Third Generation Villan has submitted the following. Cheers, TGV.
So we were beaten by a much better team on the day, I accept that but was disappointed with the performance and I think that will be most fans view even though we all hoped for a famous victory.
But rather than dwell on today’s disappointment I thought I would try to give an assessment of where we are and what to look forward to.
Its five years in August since MON left us, and Randy Lerner changed his investment strategy in an attempt to get back some of his outlay during the MON years. This period of under investment in the team has shown in the quality of the team and our form and league positions since then, as they say the table does not lie after a 38 game season you are where you deserve to be.
Now it does not matter if you blame MON or Lerner or anyone else over the last 5 years the quality of the team has declined steadily until the last few months of Lamberts time, Villa were the poorest in the premiership on nearly all fronts and we were certain to go down, and when we changed to Tim Sherwood we got the bounce or lift nearly all clubs get with a new manager and managed to stay up by the skin of our teeth, as I think the bounce had worn off after the west ham game and the players thought they were safe, and luckily we were.
So we come to a cup final against one of the premier league’s top teams with the same squad as under Lambert and with the bounce gone, the result was I suspect what we all feared may be the case but all hoped would not happen and we could pull off a shock win.
Now I am not having a go at Tim Sherwood, after all he did keep us up and I think he has earned the chance to build his own side over the coming season and then we can all decide if he is a good manager or not. And seeing some of the comments coming out tonight about changing the mentality of the players and a clear out during the summer etc. gives me some optimism for the season ahead. But time will tell.
But I think we have more reasons to optimistic now, then at any time over the last 5 years.
We are told we are close to being sold and hopefully will get better investment in the team
We are still in the Premier league, and with the money from the new TV deal should be able to cement our place there over the next few years.
We have a manager who likes to play attacking football, what most of us want (to be entertained) and will take the cup competitions seriously.
And has said already he has to rebuild the team and the way we play and the mentality of the players
Which all together means we will have lots to talk about over the next few months, a transfer window where we will probably be more active this year in and out.
if we agree or not with Tim Sherwood’s deals, if we like the new owners, the amount of investment etc.
So I think most of us will be optimistic, excited and hopeful about the future, and put todays result behind us. And hopefully look back in a few years’ time and say today was the end of the wilderness years for the villa
A few reports today saying Cleverley is in talks with Everton. I have to say, I’ll be disappointed.
You could count on one hand the decent games he’s had for us. I hope he goes there.
He still ended up our top scoring midfielder in the league. He’s always had a high work ethic, and since Sherwood came in he’s had a license to go forward. However we are being linked with so many central mids that one of Westwood Delph and Cleverley would have to be making way surely. And with Westwood and Delph both on longer contracts, never really expected Cleverley to stay. Still, wouldn’t mind if he did.
Yes he did ok for 3 games but what about the other 35!! Complete dross no better than what we already have which isn’t saying much
You’re right he did. However he hasn’t exactly set VP alight, Having said that neither has any other player but for someone to only perform for a handful of games isn’t, imo, the kind of player we should be after. I don’t think he is any better than what we already have.
Agree B6
Really they are welcome to him complete dross
Cleverley can go. He barely signed a loan deal with us, so I would be surprised if he stayed. He looked motivated in a handful of games but other than that he hasn’t looked worth the money.
Spot on hopefully Everton can take that lump vlaar with him
Can’t believe what I’m hearing about Cleverley, without his goals we wouldn’t have gotten 6 points from West Ham and Everton games. I don’t get where all this “he only showed up for a handful of games” is coming from? Yes Lamberts tactics were boring, but Cleverley did exactly as he was told, as he has under Sherwood who’s said he’s a managers dream. Surely these are players we need?
I personally don’t rate him, that’s why I’m not overly concerned about him going to Everton. He’s no better than what we already have so isn’t going to improve the squad is he?
I can understand that you don’t rate him, but again, he was our top scoring midfielder this year. And that was only after a few games under Sherwood. Personally I’d love to see what he’s like under him for a full season. I can understand him listening to what others clubs have to offer, but surely after a season here we should be first in that line?
If he wanted to stay that badly then why hasn’t he already signed? Doesn’t that tell you he isn’t overly keen on playing for us? It was the same when we first signed him, he weren’t overly keen on coming then was he? Imo he’s shit, he won’t do much better at Everton if that’s where he ends up going.
That’s what I’m saying, I’m disappointed because it seems he doesn’t want to stay when for me, he’s been one our better players.
He doesn’t want to stay for the same reason he didn’t want to sign for us in the first place!!! Because we’re shit!! Maybe he’ll look better with better players around him, that’s what he’ll get at Everton.
I think our midfield needs a bit of bite in there. A Robbie Savage or a David Batty. I don’t expect many to agree but personally I’d rather have Joey Barton than Tom Cleverley!!!
Wow, not sure I’ll see a more ridiculous comment than that today.
