It would appear we’ve missed out on the seeming number one target striker that was Abel Hernandez and we’ve signed the Bristol City striker Jonathan Kodjia.
You guys are already all over the story; that’s clear.
But I seriously worry about this signing and it strikes me as a bit of a panic signing.
I’ve hinted at it before, but I’m now convinced;
I believe Tony Xia is the person who is signing the players and it’s worrying.
Perhaps I’m reading it all wrong, but I’ve looked at the player’s record and it really isn’t anything special, last season apart.
That said, I wasn’t particularly convinced by Abel Hernandez either, especially when you look at the fees and more importantly, the wages being asked for.
Whatever, we’ve got Kodjia, but the wages, again, worry me.
If he doesn’t perform, how long will it be before the dough he’s on comes out and we all call him the next N’Zog?
You can guarantee the only way we’ve got him is to out-pay anyone else after all.
Of course, you have to take a risk, just as we did with Benteke, but my opinion says the Belgian had the stats behind him, even though there was some remote link to him having been involved in some car crime, which is why we got him cheap.
Whatever, I hope Jonathan proves to be the mutts for us, but I honestly don’t see it and it strikes me as a signing for signing’s sake, purely because Tony Xia wants to keep some sort of ball rolling and couldn’t get Hernandez.
As for anyone who says keep Kozak; you must be joking. He’s a proven failure and Kodjia couldn’t possibly be any worse.
Or could he?
I’m sorry, but I don’t see a striker from Bristol City being our solution, even though they beat us the other day.
I refuse to believe buying players from this sort of club is the answer. And no, it’s not about refusing to see the level we’re at.
It’s about real ambition.
And where Tony Xia talked about a world class striker, well I’m sorry but he’s failed big time here.
Let’s give him a chance. World class would appear to be a slight exaggeration.
A slight exaggeration?
Can this page not be positive for a change? It seems to me that negativity is not only with the players of last season, but among the fans of this club too. For so long we have criticised change and even when a positive signing has been made, fans of this club will soon knock it down. A lot of you just need to shut up and watch the football instead of getting on these players backs before they’ve even kicked a ball. We have finally entered a change in ownership. Something which has been long overdue and positive with the openness of the club. Even this is criticised by some as embarrassing but is actually refreshing. Randy Lerner spends money on potential talent from the French leagues, fans complain (rightly so on this occasion but still moan before a balls kicked). Xia spends £50 million like he said he would, fans moan transfers fees are too high. RDM buys players who know the league, fans moan they’re not good enough. McLeish, Lambert, Sherwood etc fans moan too much at this club and it’s becoming embarrassing really. Embrace the change and trust the new regime as we finally look to install a decent structure which will help massively in the future with a manager who knows both the championship and premier league
AVFC1982,
That’s a really good reply.
There’s only one major problem with it and it’s one that I’m minded to agree with.
RDM is totally unproven really, even at this level.
And already doesn’t look the part.
Who’s really running the show, is my question?
I suspect it’s Xia.
And it worries me.
RDM is increasingly looking like a puppet, imo.
youve got to remember the RDM has a good record with MK Dons in the lower leagues and has also promoted West Brom as well. I wouldn’t say he’s vastly experienced in this league and situation but he has been here before and has been given the resources by the owner to go about his business. My main concern with RDM was the transfers and I was worried he would buy abroad and players without English league experience like we did last season but he has proven me wrong with that. The next question he has got to ask is the tactical side of the game which he has yet to do but he still hasn’t worked out his best XI and players have been coming and going throughout the window so it’s difficult to judge at the moment. Opinions must be made when the window has closed and he has had time to work out what is best on and off the pitch. I do admit Xia is overshadowing RDM but as soon as the window closes, I think Xia will let RDM get on with it and let him take full reins as he goes back to China
Another good reply and one that will no doubt cause debate..
Totally agreed, we need to give things time, before we decide anything.
