Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Friday August 1 2008
Time: 11:58AM
UK time is: 21:40:29
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The Villa Transfer Thread - Part 8
Thread eight on summer transfers, so over 2500 comments so far and no signings!
Not to mention 120 pages in the forum! Click Here
We have had one arrival during the last thread in the form of Brad Friedel and today we find out if Brad Guzan will be granted a work permit to come as well, maybe a few more are just around the corner as the moves are starting to happen now and that sets of a chain reaction... doesn't it?!
The Villa Summer Transfer Thread - Part 1
The Villa Summer Transfer Thread - Part 2
The Villa Summer Transfer Thread - Part 3
The Villa Summer Transfer Thread - Part 4
The Villa Summer Transfer Thread - Part 5
The Villa Summer Transfer Thread - Part 6
The Villa Summer Transfer Thread - Part 7
Once again, over to you Mr O'Neill !
IN -
Curtis Davies (from West Brom - £undisclosed)
Steve Sidwell (from Chelsea, £5.5m)
Brad Friedel (from Blackburn Rovers - undisclosed, in region of £2 - £2.5m)
Brad Guzan (from Chivas USA)
OUT -
Luke Moore (West Brom - £3.5million)
Olof Mellberg (Juventus - free)
Patrick Berger (Sparta Prague - free)
Thomas Sorensen (released)
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Your Comments
Recently 1 thread to 1 signing hope its not like this till the start of the league we cant fill that many threads!!!
Tez86
boring boring boring. No more players now until the last three days of the Window. Lets all enjoy the rest of the summer and stop torturing ourselves.
simonbigron
'Mum's gone to Iceland' and now so do we!!! FH here we come
fredchuff
yeah fh nerfherder or something like that!
bobbyfett
apparently Naylor is being sold by celtic, I wonder if he is in MON's sights? He didn't have too much of a good season last year in the SPL would he be able to cut it in the premiership?
johnmurphy3112
Has anyone got any ideas for getting to Iceland on the cheap, flights seem to be about £400-£500!!!????
farmer_dan
Why does it still say no signings at the intro to the thread?
"Thread eight on summer transfers, so over 2500 comments so far and no signing!" I know it feels like we haven't signed anyone but we have...
AVGD
Is today the day we find out about Guzan and his work permit?
Layzee
Guzan has got his permit - signing number 4!
AVGD
thats the goalkeeping department sorted.
Eircol
The general has gone very quiet!! Maybe his comments about us having the funds to purchase top quality players, just isn't there?! If it was available, surely we would have paid the money to get these players in?? Our last friendly is tomorrow and we are still 6 players short!
In MON we trust!
Indeed, mnore goalkeepers than you can shake a stick at [or a football] what about the rest of the team though!!!
AVGD
It does seem odd, that we suupposedly have lots of dosh and that Randy has never said no to MON, and the sum total of our purchases is 5m [Sidwell], £2m? apiece for Friedel and Guzan, so £10m [exclding Davies which was agreed last year]. There seems little doubt that the money is there, it's just that MON is incapable of spending it on players he wants!?
AVGD
Fear, do you still have regular contact with The General?? Can you get a statement from him?? Saying that, I'm sure he'll say exactly what MON says...we are trying our best to strengthen the squad but it's proving very difficult. What a load of rubbish that is, as it doesn't seem very difficult for Spurs and Pompey, does it!?!
In MON we trust!
The general is away until tomorrow..
Eircol
BTW, does no-one else think it is ironic that Man city get in via Fair Play, when their new manager had one of the worst disciplinary records at his previous club. Mark Hughes and Fair Play now there is a contradiction!
AVGD
I have a sneaky feeling they wont get into europe that way again, well not while hughes is manager..
Eircol
That is another strange thing, the general and Randy are always out of the UK, during our transfer windows! There's only 2 for gods sake, so surely they can stay here for the entire period to help bring players in?
In MON we trust!
Maybe they are trying to draft one or two cleveland browns players over here?
Eircol
I don't think the general has anything to do with it! I think Randy can OK a deal from wherever if there has been a budget set up. Wouldn't it be great if we were allowed to question MON directly about transfers! AND why has Jack Woodward [oh he of AVTV fame] not done an interview with Barry since Weds for him to tell us all he is happy to be staying? Probably because he isn't!
AVGD
I totally agree AVGD. If Barry was happy with the situation he would have said so. Can't wait to see if he plays tomorrow and if so, if he is willing to be interviewed after. My bets are he will leg if over after the match and keep his head low!
In MON we trust!
I wake up every morning thinking today is the day! Good news about Guzan though.
johnmurphy3112
In MON we trust! No need to get a statement from the General, for one he doesn't deal with transfers but also he has said a few times that the money is there. IT IS. They are looking to bring in what MON says is needed, the money and backing for the manager is 100% there. Got to remember, although we are a big club and I don't believe we can't attract good players, if someone like Bentley (from London) and his wife (from London) want to return to the capital, then there is little we can do, little any team can do. It wasn't about money. All down to MON doing his bit and naming who he wants, thing is he doesn't want just anyone whereas other managers might just go for numbers. I think there are managers out there who would be having a field day with the sort of backing we have! No panic yet, not quite yet... gulp!!!!!!!!
The Fear
I do the same john, no over the Villa, just about pulling caprice. Sadly I then get up and pass the mirror and the truth dawns... I'm just too good looking for her... :o)
The Fear
Wouldn't it be great if we could fast forward to the 1st Sept, see who we have, and then enjoy the rest of the transfer window knowing who will arrive [providing we have signed some players of course!].
AVGD
Fear, there seams to be more chance of you getting with Caprice than Villa getting any full backs!!
johnmurphy3112
Perhaps Gurzan can play left back and Taylor right back.
astonsteve
13 days until our next competitive match...how many players do we think we'll have in by then? I'm going for 2 more. A right and left back.
In MON we trust!
4-6 more by thenm M'ON is progressing with the signing, We have the same number of players now so our squad is getting bigger! 2RB's, 1LB, 1CB, 1MF, 1FW. Someone mentioned on either the forum or a preevious thread, this time last year we only had NRC. Well this year we have four new players, even Spurs have signed 4 players...for me there's no problem and nothing to worry about,
JOHN.CAREWS.CREW
3 players left to come in - Naylor/Ferdinand/and a right back
KSarge1
The ferdinhand story went very quiet, not sure about the naylor link, to be fair i have not seen the guy since he was at celtic. not sure how he would do in the premiership
Eircol
yawn yawn yawn. tick tock oneil.
Stig
Well done Fear for your contribution to this months Four Four Two magaziene,I found it whitty and informative.
Pking
Don't want nayler, Shorey is a much better prospect, doesn't matter what we say though it only matters what MON says.
johnmurphy3112
And thats not a lot!!
johnmurphy3112
Abit of Guzan in action if you haven't already checked him out :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzzC1VMothI
Randy-Villain3293
Great news about Guzan 1 for the future. Its really boring listening to the same links to the same players. when are they going to arrive? Just an idea but if barry really wants out of villa what about swapping alonso for barry straight swap, it worked 2 years ago with carew and the joke that is baros?
pksandell
Alonso and finnan would be acceptable.
johnmurphy3112
That'd be a great swap, but there is no way in hell that Alonso would swap Liverpool for us...and there is the gulf between the two clubs...the guy is world class, and deserves to be playing Champs league...i love Villa, but he doesn't, and i'd feel sorry for him if he was playing for us, as he'd deserve a higher level.
AstonMartinOneill
He is good but liverpool are buying Barry to replace him, so that means Barry is better than world class?! If barry goes where does that leave Alonso, there are no interested clubs (maybe juventus but thats been denied) so why not us?
johnmurphy3112
thanks pking, appreciated. This was the full set of answers I gave, obviously they had to paraprhase (like the mon answer which they just put as YES !!!!) http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=508451
The Fear
I'd say Barry is as good as Alonso, the reason Rafa wants him is cos he compliments Stevie G, but the difference is Barry has grown as a player under us and therefore has a reason to stay with us, whereas Alonso has no ties to us, and would be too good a player for the competitions we are competing in, to the extent that if he was with us, i wouldn't feel comfortable...i'd think that he should be elsewhere, and he'd be thinking the same. Plus i was thinking today about why we haven't signed any body of a big name nature, and it struck me that it would completely unbalance our team...say we pay a right back £70,000 a week to play for us...what's the rest of the team going to think? Just look to West Ham to see a bunch of players thrown together at different wages brackets not working as a team. We're a collective unit of solidly above average players, and i think that's how MON wants to build us up gradually, instead of a huge shift from the average we had to an imbalance of average and amazing. A different look on MON's transfer policy, i'd be interested to know what other people think...and excuse the lazy way it was articulated, i'm just writing whatever comes out.
AstonMartinOneill
Very well put,AMON,and makes a lot of sense.One thing that has definetely happened under MON is great team spirit so it would make sense not to rock the boat .My only problem lies with the fact not only are high profile players not coming in there seems to be NOBODY coming in!!!.
happyvillan
I bet Shorey gets unveiled at half time tomorrow.
los_angeles_villan
Well thought article -
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/08/02/o-neill-power-play-won-t-work-but-he-is-right-to-lay-down-law-over-barry-115875-20680849/
Equatorialvilla
I would accept 5 mill for Barry plus Finnan and Babel. Note to self: Prepare to get shot .
koolbill
very good article.
johnmurphy3112
I've been searching the web as usual, is it me or have the speculation and rumours virtually dried up? not sure if thats good or bad?
johnmurphy3112
Where,s Eircol...........is he the real deal or what?
bellywipes
Alonso is twice the player as Barry..........Barry has left foot and thats that! He has a 'good engine', 'just above average passing ability' and a slightly better than average goal ratio. If you were Liverpool would you pay £17Million for a left foot!
bellywipes
It is Saturday and no right back signed as we were told by our man in the know Eircol.
Hoss The Villain
talk on the bbc board that Eboue (Arsenal) a RB is staying at a hotel near the villa training centre.. dont know how true it is? how close is birmingham to Reading could MoN be tying up a deal b4 the game?
aussie_villan
WOULD'VE THOUGHT THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO LET HOYTE GO THAN EBOUE.
johnmurphy3112
I don't think Wenger will let Eboue go, would be a good signing thou!
