So those of you who have been reading/contributing or whatever for a while will know that I’m not a fan of speculation because 95% of it is typically absolutely rubbish. But at the same time, I know some of you love it and given that I’ve just realised I haven’t written anything for over a fortnight and tomorrow is the start of the transfer window, it seems a good time to start this thread.
As per usual, we’re selling most of the team and buying a whole new premier league for our squad. Hmm.
It does seem though, that if you try and read in between the lines a couple of possible moves might prove to be reality. First is Douglas Luiz to leave at £50 million or whatever. While this is miles lower than the £80-100 million that has been talked about I think this might be a good deal for us.
I haven’t previously wanted him to go, but I now have a sneaky feeling that his agent and him have been trying to engineer a move. I know some have said his form dropped in the last couple of months, but I think it’s more than that. I think there’s been something very strange in his attitude and it was demonstrated by his sudden terrible disciplinary record. I’m going to go so far as to say that was some small form of a protest and demonstrative that he quite simply wants out.
I don’t think it’s a money thing. He wants a new challenge and his agent thinks Juventus is the place. Good. If you want to go that much, clear off. With my blessing. The club is bigger than you. I can’t say I’m particularly interested in Winston McKennie and the other lad coming our way, but we do need numbers in.
Second, is Jhon Duran to Chelsea for £50 million. That’s frankly laughable and half of that would be a good deal. I’m convinced the lad has a serious attitude problem, as much as I believe he actually has a somewhat valid reason for having it. The fact is Emery doesn’t yet deem him to be good enough to outdo Watkins and it’s as simple as that. And if he doesn’t have the patience to listen to the manager he can go. Particularly if he’s giving the manager a problem, which I think he is.
Having had another glance at the news, it appears Chelsea have agreed a £42 million fee. I’m inclined to think he could be a bargain signing for them, but if it isn’t working for him at the Villa, that’s a lovely amount of money in the pot to stave off this PSR rubbish.
Then, there’s Matty Cash. We’ve apparently slapped a £30 million price on his head. Where do these stories come from? I’d take half that if we have a replacement lined up.
And finally (although I’m sure there’s plenty of other stories) there’s Diegos Carlos, who cost us a fortune, given his age. I liked the look of him early on, but wouldn’t miss him now. That said, we need better defenders and I’m not convinced Mings is ever going to get back to where he was. Maybe we might do better keeping Carlos as a back up? No doubt he’s on big wages though, so I’ll trust the club’s judgement on that one.
Anyway, this is just a starting point. I’m sure many of you will be more interested in the speculation and chat about other rumours.
Me, I’m only interested in deals inked, whether in or out.
What I liked about the Mail article is that it didn’t just list recent players and completely ignore those outside living memory which these ‘which is the greatest’ questions routinely do.
It’s an almost impossible question to answer – the temptation is to vote for one’s favourite player rather than an objective pick of the ‘greatest’.
Notwithstanding, I suspect it will be a player from the modern era that will get the most votes.
Having read Villa’s Villa’s history which is full of influential characters, great and colourful players I think it’s almost impossible to pick out just one amongst so many. Like Badger, I agree that Pongo Waring is one of our all time great centre forwards but I’m going for Billy Walker as our greatest ever player.
No Harry Hampton on the list?
Scored 2 goals less (242) than the legend Billy Walker but in 158 less appearances.
Great shout RSS – it does reinforce the difficulties in picking a GOAT.
You should also add George Ramsey to the list who eventually managed Villa and was the first professional football manager. He revolutionised Villa’s – and the then English – ukstyle of play introducing a short passing game.
He was the first Villa player to lift a trophy as captain and under his leadership he went on to guide Villa to six league championships and six FA Cups and is still regarded as one of the most successful managers in the English game.
Ramsey established Villa as one of the most successful clubs in England, a legacy we still enjoy today. Truly a giant of the game.
Hitch, George Ramsey just has to pip this given (as you points above) his influence on all things Villa (no Ramsey – no Villa as we know it).
