It’s that time of the year again when ITK’s appear from their winter hibernation and our ‘click bait’ inspired media reach for the regurgitate button on their computers.
Or maybe I’ve just become extremely cynical in my advancing years.
No matter how much we try not to, as fans we repeatedly fall for the rumours because we want to believe that our club is going to improve by signing quality players.
Often though we are left disappointed and that’s been particularly true at Villa over recent years where other clubs have prospered by picking up players on the cheap from us after we’ve paid far too much money – that is until Sawaris and Edens arrived on the scene.
The transfer window officially opens on Wednesday but I suspect that the European Championship will mean that transfer activity is likely to be limited until mid July after the Euros finish. In this regard, Villa have been fast off the mark to secure a main target outbidding Arsenal in the process which in itself is another example of how our owners are changing the way in which the club acts and behaves. I just wonder, though, how much influence Emi Martinez may have had in ‘helping’ Buendia to make up his mind?
It’s a long time since we can reflect on a transfer window where, with perhaps the exception of Barkley on loan, every player brought in last summer has not only contributed to the improvement in quality of the squad but have increased in value – even Watkins at £28m looks a cracking investment. The mark of a good business is knowing that it cannot stand still and we’ve seen continual improvements at management level as well – Johan Lange and Mark Harrison to name but two. Now we’re seeing changes in our scouting system which seems to be moving to a more targeted (analytic driven) approach to finding senior players whilst retaining a traditional approach to searching for young talent to add to the Academy – which is already demonstrating significant improvement in quality as demonstrated by winning the FA Youth Cup in such a commanding and exciting style.
So the reflections are clear and offering, at last, the bright future promised in the past but not delivered.
Back to the upcoming transfer window.
Heaton, Elmo and Taylor have left the club having not been offered new contracts – although that might not have been the case with Heaton. Hourihane and Guilbert will be returning from their respective loan spells as will Kalinic and it remains to be seen whether they will leave the club during this window. Of the three it seems that Hourihane and Kalinic may well make their loans permanent. Guilbert, I think will stay with the club and provide competition for Cash and with Kessler ready to step up will avoid Villa having to part with money for a right back.
Every member of the FA Youth Cup-winning team has been retained and quite rightly so. There are a number that will be challenging for a start in the first team including the aforementioned Kessler, Louie Barry, Carney Chukwuemeka and Aaron Ramsey. However the club may decide they need to go out on loan and have appointed Mile Jedinak as Loan Player Development Coach.
Question marks remain around Wesley and Davis and I expect the latter to go out on loan to a Championship club. For Wesley, who did suffer a horrific knee injury, pre-season is going to be make or break but, having splashed out £22m on him, I can’t see Villa giving up on their investment just yet.
This transfer window is another one in which we want to see a continued progression. The first window back in the Premiership was about quantity, the second added some real quality but was also about adding to squad depth. I can’t see us messing with the team too much but rather looking to build on quality with three, maybe four, really good buys.
What do we need – an attacking, high quality, wide player was generally seen as a must and that’s been filled by Buendia – it should also finally squash the Milot Rashica rumours. A defensive midfielder and a centre-forward are also high on the must buy list, whilst a left back to provide competition / cover for Targett is a requirement.
Ward-Prowse would be an excellent buy for the defensive mid-field player although Southampton have made it clear he’s not available. However, Villa are a different proposition now and Southampton may not be able to fend off a big offer should it materialise. We’ve shown with Buendia that we are an attractive proposition and can now compete with the ‘big boys’ in the transfer market.
I like Abraham but is he too similar to Watkins? I note that Chris Wood has been mentioned. He’s more of an old fashioned centre forward, strong in the air and would surely compliment Watkins style of play. He is also likely to cost significantly less than Abraham, although at 29 he might not fit the Villa transfer model!
I will leave others to suggest a left back as I literally have no idea who we might turn to.
And to finish – a cautionary tale. It was reported that Milot Rashica had turned down a move to Villa last summer as ‘he didn’t want to be involved in a relegation battle’ preferring to stay with Werder Bremen (who had themselves only just avoided relegation from the Bundesliga in the 19-20 season). Ironic then, that he finds himself in a relegation battle with Bremen eventually relegated to Bundesliga 2!
It’s all about choices – isn’t it?
Next season !!!
Martinez
Cash konsa mings targett
Ward-prowse mcginn
Buendia smith-rowe grealish
Watkins
I’d prefer
Martinez
Cash. Konsa. Mings. Taeget McGin Luis. Ward prose
Buendia. Watkins Grealish
Or how about:
Martinez
Konsa Mings Tuanzebe
Cash Targett
McGinn
Buendia and Grealish
Watkins + new (world class CF)
With 3 young, solid, athletic centre backs (not sluggish like Engels), McGinn will have licence to go box to box. – he can be rotated with Luiz, who would do the same job brilliantly.
