Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: algy on December 27, 2024, 09:46:46 PM
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Couldn’t find a thread about the chap. Deserves one for this:
(https://i.ibb.co/vjyS5SD/IMG-1575.png)
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Good grief.
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
Do you have to be so negative on every single thread?
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Fair play to him , poor decisions should be called out .
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Yeah, I've no problem with Vidagany's tweet. It's clearly a sign that Unai is very pissed off with the decisions.
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Yeah , seems like he has a sharp sense of humour too. Lovely backhanded compliment to the horse punchers .
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How rude to say Damian fucked-up. Man's a ledge.
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
Do you have to be so negative on every single thread?
Negativity or hysteria, i can’t fathom which to be honest.
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
Do you have to be so negative on every single thread?
Negativity or hysteria, i can’t fathom which to be honest.
I agree with him on the first point, though. Very small-time.
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
Do you have to be so negative on every single thread?
Examples please on every thread?
Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
Do you have to be so negative on every single thread?
Negativity or hysteria, i can’t fathom which to be honest.
Neither just expressing my opinion.
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Maybe it’s a way of putting some pressure on the next referee. Our players don’t seem to want to behave like that on the pitch like other teams seem to.
We do seem to have shit refs in most games.
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
They all sit down and decide who they want and try and get them, that includes Emery's input. They manage to get some, they don't manage to get others. It's hardly a fuck up.
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
They all sit down and decide who they want and try and get them, that includes Emery's input. They manage to get some, they don't manage to get others. It's hardly a fuck up.
In my opinion it is a fuck up as only person when you look where we are in the table, how bad we are defensively and how little we competed with the top sides last season. We won at chelsea and spurs last season. Yet we got beaten quite easily this year at both. Only team we have managed to beat is city.
Only onana has really added sonethibg to this team. I mean you could argue barkley to be fair as he has added some important goals. Philogene maatsen and the two other boys on loan haven't helped or improved us in the slightest.
With maatsen it is a bit harsh as he hasnt been given many opportunities-but did we really need him when we had moreno he was doing pretty well last year?
Of course we are only half way in so alot can change and ill happily retract it end of season if we manage to finish in the top 6. But cannot see it at the moment based on how we are playing and cant keep clean sheets
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Another thing to consider is that manager's don't just sign players for the following season but for the future.Yep, the window could have been better but it was hardly a fuck up.
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
Couldn't do the deal for the the RB we wanted because of PSR at that time. Already replaced Diaby with Rogers and brought the a 22yr old LB to eventually take over from Digne who's contract comes to an end in the summer.
That all makes strategic sense to me.
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Another thing to consider is that manager's don't just sign players for the following season but for the future.Yep, the window could have been better but it was hardly a fuck up.
Yeah thats true i think that was probably the logic for maatsen but i dont think he will be happy at how little game time he has had. Like i said previously if we fail to get champions league then it would be a fuck up considering the club was saying we aanted go stay in champions league not just be a one season wonder [not those words exactly but in that context)
Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
Couldn't do the deal for the the RB we wanted because of PSR at that time. Already replaced Diaby with Rogers and brought the a 22yr old LB to eventually take over from Digne who's contract comes to an end in the summer.
That all makes strategic sense to me.
Aurely we should have been looking at more than one right back though? We have known about how much that area has been a issue for a while now. Rogers for me isnt a replacement for diaby. He was bought to play with him. Philiogene was the replacement and he has been a flop. I dont blame philiogene as was always a big ask for him to fill in diabs boots.
Do think it was a poor window for us and i said it in the summer our squad looks weaker than last season and based on hiw thw first half of seasons gone i still stand by this. Various others also made this point.
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
Didn't get a 10-point deduction either.
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
Didn't get a 10-point deduction either.
We probably would have been 10 points better off though...
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
Didn't get a 10-point deduction either.
We probably would have been 10 points better off though...
You don't really believe that right?
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
Didn't get a 10-point deduction either.
We probably would have been 10 points better off though...
Should buy loads more players, get a 20 point deduction, doesn’t matter because we’ll be 20 points better off.
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
Didn't get a 10-point deduction either.
We probably would have been 10 points better off though...
You don't really believe that right?
The scary thing is, he probably does.
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Rogers for me isnt a replacement for diaby. He was bought to play with him. Philiogene was the replacement and he has been a flop. I dont blame philiogene as was always a big ask for him to fill in diabs boots.
Diaby played nearly all season as second striker, which is where Rogers mostly plays.
Philogene was bought to play/cover the wings.
So your point seems illogical to me.
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Is Digne out of contract at the end of the season? We need to look at that soon if he's allowed speak to other clubs in Jan. He's definitely got another season or two as a starter left in him.
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
Didn't get a 10-point deduction either.
We probably would have been 10 points better off though...
You don't really believe that right?
Its not exactly far off the mark is it three more victories and 2 points?
Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
Didn't get a 10-point deduction either.
We probably would have been 10 points better off though...
Should buy loads more players, get a 20 point deduction, doesn’t matter because we’ll be 20 points better off.
