Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[Salsa Party Animal]

If we were brave how good is the upcoming goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist to be our no 1.

[JUAN PABLO]

missed this one

Aston Villa are swooping for Deportivo La Coruna's Adrien Lopez.

[spangley1812]

If we were brave how good is the upcoming goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist to be our no 1.

I would make him our number 2 and let baby Brad leave

[JUAN PABLO]

that Lopez hasn,t got a good strike rate ....  I wish Cuellar would keep quiet with that one ..

[eastie]

So would I spangley.

[JUAN PABLO]

what garbage

http://life.hereisthecity.com/2011/07/03/aston-villa-fans-face-another-frustrating-season/

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Anyone got a link for the midland masters online ?

[hartman_1982]

what garbage

http://life.hereisthecity.com/2011/07/03/aston-villa-fans-face-another-frustrating-season/

Us finishing 17th and Sunderland, who have sold their 2 best players in 6 months finishing 6th? What a load of shit.

[Dante Lavelli]

Not just garbage, but completely pointless just 2 days into the transfer window.

[Gervilla81]

Rangers to bid £2m for Cuellar and throw in Neil Alexander as part of deal...!

Personally I don't believe this rumour but it is doing the rounds here in Glasgow just now

IMHO Neil Alexander is a quality goalkeeper and has just been unfortunate that he is playing second fiddle to one of the finest keepers in Britain just now Allan McGregor.

he'd be a decent addition but whether or not his signature would please majority of Villa fans is the question

[Dave]

I think we're alright for reserve goalkeepers of our own, we need someone good enough to play rather than sit on the bench.

[Gervilla81]

I think we're alright for reserve goalkeepers of our own, we need someone good enough to play rather than sit on the bench.

Like I said mate don't believe the rumour myself but would have more faith in Alexander starting as number one than Guzan if it were to be true

[hartman_1982]

It makes sense because I am quite sure Guazn is gone and Given will need a solid replacement if he has a repetition of his injury from last year.

[Steve67]

Rangers to bid £2m for Cuellar and throw in Neil Alexander as part of deal...!

Personally I don't believe this rumour but it is doing the rounds here in Glasgow just now

IMHO Neil Alexander is a quality goalkeeper and has just been unfortunate that he is playing second fiddle to one of the finest keepers in Britain just now Allan McGregor.

he'd be a decent addition but whether or not his signature would please majority of Villa fans is the question

If he's that well thought of, why don't Rangers keep him, play him, and let us swap Carlos for McGregor?

[JUAN PABLO]

Shay Given is one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the Premier League. He spent the majority of his career with Newcastle United, who reached great heights in terms of domestic and international success.  After internal turmoil struck the Toon, he left in February 2008 to join Manchester City where he did well in his first season. However, due to the rise of long-term goalie Joe Hart, Given has been shown the bench over the last season where he only made four starts.
 
Clearly Manchester City have little use for Given after choosing the younger Hart. Given doesn’t deserve to be a rarely used back-up especially in a league where numerous teams could use a goalkeeper of his skill and experience. At age 35, Given may still have a few years left in him as many elite keepers have played up until their early 40′s.
 
In the past year, Given’s lack of activity has obviously made him feel very unsettled at Eastlands. He has been linked to Celtic and especially to Arsenal who have had trouble trying to replace Jens Lehmann. However, the new team that is reportedly after the Irishman is Aston Villa under the newly appointed Alex McLeish. Supposedly, McLeish valued the keeper at £3 million but Manchester City is sticking with their original price of 5 million euros.
 
In order to win support, the often-criticized Scot needs to make improvements to the roster for the upcoming season. Brad Friedel, the reliable American that Villa has depended on since 2008, has departed on a Bosman free transfer to Spurs and Villa needs to find a replacement. Right now, all they have are reserves Brad Guzman and Alan Marshall who are both too inexperienced to become the starting keeper.
 
Aston Villa have been linked with a couple of other candidates besides Given which include Birmingham City’s Ben Foster and Wigan’s Ali-al Habsi. However, al Habsi is expected to permanently sign with the Latics while Foster is less experienced and composed in the net compared to a veteran like Given.
 
For Shay Given, the move is a no-brainer. The Irish stopper is reportedly desperate enough to cut his weekly wages of 85,000 euros so he can finally get back into the starting eleven with another club. According to the Daily Mail, Given put down an offer from West Brom who are looking for a replacement after Scott Carson left for the Turkish club Bursaspor. Given would likely have little trouble fitting in with another club who desperately need to fill holes in a roster that has seen many departures. With McLeish’s known defensive tactics, Given would be an essential factor keeping Villa in matches through quality saves.
 
After all the great feats of Shay Given’s career for both Newcastle and Ireland, he doesn’t deserve to close out his career warming the bench. Therefore, a move to Aston Villa would be ideal for both him and the club.