be able to count on his being a life-long Villa fan just to stay in the team [- on that basis most of us on here would qualify!], he’s actually going to have to show whether he can do anything on a pitch other than just run.
Sherwood is being totally ruthless in the same way that John Gregory was when he arrived; I remember a quote from Gregory just after he took over, something along the lines of “Anyone who isn’t fired by enthusiasm, will be fired with enthusiasm” – and I think that’s the message that was given to the losers at Wembley….
Ardent, hope you are well top man, I remember the Gregory quote, the similarities between him and TS are quite uncanny, though I think that Sherwood genuinely understands his limitations, hence the back room staff he has appointed, and I really don’t think Gabby can do much more than run..and he don’t do that as quick these day’s!
Hi Sasa – all fine here [haven’t been this optimistic in years!], hope same with you?
Really looking forward to seeing what some of these new boys will do over the next 12 months…
Gregory started off great then died a death. That’s my one concern over Sherwood.
OoHah – agree with you on that. Gregory and/or his team ran out of steam just when it looked like they were about to make a real breakthrough.
Sherwood’s not been anywhere long enough to get to that stage, although it’s pretty certain that any team will hit a bare patch at some point; how Sherwood will deal with that will be the proof of whether he’s the new Brian Clough or just another flash in the pan.
Fair point Ardent the only comfort is Wilkins should be able to help Sherwood through any difficult patch hopefully that’s what he’s there for. I feel Sherwood is a good motivator but that’s about. Hopefully Wilkins will have the tactical nouse to compliment that.
That’s a great quote and truthfully one I don’t remember, Ardent.
After reflection, I think you’re right about the final.
My immediate thoughts were that Arse were just too good for us and it was something I just wanted to forget.
I’m now coming round to the thinking that the team just didn’t want it enough, which has probably led to this near total clearout.
Which, I suspect Sherwood knew was needed in very short time.
Looking back, I now suspect that he knew there was something very wrong from top to bottom: something which many knew, but couldn’t put a finger on.
The Gregory quote has stuck in my mind for years; a few weeks after he took over he did a long interview with The Observer, and it appeared there, as his explanation for how he’d turned a team that was quite ‘down’ to what looked like genuine title contenders for at least half a season…
I think if we think about that cup hammering even though painful has been a blessing in disguise
Find myself agreeing with you again…
If we’d done better in the final I suspect we’d have just seen a bit of tinkering around the edges; as it is somebody obviously decided that a complete overhaul was needed or the old formula would have produced the same result as for the last few seasons.
Blimey I’m not used to people agreeing with me Ardent lol. I also think that drubbing at saints really bought it home to Sherwoid how poor we really were. After they got the third goal he was on the touch line shouting ‘where’s your pride’! He must of known then that he needed wholesale changes needed to be made and that staying up was only papering over the cracks.
Oh, as for Randy, I’m immediately tempted to take my hat off to him.
We’ve obviously moved the wages up a bit, but we’ll see how the sums add up at the end of the window, where I’ll expand.
got to credit him badger, he has pumped the money back in, ok, the tv money next year is massive and as a cold hearted owner he could well be making pure business decisions, that said, when he does go, history should see him as he has been, a fantastic owner, who genuinely cares about the club, and he appears to have finally ensured that he has the right people on the ground making the decisions that matter.
Sasa, not really.
Or at least not just yet.
My opinion says any idiot could see we had to invest, or we were going down, guaranteed.
If Lerner has actually spent some money, I’ll credit him.
Up to now, we’re still in surplus, I think, fee-wise.
I fully expect us to spend £15 mill more than we get in, with the other £15 mill in wages (£30 mill extra this year, remember) and this is on top of the usual puny £15 mill spend.
As a minimum, if we’re to call it investment.
We’ll see, but I suspect the flurry of activity will be a smokescreen that makes Lerner look good on the surface.
You probably know my belief, which is that he’s raking it back in and the books mean jack.
Whisper it quietly but is Lerner having one last go at finishing top 4? Southampton weren’t far away last year. We could’ve the surprise package this year 🙂
Jeez – someone’s really hacked OoHah’s computer this time!!
Lol no it’s really me make the most of it it won’t last 🙂
Berbatov rumours have surfaced again. He has allegedly cut short his holiday to attend Viila’s ground Monday for talks. Not sure what to make of this – he certainly didn’t cut it at Fulham (other than when he was ripping us to pieces!)
