There’s not really much happening, but I thought I might go through a few things, just to see if they raise some discussion points.
First off is the news that AVFC have banned eleven members of Brigada 1874 from the ground on the basis that they’ve ignored warnings about the ground regulations.
Now I know that there are mixed feelings about this group, but it strikes me as a shame.
Yes, I know they can be a pain in the backside in being rowdy and obstructing the view, etc, but my experience is that they do help to create a better atmosphere; something that has been desperately lacking at Villa Park at times, in my opinion.
Football grounds are already too sterile and while I know the club will say they have to follow the rules, I do suspect they go out of their way to make examples of this sort of thing and it just alienates those who run the club from the fans even more.
But then, perhaps I’ve got things wrong?
The club has been awarded the “best fan engagement” at the Football business awards.
I’m not sure what to think about that, but it’s probably another irrelevant KPI box ticked.
We’ve been linked to various players already, but I’m not even going to go into those stories, as I think they’re all total rubbish.
I very much doubt Remi Garde has had time to properly assess the players we have got, seeing as he only met them face to face for the first time just over a week ago, let alone have made up his mind about who he wants in.
Perhaps of more interest is the story that Tiago Ilori could be on his way back to Liverpool, as Jurgen Klopp wants to see all the available players.
That part might make sense, but what doesn’t, is the news that the player is supposed to be injured or at least not fit.
So why they’d want to recall a player who isn’t ready, when we’re paying his wages, doesn’t make sense to me. No doubt we’ll see.
Talksport (yes, I know) ran an article about some super computer that has run an algorithm that predicts the final league positions.
We’re predicted to come 18th. That’s possibly an improvement on last months prediction.
They also ran an article about the average height of teams, where a quick glance showed we were around midtable and the conclusion was that height doesn’t matter.
Talk about irrelevant subjects, but I do have to laugh.
I don’t think I’ll bother putting links up for them.
In better news, the under-21s whupped Genk 1-6 in Belgium. Hepburn-Murphy bagged a couple and that’s a great result at any level.
Comments
137 responses to “News round up”
Not much happening at all really, is there?
And to make it worse, it’s another international break 🙁
Personally I’ve believed for a long time that the atmosphere at VP almost entirely depends on how the team are playing [ -granted that a lot changed overall when we went all-seated, but the same applied everywhere].
For a very long time Villa fans at home have watched pretty dire football and poor results – and that seemed to be the case even when MON’s team were doing very well away from home – edgy, scrappy, nervous performances against teams that we should have stuffed [& often did, away]. And that atmosphere has become ingrained.
I know some people will say it’s a chicken-and-egg question: do the team cause the atmosphere, or do nervous fans affect the team? Probably a bit of both, but I’m quite sure that VP can still ‘rock’ – as long as there’s something good happening on the pitch.
I totally agree Ardent and I hinted at it on Sunday.
Give the fans something to sing about and they’ll do it, no problem.
I’m not sure I’d agree about “away” though.
Home and away are worlds apart for atmosphere.
Badger, my point was simply that our home form has seemed atrocious for years; even at times when the league position was good, I struggle to remember the last time it was actually enjoyable to watch Villa play at VP other than rare, one-off, games – IMO probably not since Gregory was there.
I agree that home and travelling support are completely different, but the ‘home’ fans have had to endure the nervy, edgy Villa for what – 10 years or longer? Hardly surprising that the atmosphere can be so dire so often.
Badger according to the media reports on the OS Ilori has a season long loan (I assume that means he cannot be recalled) with an option to buy but has failed to impress so far. Currently has an ankle injury and has made just one appearance for the U21’s as a defensive mid. Please don’t shoot the messenger 🙂
Yes, that’s a good point Hitch.
He’s ours for the season.
Failed to impress Sherwood, after he was signed on Reilly’s say so, you mean.
I’m not sure that means a lot though and I’d think Garde will want to see him in training. at somewhere near full fitness, before making a decision on him.
I hope he comes good, fwiw, especially if he can do a job at RB too, as has been suggested.
