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

[Rip Van We Go Again]

We need to have a replacement for one of Young or Downing by the end of this weekend.

I love the way we all seem to have pretty much forgotten the concept of replacing Young AND Downing so quickly.

I'm dreading all the posts saying

'Ah, Young and Downing were shit anyway.'

[ADVILLAFAN]

Would love Juan Mata. But it's one of those 'I'll believe it when it happens' stories.

[Matt C]

Friedel, NRC, Young & Downing to replace - that's before we even try and build on what we had before the 13 players who have left so far this summer. Best get cracking Villa. 

[Karl Bridges]

Relegation beckons.
 

That statement reminds me of a Stewart Downing tackle.

[fredm]

Wouldn't surprise me to see us have a go at buying Foster now that things have settled down between us and Blues.  He might cost more than Given initially but his wages would be a lot less plus he is younger so would last longer or have a resale value.

[Mazrim]

We could do with doing some business soon so we can take them to Hong Kong with us.

At least we are attractive to players. They will see Villa as a production line that will get them a top gig.
All we ask of the treacherous shithouses in the two years they are with us is that they try their best to get their move by playing well.

I would feel better if we had a top manager sitting on a big b'jazus transfer kitty (that's surely there now) but that's not the case. Still, go and impress us Alex. Build a squad to compliment our excellent youth system.

[Matt C]

I agree Foster would be a better investment (and probably less wages) but I do wonder if Blues are after circa £10m whether it is worth it. Is he going to get that much better and become a £15-20m goalkeeper when we inevitably sell him on? On the flipside he could potentially be our number one for years. Not sure.

[brontebilly]

We need to have a replacement for one of Young or Downing by the end of this weekend.

I love the way we all seem to have pretty much forgotten the concept of replacing Young AND Downing so quickly.

I think marc albrighton has a bit to go to be definitely first choice. Id prefer if we had another option there too.

[oldtimernow]

We need to have a replacement for one of Young or Downing by the end of this weekend.

I love the way we all seem to have pretty much forgotten the concept of replacing Young AND Downing so quickly.

I'm dreading all the posts saying

'Ah, Young and Downing were shit anyway.'

Just like I'm dreading all the anti Lerner comments that will come our way because some over rated players think they have to make a shed load more money than they really need by moving to a 'better club'

Roll on the crumbling of the Murdoch empire and footballers regaining some sense

Don't remind me that Downing's move was just for ambition!

[oldtimernow]

Downing was 50/50 at the best in my mind, and that was just because the rest were pretty dire for most of the season.

[pedro25]

Friedel, NRC, Young & Downing to replace - that's before we even try and build on what we had before the 13 players who have left so far this summer. Best get cracking Villa. 

You can add Walker to that to, maybe Warnock, Ireland, Albrighton and Delph will step up, one or two might, but it's a lot to expect them all to suddenly step up.  Petrov really needs replacing as a starter too, again Makoun or Bannan could step up.  I'd like 5 new signings and that should be possible with £37m pocketed this summer.  Anyone reckon we will have a net spend now, i.e. spend over £37m, I think it's very unlikely.

[*shellac*]

Would love Juan Mata. But it's one of those 'I'll believe it when it happens' stories.

More likely to see Nick Drake joining Slipknot.

[mrfuse]

I've always stuck up for downing and think he's a good player I can understand why he's leaving when Mon was here young English players wanted to sign for us . Things have gone a bit pear shaped now and I think we've lost that momentum I won't wish downing all the best I can't stand Liverpool but if we buy the players weve been linked with then ill be happy with that. We really need to keep bent whatever

[Mazrim]

Would love Juan Mata. But it's one of those 'I'll believe it when it happens' stories.

More likely to see Nick Drake joining Slipknot.

He's been dead 30 odd years so he'd look the part.

[Risso]

Even if we buy N'Zogbia, we'll have gone from having Young and Downing with Albrighton as a capable young backup, to N'Zogbia and Albrighton with no back up.  Which quite frankly, is a load of old shit.