So, a recap.
We’ve done very nicely, ta, over our first few games, with a loss at Newcastle, which is no disgrace to say the least and a couple of wins against Everton and Burnley.
So basically, about where we ought to be if we’re being honest.
Now the real tests begin and we face a team, that while currently in decline to my mind, is still a formidable opponent. Well, it’s just Pool away, isn’t it?
They’re never an easy game.
The thing is though, they are weakened when compared to the last decade or even more.
They have a Saudi club wanting to buy Mo Salad, who has basically announced by his silence that he wants to leave for their $2million a week and £150 million offer, which the club have knocked back. Expect them to come back with a £200 million offer and it just confirms that the game is just stupid.
He’s 31, ffs!
Whatever, I don’t see how Pool can account for this and I’ve heard of no replacement in place.
In fact, I personally think Pool are somewhat shellshocked.
I like Klopp, but see his days numbered at Liverpool.
Not that this affects our game tomorrow.
Except it does. This sort of event can totally unsettle everything and I’m hoping that’s happened here.
Squad news and nothing has changed for us, except Martinez will probably be straight back in after his calf twinge.
As for Liverpool, Van Diyk is suspended after his sending off last week and hopefully the inquiry into his abusing the ref will see another couple of games out too.
Curtis Jones is back is training, but Ibrahima Konate and Thiago Alcantara aren’t ready.
Useless fact;
Villa are winless in their last five league visits to Anfield (D1, L4), although only Manchester United and Chelsea have won more Premier League away games against Liverpool than Villa have.
I’m expecting a really good, all out, tactical game here.
Both teams can play at pace, while both defences, if I’m keeping my neutral head on, are prone to errors.
We are going to go for this, because Emery doesn’t do “taking a point”, which is yet another reason why I like him so much.
Let’s not forget;
“The aim of the game is to score more goals than the opponent”
I’m going for a 2-1 result.
The trouble is, I honestly don’t know who’s going to get it and can’t call it.
UTV, while hoping it’s us!
Injured he is not sellable. Lets get another club to pay his wages and get him fit. Seems an amazing deal.
Maybe, but there’s been a lot of noise without any concrete links.
If it’s just about money and it goes ahead then it’s a good deal particularly if it allows us to strengthen in January.
I’m concerned that with Buendia / Mings out and Young having left we’ve lost the core of our more aggressive, ‘in your face’ type player which are necessary when playing the better teams in the league.
Also Hitch the 3 players you mentioned are all voices on the pitch which haven’t been replaced. It’s up to the new faces to step up as leaders.
No Villa this weekend and I don’t care about Southgate’s match.
Thought I’d have a bit of fun with Villa finances. The caveat is lies lies damn lies and statistics. The figures used below are either reported data or best estimate on prior data.
Player wage: * best guess on known data
Incoming:
Torres: £150,000*
Lenglet: £145,000
Tilesman: £150,000
Zaniola: £76,000
Diaby: £125,000*
Total: £646,000
Outgoings:
Wesley: £35,000
Davis: £45,000
Jaydence: £5,000*
Archer: £20,000
Sansom: £45,000
Nakamba: £30,000
Coutinho: £125,000
Ramsey: £5,000*
Young: £50,000
Total: £355,000
Increase: £ 291,000
Per year: £15,132,000
However, last year’s 7th finish increased premiership income:
Premier Income:2022/23: £142.1m
Premier Income: 2012/22:
£122m
Increase £20.1m
In theory this income increase covers salary increases.
FFP: Allows £105m loss over 3 years.
2019/20: £(32.1)m
2020/21: £(274.9)m covid
2022/22: £.4m
Fair to say that 20/21 cannot be used as a yard stick to have significant impact on FFP. Therefore, the other 2 years are not in danger of going over FFP, so should be some wriggle room.
