First off, I suppose I have to say congratulations to Man City for winning the Champions league and a rare treble.
Not that I think it’ll remain such a rare achievement.
Man City are quite frankly, ridiculously dominant and if they manage to keep hold of Haarland and keep him fit, it’s hard to see how they won’t win loads more silverware in the next few seasons.
Did Grealish really make a major mistake in leaving Villa? It’s certainly hard to suggest he did.
The only comforting thought is that no matter how dominant a team/club is, it will only be temporary. Arsenal of the 1930’s and indeed the Villa of the late 1800’s spring to mind.
Nothing lasts for ever.
It still wrankles though, that they have simply bought their position, as much as they might protest that they’ve complied with FFP for years.
I can’t rember how many dozens of charges of FFP breaches they face, but it’s all a bit laughable and we all know they won’t face the only really just punishment, which would be a 10 year transfer embargo and demotion of at least two leagues.
I much preferred Man City when they were on our level.
What to say about our season, then?
A roller coaster is probably the best way to sum it up.
It’s easy to say “I told you so”, but it doesn’t help.
I knew Gerrard would be a disaster and he was always a bad signing, on a par with Spurs messing up again in engaging Postecoglou (how long does Levy have left there?).
But I suppose you have to see the bad to appreciate the good and at least our owners didn’t stick with him way longer than some do.
Enter Emery the messiah, then and we’re all much happier.
The funny thing is I’ve been working with a Leeds fan this week. The rumour there is that they are chasing him. He is terrified that the rumour might turn out to be true.
You don’t need me to tell you how previously decent players (McGinn springs to mind more than any other for me) looked awful under Gerrard, yet suddenly started to look okay again, once Emery came in. I honestly can’t wait to read the stories about how poor Gerrard was, particularly as a man manager. It takes some doing to make such a grafter as McGinn look so poor.
I believe there’s a new rumour where Gerrard is supposed to be in Leicester’s sights.
My guess is this is more his media friends trying to talk him up and no sensible chairman/owner would go anywhere near him.
A title for Rangers might entitle him to a Championship post, I guess, but even so, I’d say bottom half.
So the donkey was gone and a thoroughbred was employed.
And we probably pushed our expectations in achieving qualification to the Conference league.
I know it’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but to me it’s better than not achieving it.
It’s a nightmare, because of stupid thursday night games and there’s the possibility of an extra 18 games. Which is a lot.
But in the early stages, no-one plays full strength sides, so it’s a chance for the second string to get experience. We know how it works nowadays and very good young players just don’t get a look in because it’s deemed as too risky for most managers. Well, now they will get a chance.
I’m all for it, particularly now we have a manager who has such good experience in Europe.
I’m happy that he’ll know how to handle it.
And finally, we have an actual signing.
I’ve mentioned it more than a few times, but I give no credence whatsoever, when it comes to rumours about transfers in and out.
And my stance on that looks correct yet again, as it was announced that we’d agreed to sign Youri Tielemans when his contract runs out in July.
I actually heard about this last night, while I was out at a football presentation night for the grandson’s league, but thought little of it, apart from what an astute signing it would be.
He’s always struck me as an energetic type, who will surely add plenty of energy in the middle of the park, which is exactly where we need strengthening the most. He can also take a decent free kick, if I remember correctly.
Let’s say he’s on £150 k a week.
A four year contract and that adds up to £30 million in total. The player is 26 years old, so he won’t be clapped out at the end.
Throw in Emery coaching him and it’s like I said. Astute.
We already look to have competition in midfield and I expect this is probably the route that we might take this year, in decent players of the right age, but not headliners being signed.
I actually prefer this approach, I think.
You get more level headed types, who are more willing to work and learn.
Arggh, I struggle to get away from thinking I’m seeing the Saunders era all over again.
Seeing those halcyon days at such an early age spoiled me, I think and I doubt I’m alone.
Fans half my age have seen next to nothing in returns for supporting the Villa.
Just as I said at the top of the post, “nothing lasts for ever”.
Hopefully, our time is coming.
Meanwhile, I still content myself in laughing at the papers who plain and simple guess at our transfers.
UTV!
Comments
88 responses to “End of season and actual signings begin; Welcome Youri Tielemans”
Good times coming, I feel/hope.
I had already commented in the last post about Yuri. Needs work on his fitness and attitude, but a change of club should enable both.
So changing to the fixtures which come out on 15th June. It is a 1 in 19 chance but my bet is Villa’s first away game whether at the weekend or the next midweek date will be at Luton. Going there is like nasty medicine – hold your nose and swallow. We seem to get a first week date against a newly promoted team more often than could be coincidence. Cov – no too close, saved for a bad weather period, Burnley no, more miles in Kompany v Pep.
I’m currently working with a Luton fan. As you can imagine, he’s well looking forward to the season
I agree this looking like the Saunders era when it was a team rather than some prima Donna’s
Saunders had a team all working to a plan.
