Apologies.
I didn’t realise that comments had closed on the previous article. The site does that because old posts attract lots of spam and it’s just more work for me having to get rid of it.
The truth is I don’t really have much to say, but thought some of you might like somewhere you can continue to comment to each other, if you haven’t forgotten about the site that is.
You all know that I’m not in the slightest bit interested in speculation about who we might sign and it’s a view backed up by Smith-Rowe having signed a new contract with Arsenal after our signing him was in the bag.
Likewise, Grealish was a cert to move to Citeh and while I guess he still might, my opinion says it’s looking less likely. That’s after even I fell into the trap of posting that it was a done deal.
What is factual is that we beat Walsall last night either 4-0 or 4-1. I genuinely don’t know because I couldn’t even be bothered to read about it. Friendly results mean nothing to me after Villa players looking poor in pre-season, the year we won the league!
Am I just a tight git, or am I correct in saying watching the game on VillaTV for a fiver is bloody expensive?
I can understand a fiver if you’re going to watch at the ground, but…
Anyway, I actually found a site that was streaming it and started to watch it. Until every time I went fullscreen I was bombarded with adverts. I turned it off after a few minutes.
Buendia seems a great signing. I wasn’t at all convinced about us signing Ashley Young, but my son-in-law(ish) has convinced me that his versatilty will prove to be a big plus. It’s a very good point and apparently he looked the part last night. From the little I’ve read about his signing, he jumped at the chance to come back to Villa and didn’t want to go anywhere else. We also apparently aren’t paying him a massive wage.
The cynic in me wonders if he still owns a house around here, meaning the move doesn’t disturb much for him.
I think a big part of me was annoyed that he left us, but along with Barry, Delph and others, I don’t suppose you can’t blame him.
I’ll wish him luck. He does now play for us again, after all.
Elsewhere, we’re going to sign the world, as per usual.
August the 14th can’t come quick enough.
Comments
159 responses to “Roll on the football season!”
Here’s another theory re jack going to man.c.
Maybe he has a problem with his shin’s if so then to prolong his career a move to city would suit him better because then he gets more rest as he’ll be rotated where with villa he plays nearly every game? Just a thought but whatever I think villa will be the winner in the long term.
Grealish is training with Villa unlike Kane who it’s reported has not turned for training at Spurs.
Is that a positive sign that he’s decided to stay?
The fact thatVilla haven’t yet accepted ManC offer suggests Grealish is undecided.
Changing the subject – absolutely fascinating to read Tyrone Mings’ comments about his mental health during the Euros. May I be controversial in today’s climate? Is it me or is this a movement, like so many others today? First Osaka at Wimbledon, then the American gymnast at the Olympics, now the big man, who’s not afraid to stick his head over the parapet on social media – all coming gout publically with mental health problems.
I’m not that old (middle aged), but didn’t they just used to call this pressure? I recall Lee Evans joking that he’s just “shit my pants” when he walks out to tens of thousands to perform. Is it not the same for every professional? Newsreaders, athletes, entertainers? I’m sure I recall the late Marti Caine also saying she was physically ill before going on stage. Not nice, but isn’t all this part of being a human with feelings. We get nervous because everyone’s judging us. Totally understandable, but is the ‘mental health’ things being over-egged? Apologies if I don’t get it, as I know it’s a sensitive issue, as is everything these days. I have to say, big Tyrone is the last person I’d expect to come out with this, but then again, I don’t know him, so shouldn’t judge.
Can you imagine how much therapy Nigel Spink probably needed when he was told he was going on in the European Cup final? In those days you just sucked it up and got on with it. I can’t help but believe that social media has screwed everyone’s mind up. Pull the plug if the scrutiny gets too much.