He was responsible for the introduction the passing game from north of the border as opposed to the then English dribbling style with great success leading to Villa’s dominance through the 1890’s and beyond creating our rich history.
He was incidentally, also the worlds first football manager.
It has to be Ramsey.
This George Ramsey?
https://x.com/AvfcArchive/status/1818940118205374962?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Picking th greatest is a question that will never be answered, however picking players that either just flopped, failed to fit or were basically just f#^÷^÷g awful is by far easier. Not being mean as it’s sometimes complicated…
I’ll start with Luc Nilis. Horrific injury. And the vile Jermaine Jenas who was just shite.
And the now ultra woke Joe Cole. Waste of space.
Luc Nilis was bordering on world class, Bum Bum. The home debut goal vs Chelsea is one of the best ever scored at VP. Pleased to say I was there in the Holte to see it. Albeit with a freshly printed ‘Ginola 14’ shirt; ‘Dave’ was out injured that day, much to my disappointment. Anyway, Nilis’ football intelligence levels were up there with the likes of Cowans and Merson, in my opinion. Damn shame what happened at Ipswich a couple of weeks later. Could’ve been a Villa legend.
Oh I’m not dissing Nillis! He could have been a legend. Just one of those cases that didn’t work out. Any idea what he did after football??
For shite Villa players, look no further than Lambert’s tenure: NZogbia, Tonev (good grief), Luna, Helenius, Cissokho, Senderos… f****** ‘ell.
Then there’s Taylor’s second stint: Leonhardsen, De La Cruz, Allback… but the best one must surely be – the tennis player (I shit you not) – Michael Boulding. Exactly.
Almost forgot Djemba-Djemba. So shit they named him twice.
A more interesting debate is who didn’t reach their maximum potential, despite limitless natural talent. My top 3 will always be Atkinson, Collymore, and Bosnich. In no particular order. The latter two were as good as Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe etc in terms of talent; I truly believe that. Unplayable when (rarely) in full flow. While Bosnich could’ve been (one of) the greatest goalkeepers in football history had he applied Ronaldo levels of commitment to his career; I truly believe that as well. Ifs and buts make for interesting nostalgic debate…
Duran has apparently said he is happy about rumours regarding his transfer out.
I so want this bloke gone, as he obviously isn’t interested in being at the Villa.
It’s a bit sad of me, but I actually want him to fail if he leaves. The lad is a tool, imo and good riddance if he does go.
http://www.birminghamworld.uk/sport/football/aston-villa/jhon-duran-aston-villa-chelsea-west-ham-newcastle-united-4715552
Sadly, as I think has masses of potential, I agree with you Badger.
Another Pogba – loads of talent never fully realised and probably unmanageable?
For some reason, I couldn’t stop laughing when I read this. Hahahahahahahaha!
https://thetrivelaeffect.com/latest-signing-shows-aston-villa-have-more-pull-than-manchester-united-now/
Ha – must be true as even Sky have given Villa their own dedicated transfer rumour page 🙂
Don’t forget:
United trophies since Ferguson left: 7 (including Community Shields)
Villa trophies: 0
Until that changes on a regular basis, I won’t be laughing as much as you. Those shiny pots is what it’s all about. They win them; we don’t. I’d like to add a ‘yet’…
Badger
I’m in total agreement regarding Duran. The key is if we bought him for approximately £17.5m and flip him for £35 – great business.
When you play for Villa – you buy into Villa. If you are not committed. do one. Duran do one.
The transfer business to date has been exceptional. I feel that there will be a striker (old fashioned term), centre half and right back to buy.
Am I alone in this thought? I may well place £10 for Villa to finish in top 2 places.
I’m slightly concerned at the extent of the overhaul; it often takes time for lots of new players to ‘gel’; but, as we all know, you don’t get any time in the PL – if you have a sticky patch of more than 2-3 games, it pretty much scuppers chances of top 4, which has to be Villa’s (minimum) target. Yes, the amount of work being done has impressed me, but the rapid reshaping of the squad – which has by no means been completed – is surprising and slightly alarming.