JOHN.CAREWS.CREW
just some fun did u know we are the 24th most valuable club in the world http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/34/biz_soccer08_Aston-Villa_340018.html
also i think we should get Randy to offer Warren Buffett a 50% stake in villa.... the man is world 62 billion dollars... imagine what MoN could do with that cuz obviously Randy tiny 1.5 billion fortune isnt good enough...
aussie_villan
Don't no if i should read too much into this, but Shorey isn't playing for Reading today so maybe he is discussing terms with another club? Reading havent mentioned on their site about any injury, just that he isnt included and that Sidwell isnt also playing for Villa today but is injured !
JOHN.CAREWS.CREW
I noticed that too JCC, very interesting me thinks !
Randy-Villain3293
10 mins into debut Friedel saves a penalty! Must say that we have done very well on the goalkeepers front at least...
chrisd4villa
The commentry on the Reading site is soo much better than on our OS! Lets hope MON, Shorey and Coppell sit down after the game and we bring one more player home with us.
Tez86
I hope we get shorey. seams funny he's not playing and no mention of any injury. does anyone know what our line up is?
johnmurphy3112
Friedel, Gardner, Laursen, Davies, Salifou, Routledge, Osbourne, Stieber, Carew , Harewood
Randy-Villain3293
Maloney on the left*
Randy-Villain3293
Was watching this clip and noticed our new shot stopper making a save from a header by a player called Angel, anyone herd of him? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzzC1VMothI (its at about 19 secs)
NorthcliffeBandit
Friedel saves penalty, what a buy. Theres certainly gotta be something in the absence of Shorey! I hope.
bellywipes
glad he started most of the youngsters although looked at the starting line up and could only see 3 defenders...
aussie_villan
setanta breaking news, villa confirm barry move to liverpool is back on! WTF!!!!!!
JOHN.CAREWS.CREW
yeah just heard the same that it "could" be back on. Not definite
DoLpHiNaToR
MON says : "There will be no deadline and that Liverpool have all the time in the world to sign Gareth Barry" (befor 31st August)
Randy-Villain3293
Barry wants to go he has made that very clear AVFC "deadline" means nothing unfortunately....what really irritates me is that Barry has not been bold enough to request a transfer (a la Keane). I am afraid he is on his way.
On another point good to see you back Aussie Villa although I have not received my apology for the personal abuse as yet !!!!
fatloser
Barry has no integrity at all.Why did he and his agent agree to a deadline if when they didn't get what they want they just forget about it.The whole thing stinks and I for one will be glad when he ****s off,at least then we should have a RB.
happyvillan
Deary me. Barry really is a tit isn't he. I feel immensely sorry for MON. He looked guttedon SSN earlier. Barry and his agent clearly made an agreement which they've gone back on. It's time he just f"(ked off. I've said ALL along that I don't think he'll leave because L'Pool can't afford him. Now I'm wishing he would just go. I think I might just get my wish.
Adam Deuce
We are a laughing stock. You can't make statements on the official website and then change your tune 3 days later. Well done for getting all the fans hopes up MON. We need someone to conduct the wheeling and dealing ala Peter Kenyon NOW. Also why was MON saying that he was pleased to have him guaranteed to stay. The man is kidding himself without knowing what is going on. The time wasted on this transfer not mentioning the wages that we have been paying him could have been used securing other players.
Villan444
He seemed really devestated!!! Maybe this will help him realise he should just get on with it and if on Sept 1st we end up with Barry treat it as a bonus. Just get out there and spend money to boost our squad to top-4 contenders - we are not far off it.
deano.avfc
It seems I and a few others was right to be unconvinced about the deadline statement. Barry doesen't deserve the loyalty he is receiving from some sections of the Villa faithfull. Mr barry seems to lack morals to the point an agreement means nothing. I for one wish he would just pack his bags and leave. Who was it that named him Mr Aston Villa? Gareth Barry you really are a GOB *****E!!! NOW GO!
gappy65
did anyone hear the talk sport interview mon said gareth is free to go as he needs to run the football club as he always runs his clubs and that the situation is unacceptable he didnt sound too happy though......also nicky storey was at the ground saying goodbye to everyone apparently not going back; a bid has been made but not accepted didnt say who by but tony adams was at the game too..
avflell
444; How can you lay the blame at MON's feet? He reached an agreement with Barry, Alex Black, RL and MON on Tuesday. This agreement was that a deadline would be set at 5;00pm thursday, to which all parties agreed. at 5;01 the deadline passed MON in my mind is right to think the saga is over. It's not MON's fault that Barry and his agent have u turned on the agreement. It's very lear to me that Barry lacks any moral substance.
gappy65
It is not MoN fault,he needs to get as good a player as possible for that position whatever the cost.The price being mentioned on Wednesdsay seemed good to me.
Pking
avflell; No I didn't hear MON on Talk Sport! But I heard Gary Newbon talking about the Barry saga over the last few days. He said he was privilaged to some of the deal over the last week. He said Barry, Black, MON, and RL sat around a table and reach an agreement where a deadline would be set which they all agreed, including Barry and Black. Lfc have only ever made One offer.
gappy65
according to the moose on ts barry only agreed to the deadline because he was reassured by the bin dippers thet they would have the cash sorted before it....let him down again then he must be f ing desperate to leave the way they have treated him
avflell
Maybe now Barry and that **** of an agent have moved the goalposts maybe MON should too.Let's tell liverpuddle that seeing as they missed the agreed deadline the price has gone up to say £20M.If they want him they'll pay if not Barry stays and plays out the year in the reserves.Let's face it guys he doesn't give a damn about the fans or AVFC so why should we make it easy on him..
happyvillan
sounds like villa just want him gone listening to mon's tone dont be suprised if we dont take a lower bid just so mon can get on with the rest of running our club
avflell
avflell; I think the Moose could be right. Newbon also said that LFC never made a bid 15 mins after the deadline it's all paper talk. But none of this matters Barry is going and i wish he would and be very quick about it.
gappy65
problem is gappy65 theres only a handful of midfielders of his quality in football and we wont sign one so have to hope we can bring the next one through the ranks
avflell
happyvillian; In an ideal world we could do that but he's already caused a huge disruption in the camp keeping him in the reserves would just dismantle the whole ship. I drive the minging tosser to Liverpool if he likes. I'll stop off at Knutsford on the way and tear him a new asshole. Barry really needs to be careful what he wishes for. I just hope he has a dip in form and loses his England place. Only to be replaced by Sidwell!!!!
gappy65
avflell; Barry is a good midfielder I agree. But he is not the begining, middle and end of Aston Villa. I have been a Villa fan for many many years. I have seen midfielders come and go. Denis Mortimer, Sid Cowens, Tony Morley, David Platt, the list is huge. This is just another one. I personally think we have 3 at the club now that could just step up to the plate, Petrov for example we havn't seen the best of him yet, NRC is being played out of position he played a more attacking role for England. Then theres Sidwell a player that can finally fulfill his potential at our great club.
gappy65
SSN transfer clockwatch : Reading manager Steve Coppell expects left-back Nicky Shorey to secure a transfer back to the Premier League in the coming days.
Randy-Villain3293
Gappy, I blame MON because he has tried to force the Scousers hands and because their Giro's didn't clear in time then they missed the deadline. Someone in charge of an organisation must have the final say and it seems that MON wasn't in a position to make that call so he should have kept it to himself. GB has now turned round and gone back on his deal agreed, but it is so clear that he wants out that I can't understand why MON was so positive about him staying. Now he looks like a mug and the Scousers can wait until the last day to get his signature just to p iss us off and show MON who is in control. He didn't reach any agreement with the other people involved which was binding, (ie. no formal documents signed) we are looking very very stupid.
Villan444
444 you forget at that table was Randy Lerner. a man who has run one of the worlds largest credit card companies. A man who has chaired more his powered business meeting than us all put together. If he was convinced that the agreement was accepted by all paties then MON was correct too also. This is BARRY and BLACK who have u-turned on the agreement not the other way around. If MON is guilty of anything is to beleive that hand shake of a man he gave a captains armband too, a man who he called Mr Aston Villa, a man who MON thought he could trust with a simple hand shake. Maybe MON was nieve to think he could trust this man but if we all have get a signed document as proof of any action then it's a sad world we live in. So is randy Lerner also to blame then?
gappy65
I'd be surprised if they left it till the last day, knowing what MON is capable of Villan444. I agree that now Barry has moved the goalpost's so should we. £20,000,000 over 2 years. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.
ThirtyOne
Gappy you're 100% right the only people to blame here are Barry and Black.I don't know but I thought GB had more morals than this as did MON how wrong we were.Really now best thing to do is get shot of the spoilt brat asap and bring in someone who values the claret and blue.
happyvillan
444, so are so wrong what sort of agreement should there have been something like a CONTRACT maybe?!!! we all know that Barry honours his contracts! MON is gutted cos his captain has let him, the club, the fans and himself down. MON is not to blame I hate Barry now and hope his career falls apart. Come on Villa.
johnmurphy3112
Avflell, I know what you mean about MON's tone, he certainly seemed as bored and depressed as the rest of us about the whole Barry saga. I just hope that we hold out for the given price. I actually think the £17.5 million plus Finnan would be a good deal even if MON wouldn't spend the cash. I'm just clinging to the hope that Wenger beats fat Rafa to it and gives us Hoyte or a straight swap for Hoyte and Walcott.
Darth Villan
anyone else drawing the conclusion that oneill is lost in the transfer window? as much as I love him, we are no where near where we need to be in terms of numbers. kick off in exactly 14 days. tick tock tick tock.
Stig
Guys, you seem to be missing the point. It is clear that GB will do anything to leave, look at the newspaper article. For MON to come out and say what he did adding to it the positive discussions in the meeting etc. and not be 100% sure that GB would not go then he is either a bad judge of character or niave. Either way I agree with all points that everyone has made (GB & his agent are dicks and so on)but am just annoyed at MON for making a statement over something that he couldn't control. He took back Berger who shafted him after his final payday and now he has been made to look like a fool again which can't attract other players to our club.
This isn't a "MON out" campaign, far from it as I am one of his biggest fans but NOW is the time for some help in dealings on his FIFTH transfer window with us.
