Barry Bannan steps forward ....

[Billy Walker]

If he is as good as some of you think he will be off to a bigger club in the summer anyway 

If Randy's new approach to cracking the top four is to develop youngsters and compliment them with astute signings I would be extremely disappointed if we sold any rising star.  It would also beg the question just what on earth is the current/long term strategy for success at Villa Park?

[gervilla]

I reckon the current strategy is get money in. Full stop.
What happens next is anyone's guess but if Man U decide Wee Barry is the next Phil Jones or Chris Smalling then he's off to Mancland, like it or like it not.
Modern football is indeed shit.

[Billy Walker]

I reckon the current strategy is get money in. Full stop.
What happens next is anyone's guess but if Man U decide Wee Barry is the next Phil Jones or Chris Smalling then he's off to Mancland, like it or like it not.
Modern football is indeed shit.

I sincerely hope you are wrong Ger! 

[Muscle-Dolphin]

Bannan and Ireland - book it!

[KRS]

I feel pretty confident in saying that none of the Sky 4, 5 or 6 would sign Bannan.

[Villafirst]

If he is as good as some of you think he will be off to a bigger club in the summer anyway 

If Randy's new approach to cracking the top four is to develop youngsters and compliment them with astute signings I would be extremely disappointed if we sold any rising star.  It would also beg the question just what on earth is the current/long term strategy for success at Villa Park?

There isn't a strategy - RL is only interested in getting the best price for our top players - this will claw back his investment with profit on top, a sort of asset stripping if you like. Let's face it he bought in at £64M and would no doubt 5 years on sell at more than double that - we're just a fixture in his portfolio now ready to be sold off. The guy is ruining Aston Villa's future - Bannan is already being watched elsewhere, next it'll be Gary Gardner.

[LeeB]

Jesus fucking wept, can we not just enjoy watching the wee man play a bit before we all go hell in a handcart?

[Shrek]

Jesus fucking wept, can we not just enjoy watching the wee man play a bit before we all go hell in a handcart?

We enjoyed Downing last year, then he was off, I think we all have cause to worry about our best players leaving.

[LeeB]

Jesus fucking wept, can we not just enjoy watching the wee man play a bit before we all go hell in a handcart?

We enjoyed Downing last year, then he was off, I think we all have cause to worry about our best players leaving.

You may have mate, I thought he was a wishy washy wanky shit out myself.

And why worry about something that may or may not happen in the future? Why not just enjoy what we have now?

[Shrek]

Jesus fucking wept, can we not just enjoy watching the wee man play a bit before we all go hell in a handcart?

We enjoyed Downing last year, then he was off, I think we all have cause to worry about our best players leaving.

You may have mate, I thought he was a wishy washy wanky shit out myself.

And why worry about something that may or may not happen in the future? Why not just enjoy what we have now?

It's that sort of narrow minded view thats put Villa in our current situation.

Oneil didn't care about the future and we are all paying for it now!

[Villafirst]

Jesus fucking wept, can we not just enjoy watching the wee man play a bit before we all go hell in a handcart?

That's a bury your head in the sand attitude. Can't you see what RL has done since he took over? Like half of the current England team is made up of ex Villa players sold under his regime. People have a right to feel concerned when all this current regime do is sell our best talent. With that strategy you'll never challenge the top positions in the league.

[Clampy]

Quickly becoming one of my favourite players. Fantastic lad.

Same here, i think he's superb. The ball he played for Bent in the first half which the keeper saved was sublime, and the ball for Gabby's goal was great too. He's the best passer i've seen down there for ages. He does need to keep it simple every now and again, but with experience that will come.

[Brend'Watkins]

Jesus fucking wept, can we not just enjoy watching the wee man play a bit before we all go hell in a handcart?

That's a bury your head in the sand attitude. Can't you see what RL has done since he took over? Like half of the current England team is made up of ex Villa players sold under his regime. People have a right to feel concerned when all this current regime do is sell our best talent. With that strategy you'll never challenge the top positions in the league.

That's an injustice to RL.  We've sold Young and Downing this summer.  Young we new was going as he wasn't going to sign another contract with us, Downing was tapped up and we ended getting twice as much for him than he's worth. 

These two sales have nothing to do with RL's strategy.  It's just common sense business. 

As for Barry and Milner, they went for big money wages.  We can't compete with Man City on that front, only two other teams can.  The only way we can prevent losing our best players to the vultures is if a player genuinely loves the club, otherwise, money talks.  Again, nothing to do with RL's strategy.

[john e]

I agree with Leeb, even if I didn't I'd still say I did though

[RunRickyRun]

There isn't a strategy - RL is only interested in getting the best price for our top players - this will claw back his investment with profit on top, a sort of asset stripping if you like. Let's face it he bought in at £64M and would no doubt 5 years on sell at more than double that - we're just a fixture in his portfolio now ready to be sold off. The guy is ruining Aston Villa's future - Bannan is already being watched elsewhere, next it'll be Gary Gardner.

Randy's invested over £200m in the club in the form of loan notes and equity on top of the purchase price he paid for the club. If you think he can claw that back by cashing in on players then you are mistaken.

There's a big difference between balancing the books and asset stripping.

I actually predict he will have increased his equity in the club when the next set of accounts are released. There's no way he could turn around a £40m loss in a year, despite player sales.