Concrete Ron

[PaulWinch again]

I don't see why he would be cheap. If a side wants to buy him and play him next season, then they'll pay a fee that is acceptable. If not, then they will have to wait. In that time, new owners might come in and things may look very different indeed.

I'd say he might be cheap because he has one year left on his deal, Randy is looking to sell and currently there's no new owner on the horizon. If he's not offered or won't sign one, I'd guess that we'd sell.

[supertom]

He's just had a storming world cup.

Ideal World scenario though is that we offer him a new deal and he accepts. He's a player we should be building our backline around.

The fact that he's just had a storming WC makes me think it's less likely he'd re-sign with us, particularly if there no new buyer on the horizon.

I know I wouldn't if I were him.

I think he'd be happy to see out his last year at least. I don't see Ron pushing for a move. We're used to seeing players go for nothing anyway. Unless we're going to get offered something silly, and clubs are forking out silly sums right now, then he can see out his final year. He'll get rewarded next summer with some nice offers I'd imagine.

[OzVilla]

He's just had a storming world cup.

Ideal World scenario though is that we offer him a new deal and he accepts. He's a player we should be building our backline around.

The fact that he's just had a storming WC makes me think it's less likely he'd re-sign with us, particularly if there no new buyer on the horizon.

I know I wouldn't if I were him.

I think he'd be happy to see out his last year at least. I don't see Ron pushing for a move. We're used to seeing players go for nothing anyway. Unless we're going to get offered something silly, and clubs are forking out silly sums right now, then he can see out his final year. He'll get rewarded next summer with some nice offers I'd imagine.

Agreed, he'll either go now or at the end of next year. Unless we sort ourselves out as a club in a fairly major way I think I've got more chance of signing a contract with the Villa than Vlaar as.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

To be honest I think the WC made him look better than he is. If someone offers good money it's a no brainer.

How does that work?

Apparently, last night he won 100% of tackles, 100% of aerial duels, made 11 clearances and had a pass accuracy of 92%

I find it very unlikely that was due in large part to the players around him, whereas, looking at the shitness of Baker and Clark, I find it extremely easy to believe it is them making him look worse than he is.

All players become better with good players around them - in Ron's position that means he can rely on his defensive partners more and a decent midfield is there to cover and protect the backline so that when a break does occur it is minimised - basically Ron can get on and do his job. He was almost playing a sweeper role last night...and he did it exceptionally well partly due to those around him doing a good job too.
But those stats are bloody amazing!
 

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Nothing but admiration for Vlaar, he's had a great World Cup and really didn't deserve to be on the losing side last night.

It obviously helps having players around him that know their jobs and a manager that understands a little bit more than the basics. Vlaar was always looking up and around him when he had the ball, managing to find the pass and his movement was key. Nothing like the concrete statue we witnessed last season.

Hopefully he'll come back a better player having been reminded what it takes to be a great centre half.

[tomd2103]

Nothing but admiration for Vlaar, he's had a great World Cup and really didn't deserve to be on the losing side last night.

It obviously helps having players around him that know their jobs and a manager that understands a little bit more than the basics. Vlaar was always looking up and around him when he had the ball, managing to find the pass and his movement was key. Nothing like the concrete statue we witnessed last season.

Hopefully he'll come back a better player having been reminded what it takes to be a great centre half.

Hopefully the coaching staff have also seen him play in a position that suits him and might try and implement it this coming season.  Vlaar in a back three with Okore and a player of similar athleticism either side of him is definitely worth looking at. 

[KevinGage]

I get the argument that -based on the Vlaar we have often seen at Villa-  he isn't at yanited's level. 

But managers like working with players they know, and even if they can in theory afford better, they have a fair bit of rebuilding to do this summer. 

If it's not them, many of the other clubs on the continent will only be too happy to sign one of the best players at the World Cup.

[ozzjim]

We need to take a line and just name our price, not matter if it means losing him next season for nothing. If United do bid, which I expect they will, then 15m should be our stance. Pay it, or wait till next summer. Vlaar is way too important for us to let him go this summer, with the squad we have at the moment.

[joe_c]

To be honest I think the WC made him look better than he is. If someone offers good money it's a no brainer.

Totally agree with this. Willingly selling Vlaar would be the sort of thing someone with no brains would advocate. That is what you meant, yes?

[paul_e]

Fucking hell, a Villa player has a good world cup and you all start writing an exit strategy for him, can we not wait until he's back and we hear about a new contract offer before we start assuming the worst.

Specific to last night, he was immense, comfortably the best player on the pitch, I'm gutted for him that he missed the penalty, some of the others in that squad should be ashamed of themselves for not having the guts to take it.

[Dr Butler]

some of the others in that squad should be ashamed of themselves for not having the guts to take it.

yes I'm looking at you Paul Ince the self titled Guvnor....I always thought Southgate had tremendous guts to take the penalty in 1996....

[ADVILLAFAN]

some of the others in that squad should be ashamed of themselves for not having the guts to take it.

yes I'm looking at you Paul Ince the self titled Guvnor....I always thought Southgate had tremendous guts to take the penalty in 1996....

I always think that, Ince totally bottled it and left Southgate to take it instead.

[RussellC]

Vlaar was excellent last night. However, I have to say that I thought Mascherano just pipped him to the MOM award.

With regard to selling Vlaar, the answer is simple, we can't. In my opinion keeping Vlaar this summer is much more important that keeping any of the likes of Young, Milner and Barry was, simply because I don't think we're in a position to being in a replacement anywhere near good enough.

[WarszaVillan]

Ron is not good enough for Man Utd? They'd be so lucky.

If someone has the ability, time and inclination I'd love to see a youtube compilation of Ron's performance last night. It was on a par with Mcgrath's against Italy. He should be serenaded with a round of 'ooh ah Ron Vlaar' when he returns to Villa Park.

[KevinGage]

He's just had a storming world cup.

Ideal World scenario though is that we offer him a new deal and he accepts. He's a player we should be building our backline around.

The fact that he's just had a storming WC makes me think it's less likely he'd re-sign with us, particularly if there no new buyer on the horizon.

I know I wouldn't if I were him.

I think he'd be happy to see out his last year at least. I don't see Ron pushing for a move. We're used to seeing players go for nothing anyway. Unless we're going to get offered something silly, and clubs are forking out silly sums right now, then he can see out his final year. He'll get rewarded next summer with some nice offers I'd imagine.

Not sure players look at it that way, particularly older players with his injury record. 

The next tackle he goes in for and it could be all over.  True, you could say that about most players.  But his stock is prob at his highest now, so if he has a chance to push for a big move, it would make sense for him to do so.

Naturally I'll be delighted if he decides to stay, even if it is only for another year.