Villan444
Up until now even though i didnt agree with the interview GB had given to the NOTW, i understood his ambition to play CL football albeit not with Villa! Wedneday arrives and i hear the news about GB staying and thought brilliant, only to find out he will do whatevrr it takes to make a move to Liverpool possible. I thought Barry was a better man than this and would accept that a deadline was agreed and if its not met then the move would be off. The Villa fans have always supported him, chants to play for England, looked at him as captain fab, and now - well my opinion has changed! I am just really dissapointed in the way he has conducted himself over the transfer that i don't even no what to say! Hope he does go, he is going to disrupt the spirit the team has and i hope he can get his dream move to Liverpool asap! I hold no resentment towards M'ON or Lerner. I will not hold anything against Liverpool dispite their successful attempts to tap up Barry, but i have no respect for Barry anymore!
JOHN.CAREWS.CREW
MON conducts his business in a honest, diligent, careful and gentlemanly manner, if the people he is dealing with have the integrity of a sewer rat then that is out of his hands, he can only deal with things as they happen if Barry agreed to the deadline then why shouldn't MON of believed him? Don't question MON, why should we, he is the man who is bringing us into a new era, I'd rather it be him than Fat Rafa or anyone else. MON is no fool and I'm sure the right players for this club are on their way.
johnmurphy3112
pretty firey stuff on here at the moment and who can blame us? Barry and his lovely agent Black should be up against the wall. they are the ones that look like the stupid traitors they are. what can the club do with this but get rid of the guy and the disruptive influence him and black are having. sooner the better, and lets move forward!
leftfoot
This Barry saga has gone beyond a joke now, lets hope Liverpool can quickly find the money because the sooner Barry goes the better. Lets hope the next coming days are a bit more positive than today!
JOHN.CAREWS.CREW
i never want to hear the name gareth barry again. i'm sick of reading his name in every paper i turn too. sorry but can we please move on. thank you now goodbye.
los_angeles_villan
To be honest, the Vital Villa, I think is one of the best in all Vital Lagues. Seriosly, lads, you're great. Brilliant work!
Bosko-Macedonia
Baines,Nugent,Silvestre,Finnan,Hoyte and Milner to sign tomorrow.
ASPINALL
Aspinall, is that an educated guess? or just wishful thinking?
KSarge1
I like the idea of getting Baines, i heard someone say Moyes don't want him...which is great, cos MON won't go for him else. Silvestre won't come i don't reckon, Nugent isn't good enough for Pompey, so isn't good enough for us. Hoyte doesn't want to come, he said so a while ago. And i'd love to get Milner, i think he's the ideal candidate for us, he's got the right attitude and he's got great ability. I'm struggling for an ideal striking option that we can A) get and B) would want to play for us. Any ideas any body? I want someone like Pazzini, but i think he may be a bit too Italian if you get my drift.
AstonMartinOneill
JCC iI dont think liverpool will move too fast they've been given the green light now and they've got best past of a month to carry on disrupting us, wonder what MON will do with GB now, I personally don't want him near the 1st team squad. I sort of hope Arsenal bid for him now to p*** off the dirty scousers, but Arsenal are a better team and he'd probably do well there rather than sitting on liverpools bench.
johnmurphy3112
I am now suitably relaxed having got that off my chest!! LOL
bellywipes
MON looks so fed up with this GB situation. I don't blame him. I have tried hard to try and forgive GB for his actions in this saga but i am struggling. GB has been given a rapturous ovation at some games and secretly behind our backs has been scheming to leave. He doesn't want to be here anymore and thats it. GB thanks for your service to AV but put in your transfer request and sod off. Do the decent thing and stop ruining our preseason just because things aint going your way. Go play with SG's knob which is what you want to do and accept that you will never be as adoured by the fans of Liverpool as you were here. Take a look at the many Liverpool forums and no one wants you there. Sod off so we can move on!
bellywipes
Apparently villa are looking at a young right back from Man Utd called Danny Simpson. Man City are sniffing around too!
bellywipes
we will probably get 3 signings on deadline day, and 3 at the abo*****e most, and even then still be low in numbers. I just want GB to ***** off already, he is taking away from our transfer activity. Most of all i want MON to prove me the ***** wrong already
AussieVilla
We have allegedly been looking at 132 players and only 3 have joined. MON was only saying the other day that we need a few players just to stand still. Man Citeh is 2 weeks today and we have got a Europe game 3 days before that. Anyone who comes in now won't be ready to play in either of these games and although the UEFA game should be easy, we are sacrificing our Prem position for a run in a cup without enough players for the amount of games.
Villan444
MON should have insisted that Finnan join us immediately whilst the scousers wait for the next giro to pay the GB deal.
Gazvilla
anyone else sick of Harry Redknapp and his mind games?? all this we wont get him, then he only wants to come to us talk is annoying.. i wish our manager was a bit more proactive in the transfer market but letting everyone know which players you have agreed fees for is only asking for another club to come in and offer better terms...
aussie_villan
I heard that barrys agent has half of the villa youth team on is books so we will have to keep him sweet
one match ban
We will have to shoot him!!
Villan444
Juventus aren't going to but Alonso, come on MON get him and Finnan for Barry.
johnmurphy3112
aren't going to buyAlonso.......but you knew what I meant.
johnmurphy3112
Any signing yet??? I'm getting very worried now, I've always been a bit calm about it, but I'm struggling with that now. What worries me is that the squad that starts the season will be it for the WHOLE season. I very much doubt the January transfer window will be used. So, an injury to Carew, Gabby or both then what? An injury to Young then what? If big Martin gets injured we're left with Knight. Our squad is no were near good enough for a top 6 challenge. We got away with it a bit last year, can we have the same luck again?? I really hope so, or I hope O'Neill gets himself into gear asap......God, I'm Mr Cheery aren't I!!!!!!
PBAVFC
I hope Villa sign Nicky Shorey in the next couple of days. Steve Coppell says that he will be gone within days, and the News Of The World says Villa are about to bid 4.5 million for him. Reports says that only Portsmouth and Villa are the front runners for him. I think he will come to us because Portsmouth don't have any money left to spend, even Harry says they don't have the money. Villa can afford him because Aston Villa are the richer club and we need him a lot more than them. Also Martin O'Neil might of had a talk to Coppell at the end of the game. Would be a GREAT signing and would provide very good competition to Wilfred Bouma when he comes back from injury. Shorey will also get back into the England squad if he came to Villa.
Villa are also in the hunt for Manchester United's Danny simpson according to the NOTW.
I have also heard from a reliable source that Villa will get James Milner once Gareth Barry leaves. Barry will leave for 17.5 million and Steve Finnan (Finnan our new right back, though i would prefer Hoyte or Miguel) and will use 7 million of that money to get Milner. Martin O'Neil will never give up on signing Milner until he gets him. Milner will be TOP QUALITY at Villa and could get a chance to get into the England squad. Villa should then use the rest of the money from the Barry transfer to get a quality 20 goal a season striker, any ideas.
villa for ever
pbavfc;if gabby or jc get injured we still have big marlon and maloney even delofounso poss,as for young irreplaceable but routlege,salifoo,petrov or gardner;on the other hand we have little or no cover at the back and that is what is worrying me we scored for fun last year but struggled at the back,this year our defence is looking wafer thin and non existant..need the defenders now
avflell
villa for ever, i like the concise way you write sentences...breathless. Ever heard of a sentence clause?
AstonMartinOneill
Has anyone heard anything regading Kaboul? There doesnt seem to be anything re him anymore after SSN breaking news last week that Villa had made a second undisclosed bid for him.
JOHN.CAREWS.CREW
villa for ever. if Santa Cruz is available I would break the bank to get him he is quality.
johnmurphy3112
That bid for Kaboul must must have been rejected or else SSN would have talked more about it. Portsmouth are apparently the favorites to get him but i don't know why, they don't have any money left to spend. I have not even heard that they have put a bid in for him. Kaboul rejected Sunderland, no bid from Portsmouth, but there is a bid from Villa. Strange why Portsmouth are favorites.
I do not want him anyway, do not rate him, why do you think Tottenham are getting rid of him.
villa for ever
How much do you reckon Blackburn are asking for Santa Cruz, johnmurphy3112.
It has got to be near the 20 million price when you say ' break the bank'.
villa for ever
If we dont get shorey and he goes to portsmouth i will be sooooo *****ed. Unless we get someone better, but it will never be a bank breaker, whoever we get
AussieVilla
johnmurphy3112, I would love to have Huntelaar at VP. Would "break the bank deal" but, we are ambitious aren't we? I know AF was looking at him a while ago so he may not come to VP anyway. Santa Cruz is a good shout though and slightly less than Huntelaar.
holte ender 1969
Huntelaar was the one person I wanted to sign more than anyone, but Van Basten named him captain to lure him to stay. He would never come to VP, unfortunately.
los_angeles_villan
villa for ever and holte ender 1969, Man Citeh are reported to be after Santa Cruz for 12/13 million, I would use the money from barry's sale to ensure Santa Cruz comes to us, I think AVFC has ambition fans just need the club to show it. I would like to see hoyte, shorey,gary cahill, milner, santa cruz in before season start at about £40 mill - then recoup £18mill for Barry, that would be good business.
johnmurphy3112
So now we're off to Spain. I hope this doesn't restrict transfer activity further. Is he seriously thinking of starting the premiership with the current squad only? Why isn't he siging Shorey and taking him with us? Seriously frustrating... I think I may book myself into therapy next summer so I'm at least prepared for it!
AVGD
Still no right back seemingly on the horizon, with talk too that Shorey could be off to Pompey. All rather worrying.
glensider
With less than a month remaining in the window, its become fairly obvious I think that its going to be another case of same old/same old, which will in truth be inexcusable.
glensider
johnmurphy3112, I like the list of players you would like. Gary Cahill should never have been sold. That was one of the worst decisions i can remember letting him go! Santa Cruz has just signed a new deal and is unlikely to leave. Hoyte will be quite happy to sit on subs bench at the Arsenal. Milner is back in favour with KK and the Geordies love him up there. I think Shorey is the only likely player with have any chance of signing!
bellywipes
villa for ever, I would like to see villa go for Ashton at West Ham. In a better side he would do the business and i also understand he is keen to move on!
bellywipes
Have to agree glensider, MON seems so hell bent of British players and penny pinching. Our season could end up being a damp squib if we don't start making moves on players. Pompey seem to have created a great looking side. Surely the aim of Villa is to better them!!!
bellywipes
Ashton signed a new deal this summer he is going nowhere unfortunately. I am getting very very worried now!
