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

[Mazrim]

I think we'll get another wide payer on loan.
Also, Bannan can play wide and maybe a youngster like Burke or Graham will suprise everybody and make some squads this season.

[Merv]

You don't need to tell me, Pedro.... I agree totally. Two players for two positions... hmmm. Still, that seems to be how we're cutting our cloth these days, and it's a 'make do and mend' policy that really concerns me.

I'm just offering up possible solutions for when injuries/loss of form etc strike.

[frank]

Heskey is a separate case. He's at least contributed during his time here and was quite effective last season. If he stays, it's not a disaster. He's the only striker of his type at the club and we could do worse than have him coming off the bench for the final 25 mins of games, from time to time.

I agree with this. For a time he was our best player last season (though, I admit, unimpressive towards the end of the season). If he's happy to stay as a back-up, keep him.

[eastie]

You don't need to tell me, Pedro.... I agree totally. Two players for two positions... hmmm. Still, that seems to be how we're cutting our cloth these days, and it's a 'make do and mend' policy that really concerns me.

I'm just offering up possible solutions for when injuries/loss of form etc strike.

the likes of bannan, gabby and fonz must grasp their chance if it comes due to injury or loss of form , we have a decent crop of younger lads of quality and they will probably be relied on if we have injuries , i doubt another wide man will be signed.

[Greg N'Ash]

You don't need to tell me, Pedro.... I agree totally. Two players for two positions... hmmm. Still, that seems to be how we're cutting our cloth these days, and it's a 'make do and mend' policy that really concerns me.

I'm just offering up possible solutions for when injuries/loss of form etc strike.

Have to agree. There's plenty on here counting on a hell of a lot of "if's" happening. If we get no injures.......if Ireland comes good, if the defence start playing well again.. if the youngsters comes good all at the same time....

[pedro25]

Gabby and Fonz needs goals to get their confidence up so they would be better off up front.  If Albrighton and N'Zog are injured or need a rest I'd rather go 442 with Ireland or Bannan playing wider and Gabby or Fonz up top with Bent.  We do have a few options, ideally I'd ship out Heskey and bring in an attacker like Ash Young who can play in all the forward positions.

[N'ZMAV]

Isn't Football all if's and but's?

[eastie]

You don't need to tell me, Pedro.... I agree totally. Two players for two positions... hmmm. Still, that seems to be how we're cutting our cloth these days, and it's a 'make do and mend' policy that really concerns me.

I'm just offering up possible solutions for when injuries/loss of form etc strike.

Have to agree. There's plenty on here counting on a hell of a lot of "if's" happening. If we get no injures.......if Ireland comes good, if the defence start playing well again.. if the youngsters comes good all at the same time....

true greg but better to be positive and hope for the best that constantly moaning and expecting the worst.

[Concrete John]

Gabby and Delfouneso were toss out wide in a 433 away at City in the cup last season, they're strikers not wingers, I wouldn't want to have seen Downing and Albrighton up front last season either, or Bent on the wing.  We need a 3rd wide option, no question, don't need to spend mega bucks, someone just to fill in when Albrighton is knackered or him or N'Zogbia get injured would be ok.

If we're judging it by that game, nobody that played would ever wear a Villa shirt again!  Delfouneso did well wide against Walsall, even if his finishing was poor.

I'm not sayinf these are ideal options and I'd also like A N Other winger, but I do think both players offer something wide if used in the correct fashion.

[eastie]

Alex McLeish will be reunited at Aston Villa with the scout whose sacking from Birmingham sparked the Scot’s ­defection.

Mirrorsport revealed on May 24 that Blues owner Carson Yeung was firing chief scout Paul ­Montgomery, making him as a ­scapegoat for their relegation.

The League ­Manager’s Association cited Montgomery’s departure as a factor in McLeish’s constructive dismissal case against the Blues.

McLeish has now decided to appoint ­him as Villa’s chief scout, working alongside former Rangers star Artur Numan.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Aston-Villa-news-Alex-McLeish-reunited-with-chief-scout-Jim-Montgomery-who-was-key-ally-at-Birmingham

[Greg N'Ash]

I call it realism eastie. I've seen enough of the youngsters to expect some of them to make a decent impact next season. Allbrighton may have a dip due to everyone knowing about him now, but I'm confident he'll come good. Likewise Clark, but i'm not sure if the rest are ready yet. The form or lack of form of Ireland and half the defence is another matter, and hoping we don't get an injury crisis in 1 or more positions is just that, hope. Now you've got to assume we won't get last season's injury list but to be honest it wouldn't need last season's injuries to have us threadbare.

[Arsey]

Listening to offers doesn't mean that he's got to sell all three before bringing in Hutton.

exactly  gordon but it was you who wrote this-

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is keen to sign Spurs defender Alan Hutton, but must fund the move by selling defenders Habib Beye, Luke Young and Carlos Cuellar.
Full story: Daily Mirror

your interpretation above that he must sell those 3 to fund the move is clearly wrong , maybe one of those would be sold but not all 3.

Why do we need to sell before we can buy? We have already brought in 37 million and have spent 13. Worrying times if true.

[Dante Lavelli]

It'll be a long time before we have a really top class Plan B for every position and variation of formation.

Besides I think there are some benefits of utilising gabby as an out side forward in a 433 (for example) because it'll mean he'll play 20 odd league games next season. If he was only used as a striker he might struggle to get ten games. Resulting in him not being match sharp when he does play or worse, pissed off and wanting to leave.

Mourinho made this point when he joined Chelsea, strongly stating that he wanted a small squad of fully committed players rather than a huge squad of stars. Unfortunately Abramovich didn't agree and kept buying him extra players.

[richardhubbard]

Why do we need two players for every position.

We got a best 38 league games and 12 cup games next season

Surely 18-20 experienced players and youngsters involved more.

We got Bannan, Albrighton, Lichaj, ClarK, Hogg , Weimann, Fonz, Delph, Baker who all played last season in top 2 flights of English Football.

Between them for us or on loan on average they played around 20 games each so they must be nearly ready .

Add a couple of experienced pro's at say Centre Half, Midfield and Wide on loan or signed , I think we can still be top 8.
Big season for our youngsters to shine or fail

[Clampy]

I think he'll bring in another wide player as well if he can get one cheaply enough or on loan, i think he'll need to. I'm not sure Gabby is cut out to play out wide personally.