I don’t deny it. I’ve been one of the team’s most critical (ok, moany) Villa fans of all, this season.
I can’t help it. The older I’ve got, the more critical I’ve become overall and I honestly wish I was more like my grandsons, who always have 100% belief that we are going to win. I used to be like that too, when I was late teens. What happened?
The simple answer is life and experience. Along with many of you, seeing us fail year after year to win anywhere near like our fair share of anything has ground me down. So much so that my expectations are minimised, because missing out yet again hurts less. Will the Grandsons feel the same in 40 year’s time? I hope not.
And then Unai Emery hasn’t helped. He’s raised expectations so much since his arrival, that victory is just that: expected. And when it doesn’t come, it’s all the more gutting.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good thing. I’d much rather we get close to something than not be in the running at all.
So with that in mind, while this season was one of ups and downs, it was generally massively successful and apart from winning big ears, you probably have to go back to the early 20th century, if not the 19th, to think of a better one.
I mean, it doesn’t get much better really. I obviously don’t need to recap, but I’m writing it for posterity. We reached the quarters of the Champions league, missed out on qualifying for next season’s Champions league by a whisper and wrongly disallowed goal, qualified for the Europa league and reached the semis of the FA cup.
So a load of “nearlys”, but still a great result overall. The big hope is it wasn’t a one-off and we continue to push on.
What went wrong then?
The Champions league, we battered PSG in the second half at home, but the first tie was our undoing. If only.
Premier league? Well Unai got it spot on. We were mostly really good, but that wretched run in the, I don’t know, six weeks? before Christmas proved our undoing. Thinking back to then, I think the consensus was that the lack of backup in the squad was our biggest failing and in hindsight, it was probably to be expected. The fact that we got some great loan players, that gave the team a big boost straightaway, proves the point and that was probably the biggest disappointment of all.
Still, building a better squad has to be a slow job now, given the financial restrictions, but we have a pair of the best in the game trying to get us there. I’m sure they’ll continue to do that in the summer.
And the FA cup? Well, things were going fine until we absolutely never turned up against Palace, who also knocked us out of the Carabou cup. Sometimes the opposition just seems to have your number and there’s not much you can do about it.
Missing out on Champions league qualification was the biggest disappointment of all for me. Yes, you can talk about what the Europa league might bring in , but the revenue is dwarfed by the Champions league and there’s no trying to gloss over it. It’s cost us millions and I really do hope the club try to take the PGMOL to the cleaners. They won’t win, because the game won’t let it happen. But it would make me and I suspect the owners feel better that the clowns who run our game are at least being held to account. A “complaint” is a total waste of an e-mail in my opinion.
So having looked back, we now have to look forward to the summer transfer window.
Emery has said we’re going to be busy and I’m sure we are. There are a few young players who can go and plenty of fringe and even first team players too, I suspect. First and most obvious is Marcus Rashford. There is not a chance in hell that we will be signing him. It might have been a possiblility if we’d qualified for the CL, but even then, I think it was very doubtful, I read today that he’s on £225k a week for us and coupled with a 40mill fee (even though that will be reduced) it just doesn’t make economic sense. Yes, we pay well, but we’re not as stupid as Man U.
Asensio, I’m not sure about. He’s on £150k, I believe, along with a few others. I like him, but a 4 year contract? I’m not sure, but would trust Unai’s judgement on that one.
Bailey is another cert, while he still has some value. What that value would be now, is the question? £20 mill perhaps? I’d take it, I think.
Olsen has gone, so we definitely need a new goalie. By all accounts we might need two if Martinez goes, which I think is a distinct possibility, if he gets the right offer.
Would just Martinez, who I’d expect to get us maybe £40 mill be enough to stave off PSR and the squad to revenue rules? PSR, probably but I believe the rules in Uefa competions are much more stringent, so most likely not.
And then it gets a bit concerning. We have other players who can bring us decent money in and I’ve heard talk of £100 million being raised, which is nice, but frankly not a great amount these days (it seems obscene that I’ve just written that, but that’s how it is).