Tez86
Tez86. Kaboul and Shorey off to Pompey.........yep, i too am extremely worried now.
bellywipes
this is ridiculous. no matter how many players we get in now, the fact that anyone coming in now will have played NONE of the pre-season matches is appauling. MON has dropped a bollock already, the full back problem is just silly. But the thing is MON is WELL AWARE of the problems so what are the REAL REASONS behind this terrible transfer policy? We still all seem to be hoping for more transfers as if one amazing signing will make up for this window. But the fact is even if this happens it won't make up for how late in the day it is and anyone joining us now won't be settled for the new season. Look at Spurs?? Modric was in before the transfer window opened... Dos Santos was in in the first few weeks. We got Sidwell after our matches has already begun. Something is wrong and it makes me re-think why Barry is in such a hurry to leave. FUME!!
simonbigron
How do Villa comply with the Uefa regulations this year of having 8 locally trained players or association trained players in the 25 man squad they submit for the Uefa Cup? I assume with having a large number of academy players making up our thread bare squad we are ok. Then again we haven’t even got 25 players to name for a first team squad.
Hoss The Villain
The money is there if you beleive the General - god knows why MON can't find players though!
General Krulak here:
If Martin came to Randy and said I need 30 million pounds for player "X"...that this player will fit right into what we are trying to do and is the type of player that will take us where we "both" want to go...Randy will have his check out before Martin gets past the player's name!!! Additionally, he will be equally ready to fund the other players that Martin says we need. I have said it before, Randy has NEVER said no.
AVGD
The worst thing is if I was a player and given the choice of Pompy Spurs or us. I would go to one of the two teams who seem to be building for a big push on all competitions, and that doesnt look like us does it. Its exciting times down south here in the midlands its boring as usual, worse than that we look very very uinderprepared for next season...
Tez86
maybe there is some decent business in Spain to be done? Miguel at valencia, De La Red at real madrid. at one stage we were linked with 2 players from Almeria. i've always said some of this sort of flavour would be great at villa so bing it on! after all, somethings gotta happen soon, doesn't it??!!
leftfoot
AVGD; i fear that that is just all talk. the proof is in the pudding, and we havent seen it yet.
Stig
the general is a pr machine, cant believe so many people still hang off his every word.
Stig
The situation at Villa Park is a disgrace, and an outrage. Without question. The time has come and gone for players to be joining the club. Our season began against Odense - some two weeks ago - yet we still haven't signed the necessary players in defence to constitute a consolidation of last years remarkable achievement. The words that are coming from Villa Park dance in front of the message that Martin O'Neill is the man in charge and that his say-so is the word of law. He is solely responsible for the debacle of the previous transfer windows, and yet again for this one. I remind you of the Christmas window when we needed a right back, but sold the mediocre (but invariable needed) Cahill. __________________________________________________________________ Further, the failure of the club to secure a major talent like David Bentley, having had a single solitary bid rejected is tantamount to negligence in my opinion. The news ladies and gentlemen is that our Captain has had enough and wants to leave. Despite what he has been told, he wants to go. For sure, I can't wait to read his autobiography, I'm willing to bet he has an insight into events that may well have helped make his mind up. __________________________________________________________________ We're all convinced that Villa are on the cusp of greatness. That one big push will turn us into the side a city the size of Birmingham demands. This is real make or break for Martin O'Neill. I'm absolutely convinced of it. "Have the faith" Blah blah - those days are dwindling. Either get with it and propel the club forward, or get out.
evoflash
Tribal football reporting that Arsenal have made players plus cash bid for Barry.They say Traore and Hoyte plus substantial cash.Maybe it's an old story 'cause I thought Wenger was going for Alonso but it would be sweet if we got rid of the lieing little toerag and got players plus cash plus the scousers losing out.
happyvillan
Agreed evo except, Bentley was a spuz fan as a youth and all his mates are etc. that is why MON pulled out to save wasting time no other reason. THIS IS MONs FIFTH TRANSFER WINDOW and we still have only half a team.
Villan444
Evoflash,Bentley was never coming here A.we are not yet top 4. B.We are not from London.I can accept players like him not coming what I find unacceptable is that as yet we are not bringing players in to cover and replace positions we know need sorting.Also I am worried that we are struggling to compete with clubs in and around are position i.e Spurs and Portsmouth.I'm afraid we have to keep the faith there is nothing else for it.
happyvillan
has Barry handed in a transfer request given that he clearly still wants to leave? Surely his actions must be construed as a transfer request. he doesn't deserve his loyalty bonus. fed up, we need more players NOW
UTV
Guys, I know he's a Spurs lad, but if we really REALLY wanted him, we could have had our bid increased to be accepted, and then "Shown him the money". Afterall, I wouldn't have said Beckahm was an LA Galaxy fan, or Jo was a Man City fan, or even Mendieta was a Boro fan........ Fact is, we didn't even have the conversation. Trying and failing is one thing. Not even trying...... if he worked for me, and behaved like that I'd have a shiny P45 ready. __________________________________________________________________ While I accept we don't know everything, the evidence from Villa Park is a country mile from good. I hope to God I will be munching that tasty humble pie come August 31st.
evoflash
Sirry guys, I still think we have a cash problem, I know what the club's saying and I note what The Fear said the other day, but I simply do not believe that MON is this incompetent in transfer dealings. If you have money and the will you can sign players, ask 'arry! MON has in the past left dealings until very late in the day because he had to. Now we're told he has money and can buy what he wants, but prefers to wait? No, that isn't the situation, I don't believe it. WE HAVEN'T GOT THE MONEY AND I'D BE MUCH LESS FRUSTRATED IF THEY JUST CAME OUT AND SAID AS MUCH.
26.05.82
*Sorry guys...
26.05.82
RL's money is made from the Financial Services Sector in the US - need I say more? What's wrong with just saying "Sorry guys, it's been a very, very bad year financially, I can't do what I would like this year". At least we would know - and understand.
26.05.82
Oh - and by the way, I sincerely hope I'm wrong and MON spends £30M (in addition to any fee received for Barry) in the next week or two - will it happen though? Nope, not a chance.
26.05.82
Randy sold MBNA BEFORE the credit crunch. I really don't get fans who think money is there. If money isn't there would the club be running the Holte at a loss (I doubt it will ever make the refub money back) and the other updates, improvements, system changes that are going on. Randy likes to make money, that's what makes him a good and rich businessman.....would he really spend his money on stuff that won't make money and close the wallet on the one aspect of his purchase that will bring in the millions????
mike_field
We have just turned down monies for a sponsor and RL gives money to different charities and art projects all the time. Doesn't look like a poor man to me. MON only wants players that have got the 100% right attitude and he doesn't like paying over the odds. These are hard to find as is proving to be the case and the reason that we only have about 8 outfield players.
Villan444
Liverpool will be without Sebastian Leto this season after the Argentine was refused a work permit. HO HO HO
KSarge1
I honestly do not think it is a financial issue. I love MON but it is his transfer decisions that are letting us down. To start last season without a right back was a sackable offence as someone last season pointed out. As our season has already started we have now started TWO SEASONS without a right back. This is surely something that needs to be answered for? I don't want MON sacked, far from it, but something needs to change because as I said previously, not having our players all in for pre-season matches sort of negates the point of pre-season.
simonbigron
Our lack of signings / players is all getting a tad silly now isn't it. Someone MUST have a word with O'Neill. Fear, a man with your connections must have his mobile number, surely!!! Give him a shout and ask him what the clucking bell is going on. Also ask him if he can get me Carew missus's number as well. Tell him its worth a nice crisp tenner. It seems he could do with the cash injection.
PBAVFC
Mike Field, I'm not suggesting Villa or RL are potless, all I'm saying is I don't believe the "open cheque book" story. RL might have sold some or all of MBNA but he will have lost a fortune in the US down turn, he will have had some of his money and probably a lot of his money in property and the Dow Jones. All I'm saying is I think he doesn't have as much "spare" cash as he would have anticipated.
26.05.82
I think we're not are well off as people think we are, otherwise we would've bought a few quality players by now ala Spurs. The situation is ridiculous, we hardly mentioned in any rumours anymore and I also think Barry could see there is a problem and that is another reason he has jumped ship (as well as wanting to bum Gerrard), for me it's all doom and gloom I've tried to be patient and keep faith but I can't anymore, even the lad Simpson has gone to Citeh, I know nothing about him but got excited 'cos he was a RIGHT BACK! Mid-table nothingness this season.
johnmurphy3112
Even 32 year old Finnan doesn't want to come now. Oh my god shoot me!!
johnmurphy3112
aaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..................WHAT THE FUDGE IS GOING ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOSING MY MARLIES AT THE LACK OF PLAYERS!!!!!!
Stig
Stig - I agree - me too!
26.05.82
Surely we're in for Shorey? If he goes to Portsmouth I consider that absolute proof that the cheque book is locked away in a drawer and will remain there until we start bargain hunting at the end of transfer window sales!
26.05.82
Looks like Barry will be gone by end of the week. Time to act Mon and Randy, lets see sum signings and pronto.
astonsteve
christ you lot are a bloody depressing bunch today. Is it because its monday?
tonybrum
It's more to do with the fact that at least over the last few weeks we've had concrete rumours to keep us going...we've had Sidwell, Friedel and Guzan boiling over for a while now, but now they're all signed up we've actually got no one else to look forward to, and the press aren't even feeding us lies any more. I expected to be bombarded with 2 + 2 stories about Shorey and us this morning, but NOTHING! For christ's sake, he's a left back, we need one, and he's been told he's probably off to a Prem club this week. Surely it's a simple story to make up...Danny Simpson is a tidy player, and could have been a good makeweight for this season, but it seems as though if we ever were in for him we left it too late. We're all starting to sound like broken records now, but it's clear that MON needs someone to deal with his transfers for him...it's nice to have a tight ship, but it's better when you've got a tight ship that you CAN actually control by yourself...unfortunately MON is struggling to keep sail at the moment...sorry for the nauticle metaphors.
AstonMartinOneill
yep, i felt a bit let down that Shorey wasn't offered a seat on the coach back to Brum on saturday. If we could 'just' sign a LB and RB I'm sure we'd all feel much better. Can't see that happening whilst the team are in spain. But hopefully that'll give the hacks an excuse to link us to half the spanish team. I wish :)
tonybrum
Shorey must come to us. He just HAS to. It would make so much sense! JUST PLEASE BLOODY JOIN!!!
villa96
Randy, find the bloody keys to that drawer, we need the cheque book fast, that's not fast next week, it's now.