Show me where a PL team has been deducted 20 points for breaching FFP rules? Ill wait
Your example is completely ridiculous and you know it 😂
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Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
Didn't get a 10-point deduction either.
We probably would have been 10 points better off though...
You don't really believe that right?
Its not exactly far off the mark is it three more victories and 2 points?
Hasnt he got better things to do than engaging with loser newcastle fans? Like figuring out how he and monchi fucked up the last transfer window?
How did he fuck up the last transfer window?
Didnt sign a right back, didnt replace diaby. Signed a left back for 30m that rarely plays - 30m would have been better spent on a position we needed.
Didn't get a 10-point deduction either.
We probably would have been 10 points better off though...
Should buy loads more players, get a 20 point deduction, doesn’t matter because we’ll be 20 points better off.
Show me where a PL team has been deducted 20 points for breaching FFP rules? Ill wait
Your example is completely ridiculous and you know it 😂
You dont get sarcasm do you?
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Scary for having a opinion 😂
God some of these posts
Just to give you some context to supoort my argument and to not scare cringy Clampy anymore as i would hate to scare him anymore.
Last season at xmas after 18 games we sat 3rd. With 39 points and GD +16. This season with one game less played we sit 9th with 28 points and -3 difference. Im pretty sure in fact almost certain if we failed FFP and had the 10 point deduction we wouldnt be far off where we are now with a better side. Even with a point deduction it would likely be reduced on appeal like they normally are. Forest being a prime example took the deduction and look at them now.
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Horse punching inbreds.
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Better off saying your back tracking but hey ho
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We're getting transfer advice off a poster who in the space of a couple of weeks said he would happily get rid of our back four (who got us Champions league football), bring back a 19 year old who hasn't kicked a ball for us and suggested a swap type deal which would mean us losing one of the hottest properties in European football and he wonders why I cringe.
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Another thing to consider is that manager's don't just sign players for the following season but for the future.Yep, the window could have been better but it was hardly a fuck up.
Spot on Clampy…
Nothing can be ok it has to be marvellous or shit…nothing in between
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Last season at xmas after 18 games we sat 3rd. With 39 points and GD +16. This season with one game less played we sit 9th with 28 points and -3 difference. Im pretty sure in fact almost certain if we failed FFP and had the 10 point deduction we wouldnt be far off where we are now with a better side. Even with a point deduction it would likely be reduced on appeal like they normally are. Forest being a prime example took the deduction and look at them now.
Not factoring in being in the Champions League as part of your equation then….comparing last season to this is nothing like comparing like with like.
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Better off saying your back tracking but hey ho
If by back tracking you mean admitting you might be wrong, then yeah, it’s infinitely better than doubling down on something stupid.
You missed my previous point, unsurprisingly. Why isn’t everyone just taking the 10 point deduction, if it’s as easy as just buying players = 10 more points? What about the UEFA penalty too? Just take whatever they throw at us too?
You need to understand, the incredulity with which some people have towards some of your posts isn’t because you have a different opinion. It’s often because it’s bat shit. This is far from one of your most out there opinions.
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I’m happy enough with the window for the most part - hate the Doug deal, but understand the reasons. Onana is going to be very good, Maatsen longer-term will be an excellent signing. The one error, and I understand it to an extent, was selling Diaby and thinking they’d largely covered what he brought with Philogene. That, in my view, is still the biggest issue with the squad because it’s stops us turning the tide when we’re under pressure and limits our flexibility.
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I’m happy enough with the window for the most part - hate the Doug deal, but understand the reasons. Onana is going to be very good, Maatsen longer-term will be an excellent signing. The one error, and I understand it to an extent, was selling Diaby and thinking they’d largely covered what he brought with Philogene. That, in my view, is still the biggest issue with the squad because it’s stops us turning the tide when we’re under pressure and limits our flexibility.
That can be summed up by simply saying Philogene hasn't worked out, which so far he hasn't. But that's going to happen from time to time, they're not all going to be a Rogers. Even Fergie bought a few duds in his time.
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It’s more than that thought it’s also getting rid of Diaby.
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I thought Diaby was because his wages would push us over the European PSR which would have meant we were kicked out of the CL. We could have got rid of someone else (Digne for example), but being as there was an obvious buyer for Diaby in Saudi Arabia, (and potentially he might not have settled either), Diaby was the one let go.
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Better off saying your back tracking but hey ho
Glad I don't go drinking with you. You remind me of someone I used to knock about with. He could start an argument on his own in a phone box.
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I’m happy enough with the window for the most part - hate the Doug deal, but understand the reasons. Onana is going to be very good, Maatsen longer-term will be an excellent signing. The one error, and I understand it to an extent, was selling Diaby and thinking they’d largely covered what he brought with Philogene. That, in my view, is still the biggest issue with the squad because it’s stops us turning the tide when we’re under pressure and limits our flexibility.
I’m interested to know why you think Philogene is Diaby’s replacement when they play in different positions for us.
