It doesn’t get much tougher than this does it?
Liverpool are in my opinion, are the best side in the world at the moment and I firmly believe they’ll win the league.
So after sticking a fiver on them to beat Spurs (and losing), I think they’ve probably just had their worst run they’ll get for the rest of the season.
I know, they dropped two points is all.
Still, it proves that they are not totally invincible and you can get something against them.
We do have it in our favour that we only got beat 1-0 on their turf last time out and I don’t need to mention the major arse-kicking that we gave them, so maybe Klippety will be more cautious than usual?
Then again, I doubt it. He doesn’t do that, does he? and it’s probably why Liverpool are everyone’s favourites from the top however many clubs.
They play cracking football.
Squad news and on our part, Jacob Ramsey is still out. I’ve already said I’m not bothered by that. Is it a coincidence that we looked miles better without him on Saturday?
Kortney Hause is also out, as is Leon Bailey, our latest sicknote.
Gerrard has said that the squad will be very similar to that against Burnley.
Which makes sense. Why change what worked well?
Liverpool have Klopp moaning as per usual about the squad, but the actuality is that they’re in good shape and Roberto Firmino might well make it after being out for a good while. Otherwise, they have no issues.
Liverpool might look a bit down and out now they lag Man city for the title race and they have a cup final at the weekend, but I don’t think for one minute they’ll play a weakened side. Even if they did, it would still be seriously strong and probably enough to beat us.
Even so, I have a feeling and that’s all it is, that we might actually beat them.
I can’t back my feeling up with anything at all.
Liverpool have by far the better team and should beat us easily.
But it doesn’t always work like that, which is why we all love footy, isn’t it?
I’m going for a hopeful 1-1 as my realistic prediction, but you just never know.
I think I’m going to stick a tenner on Pool to win. Well, it’s a numbers game isn’t it?
Here’s hoping and UTV!
Good robust, honest debate but I do have a concern with the use of the term ‘Gerrard haters’.
Hate is a very strong emotive word and to use it generically is not, in my humble opinion, a fair representation of those who have, reasonably, asked questions over Gerrard’s decision making but have not blamed him for the defeat.
Now I accept that questioning Gerrard’s decision making and ‘hating’ him are not mutually exclusive but neither do I think one can conclude that they are one and the same.
Speaking for myself,I don’t hate Gerrard but neither do I love him – another strong emotive word – but I do want him to be successful because that will mean my team Aston Villa – a team I do love and have supported for over 60 years – will be successful. And if that means ultimately he moves to Liverpool then we will probably be recognised as a consistent top six side playing in Europe and in a strong position to attract a top manager to replace him – what’s not to like?
I suspect fans respect Gerrard as a player but he has yet to earn their respect as the manager of our club.
Hmm, for some reason, I’ve only just seen your reply Hitch, even though I keep looking.
Same sentiments as me, basically.
I’m happy to give Gerrard time to prove himself, same as I have done every single manager in my time as a fan even if I felt he was the wrong appointment. I don’t think some on here have done that but I suppose that’s their right.
I’m glad Coutinho has signed. It looks like a good deal. Lowish fee and if it’s true the size of pay cut he has taken then we have done well and it shows he is committed. Many have said he would be off to Newcastle but it appears he isn’t motivated solely on money.
The signs seem a bit more positive on Chukwumeka too. A couple of decent signings over the summer could see us showing some progress but the reality is that all clubs are busy doing the same. I think. I’ll are on the right track but progress may well be incremental rather than spectacular.
Meanwhile, the transfer rumours are going into overdrive and we’re not in the window yet.
I’m not even going to post any links, as they’re all rubbish imo.
The worst thing for me is that the Birmingham mail is practically leading the way.
To think I used to really respect the paper as a news source.
Now it’s just a typical click-baiter 🙁
Coutinho signed for 20 million Euros, according to this;
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-philippe-coutinho-completes-permanent-26950423
So around £17 mill.
I think that’s a good deal.
Just confirmed we’ve sign Coutinho.
Yep.
4 year deal though, which I’m not so happy about.
I wonder what his wage is?
I’m possibly being unfair, but I just keep thinking about us making so, so many poor, overpriced signings on a consistent basis.
It’s gotta change at some time. Hasn’t it?
Who next????!!!!!
I think this signing was pretty obvious, tbh.
As for who might come in, it’s Lange’s last chance, imo.
He hasn’t convinced me in the slightest, fwiw, particularly with those we signed after the Grealish sale.
A 50% sell on clause!
I can’t say I’m bothered by that.
He’s yet another player who will see out his days at the Villa.
Hopefully he’ll be great for us, as opposed to others.
I’ve just watched Holding get a red against Spurs.
I’ve seen it 4 times and really don’t know what it was for???
Ref can’t be any worse than Moss…
Bbc say it was for an elbow on Son.
I think the overall cost seems reasonable, but Gerrard has to get the best out of him…
Now I’ve seen it again, I agree, it’s a card. The first Yellow looked iffy though.
And the pen?
No way, for me.
It looks like Sky want the race to keep running and running.
Finished things really don’t suit them until the very last minute and it’s just confirming what many of us think.
The game is totally bent now.
Coutinho looks a good bit of business at £17m + £125k per week for 4 years = £43m
There are no two ways that it is Gerard’s presence that has resulted in this purchase. I very much doubt he would have come to Villa otherwise, so well done Stevie G. The other side of the coin it ramps up the pressure on Jim to deliver.