Probably ok to play from bench if we are losing with 20 mins to go but that’s it
Not over excited about Berbatov as I cannot see where he will fit in.
badger
we haven t spent much over what came in yet big earners gone
lerner to blame for most of my misery last 5 years
need to see at least one mega deal to proveit lerner
I totally agree, JVillan.
See my reply to Sasa above mate.
But then, as I said; I don’t believe we’re finished yet.
I still think there will be a surprise left of centre signing that hasn’t been mentioned yet. Btw we’ve spent approx £44 mil so far. We recouped £40m so effectively we’ve only spent £4m. If we accept TS has another 10-15m to play with going by a lerners usual budget then there outdrawing be another couple coming in.
I don’t recall anyone a few weeks ago predicting ANY of the signings made in the last week or so, and like you I think we’re not finiished yet.
Don’t think it’ll be a single huge ‘marquee’ signing though, that doesn’t seem Sherwood’s thing – more like another one or two at around the £10m mark, and probably not anyone that I’ve heard of before!
[Those who spend time watching the other European leagues might have a field-day betting on which players Villa might be signing!
IV a funny feeling Ashley Young might come back
Too many negative people on here Ardent IV always remained positive and upbeat about next season and fully behind Tim and new signings next year!
Now I KNOW it’s not the real OoHah…!!
Lol
Well that was a busy week for the Villa. Is this the start of the Tom Fox era ! I’m optimistic for the season ahead but only because we have new untried players and are showing the door to the failures of the past (Delph included in that). But we don’t know how these players will gel and perform and they may need time to get up to speed. It’s because of this that I think Adeybyor and Berbatov are still in the mix. Cambiaso would be a good addition to the squad also. I gather that Sherwood has refused to speak to media so far pre season and will only speak when all deals are done. Would still like Zog and Senderos gone. Total waste of a wages.
Events this week confirm the takeover is dead and Randy is back on board for the medium term. He wanted a buyer and hung on as long as he could for the right person, to the point of almost relegation and meltdown.
He clearly thought/ hoped that PL could keep us up til a buyer came to save the day. A new owner would want his own management team and playing staff, if he had made the changes sooner a buyer could have been put off, not wanting to come in and deal with costly sackings and contract terminations.
Randy now knows there is no buyer and he has put in place a team off the pitch to support the manager and get us back on track. He has shown huge faith in Tim, and a commitment to the future this week, not just in the £40m transfers (as we are technically at break even) but more so in the lengthy contracts and salaries he has committed the club to for the next five years.
This tells me he is back on board, Tim has got a ringing endorsement and that we can look forward to a stable and upwardly mobile season.
Fabian who….?
UTV
Agree. IV a sneaky feeling Lerner is going unofficially for top 6 and if by Jan we are close to 4thhe may just gamble another £10-15m if he’s convinced that will be the difference of getting 4th.
No chance we’re getting 4th. We have a great squad yes, but we can’t match the current top 4. I’d say Lerner would be happy with at least 10th this season, maybe around 8th. Possibly fighting for a Europa League spot, but the current top 4 are untouchable from any side.
Don’t be so negative Andrew we finally have a team that can at least challenge for 4th imo. My only main concern is defence still not strong enough but I think on paper we are as good as anyone in midfield and forward line
I’m not being negative, but we’re not displacing any of those clubs. Arsenal, Chelsea, United and City are all stronger than us, by some way. It’s not negative as I’m loving our squad now, I think we could face Liverpool and Spurs if we got a new RB as I can’t stand Hutton but I just can’t see us facing those top 4 sides.
Agree a new right bk and a decent centre half and we probably won’t too far away. Though Crespo and Richards can play right bk so at least some good cover
I think 8th would be good to start with, but I don’t see anyone challenging the top 4 this season. Crespo was a great signing being able too and did play anywhere in the back 4 for Cordoba last season. But we need a natural RB. Someone like Zuniga from Napoli, only would cost around 6m, dunno if he’d come but Napoli want to sell. He’s typically been playing LB for the last few years before his injury for them but he’s naturally a RB, loves getting forward and his crosses are impressive. Isla’s another option. Uchida, go all out and sign Bruno Peres, etc.
