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!
Comments
221 responses to “A sum up of the season and what might be next.”
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!
You can watch Andres Garcia and Jesus Rodriguez, who we have been linked to, on Channel 4 playing for Spain’s U21s
Garcia played well considering he was on the left while Rodriguez got Spain’s goal. Raul Moro looked tasty on the right wing, I wonder if Unai was watching?
No, it’s fair comment Hitch.
Monchi and Unai have excelled between them, so if they say yes, I can’t disagree.
Rodriguez has just scored. Interesting that Gsrcia 8is playing left back behind Rodriguez
Rodriguez has just scored. Interesting that Garcia is playing left back behind Rodriguez
Barcodes at home first Saturday of the season!
Should be a great match and a great atmosphere…
May looks rather taxing; let’s hope we’re not desperate for lots of points like this season at that stage. We’ll need to get over the line by end on April, in my opinion.
Chelsea and Arsenal both away in the space of four days before the New Year, after 4 games already in December. FFS.
August and September look OK. We’ll need to be out of the traps fast, based on my previous two posts. December and May definite banana skins…
4 out of 6 games away in December. JOKE.
Looks like December and May will define our season. UTV0
Looks like it, Neil.
And the two home games are United and Arsenal. Fishy.
…and IF we get to the Europa final, it’ll be sandwiched between Liverpool at home and City away in the final two games of the season. That’s just great, isn’t it?
Odds stacked against. As usual. A very busy summer and January, I predict. January may well be key, again.
And don’t forget that Martinez (if he’s still at Villa) is banned for the first three games of next season as he would (I assume) should he move to another EPL club!
Should be clean slate for a new season. Utter bollocks, that. Absolutely nonsensical! Stupid morons. (pardon the tautology).
Agree with you BFR but the EPL have confirmed it according to a report I read.
Would that be the case for one of the favoured players at the favoured clubs – I doubt it!
I can’t believe we let Brentford snap up Kelleher unchallenged for a bargain price. Brentford, FFS. Top class goalie and the oposite in temperament to Martinez. His calmness and dependability reminds me of David Seaman. Oh well, too late now.
🤷🤷🤷
I see that Iling Jr is playing in the U21s as is Harvey Elliott who we have been linked with.
I must say that I’m enjoying the U21s much more than the Club World Cup.
Dougie to Leeds at 27 years of age would be a disaster for Villa. Don’t let it happen; bring him back!
Emi is desperate to go to United, apparently. Despite his antics in the 1-0 win 3 years ago. Conspiracy – he deliberately got himself sent off in the final game – aiding and abetting his suitors.
If he goes there, he won’t just tarnish his hero status with Villa fans, he’ll burn it to a cinder and piss on the smouldering ashes. Such an odd character. So emotional, so much love for the Villa. Yet would ditch for United. Worse than Bosnich, if true.
Frankly BFR, these are non stories – in fact it’s just one story written in multiple formats.
The story (appears to be) that ‘reports’ coming out of Argentina suggest Manure have made contact with Martinez’ representatives – that’s it – but then the click bait monsters spin all sorts of rumours and PSR cr*p around it to make it seem more than it is topping it off with less than credible headlines.
If he goes, one thing I’m sure is it will be for a lot more than the £40 m that’s been suggested – particularly as we would then have to acquire two new keepers,
One further observation, if Villa think Martinez is going wouldn’t they be lining up a top class replacement now? The fact that potential replacements have already moved suggests they are actually pursuing a new number two.
Of course I could be completely wrong 🙂
Who knows, Hitch. Martinez could easily make a statement to clarify if he wanted to stay or go. But he hasn’t. It would not surprise me (nor disappoint me) in the slightest if he comes to Villa Park and winds up the Holte End as an opponent. That’s the type of character he seems (to want) to be. I’m not completely convinced by the ‘I love Villa’ stuff. If he stays and inspires his team to silverware, as with his country, I’ll be convinced. Until then…
He can’t go to manure surely I understood yorkie and Ashley cos manure were on top of the world then but now they are poor as piss and run as badly as the country
Quote. It would be madness. But then again, it’s Martinez…
What’s going lads? I’m getting a little concerned with this window, all I’m reading is who’s leaving.
Set piece coaches, exit stage left.
Monchi rumoured to have booked his flight to Seville?
Martinez in a swap deal for Mr free school dinners (MBE)?
Earlier doors admittedly but not looking too clever.
It’s why I haven’t written an article about it.
None of the “sources” are reliable and they’re mostly conjecture.
The amount of comments and opinions I’ve read from ex Villa coach Bryan King is ridiculous. I wouldn’t mind, but I doubt he even knows anyone at the club now, so how is his opinion any more valid than anyone elses?
And I can’t stop laughing at the Emi to Man U suggestion.
And anyway, isn’t window closed until next week?
No, it’s re-opened again Badger – it was only shut for a week. Yet another example of the nonsense in football.
I’m completely lost as to what’s going on, first the fixture draw we have, then there is player’s that being said are going or are they staying, whats our team for the season then? Have we under 21 ready to be used If you ask me I’m lost as to what footballs all about, Football today is so tied up in itself why should I bother buying a ticket. Has our club spoke to the fans!! No, why don’t Uni go onto the pitch at the end of a game? It’s bugging me the way Villa don’t communicate and tell us their intentions. The way I see it were going nowhere 25-26 season.
Bill, Villa are keeping their cards close to their chest.
As I’ve said before, I don’t believe we have any significant PSR issues this season or next. The proof, so to speak, will be what happens between now and the end of June.
Why would the club open up on their financial position- it makes no sense!
I could be completely wrong but I don’t believe for a minute that Martinez is interested in Manure nor do I put much credence against any of the clickbait rubbish going around.
If we need to sell to satisfy PSR, it will be before the end of June and is likely to involve players such as Buendia, Bailey, Dedoncker, Coutinho and possibly Digne.
Villa’s current football directorship can get a symphony out of the rumour mill.
Consider what is the stumbling block about signing a new keeper of first team quality. He will want to be first choice. Villa can tell him that Martinez may be sold but only after Villa have an adequate replacement on the books. The new keeper has to make the first move.
The rest is Manchester Noise and Birmingham Lies.
Spain under 21s playing England on C4. England up 2. Garcia and Rodriguez subs.
Hitch, I get what you’re saying and that you know all about the inside of business, it gets me that they just don’t speak to fans and that Uni walks away at the end of every game and only speaks bad English in an interview. Gerry bloody good game last night The seniors should pay attention to how good they are. By the way, were there any Villa youngsters on that side There was a blue nose I hear.