Too true Badger. I’m beginning to wonder whether we should put any store by who impressed or, more importantly, failed to impress Sherwood. The saying ‘all mouth and trousers’ springs even more readily to mind when thinking of our latest departed manager!
I didn’t quite mean it in that way Hitch.
I was thinking more that with TS probably being the stubborn type, it wouldn’t have mattered how good the player was, he wouldn’t have impressed Sherwood.
I suppose it boils down to the same thing though. Poor management.
See your point. Agreed we are probably saying the same thing
Blimey, I’d never heard of this one before;
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-centre-half-shot-10425629
I recall reading about Tommy Bell on another internet site several months ago Badger. Tragic story, imagine if it happened today, it would be world wide news!
And they call them “the good old days” !
I had to laugh at the Blues fans bragging about their away attendance at Fulham. Almost 4,000. Isnt that about their average home attendance over the last 12 months?
We’re linked to a young CB from… Ligue 1. Lamine Kone, who would probably replace Ilori.
Also linked to a 19 year old midfielder from Anderlecht, currently on loan in Serie B, has attracted interest from Napoli and Sevilla as well.
Suspect at best I say.
Lamine Kone is 26 from what I read online? He is not especially young and plays mainly as a center back so I am unsure about the Ilori replacement.
Last one, Bastien, is raw talent and I really can’t see him getting a start anytime soon.
He’s not young, mis-read his and Karius’s ages. Ilori is a center back though, so I’d suspect he would be the replacement for him as Ilori’s not a RB like some fans want. I personally don’t think Lescott will play much, if at all under Garde, so could be his replacement too.
He is a raw talent, and at 19 is still quite highly rated. Garde’s reportedly interested so he might even be a sub at Villa.
Hasn’t Garde already said we won’t be buying any more players from France this season?
It’s possible, but I don’t recall him saying that Hitch.
It seems a bit daft that he’d write off a country?
The only comment I recall was that he wouldn’t favour the French lads.
I’m not saying you’re wrong though.
I could definitely see Kone as a Lescott replacement, plus with Senderos nearly gone and Okore still missing we could definitely use some coverage sooner than later.
Hitchens – there was an article going around with the headline of something along those lines, but for the life of me I can’t remember if Garde actually said something. It could just be the headline, but I am sure if he did comment it was probably along the line of he wanted to assess the group first and had no plans to raid Lyon. I could be wrong though.
According to the Daily Mail, this is what he said:
“‘There are enough French players here in the team for now.
‘No matter where you come from, the problem is to be good on the field, respect the people, the club and the country where you are playing. ”
Enough French players for now, they went with the headline of he won’t raid Ligue 1 for anymore players, but he said for now there’s enough. Which too be fair we hardly have any.
Veretout, Amavi, and technically N’Zogbia. But Gueye, Ayew, aren’t even French. Now that you look at it, we really didn’t raid them all that much. But we have 3 French players.
Don’t think there’s really anyone at Lyon that would come to us, I know we were instantly linked to Gonalons, who is a very good player, but so is Sanchez so he’s not really necessary. Either older players who I don’t think he’d risk getting, or young and quality that would have better sides after them.
I can see a Ligue 1 player or two still coming though.
Thanks for that Andrew – knew I’d read something somewhere.
We’re also being linked to Joe Allen and Mainz’s goalie.
If you listen to all the rumours, we’ll have a complete new squad in before Garde has learned the existing player’s names.
You have to laugh and I know some love the speculation, but how many of these come right?
And then you have to factor in how much money the manager will get to spend, which probably won’t be much.
Joe Allen signed for Pool in a deal worth up to £15 mill and the thought of getting him in is just preposterous when we have much more pressing positions to be adressed, imo.
Allen won’t happen. Not the kind of player Garde will want.
I think he’ll have a fair bit to spend, Houllier got to sign Bent, think Garde will get a similar backing.
I do love some speculation myself too. I do think we’ll look to sign a CB and Striker in January. Possibly a keeper and possibly a RB but have my doubts on the latter two.
as an aside is K Mac back in charge of the u21s
Good question.
There’s no mention here;
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/WhosWho
But it doesn’t mention Almstadt and Reilly either.