26.05.82
Luke Young now a target according to The Guardian. I think he would be a great signing and also fits nicely into the young British team that MON is trying to build.
villa96
the generals comments should ease some of the growing tension, but it does make me question MONs methods. surely there are players who want to come to Villa and play, and if so, where are they? is it a scouting issue? is MON too picky? being linked to Luke Young seems strange as we could of had him 12 months ago and MON didn't bite. i trust the guy, as a manager he is really 2nd to none, but this late arrival stuff is a bit off the ball and it needs sorting out. i'm partly convinced some spaniards will join the boys this week over there... yeah?
leftfoot
leftfoot - I must admit I like you're thinking!
los_angeles_villan
OK lads just positive thoughts today, its all good, Barry will be finally gone this week, Curtis Davies looks like being fit for the start of the season, luke young could be in, nicky shorey could be in and the lads and MON are in spain where MON may be talking to some exciting overseas talent (de la red and Miguel would be nice) I'm sure if we think positive thoughts positive things will happen!!
johnmurphy3112
If we get luke young i will be a little dissappointed tbh, after scouting dor 2 years I would expect a better RB than an average Boro player who we could have had for much less 12 months ago. Saying that however I am at the point where I would welcome anybody at the minute.
Tez86
Youre right Tez, but I think Young would'nt do a bad job for us I'd prefer him to Finnan.
johnmurphy3112
I've just had to concede to a Tottenham fan that right now their prospects this season are looking better than ours. Thanks Mr O'Neill. Thanks a lot mate. _________________________________________________________________ How does this happen time and time again? Though I notice Everton are the same as us? Mind you they're buying a new stadium aren't they?
evoflash
footballfancast says Arsenal are after del a red, oh no!
johnmurphy3112
how depressing even the tabloids are bored of us, they know they cant get away with fabricating a story about any kind of transfer activity at villa park. Panic buys in late august is the best we can hope for,zat knight anyone? If come february MON is whining about the size of the squad, im going to lynch him.
Tony Daley
it also says spurs are looking to sign corluka, arshavin and david villa....now thats ambition.
johnmurphy3112
evoflash - spurs prospects were meant to look better than ours last last season and look what happened. Come on there must be some positivity in there somewhere!!!! :)
tonybrum
Bright Future – some one light the candle, it’s getting bloody dark! There are two scenarios here, 1. The money is available and MON can’t spend it & 2. The money isn’t there (or nothing like the amount we think there might be). If it’s scenario 1 then MON is largely ineffective in transfer dealings, not totally ineffective, he has signed 2 or 3 very good players, but that’s an average of less than one every transfer window. SO HE NEEDS HELP and the board clearly need to enforce changes to assist him. If it’s scenario 2 then why don’t the board/RL or MON just say so, at least we would know.
If as the General says the money is there then our beloved club needed a strong dynamic transfer strategy at the START of the transfer window. If we had signed 1 or 2 key targets, so called “big” names at the beginning we would have created an inertia - a belief that we are truly ambitious, GB may have stayed and other players would have been attracted by our obvious intent. Instead what’s happened is the opposite, it’s so bloody depressing, “big” players don’t want to come because they don’t believe, sorry but I’m questioning myself now – am I (still) a believer?
26.05.82
so are you saying we've got to 6th with only 2 or 3 good signings then? Christ what must the fans of the 14 teams below us think of their managers?
tonybrum
if we sign luke young it shows inadequacy as we could have signed him for 2.5M last year. we didn't and have since failed to sign another RB. rediculous
UTV
UTV - sorry buts thats just unjoined up rubbish. And as soon as I saw the link new people would start saying that. Have we bid for him? I don't think so. Its just a press speculation. And to believe anything else is just rediculous.
tonybrum
TonyBrum both me and UTV said 'IF' we get Luke Young. I understand its speculation but its new speculation that I thought was worth a comment on. And of course we havent bid we are Aston Villa we bid for no one!
Tez86
sorry just getting a bit hacked off with all this negativity and sniping at MON. What he's done for the club so far is fantastic and I believe he deserves more respect than he's getting on these pages at the moment.
tonybrum
I dont disagree he has been the best manager we have had in ages, tactically he is superb however I have concerns about his management during the off season in regards to transfers. I am just worried next season could be a 'what if' season, we got salfou and routledge later on in the windows and they barely played last season because they didnt have a pre season to bed in. I have a horrible feeling we will be hearing the same excuses this time. With a squad as thin as ours I thought we would acted much more urgently this time. Surely you would have prefered that we had 3 or 4 more players travelling to spain with the boys this week?
Tez86
Tez - spot on. Tonybrum, I love MON in terms of his management capabilities, with one exception - his transfer dealings. His dealings to date have not been good enough, we need more quality and quantity IF we are going to progress. If we want to stay in mid/high mid table then OK we can all agree we currently have the right transfer policy to achieve our ambition - that's not where I thought the club was going though and that's why I am moaning. COME ON MON SIGN SOME QUALITY PLAYERS AND PROVE ME WRONG - PLEASE.
26.05.82
there is an interesting article at the aston villa blog that you all might find positive. its written by the 'doc' and refers with some intelligence to the plan that MON has going. check it out.
leftfoot
the express and star say Shorey isn't one of MON's targets, I can't believe that young, english, talented, available at a decent price I'll be supprise if he's not the next one in the door.
johnmurphy3112
leftfoot, I agree an interesting article, but flawed, MON can not seriously be limiting Villa to young players who will suddenly blossom in 2011 and achieve CL qualification this surely can not be THE STRATEGY. These young players will have to blossom so much that they are equal to Gerrard, Deco, Robinho, Ronaldo et al. Fair enough one or 2 of them might, but at some point you'll have to buy in the quality to sorround them. Gone are the Nott Forest days when pure tenacity hard work and a little quality won things. This method won't work in the modern game.
26.05.82
Oh - and if they do blossom we'll have to be able to hang on to them, fending off the likes of the fat spanish waiter.
26.05.82
yeah i agree 26.05.82, there has to be support. and that is where the strategy falls over, as well as the docs article. perhaps MON is in the past somewhat? surely young and british can learn from experienced players from anywhere? i'm hoping there is a couple of spaniards coming back with them.
leftfoot
leftfoot - me to. Let's pray I am wrong and MON will do the business in the transfer market - soon.
26.05.82
VDVaart has joined Real Madrid, that limits De la red's oppotunities, so as long as Arsene Wenger doesn't make a bid nor does any of the other big european clubs, and as long as villa do have the funds to buy him?, and as long as no-one ever mentions that he is a target for villa, and as long as Real and De la red can wait til the last second of the last minute of 31st August 2008, then we MIGHT just get him!!! fingers crossed lads.
johnmurphy3112
Wow, there's a few conditional statements in that offerering, Johnm. Still, he would be a great signing.
The Usual Suspect
JM3112 - LOL!
26.05.82
so De La Red it is..........................................yep...........
leftfoot
What I want to know is where is this mystery right back that Eircol promised us was going to be in before the Reading game last Saturday? Insider information my Ar$e.
The Usual Suspect
TUS - Now that's more like, a little Eircol baiting - that'll lift my spirits! Eircol, Eircol where are you?
26.05.82
Keep the faith tonybrum, just mid transfer window jitters, a few players in and the doom will lift!
The Fear
Youre all idiots for believing Steve Eircol...*****(no personal comments please)****...hell im so desperate im googling till i find links that make it seem like were on the verge of another signing but still, eircol is probably some redhead 7yr old. But i must say, come august 31st, im hoping ill taste the sweetest humble pie ive ever tasted after all negativity, cant wait for the surprise 10+ signings at 23.59 and 59 seconds pm [Edited by FearVilla]
AussieVilla
Brilliant Aussie! I just spat my coffee out all over my keyboard - very, very amusing!
26.05.82
Listen its not just me thats making comments that are not coming off, so is the club, agents, managers and most of the media, have a whinge at them..
Eircol
So, what happened to this right back then Eircol. Are we still trying to get the same player or that deal dead in the water?
splatt
Not sure, i am getting the info through my sister, she is married to a journalist, trying to get info from him directly is like trying to get blood from a stone, she gets bits and pieces now and again, but all is quiet at the minute..have not spoken to them for a few days.
Eircol
Lol I am starting to feel sorry for Ericol we all gang up on the poor lad. It was funny how he used another Vital Villa log in to claim to see a laptop at Villa Park with Ericol wrote on it, which he got found out straight away lol. But at least he gives the board something different than our usual moans and groans. Keep it comin Ericol mate your the star of the summer transfer thread so far...
Tez86
What a mistake that was, thought it would be funny at the time, how that backfired..
Eircol
We all know what vast amounts of correct knowledge these Journo's have. 134 links via the papers on the OS and only 3 signings ;-D
Villan444
Lol it gave me a laugh on an otherwise boring Friday night, all good fun ;-)
Tez86
If De La Red was one of M'ONs targets then he may be hard to bring in now. Even though Real have signed RVDV, Sneidjer has picked up a serious injury so i doubt Real will let him leave unless they bring in another MF
JOHN.CAREWS.CREW
Sneidjer remember him another player we were ridiculously linked to. If real life was like Championship Manager...
Tez86
Funny if you look back at the big name links that we got excited about, times change I got excited about simpson 2 days ago and I'd never even heard of him before!!
johnmurphy3112
I think we should try and generate a little more cash for the transfer kitty by selling seats on the subs bench that we can't fill!! So anyone out there who has deep pockets and hasn't been eating too many pies (we need to look good) fancy it?!
26.05.82
I think we would get excited by titus bramble at the minute...! I just want to see some action and urgency!
Tez86
26.05.82 I could generate some cash by selling my season ticket back to the club, claiming they miss sold it to me, with false promises!
johnmurphy3112
Ummm, point taken JM3112 it's no joking matter is it? But is was nice to have a little light hearted banter for an hour.
26.05.82
Martin, sign some players son, sort it out we all love you, but you have to understand we need a few more players son, preferably good ones please, one that are ours, not lent, you know, one's we can keep. I'll let you in to another secret - they don't all have to be under 25 and English - that's not in the rules you see. Go on...
26.05.82
I am worried but still feel deep down MON will pull half a dozen excellent players out of a hat like a master magician.
johnmurphy3112
The squad numbers are on the official site - no-one has been given the number 2 shirt [maybe we will get a right back after all!]. no number 8 as yet either?
