Well it’s just all go isn’t it, lately?
The transfer activity is coming so thick and fast, I’m struggling to keep up, to be honest and it’s going to take me quite a while just to get all the new names sorted in my head.
I think we all knew we were going to have a bit of a clear out this summer, but not for one minute did I envisage that Tim Sherwood would be looking to totally change the team!
So what’s actually happened today?
Rudy Gestede and Jordan Veretout have both signed five-year deals, for, I believe, both undisclosed fees.
I really can’t say I know anything about Veretout apart from he’s a midfielder and frankly, don’t know much about Gestede; except that he was fairly prolific with twenty-two goals for Blackburn in the season just gone.
Perhaps I’m being slightly optimistic, but even with my lack of knowledge about pretty much any player we’ve signed, I suspect Sherwood has carried out some great business in this window.
Perhaps the big shock of the day is Nathan Baker signing a new five-year contract.
I know he’s Marmite to Villa fans, but whatever, that’s one in the eye for The Times, who were insistent that he was going to Burnley for a puny £2 million.
That said, the Times’ story did make a bit of sense where they suggested that Baker wanted to leave to play regularly. I wonder what Sherwood has said about that?
Another surprise was the story that the club bid for Joleon Lescott and seemingly had the bid accepted by West Bromwich Albion, but then overturned by manager Tony Pulis. I’d have loved to have been a fly on the wall watching that conversation between Pulis and Albion’s owner, Jeremy Pearce and it wouldn’t surprise me if Pulis had threatened to resign, as we all know he hates interference.
I’ve had a bit of mileage in that story, in winding a couple of Albion fans up, saying we’re going to get him.
The interesting point here, is that both the fans don’t want to lose Lescott. Serves them right for taking the proverbial and offering a stupidly low £2 million for Cieran Clark, in my opinion.
And finally, some of the papers would have us believe we’re still in for Denis Praet.
Like I said, it’s all go.
And I still don’t believe we’re finished yet.
Last point is that I read a blog in last night’s Birmingham Mail, where the writer voiced his concerns that with all these new players, the team might have a problem in gelling quickly enough.
He was ripped to pieces in the replies, but the truth is, I thought he made a very valid point.
We all know that some players can take a season at least to get used to the English game, after all.
I mean, Ligue 1 is a pretty decent league, but it isn’t the Premier league is it?
I’d personally expect a third of our signings to fail and the blunt truth is, it may be more, which does give me some cause for concern.
But then, I’d take the argument that wholesale change was desperately needed, as we were going nowhere with what we had.
I’m not going to let my slight concern put me off though and I’m still excited.
Oh, sorry, this is definitely the last thing.
Can someone tell me how many strikers we have now and if we sign another one, where do we think this leaves Gabby?
Comments
235 responses to “Gestede and Veretout in, Baker new contract and maybe Lescott and Praet?”
1 down already at Forest, defence looks lost, bring back Vlaar! 😉
Sinclair hat trick good on him.UTV
Having watched the wolves and forest games . We really need the defense sorting asap
Defence is very worrying still not sorted and still conceding last min goals nothing’s changed
Some good, some not so good. Midfield and attack look okay but the defence gives me the collywobbles.
Can only hope that the team that Tim plays next week plays with more conviction in defense. However I’d guess we’re going to have to be a bit patient as it may take time for the team to become a unit.
However Veretout looked good, seemed comfortable on the ball and Ayew looks hungry.
Can’t wait until we see the real team next week as Tim seemed to have played one half of the team at a time in the friendlies.
My crystal ball tells me that we’ll win 1-3 next week. Here’s hoping
UTV
3-3 ft we let a 2 goal lead slip, oh well bring on the cherries UTV
And conceded from a corner again. We are playing 2 good attacking teams first 2 games Utd especially could murder us unless defence ups it’s game.
No sign of gabby or CNZ things must be improving.
Gabbys injured
Am I going to have nightmares again about our defence.
Fraid so. Hope this isn’t like lamberks first season where we have to score at least 3 goals to get a result
Pre season friendly. Result and performance mean fuck all. It’s all about the players getting some game time and improving their fitness. Real stuff begins next week! 🙂
We could choose to ignore the same defensive fralaties we had last season or resolve them.
