Well, that transfer thread did me a big favour. Work has been hectic for months and it enabled me to just leave the site ticking over with one less thing to concern myself with.
So now we have a new season to contemplate and overall, I’m quite happy with our signings.
I like the look of Onana. His stats are very decent, even though Everton’s way of playing, in bypassing the midfield didn’t really suit his style. I feel Emery will improve him and he’ll prefer the way we play. Happy players are better players, I think. That said, I think Emery is moving away from the “gung ho” style that we had in the early days of his tenure and Onana has experience of a steadier style, so it’s all good.
I’ve read tonight that Onana wants Emery to coach him in the Spanish language, which he wants to learn/improve, such is his mastery of lots of other languages. He’s obviously quite intelligent and that bodes well.
Maatson is a player who looks to be a good signing too. I’ve watched him in games and he seems to get involved a lot. I’d have gone for a right back before LB, but Digne and Moreno are getting on and Maatson is obviously the next generation.
Talking of which, Transfermarkt shows that we’ve reduced the age of the squad considerably from 25 to 23.7. I suspect this has been a major driver of our philosophy in this window and it’s no bad thing.
We’ve recalled players for squad depth and I’d guess they’ve been made big promises as to how much playing time they’ll get this season, purely because we’ll be fighting on so many squad-sapping fronts.
We all saw how our lower level European escapades drained us last season, after all.
About the only signing I’m not keen on is Ross Barkley. I wasn’t keen on him last time we had him, but I think I have to cede to many other Villa fans I’ve spoken to who think he’s a great signing after playing really well at Luton last season. I don’t know what it is, I just have a bad feeling that he just won’t work out for us. I can only hope I’m wrong.
And then, expectations.
I wasn’t even thinking of navigating this yet, but the days are going in a flash at the moment, so I probably should.
I’ve had many footy supporters up here in Liverpool tell me what a great season we had and most are genuinely glad, because they see us as a “proper” club. And then the conversation invariably turns to “how do you think you’ll do?” And I’m genuinely clueless.
I always answer in the same mode. I honestly only want one thing. European consolidation. I couldn’t care less about the cups, as much as they’ve always been a big priority for me.
I almost couldn’t care less about our league position, which is silly because it’s requisite to us getting CL qualification again.
So it’s fourth or above, so we can go again in the Champion’s league. Consistent qualifying for Big Ears is what makes you a contender: a genuinely big club.
And it’s where the money is, which leads to that ever-increasing revenue, which allows you to play the big boys game.
Newcastle couldn’t do it. Do I think we can?
Tune in this time, next week.
Or more realistically, look in the replies.
Ow, is that what they call “clickbait”? 🙂
Sadly, I think it’s going to be a bridge too far.
As much as our owners are pushing the boat out and backing us as much as they possibly can, given the PSR rules, I don’t think the squad is anywhere near yet.
Emery no doubt improves players, but he can’t be expected to be able to compete with the likes of Man City, who have Grealish, as a quick example, getting splinters from the bench (or probably more accurately these days, warming his arse on that soft leather Recaro seat).
Slowly, slowly and the lower levels of Europe are probably more realistic.
But then you don’t have the pull of the CL.
It’s hard being a fan nowadays, let alone trying to own or manage a club!
Badger – nice to see you again!
At one stage I was quite positive about the upcoming season – now I’m a bit concerned.
Our initial transfer activity looked very positive – for what it’s worth I think Barkley is a decent squad addition – but of late it seems to have taken a nose dive!
Duran – it seems we want to move him on to fund a new striker – but he’s sabotaged that with his antics. Can Emery get him under control and playing for the team?
Carlos – probably needs replacing but our hard ball tactics may have scuppered his move to Fulham – can we afford a new CB if he stays?
Diaby (replacement) – it seems Emery wants Felix to play in the 10 role behind Watkins. That now seems unlikely as Chelsea look to increase their squad to a rather unlikely 60 in number! Bonkers.
We need to pull a couple of quality transfers in key positions in the next couple of weeks – the question is can we?