Depends what you call a fair bit, I suppose, Andrew,
Personally, I’d be thinking £25 mill or more, given what Lerner stands to lose, but there’s no chance of that, imo.
I’m not convinced we’ll get another CB in. We can perm any two of Okore, Clark and Richards and that still leaves Lescott, Baker, Crespo and Ilori as backup.
I’d agree with a striker, but we already have Gestede, Ayew, Sinclair and even Gabby at a push, who already offer options, but haven’t proven very sucessful up to now?
Hence another striker would surely have to be quality and proven and hence goes back to my point about money?
Maybe we need to concentrate more on getting the ball into whatever striker(s) do start?
I know you like the speculation.
I can live with it, but it winds me up, especially when it’s not realistic.
Going back to Allen, he’d probably cost close to what will be our entire budget for January.
I sincerely hope I’m wrong in that, though.
I’d personally have the RB top of the list, particularly one who can cross, although maybe Traore will come back in?
It’s all guesswork, which will be decided by what goes on results-wise over the next few weeks, I suppose.
I’d say around 15-20m would do. Gotta remember Baker’s out on loan, I don’t think Lescott’s in favor and Ilori might not be here come January. Crespo’s back up and Okore can’t keep fit. That leaves 3, maybe 4 counting Lescott. A 5th won’t go amiss.
Sinclair’s not a striker, nor do I think he’ll be used as one. I think it does leave room for 1 striker and I think we have the money to do so.
Very true, Veretout and Gil were hugely at fault for not doing that at City.
Eh, it’s fun speculation. Allen won’t cost 15m, I don’t think anyways. Possibly half that if we really want him. I mean if Garde won’t favor Westwood, he won’t do it for Allen.
A RB should be top the list but I think he’ll like Hutton, for whatever reason. Maybe it’s the fact he’ll when he actually is defending which is quite rare, will put his body on the line on crosses and tackles, too bad that’s so rare though.
Also part of the boring group of EPL clubs after some Championship defender, supposedly. Highly doubtful, but supposedly.
Full backs or at least a system to cut out crosses is a must………we could so easily have lost by 3 against City and having played better and differently that would have been horrible.Cant see those crosses not being converted in other matches.
Think I would like to see us in a few more games before deciding where our true weaknesses lie. Citeh are champions elect and it seems unrealistic to make judgements after one game with Garde in charge – particularly given that there exists a view amongst the fans that the squad is better than the results so far.
After saying that I acknowledge that there is general agreement on here that we can improve at GK and RB BUT if Garde can stop Hutton over comitting himself with a better crosser of the ball in front of him? I think our priority should be an experienced striker capable of linking play and scoring 12 – 15 goals a year and who doesn’t spend most of his time on the treatment table; problem is that I can’t think of one!
Even though Hutton had his best showing for a good while against City and Amavi makes up for his positional failings with a decent turn of pace?
Full back is always a compromise when they’re expected to get forward so much in the modern game.
Yet other clubs don’t have so much of a problem, so perhaps it just comes down to a lack of sufficient quality again?
I’m glad I’m not a manager.
If our Prem status (as seems likely) still looks shaky come January, Lerner will have to spend. However, the lesson of Bent is that a lot of money may secure that status, but when you replace a manager you are back at the bottom rung of transfer spending.
To most of us it seems a straightforward decision, but Lerner may be feeling a bit differently.
Looking at things in a different way. The decision to sack Lambert and bring in Sherwood was brilliant in hindsight. Who else would have kept us up? Then he was given his chance to prove he could do a longer job, but under a different buying strategy (and most of us like what we have brought in on balance). Then Lerner gave him enough time to make those players work, and when he failed, fired him and appointed Garde.
If Garde keeps us up and shows real progression, Lerner is a genius.
Anyone disagree?
I doubt anyone would disagree DSV, although I’d say Garde would be the genius, not Lerner.
I’ve just read an article by Ron Toss, saying Lerner needs to spend on a 1 in 2 chance striker.
The thing for me is we never came anywhere near replacing Benteke, who although unproven, was at least fairly prolific before he came to Villa.
I wonder how much we tried to keep him, in reality?
