Michael Bradley signs (page 6)

[Mazrim]

Obviously hope I'm proved wrong but what I've seen of him was very average and that was in the states! he was supposed to go to blues in 08 on the understanding they stayed up.  welcome to villa.

He was a teenager when he played there. The mental picture I get of him is bossing England's midfield (amongst others) at the world cup. I was actually shocked at how good he was in that tournament.
Nobody is saying he's a superstar or anything but his obvious ability and tremendous work ethic and energy will make him very popular at Villa. Much like Ian Taylor was but without the local connection.

[Brend'Watkins]

Agree Maz, I thought he had an excellent World Cup.  The Ian Taylor similarity is spot on.  He will be Ian Taylor without the local connection but with some aggression. 

We've wanted a recognised striker for some time...we've got one.  We've wanted a midfielder who could replace Taylor and who has that bit of fight in him....we've now got one. 

Good business by GH.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Squad is looking very healthy now, competition in every position bar left back and Goalkeeper.

Plenty of central midfielders

Petrov, Reo-Coker, Bannan, Delph, Makoun, Bradley

It's all good.

I would expect Petrov to play a bit part from now on, which is good as he's the age where he can't be played into the ground like last season.

[Concrete John]

I might be in the minority here, but I'm not 100% convinced on Bradley.

Still, it's a loan so no great issue if he doesn't work out and I look forward to him proving me wrong.

[Merv]

This is the midfielder we've needed since Barry left, IMO. Petrov hasn't got the legs or the engine anymore to run a PL game; Reo-Coker hasn't got the ability on the ball. I think Bradley combines the best of both those players.

[Risso]

I like the look of the following team once the new boys have got used to the Premier League:

Friedel
Walker Dunne Collins Clark
Albrighton Makoun Bradley Young
Agbonlahor Bent

although we're more likely to see Downing in and Young playing behind Bent, which I'm still not convinced about.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I like the look of the following team once the new boys have got used to the Premier League:

Friedel
Walker Dunne Collins Clark
Albrighton Makoun Bradley Young
Agbonlahor Bent

although we're more likely to see Downing in and Young playing behind Bent, which I'm still not convinced about.

Like the look of that team Martin.
We've needed two hard working and tough midfielders for ages, doing the donkey work to allow the wingers to be creative.

I can see Ashley fucking off in the Summer so we'll use Downing and Albrighton on the wings and maybe use Bannan there as well.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I like the look of the following team once the new boys have got used to the Premier League:

Friedel
Walker Dunne Collins Clark
Albrighton Makoun Bradley Young
Agbonlahor Bent

although we're more likely to see Downing in and Young playing behind Bent, which I'm still not convinced about.

Agree with all of that, Risso. We could switch between Downing and Albrighton, as young Marc is still not ready to last 90 minutes every week. Downing doesn't provide sufficient cover for Walker although he is showing signs of improving the defensive side of his game.

More than anything, I'd love to see Gabby and Bent terrorising defences.

[Ger Regan]

I can see Ashley fucking off in the Summer

I could see him fucking off, but now I've a sneaking feeling that he might sign a new contract over the next couple of months. We'll wait and see.

[VillaZogmariner]

I don't think we will play 4-4-2 anymore - I think it will be a 4-2-3-1/4-5-1/4-3-3 sort of mash up.

-------------------------Friedel-----------------------
---Walker-----Dunne---------Collins----Clark----
----------------Makoun--------Bradley-------------
---Albrighton----------Young----------Downing--
---------------------------Bent------------------------

Marshall
Agbonlahor
Heskey
Delph
Petrov
Cuellar
Young

That still leaves - Warnock, Pires, Delfouenso, Reo-Coker, Baker, Lichaj, Gardner, Bannan, Herd, Salifou on the sidelines

[Mister E]

Longer term, though, it's more likely to be a midfield three of Delph, Makoun and Bradley (assuming the latter makes it during the loan period). Three players who can all pass, tackle and get forward ... quite a force, IMHO. It's then that a very dynamic 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 combination would look pretty good.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I can see Ashley fucking off in the Summer

I could see him fucking off, but now I've a sneaking feeling that he might sign a new contract over the next couple of months. We'll wait and see.

I hope so, hopefully he'll see the signings as a statement of our intent.
I'd rather not lose him.

[Concrete John]

I don't think we will play 4-4-2 anymore - I think it will be a 4-2-3-1/4-5-1/4-3-3 sort of mash up.

-------------------------Friedel-----------------------
---Walker-----Dunne---------Collins----Clark----
----------------Makoun--------Bradley-------------
---Albrighton----------Young----------Downing--
---------------------------Bent------------------------

Marshall
Agbonlahor
Heskey
Delph
Petrov
Cuellar
Young

I expect that to be the team and the best thing about ot for me is the strength of the bench.

[Risso]

I much prefer two proper forward ups front I'm I'm honest.  I'd hate to see Agbonlahor and Delfouneso leave because they don't get enough chances to start. 

[ozzjim]

I think the midfield options give us more flexibility for sure, and I think the days of naming our side like some posts above are long gone. Houllier is a rotator, and a picker on the opposition, so while 3-4 players will start most games, the rest will rotate around them depending on freshness and opponents I think. The formation will always be a variant on the 4-3-3 that United and Chelsea play though. It will be interesting to see how Liverpool fare in a flat 4-4-2, especially Gerard.