So we then come into the realms of one of our top players having to leave. And we’re probably talking about Jacob Ramsay, Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers.
I believe Unai would rather sell his soul than Rogers, so there’s no way, for me. I don’t see Ollie going either. I’ve thought for a good while that we don’t necessarily have a problem scoring goals if a striker is out, but looking at the closing table shows us we do. Ollie contributed what you’d expect and finished the highest English goalscorer. But we finished the equal lowest scorers in the top ten. Unless we can bring better in, I can’t see it happening unless someone makes an offer we can’t refuse.
Which leaves Ramsay. Unai has come out and said he won’t be leaving, but I’m not convinced. If we have to sacrifice a name, I think he is favourite.
I sincerely hope not, but nowadays needs must and even though I think we’re on track to bring in around £325 million this season, there’s a good chance it won’t be enough.
I think one thing’s for sure. It’s going to be a very interesting window and I expect Unai to do a flurry of business early on.
There’s a Europa league to prepare for, after all.
UTV!
Can you believe this load of b***ocks
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cr7zy3k9jkyo
This represents everything that’s wrong with modern society.
These guys earn a fortune yet they shouldn’t be expected to work too hard!
I worked something like 60 to 70 hours a week for years living away from home – was ‘on call’ even when on holiday. Yes I earned decent money as long as the company I part owned made profits but nothing like these hard done by footballers earned.
But people our age weren’t fannies Hitch.
Too right Badger
What was it one political commentator wrote recently – feckless , lazy and indulgent Britain have the Chancellor they deserve!
Interesting piece due by Canadian Pete shortly that sounds like it will be very much worth listening to. He says he’s been contacted by an unnamed Villa insider, actually at the club, and all the PSR stuff about us having to sell players is utter b*llocks. Will be interesting to get a first hand (sort of) perspective on what the actual truth is.
I have no trouble believing what he’ll report as he is very straight up and doesn’t hold back when we’re shite.
I’ve thought the same. I’ve also seen it said we need to bridge just a small amount (15-20m) which with the impending sale of Bailey, would more than cover. But is it in the interests of the club to debunk this for player purchases since it gives the impression we don’t have much money to negotiate with?
Kieran Maguire said as much – his view was that if Villa do have a PSR issue it would be of the order of £20m no more.
A bigger challenge is the Squad Cost (Wages et al) ratio to Revenue.
Bum Bum – a good podcast by Canadian Pete. I think that he is canny enough to work out if he was being used. Therefore, I tend to agree with his view that PSR is not a big issue.
I also agree with him about the aging squad and selling players at their maximum before they noticeably decline. For example, I do see McGinn being sold. With a fully fit squad he is now a substitute player. On his wages, time to sell and bring in a younger and cheaper player, with a high ceiling. There are a number of other players in similar circumstances who age and wage need to move.
I’m really looking forward to the start of July, post PSR, when we start to really step up sales and purchases.
And finally, really chuffed. But the bullet and bought season ticket for next year. Nearly a 300 mile round trip per match and I can’t wait.
Congrats on the season ticket, Sid. How did you manage it? Did you get to the front of the queue or have you gone for something more swanky?
Agree on players’ age; sadly, if a club is aiming high, there shouldn’t really be anyone over 29 in the squad, never mind the first team. We all laughed at Chelsea a couple of years ago when chaos ensued; now look at the average age of their team/squad. Impressive. Anyone over 28-29 should be sold for the maximum we can get, I’m sorry to say. Time waits for no man.
Hi BFR
I was at 30,000 and something on the waiting list. A Villa article I was reading had a link to season tickets. I followed it and it led to hospitality. Curiosity took over on how much Villa were going to charge. The long and the short of it, they had new applications, so I bought the cheapest Holte End package. It will probably be a one off, but I reasoned I was very unlikely to secure the normal season tickets due to the demand and limited supply.
That would be my reasoning too, Sid. Don’t blame you mate. Enjoy. Looking at today’s news, who knows how long before football is shelved indefinitely. I won’t mention the unthinkable and unspeakable.
It’s only money. Let’s hope it’s a memorable season for the right reasons!
