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

[Toronto Villa]

this summer I'd be happy happy if we were able to get the fringe players back on track and contributing, signed only a few players of quality as opposed to a lot of average players that stunted the development of our kids. Good players will help the kids become better players, average ones just take up space and salary. On Tommy Hitz on a free with his attitude you could squeeze him in somewhere, but I certainly wouldn't do what Sunderland have done and sign the likes of Gardner and Larsson who really aren't going to move the needle up there.

[Mazrim]

I'm not sure about Hogg either and Gardner is young but I would have no doubts throwing him in before playing Hitzlsperger who I know isnt good enough.
But even if you discount Hogg and Gardner there's still Makoun, Delph, Bannan, Petrov, Herd and even Ireland (I would also consider Clark an option for defensive mid) who should be considered before him. And that's before anybody else is brought in.

Petrov is one who I dont really rate and will fail to finish 90mins of football.  Ireland I can see being sold to generate funds.  As a squad player, Hitzlesperger would be a decent addition.  Im not sayin he should start every game but for a bit of experience, he will be useful to have on board.  People are forgetting that when we had a midfielder crisis last year and the youngsters were thrown in, we lost and drew a fair few games. They dont need that sort of pressure if they want to develop further and become successful especially now that the league is becoming more competitive than it was when fergie was able to use his youth players that went on to win the league.  The last thing I want at Villa is a repeat of last season. we need experienced players more than the youth players just so we can get some stability first and then blood in the youth or less experienced players.

I'm not a big fan of Petrov either and hopefully we'll replace/upgrade him soon but that sure as hell isnt Hitzlsperger. Who isnt in the same class as even Petrov.

We do not need to get somebody in who is just a body. Just because he's experienced. Having experience is pointless if you're also very ordinary. We may as well blood the kids more who could be very good indeed. And the likes of Delph and Bannan have seen enough of the rabbit now.

Hopefully there is something in the Parker links because at least that is a player with experience AND ability.
Sorry, I dont see any merit in getting Hitz back in. Cheap, unimaginative and uninspiring business if there's anything to it. Which I'm yet to see.

[JUAN PABLO]

West Bromwich Albion have made a move to land Nigel Reo-Coker and are hopeful of sealing a deal, skysports.com can confirm.
 
The Baggies are understood to be making a big push for the 26-year-old midfielder, who is available on a free transfer after deciding to leave Aston Villa.
 
A host of clubs have been keeping tabs on him, with options both at home and abroad.
 
Paris St Germain are the latest European heavyweight to take a keen interest in Reo-Coker, whilst the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Valencia have all been looking at him.
 
In England, West Brom are now looking to head off interest from up to half-a-dozen Premier League rivals.
 
Baggies boss Roy Hodgson is looking for West Brom to push on next season and the signing of a player of Reo-Coker's calibre would be a clear sign of their intent.

[UsualSuspect]

Word is is that the talks with Wigan over N'Zogbia are at an advanced stage.

Great!

double great . I really rate him ( as Ive said before )  and can see him being a top player with us .

The Birmingham Mail is reporting the exact opposite

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2011/07/04/aston-villa-transfer-update-more-activity-this-week-but-deal-for-n-zogbia-no-closer-97319-28987435/

Plus everyone knows we have sold AY for 17 million and have a billionaire owner so pretending we have no money is a bit stupid. I would personally read AM coming out and saying he might not get all of the AY money to spend as exactly that and getting us to reel in our expectations.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

The only way Villa should be going for another midfielder is if they have somethimg we have not already got. Hitz is not that player. Diego, Sissoko, Parker, Van hoek no problem. But we have several players as good if not better ......

[JJ-AV]

McGregor has signed a new deal at Rangers.

[JJ-AV]

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I like Hitz, but the odd long range shot aside, he's just not good enough for us. His all round game is pretty sub-standard.

I also think that if we did sign him, teams would make sure he didn't get any chance to try one of his thunderbolts.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

sportinglife.com

Thomas Hitzlsperger wants to return to Aston Villa, Press Association Sport understands.

Sources close to Hitzlsperger insist the Germany international is keen to go back to the club where his career blossomed in the Barclays Premier League.

Hitzlsperger had indicated when he left Villa six years ago that he would "one day like to return to the club" and that remains the case now his spell at West Ham has ended.

A source close to Hitzlsperger told Press Association Sport: "Thomas wants to go back to Villa. He enjoyed some great times there."

Fulham, Blackburn and Stoke are also believed to be interested in signing the 29-year-old, who has won more than 50 full caps for his country.

Hitzlsperger joined Villa from Bayern Munich's academy and became a firm fans' favourite during his five years at the club.

He was nicknamed 'Der Hammer' by Villa supporters because of his explosive shooting power which yielded several spectacular goals.

Villa report back for pre-season training on Friday and new manager Alex McLeish is looking to strengthen his squad as soon as possible.

[ADVILLAFAN]

I wouldn't mind Hitz on a free transfer. He doesn't have to start every game, but would be a useful player to have in the squad.

[Duncan Shaw]

How different is he now to when he was here.  Wasn't captain of Germany while at Stuttgart?  Surely worth a punt on a free, could cover at left back too?

[Rick_avfc]

I wouldn't mind Hitz on a free transfer. He doesn't have to start every game, but would be a useful player to have in the squad.

I agree, for a FREE transfer, its a useful addition.  Not a first teamer but squad member.  If we were going to pay a transfer fee then i would say no to this.

[Villafirst]

West Bromwich Albion have made a move to land Nigel Reo-Coker and are hopeful of sealing a deal, skysports.com can confirm.
 
The Baggies are understood to be making a big push for the 26-year-old midfielder, who is available on a free transfer after deciding to leave Aston Villa.
 
A host of clubs have been keeping tabs on him, with options both at home and abroad.
 
Paris St Germain are the latest European heavyweight to take a keen interest in Reo-Coker, whilst the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Valencia have all been looking at him.
 
In England, West Brom are now looking to head off interest from up to half-a-dozen Premier League rivals.
 
Baggies boss Roy Hodgson is looking for West Brom to push on next season and the signing of a player of Reo-Coker's calibre would be a clear sign of their intent.

So little West Brom can pay more in wages than us??

[ozzjim]

Squad player is fine, and think his shooting and set piece ability in general would be a useful thing. Gardner from the forward position of the midfield got 10 for Blue last season, and maybe Hitz would be an addition that while being free would also give us the opportunity to get a loan player in that if it went wrong we had decent proven back up for. Especially if it is accepted that Petrov may not manage 90 minutes that often, Makoun could go either way (home before the start of the season I fear) and Delph is VERY prone to injury. Bannan is good but not proven. Adding in Hitz would be a good idea for me, and the odd 3 points from a 30 yard bosh is a joy to behold.

[hartman_1982]

West Bromwich Albion have made a move to land Nigel Reo-Coker and are hopeful of sealing a deal, skysports.com can confirm.
 
The Baggies are understood to be making a big push for the 26-year-old midfielder, who is available on a free transfer after deciding to leave Aston Villa.
 
A host of clubs have been keeping tabs on him, with options both at home and abroad.
 
Paris St Germain are the latest European heavyweight to take a keen interest in Reo-Coker, whilst the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Valencia have all been looking at him.
 
In England, West Brom are now looking to head off interest from up to half-a-dozen Premier League rivals.
 
Baggies boss Roy Hodgson is looking for West Brom to push on next season and the signing of a player of Reo-Coker's calibre would be a clear sign of their intent.

So little West Brom can pay more in wages than us??

Or West Brom would be willing to pay him top notch (for them) and we didn't consider him worth it.