Well, I thought the game was going to be the main story of today, but it’s been blown away by the fact that Jack Grealish has signed an extension contract of no less than five years.
Of course this is great news, but I do find myself wondering what’s gone on here?
I’m wondering because the main reason is that there was no reason for Jack to tie himself down like this after Jack signed a five year contract in 2018.
While there’s no doubting that Grealish loves the club, ultimately money talks it’s fair to assume that this means the wage structure has not only been broken, but absolutely smashed to pieces, with some sources suggesting that his new wage will be a cool £125 thousand a week.
In today’s game, it’s about the figure I’d have guessed.
Whatever, this is a great signing for the club and it won’t be bettered in this window.
It’s also a massive sign of commitment on Jack’s part, which makes me wonder who’s promised him what about where the club is heading.
Onto the game then and I’m not sure there’s much to say really.
Watkins and Cash will start along with the usual suspects who will need the game time.
We’ve had some very decent wins in the pre-season friendlies and there’s nothing to suggest that this won’t continue.
Hence I’m confident we’ll win this one, probably by a couple of goals.
No streams that I know of, but I’ll be looking, although I don’t believe anyone has the rights to broadcast it.
And then there’s the transfer speculation, where it seems Martinez is practically all done and Traore has travelled to Denmark to meet Lange and have a medical. The player is supposed to have been in Birmingham for the last couple of days and should sign tomorrow.
This of course begs the question of what on earth is Lange doing in Denmark in the fist place?
You would have to think he’s looking at other deals, probably on cheaper, more unknown players.
And then there’s still strong speculation that we’re in for even more players.
I never think much of the speculation, but given that we’re supposed to have the two players wrapped up, you have to wonder why we haven’t announced them yet.
I’m guessing there’s still at least another one being sorted and the club wants to do a multiple signing announcement.
No doubt we’ll see and it’s exciting times being a Villa fan.
Villa could do with an extra attacking midfielder in the squad. Would Mario Gotze the Borrussia Dortmund free agent be a good addition or would he struggle to play enough games in a season?
This is a good read – if you have time.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/16/dean-smith-aston-villa-challenging-in-europe-has-to-be-the-aim-jack-grealish
I’m not so sure it’s a good idea to name your core players, even though we all know who they are, but yes, a decent read Hitch.
We’re apparently interested in Rico Henry from, you’ve guessed it, Brentford.
It seems incredibly wrong to be interested in so many players at one club, but at roughly £7 mill, I think that would be a great signing.
Especially when you consider Targett cost £12 mill plus add-ons.
I think a few players signed their exit warrant last night and Taylor will be one of them, hence we’ll need back-up or even even a new no 1 LB.
Neil Taylor’s an excellent professional, but I reckon if we hadn’t made so many changes already a year ago he would have been gone then.
Decent full back but better suited to the Championship these days.
Badger, that very same thought was on my mind, you can write a few off and to be honest you could see it in their play,. Im glad all this talk over Grealish has come to an end now the game of football begins. I’m happy with all Smith has achieved let the game commence.
Taylor and Jota seem the obvious ones; but I thought Lansbury had a very good game – maybe because we were only playing against a L1 team?
He’d be on my gone list. Doesn’t do enough, imo.
bill you said that arsenal goalie had a blinder in the charity shield game. i just been reading arsenal fans say what a signing for villa. i cant say i seen him play myself but this goalie comes with so much blessing. sounds like a top bloke and keeper.
so that is three top players and all where top characters in there dressing rooms. we are defiantly going down the quality route this window and looks like we could be repaid with a good season
He sure did Nath, yes he’s going to be an asset to Villa, just heard that Hogan gone to Birmingham and Treore past his medical but awaiting a work permit to Villa.
Interesting rumour out of ‘left field’ – especially for those market makers on here.
Ross Barkley’s odds (to join Villa) have gone from 14/1 to 7/2 favourite in three days which suggests a fair amount of money has gone on.
At 26 he fits the age profile and given Chelsea’s recent investment and JT’s Chelsea connections probably shouldn’t be totally dismissed. Maybe a loan with buy option?
Thoughts – would he add quality competition to our mid field?
I like Barkley. I think he would fit the number 10 role better than Jack and keep Jack to just flow around the midfield but predominantly on the left. Great technical ability hasn’t set the world a light as was touted when he arrived on the scene but someone we could polish up with lots of game time and get flying again imo. Can score long rangers too from time to time. I would personally be happy with Ross in the squad.