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I’m happy enough with the window for the most part - hate the Doug deal, but understand the reasons. Onana is going to be very good, Maatsen longer-term will be an excellent signing. The one error, and I understand it to an extent, was selling Diaby and thinking they’d largely covered what he brought with Philogene. That, in my view, is still the biggest issue with the squad because it’s stops us turning the tide when we’re under pressure and limits our flexibility.
I’m interested to know why you think Philogene is Diaby’s replacement when they play in different positions for us.
Because building and managing a squad isn't a case of replacing roles like-for-like.
So Onana isn't a "replacement" for Douglas Luiz, nor is Barkley. The closest thing is Tielemans, who is now doing most of the stuff on the pitch that DL was doing for us last season. But there was other stuff that he did which is now being done by other people. So his role on the pitch is being replaced in varying ways by all of Kamara, Onana, Barkley and Tielemans.
So Philogene is Diaby’s replacement in the sense that his departure left a gap for an attacker in the squad. And as you hint at, most of the stuff that Diaby offered has been replaced and improved upon already by Rogers.
But some of the stuff that Diaby did, Rogers can't do (mainly filling in on the wing for Bailey when needed and worrying teams about the bloke who could run into space really fast). So Philogene is supposed to be replacing those bits, but not doing it as well as Rogers is doing his.
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I’m happy enough with the window for the most part - hate the Doug deal, but understand the reasons. Onana is going to be very good, Maatsen longer-term will be an excellent signing. The one error, and I understand it to an extent, was selling Diaby and thinking they’d largely covered what he brought with Philogene. That, in my view, is still the biggest issue with the squad because it’s stops us turning the tide when we’re under pressure and limits our flexibility.
I’m interested to know why you think Philogene is Diaby’s replacement when they play in different positions for us.
Because building and managing a squad isn't a case of replacing roles like-for-like.
So Onana isn't a "replacement" for Douglas Luiz, nor is Barkley. The closest thing is Tielemans, who is now doing most of the stuff on the pitch that DL was doing for us last season. But there was other stuff that he did which is now being done by other people. The stuff that he did is now being done by a combination of other players.
So Philogene is Diaby’s replacement in the sense that his departure left a gap for an attacker in the squad. And most of the stuff that Diaby offered has been replaced and improved upon already by Rogers.
But some of the stuff that Diaby did, Rogers can't do (mainly filling in on the wing for Bailey when needed and worrying teams about the bloke who could run into space really fast). So Philogene is supposed to be replacing those bits, but not doing it as well as Rogers is doing his.
Yes. Tielemans was Dougie’s replacement, as was confirmed after Dougie was sold. That was the plan.
Rogers wasn’t the plan to replace Diaby, but his performances at the end of last season facilitated the sale of Diaby as it was clear we had happened upon a replacement.
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Yes. But given Diaby played in Bailey's position at times last season with Tielemans pushed up with Watkins, we can't do that with Rogers (or we could, but his time at Boro hints that it might not be very effective), so we needed "the guy to fill in for Bailey".
Hence Philogene.
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The main reason we are seemingly missing Diaby is because in August Bailey 2.0 turned up instead of Bailey.
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The main reason we are seemingly missing Diaby is because in August Bailey 2.0 turned up instead of Bailey.
Well yeah but it’s not a coincidence that Diaby not being there has altered the output of Bailey. Whether it’s a relationship thing, a lack of pressure thing, or something else I don’t know but they clearly worked.
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Yes. But given Diaby played in Bailey's position at times last season with Tielemans pushed up with Watkins, we can't do that with Rogers (or we could, but his time at Boro hints that it might not be very effective), so we needed "the guy to fill in for Bailey".
Hence Philogene.
So, you’re with me that he’s more of a Bailey replacement/back-up?
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I thought Diaby was given a harsher than was deserved time on here very frequently, but reading some of the comments now looking back, Santa clearly brought rose tinted glasses to a few of us.
Yeah, he had his moments, but he also had significantly more moments of utter mediocrity.
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Yes. But given Diaby played in Bailey's position at times last season with Tielemans pushed up with Watkins, we can't do that with Rogers (or we could, but his time at Boro hints that it might not be very effective), so we needed "the guy to fill in for Bailey".
Hence Philogene.
So, you’re with me that he’s more of a Bailey replacement/back-up?
Absolutely. And taking Diaby’s place in the squad.
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I thought Diaby was given a harsher than was deserved time on here very frequently, but reading some of the comments now looking back, Santa clearly brought rose tinted glasses to a few of us.
Yeah, he had his moments, but he also had significantly more moments of utter mediocrity.
I was not impressed with Diaby other than his pace . As a footballer he seemed quite limited . But his pace is sensational and we are missing that element .
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Yes I think it’s less specifically Diaby and more the loss of pace to stretch games. Also from memory he was never injured, which was useful too.
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Yes. But given Diaby played in Bailey's position at times last season with Tielemans pushed up with Watkins, we can't do that with Rogers (or we could, but his time at Boro hints that it might not be very effective), so we needed "the guy to fill in for Bailey".
Hence Philogene.
So, you’re with me that he’s more of a Bailey replacement/back-up?
Absolutely. And taking Diaby’s place in the squad.
