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

[Matt C]

Matt Kendrick says no truth in Barton, Hutton or DJ Campbell links.

[PaulTheVillan]

DJ Campbell has gone to QPR.

[PeterWithe]

I always forget about Gary Gardner. Huge season for him. If he is going to be this world beater people expect him to be then he'll need to make an impression this season. The best young players usually make a break through at around 18.

I think it will be another year before we see a lot of Gardner.

[UsualSuspect]

Not just me saying it about Petrov, Dennis Mortimer has made a statement saying 'Petrov is a steady eddie' and he takes about half an hour to pass a ball!

A legend speaks

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2011/08/02/villa-legend-calls-for-stiliyan-petrov-axe/

Agree 100% with him

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Not just me saying it about Petrov, Dennis Mortimer has made a statement saying 'Petrov is a steady eddie' and he takes about half an hour to pass a ball!

A legend speaks

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2011/08/02/villa-legend-calls-for-stiliyan-petrov-axe/

Agree 100% with him

He forgot to mention Petrov has the shooting ability of Dennis Mortimer but then I guess he would. As much as I appreciate what Stan has done for us, we really should be thinking of moving him on. It's not so much that he takes ages to pass the ball, it's that he takes ages to pass the ball backwards.

[BedsVillain]

I think Delph will be really effective for us, like Makoun, if they both have a proper DCM behind them, a De Jong type. My personal preference, if money would allow, would still be Étienne Capoue from Toulouse. As a three I think they'd be fantastic, Capoue breaking up play being physical doing all the dirty work, while Makoun & Delph push they play forward, safe in the knowledge they have that security behind them. Great left foot/right foot combination, great vision and fantastic passing ability.
Then any combination of Bent, N'Zogbia, Ireland, Albrighton, Gabby, The Fonz, Heskey, Bannan, Gardner in front of them.
4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1

[JJ-AV]

Stephen Ireland, Jean Makoun, Darren Bent, Shay Given, Charles N'Zogbia.

Our last five permanent signings. Whatever you think of them individually, you can't deny that all of them were pretty good coups and overall show a clear step up in class than what we were mostly getting under MON.

[N'ZMAV]

Excellent point JJ-AV. And Kyle Walker to that was also an excellent spot at the time.

[Concrete John]

Stephen Ireland, Jean Makoun, Darren Bent, Shay Given, Charles N'Zogbia.

Our last five permanent signings. Whatever you think of them individually, you can't deny that all of them were pretty good coups and overall show a clear step up in class than what we were mostly getting under MON.

The N'Zogbia and Given deals were very similar to Ash and Freidle respectively.  And who knows what to make of Ireland or the cirumstances under which he joined.

What is a welcome departure is Bent and Makoun.  One a big money glamour signing and the other a relatively unknown foreigner.  What worries me is that these were both done by Houllier, so how much was his influence and will they prove to be exceptions?

[JJ-AV]

Friedel (along with Carew and Downing) were the only ones we got under MON that were as established quality as those, IMO. Maybe Dunne too..

Ash was just potential, although their was interest from others, he had proved nothing and only had 15 or so top flight games under his belt.

[Concrete John]

Makoun isn't really proven PL quality in the same way the other are.  You've mentioned 4 players there, to which I'd add Young and Warnock as established PL first teamers.  Although bent stands head and shoulders above quality wise.

I think the difference is that AM is working under greater restrictions, so isn;t able to also get the squaddies that MON did, thereby pushing his average up.   
 

[brontebilly]

Stephen Ireland, Jean Makoun, Darren Bent, Shay Given, Charles N'Zogbia.

Our last five permanent signings. Whatever you think of them individually, you can't deny that all of them were pretty good coups and overall show a clear step up in class than what we were mostly getting under MON.

Jean Makoun is closer to Djemba Djemba to Ian Taylor in terms of quality in a Villa shirt to date. Has an awful lot to prove this season imo. Ireland has proved zilch, less than zilch actually in a Villa shirt too.

Nzogbia is probably at a marginally higher level than Downing that when we signed Downing.

wouldnt be so sure on the clear step up in class myself. Given and Bent are better than anything MON purchased in the same positions but the rest have a bit to go yet.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Out of the likely Ms a few have a lot to prove.... Makoun and Delph have not really shown themselves as "reliable" yet, Ireland has a massive amount to do. That leaves Stan as the only "experienced" PL player and he's struggling to last a whole game... looks like we're pretty well fu**ed!
But, if they all play to their potential, they could become a pretty good unit, with Bannan and Hogg (& Clark?) as back up.
Still think we need a Parker/Barton/Diarra figure in there though!

[PaulTheVillan]

Friedel (along with Carew and Downing) were the only ones we got under MON that were as established quality as those, IMO. Maybe Dunne too..

Ash was just potential, although their was interest from others, he had proved nothing and only had 15 or so top flight games under his belt.

Maloney was the one I really wanted to work out, he was a clever gifted little player, he just didn't want to be south of the border.

[ozzjim]

I think 1, defensive minded central midfield player is the main thing we are lacking at the moment. Lets face it, I am hoping Spurs get Barton so we can steal Parker on the cheap in a few weeks, however unlikely that seems right now. However, I do think that people should have a bit more faith in Delph. Apart from fitness, I have no worries about the guy at all. Fast, good on the ball, strong in the tackle and a truly brilliant range of passing.