Now then if we took on the Liverpool approach with a 433, this looks sweet to me
Grealish. Watkins. Traoré/Trez
Luiz. Barkley McGinn
Target. Mings Kons Cash/Guilbert
Martinez
He’s one of those who seems never to have lived-up to early hype – maybe because of several long-term injuries. His career goal stats work out at about 1 in 7 games.
The sort who might be useful in a squad, but has probably gotten too used to being on high wages for not a huge amount of playing time.
I wouldn’t take him on the sort of money I suspect he’s on…
Aston Villa remain on course to sign forward Bertrand Traore from Lyon in a £17m deal, despite delays caused by his application for a work permit.
Traore, who has already agreed a four-year contract with Villa and passed a medical in Copenhagen on Tuesday, had been expected to fly to Birmingham to complete the deal on Wednesday.
Transfer Centre: LIVE!
Martinez joins Villa from Arsenal
Grealish marks new deal with goal in Villa victory
However, with work permit applications currently taking longer than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic, both player and club have been forced to wait.
The 25-year-old, who knows Villa assistant coach John Terry from his time at Chelsea, has experience playing in the Champions League for the French club last season, scoring four times in 32 appearances in all competitions.
Traore is mobbed by his Lyon teammates after scoring in the Champions League against Benfica last season
Image:
Traore is mobbed by his Lyon team-mates after scoring in the Champions League against Benfica last season
His most productive spell for Lyon came in his first year in France, scoring 17 times during the 2017-18 season.
Bristol City Ashton Gate, next cup game.
On the BBC website, Gooners seemed far from happy the Arse had allowed Martinez to leave, and thought we’d bagged a bargain!
yeah i was reading similiar stuff arsenal fans wishing Martinez all the best, some were angry he was sold and others saying he was / is better than their so called number 1. i havent seen him play but these comments made me wanna see him in our goal. also bill saw him in the charity shield game and said he was awesome against pool
have we signed that traore yet ?? can he play in the first prem game
Still think they’re waiting for work permit clearance delayed by COVID!
However his No 11 shirt has been reassigned by Lyon!
Correction – Depay taking Traore’s No 10 shirt. Apologies for the wrong info.
Ross Barkley? A ‘minder’. But we haven’t got one, and my view about Citeh is their success is in no small measure due to the fact they always have one. Somebody who will threaten and mean it that if Grealish is kicked off the field his assailant will be spending as long in rehab. Plus the fact that he can play football when needed – but does waste his chances.
Traore signs after receiving work permit.
Welcome Bertrand
cheers hitch for posting traore situation. i caught his first interview earlier this evening. i know these interviews they say what they think we want to hear. but i really am getting excited about this season. i don’t know about you guys but i havent felt this excited in years i mean decades ABOUT villa off course.
new POST guys hitch and badger. how are we feeling about this upcoming season. i would love a poll badger where do we think we will finish.
personally i am excited and really confident we will be mid table and a good cup run maybe another wembley appearance
P/S manure lost can we hold a minute silence i mean a minute laughing
Nobody is scared of Utd anymore…
Nath, we are already mid table and we haven’t played a game yet!
Great to see Man Ure losing first game. I thought Palace front line were impressive. It will be interesting to see how we line up on Monday.
Don’t worry, bottom 3 after two games Westbrom, West ham, Fulham, keep this up and we don’t need to play, we are 10 th at the minute. Yes Nath I’m ready for the off ,I see better times this season .
i agree with your teams down except i would swap hammers for sheff utd
both selections are good solid trebles
Before our season kicks off, and before we have sight of our new keeper in action. {PS give him 4 games to bed in}. Try listing all the premiership #1 goalkeepers in order of competence. Keep the list until the season end and see how that compares with the final table.
The current bottom 4 plus Brighton, Newcastle, Sheffield United now, are likely to be in the scrap at the bottom. Chelsea and Arsenal’s erratic keepers may drop costly points while Wolves and Leicester’s better keepers may earn them. Palace, like Villa, had to get a better GK than they had last season if they wanted to be out of the danger zone.
That’s the most interesting analysis I’ve read in ages!
Rudiger from Chelsea on loan anyone???? 4th placed centre back now. Their £71m keeper is hilarious!!!!