If its a striker we need I’m sure there’s a lot of talent in La Ligue and who better than Garde to know about it.
Man Ure got Martial from there so I’d guess that Garde already has a shopping list ready for January. Hope it also includes a GK and RB though!
According to Wiki – Gestede’s record at Blackburn was 32 goals in 60 games?
Mind you, his career record overall is nowhere near as good.
Absolutely fair point Ardent.
Perhaps it’s like I said and we don’t necessarily need another striker.
We just need to get the ball where it’ll be more effective?
Hopefully Garde will see the solution.
And yes Pat, perhaps it’ll include a French striker.
A lot easier to do it in the Championship unfortunately. A lot of mediocre strikers do it, but he has nothing to offer bar being semi-decent in the air, which he hasn’t even impressed doing that yet. Striker’s have to be more than target men in the box nowadays. Benteke was much more than that.
My comments were a bit tongue in cheek Badger. I think Lerner may have stumbled his way to here, and to be fair it’s too early to read anything into Garde’s reign. Fingers crossd though
Re: Gestede – my comment was also a bit tongue in cheek. “Lies, damned lies, and statistics” as someone once said.
Yes, Andrew I do realise it’s a lot easier in the lower divisions, and probably in Ligue 1 as well; but players with an average of a goal every second game in the PL, or Seria A, etc., are probably completely out of Villa’s price range, even if they could be persuaded to join a relegation fight!
But apart from the goal ratio, isn’t there another issue: How many games does that player have to play over a season to be worth the money? Someone who’s only fit to play in 15-20 games a season may bag 8,10 or 12 goals for you – and yes, that could make a difference to something at the end of the season – but as I suspect Liverpool are finding with Benteke, if you’re going to pay a fat transfer fee and big wages, surely you want someone who can play at least 30+ full games, even if his ratio is a bit lower overall?
Gestede is a great player to have on the bench, but he cannot be our main striker, he just doesn’t have the ability in the Premier League. The fight for that place should be between Ayew and Kozak. If Garde doesnt like the look of Kozak, then we need another main striker in Jan.
What about Gabby?????
Lol!!!!!! 🙂
Bum bum, looking at our squad we have a player Cresbo ? a right back ,or central defender.ever seen this guy? I can’t recall this player.
Bill – Crespo did start in a couple of games under our last dear departed manager – seem to recall he did OK but he was only ever bought as a back up not likely to be a regular starter
Now, now Bum Bum 🙂 careful what you say on here 🙂
Hitch, ok a back up? he’s 28 years old we’ve been struggling on player’s positions just don’t make sense to me, still this guy will sort it I’m sure. Abonglahor behave.
Haha. Gabby is as much of a striker as Heskey was.
I’m not sure who you are insulting there Benno 🙂
Seems from today’s media reports that we might have under estimated Richards leadership qualities. Fair play to him and if he continues to play like Sunday at CB then he should stay there – in my humble opinion of course!
Amavi stretchered off in France’s U21 game against Ireland. Looked awful, serious knee issue there. Could be out for a long time.
Looked horrendous, can’t see him playing again this season
Agreed, be fortunate he comes back near the same player he was.
Villa’s ‘luck’ strikes again
Hitch, I’m sure you know the old saying “you make your own luck”.
I suspect Lerner is getting his.
I’m gutted if Amavi is out long term 🙁
Just what I’m thinking he will definitely lose some pace I would imagine.
Oh sh!t. A loss for the team but if so I feel more sorry for the player.
Agreed DSVilla
If you’re the ghoulish type (and I am, as I want to see what happened), here’s the video;
http://www.offthepost.info/blog/2015/11/video-aston-villas-jordan-amavi-suffers-horror-injury/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+offthepost%2FTLAa+%28Off+The+Post%29
He’s out for months, at least imo 🙁
Be lucky to get him bk for Easter
I doubt he will ever come bk as good after that
F***
Amavi out. You have got to be kidding me. How much bad luck can we get!