Agree Kent – so we’ll improve by signing Barton rather than Cleverley – really?
Cleverley is a free agent.
He would be foolish not to listen to what other clubs have to offer before he makes his decision.
Agree Steve. Why wouldn’t he talk to other clubs? Anyone with more than one job offer would consider them all before deciding – you’d be foolish not to.
Very sensible comment Steve.
I’d transfer list the fucking lot of em after the SHITE performance Saturday still well & truly fucked off.
Ps how about the club paying back the fans their ticket money take it from the players wages the fans earnt it more than the players did.at least the incredible fans did their JOB
There’s also talk that our deal with Macron which had a year left was cut short and Under Armour will be the new manufacturer.
Tell me more…
Charlie Wijeratna had supposed erased the last year of our deal with Macron, and Under Armour is the supposed new manufacturer according to a few. I’ll tell you more as I hear.
Hmm, not that impressed by the Spurs Under Armour kits but very interesting.
Gregg Evans also reporting that Cissokho and Senderos are expected the be sold, while the futures of Gil, Weimann, Lowton and Kozak are uncertain.
That sounds more feasible than the Telegraph report.
I’m pretty disappointed about Cissokho, I think of our recent left backs he was by far the best. A few people on Twitter also saying that only Villa and Everton have made offers for Cleverley and he’ll make a decision in 2 weeks. I may be in a small minority, but really hope he chooses us!
I’m with you on Cleverley – but seems quite a few don’t rate him.
Yeah, don’t understand how really. He got some vital goals for us in the run in, made some great passes and was involved in great moves too. He had a fantastic understanding with Bacuna on the right.
You have to ask – where was he on Saturday? If he had made an impact on the Arsenal midfield, he would have demonstrated he is a quality player, but he was hardly in the game. I am not sure he has the quality needed, and I am convinced he does not have the commitment to Villa, he would rather be at Everton.
I’m up in the air on him. I don’t care if we sign him or we don’t, mainly depends on who we can get to replace him. Hard working midfielders aren’t hard to find. Just hope we look abroad as I don’t see a Premier League midfielder good enough currently that we can attract.
Taking cleverley on a free is a no brainer….only B6 and his sidekick oohah cant see that!
Yeah your right, 3 goals, no assists, didn’t want to sign for us in the first place….As always, you’re right. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Well, thats far better than you being wrong ALL the time zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
A fan posted on Facebook that he got Benteke’s agents number, rang him pretending to be a manager asking about Benteke. To sum it all up, Benteke wants to leave. You can watch the video yourselves and make of it what you will.
Let him go, he’s overrated anyway. For 32.5 million I’d sell him now!!! Give Sherwood 5 million and Lerner can pocket the rest. Jobs a goodun 🙂
so sell our best player for 32.5 mill and give sherwood £5m to find another striker . you on drugs !
No, I’ve been clean for about 4 years now. It’s called sarcasm. 5 mil is way to much for a league 2 striker.
4 years well done you 🙂 iv been off it 6 months and well done me:)
The club is going to have a field day regarding this.
John Percy saying we are looking to activate Trippier’s release clause of 3.5 million.
Quality player, would be a fantastic signing.
Spurs and Bournmouth our main competition it seems.
Think we’d stand a decent chance of getting him.
I’d love it if we moved for Mings as our other full back
Mings, Robertson, Schlupp if we’re sticking strictly to the English leagues for fullbacks. Sucks Taylor extended at Swansea. I’d take Davies off Spurs, he’s not been great but I think Sherwood could get him going. If we’re going all out, Cresswell’s my top choice. Best LB in the league last season for me. Trippier and Cresswell as fullbacks, Clark and whatever CB we have in front of a quality keeper. That would be incredible to see.
He’s shit….oohah told md
Move in the right direction. Far better than Hutton positionally, defensively, offensively, everything really. Would keep Lowton as cover.
Benteke has told Sky Sports he is unsure of his future and will leave it to his agent to sort out. Doesn’t look very good for us, does it?
Leave it to his agent to decide his future???? Bollox can’t he decide for himself???? He knows what he wants he’s just taking the spotlight off him if everything goes belly up he can say he wanted to stay.face facts we’ll be looking for a new striker.
Let’s say we do get over 30 million for Benteke. Randy always seems to at least us 20 million to work with. So there’s the supposed 15 million for Austin. The rumoured 3.5 million for Trippier. It surely wouldn’t cost more than 4 million to get one of Vorm/Heaton. Likewise for Tyrone Mings. We could also use 5 million for one of Bamford/Wilson. So with all that, Sherwood would still have 20 million to bring in a defender and midfielder. Of course this is all guesswork, but the point is the sale of Benteke could lead to the better development of a stronger squad.
That’s what agents are for
No I’m sure Randy will hold out for the buy out clause figure as the minimum & rightly so,anything less would be insulting the bin dippers would of whacked a 50 mil price tag around his neck like they did torrid.