Player sales and purchases:
Sales:
Archer £18.5
Ramsey £14
Davis: £2m
Nakamba: £3
Jaydence: £5m
Total: £42.5
Stripping out Nakamba who was purchased and his sale price equalling his amortisation value, profit on sale’s equals £39.5m
Purchases:
Diaby: £51m over 5 years = £10m per year
Torres: £35 over 5 years = £7m per year
Tilesman: Free – signing on fee unknown
Zaniola: £4.25 loan fee
Lenglet: £4.25 loan fee (similar to Spurs deal year before)
Total:£94.5m
Total amortisation cost £25,5m + Tielemans signing in fee.
Transfer profit £14m less Tielemans signing on fee.
Europa Conference League
For the 2022–23 season, group stage participation in the Europa Conference League is awarded a base fee of €2,940,000. A victory in the group pays €500,000 and a draw €166,000.
Champions: €8.6 million, Runner-ups: €4.6 million, Semi Finalists €2.8 million (each team), Quarter Finalists €1.8 million (each team), Round of 16, €1.2 million (each team), Round of 32, €500,000 (each team), Knockout round play-offs €500,000, 2nd in group stage €550,000, 1st in group stage €1.1 million
Villa have now secured €3.44m + receipts on 40,000 at Villa Park. If minimum of £20 per ticket £800,000 for Hibs. There are 3 guaranteed home matches in group stage a further £3.2m
All these figures are estimates. However, it leads me to the conclusion that Villa’s finances are in a positive position. Further, if we do well this year I believe Villa will be in a position to acquire a couple of top rated players. However, I am not sure how the FFP 70% of players wages to revenue impacts.
Any rate just a bit of fun. I hope you enjoyed it.
Sidforever. What else would you do when there is no real football to watch. A great piece of work. Thanks
Here here!
It seems that one of the new signings Tielemans unhappy . Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans, 26, is unhappy at his lack of playing time for Aston Villa, having joined the club on a free transfer in the summer after his Leicester City contract ran out.
After just four games I’d be surprised if that were true. Surely Tielemans knew that there would be competition in the middle of the park and that it’s up to him to make himself one of those who are first on the team sheet.
Vaguely remember when he wouldn’t sign a new contract at Leicester and he was dropped for a while. I might be wrong but I can’t recall him running to the press to bleat about it. More click bait BS probably.
Didn’t he throw his toys and dummies out the pram at Leicester?
Leopard, spots, change and all that.
I stand corrected…
Leicester fans are having a pop at Tielemans and with some justification imo…
https://filbertway.com/2023/09/10/youri-tielemans-in-negative-aston-villa-talk-as-he-became-the-face-of-leicester-downfall-resulting-in-brendan-rodgers-losing-his-job/
There is something in Watkins to Chelsea. Emery hoped he would sign a contract before the end of last season. The so called in the know from The Athletic and Claret & Blue podcasts had the contract being all but signed and yet nothing.
Add to this that no new striker was bought in the summer. A deal was in place for an Abraham to return until he did an ACL – a trend setter!
What if? Villa did not sign a new striker to give Watkins confirmation that he is valued and wanted and would sign a new contract.
If he has not signed by start of November I think he will be in his way. His contract is now into the last two years. Either sign or be sold in January. At this point Villa will sell him high and add in monies in reserve to buy big. They don’t want him going into last 12 months and walking on a free.
Just my conspiracy theory and time on my hands. I really dislike the international break.
I think you’re probably right that there’s something in it. I think we didn’t sign someone because our first, second and third choices weren’t available or we couldn’t get the price we wanted – not in an effort to show Ollie we value him.
I like Ollie, and thought we could do better, but reviewing some of the stats of strikers in general and the current going for prices, I think they’re just not available. I believe they’re hoping Diaby is the goal getter that we needed and will get close to 20 goals this season. Look at Isak at Newcastle, less prolific than Ollie and went for almost 70m. I was surprised we didn’t go for a 2nd forward; with us being linked to Jackson, Doku and others.