We could resolve them by not playing Richards at centre half!! He’ll cost us at least 15 points if that’s where he plays next season.
Who have we got that’s any better.
Whatever happens for the first few games I’m with TS & TF. Pre season is never an indicator of how the season will pan out. Whilst playing in the centre of midfield or defence may mean you see a bit more of the ball, does Richards see RB as an inferior position? Look at the influence and respect Gary Neville had foroso long. In the CB position we have proper options…Clarke, Okore in a couple of weeks, Baker etc… it sounds like TS was protecting todays CBs by taking them off early and explaining what was going wrong, rather than leaving them on the pitch having their confidence eroded. Good management. Roll on next week. Still very confident about next season.
I believe Sherwood put Sanchez at CB in the second half. Never seen the game, reading a couple of reports
This dosnt bode well if he’s already putting square pegs in round holes.
Guys – didn’t see the games but pre season friendly results are not usually a good gauge for the season itself. I feel we have to patient early on as all the new players adjust to the PL and to each other. I was fearful of Cherries away as first game but at least both sides will be new to the Premiership! 🙂
My thoughts exactly B6, everyone seems delighted that we signed Micah Richards, not me, give it a few months and I’m sure the majority of fans won’t want him at CB, overrated in my book. Might do a job at RB, but I believe he’s been promised the CB role. Concerning!
I don’t profess to be an expert over Richards but to be fair he hasn’t had much game time over the last couple of seasons (similar to Sinclair who was written of by some before he even kicked a ball!). Let’s not get on the backs of TS, the players or anyone else too quickly – that would be counter productive. I know it’s a cliche but Rome wasn’t built in a day and TS, Tom Fox et al have a massive job to rebuild the club.
Agree entirely.
I can already imagine some of the despondent wailing if we lose a few early games in the next month or so…
Il be the first in the queue Sherwoid out 🙂
Agreed I rate Richards and think he will come good but will need to stay injury free for a long period first
We are not exactly blessed with centre halves though. Also I should imagine it’s part of the deal he plays ch as its his preferred position.
@Dave.c. Don’t get me wrong mate I do think Richards would do a job for us at right back. For me he lacks the concentration and is caught out to much playing in the middle. I’d like to see someone like Lescott come in. I think he’d be good for Clark, Okore and Baker to learn off. A back four of Richards, Lescott, Okore/Clarke and Amavi fills me with more confidence that the back four we started with today, and especially the back four that we played 2nd half with!
I think we will sign another centre back. I thought it was bizarre to play with Sanchez as a centre back unless the other two who started got injured?
Dont think we need to get too concerned just yet. It was Sanchez nad Baker at the back for the last part of the game. It would surprise me if we did bring in another centre back before the window closes.
Great hatrick by Sinclair. He will be definitely starting next week now. Be interesting to see who else does.
I’d just point out that Guzan wasn’t playing, so any defensive plans are presumably going to be made this week once he’s back?
That’s the great thing the team no longer picks itself thankfully
Very weird, but I keep finding myself agreeing with you OoHah…
lol that’s a worry Ardent 🙂
Maybe we’re missing oohA’s MATE vlaar????
We need Dunne 🙂
If those two were playing together, how manypens would we give away a season?!?!?!?!
It will be interesting to see Sherwood’s first choice back 4. I can see why he would be interested in Lescott, not that I rate him that highly. The whole team will take some time to gel, but I am optimistic that we have signed some very good players, and look stronger in midfield and attack (more variation). If we get the back 4 stable and performing I think we will have a decent season.
It would be nice to get a good start next week, but promoted teams are often at their strongest then. UTV
Will be very tough next week v Bournemouth can’t see us getting more than a point in all honesty. Utd at home forget it they will turn us over I’m afraid. But still think we will do ok this season
I wonder if having half a team that hasn’t lost to United season after season might’ve important here. Just like Leicester having a go last season and turning them over
Doubt it remember we haven’t beaten them at VP since 1995 20 years. Appalling record even if Utd are a good team. So lots of players have come and gone and stiller lose. Their run will have to end sometime I suppose but our defence v Rooney and co will struggle big time
Well I think Kozak, Clark, Amavi and Sinclair have all earnt the right to be starting the season of.
The defence is a real concern and I cannot stand the fact Micah is playing as centre back and more over I cannot stand him as our captain.