Specifically, I would have expected Diaby to kick-on this season and increase his goals and assists tally, which wasn’t bad at all, by the way, for a maiden PL season. If the overhaul is to be successful, significant upgrades on Duran, Diaby, and also Lenglet must be made, not to mention perhaps Cash and Carlos – and those have yet to materialise; if they do, then we’ve practically bought/changed a whole team, much like 2019. The quantity of new players has surprised me, and a number of them are ‘maybe successes’ i.e. squad fillers. I’m waiting for a couple of big fish to arrive that can go into the first 11. Anyone agree?
It’s a fair point you make BFR.
In Diaby’s case I can only conclude he wanted to go and Emery agreed because, either he only wants players committed to the project and / or Emery wasn’t convinced Diaby could do the role he wanted.
There was an interesting debate on the Sky transfer podcast around Emery looking for a ‘lock picker’ that can prise open low blocks. I would say it’s one of Buendia’s skills but Sky saw that as a a big strength of Felix rather than being a ‘pure’ striker.
Watkins and Felix playing together rather like Emery had planned for Diaby?
On other ‘big fish’ I suggest Onana is one already and I agree we could see a CB come in with Carlos going out. Other outgoings, probably Digne (or Moreno but more likely the former) and Dendonker.
Emery quickly got a dysfunctional squad playing together when he arrived so I see no reason why he can’t get quality players doing it in a reshaped squad. His strength is clearly defining each players role in a well constructed team strategy – something Southgate failed to do latterly.
BFR I see where you are coming from but towards the end of last season the wheels really came well and truly off.
IMO the team / squad needed this major shake up, it look stale tired and out of ideas.
If you look historically at a teams form at the end of one season, this usually transfers into the following season and given how we finished with such a whimper it wasn’t going to be pretty hence moving forward the wholesale changes.
In Unai we trust!
Good points, RSS and Hitch! Hopefully, the ‘reset’ will see Villa start in a high gear. Lots to look forward to! Personally, I hope Buendia can get back to his best, as he offers something different and is a class act, in my opinion…it’ll be like having a new signing if he gets back to his best.
As a sidenote, there’s no Adidas training gear available yet, I see. But with the price of shirts, I may have to go without if my two boys are to get one each, with names and numbers!
Times article which is worth a read.
The only point I question is the £3m for Chambers as I believe there was a mutual contract termination and no fee when he joined Cardiff.
https://www.thetimes.com/article/3c311f6c-b307-4144-b531-e6d7a1c605f0?shareToken=5a196f47243b17d91a802b7689453dbd
6 of the 8 players we’ve signed are ‘maybe’. 2 are ‘probably’. I’d like to see us obliterate the club’s transfer record with a top-world class, seasoned, CL player, who will not only raise the club’s profile, but also lift the team’s standards to consistent CL level. The speed and quality of the CL will be a shock to many of our players, I am sure…
Think that player summary is a little on the negative side although it depends on how one defines ‘probables’.
Onana and Maatson for me are definite rather than probable (I’m assuming theses are your two probables). Philogene and Barkley are probables and I agree the remainder are possibles – I actually think they might move Archer on but that might depend on the Duranscenario.
Having said that if Emery has been as astute with Iling Junior and Barrenechea as he was with the (not so underwhelming 🙂 ) signing of Rogers then who knows?
Like you, I was concerned that the squad we finished with last season wouldn’t be good enough to challenge top 4, let alone play in the CL, but I feel more optimistic now than I did.
As I’m wandering down memory lane, the current situation reminds me a little of MON’s speculative splurge, which is why I can’t help but worry. The likes of Reo Coker, Zat Knight, Harewood, Salifou, Curtis Davies, Sidwell, Shorey, were all ‘maybes’ that didn’t exactly meet expectations. Even some ‘probablys’ like Heskey didn’t come up to scratch. Most of the players we’ve signed look like they fall into this type of category. The only difference is MON vs Unai, and MON wasn’t exactly a poor manager.