But at the same time, I can only write things as I see them 🙂
He got promoted with a MK Dons team that was ‘expected’ to be promoted and promoted with a Baggies side that were again ‘expected’ to be promoted in other words the were the strongest team in division something we aren’t.
If he gets us up, all good but don’t big him up to be something he isn’t, he’s been dealt good hands at the club’s he’s been at and if he gets us automatic ill eat my hat.
No chance of automatic especially as we’ve given 6 cheap points away already and will no doubt give more away. Also Newcastke have effectively bagged top spot so only one automatic place left.
So do you not think RDM should drop Gollini?
Ooha I’ll be honest I knew nothing about this fella, just googled him and Oh dear – only at Villa could we sign a keeper from a relegated side that conceded 63 goals in the process!
What can you say?
Yep typical Villa. May as well of stuck with Guzan this goalie has and will cost us big time. He needs to go out in load and make his cock ups for some other muppets
I agree with Badger (for once) I think RDM is a weak manager. It was obvious Terry and co ran the show at Chelsea and RDM hardly inspires confidence.
Played 6- won 1 – drew 2 – lost 3 – scored 6 – conceded 8
Come on 82 throw us a crumb!
Beginning of the season and apart from Saturday where we were leading, we have been really unlucky not to pick up more points especially against Derby and Huddersfield. You’re going to come back and say that we’re on 5 points and that’s it but there’s still 41 games to go so give it a month or two
And this is where I also agree, AVFC1982.
We’ve played very well at times.
It will be a long season, simple.
It’s not about playing well it’s about getting results. Arsenal play well every game but will never win the league.
We having good halfs and the trouble is mate there’s two of them in a game (you know the old cliché?)
This has been the problem since Lamberk always doing well in half but not the other. This has to be down to fitness and lack of concentration and bad management imo
True but most of that is down to Gollini he is a huge weak link. With another keeper I’d argue we’d be 6 points better off. Yet RDM keeps playing him and he keeps costing us. Even at this stage this needs to be addressed
The reason we moan is because we know what’s going to happen. Are you telling me that Mckeish and Co did a good job? Yes £50m has been spent but net spend is nowhere near that. It’s not how much you spend its what u spend it on. Look at Leicester only silent £23m last season and won the flippin league. We seem to buy quantity not quality. Having said that I’m generally happy with most signings except Gollini which anyone can see he is costing us lots of points. Though he could be good in a couple of years time that’s no good to us now. We also need s midfielder that can knit things together like Barry and a winger as no width in the team and full backs get caught out all the time when they attack. RDM dosnt inspire confidence either. But I agree we are heading in the right direction but it’s very unlikely we will go up this year we have dropped too many cheap points even at this stage which will cost us. Though next year we may go up.
Yeah, only 41 more games to go, but those points we’ve lost the now are gonna make sure we don’t go up.
Agree those 6 points could be the difference between top 6 or 10th thanks to Gollini
Bencey, I’m happy to give anyone a chance.
But see mistake written all over this, sorry.
Panic signing, imo.
RDM had his list of potentials and the Dr and his team went out and got them – Good on them !
Our new centre forward is a proven goalscorer and yet we are moaning…. We have a good championship team now, lets get behind them and stop moaning!
Hardly proven, had one good season, form temporary, class permanent and all that. Football’s littered with one season wonders.
Saddened, in fairness, it’s me who’s moaned.
If I’m wrong, I’m sure there’s enough who will shoot me down.
Which is what it’s all about.
Yes you are negative Badger why can’t you be positive like me for once 😄😄
He’s only had one good season in England, fair enough. Also had a good season in France which is why Bristol signed him. But then fans wanted Hernandez who has himself had 1 good season in England, and had 1 good season in Serie B with Palermo in the second division of Italy. They’re both the same age. Kodjia scored 2 goals less than Abel who was supposedly worth 5m more, at least for a better side. He was definitely 2nd choice to Abel but in no way a panic buy, as he was no doubt seen as second choice if we couldn’t get Abel. Not just a random hope signing.
