Brett Holman

[LeeB]

Just to add some balance here, he probably ran more in 1 game for us than Ireland has done in 3 years so far. To question his effort appears a tad harsh.

In comparison to Ireland then of course.

But that's like saying Stuart Hall's child minding skills were better than Savilles.

[ktvillan]

Indeed he managed to "look busy" without actually doing much, which fooled a few people.  Whereas Ireland makes it look effortless, because it is.

[eamonn]

Exactly, Ireland has a languid stlye but at least looks to get into dangerous positions. It's all a bit frantic with Holman.

It is a shame he didn't pull up any trees. I remember last year shortly after it was announced we had signed him on a pre-contract, I saw him score a peach of a goal for his former club (Alkmaar?) in the Europa League and thought we had pulled off a great deal. Has a decent shot on him and at times, perhaps when he has to be instinctive like Gabby, his one-touch passes can be good. If his effort that hit the post at home to Wigan had gone in we possibly would have gone on to draw or win that game, maybe that was his "could have been" moment. I don't remember him starting too many after that.

Another player in our ranks you could say that if he was surrounded by better players and not youngsters in a struggling team he might have flourished. But as one of the senior players you would have expected more from him. A pity but no great loss. Best of luck.

[villa kicks]

Bye bye attacking midfielder who loved to run past players with the ball. BUT the ball was always with the opposition an he was running past them. Good luck I enjoyed that he liked to have a long range shot especially when he scored that great goal against Rangers. Holman was given a range of positions across  the middle and attack and did okay though he was weak in his passing accuracy! that said he did do a few assists and even though he played in mainly losing teams he did what he could! I think he will have a positive impact in UAE and can make the most of his season before he goes to world up

[neo_Villan]

What happened to him being the 'new Des Bremner'?

[Steve67]

Clearly not good enough and being a former Manager's purchase makes him a sure fire winner for the exit door.  Good business all round.

[VILLA MOLE]

What happened to him being the 'new Des Bremner'?

as Des is now

[eamonn]

Clearly not good enough and being a former Manager's purchase makes him a sure fire winner for the exit door.  Good business all round.

Good business would have been getting a fee for him. As it is, meh.

[Steve67]

Clearly not good enough and being a former Manager's purchase makes him a sure fire winner for the exit door.  Good business all round.

Good business would have been getting a fee for him. As it is, meh.

I'd have settled for this.  We don't pay him up for the rest of his contract, they don'd give us a transfer fee.  It would probably come to just about the same sort of price really Eamonn.

[rob_bridge]

Not good enough - not through lack of effort just talent.

All the best and all that. We have had and still much worse players

[silhillvilla]

Whilst not sad to see him go, I'd much rather have him on the bench than Ireland, KEA, Herd, Albrighton. Still lots of clearing out to be done.

[kippaxvilla2]

Amaziing what claret coloured glasses you can have on during pre-season.  I remember saying to my mate at Burton Albion, Holman is going to be fecking quality.

[eamonn]

Clearly not good enough and being a former Manager's purchase makes him a sure fire winner for the exit door.  Good business all round.

Good business would have been getting a fee for him. As it is, meh.

I'd have settled for this.  We don't pay him up for the rest of his contract, they don'd give us a transfer fee.  It would probably come to just about the same sort of price really Eamonn.

True enough. Maybe if there had been other clubs interested we might have got something.

[neo_Villan]

Whilst not sad to see him go, I'd much rather have him on the bench than Ireland, KEA, Herd, Albrighton. Still lots of clearing out to be done.

KEA and Herd are better then him IMO.

[Diablo]

Best of luck Brett. Good luck in the future to a hard working and respectful professional footballer.