BFR, I totally get the pressure put on athletes is intense and today’s social media means that toxic comments are making the situation worse. I’m in my mid fifties and come from a philosophy that if things were getting me down I would just have to get on with it. Life is full of ups and downs and when things aren’t going your way the best thing is to confide in someone you can trust and talk to. You know that saying “a problem shared is a problem halved”
BFR, don’t start me. Mings ought to get on with trying to not make massive blunders on the pitch and keep his trap shut. If Osaka is so bad, she ought to go into therapy, the poor darling.
You mentioned Marti Caine. Tommy Cooper was another one. He used to have massive panic attacks and it’s why he sweated so much when he was on stage.
As you say, they just used to get on with it.
If these people are finding it so difficult, perhaps they’d do best coming back into the real world, where there’s very little pressure but the wages are tens of thousands of pounds a week lower.
As if.
They make me puke, the lot of them. But if you say so, wokesters come down on you like a ton of bricks and people are just too scared to say what they think anymore .
Cancel culture, I believe they call it.
The only agenda that should be demonstrated in sport should be sport related and nothing else.
No talk of mental health, no taking the knee and no talk of sexual preferences either. Just sport.
Oh, back to the point in hand.
Bailey has apparently had a medical in Florida. Now all we have to sort is personal details, a work permit, a visa and other stuff.
It would seem someone is confident.
And now Kienan Davis’ loan move to Stoke is off because he’s injured and will probably miss half the season.
Surely another striker is a must now or is Smith happy with goals coming from other areas?
Is it time to get rid of Davis he seems to be for ever injured?
Time to get Tammy and Watkins on the left and get rid of Jack he obviously had his head turned during the Euros.
We seem to have this problem when players go away on international duty.
We don’t want this uncertainty 2weeks before start of an important season for the club.
And if Jack loves the club as much as he said he would come out and say he’s staying.
I think he may want to stay but the club actually have sold him or at least want him to go so they get some of the money they’ve spent recently back.
If so are the owners as good as we think???
Update on ‘Grealish to leave Villa’ odds. Having been 3-1 to leave with ManC odds on to to buy him, in the space of a few days his odds to stay have shortened to 4/6 odds on to stay. ManC have gone out to evens.
I’m told, by those much better qualified than me to comment on betting, that some bookmakers are no longer taking bets on Grealish to stay at Villa!
Make of that what you will – still in the squeaky bum arena then 🙂
On other rumours front – Mail reporting Villa making second bid for JWP.
I don’t think our business is done yet whether or not Grealish goes.
I know it’s all media hype and click bait mania but can’t think of anything else to post 🙂
Rory not too sure about your comment about our owners.
They have demonstrated superb judgment to date with our beloved club. Further, their track record in other sports is outstanding. They know how to build a brand. Make no doubt we are a brand with immense potential that I believe they can fulfil.
However, if Jack wants medals in the short term such as Premier and Champions League, it’s going to take us more time. Hence he will leave.
I’d love it if he signs a 3 year contract with City. Wins these titles. Sees his contract out and rejoins us on a free!
If he does leave, I believe the money for investment if spent wisely will make the team better and less reliant on one individual.
Quick update on transfer possibilities.
It’s now being reported that United might be prepared to let Tuanzebe go on a permanent transfer rather than a loan. Villa need a fourth CB with Engels departure and a move for Tuanzebe (23) would not be a bad idea. He only has one year left on his United contract so can’t see a big fee being needed.
He showed a lot of promise in his second loan spell and fits Villa’s strategy of buying young, promising players with potential and an upwardly mobile value.
Would Tuanzebe come though without promise of more playing time than he’s currently getting?
And, it’s being reported, a loan move for Abraham.
Idle chatter, I know, but I’m bored 🙂
He’s spoiled my holiday by going that’s for sure.reports are thick and thin as papers aying he’s at city ground someone seen him a bodymore Heath today training. I feel sorry for all who bought shirts with name on it’s a sad day for Villa fans.I wonder what his grandfather would have said as he told him to never leave Villa. I’m the same mind as Hitch I cannot wish him well.
