It’s still early in the UK, I know, but I expected to be quite quickly picked up in some way about when I posted how demoralised I am about the Villa.
Actually, I’m hoping someone does pull me and remind me of where we might be.
Or do we all think similarly, in that we really are utter rubbish, but just don’t want to admit it?
Whatever, I’ve thought about very little else since I abandoned watching the total load of tripe we were yesterday, since.
For me, that’s been a good sleep and a holiday drinking session.
The best part of a full day.
And I’m still worried about where we’re heading as a club.
On the one hand, we’re constantly told how rich Wes Edens or Safaris are, by the Birmingham Mail. We’re also constantly being told that we have funds available, by the same source.
And Dean Smith intimates that wheels are in motion, or similar, which suggests we do indeed have funds available.
Yet, up to now, we’ve signed a goalkeeper and a left-sided player who made the worst debut that I can remember in my 40 years plus of supporting the club (let’s not make excuses here, it really was that bad).
And I remember Djemba-Djemba.
That’s saying something, I’m sure.
Then there’s the fact that we now have 4 days (5 if you include today) to get some top players in.
And apparently our DOF is in Europe on a scouting mission.
Really?
This late on in the window?
Shouldn’t he have done that months ago when he first came in?
Or, even better, have been doing it for years, before he came here?
You have to be kidding me if you swallow this garbage.
And then the reality hits.
We’re being massively strangled by FFP.
I suggested we would do very little business a while back, yet still Smith seems to be dangling us on a string.
I have the vaguest feeling that we might actually sign yet another “top” player, who will turn out to be a failure, simply because it’s what’s expected of us as a club.
Thinking further, no it probably won’t happen, if Smith has anything to do with it.
But if we’re not going to sign anyone of any significance, I’d rather the club just come out and say it.
Which begs the question “why haven’t we seen the kids?”
Which is a policy I firmly disagree with, to be fair, as to me, they are not good enough; something that has been a consistent view, regardless of which manager you care to think of.
Are they really all wrong?
Which, all in all leaves my thinking totally directionless.
For all the hype that we’ve been given, that’s how the club strikes me. Directionless.
None of us have the slightest clue and I don’t think our “leaders” do, either.
It saddens me to say it, but Smith is doomed to failure.
He has been since before he took us on.
Unless he can do something that many decent managers have failed to do, in totally turn us around.
Steve Bruce commented recently that he considered packing it all in, because he couldn’t see what he’d done wrong.
I had a lot of sympathy for this, purely because that’s what managing the Villa does to you.
Lambert was much liked by us before he came to the club, for example, but he’s now hated for the way we played under him.
And all of this, is why I’m worried.
We don’t know how we stand.
Are we a big club going back to it’s righful place in the Prem, or not?
Certainly our team says “no”, but we as fans say “yes”.
And that’s our biggest problem in my opinion.
We’re awful, but struggle to admit it.
Almiron signing for Newcastle – does that mean Isaac Hayden moving on loan to Villa. Don’t know anything about him other than he plays midfield and has started regularly for the barcodes.
Possibly, Hitch.
Whatever, I just get the impression we never intended to do much business at all, in the first place.
Or it’s all gone totally Pete Tong.
Players signed on the last day, surely can’t be committed and I don’t understand why we didn’t do our business early on, if there was any to be done?
I did see some article suggesting we chasing an unnamed Prem player.
If that proves true and is another crock who hasn’t played for ages, on mega bucks, I’ll be fuming.
Never mind, our DOF is on the case in Europe.
Hmm, yes, ok.
Sticks out a mile with me lads, Villa has a huge fan base and they need to keep them on board, so the odd rumour helps the club. I don’t think for one minute we will get anymore, or if we do, its as Badger saying its a has been on loan. Let’s just tell ourselves its another season in the championship. I’m happy just waving the flag. Utv.
We are probably after players who are waiting till the last minute in the hope a premier league team or similar come in. If this is the case I wouldn’t want them. All the talk of signing younger players and not loaning them because we want their market value to increase, will IMO end up as bull crap, at least until the summer when we can do deals for the long term.
Looks like Chelsea trying to get their manager out now. Bournmouth 3-Chelsea 0. Who would be a manager.
Seems we are going to sign Tyrone Mings. My Ipswich mate said he was really good at LB before Bournemouth bought him. Can also play left side CB. Risk though as he’s suffered a lot of injuries since moving. Loan with a view to a permanent deal.
Looks like it Hitch he had a medical this week but as you’ve said injuries is the problem.