AVGD
good to see delfouneso gets a number. Thought they'd be more promotions to the first squad than that though?
tonybrum
Barry No 6?!! don't think so.
johnmurphy3112
I work with a close relative of Luke Young. Hes going to find out if there is any truth in todays rumours tonight. Cant promise anything but will post here as annd when I find out.
Instrumental
I see the press office have been regurgitating The Generals open cheque book story. Let's hope that it is me that's the complete buffoon. Let's hope that it's my hypothesis that is complete b*ll**s. Let's see the mighty Villa go after £30,000,000 player and put up a dogged and pragmatic battle until he signs. Please God, please!
26.05.82
You mean the Luke Young we should have signed at the beginning of last season for 2.5 Mill. Now we have to pay 5 Mill and that's disgraceful from MON. Poor management.
Gazvilla
oneill isnt in for young, he isnt that stupid.
Stig
Must say i expected Villa to show more ambition this summer than replacing Barry with Steve Sidwell. Friedels a top signing though even if he is nearly 40 hel do a job for you for a couple of years. You have the foundations of a very good team at Villa and if you avoid injurys you should come top 8 again. But you should be aiming much higher why is O'Neill so bad in the transfer market? If he can turn Harewood and Reo Coker into good players imagine what hed do with some real quality!
HuddersfieldYiddo
Yiddo you're right mate. I think people are more frustrated this window more so than the previous ones because we know, like yourselves, how close we are to cementing top 6 and hopefully, at least challenging 4th spot. Ramos seems the complete opposite to O'Neill in the transfer market. £4mill for Dos Santos!!!! What a steal!!!!
PBAVFC
Come on Gazvilla uneed aim to higher than want to be signing Luke Young !! im a spurs man and even i think Young aint good enuff for Villa
Ossie
MON doesn't think anyone is good enough for villa!!
johnmurphy3112
We can all take a chill pill - good things will happen!
General Krulak here:
"1. I want to ASSURE all of our Fans that MON and Randy are fully aware of the concerns, frustrations, worry and, yes, compliments on running of the club. Although I cannot say whether MON or Randy come on VT and reads the thread, what I can say, FOR CERTAIN, is that I have PERSONALLY passed on your thoughts. That being said, we cannot nor should not expect MON and Randy to run our Club based on fan comments. Simply put, they know, better than any of us, what needs to be done. As I have said before, both can count and both know the date of the month. I wish I could tell you the machinations that go into obtaining an individual player but each has its own "pathway." All I do know is that MON is working very hard to get the people HE feels will help the Club. HE is the one responsible for what happens on the Pitch and HE should play the yeoman role in getting the players HE needs to reach success. He is doing it...have faith. Randy's role?? BREAK OUT THE MONEY. HE will play his part! "
AVGD
Has anyone heard what the situation is with Valencia releasing Miguel. He looks a good candidate for the RB spot at £8mill. Shorey from Reading at £5mill would also be a good buy. Looks like Barry's staying?
villacross
Agree with you AVGD, we need to chill out a bit. We're all getting nervous counting down the days until the start of the season but the transfer market has only begun to really heat up after all the press hype. I know that Spurs got players in early but very few other deals took place. The Keane deal seems to have kicked things off and it's from this point that the merry go round will really start and I'm sure that MON won't let us down. We all agree he's the best manager we've had in years and Randy has never failed on anything to date. Have some faith. It isn't as simple as CM, clubs don't want to sell until they have replacements or a need for cash. MON does things the right way, he doesn't tap players up or take them to casino's til 4am. Maybe our squad would be fuller if he did, but I rather like the way he does it. I know we need players, including before anyone points it out to me, at least 2 full backs, a right winger and cover in other areas, but have a bit more patience. If at the end of the transfer window we have only what we have today, I'll be amazed.
Darth Villan
General Krulak= AVGD? I don't think so! Darth Villan I agree with some of what you said and I do try to be patient and keep faith but if other clubs won't sell until the've got replacements why don't we, olaf went no replacement, sidwell was bought to play with barry, will we get a replacement in before he goes? I doubt it. we only had 1 goalkeeper for a month. I've said it before if we had a full squad, I wouldn't care if we never spent a single penny, but have you looked at the squad numbers? we are in a poor state of affairs. Oh and did I mention we are playing an european game in 10 days?!
johnmurphy3112
JM3112 The squad is thin, anorexic even, we all know it, as does MON. We had no choice with olaf as his contract was up and it looks like we've got little choice over Barry as his head was turned by Stevie G. We won't get a replacement for Barry, in truth I'm not sure we can attract a player at the moment who we would all recognize as filling Barry's boots. We might well get a RB though. As for the UEFA game, Hafnarfjordur are not the team Odense are. Even with the squad we currently have we should easily have enough to win.
Darth Villan
johnmurphy3112 - I bet you'll be a "happy bunny" if we finish 6th or better next season. I suggest you save your despndency until then and in the meantime we should all let O'Neill know that we fully understand the difficulty of getting top quality, millionaire players in their prime to play at VP and live in Brum. So all we can realistically expect him to do until we are a Top6 Club is to develop our academy youngsters; bring in young "wannabees" like Reo Coker and Ashley Young and snap up experienced players like Carew and Harewood.
villacross
Olaf was a CB, we never replaced Delaney/Bardsley! OK I'll try to relax for a few days, best crack open a tinny!
johnmurphy3112
JM3112 - sorry if you thought I was pretending to be the General - I just copyied a quote of his from 5pm today on Villa Talk which I thought would calm us all down a bit! Put simply there is nothing that we can do about transfers and getting stressed out really doesn't help anyone - least of all ourselves! What pleased me about his statment was that he says that Randy and MON know how frustrated we are and also knows that transfers need to take place [he knows what the date is!]. Faith is the hardest thing... and I have been extremely frustrated [as much as anyone I would say] but who better to trust that Randy and MON [particularly given our previous owner!]? At the end of the day there are 25 days or so to go so the end is in sight! The statement has made me feel better anyway!
AVGD
The General will be all over the papers tomorrow saying that MON has £30 mil for one player. I don't think that MON can handle the pressure. If any of us fans had a cheque book to play with that was that big and ALL the decisions were down to us, I think we would either do an O'Leary and go bust, or do what MON is doing and shut up shop. 1 man can't do everything and MON has proved it. I don't blame him as he is under so much pressure from thousands of fans and the nice American Gentleman who is another genuine bloke like himself who he doesn't want to let down because thats the type of man he is. Its a "Catch 22 situation", he can't win (and that is the same boat that the team is in with its limited numbers.)
Villan444
Way to go General........now all the clubs will inflate their prices when villa show interest........maybe this is why MON was so quiet before so not to pay over the top prices.......ie: Chelski!
bellywipes
Carlos Cueller ? Rangers now out of Europe and Cuellar had an injury!!! he was one of the zillions linked wasn't he?
fatloser
AVGD and Villan444, some good points there, you are right about the £30 million its mis-quoted all over the web already, I think part of the problem has been us being used to Deadly Doug not giving money out too freely and managers begging for it, to a great chairman who is willing to give the dough and a brilliant manager who is very careful with it. I know which one I prefer.
johnmurphy3112
Villan444 - try not to be cynical. We may not always agree with Krulak but to my knowledge he tells us "how it is". No "bull*****", straight from the hip. I genuinely feel he always tells us the truth the whole truth etc. We are very fortunate to have this management team, so lets not ***** them off by making irrelevant or misinformed criticisms. Let's not stray from the main objective (ie regular competitors in Europe) whether it takes 5 years or longer. It is early days in the re-birth of our magnificent club and as far as I am concerned; so far, so good. If, in my opinion I see us going "off-track", I will be one of the first to shout so from the roof-tops but until then I am prepared to be patient and concern myself only in team performance and results and not which fancy "prima-donna" the media say we want.
villacross
Well said, if we are on a five year plan, then I agree so far so good.
johnmurphy3112
I disagree ossie i rate luke young, hes a good steady fullback.
HuddersfieldYiddo
I like the cut of your jib Darth Vilan. There doesn't seem to have been much faith in MON about the last few days and your comments are greatly welcomed. Its hard work trying to get this lot to be positive about things at times. People seem to be up in arms that we wont get our required players in before the season kicks off but tha'ts the same with every team. There is plenty of time left yet for transfers. There's no need to worry, well not just yet anyway. Keep the faith.
tonybrum
Thanks Tonybrum. We need to show a bit more patience and give MON and the board time to deliver. I know that the transfer window opened in May but very few teams have made substantial numbers of buys yet. Give it time. We should be worried if we're in the same position at the end of the window, but not yet. We need to remember it's a long term goal.
Darth Villan
Agreed Villacross that we couldn't have asked for better owners and the team behind them. Its just their American naivety in this case has just made MONs task a lot harder for the sake of stopping a few fans moaning. Don't consider this irrelevant or misinformed criticism. RE: team performance, in the last 2 intertoto games, we haven't exactly been world beaters although I accept that its holiday time still.
Villan444
I'm sorry to shout but, IT ISN'T HOLIDAY TIME. Our season has already started (two weeks ago). We don't have a RB or a LB and our former captain is leaving. Not to mention that Mellberg has left without replacement. Really I don't see where we can be terrifically optimistic. We've got more games to play with a smaller squad. You do the math. Oh and hi Mr O'Neill, another day has gone by and you've achieved nothing to rectify the situation. WHAT
EXACTLY ARE YOU DOING BETWEEN 8AM AND 6PM?
evoflash
Evo - Get a grip, buying a new quality player is not like popping into your local shops to buy a packet of fags! There are so many things to consider for the club and the player, they take time. It also takes time to build a squad, not just a season and a half.
Mutley73
Does anyone know if next weeks UEFA game is on TV?
Instrumental
It will be, I think Setanta have them dont' they?
The Fear
Might as well show that you can buy players quicker than MON!!!!!!!
The Fear
Join the Vital Villa fantasy football league and be in with a chance of winning £5000 in the overall league competition PLUS I will put the £250 our mini league won last year into a prize fund. So for our very own league the winner will win £150. Second place £75 and the third placed will get £25 It is easy to enter, just go to: www.vitalfantasyfootball.co.uk and pick your team. If you don't have time you can press for a lucky dip selection. Then press 'join mini league' or use the left hand side menu option 'mini league' to join Vital Villa's league: League title: Vital Villa Password: vital
The Fear
Blimey, linked with Hoyte, Ferreira & Shorey. With a bid being accepted for Shorey from us & Sunderland - is it true?
