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

[luke25]

I'd go as far as saying I'd love Barton in our midfield, as its been said many times he's a complete tool off the pitch, although I think he's matured recently and calmed down slightly, however he's what were crying out for, Mcleish is used to these type of personalities too after managing Bowyer, Ferguson, Carr etc, I'd also say if he joined us he'd be in the England squad with in 3 months.

[LeeB]

I dont ever remember us signing a player that was "hated" by footballer supporters in general. It would be the first for Villa...in my lifetime anyway. He really is a nasty little bastard and certainly wouldnt fit in with the Villa "image"...saying that I dont know him personally and he could actually be a "decent chap" *cough*

John Fashanu.

yeh, good call Dave. Fash was hated by a lot of people and one of the nastiest and controversial footballers at the time. Did ok for us though, and by all accounts not a wanker off the pitch.

Always remember Ron saying "He's not just a big duck egg you know, he can play a bit"

[ASHTONVILLA]

Very good player, and exactly what we need in midfield. Would be far more confident of our chances next season with Barton in the middle of the park.

Hope this happens, and at 28 and on a free it makes much more sense than signing Parker. Will be a bit miffed off if he ends up at Wolves or West Brom.

[barrysleftfoot]

  Would much rather have Parker.

  Barton would want a 5 year contract, on about £60k per week, no thanks, rather see Bannan/Hogg/Gardener/Herd tried and developed tbh.

[monkeyboy]

Saw enough at the weekend to suggest we need a player like Barton - Lerner will not spunk up for Parker it would seem (though i'm certainly no ITK) so this could be the answer if we can do  a deal opposite his wage demands (we can always sell him to City/Dippers next year if he's any good - this seems to be Randy's MO)

Yes he's a dick - but take his twitter account from him and he might not be too disruptive - who knows, we could protect ourselves by giving him a short term contract with a view to a longer one if he keeps his nose clean and his cigars/fists/brothers to himself.

Think he will go elsewhere - but he is what we need in the football sense - though would rather see parker.

Now where is the Cheerleading General's Kool-Aid - apparently we're top 6 with stan, delph, the fonz and the rest of the kids in midfield don't you know!!

[Phil from the upper holte]

  Would much rather have Parker.

  Barton would want a 5 year contract, on about £60k per week, no thanks, rather see Bannan/Hogg/Gardener/Herd tried and developed tbh.

Only problem is none of those will be a good defensive midfielder

[PaulTheVillan]

  Would much rather have Parker.

  Barton would want a 5 year contract, on about £60k per week, no thanks, rather see Bannan/Hogg/Gardener/Herd tried and developed tbh.

Parker would want a similar deal.

[spangley1812]

  Would much rather have Parker.

  Barton would want a 5 year contract, on about £60k per week, no thanks, rather see Bannan/Hogg/Gardener/Herd tried and developed tbh.

Parker would want a similar deal.

and we would have to pay a fee of at least £5m

[Steve67]

I'm not sure that it's likely that any of the top six will touch Barton.  I would imagine he will get the likes of the Bolton's, Sunderlands after him.  I don't think he'll be able to command as much as he thinks he can after this, therefore a good deal in my opinion would be a four year contract at 40k would be a healthy deal for him.  Personally, I'd take him and think we could get him if we really wanted to.

[paulcomben]

Has anyone suggested that swapping Barton for Beye? He was popular with Toon fans and Barton could have his £40k pw.

[JUAN PABLO]

Very good player, and exactly what we need in midfield. Would be far more confident of our chances next season with Barton in the middle of the park.

Hope this happens, and at 28 and on a free it makes much more sense than signing Parker. Will be a bit miffed off if he ends up at Wolves or West Brom.

im with this ..   

[JUAN PABLO]

In fact Id go to say at this very time he would be probably our best midfilder.  Yes , delph could become awesome and so could Makoun but If you want a hard working good midfielder to come straight in your team ( and free ) , JB is not a bad shout at all.    We are too light in this department .

[Dave]

I was quite pleased when fash signed personally, at least he wasn't in the vinnie  jones or robbie savage mould

The way he treated his brother was worse than anything Vinnie Jones or Robbie Savage ever did.

[The Man With A Stick]

I dont ever remember us signing a player that was "hated" by footballer supporters in general. It would be the first for Villa...in my lifetime anyway. He really is a nasty little bastard and certainly wouldnt fit in with the Villa "image"...saying that I dont know him personally and he could actually be a "decent chap" *cough*

John Fashanu.

I don't remember Fash being hated that much, i just remember everyone being totally stunned when we bought him.

Stunned is putting it mildly!  Remember though, he got a lot of flak after he fractured Gary Mabbutt's skull.

[Olneythelonely]

Ridgewell has been telling people that he's coming back. He was in the Cat and Fiddle with Paul Devlin apparently.

I only got told this second hand, so is probably a load of horseshit. I certainly hope so.