We do need another centre back in and quickly, this guy has to be the proven goods as well I’m afraid.
If I’m being honest I don’t know if Micah would be my first choice at right back at the minute.
Of course early days but without jumping on the panic button to soon Bournemouth is a game we should be winning and if it was a game towards the tail end of the season we would certainly be expecting the win.
Positives though are Clark can defend, Amavi looks great traveling up field and can certainly put in a dangerous ball, Gueye looks very comfortable on the ball and gets about the pitch well, Sinclair seems to have muscled his way into the squad and is finding the back of the often. Kozak scored some great goals and at the moment looks our best attacker.
The overall squad looks very fit and sharp. All it takes is for a few new signings to hit the ground running and this new team will start to find its way.
Let’s just rembrr what’s been done had to be done!
I think ideally with all fit Tim wants a back 3 Richards Okore and Clark Bacuna and Amavi attacking wing backs and Gueye Vertout and Westwood in the middle. Based on today Sinclair starts at 10 behind Kozak. But with Okore out maybe he sees Sanchez as a possible sweeper. He did put him there in one game last year – forget which. He reads the game well and has only just got back so needs time to get match fit.
Lots of permutations now to keep us all guessing.
That may be the answer. I think we need two defensive midfielders to play in front of defence. Maybe a 52111 type of system. With Richards, Ckarke, Okore/baker as a back 3 with amavi and Hutton as wing bks. Have possible Gueye and Sanchez as the defensive 2 in front of CHs with vertoute in CM between defense and attack with Sinclair/Gil/Grealish in the hole and Gestede up front. On the bench Agew, Kozac Grealish/Gill/ Gabby and Crespo
Joe Cole was outstanding when he came on,,,,,,,,Crespo,,,,,is he Luna in diguise, bloody awful prior to going off.
Micah was immense, broke forward, Westy will need to sit back when he does that in the league, Amanvi looks class and Ayew showed enough to ensure that Gabby is finished.
Sinclair has to start next week…..I get the feeling TS just don’t fancy Kozak…..we’ll see.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/457060/Exclusive-145m-takeover-back-table-Aston-Villa is this more bollox?
I’ve just seen that.
I wonder where they might have got that from?
Total bollox imo.
Nonsense Report,
Agree why would Lerner spend £45m if he’s selling.
To make the club look better for sale. You gotta admit we look a lot more attractive a proposition now than at the end of last season.
True. It no one knows how new signings will pan out. I think most will be ok but won’t gel till around Xmas.
i normally rubbish news papers but they have been spot on all through the close season
Reports are Adebayor has completed medical and we have agreed terms with Spurs, but he is haggling over his wages……. hmmmm He should be grateful of the opportunity, I smell trouble!
That’s because we’re probably looking to reduce the £100k per week diwn to £60k – well, at least I hope that’s the reason.
………. or else get him on a play well and we’ll pay you basis!
At last common sense. No problem on a pay as u play and score deal.
60k a week is ridiculous for us to pay on a player like that. If that’s the case why didn’t we just give benteke an extra 60k a week and keep him.
We don’t need him why are we wasting money on this mercenary when we could buy a decent CH and RB instead. Ridiculous
i agree . with the attackers we have bought a RB and CB have to be more important than a washed up lazy strikers. we have one of them already at the club and at least ours supports the villa.
If it is taking him 5 days to sort his wages there is only 2 outcomes and both are negative..
a) he comes to us but thinks he is worth more than we are paying = he goes on a sulk
b) we pay him what he wants, which means he is the highest paid player = everyone else goes on a sulk
I think we should pull the plug !
Exactly I think Spurs and Adebeyor are forgetting one thing that is : we are doing them the favour taking him not the other way round!
Agreed
Hi Saddened, just trying to catch up on events got back lastnight, I’m not a favorite of Adebayor seems to switch off a lot in games, as for the new lot, god knows what we’ve got, not taking much notice on results from friendlies mean nothing but fitness. I’m worried on experience of incoming foreigners and their fitness to our premiere league game, think its a wait and see.
Hi Bill – hope you had a good one. Lots going on and some good players acquired at price levels we said we wanted to see. Agree with you that it’s now down to TS to get them playing together. Think we’ll see plenty of goals ………. at both ends!