Mutley73
i might have to commit myself if this goes on for any longer, cant cope.
Stig
It would be a little bit more comforting if MON was to come out and let us know what sort of progress was happening.
johnmurphy3112
bit of news concerning a proposed target of ours. Chimbonda is apparently causing some bad vibes in the change room at sunderland.
leftfoot
johnmurphy3112 - I agree it would be nice to know but unlike the last CEO (Fitzgerald) I don't believe O'Neill will ever feed us any info unless he is confident he can deliver. Personally, I can't think of anything that he' has told us that he hasn't delivered. That's the sign of a first rate manager, which is one of the reasons wht he gets so much respect and admiration from his squad (Barry excepted of course).
villacross
leftfoot - proves my point over a recent comment. Perhaps this was the reason that O'Neill lost interest in him. I suspect it was also the reason why he shunted Baros and Davis last year.
villacross
Are you forgetting Baros was also very s*it lol?
Tez86
So tell me Mutley, you think our situation is ok? is it anywhere near reasonable? Of course things take time, everybody appreciates this fact - it's no great insight you've brought to bear for us, but thanks all the same. The thing is mate, we've had a whole summer to negotiate, and that's now finished. Gone (just like Barry hoho). We're playing football. The season has begun. What has he been up to? It's not like Villa fans are being fanciful, complaining that we're not signing Drogba/Robinho/Ronaldinho etc. Far from it. We're just after some recognised full backs. In fact, we needed at least one last summer.....12 months and THREE windows on we seem no nearer, we knew Melly was leaving at Christmas and we've not done anything about it......smaller squad + more games = (you do the math)............ Honestly? I think we've got until a few days before the kick off against Stoke (23rd) to solve the problem, then we've got three games in eight days and the month ends. Essentially two weeks to get the ship in order. __________________________________________________________________
evoflash
Villacross - my thoughts exactly regarding Chimbonda, Davis, et al.
says a bit about MONs excellent judgement as well, and about getting the right players. Evoflash - you have a point, but you gotta chill brother...
leftfoot
Evo - Am I starting to get a little frustrated with the situation, yes I am MATE. But believe MON is trying to bring in the players that will compliment what we already have. It may not be a great insight but at least it's slightly more positive and not jumping on MON's back. We have a 1.5 weeks before the start of season and 3.5 weeks till the TW closes. That's enough time to get the right players in, players with the right attitude. Let's just see where we are then.
Mutley73
Well said Mutley73. I think we will see Shorey in by friday, no inside information just a hunch. Its between us Sunderland and Portsmouth.
astonsteve
Although we don't have shareholders, we all have a heavily vested interest in Villa as fans...from this position, we need to be assured that the right man is in the hot seat. From a playing perspective, we're not worried, especially from what we have at our disposal at the moment. But when we're being told that we have funds that can greater improve what is at our disposal, then we expect to see something done in order for us to then get even more in terms of results. The frustration is not built upon the results we have got, it's built upon the potential for even better results not being fulfilled. It may look like doom mongering or even having a go at MON, but from our perspective it is entirely justified.
AstonMartinOneill
We can spend shed loads of money and get players in willy nilly & pay huge wages but this could have a negative effect on the club. Villa could turn into another Newcastle/Spurs/Sunderland - I don't want this and I'm sure plenty of other fans don't either. I think MON's approach is frustrating but in the long run beneficial. It's also great to have an owner who believes in his manager. This time in 2-3 yrs CL football on a regulaer basis - that's what I'm talking about!!
Mutley73
I want full backs.
evoflash
we arent asking for willy nilly signing.. just good quality players and cover.. we should have got shorey before bouma was injured.. would have given us a LB and allowed bouma to play in the centre with laursen (his natural position) shorey has been available since reading went down.. oneil has had time to set targets (hes had at least 3 windows to buy a RB - in that time Johnston? - went to pompy, young went to mid..).. now he should within reason do whatever it takes to sign them.. i not talking about offering 10 mil for a 3-4mil player but if he has to spend a mil or 2 over the value of a player for a target he really want then he should do it.. villa played so well last year due to the fact the team was so stable.. the players understood eachother.. that is what the preseason is for to let new signing adjust and gel with the team.. MON has done a great job with the team on the field with the team in regards to results and for that i rate him very highly.. however in the transfer window i am yet to be as impressed as i am with his playing style and to be honest he hasnt done anything yet to change my mind.. i truely hope he does though...
aussie_villan
Here's a buy for the future, once he's recovered from injury: Giles BARNES. I know it's a bit off the subject but it would be a steal to get him now. Plus raid Rangers for Ceullar!
koolbill
God! - I’ve had enough of this!
SIMPLE - We’ve got a great Owner
SIMPLE – We’ve got a great Manager
SIMPLE – We’ve got an INEFFECTIVE transfer policy
SIMPLE – We need to change something
NOT GET RID OF – just change whatever it is that is stopping us from signing quality.
I DON’T CARE – If it means MON needs help – just sort it.
I DON’T CARE – If it upsets some of you that I’ve dared to doubt.
WE DO HAVE THE MONEY – ask The General
WE AREN’T MAKING THE SIGNINGS – why? – MAKE CHANGES TO THE SYSTEM - NOW
THIS HAS BEEN THE SAME FOR 2 YEARS!!!!!!
IT’S NOT OK GOING INTO YEAR 3 OF A 5 YEAR PLAN.
RANDY – CHANGE SOMETHING – MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN – PLEASE!
It is utter, utter rubbish that players will not play for us because they will have to live near Birmingham. They could live half way between VP and London and live next to players that play in London. It is not a problem. WE NEED TO PAY THE MONEY. IT IS SIMPLE.
26.05.82
And before anyone says anything to the contrary – it is simple! It is a money game and we have not been prepared to pay the money needed to lure players to AVFC. We have the money.
26.05.82
raid rangers for Carlos Cuéllar now they are no longer in any European competition??
aussie_villan
Ljungberg - Free transfer anyone?
Eircol
and breathe!!!!!
johnmurphy3112
Eircol we are not that desperate.. at least i really hope we are not.....
aussie_villan
Lungberg would've been great 4 years ago, not now.
johnmurphy3112
Neither Ljungberg nor Cuéllar will improve our first 11. We need to be more ambitious. Get some quality in that is definitely top 4 first 11 material.
26.05.82
Sorry guys - I'll retreat into my hole again. Hopefully when I come out the expectation of mediocrity will be no longer.
26.05.82
Nicky Shorey, what do you reckon?
The Fear
You know Martin loves a good loan deal and if Ronaldo's position is untenable at Manure for this season and Real Madrid can't have him yet... can you see where I'm going with this? Yes I know the wages!!! and the fact that he is currently on crutches!!! But you never know!!!
fredchuff
Ljungberg would probably bring some much needed experience to our young squad, but I think he's not really the kind of guy MON wants in his dressing room...and Olof might not like it ;)
delirium
Fear - Nicky Shorey is a good honest player that would improve the squad - at this stage of the TW in our position he is a "must". However, dare I say we need to be a tad more progressive? I know it's dreadfully difficult for the under paid and under valued manager and scouts to locate and secure targets, I for one would be one their case if they were paid millions and failed to sign quality. Remind me - how much do they earn?
Poor souls imagine having all that money, but not the wit to sign absolute quality. I’d be exasperated if I were them and completely p***ed off if I owned the club and was ready to spend big. The gloves are off, this is midway in the glorious plan – please would some one be so good as to ensure we have a whole squad. Then once we’ve got the squad make sure the that the first 11 are PURE quality, under those circumstances and those circumstances alone we can bring through the occasional young apprentice.
26.05.82
26582...Shorey is progressive dude...he is quality. We should have got him ages ago. Cuellar is easily good enough for us too, but he's playing in a cash strapped 5hite Rangers team. Trust me, he's good. I don't think we need Freddie but you can't get much worse than the other sicknote Berger can you.
koolbill
koolbill - OK, defo Shorey and possibly Cuéllar. Agreed about Berger - but what about the rest of the scenario? We shouldn't accept this bull sh** - we need more, we are worthy of more. I repeat I think MON is the best manager Villa can possibly hope for, but it is clear to me he is not premier division when it comes to transfer dealings, he is in the 1980's slow lane - that's why I say get someone in to assist him. If he doesn't like tough - he's had long enough! I wouldn't want anyone else to manage the team though - MON is the business in that department.
26.05.82
I'll cast my final judgement on the tfers come the window close, but it's clear that a mistake was made offloading so MANY players all at once and then getting Routledge only. But, fingers crossed he gets seven before the window slams and then somehow manages to work wonders with them as a team....cheers 26582
koolbill
Nicky Shorey has been a solid performer for a few years now. He would be a great understudy to freddy as i feel shorey does not have the pace of Bouma. Justin Hoyte is a rough diamond and MON could make him an England regular.
bellywipes
Cheers koolbill. Notwithstanding my numerous outbursts I will be there at VP and hope that we can start the season with 3 points against Man' City. Not sure how many other matches I will be able to get to - work permitting quite a few I hope. I've just been reminiscing about the glorious old days - I have a match program for the 1982 Europen Cup Final - it's a classic - I'm sure the Dutch couldn't speak a word of English - very amusing. Wouldn't it be nice to see another program for the Champions League Final - I'm serious by the way - that's my dream.
26.05.82
The RB situation is perhaps the biggest mystery to me. I thought this would be a done deal in the first week of the close season because I distinctly remember that MON stated at the end of the January transfer window that there was a player in his sights, but that the player's current manager wouldn't let him go at that point, so he'd have to wait until the end of the season. I speculated at the time that this would be Justin Hoyte, a player who has the England U21 resume which MON seems to like, and someone who is also a good mate of Curtis Davies unless I'm mistaken ... not as close at Gaz Baz and Stevie G of course ;-)
Cropley
26.05.82 - Are you proposing that someone else decides who we sign and who we sell. Perhaps someone like Ron Atkinson or Graham Taylor? Would O'Neill be only responsible for training. Who would select the team? Perhaps a committee of two or three fans and the catering manager. What a great idea!
villacross
Cropley - I belive the RB O'Neill has wanted ever since the start of last season was Boswinga who has now gone to Chelsea. He has also expressed an interest in Miguel of Valencia but I'm not sure whether a forrmal offer has been made. Hoyte would be a good signing but I can;t see him being released unless on loan.
villacross
Well hopefully all will be revealed tomorrow, I think I've said that before-about a month ago! times on-line says we're closing in on shorey. villacross I think you right now bosingwa has gone miguel is at the top of MON s list, hopefully he'll make an offer while he's in spain.
johnmurphy3112
Ouch Villacross! No - and you know it. Nice dig though, in my experience (not in football clubs or football management) if something isn't working you change it. MON's transfer activities ain't working, simple as that. All I'm saying is he should agree a number of targets with an appropriate group of individuals (not the catering staff or us - but thank you for your suggestion) and they should be authorised to spend whatever it takes to bring those players into the club. So they are still MON players.