Warrior here imagine if he failed his medical because of his dodgy shins haha shame on him VTID UTV.
Abraham on loan with an option to buy would, I think be a good move for us. With all the uncertainty around Wesley and Davis not looking likely to step up to the plate we need a proved number 9. Also Watkins could play with Abraham as two up top.
Although Chelsea would prefer to sell him they might extend his contract for a year and send him out on loan thus keeping his value – and if he plays regularly and scores goals in the Prem maybe even increasing it. They’ve gone down that route before.
Could be an interesting couple of weeks.
I think the club should avoid loans for Axel and Tammy. All it does is help their parent clubs demand a higher price when they finally do sell. Surely there’s a deal to be done for Axel with only a year on his contract? Get it done. And slap 28 large down for Tammy – give them something to think about!
A thought: if Jack Grealish and all involved with AVFC decide that they want a league title with Aston Villa within the next 3 seasons, I have no doubt that it can be achieved. But the target must be set. If and when it is set, all that’s left to do is work towards making it happen. It’s not as difficult as one might think. It involves accumulating more points than 19 other teams over a period of 9 months and 38 football matches. With our goalkeeper, defence, and forward line, I don’t think that is impossible. Aim high and you’ll hit high. Aim low and you’ll hit even lower. The squad is still evolving and improving and young players will be reaching their peak in that period. Set the target!
*I meant 38 large for Tammy. That’s inflation for you! :/
I’ve just seen that craig butler who is leon baileys adopted father is doing a leon bailey press conference / announcement at 10.30 on youtube if anyones interested.
Tonight
Delayed but leon bailey will be talking as well
I wonder what he’s going to say?
Axel? Would he come to be a sub? I very much doubt it.
BFR, I like your style. But I wonder why we haven’t won the league for the last 50 years on the trot?
It’s good to aim high, but those competitors have a nasty habit of making it hard for you.
I don’t see Abraham coming either. Unless Smith puts him Ollie out left, which I don’t see either.
To get to the top the bench needs to be as good as the first 11.
I think our owners are really going for it.
Can’t see abraham nor jwp coming if grealish is going. He has to stay.
I see Bailey agreed the deal live on Youtube.
Welcome to the Villa!
Beat me to it Badger!
Been reading up on him – seems he’s lightening fast and has loads of ability; can play anywhere across the front line (so why would we need another striker?) BUT it seems he’s inconsistent.
Feeling is if we can consistently get the best from him then we have a bargain as a fee of around £50 – £60m was being mooted around 12 months ago with sides like Chelsea reported as being interested.
Another Adam Traore possibly – a match winner on his day?
Please don’t take that to be a negative post.
What signing Bailey does show is the owners ambition and their ability to attract players with Champions League experience.
JG needs to think very carefully before jumping ship – he just might regret it.
A lot of sources all running with Grealish to complete move to ManC today.
If he does go not sure how I’m going to react.
Personally, I will be gutted to see Jack sign for another PL club. Dodgy shins or not, if he’s worth 100 million to them, then he’s worth keeping.
Gutted if true – which looks likely.
We finally have owners who want to compete at the top and back it up with spending big and Jack jumps ship at totally the wrong time for Vlla.
Great message sent to Olly Watkins and Martinez who will now probably follow – this could set us back big time.
I guess he didn’t love the villa and the project as much as he made out.
I also believe if Manure had put an offer in last year he would have gone then.
I honestly thought he was the one to get us up there but he is the same as the rest – jump for money and ego.
Yep – have to agree Steve. I think my overriding feeling is one of betrayal. Just when we are in a position to put Villa back where they belong in Europe he jumps ship for a bag of shiny trinkets.
So be it, when he’s retired then he can sit and look at his trophy cabinet rather than gaining immortality by leading Villa back to the top of football. I hope it makes him happy – perhaps it will.
I wrote a whole speech in anger just a second ago but I will be fair and wait until the decision has been made.