Would agree overall that it’s a slight concern that he’s not signed a new contract within a few months I could see him leaving as there was a flurry of contract signatures over summer and thought he’d be one of those we really wanted to secure. He is an Arsenal fan, and still see the occasional article that Arteta wants him there. There’s on on HITC this morning.
It’s all lazy journalism at it’s worst. If you look into the articles they all finish with the comment that nothing official has been reported BUT they wouldn’t be surprised if Watkins is on the radar of Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs or any other London based club because how could any player NOT want to play in the capital. Personally I think it’s all bullshit. Villa will only sell IF they want to sell. Unless Ollie begins scoring in the premier league, then he will need to start looking over his shoulder for the January replacement we have for him.
Football is a results based business and if he isn’t scoring then he will will fall from grace. Players and managers are easily replaced if Villa aren’t successful and our owners haven’t got to where they are by being overly patient.
http://www.birminghamworld.uk
“Aston Villa have emerged as one of the bookies’ favourites for Gareth Southgate’s next destination.”
O ye gods no!
The premise is – Southgate has to go somewhere. Then they throw darts at the board. With his shonk and beard he might be in the sheikh-up for a job in Saudi. Last time he was at Villa Park he “left to join a bigger club – Middlesborough!” he might change trains at New St but that is a far as this story will run.
Don’t worry the mess he’s making as England’s hope will end that thought. Villa manager ha ha ha never in the reign of pigs pudding.
‘Never in the reign of pigs pudding’ 🙂 ….. not heard that one in a long time Bill
Put it down to my age Hitch use to say it many years ago . Murder tonight at 7-45
Bill,I still use it as an expression.
Enjoying an extended stay in Canada with some good mates here, so no live football for a few weeks.
Just concerned that McGinn might do something stupid and get an injury
To his arse?
No his Bum, Bum Bum.
🙂 🙂
Ba Dun, Tishhhhh… !!!
RSS gosh wish he was on our books, I would say Grealish is not on the same levels as Bellingham quick mind and feet, poor show England ,apart from watching Jude and his skills Jude Bellingham was Brilliant Scotland couldn’t compete .
Before my time Bill but I’m thinking (from what I’ve read) in the Duncan Edwards mould?
(and from the same neck of the woods)
😂😂
Very good Bill
Yes it was only a friendly last night but just how good was Jude Bellingham?
Bellingham is world class. What England need now is a certain Jacob Ramsey to play alongside Bellingham. Forget this 2 defensive midfielders rubbish, particularly against inferior opposition (most teams). Rice is more than capable of doing that job on his own. Rice with Bellingham and Ramsey in front. Foden, Saka and Kane front three. That’s a midfield/attack that could win a major tournament in my opinion.
Sorry guys, I’m not up to writing anything. I’ve got Covid and feel terrible. I’m going for 2-2.
Get well soon Badger. Ive got it too but don’t feel too bad atm. Doesn’t stop me being in bed while the missy’s brings me tea and snacks.
Duran goal has given me a boost too
What a turnaround!!!!!!
I see that Roy Hodgson is ill too and won’t be at the match. Not sure if that’s good or bad news for us…
Not a bad first half but Watkins is so frustrating and Kamara dwells on the ball too long.
Lots of covid Pt15 going around. Get well soon Mr Badger!!
We did need good competition for Watkins. Still no idea why we sold Archer. Come on lads!!!
Bloody ARSE!!!!!
‘His name is Rio and he dances on the sand!!!!’
Duran!!!!!!
Watch their passing it’s far quicker than us by miles .All this passing from the back as fucked Villa’s game, we have now slow movement in our game and clubs have worked our system out. I’m not now convinced we have the right players .
Tielemans…
The new Steven Ireland?
What a finish!
Penalty!!!!!
Worldie of a finish.
I went for a piss and we scored! Going for another so wait for it
Just got back and a pen !!
Goal
What a ball by Tielemans, I retract my earlier comment 😁