I’ve supported villa since 1956 hopefully the good times are back soon.
Thanks for your work on the site during the season
Best site available I think
Cheers Roy 🙂
Christian Purslow steps down as Villa CEO.
One now wonders whether NSWE had been made aware of Purslow’s intentions to resign at the end of the season, hence their pursuit of Alemany – it does make a lot more sense.
Is Monci now being investigated targeted to step into Purslow’s shoes?
Purslow hasn’t always been a fan favourite, particularly following the Gerrard debacle, but overall the 5 years that he’s led the club has resulted in a massive turn around both on and off the pitch for Villa.
* Investigated – where did that come from 🙂
Is this a delayed reaction to the Gerrard mess?
That’s the other possibility Bum Bum – in the wake of the Gerrard debacle I understood he was told to stand back from footballing matters (and how much influence did he have on the triumvirate replacing Grealish?)
I think also Villa are changing their management structure and moving away from a CEO – hence Heck and Monchi (?) coming in dealing with brand (income growth) and football respectively. It also suggests Sawiris, as Chairman, will have a wider role
Going to be interesting – summer will be anything but boring at Villa!
Triumvirate?
I don’t remember that signing.
😂
He won’t be short of job offers. I can think of a couple of clubs, one lower down the table and with a smaller ground, who could do with someone who can deliver the non-football side of an EPL club as well as CP. There is even the EPL itself. That also is my concern – in dealing with English councils and transport companies – a foreigner however talented would be at a disadvantage.
Waiting now to see if CP’s new role is announced before the name of his replacement at VP.
OLL – it seems Villa are dispensing with the CEO role and ChrisHeck will take responsibility for all business and commercial matters reporting direct to NSWE.
Sensibly, NSWE obtained planning consent for the ground expansion before ushering Purslow to the exit.
One does wonder to what extent Purslow’s ill judged obsession with Gerrard coloured the owners decision.
Just my oppinion but I thought old Purslips did a job on Smithy.
All very odd how Richard O’Kelly followed John Terry out of the door less than 48 hours before the Premier League season began?
And his close friend SG is waiting in the wings when the wheels come off.
Or am I just a cynic?
No smoke without a fire RSS.
It was all a little strange.
Personally, I never ‘took’ to Purslow – he always seemed a little too suave and rather too fond of his own voice but who knows?
Notwithstanding, he did do some really good work on the business side of things whilst at Villa – he just seemed to fancy himself as some sort of football guru which he clearly was not!
Was it Perslips or was the club on an upward trajectory anyway?
Right place, right time rather than the catalyst?
According to NSWE, Purslow presented an ambitious plan to them [for the development of Aston Villa] as part of his ‘interview’ in 2018 which they say (in their statement) he’s delivered.
That sort of statement from the owners goes beyond the normal weasly words when someone of Purslow’s status leaves their position so I would suggest it has merit.
Fair comment Hitch.
Oh, and when Purslow was appointed, Villa were in the Championship, on the brink of bankruptcy saved only by the intervention of NSWE – so yeah, I think he probably earned the plaudits.
Think it could be Bum Bum, it was plain and obviously to any footballing fan a cock up getting Gerrard, someone said at the time he was a fan of the footballer, well it’s back to bite his arse. Now let the good times begin at Villa ,we are on the move to be one of the best in the premiership mark my words lads, Tielemans a start for us being a creative midfield, someone to share the effort it wants, next an out and out winger for me someone that goes at the game for goals, Yes I cannot wait for our season to start it’s going to be the best for some years. Utv.
As you say Badger no team dominates in perpetuity, Liverpool, Man U, Arsenal all had their day but managers come, mangers go, players come and go, nothing lasts for ever.
Man U for all their financial clout can anyone see them winning the league anytime soon?
And who would have predicted their fall from grace?
Same with Liverpool, who’d have thought given their dominance through the 80’s, after 1990 would not win a league title for the next 30 years?
Or Wenger’s Invincibles going 9 years without a trophy?
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose?
Apparently Pep will give Citeh two more years…then there will be hope for the rest of us.
Badger, it was 115 counts of financial fraud/irregularities.
Makes me laugh that everyone including us is being linked with Maguire. I sort of feel sorry for the guy…But either way we don’t need him with Carlos back and Mings and Konsa having cracking seasons!
Youri is a great signing. I wonder who the next will be?
Maguire – lazy journalism. It’s silly season dust out the old links and send them out again – job done for another day.
TalkSh**e are still saying Oxlade-Chamberlain close to joining Villa – Birmingham Live saying sources at Villa saying not interested.
Yet another example of click-bait journalism or in old fashioned parlance – writing fairy tales 🙂
To some extent, I understand you feeling sorry for the guy but I’m certain his feelings are well cushioned every time he deposits another £150k in his bank!
Hitch, you could insult me all day long for £150k a week!!!!
