Who Stays and Who goes

[MoetVillan]

I think Bennet lacks a good tackle, and misreads the attacking winger a little too often for my liking, but lack of pace is not something he has an issue with as far as I see.  Even the misplaced pass the other day, he had nearly caught up with jenas to get the block in.

[MoetVillan]

Bren'd, im happy with your "Be gone with you" list, same as Id pick

[eastie]

A decent view on things-

By James Nursey | 21/03/13 

What a game Villa's 3-2 win over QPR was.

It was so vital in the short-term and also offered much optimism for the future - assuming Paul Lambert's Villa side now stay up.

OK, I accept Villa were highly fortunate to still be in the game against Rangers at half-time.

But Lambert's faith in keeper Brad Guzan has been totally vindicated as he continues to mature into one of the top-flight's best shot stoppers.

While several of the club's new young signings are developing very promisingly in the tense pressure cooker of a relegation battle, which is no mean feat.

Last season trying to call Villa's player of the season was something of a joke as there were so few contenders.

The fact Stephen Ireland won it after scoring just once and being in and out of the side said it all.

But this season trying to separate Guzan, 28, Christian Benteke, 22, and 21-year-old Andreas Weimann is a really tough vote.

I will reserve judgement on that until nearer the end of the campaign.

The trio were all on fire against Rangers.

I really like Weimann's attitude as he is so passionate, enthusiastic and runs so much - allied to plenty of skill.

Villa have dished out numerous ridiculously generous contracts in the last five years.

But (in the context of the mad world of football) if anyone deserves at least £40,000-a-week of Villa's money this summer it has to be the aforementioned trio.

There are plenty of other decent prospects in the Villa side too whose recent progress engenders real hope for the future.

Right-back Matt Lowton, 23, is becoming quite a dependable fixture in the side.

Ashley Westwood, 22, helped run the midfield in the second half against Rangers with another accomplished, mature display.

Ciaran Clark, 23, is a classy left-footed centre-back who has out-shone Dutch international stopper Ron Vlaar in my opinion this season.

I am also a huge fan of Nathan Baker, 21, but he went off injured against QPR so we didn't see too much of him.

Even Barry Bannan, 23, so exasperatingly inconsistent at times and prone to a daft Hollywood pass, has now stuck a couple of decent games together in succession!

These are all players who are only going to get better next season under Lambert.

The cream of the crop though has to be Benteke.

At 6ft 3in, 22-years-old and with 17 goals to his name already in his debut Premier League season, he will be one of the summer's most sought-after players in the top-flight.

And here's my point. Because battling through the pain of this season, enduring drubbings, flirting with relegation and losing to League Two teams in the cup is flipping depressing for fans, so when Villa do finally get a basis for success, they need to keep it and build on it.

The huge promise of Guzan, Benteke and Weimann this season at Villa Park has been like a rainbow in a thunderstorm.

But let's hope owner Randy Lerner doesn't grab the gold at the end of it if a big Premier League rival dangles a large summer cheque for any of them.

Realistically big Belgium striker Benteke will attract the most interest as he has been a revelation this season since a bargain £8million move from Genk last summer.

Flogging him this close-season though would badly undermine a lot of Lambert's work and demoralise supporters.

Previous big-name stars like Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, James Milner and Stewart Downing have all been sold in recent years for a premium.

Now it appears inevitable there will be interest and bids for Benteke.

Should Villa be relegated - which I am not expecting - then obviously Benteke will be off.

But Villa, if they retain their top-flight status, must hold firm, refuse to sell him and give Benteke a new contract to keep him sweet.

Otherwise a lot of Lambert's good work rebuilding Villa will be undone and the project will surely never progress significantly.

[Irish villain]

Manyoo fans were complaining about Evra in his first six months/season.  He turned it around.  I think Bennett has shown more desire/skill/pace in that position than anyone for four years for us.

Weimann kept us up last season too.  That last minute goal against Fulham

Scored a cracker against Stoke too didn't he in a drawn game?

[maidstonevillain]

Which raises an interesting point. If Scotland gets independence will it still be part of the EU? If not Paul Lambert may well have to be shipped back north of the border.

*Chuckle emoticon*

[mrfuse]

Thats pretty much spot on by James Nursey

[eamonn]

Extra bonus mark for using "flipping" as an adjective.

The Benteke transfer fee always seems to be quoted as £8m (pounds)...I thought it was €8m (euro), approx £6m-6.5m

[SoccerHQ]

Clark has not outshone Vlaar at all imo.

[Steve R]

We weren't 'highly fortunate' to be on level terms at ht with QPR either

[maidstonevillain]

We weren't 'highly fortunate' to be on level terms at ht with QPR either

Agree.  We were just fortunate.

[PeterWithesShin]

We weren't 'highly fortunate' to be on level terms at ht with QPR either

Agree.  We were just fortunate.

Fortunate Guzan did what he is paid to do?

[JUAN PABLO]

Can she stay ?   My perfect fantasy , beautiful woman in Villa kit.....

[Clark W Griswold]

Sell : Given, Lichaj, Hutton, Bannan, Ireland, Albrighton, Bent (purely down to value), Delfouneso.
Keep the rest and add where necessary, but quality and experience this time.

[brontebilly]

Sell : Given, Lichaj, Hutton, Bannan, Ireland, Albrighton, Bent (purely down to value), Delfouneso.
Keep the rest and add where necessary, but quality and experience this time.

wont be easy to shift Given, Ireland and Bent. Dunne is out of contract. Expect along with the above that offers will be listened to for Holman, Kea, Herd and Stevens too. I wouldnt be against Clark or Baker being sold either to be honest. Dont think either are good enough and we badly need to sign a new centre half.

Provided we survive our squad needs a lot of investment. Keeping onto Guzan, Weimann and particularly Benteke could be difficult this summer especially if we maintain the frugal approach of the past couple of summers.

[Shrek]

Clark and Baker will not be sold, they are our future in the eyes of above.