We need some divine help and it looks like it’s coming. Lots of rumours about a young Spanish winger called Jesus Rodriguez doing the rounds.
Watched him play for Real Betis quite a few times last season and he certainly stood out. However, he is a left winger and, if true, could this mean that the player most likely to go might be Ramsey, pure profit too as a home grown player.
However, all to be taken with a pinch of salt until you actually see them in the Villa shirt.
I think Ramsey is a goner personally. We should have a nice few quid coming in and if that rumoured £20 mill requirement is correct, it should be a nice window.
Still can’t get that hoodie grrrr hope you all enjoying the summer UTMV
It’s an old fashioned comment and I apologise beforehand.
He’s a bloody headbanger mate.
Something seriously wrong with him and he’s one of those who will never be happy.
I could make a prediction, but I’d better not.
Seriously badly guided by his hangers on, imo.
And will ultimately fail in the game. Yet he’ll have millions in the bank.
Or at least some of his advisors will.
Oops that’s a bit out of place. It’s a comment about Duran.
Gala have apparently bid £40 mill for Martinez.
Altough he’s waiting for a Utd bid
Good luck with that one.
Quite laughable.
Who would want to go to Utd?
Although I suppose money always talks. Except Ratcliffe won’t pay it, the tight get. Ellis No 2.
50 minimum.
There’s so much click bait sh*t around – I don’t believe 75% of it!
For instance – why would Martinez go to Manure – they’re a disaster with no European involvement, it makes no sense. If Martinez goes then it will be to a club in the Champions League or, at least, in the Europa League and good luck to him.
Just watched Canadian Pete’s transfer strategy show. Love him or not, he talks an awful lot of sense.
As he says (more articulately than me) we’ll know the PSR answer by what Villa do between now and the end of June. The other point he makes is that whilst every commentator concentrates on the impact of the Grealish £100m, the real upside is that the disastrous financial year of 22/23 year drops out next year (on the three year rolling basis).
So, if we have no real PSR issues then all our main business will be done after 1sr July.
The the point he so eloquently makes is the average age of our squad – just shy of 30 whereas PSG’s average age is around 23. Now they’ve spent mega bucks to get the best young players but Villa may well be looking at selling players at their prima age / value to bring in younger players they believe can be better than those leaving.
On that basis it makes no sense to sell players like Ramsey but older players like McGinn, Digne, Martinez, Watkins et al at prime values would be the logical way to proceed with younger players coming in – as long as they can contribute at a similar level.
The one ‘older’ player I would hate us to sell is Watkins – how would we replace him other than from within our younger players – say for instance Rory Wilson?
We’ve been linked with Garnacho and he’s a player I’d love to see at Villa; great potential that I’m confident Emery could unlock.
Going to be an interesting couple of months.
Average age of squad is way to high. If our youngsters are so good, why can’t anyone under 20 get near the first team, while Barca roll out 16-17 year olds on a regular basis? Are we not giving opportunities? The ‘he’s not ready yet’ argument is BS. You have to throw them in and see. If birds used the ‘he’s not ready’ argument, none of them would fly; they would probably have evolved already into having no wings. Throw a couple of birds off a cliff – they might surprise you!
Isn’t Garnacho 29?
Only 20, Bum Bum.
I’m thinking on exactly the same lines already Hitch.
Mings, Moreno, Cash, McGinn, Martinez, Digne, should all be up for grabs .
And probably more, that I forget.
That should bring a nice few quid, but that’s only for the war chest.
I suspect Ramsey is the one that will balance the books for us.
Gespachhio? It’s easier for me to rembember
I really like him, but question the mentality if Man U want rid.
Sounds like an Italian ice-cream flavour.
BFR, an explanation of your puzzle about Villa youngsters. Different age-groups in the frame. Our U-21s had a poor season and their manager has been fired. Lamare Bogarde was one player who did make the 1st team and looked OK. Louie Barry was having a great season on loan but was badly injured. He is currently touted as going to the Blues, but I think if Watkins is sold Villa will keep him with us. The other players on loan did well, Kesler Hayden especially at PNE but he is not EPL material.