It seems that Duran to Hammers is a done deal although the details vary.
Fee of around £30m plus ‘a young player’ is Romanov’s take on it. One of the Hammers blog sites say the young player is Lewis Orford a mid field player who, it says, is on the verge of breaking into the first team, and will split fan opinion.
There’s no way that Duran can stay given what he’s been saying in the press.
I look forward to an upgrade (with a brain, preferably).
Sid, that might prove to be a good bet.
A knowledgeable scouse red watchs Villa closely of late and thinks we’ve done excellent business.
His expectation is for us to reach the knockout stages with ease and finish in the top 4 again this season, probably at the cost of Pool. He’s contemplating betting a fiver on it.
I told him I’m not so confident and just qualifying again would be a super season for me.
Villa have knocked back £32 mill, Orford and a decent release clause payment for Duran.
And we’re apparently looking to highjack players that Pool and Chelsea are after.
We are finally playing at the top table with the big boys.
Let’s hope it lasts.
The bad news is I will probably have a nose coming to work with us on Monday.
I nearly decided to sack him off before he starts, but needs must. Hmm.
Interesting that Villa have knocked back the Spam offer – if true of course. They, no doubt, are looking to screw a lot more money out of the deal – good.
Duran seems to have taken a leaf out of Southgate’s book saying ‘he’s pleased big teams are in for him’. So disrespectful to Villa.
For me the sooner he goes the better – no matter how good he MIGHT become. I said before he sounds like a Pogba – all ego and little in the way of substance.
Well it would be very tempting to drag the West Ham deal out for as long as possible. Because we all know what will happen the first game of the season don’t we
The ‘Archer effect’??? Good shout.
That goal stopped us going top at Christmas!!!
Season tickets on sale along with a mortgage application 🤦♂️
https://tickets.avfc.co.uk/en-GB/hospitalitySubscription/2024-25%20season%20ticket%20-%20hospitality%20seating
RSS, I know it’s galling, but for those who want a season ticket and can afford it, surely it can’t be a bad thing? For the punters and the club’s revenue. I’m not one of them, but if I was minted and couldn’t get a season ticket to see my team during a successful period, I’d have no qualms, even if it meant falling out with the wife!
Just ordered two seats along with my new Lamborgini
Wife’s not happy we no longer have anywhere to live 🙂
Honestly Hitch, if I was a millionaire with cash to spare, I’d happily get 2 for me and the boy. As long as the club continue to fully cater for and look after the fans that fill VP week in, week out, year after year, I don’t have a problem with it. Like Heck said, there’s more than one type of football fan. The club just needs to make sure they look after the core support and never forget they’re the club’s lifeblood – not necessarily for the money they spend, but for actual support they provide the team and atmosphere they create wherever they go, including VP. Players come and go. Aston Villa’s fans are Aston Villa.
I don’t go down anymore BFR, I can’t be arsed if I’m totally honest. it’s simply too much effort and I’m far too lazy so my opinion counts for little but it certainly appears to be the gentrification of footy?
Season tickets Hitch?
Admirable choice and shows the interest.
🙂
Moving on from the Heck seat upselling which is ‘what it is’ – of more interest is the Duran saga!
I’m beginning to think that we’re stuck with him given his recent behaviour. What well managed and structured club would risk buying a player with so much ego and disrespect – oh Hammers might 🙂
The guy’s a liability.
I agree Hitch with Duran. His actions have devalued him because like you said, he shows disrespect and a bad attitude so why would you risk signing him. The Hammers symbol he posted has left us with West Ham being the only suitors. They know that and won’t overpay now. We can cut our nose off to spite our face by letting him rot in the reserves but we don’t want a bad influence around.