We are missing his pace but need someone better. He did square root of f**k all in a lot of games.
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Yes I think it’s less specifically Diaby and more the loss of pace to stretch games. Also from memory he was never injured, which was useful too.
His potential pace on the counter meant opponents defences had to be ready for that , often leaving two back just in case . We don't have this outlet now .
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Yes. But given Diaby played in Bailey's position at times last season with Tielemans pushed up with Watkins, we can't do that with Rogers (or we could, but his time at Boro hints that it might not be very effective), so we needed "the guy to fill in for Bailey".
Hence Philogene.
So, you’re with me that he’s more of a Bailey replacement/back-up?
Absolutely. And taking Diaby’s place in the squad.
We are missing his pace but need someone better. He did square root of f**k all in a lot of games.
Let’s not overstate it - he wasn’t what we hoped, but he still was involved in 19 goals across the competitions we played in. That’s a solid return.
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He was a really important player for us pre xmas 2023. Watch the clips back rather than rely on memory. Him, Watkins, McGinn, Bailey, were unplayable. Like most of the test of the team, his form dipped after xmas. So I’d say the judgement on his worth to us is grey rather than black or white, he was good, or shite
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He wanted a move to Saudi before he joined us and he wanted it last summer again. Says a lot about his ambition to play at a high a level as possible. The sale gave us breathing space from UEFA financial fair play. Philogene and Bailey were expected to offer a lot more. They haven't and i expect us to rectify that in January.
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He wanted a move to Saudi before he joined us and he wanted it last summer again. Says a lot about his ambition to play at a high a level as possible. The sale gave us breathing space from UEFA financial fair play. Philogene and Bailey were expected to offer a lot more. They haven't and i expect us to rectify that in January.
I agree with all that apart from the last point I would be surprised if we successfully rectify it next month
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He wanted a move to Saudi before he joined us and he wanted it last summer again. Says a lot about his ambition to play at a high a level as possible. The sale gave us breathing space from UEFA financial fair play. Philogene and Bailey were expected to offer a lot more. They haven't and i expect us to rectify that in January.
Yeah he seemed very motivated to go to Saudi .
The pics of him and his kids on the private jet to Riyadh he posted on social media I found a bit weird and disrespectful of villa . Each to their own though and onwards and upwards .
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I thought Diaby was given a harsher than was deserved time on here very frequently, but reading some of the comments now looking back, Santa clearly brought rose tinted glasses to a few of us.
Yeah, he had his moments, but he also had significantly more moments of utter mediocrity.
Agree with the first paragraph but I disagree with second. I felt that last season diaby struggled when most of the side did. Even at his worse he was better than bailey is at his worst.
He struggled in a team that that was low on confidence and mostly likely fatigue. We must remember too it was his first season in england he he was far better than bailey was in his first year. I think he would have been even better this year if we had kept him. I would take him back in a heart beat if he there was scope at re signing him allthough i think that would be veey unlikley
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I liked Diaby a lot and as suggested, I think he would have been better this season than last season and even last season he played his part. The suggestion that he contributed 'square root of fuck all' in games is harsh. As aleady said though, the fact that he's gone to where he nearly went before he joined does say a lot. It wouldn't surprise me to see him back in Europe eventually though.
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I think diary was ok - his numbers were good and there were flashes of class. I think he would have improved this season.
But overall my concern and I think most people is he wasnt adequately replaced.
Which in hindsight it’s clear Beundia doesn’t have a place (I think maybe Roger’s was his replacement) and rely on JJ not to be injuried Bailey to be as good as last season was a bit optimistic
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I think diary was ok - his numbers were good and there were flashes of class. I think he would have improved this season.
But overall my concern and I think most people is he wasnt adequately replaced.
Which in hindsight it’s clear Beundia doesn’t have a place (I think maybe Roger’s was his replacement) and rely on JJ not to be injuried Bailey to be as good as last season was a bit optimistic
I think we tried every day of the week to replace him, just proved too difficult.
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monkey and vidy knew the season would bring extra games and more travelling.
Villa this season is basically when Rogers plays well they win and when he doesn't turn up they lose. We needed someone to share the workload with him.
you could of taken Smith Rowe or Hudson Odoi (loan made perm) who both moved this summer
They spent heavy on Onana but he hasn't pulled up any trees, was he even first choice traget? we were linked with Gallagher for weeks.
I hope Sawiris tells him to get off twitter and pull his finger out.
This season was a massive opportunity to do something. Teams like manu and man city falling away, instead we've been sucked back in to midtable.
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Looks like Moussa might be struggling to come to terms no longer being slagged off by Darren of Erdington.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD2kQY3CXaF/?igsh=MXh5aDVmb29la3R4Nw==
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Looks like Moussa might be struggling to come to terms no longer being slagged off by Darren of Erdington.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD2kQY3CXaF/?igsh=MXh5aDVmb29la3R4Nw==
I wonder if he regrets retiring so young though?
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How’s Diaby getting in playing over there
I have zero interest in Saudi football so don’t keep up with how players/managers doing
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Fine. Not tearing it up, but one of the better players for the team at the top of the league.