I think we will struggle this season. Just as Newcastle did last season. There will be a few glorious highlights but we aren’t even close to strong enough to maintain last season’s position unless we exit the CL quickly which clearly is not in the plan. Sustainability rules hamper us big time
Correct, DS. The only way that will change is if two top players come in, and all the others perform in the league, allowing Unai to rotate and rest without destroying league momentum; it all depends on how quickly the new boys adapt; I think numbers-wise, we aren’t bad; the doubt is whether enough of them are ready to perform consistently to top 4 levels in the league, like last year’s team did. I genuinely worry about the loss of Luiz; end of the season drop aside, he really pulled the strings and made the team tick, not least because of his goals and assists.
I think nearly every league table prediction shows Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool as the top 3. I can’t really disagree with that although it’s still an unknown whether a change in manager at Pool will benefit them. I think most would expect a downturn in form at the beginning. So assuming the top 3 is nailed on, let’s look at the genuine challengers for 4th place:-
Spurs probably are most settled with Postecoglou building on an impressive first season so they should improve but they don’t get the ‘Spursy’ tag without reason.
Chelsea would be my choice for 4th if Pochettino was still in charge but another change in management plus another 9 – 10 players signed leaves everyone guessing.
Man Utd surely can’t do any worse than last season and Ten Hag I think will improve them.
Newcastle are the biggest threat IMO. Players that were injured are back plus Guehi possibly. They will turn over most teams at home so it’s just their away form they need to sort out.
I predicted 7th a short while ago and the concerns I had still haven’t been addressed. I worry massively about a number 2 for Martinez. I hope Gauchi can become a solid cover but pre season hasn’t instilled me with any confidence. Also the Carlos situation is dragging on and we need to get him out quickly and replaced. We need a new striker and Duran could have been back up but unfortunately him and his advisors have proved that we need him gone as he is clearly a bad egg and I would take any offer that is more than we paid. Archer isn’t the answer sadly and I would go for Mateta from Palace and pay whatever it takes to get him. Is Philogene the answer for Diaby? Only time will tell although I would have loved Neto but unfortunately he’s followed the gravy train to Stamford Bridge.
The next couple of weeks in the transfer market could make or break our season. As it stands with what we currently have, I think 7th is possible but injuries could jeopardise even finishing top half.
On a different topic, has anyone seen our white away shirt? It looks quite smart.
All good questions Hitch.
We’re playing hardball on the buying and selling fronts, it seems to me and rightly so.
It means you lose out on some deals, but Levy and the porn mob have mostly done okay.
I think there are still some good deals to come. Villa seemingly have plenty of dry powder, while many don’t . Expect a couple of big signings, in and out, imo.
I think Duran is a goner, for a start. Felix? I think that might happen too, as we offer the best overall package. If Emery really wants him, that is. That story might be a total red herring.
So many options open to us and I suspect we don’t know a fraction of what is really going on.
Holte, good shout.
I have also mentioned 7th in a few of my conversations. It just seems realistic to me and of course, higher would be good and lower would be bad.
Whereas if I were to predict say, 4th, we just leave ourselves open to under-performing in my mind 🙂
My dark horse is actually Fulham this year. I thought they were just starting to show the signs last season. I’d even consider a tenner on them to beat Man U if I actually had a betting account!
Defense is my biggest worry. If Carlos goes, and we bring in Geertruida, I think that goes some way to addressing the issues – but Matty Cash needs upgrading, as does McGinn for me. Both been excellent any loyal at times, but I think in order for us to progress, they need improvement. Nedeljkovic does look a prospect but at 18, can’t be considered a 1st team regular in his first full season – will be watching him eagerly though. I just felt like after Torres got injured last season, our high line press was ineffective. I had hoped when he got back in the team that we’d instantly improve that, but he seems to have picked up in pre-season where he left off and looks a liability right now. As much as we all want to believe Mings will come back and be who he was before – I just don’t see it. Those ACLs are a beast, especially the wrong side of 30.
