It’s been desperately difficult trying to find any news about the Villa lately, let alone anything even remotely good.
But this piece, is for me, definitely good news and quite frankly, makes a change from me just having to talk about bad stuff.
So Gary Gardner and Callum Robinson have done what’s in the title and they’re both players I like the look of, although to be honest I know a fair bit more about Gardner.
Of course, they aren’t the spectacular signings I’m sure we’d all like to see, but they are the future.
And at least the fact that we’ve re-signed them means even Lerner isn’t that stupid in thinking that we should let them go. Thank goodness for small mercies eh?
The OS gives the usual PR type quotes from the lads, which bores me to nearly tears to be honest.
I’d much rather hear the basic “I’m chuffed to bits” type comment that young lads typically come out with, but there you go.
It’s also nice to hear that Gary regards himself as a fan.
As opposed to a certain brother of his, who I won’t mention.
Regardless, I wish them the best of luck in the upcoming season.
Good news this, it’s vital we keep players who have come through the ranks and show signs if ability. It’s a big season for both of these but more so for Gardner imo as he’s had his injury problems and has more to prove. Be interesting to see if and how Lambert uses them.
Does make me chuckle tho how they’ve been made to look like new signings, interviews, pics with the shirt etc etc.
Great business Mr Lambert, an injury waiting to happen and the next Delfouneso!!!
Damn did I just sound negative…..the bug is spreading!!
Agreed.
I can’t be doing with our PR hype at all.
I’m not sure where it comes from, but it doesn’t suit your typical Villa fan, imo.
Probably suits minted money types, who think footy’s “trendy and the place to be” though 🙁
And this is good news because?
Gary Gardner has done nothing to show he has what it takes to be a good player and that Robinson is just another Byfield/Vassell/Delponceo.
These are the only deals the club can get done financially thats why they splatter it all over the official shite.
The club is a shambles.
I’m pleased the two have new contracts but let’s not get carried away! Gardner has been much hyped but I haven’t seen much to excite me in his limited first team appearances. For his own sake as well as ours let’s hope his injury problems are behind him. He at least seems to have the right attitude, which I never felt with Delfouneso or Luke Moore.
As for the PR bit, what do we want then? Should the club just give them new contracts and just mention it in passing? We all want to see players come through the youth system and make a successful transition to the first team. It would be nice to see the whole academy project giving a return.
Good luck to them both.
A friend with MU contacts has confirmed that once the Keane deal is done Villa will sign Darren Fletcher permanent and Nick Powell on loan. They also want to off load Ashley Young but Villa aren’t interested.
Id take Ashley young back, that’s how desperate I am! Also we will never see our youth players progress when they never play competitive football under real pressure. Give them 20ish games to get some proper experience this season or they might as well go somewhere else. Jack Grealish – went on loan to Nott’s and improved ten fold for it and will definitely be involved with the 1st team this season.
Fletcher? I guess he is the kind of DM we need, though injury proned players is something we have far more than enough of.
Powell? Meh, rather our youngsters, not just because of I don’t feel like raising their youth, as I’d take Atsu in a heartbeat even if we could never sign him from Chelsea, but Powell’s not that good and we could easily do better… like our youth. Grealish, Carruthers, hell give Graham a chance.
Keane deal done. Now they’ll find out what its like to be bullied if they put in any spineless, inept performances like last year.
Good luck to ya paddy hope ya bring us da luck of da Irosh utv
I suppose Keane can’t be worse than Culverhouse……can he?
I think Robinson may turn into a very good player. Gardner, i worry will never actually make it.
Its depressing being a Villa fan at the moment. Just watching the other clubs improve their squad as we seem to go backwards. Unless something major happens before the start of the season, i think we will be bottom come the end of september. I never normally feel this way before the season starts, but its a sad reality right now.
Keane can bring guile
Guts
Anyways, about the topic itself. Quite happy seeing both of them extend. Gardner seems to have been around for ages, but he is only 22. Will he actually be able to stay fit? That’s the question and hopefully. But passion is something everyone believes Keane will bring, and instead I do think Gardner will bring it to midfield, and I’d take a fit and passionate Gardner over any midfielder we have currently, if Gardner can provide his true ability, which he has, just hasn’t been able to show it much.
Robinson looks like he can be a big talent himself but one I don’t feel will come out under Lambert due to his style, and the fact we’re linked to strikers still. Which Kind of worries me. If Lescott, Holtby and Chicharito were really the players he wanted with money… I’m scared if/when we get taken over and he possibly has some.
Gardner is like his brother but Gary is overrated by Villa fans.
I dont know what to think on Gardner, when he first came on the scene I thought better than his brother, he moves well in midfield and creates possibilities, but where the hell has he been over the last 18 months, if you say its mixture of injuries and lack of games, why have we waited this long to see him back. is he injury prone and of no use to us in the long stay, I really don’t know what to think. The appointment of Keane its a move in the right direction for Villa possible wake up call to the club.