Hi Bill welcome home MATE,it’s gone a bit ooh la la at the club as you might notice.
better than oohaha I suppose!
IV been positive lately this is the new oohagh 🙂
Hi Bill, welcome home!
Very exciting at the club, we have some great additions… Is now up to Tim to get them up for it and Mr Wilkins to get them technically ready, I am quietly confident we may just be the surprise package next season, we have the back up and team…. so no excuses !
We did need wholesale changes tbf but I’m a bit worried it may be too many too soon. But surely can’t be any worse than the dross of last 3 seasons.
Welcome home Bill…..bet you cant name all 9 of our new arrivals in under 30 seconds 🙂
I find I’m (slightly) agreeing with Oohahh in that it might look like that there have been too many changes.
However I strongly feel that radical surgery was required. The losing mentality had gotten too deeply into the footballing DNA of too many of our players and so they had to go.
I can only ask Oohahh and all of you to be a bit patient with the new team as it will take time to get them playing as a unit. However I feel optimistic that Tim and the new management team will make it happen in time.
Getting very excited and hoping to watch Villa beat Bournemouth by two goals on MOTD next Saturday
UTV
Well I will be there Pat. A historic day for me because Bournemouth are my second team following the epic Div 3 game at VP. If you are right about the score it will be 5-3 to Villa because I can see Cherries putting 3 past Guzan if the defending in front of him mirrors our performance in recent friendlies.
I am 100% in favour of the total make over. As you say it was needed to expunge the losing mentality. You are right also that Villa will need time to gel and playing a good side who can score from all positions is a tough start. I have to say I wouldn’t want Distin or Ings at Villa so I am doubtful Howe has strengthened his side with those 2. Roll on Saturday.
Ings at Bournemouth????
A Trypo Langford – sorry, it should read MINGS.
I will be patient think by Xmas the team should gel nicely and get some consistency. But should imagine form will be erratic for first few months.
talk of Gary Gardner going back to Forest on loan. Im thinking he is done at villa . its starting to look like he will never be injury free and maybe time to let him go.
You may be right but can’t legislate for the tackle that left him injured this time; gutted for the lad
Yes shame for him, I always thought he would be exceptional, but have the feeling now he will only be decent for the championship.
Hi Hi, giddy Langford, Saddened, oh f-+”*t it all of you, even Oohah’s, yes been on ship what a surprise to see Sherwood meant what he said to the Wembley lot find another club, just been speaking to my nipper happy as pig in shit, now let’s get behind the team and Oohah’s if you mean what your saying a new Oohah’s,well welcome to the club, I see happy days ahead, Hitch, them flaming weeds have took over since I’ve been away.bigger than my runners,
Same problem Bill – can’t see my onions for mares tail – need a blo**y flamethrower 🙂
I do mean it Bill IV had major surgery with the team 🙂
Domingo, I was thinking exactly the same when I read the article.
I suspect he’s finished at the Villa and Forest will probably buy him cheap in the winter window or get him for nothing next summer, which is when his contract is up.
Shame.
i feel sorry for him . he had the reputation of being the best youth team player we have produced for a long time (before grealish came along) . he just cant stay fit and with us bringing in young midfield talent i think we will let him go on loan and when his contract runs out he will join some team for free. great shame 🙁
Probably right
French Media, saying we are now in advanced talks with Diego Rolan…… fingers crossed, lets give adebayor the heave ho !
See Alan Smith predicts we’ll finish 16th –
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/11777974/Premier-League-201516-Alan-Smiths-predictions.html?frame=3385300
Also predicts Barcodes, Newcastle, Palace,Bournemouth will finish above us! Hope TS prints it off and puts it on the dressing room wall.
Now for my prediction that we’ll finish above the Barcodes, Newcastle, Palace and Bournemouth starting with 3 points next Saturday.
UTV
I think we could finish in top ten as long as we get defence sorted.
Hello Bill 🙂
Langford, I probably couldn’t name all our new players in 30 minutes, let alone 30 seconds!
I’m glad there seems to be a little playing down of our expectations, as although I expect us do ok this season, I foresee lots of turbulence along the way, where we could see some really unexpected results.
I have a sneaky feeling Bournemouth will be one of those.