I think most on here will get what I mean.
Hardly betrayal, he could have made a fuss and demanded a transfer when we were relegated, he’s remained loyal and he now wants to play with the best players and in the best competitions, he goes with my blessing.
His going will divide fan opinion that’s for sure and, if we’re going to kick on we need the fans fully behind the club as a whole. There will be concerns over whether his transfer affects the morale of the team as well.
His going will set the club back – I have no doubt about that.
Smith and the owners will be facing quite a challenge particularly if we have a poor start to the season.
Wether it sets the team back remains to be seen, there’s a school of thought that Grealish slows down our play and if the money is invested wisely then perhaps we will be better off.
Obviously it’s all conjecture at this point so we’ll see what happens.
One thing I do know, is that under our current owners we are a completely different beast now compared to previous years and I for one am confident and excited for the future, a new era is about to begin that doesn’t revolve around one player, and that can only be a good thing. UTV
All fair comment.
The conjecture though is all trending in one direction and from multi sources which, even in football, tends to turn out as being correct.
If Grealish doesn’t go there’s going to be an awfully large amount of egg on media faces – now that would be worth seeing.
The conjecture I was referring to is whether we’ll be better off with or without him, it looks pretty nailed on that he’s going.
I’m feeling apathetic towards it all at the moment because I believe we will bring in enough quality for it not to affect the performance on the pitch, the thing that hurts the most is that he is villa through and through, but I have a feeling we will see him in a villa shirt again one day, when he’s not the flavour of the month and City have bought the next big thing.
Hi there fellow Villans WARRIOR here so he’s going to man city like I thought he would to join the likes of f delph and g barry on a reported £300.000 a week he lead us to believe he was a villan so who are his family going to support Villa or man city well goodbye Jack you done us proud so I honestly wish you well we have made some good signings and more to come so roll on the new season VTID UTV
Sad but not downbeat that Jack is poised to sign for Cite$h. I can’t blame him because he has stuck it through with us to help get us promoted and survive relegation. If we had made European football this season when it looked possible before we drifted into mid table last season, then I think he might have stayed.
He will almost certainly win silverware there and of course be paid more than we could ever offer. His status will elevate to global superstar and it is something we can’t provide now or possibly for his whole career.
My biggest gripe is that Cite$h can afford to splash out silly money not only to strengthen their squad but with the plus of weakening any threats to their monopoly on winning things. If we don’t make huge strides this season, then expect the likes of Watkins, Konsa and Martinez to follow.
We are in a similar position to when O’Neill was threatening the top 6 and Cite$h took Milner, Barry and the snake while United took Young. O’Neill threw his rattle out the pram when Lerner pulled the plug.
I have a feeling it won’t be the case with the current ownership and look forward to how the money is re-invested.
I hope Jack doesn’t get booed by our supporters. He is one of our own wherever he plays. VTID!
Sorry he isn’t one of our own, I will not be wishing him well as he will be playing for a team we compete against. This is nuts! I get his reasons for going, more money and maybe some silverware but let’s not beat around the bush here, it’s more so money and maybe the chance the play some games abroad.
I have no hard feelings towards Jack for doing near on what any human would do in his shoes. But, I do not want to here his sob story about how difficult it was, I do not want fans talking about how much we owe him. Villa made Grealish, Jack didn’t make villa! Villa made Grealish a very rich and successful young man and gave him all the tools, time and effort he needed to flourish.
If he had stayed at villa, he would still be a very very rich successful footballer.
We now as I’ve read need to dust ourselves down, get behind this team as we always do and look forward to what these new owners are building.
I totally believe 110% this deal will work to our advantage. Leicester had this with Maghrez and they are stable top 6, pushing top 4.
The team will be better balanced with Beundia, Bailey and I’m sure we will add another.
I have a feeling the owners know how much this one hurts and will want to make it right.
VTID (or until city offer me 300k per week )