I also get it, he comes from Bristol City. And Milner came from Leeds, Young came from Watford, Petrov from Celtic, Melberg from Racing Santander. Players have to start somewhere, do they not? Unless you’re fortunate enough to join a top club’s academy, you start in the lower leagues and make your way up.
We were also never signing a world class striker. World class comes down to the likes of Aguero, Suarez and Lewandowski. Kodjia was one of the top scorers for this league. And I’m trying to think of someone who scores a lot for cheaper, and bar raiding the 2nd division of France (where Kodjia came from) and I know our fans would cry about that, it’s incredibly hard to even think who would come to us to get goals. Seeing McCormack’s even struggling to do that and we’ve created plenty already.
Anyone remember last summer when we were linked with Jamie Vardy and he was slated on here by some. When Benteke signed he was dubbed the new Hesky
And he is the new Heskey ask Liverpool fans. Even Jeskey was decent for a few seasons at Leicester and Liverpool.
The biggest culprit going forward is Ayew the quicker we get shot of him the better.
And David Platt from Crewe Alexandria!
Everyone starts somewhere and develops their full potential somewhere. We are a Championship club yet have persuaded Jedinak and Chester to join us from the PL BUT it’s unrealistic this season at least to expect us to be able to attract the really top players.
Maybe I’m naive – so be it – but I’m not going to start criticising after 5 league games where we have demonstrated we can dominate the opposition and were unlucky in three of those not to have picked up more points.
We do need a couple of breaks to go our way to help players feel ‘luck is on their side’ which in turn helps to build confidence. UTV
Hitchy waving a a wad of cash under their noses is hardly selling them the dream is it?
I don’t think Platty’s a good comparison, cost a mere £200k (not a fortune even in 88) was a product of the Dario Gradi conveyor belt, had come through Utd’s academy and signed Graham Taylor who’d got a track record of finding diamonds in the rough, Tony Cascarino would be a better parallel.
Fair enough but if we were merely waving a wad of cash under their noses surely we would have signed Hernandez?
Where do you find the ‘rough diamonds’ – Vardy OK but even he only has one season of success and look how much Arsenal were prepared to pay! Maybe Leicester should have cashed in like Bristol City?
£15m is a lot of money but tell me where we will buy a striker in today’s over inflated market with even one season’s success for less?
Will Grigg £1,28m according transfermarkt.co.?
Local lad to, from Solihull.
I hope this kid is the real deal, bangs in 20 goals, gets us promoted and is the biggest thing since sliced bread but something is setting off Nikola Zigic sounding alarm bells.
He’s (imo) too expensive, no doubt on a massive contract and could turn out to be a Zigic shaped mill stone around our necks.
I think he will be good in flashes but from what IV seen and heard of Bristol fans he needs 4-5 chances to get one goal. Sounds like another Ayew
To be fair we were linked with Kodjia earlier in the transfer window, so I don’t think it is a panic buy. What worries, and slightly embarrasses me is that Villa have broken the Championship transfer record twice in this window, and on what, a 32 yr old striker and another who’s had one good year in the Championship. I hate to seem so negative but surely we could’ve got better quality at the price.
Kodjia’s only had 1 single solitary season in the Championship though.
And exactly who are these better players we could get? Some would say Rhodes, they’d be wrong, as he wasn’t doing anything at Middlesbrough under Karanka. Who else? There’s really not much better at all in the Premier League we could get. Do you suggest we go abroad? Because 95% of our fans don’t know about players abroad, would call them unknown (even though they’re well known, by most fans, including the ones we signed last summer). And we’d be hearing even more crying than usual. Because that’s all our fans do.
Kodjias missed goal chance ratio is 12 only Ayew is worse with 14. Think that sums it up
Not sure where you’re making these statistics up from, but he averaged 2.7 shots per game last season. So say 3, multiplied by 42 he played, = 126, divide that by the 19 goals he got. And that’s a little over 1 in 6. Ayew’s 54 shots with 7 goals, you’re as per usual off the mark. Little less than 1 in 7. I don’t know who you talk too, because I’m well aware you don’t watch the games. But you should get new friends. Because yours don’t know what they’re talking about. This season Ayew’s been very wasteful, no doubt. But then again most of his shots are long ranged.
