Players left behind for the Germany trip.

As you’ll probably already know, Ross McCormack, Gary Gardner, Aaron Tshibola and Tommy Elphick have not travelled with the squad for the Germany trip.
It seems some people are quite surprised about it, but I really can’t see why?

McCormack’s position at the club is quite simply untenable in my opinion, as although there was a PR job by Steve Bruce suggesting the player was getting a second chance etc, to me it was always rubbish. I don’t think for one minute the player would forgive the manager after “Gate-gate” and he quite simply wants out at any cost.
The only question for me is how much we’ll be able to get for him.
£7 million maybe, at a push?
Another big fat loss, but equally fat wages off the books.

Gary Gardner is another one that doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.
As much as I’ve wanted him to come good for us, as he’s “one of our own”, the actual fact is he’s been poor whenever he’s played for us under Bruce and that’s the only thing the manager will have seen.
It’s a shame, as I’m sure there is a decent player in there, but there’s too much competition in midfield and I just don’t see where Gardner will get a game.
I’ve just read an article that suggests Rangers ought to go for him and I’d say that’s a great shout, because just as we all knew Sinclair would shine in Scotland, so you can see Gardner doing the same.
Fee? I’d guess at £1 million.

Tshibola was loaned out by Bruce at the first opportunity and although I don’t think he’s been given enough of a chance, it would seem Bruce doesn’t rate him at all.
I’m not sure who would want to buy him, but it certainly won’t be anywhere near the supposed £5 million we paid (another shocking bit of business) and he’ll more likely go out on loan.

And Elphick is leaving, another one we pretty much already know.
This is probably the one that surprises the most (but not much), as although there’s been plenty of speculation and it looks odds on that melted-welly face will sign him, so I’m not convinced letting him go is a good idea.
Surely he’s excellent back-up after all?
I suppose he wants to play regularly though and you can’t blame him.
Fee?
£2 to 2.5 million I would hope and another fat wage off the books.

That’s all speculation on my part though and it may well simply be down to one or more of those players having a knock or personal issue or something, but certainly none of them surprise me.

Cissokho and Veretout haven’t travelled either, but again, they’re certs to be gone.
With the latter, it was interesting to read that it was indeed the club that pulled his move to St Etienne and not the player himself (thanks for that heads up “Giddyvillan”).
I unreservedly apologise for slating him on my first impressions of the story and at the end of the day if there have been better offers for his services, the club quite simply has to go with them.
It was also interesting to see that the French club were very quick to blame the player himself though.
I still suspect he might end up there, as I reckon that’s the move he wants.

113 Comments

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  1. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson July 23, 2017 at 3:57 pm . Reply

    Same here Hitch.?

  2. Hitchens 60
    Hitchens 60 July 23, 2017 at 3:58 pm . Reply

    Just seen the replays 2-0 Villa final score.

    Whelan looked the part – both Villa teams looked good with a solid defence and nice forward play. Some good kids as well. UTV

  3. badger123
    badger123 July 23, 2017 at 3:58 pm . Reply

    I assume it finished 2-0.
    Hands up, I thought Bjarrnasson was excellent.
    Whelan gets stuck in, doesn’t he?

  4. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson July 23, 2017 at 3:58 pm . Reply

    Where’s our bleeding cup.

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 July 23, 2017 at 3:59 pm . Reply

      🙂

      1. Hitchens 60
        Hitchens 60 July 23, 2017 at 3:59 pm . Reply

        Presentations on now

  5. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson July 23, 2017 at 3:59 pm . Reply

    Ho look funny men on now.

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 July 23, 2017 at 4:01 pm . Reply

      Is Gabby going to speak German! 🙂

  6. nath
    nath July 23, 2017 at 4:01 pm . Reply

    and we thought we took friendlies serious they give us a cup lmao

  7. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson July 23, 2017 at 4:02 pm . Reply

    Which was Gabby the one with the beak.?

  8. nath
    nath July 23, 2017 at 4:03 pm . Reply

    practice for us lifting the championship later this year

  9. Hitchens 60
    Hitchens 60 July 23, 2017 at 4:03 pm . Reply

    It’s an f’ing big cup – another one for the sideboard JT – join the Villa to win silverware 🙂

    1. Hitchens 60
      Hitchens 60 July 23, 2017 at 4:05 pm . Reply

      It might only be the Traditions Cup but we’re smiling again

      UTV

  10. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN July 23, 2017 at 4:06 pm . Reply

    Samba’s going to rule the air in the penalty boxes defending or attacking, we seem to have more grit in the middle now bring on Hull

  11. badger123
    badger123 July 23, 2017 at 4:06 pm . Reply

    Bloody hell, is AVTV five minutes behind or something?
    JT’s only just lifted it here!

  12. ifiruledtheworld
    ifiruledtheworld July 23, 2017 at 4:08 pm . Reply

    A lot of positives today. Hogan back amongst the goals, the new signings settling in well. Terry is gonna be a real asset. I really liked the look of that Whelan/Lansbury partnership in the second game, and I’m warming to Samba more and more with each game! I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I have a special mention for Bjarnasson. He played with some intent today and really put himself about. He always does the latter really but the quality is sometimes missing, but not today. Even with the position change his performance never faultered. More of that please, will always have room for a player like this at the club!!

    1. OohAhPaulMcGrath
      OohAhPaulMcGrath July 23, 2017 at 4:09 pm . Reply

      We won the cup we won the cup. Champions of Germany you’ll never win that 😄😄😄

      1. Hitchens 60
        Hitchens 60 July 23, 2017 at 4:17 pm . Reply

        You need to lie down Oohah 🙂

      2. GIDDYVILLAN
        GIDDYVILLAN July 23, 2017 at 4:19 pm . Reply

        Keep off that cooking sherry it doesn’t suit you

  13. Bill Pearson
    Bill Pearson July 23, 2017 at 4:10 pm . Reply

    He was ace today Bjarnason.

    1. GIDDYVILLAN
      GIDDYVILLAN July 23, 2017 at 4:12 pm . Reply

      I agree mate he’s looking more & more comfortable on the ball as each game goes

  14. GIDDYVILLAN
    GIDDYVILLAN July 23, 2017 at 4:10 pm . Reply

    Guaranteed someone on here is going to find a fault too fucking predictable these days VTID SOTC

  15. nath
    nath July 23, 2017 at 4:18 pm . Reply

    anybody think grealish might be a decent second striker. or just the attacking midfielder. i am preferring him playing down the middle. he is harder to pick up for the opposition. he does have a decent shot on him, seems to be stronger now and he is so hard to stop when he is running at you. especially when hes heading into the box

  16. nath
    nath July 23, 2017 at 4:45 pm . Reply

    no sign of the dreaded 352 532 19 28 37 64 or 55

  17. Andrew
    Andrew July 23, 2017 at 11:55 pm . Reply

    Wow, it’s like the 4-3-3 works well with our players who suit the system. I wonder who mentioned that… But no, some of our fans think 3 at the back and 2 up front is the way to go.

    However this largely comes down to when Kodjia is fit, what does Bruce play.

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