Our 4-1 defeat against Columbus shouldn’t cause any worries. They are in the middle of their season while we are still introducing new players while waiting for the likes of Martinez, Konsa, McGinn, Tielemans and Watkins. I am still unsure to how well the Kamara / Luiz combination is replaced as they were a big reason for our success last season.
Very fair points Holte on CC game.
I don’t like easy pre-seasons where we win all the games and learn nothing.
With Kamara still I jured I see Tielemans alongside Onana with McGinn pushed into a more attacking role as for Scotland.
UTV
Actually stayed up to watch the game and the only thing I thought afterwards is how much would we need to lay out to buy Cucho Hernandez?
Surely, also of interest, was Onana and Maatson’s debuts and Buendia coming on in the second half?
Emi’s return is fantastic news.
You can watch the full match on YouTube if you haven’t already seen it.
Are any of us really surprised that Duran has turned out to be a bad ‘un?
I remember commenting on this months ago, although tbf, it seemed many wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I’ve wanted rid of him for a long time and if we don’t get what we want, I’m sure the hierarchy will make him rot if necessary.
Take the piss out of the Villa and see what you get mate, imo.
We should set a massive example here.
The trouble is he’s too good to sit on the bench and I know where he’s coming from.
Still, you have to play the game.
Ultimately Duran wants game time. He has been immature about it and we may regret letting him go. However, the manager should be the one in charge, particularly if he has performed as well as Emery has. If he goes so be it (and yes it looks pretty nailed on).
As long as we replace him I’m fine with it. I wouldn’t like to go into this season with only Watkins and Archer as options up front .
Meanwhile, Kalvin Phillips on loan?
I think that boat has sailed, personally.
I’d say no, but as a squad filler, he may be an option;
https://www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-submit-kalvin-phillips-offer-amid-everton-update-sources/
I’m not a fan (of Phillips) but, as long as it’s a loan deal, I’d live with it.
It’s been reported that Phillips and Citeh ideally want a permanent deal but even at £20m it’s far too risky. A loan with an obligation to buy subject to performance / appearances criteria might be the compromise.
Alternatively he could go to Everton where Dyche’s strategy is to miss out the midfield totally 🙂
Eric Dier for free makes more sense to me.
Phillips on loan is low risk and worth a punt, but defo no to a permanent signing. Spam fans boo’d him as he was not only poor but if I remember rightly, came on and directly contributed to a Hammers defeat.
A notable absentee in America appears to be Jacob Ramsey.
I can only surmise that he’s either still injured or he doesn’t figure in Emery’s plans (viz the Spurs / Lo Celso rumours)
I’ve not seen anything from the club nor Brum Live.
Anyone have news?
I’m a little concerned that Ramsey hasn’t played yet. If it’s related to last seasons injury you have to wonder what really is the problem. I thought it was a metatarsal but recovery time for that shouldn’t take over a year!
As for Kalvin Phillips it’s a hell no for me. The guy went to Citeh for big bucks and easy silverware and was happy to sit on the bench wasting his career. He went on loan to West Ham and didn’t do much if anything. There are much better players out there IMO.
Ramsey is a real worry and I am concerned it’s a Dean Ashton type injury, where the player comes back, is never the same, and soon after retires due to limited mobility in the ankle. I really really hope it’s not something like this; but to still be out of action is very worrying. I hope we get an update soon.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/dec/11/dean-ashton-retires-west-ham#:~:text=West%20Ham%20United's%20Dean%20Ashton,tackle%20by%20Shaun%20Wright%2DPhillips.
Think it was a broken metatarsal BFR which is foot rather than ankle so hopefully it’s just one of those situations where it’s taking time to completely heal.
Hope so, Hitch. Infections have also be known to slow down recoveries. Fans could do with an update…
The club announcing with delight at the sell-out of season tickets is like a tight auntie beaming with pride when all the food runs out at her parties, believing that it had been ‘just enough’ and that’s why there was none left. Suffice to say, most of her guests would stop at McDonald’s on the way home!
I could kill a Big Mac right now…