I actually thought Gauci has looked promising in pre-season. He definitely didn’t do any worse than Olsen, who I never want to see pull on the jersey again.
I know Diaby’s stats flattered to deceive and he often had games where he was completely anonymous – so half of me feels like not replacing him isn’t a bad thing, that JPB can step up, but I also think it was psychologically a hit that I feel like we need another “name” to give us a boost. I hate thinking like that, but I read a few players were pretty bummed that he left.
Totally agree (unfortunately) about Berkley. Looked terrible in pre-season but my only hope is that he just needs time to adjust to the Emery way.
Fairies and miracles are not something Villa fans tend to believe in.
Goblins and disasters are more readily accepted given our pre Emery record.
The slide post Christmas last season and the underwhelming performances pre-season coupled with the loss of the Luiz / Kamara double pivot just adds to the Villa fan paranoia.
🙂
If we can all agree that arsenal and man City will battle for the top again and Liverpool still remain the other team to beat we have a really tough task to nick 4th. Man Utd and of course the wild west London club, Chelsea, have been spending big as per usual. I just pray for a couple more key ins, and a few long overdue outs. RB/CB and then the second striker option as well as I my view an Olsen replacement make a worthy squad. As a team we have some tough selection decisions to make which is great and offers a contingency for injury problems and rotation for cup games. UTV. Keep the dream alive
Everyone is sounding a bit negative for some reason. Even without any further additions we have much more depth that we had last season and I think that new players such as Philogene, Barrenchea, Kosta will make an impact and having a fit JJ back (and hopefully Mings and Kamara before too long) will give us a boost.
I trust Emery and Monchi and, if they can get Geertruida in, I’ll be happy with our defence and if they can get Felix or an equivalent in (personally I like Baena) then I’ll be happy with our attack. I honestly think that we can give it a good go this season.
COYL
Talksport at BMH today (-:
Not welcome; most are anti-Villa assholes.
RSS – all three – Monchi, Emery and Vidagny – have been talking to TalkSport.
Of particular interest is Vidagny’s comments
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/damian-vidagany-slams-situation-killing-29735795
Even now the EPL are considering financial rules different to EUFA’s from next season using a multiplier of the club with the lowest TV revenue as a spending cap. However, the one benefit of this approach would, it seems, put every club in the EPL on an equal footing in terms of capital spend per season.
Of course it doesn’t mean that every club will be in a position to spend the full amount but it should benefit clubs like Newcastle and Villa
It stinks doesn’t it, but like at the Olympics, all the idiots are in charge. I get how ManUre can spend as they have shedloads of cash coming in, but Citeh and Chelsea? Talk about taking the pee!!!! Selling your stadium and hotels to yourself. Really??????
The European coefficient is also flawed. ManU have a massive advantage because of their history in the competition, but over the Sir Alex years. This coefficient should be a rolling update. Utd have done nothing in the CL for a decade so their position should be updated and drastically reduced.
On the other hand, I hear we have VERY good lawyers!!!! Every fan outside of the Sky 6 want to see fresh teams competing but the system won’t allow it.
Morning All! I think we’ve done quite well so far but I’m sceptical about ‘Big Name Signings’. How many have fallen flat in the past?
Pau, Moreno, Chesty were all ‘ho hum’ signings until we saw them in action. Diaby was celebrated but fell flat for a number of reasons. I cannot believe he’s gone to the Saudi Paypacket Graveyard at 25 years old. Is money all that matters now?
Barkly is a risk free signing and was dirt cheap. If he can play as well as he did at Luton last year we’ve picked a winner.
Maatsen and Onan are our 2 big signings without being flash. I think they’ll do well. Billy-Jean is a very interesting prospect coming back to VP. Ned Kelly too. (Gotta learn his name properly).
JJ looks as though he’s back, as does Buendia. Super excited by this. Mings and Kamara should be back in the first team before Christmas too. as we’ve said before, it’s like 4 new signings.
I’m quite underwhelmed by Felix. I don’t appreciate Villa being used as a bargaining chip.