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Fine. Not tearing it up, but one of the better players for the team at the top of the league.
Top of the league, going good for him then
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10 assists (4 in one game) and 1 goal. Injured at the moment though.
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Not too shabby at all
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Not too shabby at all
You'd have 6 assists and 2 goals out there by now, with an xG of 20, if you went out there.
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Not too shabby at all
You'd have 6 assists and 2 goals out there by now, with an xG of 20, if you went out there.
And a million quid a month tax free in your pocket
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Not too shabby at all
You'd have 6 assists and 2 goals out there by now, with an xG of 20, if you went out there.
I have never watched saudi football at all. I know the standards low but i would imagine his team mates would be at a very poor level?
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Not too shabby at all
You'd have 6 assists and 2 goals out there by now, with an xG of 20, if you went out there.
I have never watched saudi football at all. I know the standards low but i would imagine his team mates would be at a very poor level?
Benzema, Kante, Fabinho, Aouar, Bergwijn...
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monkey and vidy knew the season would bring extra games and more travelling.
Villa this season is basically when Rogers plays well they win and when he doesn't turn up they lose. We needed someone to share the workload with him.
you could of taken Smith Rowe or Hudson Odoi (loan made perm) who both moved this summer
They spent heavy on Onana but he hasn't pulled up any trees, was he even first choice traget? we were linked with Gallagher for weeks.
I hope Sawiris tells him to get off twitter and pull his finger out.
This season was a massive opportunity to do something. Teams like manu and man city falling away, instead we've been sucked back in to midtable.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing
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. I hope Sawiris tells him to get off twitter and pull his finger out.
This season was a massive opportunity to do something. Teams like manu and man city falling away, instead we've been sucked back in to midtable.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing
Hindsight is risk-free, and its rewards are commensurate.
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Diaby seemed to have a massive loss of confidence in front of goal/in the final third sometime around Christmas.
But he always showed willing and energy, I felt (Philogene take note), and even when he was off colour, he still managed to produce some end product (Brentford away, Luton away, Liverpool home, for example).
It’s hard to argue with his sale, however, as we secured a premium given that his mediocre form in the second half of the season would not really have warranted a “natural” increase in value on European markets.
I thought it was a reasonable punt to imagine Philogene replacing the parts of Diaby that, as Dave points out, Rogers cannot reach. But he has made late-season Diaby look positively world class, hence perhaps the rose tinted specs. Can’t see Philogene turning that around now, sadly.
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Not too shabby at all
You'd have 6 assists and 2 goals out there by now, with an xG of 20, if you went out there.
I have never watched saudi football at all. I know the standards low but i would imagine his team mates would be at a very poor level?
Benzema, Kante, Fabinho, Aouar, Bergwijn...
Yeah, but, erm, it’s probably hot out there.
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"Monkey and Vidy" - as nicknames go, fair play!
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I suppose this is a good place as any for this:
https://x.com/kieranmaguire/status/1874729941486727224?s=61&t=xJ3Qpfj5c0SMrRQDwdeZJg
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As frustrating as this season has been we have to acknowledge how hamstrung we've been by the bent ffp rules they use to keep everyone in their place. I was bored and took a look after we beat Man City at the cost of all the starting 11's that played that weekend and ours was only the 10th most expensive.
By and large we've done well with what we've spent, it's just frustrating that we qualify for the Champions League and have to sign players from Hull and Luton to comply with some arbitary rule that doesn't affect others because they charge thousands for suits to eat prawn sandwiches. Nothing to do with on the pitch.
Chelsea £435m
Man City £360m
Man Utd £359m
Liverpool £350m
Arsenal £312m
Newcastle £309m
Tottenham £297m
West Ham £286m
Brighton £181m
Aston V £170m
Wolves £164m
Notts F £160m
Bournemouth £154m
Leicester £126m
Brentford £117m
Fulham £111m
Southampton £105m
Everton £100m
Crystal P £88m
Ipswich £77m
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As frustrating as this season has been we have to acknowledge how hamstrung we've been by the bent ffp rules they use to keep everyone in their place. I was bored and took a look after we beat Man City at the cost of all the starting 11's that played that weekend and ours was only the 10th most expensive.
By and large we've done well with what we've spent, it's just frustrating that we qualify for the Champions League and have to sign players from Hull and Luton to comply with some arbitary rule that doesn't affect others because they charge thousands for suits to eat prawn sandwiches. Nothing to do with on the pitch.
Yeah, I looked at that table in the post above then a few minutes later looked at the gossip page on the BBC, which is leading with Man Utd looking to bring in Gyokores for £80m.
Fuck off.
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Modded my post with the starting 11 costs I'd worked out. Obviously not 100% accurate and doesn't include add on's but gives a general view of the fee's. The gap from 9th to 8th spend is as large as the gap from 9th to 20th. We've done really well but without the rules being relaxed we have a glass ceiling.