With regards to Buendia (who I rate) and Coutinho fighting it out for them same position, so be it. If we want to compete with the best the class players are in the bench. Look how Liverpool under Klook have got into the position where Fiminio, Salah, Sane, Jota, Diaz, Miniminio and Origi all fight for 3 starting positions. If we want to get there then we must follow suit. Conversely, I accept there are other areas of the team that need strengthening more, such as defensive midfield.
So overall, well done Villa in a good bit of business. I am assume there is more to come!
My thoughts the other evening.
It appeared as though Jon Moss had been given the mandate “Liverpool to win at any cost, keep the interest going to the wire.”
No Ref of all those years of experience suddenly turns into the biggest numpty ever to officiate a game.
Jon Moss has consistently favoured the bigger club in a contest for all the years i have seen him reffing. He refs too many games involving the big Lancs clubs and Villa so we rarely get a point. I think the last time we won a game he reffed was against Norwich at Carrow Road. Thank goodness he has retired and was given the send off he deserved – a standing chant of “You’re not fit to referee!” from all sides of Villa Park.
So in essence he’s always been a
useless bent twat?
🤔
£17m transfer and a reported drop in salary by 70% to a guesstimated £125,000 per week. As much as I hate the ridiculous salaries paid out to players for just kicking a ball around, it’s the only way that Villa can compete with the big boys.
I think it’s a good signing based on a relatively small fee and players like Coutinho will help attract better players to the club.
Agreed – at those numbers why wouldn’t we sign him?
£125k per week is not outrageous in comparison to some of the wages being paid out and I think it says a lot about Coutinho being prepared to accept such a large pay cut – I suspect he could have gone to Newcastle and got more!
I do though, hope that Gerrard will not start him every game if Buendia (or others) have earned the right to start – that’s my only concern.
And a word of praise for Lange et al for negotiating the deal.
A big hat’s off to SG and Lange, I’d have put my house on Philippe Coutinho working for the Saudi dollar next season.
Well I’m off for a cup of tea and a large slice of humble pie.
Gerrard’s quote on announcing the signing of Coutinho.
‘As we look to build towards next season it’s incredible to work at a club that does it’s business so decisively and smoothly’
For all the concerns voiced on the selection of some of the signings we’ve made (and every club gets it wrong at times) Purslow and Lange do work well in the transfer market.
It will be interesting to see who Gerrard has asked them to get this summer – and who he doesn’t rate in the current squad.
Based on previous transfer windows, we tend to get most of our business done early. I’m sure Gerrard has already identified who he wants, so hopefully we will see signings of equal calibre as Coutinho.
The next two games will be important in getting a top half finish against teams we should beat with home advantage. The last game against City will be interesting if Pool are still in contention. Gerrard will want to do his utmost to prevent a Villa defeat if it costs Pool the title. Unfortunately for him I can’t see any hope of spoiling Peps day.
I think Gerrard doesn’t want most of our players and would like to change the squad up totally.
I’m also wondering why we didn’t have to compete with any other club to sign Coutinho?
I know, I’m a cynic.
But I thought there were loads of clubs after him?
It would seem that was total BS, yet again.
Perhaps it’s true, PC is totally in love with Gerrard?
I doubt it, myself.
I see where you’re coming from Badger, but I think a lot of people must have known the reason PC was at Villa was Gerrard (he’s said it publicly) and to break that relationship was a long shot. Newcastle were rumoured, as were Arsenal. Who’s to say they didn’t make enquiries and get knocked back?
I’d like to think you’re right Tex.
(Long time, no see, by the way 🙂 )
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good signing , I reckon.
I agree Badger, it does ponder as to how did Villa pull that deal off? ,I have to say his first few game I was in cloud 7 thinking hey we’re going places. But lately he’s no better than Buendia and is this an ex player helping a mate out in the game. We all can only wait and see if it pans out to be a good move or not.
My biggest worry is no matter how well Buendia plays, Coutinho will always be Gerrard’s favourite and first pick. I think there is room for both in the starting line up. Coutinho playing left and Buendia right with Watkins or Ings or another playing down the middle.
It’s a relatively small fee so we have done well to get business done early. I would like to think he is happy at Villa and that’s the main reason he put pen to paper early. I’m sure there would have been options for him if he had waited till the summer window.
That is also my concern Holte and it’s something I’ve voiced previously.
In regard to the Coutinho deal, I do think in this instance Gerrard was pivotal – it seems Coutinho trusts him and is looking for someone he feels can help him to re-establish a career that has tailed off in the last few years.
I also think Purslow and Lange are extremely good negotiators in the transfer market – whatever other concerns we may have about them.
Lads rejoice!!
Don’t you have to pinch yourself that we have two players of such quality?
How far we have come!
Great to see us fans debating Coutinho v Buendia.
Let’s not forget that when Liverpool sold him Coutinho to Barcelona our next match two days later was against Nottingham Forest in the Championship. We have come a long way.
A big well done to NSWE.
I must admit it’s great to see signings of players we could never have attracted before. Although I get more pleasure from seeing one of our youth players make it. I await with interest who from the current youth crop we have will make it. Further, we still seem to be hoovering up young talent.
Onwards and upwards.
Palace today. Gotta be a win.