Fulham are in desperate need of a CB according to a mate, and would love Carlos. I’d like to see Carlos stay personally, he had some corkers last season as the rest of the squad were understandably on their last legs.
Duran – A PITA we could do without. He needs to grow up.
Onto the Manager. I’ve said it before but comparing us with Newcastle is wrong to me apart from the fact we’re both ’emerging clubs’ with a bit of wonga. Howe is not in Emery’s league in any way, shape or form. He’s good but show me a track record??? Emery has been there, seen it, done it an had his own t-shirts printed. The man is a serial winner. We also have more experienced owners in the sporting world than the Bar Codes owners who just think you throw cash at everything a la Citeh. PSR game shave to be played properly (unless you’re Ch$lsea, ManUre or Citeh).
Darren Lewis from The Mail said we’re his tip for ‘challenging for the title’ this year while Danny Murphy and the other tw@t presenting just took the p!ss out of us. F$*@ TalkSport. Disrespectful morons. Remember Murphy saying Villa would never to better than Gerrard???? Idiot.
Roll on 5.30 Saturday. a 3-1 win for me. Unai has a point to prove over Loppoteguieiuie…
UTV!
p.s. Citeh in court next month. A 50 points deduction???? Relegation?
I see that the Gallagher move to Atletico Madrid looks like it’s in trouble. Apparently it depended on Samu Omorodion going the other way and that’s not happening for some reason. Chelsea need to sell Gallagher due to PSR as he’s a home grown player. They could have sold him for over £50 million not long ago but it’s likely to be around £35 million now. This means that Atletico may need to offload Felix ASAP. Only trouble is, I’m not sure I want him to come after he initially turned us down.
Anyway, thank God we’ve got Emery and Monchi and not the lightweight amateurs that Chelsea seem to have as negotiators.
BTW Just heard that Chelsea have given Cole Palmer a nine year contract. NINE YEARS! If they have to amortise his contract over that period of time then they must be in trouble.
Surely, the ceiling is due to cave in on them sooner rather than later? How the f*** they’re still running is beyond me.
1874 – I think Palmer was already on a seven year contract and they extended it by a further two. Chelsea are taking over Fulham’s historic role as a Music Hall Comedy Act (for youngsters it goes back to the days of Tommy Trinder – big Fulham fan and on the board – never heard of him? – ask Mr. Google). 🙂 🙂
Maximum period for amortisation (under PSR rules) is now five years but there must be some sort of wangle given the number of 6 year contracts being dished out! Be interesting to see whether amortisation is still allowed if they move to a spending cap next season!
There’s a newly reduced amortisation period purely down to Chelsea last year. I believe it’s down to 4 years maximum, whetever the length of the contract.
I forget how useful zaniolo was coming of the bench and running every where being a fairly sized and strong lad. I think even these moments will be missed. Also watching Diego vs Halaand was a joy in our 1-0 win over city. Everybody played their part when needed last season. I guess it would have been nice to see the very best of zaniolo but he played a fair part last year. A late goal v West Ham being one of them! I guess Barkley could be an upgrade to zaniolo just thinking about it. But Diaby and Luis have not been replaced enough for me. Luis could be very very silky on the ball and wriggle out of very packed situations.
I wonder if Emery is considering a big arm wrap around Duran and reminding him he might just get a chance for some champions league minutes this season that West Ham and Chelsea cannot offer and he is only 1 injury/ suspension away from becoming regular. He’s 20 years old for god sake, surely somebody can find a way to level him. I’m sure Emery could do it as well as anyone else could?
Agree about Duran, but it’s a risk. I was adamant we should keep him based on ability, but his disrespect towards the club has had me thinking again.
BFR – I agree on the disrespectful issue but I’m sure Emery will say it’s an internal matter. It’s how the fans react to him if he stays that’s a potential problem.i
It’s interesting that most of Duran’s poor behaviour is when he’s away from the club without Emery’s mentorship and under the direct influence of third parties – particularly, I suspect, his agent.
