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.
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Whoooo!!! 501!!!!!!
What happened?? Did we just sign Levi Strauss or something?
Or Brian Lara?
Where’s Ollie?
Awe just found out about Alan Little how sad that he passed away remember him doing really well at york city RIP Alan
First half and we are getting a wake up call with most of the game chasing shadows. Dortmund don’t need a biased referee but they have got one anyway. Torres has been really poor with his stray pass leading to the first goal and getting robbed in the six yard box to concede the second. No player has shone for us except maybe Rogers. Does anyone know why Watkins isn’t in the squad?
Awful miss from archer. Still down 2-0. Nice crowd of 81,000
2-0 and over. Only day 25 mins the Germans were tidy. We were ok but not sharp enough. I’ll let someone that saw the game give their opinion
Interesting game.
Minuses –
Didn’t really press in the first half, on our heels a bit.
Having to play against 13 men, the team, the 81,000 crowd and the ref. The ref was so bent that I thought we were playing against Man Ure for a while.
Positives –
Ned Kelly played 90 minutes and he looked great as did Philogene.
We pressed and passed well and won the second half on our play.
The double pivot of Onana and Tielemans is looking good.
Overall fairly happy and remember we were playing the CL finalists on their own ground.
Bring on Wet Spam.
Ah – Ned Kelly – you had me going there 1874 🙂
Surprised Ollie wasn’t given minutes – hope he’s not injured!
We played all our warm up games without a recognised central striker so it’s hard to draw finite conclusions.
Ned Kelly??? I don’t get it…
Nedeljković
BFR Sorry but I can never remember his name…
🤣
Nedeljković
👍
And here’s me trying to think of a Villa player who’s an Australian outlaw with a penchant for shootouts with the police. Overthinking it! 😆
And wearing a tin pot on his noggin 🙂
Wasn’t Mick Jagger in the film? Apparently the kid looks awesome…
I still think Ollie is resting. He worked his rocks off last season and then on England duty. Emery knows Ollie knows his role…
Can’t wait for Saturday!!!!!
I wonder if the deal for Duran to go to West Ham is still on and will take place after we play them on Saturday and before the transfer window closes, thus allowing us time to get one of our last remaining targets through the door, possibly Joao Felix.
Apart from disciplinary reasons, I can’t understand why he didn’t feature against Dortmund
Do you think Ollie will start first game?
Yep. Nailed on. And I bet he scores!
I see the Felix saga has taken a turn with Chelsea now in for him Their 86th buy of the summer. How the hell do they get away with it?
If Felix doesn’t want to jump at the chance to join Villa, let him go elsewhere.
Totally agree. Let’s go for players who really want to come to Villa. We don’t want mercenaries. Let him piss off to the bright lights of London to join up with Chelsea’s 100 man squad.
Agree Bum Bum, Holte.
I assume and hope that Emery / Monchi are not only focused on Felix and have other targets to replace Diaby.
Wonder what kit we will play with Saturday as we still don’t have an away one
Just a few days before the start of the season, probably the biggest season ever for AVFC and we have a mystery. Where is Ollie? I have searched the internet and his absence is unreported on BBC, Sky, AVFC website, Birmingham Live, Here. It’s almost a news blackout similar to a kidnapping. A tiny mention of him and Duran returning from International Duty but Euro’s are well over and its not like he was used very much. Why doesn’t the Media care?
Maybe because there’s nothing to report? I think he’ll just be settling back in.
Considering all the games he’s played, he needs wrapping in cotton wool! Anyone seen if he’s at Bodymoor Heath?
There’s pictures of him returning to training on the official site a few days ago. It did look like he was training separately . As long as Ollie is fit, he plays from day one in my opinion, he is more clear on his position than anyone else and there is no need to get wiped out in a friendly and leave us striker less . I do hope we have a plan for a cover striker, an attacking midfield and ideally either first or second choice right back.
Cover striker is Archer, as things stand. I don’t think he’s an inferior option to Duran, despite perceptions and ‘market value.’
Sorry but I disagree. At this time of the year, nothing to report is really big news. Our CF has not played one minute of competitive football since the euro’s. This is the Golden Boy that is the replacement for Kane in the English Squad. This is the transfer target for Arsenal, Man Utd and goodness knows how many Euro clubs. Not a mention is big news. Where has he been since the Euro’s. It is disrespectful to the fans. Even Ming is being talked about as being available from Christmas.
Let’s hope he’s ‘merciless’ when we finally returns…
I’ll get my coat…
Especially if he comes up against Gordon at Newcastle…
Oh dear…
Tom, thats good news, if he is fit. But training separately seems worth an explanation. Will be chuffed if there is no problem.
Shouldn’t we be in for Guehi if he’s leaving Palace?
Love the (sort of) conspiracy theories about Watkins.
Not sure he really needs a pre-season given his time with England.
Emery’s approach to pre-season has been somewhat unconventional with almost none of the senior players being given 90 minutes. I think I’m right in saying only Torres (of the senior players) has played a full ninety minutes.
I’m assuming that Emery understands what each of the players need in terms of ‘match’ fitness and has designed their time on the pitch accordingly.
Notwithstanding, I wouldn’t be overly surprised if we make a slow start to the season – after all Citeh almost always start slowly but still win the league!