Concrete Ron

[tomd2103]

Dunne, Baker, Clark. In that order.

If Dunnes off......Dunnes replacement to partner Vlaar.

Apparently Man City have put a £4m price on Lescott. Now that would make us a lot more solid in the middle.

I think Barry could also be available in the summer as well.  There's two signings that would make a massive impact and would probably command the same wages that are currently being paid to Bent and Ireland.

[PaulWinch again]

It's Baker's distribution that is poor, for me. He's a good stopper but does the modern game need more than that of a Premiership CB?

His positional sense is poor as well.  That might come with age, but the fact he often gets caught out of position is reflected in the number of last ditch sliding tackles he has to make.  We definitely need to bring in a first choice CB in the summer to partner Vlaar.

Agreed I think fans tend to like the sliding challenges as it looks like they show commitment, but in general it's because they're out of position. Baker constantly struggles with this and doesn't seem to be improving. I don't think he'll make a top level centre half.

[Mister E]

Apparently Man City have put a £4m price on Lescott. Now that would make us a lot more solid in the middle.

Lescott would be a great addition to our defence squad; a superb mentor for the younger players and a good contributor on match day. He's another left-footer, though, so I'd like to seee another (right-footed) CB brought in to cover for Vlaar.

[eastie]

Dunne, Baker, Clark. In that order.

If Dunnes off......Dunnes replacement to partner Vlaar.

Apparently Man City have put a £4m price on Lescott. Now that would make us a lot more solid in the middle.

I think Barry could also be available in the summer as well.  There's two signings that would make a massive impact and would probably command the same wages that are currently being paid to Bent and Ireland.

No doubt if you put barry and lescott in this team we would be much improved and mid table .

[PaulWinch again]

In the second half today he really stood up and was excellent.

[pauliewalnuts]

In the second half today he really stood up and was excellent.

According to whoscored.com he won 100 percent of his aerial battles

[SoccerHQ]

He at least looks like a proper defender, Clark dosen't.

[eastie]

Ron Vlaar has underlined his determination to play a part in Villa's hectic Christmas programme.

Vlaar has been out of action since injuring his calf in the 3-2 victory at Southampton earlier this month.

The Villa skipper has been absent for the last two games against Fulham and Manchester United after being withdrawn at half-time at St Mary's.

Manager Paul Lambert said on Monday it is a case of "wait and see" as to whether the Dutchman will be ready in time to face Stoke on Saturday.

But Vlaar is working hard to get back as soon as possible and play a part in a packed schedule that will see Villa play five games in 15 days.

"At the moment I am attempting to overcome a calf injury," he said.

"It's annoying to be receiving treatment, rather than training with the rest of the team.

"Like any other player I do everything possible to remain at peak fitness, but I felt my calf during the first half at Southampton and it really stiffened up at half-time so there was no point continuing.

"Hopefully it won't be too long before I'm back because I remember how infuriating it was to be out of action last winter."

[PaulWinch again]

I'm getting a little concerned by this, it's starting to sound like last year.

[eastie]

I'm getting a little concerned by this, it's starting to sound like last year.

Me too, last winter he was close to a return several times but ended up out a couple of months - similar injury i fear .

[olaftab]

He has wintertitus.

[Villafirst]

Randy: cheque book out on Jan 1st - buy an EXPERIENCED CB or risk relegation battle again. Vlaar injury sounds like 12 months ago. Okore is still out as well. Defence is leaking goals again at an alarming rate since Ron's injury.

[ozzjim]

Yep. Vlaar has been great this season but this calf seems to have a real issue. No harm in getting another experienced man in. Baker is a decent defender in certain battles, but his positioning and distribution have been just awful this season. Need an experience man with Clark

[SoccerHQ]

He won't make Stoke then, I'd throw Herd in if he's o.k.

[supertom]

I think we'll see this once a season from Ron. His injury record at Feyenoord was poor too. I think an experienced CH in Jan is a must. Lescott or Kaboul would be good. If Lescott is going for 4 million that would be a decent fee. I think he'd drop his wages too at this stage of his career. That said, other clubs will go for him and he may not have to drop as much for them.