Emery has implied that he would be able to manage Duran once he got him back to the club and Villa slapping a £40m price tag on him suggests they would be happy to keep him.
If he stays it’s in his own hands to prove those of us who doubt his presence of mind to channel his undoubted ability into his football rather than into an overblown ego.
Still, the rashness of youth and all that.
I had a soft spot for Zaniolo too. He was great. Utterly mad, but great!
I thought he was shite tbh, Bum Bum.
I’m not underestimating Luiz contribution but remember when we went to the Emirates with him suspended? We thought it was certain death but we stuffed them 2-0. No-one is indispensable. Emery was getting a bit fed up of him too by the look of it. His recent comments on joining Juve spoke volumes too. He wanted the move.
And how many people on this site were saying Diaby was a waste of space???
Both fair points.
Dear Badger and friends
BumBum I am also in your camp as a positive believer for next season. I do believe that this season we can continue to pinch at a high level.
I am not worried about Louis going. Once Kamara was inflicted he was never the same. Our best performance post Kamara injury was when Tilesman and McGinn played against Arsenal and we won without Luiz.
The transfers this summer have been about building a squad with depth. Last year we had no depth. With Mings, Buendia, Kamara and Ramsey all out for all / most of the season, we weee short of quality and yet we finished 4th! Buendia and Ramsey and now back and the other two will hopefully be up to full speed by January. This is like 4 new signings.
Emery and Monchi know exactly what they are doing. They are now building a deep squad with a core of youth at its core. These players will be developed by Emery and moulded to our system. If they fall short, they will be sold and as a rule I would expect us to get our money back. Sound approach.
Quality has been added. Maatsen at left back and Onana will be 1st 11 players very quickly. Both adding a new dimension to how we will play. I agree with Hitch adding Barkley for £5m is a no brainer. All the other signings have the potential to develop. Did my eyes deceive me, or is Nedeljkovic quicker than Hussain Bolt?
The just over two weeks left before the end of the transfer window will make or brake our season. That is a good one or an exceptional one. In theory the following players should be sold:
Olsen
Cash
Carlos
Moreno
Dendoncker
Archer
Duran
These sales could allow a new:
Right back
Striker / number 10
I am hopeful that Bogarde could act as the 4th centre half, if Geertruida is bought and plays right back, but would also push Bogarde to 5th – but he’s home grown and will help with CL squad requirements.
If Emery feels Felix is the man then go for him, subject to Chelsea’s permanently open cheque book. One player I don’t want is Lukaka – wherever he goes trouble follows. Then again if Duran goes and we cannot get Felix, should we look at Abrahams. We are probably in the Spur’s Keane conundrum. No striker wanted to join them as Keane would always play and so will Watkins. However, Abraham’s is looking to rebuild his career after ACL and had agreed to join Villa again just before he was injured. This would give us coverage up front.
All in all can’t wait for the first match of the season.
Thoughtful post Sid although I think your selling list is a little long and unlikely to happen as it would tend to reduce squad depth. I have a worry about our cover at CB with Mings probably not available for another couple of months or so and then being an unknown quantity after such a bad injury.
Olsen will stay (sadly) as will Cash as, even if we’re to bring in Geertruida, it would potentially leave us vulnerable at right back.
I agree with
Carlos (Geertrida or Chabolea in?)
Moreno (or Digne – although for me I would rather keep Digne – Moreno hasn’t really shown that first season form since his injury)
Dendoncker
Archer
The jury’s out on Duran but if we can get £40m for him then yes but we would need to buy another proven striker (not Felix who is more of a 10 and a likely replacement for Diaby)
One player that may go in January is Buendia. At the moment we have Rodgers, Buendia and JJ all fighting for basically the same role with Rodgers probably having the shirt for Saturday. It will be interesting to see who jells best with Maatsen down our left side.
Ooooooo…wash your mouth out with soap, Hitch! Sell Buendia!!!!! No Way!!!!
We’ve got a lot of football coming up this year. I’d see Dendonker, Archer go, but am I being sentimental with wanting to see Moreno and Carlos stay????