26.05.82
According to some paper reports Aston Villa are the favorites to sign Nicky Shorey, now that Portsmouth are about to sign Kaboul from Tottenham. Steve Sidwell could also play a major role in persuading Shorey to sign, as they know each other from their days at Reading.
villa for ever
James Milner is very likely to sign for Aston Villa but only when Gareth Barry is sold. Likely price for MILNER is 8 MILLILON.
Steve Finnan will NOT be joining Villa as Martin O'Neil only wants the full 18 million. Possible Right Backs could see one or two of the FOUR come in:
1. Justin Hoyte 2. Luke Young 3. Paulo Ferreira. 4. Miguel
villa for ever
i'm with you villa for ever, but i think Young and Shorey are almost definites. i'd love to see Miguel here. Milner IS very likely.
leftfoot
Mirror reckons we`ve signed Shorey 4.5m and Young 5m ? HOW MUCH ????
ASPINALL
It was only a matter a time before someone linked us with Ljunberg!
http://www.sundaymercury.net/midlands-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-fc-news/2008/08/07/is-freddie-ljunberg-a-decent-shout-for-aston-villa-66331-21481686/
los_angeles_villan
Seb Larsson wants back in premier league. We should help him out at 5.9mil
los_angeles_villan
ljunberg i don't think so. he's got a bigger ego than berger. seb larsson has always been a decent call, so i agree with lav. 5mil for young? the wierd thing about that is we could have had him 12 months ago for half the amount! yeeesh! price for shorey is ok, he's solid.
leftfoot
Get those two full backs in. Good work if we do. Young is pretty decent and will do a job. Better than Chimbonda in my view. I'd be very pleased with Milner, good player. Come on Villa. Get to it. Another day down.
evoflash
Like i said before I will be a little disappointed if we see Young arrived after 2 years we should have someone better coming in. But he is a solid player unlikely to make many mistakes. At the end of the day we are desperate for defenders and if two Full Backs come here this week I will be more than happy.
Tez86
Even if we do sign Young we should still go after Hoyte we need competition for places. Would also like another centre half i have a friend who works at Bodymore Heath and he doesnt rate Knight at all and says he hasnt got a great attitude. Would like to see Ferdinand, also together with Milner for right mid another cenre forward ideally bent but would also take a punt on Doyle and then a world class signing to replace Barry but cant think of anyone. Anyway lets hope to see a couple of signings today fingers crossed.
astonsteve
Sky Sports confirm we have agreed a deal for Young
Instrumental
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA FAT RAFA ____________________Liverpool could have raised some of the cash to finance a move for Gareth Barry with the sale of Dirk Kuyt - but the Reds scared off Hamburg with their £16m valuation of the Dutch striker. (Daily Mail) [Edited by FearVilla]
evoflash
Very pleased with Young. He is a proper right back and exactly what we need in that position. Experienced, has some pace, decent quality in his feet, and can score the odd goal! Nice one!
AVGD
Why is the OS so slow at reporting when we have agreed a fee?
AVGD
2 great signings, both young and English, we have the makings of a decent young British squad, just need milner or swp and i'll be very happy! come on MON make Barry look like a 2hat, and take the 4th place champions league spot of the scousers.
eltoro
Just read that we have bid £15m for Ashton and £10m for A Ferdinand. Since Ashton has just signed a new contract, sure this is rubbish?! Price seems stacked aswell :/
Instrumental
Shorey fee agreed also according to O/S. This is therid time I have tried to post it so if it appears 3 times - then sorry!
AVGD
Instrumental where did you read that? I wouldn't like Ashton at all I can honestly say he was the worst player I saw at villa last season, nowhere near the class we should be looking at. Santa cruz, Milner/swp or downing and swap ashley to the right.
johnmurphy3112
I think there may be something in Ashton and Ferdinand rumours - roumours are that we are trying to spend some serious money - both fit MON's kind of player - both young and english and talented!
AVGD
Ashton didn't play well at Villa Park but he was excellent at Upton Park against us. He is a class player and would link play brilliantly. I would love to see Ashton in a Villa shirt but don't think it will happen.
notthedougellisstand
Heres the link where I read it
http://www.rivals.net/news/pgarticle.aspx?artid=13574_3944581&id=57
Also on the remour mill is that where preparing a bid for another player this morning.. Cant tell you who it is because I dont know, however, the one who created this rumour says that its a reliable source and that he hopes to reveal all this afternoon and that we will be very excited about it.. how true, i dont know!
Instrumental
Ashton no please no.
johnmurphy3112
Ashton is on and off. A lot of mates are Hammers fans and rave about him. I think hes slow, lazy and clumsy. At villa Park last season all he did was foul the back 4! Look at him when he played for England... useless. All Hammers fans will say "hes coming back from injury" bla bla bla. Jesus how long does it take someone to come back. Wouldnt like to see him in the ture claret and blue.
Instrumental
According to Harry Redknapp:
'Villa are still in front for Kaboul. They are also about to take Shorey. I was interested in Shorey so I'm disappointed, but we are going to have to sell one or two to do something. It's not a bottomless pit after all,' Redknapp told The News.
AVGD
Ashton is quality. He'll prove it if he signs for us...
AVGD
true*
Instrumental
Ashton & Carew up front, Young on the left and Milner on the right - that would be enough to terrorise any defence! Go MON.
Mutley73
TWO SIGNINGS EXPECTED TODAY. Nicky Shorey AND Luke Young, and they are BOTH set for medicals today. I can not remember the last time when have we signed 2 signings in one day. It would normally take us a month to get one signing.
Are you feeling all right Martin O'Neil, you do realize you are spending BIG MONEY. Looks like he has finally had his kick up the backside.
villa for ever
carew and young??????? were they on the same day.
Stig
I hope nobody puts any late bids in for Nicky Shorey and Luke Young. It would be an absolute disaster if we lost these two. They are both TOP QUALITY.,
villa for ever
if it is true about ashton and ferdinand for 25m that would be happy days and i will happily eat my words over oneill not being apt enough in the transfer window.
Stig
I was being a bit sarcastic there, Stig.
villa for ever
I am expecting James Milner to be the next signing next week.
villa for ever
Lads be honest, if you had to choose between Ashton & Santa Cruz for £15 mill which one would it be? no contest in my eyes.
johnmurphy3112
I think 25 million for Anton Ferdinand and Dean Ashton would be pretty reasonable. They are both English players, and are both TOP QUALITY, and you would not expect to pay cheaply for that.
I hope there is a truth to the story, if so go for it Martin O'Neil.
villa for ever
villa for ever are you serious Ashton quality?!!! did you see him at villa park last season? my granny could run quicker, he's injury prone, clumsy and he isn't even any good in the air, if he comes to the villa I for one will be very disappointed.
johnmurphy3112
I agree with you Mutley73. Young on the left and Milner on the right, and also Carew and Ashton (if there is a truth in that) up front would really scare any league side, and even any European side.
But one question where would that leave Gabriel Agbonlahor in that formation. In terms of scaring defenses in the Premiership there is no better than Gabby. And he to good to be placed on the bench.
villa for ever
Ashton and Ferdinand for 25m is the biggest bump I've heard of, both average, I'd rather see Gabby up there, he's gonna smack it this season you watch.
PTP
Well Dean Ashton was good enough to get himself said an England striker at one point johnmurphy3112, and it does take a lot of skill to get into a National Team especially England, not just anyone can get into the England Team. We have got Martin O'Neil here to get the best out of him, so he can become a better player. I think he will be a brilliant signing IMO.
villa for ever
For 20m? The same price as torres? Absolute joke, WHU will be *****ing themselves laughing. Marlon Harewood over that mug anyday.
PTP
Will breathe a massive sigh of relief when we have fullbacks.
evoflash
O'neill finally got his finger out then lads! :) No i think theyre both good signings for you. Luke Young is a steady defender i liked him at Spurs although hardly top class he came through the youth system and was bemused why he left, sometimes you need them steady eddy type players to do a job. Im hoping for our sake that young Chris Gunter can do that job for us. Shoreys decent too, bring on the season lads!!!
HuddersfieldYiddo
lol evoflash, have you calmed down today?
Instrumental
not sure anton ferdinand is worth £10m, maybe £7/8m? And johnmurphy I agree 100%, ashton is decent and may prove to be quality, but santa cruz is already there!
NorthcliffeBandit
villa for ever, emile heskey played for england! need I say any more?!
johnmurphy3112
Rovers have bought Santa Cruz's 18 year old brother. Do you think its an attempt to make him stay or to replace him?
Tez86
Just read an article about Shorey and Young over at http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/2507/70/. The author seems to think there is an 'exciting' signing just around the corner and that a bid has just been placed. Probably all BS but it always keeps me fully entertained, fact or fiction!
villa96
They hope it will convince him to stay, the lad is supposed to be half decent but nowhere near premier league level, and probably never will be, just an attempt to keep him..
Eircol
Point taken, johnmurphy3112. Dean may not be top quality then, but you have to admit that Ashton is a good player though.
villa for ever
hehe Instrumental, once I see them in Villa shirts on Sky Sports News, I'll relax. I tell you what though, we could all do without this. Next season, please can we get the deals done in June so that we can order our new shirts. :-)
evoflash
Funny how all the negativity is blown away now a couple of signings are imminent.I think we all need to realise a lot of work is going on behind the scenes and MON is finally getting the guys he wants.Plenty here suggested he was not capably of handling transfers I always thought that was nonsense and hope now a few more bodies will be coming through the Villa Park doors asap.Milner for me would be a great signing and proved last time he wanted to play for us SWP I'm not sure about,think he may be a bit of a playboy and not at all bothered about Villa.I would be gobsmacked if we go for Ashton,good and all as he is £20M is way over the odds.
happyvillan
jm3112 and villa for ever, lets not forget Knight has two, yes two england caps! Not the sign of quality it used to be eh?
tonybrum
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