How good are they really

[Risso]

I think Gabby's a superb player, one of the few in our team that I could see going to a team like Man U or Chelsea and being a big success.  I think he has a lot more to his game that isn't being given the chance to develop as a result of our one dimensional play.

[supertom]

Milner is the easier to replace out of himself, Ash and Gab.

Weirdly I agree, despite thinking Milner is the best player out of the three!

I do think we'll need two players to replace Milner in midfield, but still, trying to find a striker as quick and strong as Gabby and as hard working, who still scores you around the 15 mark every season, or a winger as good as Ash, is far harder.

Ireland and a quality holding player would replace Milner nicely, and with 25-30 mill, we could do that.

[sfx412]

When comparing prices for players the age/resale value is a factor.  

I can see a clear differential between Milner's price and what the papers are speculating he will be sold for.  If you can't, then I can't hep you.

Perhaps you could look back again and show me where I asked you for your help?

Drogba is a tried and tested top striker who has proven at every level that he can score goals and is I'd assume able to continue to do that for a few seasons yet, 3 at least which is about the average contract length. So why would an unproven young striker be sold for a similar or higher price price.

[Concrete John]

When comparing prices for players the age/resale value is a factor.  

I can see a clear differential between Milner's price and what the papers are speculating he will be sold for.  If you can't, then I can't hep you.

Perhaps you could look back again and show me where I asked you for your help?

Drogba is a tried and tested top striker who has proven at every level that he can score goals and is I'd assume able to continue to do that for a few seasons yet, 3 at least which is about the average contract length. So why would an unproven young striker be sold for a similar or higher price price.

You may not have asked for it, but when I see people struggling like this I do like to offer my aid - I'm just that kind of guy!

So, you'd advocate buying a player for £20m+ who would have no sell on value?

[MoetVillan]

if Villa, or City or Everton signed a player at 20 million for three years, and expected no sell on value,  if that player was the reason for said team then breaking the top four the next year, or in those three years, yes most definitely.  Its against most of my principals of buying them young and developing players yourself, but sometimes you need that blend.  A player who knows what its like to win, and can share that with youngsters.  A player who can get you in the top four, and make your team a more viable destination for other top players.  A top player that underlines your club means business.

[eamonn]

Milner is the easier to replace out of himself, Ash and Gab.

Weirdly I agree, despite thinking Milner is the best player out of the three!

I think Ash is comfortably the most talented of the three.

[Monty]

Milner is the easier to replace out of himself, Ash and Gab.

Weirdly I agree, despite thinking Milner is the best player out of the three!

I think Ash is comfortably the most talented of the three.

Definitely, Ash has that kind of natural smoothness on the ball that the other two can only dream of, good as they are.

[Concrete John]

I think Roy Keane had a lot of players playing in his generation that were more skillful than him, but who's won most medals and was the player most managers would have loved in their side?

I think Ash has more natural talent than Milner, but I maintain that one both are retired, Jimmy will be remembered as the better player and achieve more.

[pestria]

We miss Ashley most when he doesn't play.

[mshurst]

Milner would definately be easiest to replace, for sure. At the end of the day Milner is an attacking midfielder. They are not hard to come by. Granted, for Villa they probably are, but never-the-less Young is a more specialised player.

He sticks to the wings (he does do other things), and those kind of attacking wingers are also plenty in supply - but one of Ash's quality would cost a fortune.

And as said, Ash is naturally talented when it comes to control and technique.

[pauliewalnuts]

Milner is 80 percent effort, 20 percent skill.

Young is 20 percent effort, 80 percent skill.

[eastie]

Milner is 80 percent effort, 20 percent skill.

Young is 20 percent effort, 80 percent skill.

Disagree with that , young cannot be faulted for his effort- there may be many things labelled at mons management, but effort is always 100%- young has often raced to track back and cover the defence and impressed me with his hard work.

Maybe you meant young is naurally a lot more skilful than milner which I would agree with.

[LeeB]

Milner is 80 percent effort, 20 percent skill.

Young is 20 percent effort, 80 percent skill.

Disagree with that , young cannot be faulted for his effort- there may be many things labelled at mons management, but effort is always 100%- young has often raced to track back and cover the defence and impressed me with his hard work.

Maybe you meant young is naurally a lot more skilful than milner which I would agree with.

I'm with you on that. Even when he's not playing well he doesn't hide, he'll make up for it in effort.

[Concrete John]

I think Milner is easier to replace, but that's mainly because a) we are quite likely to get a good replacement as part of the deal (Ireland) and b) we might already have that replacement in Delph.

I'm not knocking Ash at all, but I do think Milner will prove to be a better all round player over the coming years.

[mshurst]

I think I'll have to agree with Paulie although perhaps not the same percentages.

Sometimes I get the feeling that Ash just isn't there. As if he can't be bothered.

I'm not knocking him though, I love the little cockney!