According to Rob Dorsett, clause in Mings contract that says we have an option to buy in the summer as long as ‘we match any offer from another club’. Not sure whether that’s very clever or daft!
It’s clear we’re keeping our options open but don’t want to commit to a buy option now with a set price – FFP and promotion?
Matching option clause confirmed. Villa wanted option to buy, Bournemouth didn’t – hence compromise. I prefer the conspiracy theory LOL
Mings deal reported as done – welcome Tyrone – part of the pride.
UTV
Seems a decent idea to me, Hitch.
At least he’s not guaranteed to walk away at the end of the season.
I have concerns about this deal, particularly if there is a £1 mill loan fee.
Add on the wages and it’s an expensive deal for a few months.
That said, I’ve noticed him before and he seems a decent player, with some guts.
I just hope he’s up to speed.
And surely he can’t be any worse than Taylor?
6′ 5″, that’s a big unit for a full back.
Hi Badger – hope the sun still shining.
He’s reputedto be quick as well. Read that, initially, Smith will play him at CB to give Chester a chance to recover from knee injury.
Yes, sun definitely still shining, but I’ve been laid up today, with what seems a mild case of food poisoning. Getting over it now (Immodium is brilliant stuff), but it means I’ve mostly been sleeping.
Never mind, it means I should be able to last the pace right up to the end of the window and I’ll be posting my thoughts.
Makes sense to rest Chester, I suppose.
Good to read he’s quick, as I was wondering how well he can turn.
“The 25-year-old has only played 19 times in four full seasons”
Blimey, very risky.
I thought we were moving away from this type of thing?
Oh, Jacob Bedeau off to Scunthorpe.
The best part of another £1 mill wasted.
Oh well, good luck to him.
And it now transpires Mings was training with the U-23’s after a fallout with the affable Eddie Howe.
You’d have thought Bournemouth might have been keen to get shot, so I’m still wondering why we’ve left it so late?
So, awful injury record.
Hardly played for years.
And now, might not be as professional as we’d expect.
I hope the relevant parties have really done their diligence here.
Sorry for sounding cynical, but this all seems so familar.
I really do hope this turns out to be a decent deal for us.
Corey Blackett-Taylor has gone out on loan to Walsall.
Now that’s a good move, imo.
Sorry to hear about the gippy stomach Badger – whisky normally helps!
Just read that Ipswich trying to sign Bree.
Looks like more out than in – as long as we don’t resign Simon Dawkins!
Jake Doyle-Hayes might be off to Cambridge for a stint.
Good, get them out playing a proper game week in-week out and let’s find out if they’re really up to it or not.
Despite failing in their attempts to sign Grégory Sertic on a six month loan from Marseille, Aston Villa aren’t quite done in France yet.
According to French journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter, the Villains have agreed a deal to sign Frédéric Guilbert from Caen for next summer with the player currently undergoing his medical.
Securing his services in January with a €5m + €1.5m in bonuses deal, Aston Villa will then loan him back to his current side where he will stay until June.
After that, the right-back will join the Championship side on a four-year deal keeping him at the club until 2022.
The deal taking Guilbert from Caen to Villa Park will also include a clause that will see the Ligue 1 side receive an undisclosed percentage of any future transfer fee.
The 24-year-old has been close to ever-present for the French side this season, making 19 league appearances and picking
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Full-back currently ‘undergoing medical’ ahead of €6.5m Aston Villa move, loaned back to club until June
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Beat me to it Bill
Bill, that €4m wages offer was for Samiras – not very likely is it when he turned down Newcastle!
According to reports we have signed Frederick Guilbert (or agreed a deal to sign him) from Caen for €5m but are loaning him back to Caen for the rest of the season. Think he’s a left back – will check.
Bill got it right – right back
I was just about to post the same.
That’s a really strange one and I struggle to believe it.
We buy a player and loan him back?
When we’re in our financial position and need players now?
That said, I wonder if that’s what our DOF has been up to?
Fascinating, if true.
Planning for the future?
Smith press conference now been delayed twice – ?
Nothing wrong with planning for the future Hitch, but I just seriously doubt we’re in a position to do it?
Maybe Smith is finalising a deal?
or maybe wants to announce a done deal?
He’s been busy apparently, having worked with Purslow all night.
He’s certainly earning his corn today.
Well, eyes on transfer news as from now for me. Would be ideal if it comes off.
Watch Scott Hogan fire Sheff Utd in to the premier league now!!