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Modded my post with the starting 11 costs I'd worked out. Obviously not 100% accurate and doesn't include add on's but gives a general view of the fee's. The gap from 9th to 8th spend is as large as the gap from 9th to 20th. We've done really well but without the rules being relaxed we have a glass ceiling.
I know it’s a rough calculation but Im surprised the top 3’s combined cost isn’t bigger tbh.
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Modded my post with the starting 11 costs I'd worked out. Obviously not 100% accurate and doesn't include add on's but gives a general view of the fee's. The gap from 9th to 8th spend is as large as the gap from 9th to 20th. We've done really well but without the rules being relaxed we have a glass ceiling.
I know it’s a rough calculation but Im surprised the top 3’s combined cost isn’t bigger tbh.
Well take Man Utd for example, it didn't include Anthony, Mount, Di Ligt, Yoro or Hojlund. That would be another £300m alone. It was just fee's for the starting 11 players on the weekend before Christmas. Squad costs for some of them like Chelsea would be astronomical.
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Our net spend is even more impressive when you consider that most of our players are either pure profit, near-as-dammit pure profit because they’ve been almost fully amortised or (in Duran’s case) because they’re worth a fortune compared to their initial fee.
PP: Ramsay, Tielemans, Kamara, Barry.
Near-as-dammit: McGinn, Konsa, Cash, Martinez, Mings, Watkins, Duran,
Still a fair bit to pay: Carlos, Onana, Torres, Digne, Maatsen.
Bargain bucket: Olsen, Hause.
Turning like a wheel dragging a heavy stone,
A weight that ties us down that we will always own:
Coutinho.
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Is that Weller?
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Is that Weller?
Paraphrased, yes.
As You Lean Into The Light, from Heavy Soul.
The subject I was posting about made me think of it, that made me put it on in my headphones, and during that first listen, my mate rang and told me his sister had been put on DNR at the QE.
What a turn of events.
Erm… happy new year everyone! Sorry.
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https://www.avfcfab.co.uk/letter-from-damian-vidagany
Letter From Damian
Damian Vidagany is Aston Villa's Director of Football Operations and very much Unai Emery's right-hand man.
The Villa FAB was greatly encouraged by our first meeting with Damian back in December. He is a football man through and through, and it was clear that the meeting was never intended as a PR exercise. His transparency and thoughtfulness were both welcome and refreshing.
It’s our belief - and his - that for Villa to truly break into the 'big six' and achieve the belief and consistency required, the team and the supporters must move forward together, working in unison, especially on match days.
Following the dramatic night at Villa Park against PSG - a powerful reminder of what a fully charged home crowd can achieve - Damian sent the Villa FAB the message below. He kindly agreed that we could share it publicly, as it was written with every single Villa supporter in mind.
Message to Villa supporters
18th April 2025
Dear Fan Advisory Board members,
First, I would like to show how grateful we are to the supporters - from everyone at the club, the manager, the players, and the staff - for the European night atmospheres we had at VP. We know how hard it was for many people to get tickets… and pay for them.
We had the responsibility to make it worthwhile, and we did our best. We finished angry because we should be in the semi-final, but we will have our opportunity to come back stronger.
It comes to my mind the nice meeting we had at Christmas. I remember that I asked you to keep the faith and trust the process of the team. We delivered. Now is the time to ask you one more thing. We need you every single match providing the energy and strength to the squad.
We cannot ever think that we have had enough. We want and we need to qualify for UCL again. This is where we belong, and we won’t stop now. Not a second to be self-proud of what we did. Everything is coming now. We want a trophy, and we want to go Champions League.
We need you guys fully engaged, please help us spreading the message: A winning team, a winning club, never is full and never is tired of getting new challenges.
Newcastle tomorrow is the new “PSG” for us. It is like a UCL semi-final.
Up the Villa.
Damian Vidagany.
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Fair play to him and the club.
For the last 20 odd years I have not gave a toss about the champions league as it was dominated from our league by the same scum 6.
Now that we have tasted those nights it is drug we surely must all crave. Let's start by beating these fuckers and the 115 mob to stamp our mark on our place
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Maybe we should do like Chelsea and get a singing section in 🤔
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From Damian,
"Difficult to sleep tonight. Huge effort day by day of everyone in the club to get the best outcome. At the end UEL next season. 3 seasons in Europe…and the feeling is that we are gutted. This change of expectations talks itself about transformation process we made since arrived. My deep admiration for NSWE, Unai,
@leonsfdo
, coaching staff, the Directors and staff of the club and the fans. A single point, or the goal difference…it can make the difference on our mood, yes,…but won’t change the reality: our culture, standard and values are the right ones. Up the Villa!!! (It wil be late, but I’ll start to dream tonight again)"
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gr1U7cnWsAAM2-8?format=jpg&name=360x360)
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I like this man.
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"Change of expectation". In other words, brace yourself for the fire sale.
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"Change of expectation". In other words, brace yourself for the fire sale.
If you read it completely out of context and put your own obsessive spin on it, maybe
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Yeah that's not what he says at all.
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"Change of expectation". In other words, brace yourself for the fire sale.