I agree Bill, he won’t stand for any sh1t which can only be good news ! we hope !
the thing that interests me is not who they have offered new contracts to. but who hasn’t. in a real world there’s only benteke with the required skills for the premership
Juergen kilnsman anyone?
US won’t let him go so easily.
Ah Yes. Apart from him not wanting to swap California for Birmingham. Oh and the money he earns Oh and the uncertain future of the club. Oh and the lack of money to spend. Oh and…..you get my point!
If we get new american owner it might persuade him
New Owner hmmmm, most potential foreign owners think Birmingham is in Alabama and why would they buy a club with a crap squad who will fight against relegation each year, but has nice conference facilities and an ok history….
We do nice pies as well
This time next year Rodney we’ll be millionaires!
Might, but then it’s the USMNT or Aston Villa under an American owner. Plus would the knew owner be willing to buyout his contract?
If he isn’t prepared then he’s not the right man for us
new*
Unless he finds a different manager? Couple have been resigning from their Countries. Surely we can attract one?
13/5 Roy Keane, 4/1 David Moyes, Jurgen Klinsmann, 6/1 Roberto Di Matteo, 10/1 Malky Mackay, 12/1 Tim Sherwood, 14/1 Neil Lennon, 20/1 Michael Laudrup
Paddy Power’s odds on new manager and claim Lambert need to be looking over his shoulder.
It’s sad who we’re linked too… Di Matteo, Mackay, Sherwood, Lennon…. Bottom of the barrel crap.
Can anyone tell me why keane is giving interviews when technically he’s supposed to be back room staff. He’s talking as if he’s already our manager. We all know it’s going to happen keane in lamberk out
OOHA my thoughts exactly,very strange indeed.it’s not as if he’s a high profile manager coming in as an assistant.possibly another PR stunt by the club to show were heading in the right direction as a club LOL.
Exactly iv never heard of back room staff getting this much attention Ffs. He will prob be managing us and lamberk will be the fall guy
Wouldn’t mind Klinnsman a young forward thinking manager who’s done it all. Better than the stodgy British managers we get like MON, mclown and lamberk and the manager elect keane
100% agree I’d rather Klinsmann than the typical British manager we seem to be linked with, like Moyes or the usual merry-go-round managers that get sacked every month-2 years and find another EPL/Championship club. I just don’t think Klinsmann is someone we’ll look to get, and I find it clearly an obvious link. Not a great fan of his style either. Although he does get the players passionate.
I thought USA played some decent football at times and the amount of fight they showed in each game is something we can only dream about.
Lol…oh dear Keane quote “I cant wait to get hands-on with the players on Monday morning”
form an orderly queue….who’s first for a black eye? 🙂 and they thought Karsa was a bully!
I can safely say im not too KEANE.
Keane claims he’s not a miracle worker and also claims he’s not the hard ass everyone thinks he is. Okay…
“Villa’s under-performing squad clearly needs improving next term and once this summer’s main even in Brazil is over, Lambert will step up his search.
“We will try to get a few more in,” he said. “Things will start to happen after the World Cup.”
Aside from Cole and Senderos, Lambert has also been planning changes to his backroom staff.
Roy Keane was appointed assistant manager on Tuesday and on Wednesday the Premier League hero revealed how he hopes to improve Villa’s fortunes.
That Lambert has moved to replace his sacked former assistant Ian Culverhouse with such a high-profile name is a bold move.
He’s still a man down, though.
Former head of football operations Gary Karsa is yet to be replaced and it’s unlikely that he will be.
“I’m not so sure about it,” said Lambert when asked if he was looking for a direct replacement.
“I had to get in a No.2 and now I will have a look at it and see. If no-one comes in then it will be fine.”
Goalkeeper Shay Given temporarily took up the role at the back end of last season in the times of need.
He has since said that he wants to continue as a player, at least for the time being.
“Shay will come back in for pre-season and fight with (Brad) Guzan to get back in the side,” Lambert added.
“Elsewhere, I’ve got one or two things in my head regarding a goalkeeping coach.”
“I had spoken to him long before that situation,” admitted the Villa boss.
“He’s someone who I get on really well with and have done for a long time.
“There’s no great secret regarding our relationship but I wouldn’t bring in Roy just for the sake of his name.
“I think he can bring something to the table and I’m looking forward to working with him.
“He’s a top, top guy and a great football person first and foremost. He’s got great knowledge and he’s one of the best players to come out of the Premier League.
“He’s also had a successful time at Sunderland.
“I knew he was a strong character from his time as a footballer and what he did at Sunderland reinforced it.
“He is a winner and he was the first one who came into my head.”
With regards to Keane’s outspoken and often controlling ways, Lambert added: “If I never thought I could do it (work with him), I wouldn’t.
“We’ve known each other for a while and we respect each other. Ultimately, though, the manager at any club has the last word.”
Whys he waiting till eng of wc the plsyers we will go for won’t be anywhere near Brazil they will be div 1 players
Dunno, possibly thinks a sale could be done, Lerner used the World Cup to keep it completely quiet?