Nothing like a bit of controversy Bum Bum 🙂
Mouth duly washed out with a very nice rum!
Ramsey, Rogers, Bailey and Phologene wingers. Buendia = number 10 behind Ollie. I’ve got a feeling Buendia will be useful I’m the CL…
* in the CL
Glad to hear it, Hitch. Fisticuffs averted!!!!! 😁
🙂
Saturday v Wet Spam:
Martinez
Pau
Konsa
Maartens
Cash
Onana
Tieilmans
JJ
McGinn
Chesty
Ollie
Dr Maartens? 🤣
I hope his tackling and passing is surgical…
Would you start with Bailey against the Arse?
Remember Alexi Sayle’s hit?
Dr Maartens!
Dr Maartens!
Dr Maartens boots!!!!!
Let’s hope ‘Maarten’s’ boots are up West Ham’s arses by Saturday evening…
My pick for Saturday –
Martinez (obviously)
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Digne
I’ve gone for Cash and Digne as I don’t think that Emery will throw a new signing in until he’s sure they know what they’re doing. Then..
Onana and Tielmans (double pivot)
McGinn
Rogers
Watkins
Bailey
What do you think?
I see your point but a couple of new faces amongst the hardcore of last season won’t rock the boat too much. Maybe Bailey for JJ?
I think you’re not far off. And I agree with the point on Digne.
With regards to selling Cash, I wouldn’t. He’s proved he can play further up and score useful goals. Remember Lille? Even if we get another RB, we need him as back up and for options further up the pitch when the squad starts to thin…
I recall a guy named Geremi that was in Mourinho’s first Chelsea squad. A right back but very versatile. He was basically the 23rd man in the squad but very useful. Cash can play that role.
Ooo goodie team predictions for Saturday.
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Pau
Maatsen
Tielemans
Onana (these last two as the double pivot)
McGinn (playing in an advanced role as per Scotland)
Bailey
Morgan
Watkins
Emery could throw a curved ball and play Ned Kelly instead of Cash but I doubt it.
JJ won’t start because of coming back from injury and Chesty probably deserves the shirt.
The only concern for me is that, although the bench looks stronger, I think the team picks itself. Kamara and Mings back will be a big boost (full injury recovery permitting). I would still like to see another CB and attacking midfielder or striker in before 30th August.
Pau has been giving away goals for fun in pre season, so I can see him benched. I wonder about Watkins, hasn’t kicked a ball in pre-season. Is he injured.
Also in your midfield there is no strong tackling defensive man if McGinn has a forward role.
Several of you want or think that Duran is going, but I heard he has the #9 shirt. If Duran does not have it – who does?
Gone are the days when the number 9 was prestigious and a big deal. Sad, really.
OLL, I believe Ollie is quite simply on holiday and there’s nothing to be concerned about. Last season must have taken a toll on him, so he’s due the rest. Plus he’s very much the family man with the recent addition to his crew.
I think I read, Duran has the No 9 too, but if we sell him it would be academic.
As has been said, it doesn’t mean a lot now, was probably available and any striker worth his salt would just want it because of tradition etc.
Even daft young lads still have respect for some things, I’d guess.
Although it could have just been that his agent told him to ask for it and Unai was happy to just placate the brat.
How cool is this!? Every Villa player EVER!
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/15/legacy-numbers–all-997-aston-villa-players/
That’s a great list. I wish they’d have added pictures and the date they signed.
The year of their debut should be there, definitely. At least.
Excellent idea – we should include the heritage number just above the badge on the shirt like the England cricket team.
On current shirt numbers – Emi has switched to 23, Onana has 24 so Duran (who AVFC OS still show as 24) has to change his number if he stays. Neither Archer (who will either move permanently or go out on loan) or Philogene currently have assigned numbers.
I love Emi’s reason for switching to 23, too. He’s won everything wearing 23 with Argentina, now he wants that luck to spread to Villa!!!
My favourite Villa player in a very long time!
How many number 1 Emi shirts will the club now need to change?