Just on the Purslow story – according to The Guardian, Purslow was asked to stay on at Villa but in a different (unspecified) role which he declined.
That suggest there will be another appointment – in addition to a DoF (Monchi ?). It will be fascinating to see whether such an appointment is made and, if so, what the role is.
It seems Villa have bagged another of West Brom’s rising starlets – Jamal Jimoh, 17 for £1m plus 10% of any sell on fee.
Jimoh has 5 U17 caps for England and, according to reports, has been tracked by a number of EPL clubs.
We have a history of taking West Brim’s best academy prospects, Jimoh follows Fin Aziz and Tim Iroegbunam to Villa amongst others.
Villa get the Monchi’s?
(well according to the Guardian)
Some challenges left according to the Mail.
It seems Monchi is keen to join Villa but there are two stumbling blocks.
One – a £1.7m release fee which it’s been reported Villa are prepared to pay but Monchi believes he should be allowed to leave without a fee as a gesture of good will following 21 years with the club.
Two – it seems he has a three month notice period in his contract which if enforced would prevent him from joining until after the transfer window closes.
‘Sources’ in Spain are clear that Monchi is not using Villa to negotiate better terms with Sevilla.
Senior representatives have flown to Spain to try and close the deal.
All according to The Mail.
One wonders if Monchi wants that £1.7 mill release fee for himself?
Why would he worry about the Villa having to pay, if they’re willing?
I know, call me a cynic.
As for the Albion lad, that’s interesting.
I thought Walsall were supposed to be our sort of feeder club?
It would now seem we’ve upgraded there too.
We’ll be feeding off Citeh next.
Apparently SG wants his mate Philippe Coutinho to join him in Saudi.
What a blow.
🤔
Get ready for the big day as 15th of June is announcement of the Premier leagues fixtures, we cannot sign anyone till the 1st of July from abroad so I’m lead to believe. What’s the betting we get one of the big so called leagues team.? I’m not worried I think .. 😀
It’s likely we will be away to a newly promoted team or away to Citeh or Arsenal! We can’t be away to Luton first game I believe because they have asked for their first few games to be played away while their stadium is modernised to suit premier league status.
I think Liverpool too have asked for away games too for their stadium to be upgraded.
I’m hopeful we get our business done early. I read that the transfer window is open today so maybe someone we have been tracking will be announced soon.
I’m looking forward to seeing our new signings in the new Villa kit with our new badge too.
B’ham mail reporting that Tammy was pretty much done and dusted before he got injured and we scrapped the whole deal. Interesting….
All the ‘huff and puff’ around Villa’s supposed signings, Alemany and Monchi whilst Brighton actually go out and do some serious business!
It’s early doors but I’m not feeling that confident at the moment!
Must have been influenced by Badger 🙂
Out of contract (no fee) or around the £30m mark (if past history is anything to go by).
Brighton, Milner & Pedro?
Hardly sets pulses racing Hitch.
They said that about Young!
Kasper Schmeichel from Nice as back up keeper and competition for Emi Martinez as a potential signing.
A leaked twitter page shows Villa away to Sheffield United first game. I can’t help but think this is highly probable!
Yep, away to a promoted side on first day of season – that’s a typical Villa opening fixture.
Can Emery reverse the typical result though – a loss to kick off the season!
First game away at the Barcodes! What an opener!!!! 5.30 KO so on TV!
Four of the first six games away – after Newcastle we have Burnley, Liverpool and Chelsea!
Sandwiched in between home games with Everton and Crystal Palace.
Easy start then 🙂
So the Twitter leak was incorrect! Although the Geordies away is a more difficult game.
When I saw we were away again to start the season, I thought it would be interesting to research how many of our previous 10 seasons had started away from home and the answer… 8! Yes really! I found that quite astonishing. Also one of the two games which was at home was played behind closed doors because of Covid with that goal for Sheffield United which never was because it ‘didn’t’ cross the line!
So the Barcodes away will make it 9 from the last 11.
Has the supercomputer got it in for Villa?
There’s nothing super about that computer, Holte!
Man U away at xmas is the one that caught my eye.
I don’t know what to think about that 4 aways.
Good to get a few tough ones out of the way?
It would seem I was partly right about Monchi.
He’s had to take a pay cut (while probably still earning way more) because Villa have had to pay a higher release clause;
http://sportwitness.co.uk/monchi-makes-e3m-sacrifice-secure-aston-villa-move-dofs-contract-length-revealed/
Been told we’ve sealed a deal for Nico Williams from Atheltic Bilbao but it might be a wind up!
Anyway don’t shoot the messenger although I’m happy to take all the plaudits for an exclusive if true 🙂
Sorry Hitch seen that at 5 30 this morning and didn’t give it another thought dismissed it as a wind up .
Hey Hitch, Arsenal went for him 7 days ago nothing happened, 20 year old value 18- 30 € . I hope we have someone waiting in the club equally as good .