The team that won the triple was our U-18s. Their manager has just been promoted to manage the U-21s next year and I guess may well strive to keep his squad together, not on loan, because I think several will make the EPL grade when they mature.
Fixtures out in 2 days let’s hope we avoid crystal fucking palace or man u first game
Just having a look at the Club World Cup and just about to turn it off. The ground has less atmosphere than West Ham but at least Spam get a fair crowd in. Must be about a thousand or so there and it’s very echoey. It looks a right shambles and even the players look embarrassed.
Think I’ll give the whole thing a miss.
It’s a FIFA vanity project designed to reward the elite clubs and themselves.i
The rich get richer – it was ever thus.
Personally I’m witb you 1874 – have absolutely no interest in it.
I’ve not looked for it at all. Not on TV or even Google. No interest. I’d rather enjoy the summer and hopefully miss footy a bit. Makes August and the start of the season more exciting. Not like it used to be as a kid, but at least a little. The fade of excitement is similar to what happened with Christmas. Sad, really. Ah, to be a kid again…
NewsNow boast they show the ‘Red card’ to fake news yet their transfer rumour stories have reached new farcical heights – and that’s just looking at the headlines without reading the complete rubbish in the (so called) article.
The so called journalists that write this garbage must be truly desperate individuals!
Clickbait is the name of the game Hitch.
Even the likes of the Daily Fail have gone down that road.
There’s no money in real news, because people nowadays have the patience/attention span of a gnat.
Very sad but true.
o hear that Dick Edwards has passed away.
I remember him signing for Villa in 1968 and a photograph posted of him with his guitar and the link to his C&W singing! In those days Villa were shambolic before the board resigned, Pat Matthew’s and Doug Ellis (as Chairman) took over and Tommy Docherty came in as Manager.
Edwards played and scored in Docherty’s first game in charge against Norwich at VP – a game which I attended and also in the 2-1 FA Cup win against Southampton in front of 60,000 another game I was at.
It was a short reprieve with Villa relegated to the old third division at the end of the 69-70 season.
Still, Edwards was a Villan and one I watched back in the day – RIP Dick Edwards
*Sad to hear
On the very border of my memory Hitch, I’m afraid.
But yep, a Villan. He’ll do for me. My condolences to his family.
I want to write something, but there’s nothing to write about!
I’m certainly not going to comment on the rubbishy conjecture, that’s all we’re seeing.
Fixtures soon. Maybe they will give me something to say?
The amount of absolutely pointless blogs and YouTube videos going on is comical. It’s 99% rubbish. All conjecture.
I’m with you Badger, I’ll wait until players are seen wearing the shirt, or have confirmed to have left by the official site.
Anyone remember that phone number you could ring the club for transfer news that was advertised on the club’s Teletext page? I used to beg dad if I could ring it! Those were the days. Not the torrential shower of online shite were subjected to today.
All quiet on the Western Front so far (if I may be permitted to borrow that phrase).
And long may it stay so – no significant activity before the end of June suits me as would confirm no real PSR issues like last year.
From the 1st July we’re in a new three year period and, most importantly, the horrendous £209m loss year drops out of the calculations.
So far, I’ve only seen Canadian Pete realise the significance.
Don’t use that phrase!
I must be bored 🙂
The only link I’ve seen which looks really interesting is Nico Raskin at Rangers. If we were to bring him in we would (in old money) have Belgiums half back line – Raskin, Tielemans and Onana – how good would that be?
Never been keen on anyone from the Scottish leagues. You do get some, (McGinn, Andy Gray)), but generally, the standard isn’t great, is it?
Fair point Badger but he is a full Belgium international and, it’s claimed, that Rudi Garcia is keen for him to move to Villa and link up with Tielemans and Onana and receive the benefit of working with Emery.
Just look at how Tielemans has improved since joining us (and I was a big fan of his at Leicester not that, that says a lot 🙂 ) and I think Onana – if he can stay injury free – will also improve next season. We did see glimpses of his ability towards the end of last season!
Just saying!