FFS give the lad, manager and team a chance.
judge them at the end of the season not before they have kicked a ball.
if negativity rubs off no wonder our team has been shit.
Thankyou Steve knock someone once they’ve fucked up not they’ve fucked up before they’ve even began.
Now theirs common sense, we never going to buy top notches, its all down to who going to get stuck in and play the game of football, ill say it again its down to coaching, managers, and the player wanting to win, we’ve had dead wood players for years, lets give them our support and wait and see, i know nothing about those players but somebody did.
Middlesbrough set to sign former Barcelona winger Adama Traore from Aston Villa.
Well said Steve.
Thank heavens this lot weren’t around for WW2. You can’t have Churchill, he’s crossed the floor twice, the miners hate him, what about the Dardinelles fiasco. No way could be be prime minister!
History isvthrrevto be written and there is a new and brighter chapter being written at Vilka Park.
What did us fans want?
* a new owner
* an owner who communicates with us fans
* a manager who has been successful at gaining promotion and winning a trophy
* shifting off the vast majority of no hopers from the playing staff
* buying players with the ability to achieve in the championship.
This is a new chapter in our history. It will be better than Lerner’s chapter ( it is very worrying Lerner told Dr Xia lady year’s squad was good enough for the Chsmpionship). I have no doubt there will be success’s and set backs. But, we will achieve our goal of getting back into the premiership this season. Even if it comes down to play offs, extra time and penalties.
So have faith.
Utv
A smashing Fella.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/not-his-finest-hour-the-dark-side-of-winston-churchill-2118317.html
My idol BWS, Oohah wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. A man that saved our country and never moaned but kept the country going, think he must have been a Villa fan.
None of us would would be here if it wasn’t for Winston
Ha ha your living in dream land if you think we will finish top 6. Top 10 possibly but even if we did finish top 6 we still have to win 3 matches no guarantee of that either
Well said Sid.
@BWS Any chance you could post a picture of the hat you’re intending to eat when we get promoted and perhaps a recipe for how you’re going to cook it? 🙂
I’ll be alright Pat, it’s a pork pie one 🙂
@BWS
Nice one! 🙂
I get the feeling our owner has flown back to China to show off a new signing to the Chinese media. I maybe wrong but our owner is a bit of a show boater and with local Chinese competition I expect us to make somekind of big name signing.
Would be great if we could further off load the deadwood i honestly dont care about any of last seasons failures, on another note Amavi seems to be one of those players fans fall in love with without any real logic, yes he can dribble and cross he can even tackle, but his positioning has helped us lose against Luton and Bristol City.
Wife is not even joining me in the living room today Ha
More good news – BBC saying that Richards is on his way to West Ham.
Just wondering how of a bung Dr X had to give them to take him off our hands 🙂
BBC
DONE DEAL – Villa sign Adomah
A few upset Borro fans me thinks, this his from his Wiki page…
Albert Danquah Adomah (born 13 December 1987) is a professional snake who attempts to play as a right winger and attacking midfielder for the awful team that is Villa[3] and the Ghana national team.[4] He holds no ambition in the game at all.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Adomah
Your doing a Oohah BWS, popping in after a post.
Am I???? 🙂
Who’s this Adomah having a medical at body more, also ARoma in talks.?
This video’s a bit ropy but he looks quality (don’t every player on youtube?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqS_nmknQvA
I’d say that’s our lot now for this window. There’s plenty in the squad now for us to mould a team together. Let’s see were we are at Christmas before we pass judgement on players and manager. If you had been offered the choice of this squad with 5 points from first five games or last year’s squad before a ball was kicked I think I know which it would be. The season hasn’t got going yet. Lots of time and games to catch up. I remember Sunderland being bottom of the championship after 5 games and they went on to win the league with Roy Keane. It’s a long old slog this league so keep the faith.