If you read it completely out of context and put your own obsessive spin on it, maybe
Yes it’s quite pathetic
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"Change of expectation". In other words, brace yourself for the fire sale.
Crikey that’s an odd spin on it.
One of the hardest things for a club to achieve is getting the owners, fans and team all on the same side and pulling in the same direction. We are pretty much there and there’s no shame in highlighting that.
I like Viddy, he’s the emotional drunk uncle, the character, that softens the intensity of Emery and Monchi.
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Has anyone else apart from the terminally dimwitted read this and thought anything other he's saying how far we've come that the Europa League is now a disappointment?
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I suspect the dim-witted person who blamed the club, NSWE and the manager for getting Emi sent off by not stopping transfer talk might also have the same take as the..... ohhhh.
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We may now give the league a better go without the intensity of CL matches and looking dogsh*t the next match, do what Newcastle have done, come back stronger. Just trying to be positive, as if the worst thing to happen is that we only qualified for the EL then things ain't too bad. Wasn't that long ago we had Scot Hogan playing for us.
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Ignore him, he's a nose.
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"Change of expectation". In other words, brace yourself for the fire sale.
Nobody is this thick, it's deliberate. Log off and get a better hobby than trolling on the Internet. Try fishing maybe or just do some gardening. You won't be able to fertilise the flower beds with the shite you talk though, so pop to B&Q for that.
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Deleted.
Wrong thread
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"Change of expectation". In other words, brace yourself for the fire sale.
Nobody is this thick, it's deliberate. Log off and get a better hobby than trolling on the Internet. Try fishing maybe or just do some gardening. You won't be able to fertilise the flower beds with the shite you talk though, so pop to B&Q for that.
Today’s coffee spewing comment.🤣🤣
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"Change of expectation". In other words, brace yourself for the fire sale.
Nobody is this thick, it's deliberate. Log off and get a better hobby than trolling on the Internet. Try fishing maybe or just do some gardening. You won't be able to fertilise the flower beds with the shite you talk though, so pop to B&Q for that.
Today’s coffee spewing comment.🤣🤣
Absolute quality post!
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Has anyone else apart from the terminally dimwitted read this and thought anything other he's saying how far we've come that the Europa League is now a disappointment?
Indeed - I’m surprised some people have the capacity to remember to breathe.
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Has anyone else apart from the terminally dimwitted read this and thought anything other he's saying how far we've come that the Europa League is now a disappointment?
Indeed - I’m surprised some people have the capacity to remember to breathe.
We are idiots, babe
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That's a Dylan reference rather than an insult BTW
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Damian seems a proper good bloke
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Yeah but does he listen to Dylan?
He's also a big man so when Unai was losing his wig after the game yesterday, I'm glad D Viddy wasn't following suit. You gotta respect your blood pressure.
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Has anyone else apart from the terminally dimwitted read this and thought anything other he's saying how far we've come that the Europa League is now a disappointment?
Yes i got that . it is amazing what you can see that really isn’t there 🤔😃
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Is Director of Football his correct title?
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It’s a very good statement , I love “ our culture standard and values are the right ones”
Class.
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Today...
Damian
"One year later, every words comes stronger: we keep fighting this situation to deliver a good team and comply with PSR and UEFA rules. As difficult it is, we won’t give up..( Thanks and good luck JJ) 👇🏻"
August 14th 2024
🗣 Damian Vidagany via talkSPORT: "Absolutely [PSR makes it more difficult]. Clubs need some rules to stick to, but PSR is making it very complex. The system is forcing the clubs to sell their Academy players, this is the way to get more profit and be able to stick to the rules, and I think this is killing some spirit of football.
"It's something that is not natural in football, something that is breaking the cycle, affecting the inflation of the salary of the players, how the club want to build squads and also forcing clubs to do deals that are not natural in the market. To get the best deals you need time, and PSR is not helping the clubs.
"We, as a club, have the ambition to get there, amongst the best, I don't like the concept of top six, to get there is very difficult because the clubs who have more resources it's easier to stick to PSR, it's like an establishment that we're trying to break but the system is not allowing us to do it.
"We're lucky to have one of the best managers in the world that is helping to break this wall we have in front."
#avfc #UTV 🟣🔵
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I do worry that these magnificent owners and management team we have in place, eventually throw the towel in and walk away.
I sense this is a defining season for us, whether we are able to keep Unai and the whole structure in place for next season.
God, I hope so.
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I do worry that these magnificent owners and management team we have in place, eventually throw the towel in and walk away.
I sense this is a defining season for us, whether we are able to keep Unai and the whole structure in place for next season.
God, I hope so.
I'm getting that vibe too.
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I do worry that these magnificent owners and management team we have in place, eventually throw the towel in and walk away.
I sense this is a defining season for us, whether we are able to keep Unai and the whole structure in place for next season.
God, I hope so.
I'm getting that vibe too.
Same.
I don't want to be a doom merchant but unless something changes, I can't see why the owners, the manager and even us for that matter, bother when progress is deliberately put beyond our reach.
I'm just waiting for us all to come to the conclusion that there is no point being in a competition where there is no competition.