Torres FUCKING spell checker
Giddy; thought Torrid was a pretty good description LOL
Spell checker got it right maybe.
I think he will go for 25m plus add ins for goals scored and a percentage of future transfer fees etc
If Sherwood priorities were to keep Benteke and Cleverly and the club can’t keep either where does that put him.
It’s very hard to keep players who don’t want to play for your club. It is looking like Benteke has played his last game, but Cleverley is just a free agent listening to offers clubs are making for him. Hopefully he chooses to stay.
Can’t believe ur love fest with cleverly. He’s a national joke ffs. Let Everton have him it’s no loss to us ffs
Love fest? I rate him and think he’s been good for us.
He’s been decent for 3 games did u not watch the other 35 seriously.
It may be his priority but if benteke wants to go he will no matter what’s offered to him. IV a feeling as well he will go for less than 32m as clubs are balking at that. Might be we get 25m for him plus extra money when he scores a certain num of goals etc.
We should offer Tekkers £75,000 to sign a new contracr, remove the current buy out clause and up it to £50 mil and guarantee him a move if we do not qualify for the Europa League!……over to you Randy, hang on, I’ve just spotted a problem with that idea!
He will get at least a £100k plus elsewhere so £75 won’t cut it. Also he is injury prone and his goals come in instalments. I say take the 32m and move on. Look at this way whether we keep him or not we will still be a bottom 6 team next season it’s not like keeping him will win us the league so just let him go.
Me too, expecting him to agree with that. If we can’t get him into Europe next season, who says we’d even get 50m for him? We wouldn’t. We’d be looking at bids of like 20m instead of 32.5m this summer. Not Lerner’s fault, he’s going to need a lot of money to get us into Europe.
I can’t get stressed over the Benteke situation. The real problem is that we have become a mediocre team that has relegation scrap as it’s club motto. What in demand footballer would come to such a club apart from mega bucks, which we can’t and won’t pay?
benteke will score loads in a decent team. He has ambition. He will leave. The same would be true of pretty much anyone of his ilk. We need to create a conveyor belt of players with potential, knowing that for a while they will move on after a couple of seasons, unless we can start competing at the right end of the table. Let’s get the best deal we can on Benteke, reinvest the money, plus some, and hopefully have a team with a bit of flair and attacking play, and a plan B for when plan A doesn’t work.
Over £30m – get rid and use the money to invest in the squad, or we may get stuck with him throwing his toys out of the pram….. And if he goes to Liverpool then he is a mug !
He said he wants CL football so if that’s true and I doubt it is it’s likely he will go to Utd or Chelsea
Chelsea I reckon,I think time to start searching don’t leave it lingering on that would really fuck me off.
Agreed, I can see him at Chelsea.
No guarantee of a starting place though,I don’t think he’ll like it one bit.fucking tough tittys
Depends he’s probably happy to be a bit part player and sit on the bench for triple wages. He wants to play for London team too
With Costa supposedly not happy living in England, I think it’s quite possible. Although they’re also linked with a 60m move for Higuain.
How about benteke to Chelsea for 32m and they give us Costa foc 🙂
I think Chelsea as he want ls to live in London and play CL. He will never be first choice if Costa is fit though
No but getting Remy in return would be a great start. 20m + Remy or so.
the phone call someone mentioned above to Kismet – benteke’s agent
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/football/video-1188532/Aston-Villa-fans-brilliant-Christian-Benteke-agent-PRANK.html
We are the new Coventry City, which for a Villa supporter who went to school in Coventry is really sad…
Weren’t there reports Cleverley pre-agreed a move to Everton in January? Would make sense that he’ll go there then.
Cleverly would be a freeby & a midfield squad player,I certainly wouldn’t bend over backwards to sign him could we do better?? yes
Course we could. There’s better free agent midfielders. MBia, De Jong (not that we could sign him), Ralf and much better AM’s is what we need (those being DM’s). Like Danny, Van Der Vaart, Yusupov, etc.
We still don’t score enough goals from midfield positions,we rely on benteke far too much with him gone we’ll need alot more sources to give us goals.
Ps I think our present midfield is piss weak & deffo need strengthening.
Fair point. Mainly need our AM’s to step it up, although it’s hard as you can’t really expect Grealish to score a lot. N’Zogbia’s gotta be replaced with someone good though, like Gil. Although he like Grealish is more a creator, not a goal scorer too. We need an Eriksen or Sigurdsson type player. Hoping Sherwood can find one.
And yeah, we need a stronger defensive midfielder, Sanchez can do that but with a huge lack of creativity in midfield he doesn’t. De Jong would be quality, or similar to him.
milner anyone?
He’s off to the bin dippers to provide crosses for benteke
He’s being offered 160k a week at Liverpool. We don’t have a chance.
How do u know that.
I’m all knowing. Thought you’d figure that out by now? 😉
Blatter’s resigning from FIFA, to stay in charge until new man appointed.
About time.