I don’t think we need a CB personally. I don’t want anyone replacing Clark who I think should be captain, and Richards obviously came in to play CB and be a starter. Okore and Baker are more than good enough back up. So unless Senderos leaves, I don’t think we’ll see one and Crespo can cover CB as well, often played there last season.
Problem is we have potentially 3 decent CH Richards, Clarke and Okore. All 3 have a poor injury record and are likely to miss big chunks of the season. Sendross and Baker also injury prone but not good CHs. We still need a good reliable CH imo.
Genuinely exciting times.
But what about a new owner that likes what he sees? Why change the formula we now have in place? Not every new owner will replicate the Bendall/Ellis situation.
Best transfer window we have ever had…in spite of losing our 2 best players!
Loving the players he has brought in…and for a change they are not bargain basement players, and actually lads that could become top qulaity premier league players.
I really hope we dont sign Adebayor or Berbatov. In fact, I dont think we need another striker now. Praet would be a great signing, but I doubt it will happen if he is going to give Gil a chance this season.
Happy about Baker signing on. He is great as a squad player. The only positions where there could be question marks now are at RB (although Hutton did play well at the beginning of last season) and possibly starting CB…otherwise we seem in great shape.
Im really curious to see what the starting XI will be
Loving our current side, the fact we have this much talent is going a long way.
I hope we sign a RB, we’re still linked to a few attacking mids in Toure of Bordeaux, Sanson of Montpellier and Praet. Then there’s Rolan who I think is more likely than Adebayor at the moment. I just don’t see Adebayor coming in now.
Hard to pick a starting 11. Especially if we continue making signings. I can see 3 more coming in if we get rid of someone, an attacking mid, 1 more striker and hoping a RB.
Guzan
Hutton – Richards – Clark – Amavi
Gueye – Verecout/Sanchez
Gil – Grealish
Ayew – Gestede/Kozak
Would be my current starting 11. I don’t know if I’d start Verecout yet, both he and Gueye have I think a too attacking mindset to start, but then I think they’d do well against Bournemouth.
Good thing with Bournemouth is they give you a chance. They will probably play very open and cod be the sort of team that goes 3 nil up and blows it. Because our defence isn’t great I can see this being a 2,2/3.3 draw.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t win our first game, Bournemouth have something to prove and typically the first five games or so, the lower teams always come out fighting, and they’ll definitely do so. Our defense isn’t bad. Amavi, Clark and Richards are all very good. Hutton’s awful but hopefully we sign a new RB or Bacuna starts there. Guzan’s also quite solid.
A new RB should be priority into
I’m amazed that bookies still have us as 5th favourites to go down. Il be amazed if we are in another rekegation with the players we’ve signed unless the bookies don’t rate them!
Bookies tend to be clueless. They see Delph and Benteke, are supposed two best players “by some way” (which is laughable, especially with Delph), leaving, that even though we sign players, it doesn’t matter. The only reason they claim we’re in the relegation battle. Most tabloids will do the same. I’m sure a lot of fans will too, because they’ll claim our signings are unknown because they have no idea who they are as football outside of England doesn’t exist to them.
Its Simple, the bookies see us as a team that have been sh1t for years and lost our two best players…. But do not take into account that Delph was like roadrunner, runs everywhere but without the matching skill, and Benteke made us one dimensional, often sulked and forgot the offside rule.
We now look like a team with a number of people who can be better than Delph and a number of people can score more than Bentekes 13 goals last season. On top of this our backroom staff have exceptional experience and Randy, I think enjoyed his Wembley experience so will let the people with experience run the club.
Tom Fox told us all in an interview, he wants to run an organic football club, similar to Southampton and it looks like that is where we are going, but with better facilities and bigger investment.
Lets get Cambiasso and Adebeyor to add a bit of experience and we could well be looking at the top of the table for a change.
UTV
The bookies certainly aren’t clueless which is why they make so much dough! If you look at the odds we are fifth or sixth favourite for the drop but there are about ten teams on single figures. Paddy power are only going 11/4 for villa for a top ten finish which is very skinny! You won’t get rich backing us to stay up either – £100 to win £20 if you fancy it.
So true IV yet to meet a poor bookie or casino owner. Mugs game imo
True but they don’t get it wrong often tbf.
But they do sometimes get it wrong, and historically they get it wrong with the Villa….negative vultures.