I’ve been keeping an eye on the site, but it’s only just dawned on me how long it’s been since I last posted anything, hence I thought I’d better comment on something.
To be fair it seems like you lot have done a pretty good in keeping the conversation going anyway.
Perhaps I’m not really needed?
I watched bits of the Newcastle game and while what I saw didn’t look great, what struck me most was how we did generally seem to be really trying. I also remember wondering whether maybe Gabby’s not being involved might have had something to do with that?
I’m not going to dwell on it though, although the fact that we didn’t beat our previous record of consecutive losses pleased me.
The big story lately has been about a takeover and you probably know my views about this, which quite simply are, it isn’t happening until one of the involved parties says it is.
That said, I know some of you like a juicy bit of speculation, so I’ll give my views.
Forget Ellison, for a start. Why this one keeps cropping up is beyond me.
If he wanted to buy us, he would have done two seasons ago, when he was first rumoured to be interested.
Then there’s the much vaunted Chinese venture capital group, where while I saw a fairly reasonable argument for the Chinese wanting to invest in the English game on a fellow Villa site, I’m not convinced. Even though they’ve been reported as being at the game on Saturday.
More realistic for me is the third party, that I’ve seen vaguely mentioned, but no-one seems to know anything about. They’re the ones to watch, I reckon.
If indeed Lerner has even decided to sell; something I’m not convinced about either, especially if it’s at a measly £50 million.
There’s a difference between cutting your losses and cutting your own throat and even the lesser club down the road sold for £82 million.
I know times are tough, but £50 million?
I don’t see it, as that’s another £18 million lost at a stroke on Lerner’s investment.
Still, it is Lerner we’re talking about and he’s messed up pretty much every other decision over the last five years, hasn’t he?
More immediate news then and the U-21’s lost to a very strong Arsenal side, after the Gooners fielded a few first team players.
Which begs the question of why the hell didn’t we do the same?
Mind you, which of the first team would we want to play in the U-21’s?
I’m sure there must be someone.
And then we’ve released Kinsella.
I’ve heard decent things about him, but that’s all.
It seems Sherwood considered him, but no-one else did and you have to wonder if he just wasn’t up to it?
I certainly don’t see that it would have been a money thing.
Would it????
Then there’s the news that Milan want to buy Amavi.
Hmm, I’ll bet they do. Probably at yet another loss on the £8-9 million we paid for him.
He’s been one of our highlights in this rubbish season and if we let him go cheap, I really will come close to wondering what’s the point in trying to support the Villa lately.
And no, selling him to fund incoming players won’t cut it, with me.
We’ve seen that selling our better players only leads you down one road and the club has to draw a line somewhere.
Expect him to leave then, I suppose.
Then there’s the very latest story, where Roberto Di Matteo will be the next manager.
You really couldn’t make it up, could you?
Ermm…
And then there’s speculation about players who might come in, when we don’t even have a manager.
You really do have to laugh.
i find it just as strange letting players go to be honest. Why not let the incoming manager have a look at all the players and decide who to keep and who to move on?
That’s a good point, although I’d expect that the decision is probably down to a more general consensus amongst all those involved with the kids and not the money people.
At least I’d hope so.
Di Matteo odds shortening to new favourite at 4/6 with Paddy Power (Pearson 5/2) and being linked (speculatively) to the Geneva based investment fund IM 1872 with, allegedly, Far East backing. Drop in price (which includes some debt repayment) to £100m have them interested again – they were supposed to have been looking a year or so ago. They invested in Hertha Berlin in 2014.
There are reports that due diligence and financial checking is being undertaken on a potential buyer at present (rather than by the buyer which would suggest a deal agreed in principle) – remember I’m only the messenger.
Whatever is happening it’s unlikely that Ellison (do we really want another American?) is involved and the first sign of a deal may well be appointment of a new manager. FWIW I’m convinced a sale is now a real possibility.
Oh well you pays your money and takes your chance.
Correct Hitch, except I’m not willing to pay.
Di Matteo is as short as 2/1 on, which would suggest someone knows something.
Bear in mind a couple of hundred quid could easily skew the market though and I strongly suspect there’s something fishy in this tale.
I don’t think I’d want him anyway, but would have to think about it more.
The bookies’ oods showed the same movement the night before McLeish was appointed, so I wouldn’t dismiss this rumour too quickly: someone around VP has form leaking info…
OGS went as low as 1 to 6 I think.
the bookies love stirring it up to generate income.
on sat it was the Chinese yesterday that ice hockey bloke. it’s all getting a bit boring now.
Have I just read that right, where Sunderland are 3 up against Everton?
If so, it would indeed seem we’ve relegated Newcastle again.
I wouldn’t have been proud of that a couple of weeks back, but the way they’ve reacted to not being able to beat by far the worst team in the Prem, has been disappointing.
Stick that one up your pipe, Quinn and realise that you’d do better to team up with us in criticising our owners, you stroker!
Fair play to Big Sam. He does it again.
Fair play to Big Sam. He does it again.
We had a chance of getting Big Sam, but he thought the club was a mess – how right he was !
according to the Birmingham mail Sherwood wants another crack at the villa job. does that mean he would pay his compensation back.
when in trouble Sunderland appoint a proven premier league survival manager and give him money to sign players. Villa appoint a manager with no prem experience and give him no money to spend.
says it all.