Too right tekkers see how it all pans out.
The big problem we have now is the two new signings plus Ayew and Gestede won’t be here in Jan. So only Mcormack gabby and Kozac to see us through Jan. That will really cost us big time
Who the fucks Richard graves??hes just tweeted contrary to reports the adomah deal isn’t completed yet WTF
Well the BBC have a photo of the guy in a Villa shirt so I’d have a wild guess and say its a done deal.
I tweeted him he obviously knows more than the chairman pillock
BBC saying that Charlie Adam might be on the move from Stoke. I know he’s getting on but I think he might be a good one season buy/loan for Villa.
Good midfielder who scores some goals too.
With Adomah on board I think we’ve had a very good window. Probably just getting a bit greedy now.
Sky Sports ,Middlesbrough saying deal is not done yet, the Doc opening is mouth to early
Bloody hell can’t spell, his.
I’ve got a feeling traore is part of this deal for adomah & as things stand things haven’t been finalised at the boro end for traore
I bet Traore is checking through Boro’s medical insurance…. Mercenary pr1ck
Stand on these scales Adama,
Oh dear there seems to a problem, what you’re wallets still in your pocket?
Take out and put it on the table, oh that’s more like it.
I don’t know who’s going to feel the bigger prat the doc for tweeting or the player standing wearing a villa top
BBC Sport states that –
‘The deal will go through but a few more ‘i’s need to be dotted, according to BBC Radio 5 live’s chief football reporter Ian Dennis.’
Just last minute finagling as always.
From the horse’s mouth. , a director friend of ours,
Thanks Keith, Adomah signed for you apparently. He has been a great player for Boro and I am very sad to see him leave.
Tomlinson hall actually sponsored him a few seasons ago and he is a real good bloke as well.
Enjoy him tearing up Championship defences mate.
Regards Mark..
Great News Bill, at last a window where we can finally say we are very active in the market….. The Doctor has stuck to his word and delivered RDM the tools to do the job….. Very Happy !
Its official the deal is done, another player I welcome to Villa Park ,
Another one that will be off to World Cup in Jan ffs!
So villa should be a club that shouldn’t purchase non Africans due to world cup commitments do you know how ridiculous you sound.
Should purchase *
Ps if their chosen country is as SHITE as England then they won’t be absent long.
Not this season no. We’ve no replacements when we lose them in Jan plus what if we have other injuries and suspensions at the time.
Oohah, is that not the game of football? It also applies to all clubs on international duties, as for injuries that also is part of the game, don’t be so negative always look on the bright side of life, Morecambe and Wise whistle whisle.
Ha ha but that’s 4 key players at a crucial time well 3 as Ayew is dire
Get 3 loanees in the January window problem solved
It could take most of Jan to do that and players arnt going to come on loan to play just 2-3 weeks football
Kodjia sounds French in his interview they ain’t part of Africa so he’s safe
?
Our defenders have been our best signings. The others are punts. Who knows how they’ll turn out, I don’t really care. When you have a manager persisting with playing garbage whos ambition is to play 6 at the back, it has this negative effect on me!!
Helenius – as you have a crystal ball can you let me have this weeks winning lottery numbers – thanks mate 🙂
On a sad note I’ve just been reading my local rag & 7year old jack Edwards a huge villa fan from Cleobury mortimer has passed away after a long battle with leukaemia.someone posted awhile ago for people to attend blood tests for a match at jacks school. The family requests people attending the service wear villa tops all I can say to the little holtender in the sky R.I.P JACK
Good bless him Giddy, little brave man. Rip.
I know this story was shown on Midlands today wm awhile back so I assume there could be a mention of his passing tonight mate
All of a sudden the window doesn’t seem all that important does it?
Condolences to his family.
It does pat totally unimportant.
Jack’s Granny was my son’s teacher last year!! Very very sad!
Puts a lot of things into perspective!!!
So please stop moaning about signing etc!!!