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I think it’s all just setting up the formation of a new Super league probably funded by Saudi money and involving some of their clubs
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I do worry that these magnificent owners and management team we have in place, eventually throw the towel in and walk away.
I sense this is a defining season for us, whether we are able to keep Unai and the whole structure in place for next season.
God, I hope so.
I'm getting that vibe too.
Same.
I don't want to be a doom merchant but unless something changes, I can't see why the owners, the manager and even us for that matter, bother when progress is deliberately put beyond our reach.
I'm just waiting for us all to come to the conclusion that there is no point being in a competition where there is no competition.
I don't necessarily see it that way, I just think it takes longer. I want the financial constraints removed as much as the next fan, but I also don't see it as there being "no point trying". Yes, we're hamstrung financially, but we've already PROVEN we can compete at the top level, and the longer we're close to that top level, the more our financial strength grows. It might take another few years, but we'll eventually gain the sort of commercial operation other "top 6" clubs have, and then the playing field levels off a bit.
This - the bit we're in right now - is the most difficult bit. It's difficult, but not impossible, to build a one-off side that can compete in any given season (see Forest last year). The trick is being able to sustain that level over multiple season while the club grows off the back of that on-field success. We've now finished 7th, 4th and 6th in Unai's first three season. We need to keep that momentum and be in the European fight every year.
Five or six years of regular European football will us help gain the required financial muscle, even better if a couple of them are in the Champions League.
I want it yesterday, like we all do, but I don't doubt for a moment that those in the club think it's not only possible, but likely with the team/staff we have in place.
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I agree Smithy; we're progressing all the time, we're improving each season under this genius manager, and we've not hit the ceiling yet. I actually think Emery works better with a challenge like this, when he has limited resources, and when you look at our record since he joined, and since the owners joined, we keep improving, facilities are getting better, the ground is increasing in size and thus our revenue will grow. We've got bigger and better partners, Guinness, Coke, Red Bull and of course Adidas. This is a great time to be a Villa fan, when you compare it to the previous 30 years and much of our history.
That we've been forced to sell a prized academy graduate, having had to sell Grealish previously, highlights why we all feel so shit about the modern game, but we are becoming great again, in spite of the rules, not because of them. And that's what makes us so special. We're working for success, we're not being given it.
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Our owners knew the rules from day one.
They are now at the point where they can demonstrate how these rules do not achieve their objective.
They will no doubt pull all the levers to challenge/modify the rules that create a monopoly.
I don’t see them walking away after making such relatively quick progress and continuing to invest in the clubs infrastructure.
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There’s a YouTube video doing the rounds. It’s some guy spending an hour criticising Emery with all the backing he’s had. He’s wearing a Villa Top.
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There’s a YouTube video doing the rounds. It’s some guy spending an hour criticising Emery with all the backing he’s had. He’s wearing a Villa Top.
An attention seeking moron then.
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Were his bells ringing claret and blue?
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I do worry that these magnificent owners and management team we have in place, eventually throw the towel in and walk away.
I sense this is a defining season for us, whether we are able to keep Unai and the whole structure in place for next season.
God, I hope so.
I'm getting that vibe too.
Same.
I don't want to be a doom merchant but unless something changes, I can't see why the owners, the manager and even us for that matter, bother when progress is deliberately put beyond our reach.
I'm just waiting for us all to come to the conclusion that there is no point being in a competition where there is no competition.
I'm not so sure. We must remember that the owners will look at success through a different lens to us fans.
The owners will still be happy as long as their return on their investment continues to grow. Arguably, the fact they cannot spend may increase their profits because their cost are reduced. Emery is a different risk but his best work has been at 'underdog' clubs rather than with PSG or Arsenal.
I'm hoping the noise coming from the club is tactic designed to create a narrative and galvanize a stale squad with a common enemy.
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One of the only if not thee only way the club as a whole stays successful is success on the pitch. I’m pretty sure this isn’t lost on them. I wouldn’t be surprised if Atairos became the main shareholder in a few months though. Wes is nowhere near as prominent as he once was.
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Edens has never been prominent. Swaris has the bug properly.
This is an ego thing now. Theyre not going anywhere in my view.
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At some point the balance has to shift to the other side.
At the moment we are having to conform with these rules.
Eventually things will have to level up, then, logically, they will have to tip over to the positive side.
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it's like an establishment that we're trying to break but the system is not allowing us to do it.
When people say that we are paranoid it is even thought of as the same by the senior people within our club and i am sure others.
The whole of the summer the biased press and Sky sports have tried to destabilise Us, Newcastle, Forest by constantly reporting how we are hampered by PSR / FFP / SCR and that our players have to be sold and that we should just doth our caps when the likes of the Redfilth, 'The Mighty Reds YNWA', Spurz come calling for our top players.
All facets of the game are seemingly geared to favour the money 6 - be it financial rule changes, Piss poor inconsistent refereeing decisions, fixture timetables and ultimately weak or non existent punishment when their own rules are broken.
Fans of both clubs got it right on Saturday
"Premier league, Corrupt as fuck"