Any news on Amavi? Nasty injury…
Our best crosser of a ball too. Maybe worth trying illori I think he can play anywhere across bk four. If he goes in Jan then sign another left bk. Amavi will be lucky to be bk before Easter and he will prob never be the same
So we need a left back with a bit of pace, to cover us for 7 weeks until we can buy somebody, preferably able to get forward occasionally and cross a ball – and he has to be at Villa now! Tough one that, but we do have a player not wanted elsewhere in the team who could do the job. Gabby.
Gabby at left bk seriously. Why is it are defenders are injury prone and what was he doing playing in a meaningless international when we need him. Joke
That kind of injury doesn’t mean injury prone, it’s just a bad injury. And he wants to impress enough to make the senior France squad, he wanted to play that “meaningless” International. 99.9% of players do.
We don’t even know the extent of the injury yet. Do you work for the club ? Let’s not panic.
OS (and France U21’s coach) being pretty cagey about the extent of Amavi’s injury.
Hitch, word is knee injury bad sprain or might be tissue damage unable to say yet.report out later. looking at the video hard to say, but you know how some players are, read between the lines.
Saw the update on the OS Bill – just have to wait. Whatever the result (of the scans) he’s likely to be out for an extended period just hope it’s not the rest of the season. Another test for Garde – one we could do without – but it will be interesting to see how he responds tactically. Let’s hope there are no more injuries in tonight’s games.
Just wondering (no hoping really) whether Amavi’s injury is that bad?
Nothing in the BBC site yet about it. (Mutters a prayer)
My bet is 8 weeks out. Which means were stuck with Richardson ffs. I’d maybe get someone from the reserves give them a chance maybe, don’t know who though!?
Best bet is Kinsella.
Can we get Cissokho back, or is it a season long loan?
This is a big blow to Villa if our LB is out for a while. I was thinking about Cissoko can he be called back. I think he played under Garde in France
Nope, neither him nor Bennett can come back due to neither being part of the 25 man squad so recalling them wouldn’t do anything. We’re stuck with Richardson or Kinsella.
In fairness, Crespo was a left back and center back last season before we signed him. So he could replace Amavi for now.
No ideal and he will be out of position, but how about Bacuna?
Bacuna probably wouldn’t be the worst idea. Could always play Clark there too, and have Lescott next to Richards, which is far from ideal but Clark defensively would add stability to the back. Could also go 3 at the back and play with wingbacks.
I would be open to a balanced 3 at the back, but it is still the same question though – who plays left, because I think we would still need someone to make an attempt to track back and I know N’Zogbia, Sinclair, and Grealish won’t be doing much of that.
I think Gabby could work as a wingback as he’ll track back. Not as a straight up Left Back though. Sinclair might work for a couple games too. Or Bacuna on the left as a wingback.
Credit to Gabby, he would play anywhere. I would love to see it.
Thanks for that info Andrew. I forgot about the 25 man squad
The thought of Gabby as a LB/LWB fascinates me.
Do any of us seriously think he can defend like a defender should?
Seriously?
I’d rather have Bennett and that’s saying something.
LWB possibly, with 3 CB’s behind him and Sanchez around, I think he’d do pretty decent, at least for 2 months. Well month and a half. Or if Amavi’s not back yet.
No of course he couldn’t. I think FB is one of the hardest positions to play. Gabby does not have anything like the concentration and awareness needed. God help us if he plays there. At least as a forward he is just ineffective. As a fullback we might as well stick an opposition shirt on him.
Gabby has filled in at left back when we were out of subs or the LB was red carded, I saw one of them, but cannot remember who against. He is a clean tackler when he wants to be, does as he is told by the CB (that could be a problem, who is to do the telling?). I would prefer him to Richardson who still cannot last 90 minutes.
OK OLL I respect your opinion. I have watched Gabby plenty of times and have seen him watching the ball and not anticipating, and not tracking back on the left side that he would end up defending in this scenario. To suggest that he tackles cleanly when he wants to is hardly a ringing endorsement though. I doubt Garde will play him there, but I predict it will all end in tears if he does. Of course he could be brilliant and I would be on here holding my hands up and accepting you are right. That’s not going to happen though 🙂 That’s a bottle of red wine speaking!
BTW I would play Richardson for 60-70 minutes rather than risk 90 minutes of Gabby there.