The two full backs giving width, bombing forward and putting crosses in means no wingers needed, opening up space in the team for two playmakers: Buendia and Grealish, who will , ahem, rip most teams a new one…
Add Watkins’ work rate and no doubt even better goal tally in second season PLUS the jewel in the crown – a new number 9 – who could it be? And it’s time to start getting excited. Mouthwatering…
That has title potential. If you consider options from the bench will include Bert, El Ghazi, Sanson, Chuk, not to mention Nakamba when more protection for the defence is needed, then we have some serious ambitions for the season!
Anyone not sure about the wingbacks – see Antonio Conte – titles in PL and Seria A using that system. it works.
Could easily change that formation to Smith’s standard by taking out a CB and playing both McGinn and Luiz, rather than one.
I’m expecting a CB, a MF and a CF to arrive before August. Fingers crossed…
UTV
The Lukaku offside decision this evening was beyond scandalous. Screaming into a pillow is all we can do. There’s no hope. I admire these players’ professionalism. I’d have handed the ref’ my shirt and walked off the pitch, ranting and frothing at the mouth in disgust. I despair when I see these decisions. What the F is wrong with these people?
Might have another one today BFR , Emile Smith Rowe.. (a little whisper ) . even if he is a Arsenal supporter. Have to say would be good if true..
Not sure that’s going to happen Bill. Of the two I think the Ward-Prowse speculation is the more likely.
A corollary to the Milot Rashica story and his ‘alleged’ wish not to be involved with Villa in a relegation battle.
Having been involved in a successful relegation battle (Dortmund successfully achieving relegation from the Bundesliga) he seems to have changed his position and has signed for Norwich.
Quite funny really as Norwich must be fancied as relegation candidates this season.
On a more serious note, I reckon Villa avoided a very large banana skin by not signing him.
Whoops Werder Bremen not Dortmund – can’t even blame that slip on predictive text 🙂
Hope your wrong Hitch, ok Grealish to start , you heard it here. 😂
But Mings dropped to the bench in favour of Maguire. That seems harsh to me and I’m trying to be unbiased with that comment.
Dalian Atkinson verdict just in. Manslaughter.
Just seen that Bum Bum. Murder charge dismissed – I think that’s right.
Justice for Dalian and his family.
Assault charges against female police officer still being considered by the jury.
5 years getting to court is a bit bloody poor though…
Agreed – wonder if that’s because the police tried to make it ‘go away’ and the family had to fight for Dalian or whether that’s typical of the time these type of cases take to come to court?
The backlog in the criminal justice system is huge. 50% of courts in the country have been closed in the last 10 years. Add in Covid on top of that which has meant many that are still operational have been closed at times and that’s where we are. 2 years is a typical delay but this case is extreme as Hitch points out.
Bum Bum – it seems that after Dalian’s death there was a two year inquiry by an Independent Police Inquiry Board that submitted a report to the CPS who took a further year to decide that a prosecution should be brought. It took a further two years to bring the case to court (this latter period I suspect was lengthened through the Covid pandemic)
Giving a benefit of doubt to the final two years was the initial three year period too long? Why did the initial inquiry take two years – that seems an overly long time to me.
Raises quite a few questions.
Finally – jury couldn’t decide on whether or not the police woman was guilty of assault. Will that lead to a re-trial or an acquittal?
So its Germany Tuesday, now we’ll see how good England are!! been reading Grealish had only 32 passes to him and only Pickford with less on 30. Think our Jack is the player where he has no friends and jealousy in the England camp. I noticed that in the second half players was ignoring Jack on passing and started the side and back passing again. I don’t think Jack will get on the pitch along with Mings on Tuesday and we will not get through because of Southgates attitude. I hope I’m wrong .. Penalties on the day.
Bill, I know we tend to be biased where our players are concerned but I tend to agree with you that England players seemed reluctant to give JG the ball in good areas. A lot of those passes to him left him with little option but to pass the ball off quickly.
Like you I don’t think either Mings or Grealish will start on Tuesday – Southgate has his favourites, that’s clear but what really creates the problem for JG is Southgate’s inability to change tactics when required.
Or are we just being paranoid?
I stand to be corrected but I don’t think we’ve beaten Germany in the finals of any competition since 1966 and, in all honesty, I can’t see that changing.
Ah – Self correction.
We did beat them in the Group stages (1-0) in Euro 2000 but I’m right in so far as we’ve failed to beat them in the knock out stage since 1966.
On the positive side it means Grealish and Mings will be fresh for the new season.
Just seen a rumour that Tuanzebe will be allowed to go out on loan next season.
I know Badger dislikes the loan system but, with Engels having left the club, Villa should get in quick and bring him back to VP.
Grealish on his way????
Looks like Grealish is off lads! 🙁 Gutted to be honest, if the City rumours are true then we cant grumble at £100m and I couldn’t feel anything but happy for Jack, he’s coming in to his prime years and as much as he would want to be at Villa and to be chasing league titles and European cups, realistically it is unlikely to happen anytime soon as much as we hope. I think we knew last year was our chance to get in to Europe and we didn’t take it so we lose Jack to the best team in the league some might even say the world. We have good recruitment though and with Chucky coming through who looks a real talent, we can use that money to sign a few top players which may make us a better all round team who knows!