Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[villan from luton]

I think going forward we are as good as any team outside of the top 5 and with the new additions will continue to improve. As peter w has suggested, we need to be better defensively. I think the front 3 work well defensively generally, but sometimes Gabby and Weimann are niave. Need to tighten up on that and also set pieces, though that did get better after Bradford debacle

[edgysatsuma89]

I agree with everyone on Vlaar, and I think it's why we may not breach the top half. However if we sign a CB (I don't think we will), who could we get who isn't 'up and coming' or on 80k a week?

[ozzjim]

Anyone know much about the serb the mirror are linking us with from Inter?

[phantom limb]

Anyone know much about the serb the mirror are linking us with from Inter?

I thought Kuzmanovic was a great player at Fiorentina, a clever creative midfielder. I think he  went to Germany and subsequently ended up at Inter where it hasn't really happened for him. If the buyout is £3.5 million then it could be a bargain, but I haven't seen him play for ages now so hopefully he hasn't gone rubbish.

[Karl Bridges]

Wiki says Chelsea had a £23m bid turned down for Kuzmanović in 2011. Seems crazy that he's now worth £3.5m.

[supertom]

I think Ron might get away with a fair bit this season because he'll score 3-4 good goals to gloss over his frailties at the other end.

I wonder if a deal for Lescott would still be feasible. Get him with a signing on fee and sensible wage. Can't see City being too concerned about a big transfer fee. Lescott isn't great but he's hands down better than Vlaar, Baker and Clark.

[Olneythelonely]

Absolutely no chance we'll be after Lescott.

I'm hoping some clicks with Okore, whether that's Vlaaro, Bakester or Clarkmeister.

[paulcomben]

We have not heard anything lately about clubs queuing up to sign Given, Ireland, Hutton, Bannan nor Delfuenso. Toon seems likely for Bent. I hope that it does not drag on until deadline day.

[FatSam]

Anyone know much about the serb the mirror are linking us with from Inter?

I thought Kuzmanovic was a great player at Fiorentina, a clever creative midfielder. I think he  went to Germany and subsequently ended up at Inter where it hasn't really happened for him. If the buyout is £3.5 million then it could be a bargain, but I haven't seen him play for ages now so hopefully he hasn't gone rubbish.

I can remember in January looking at him in a list of Players whose contracts were expiring this summer. Internazionale obviously signed him for a relatively low fee for this reason. Its surprising that he might be already surplus to requirements.

[paul_e]

Agree with all of that paul but what a team like that needs is a midfielder who can protect the back four. For all their faults last season, especially set-pieces, they were usually offered very little help and/or protection from midfield last season.

I'd actually like us to play with 2 fairly defensive midfielders in there.  A Westwood to close space, make interceptions and slow the game down and a hard working, tough tackling player alongside that I hope Sylla and/or Delph can develop into.  Put Tonev or Bacuna in ront of them and I think we'll have a much better shape.  You need 1 of the 3 to close down in their half, which is why Sylla worked and Nzog doesn't but I'd like someone who will score a few goals as well and I don't think Sylla has that in him.

[DrGonzo]

By the looks of it the only mention of Kuzmanovic comes from The Mirror, the Italian websites that are carrying any mention of this are siting them as the source.  He signed for 1.2m euros so 3.5 isn't that crazy price wise.

[john2710]

I agree on much of the concerns about our defensive frailties, however it must be said that our worst defensive performances came whilst Vlar was injured or had just returned. We went through the whole season with only 3 centre half's & at times only 2. Add in the use of defenders like Lichaj & Stevens, who were not up to Premiership standard, with the fact that the whole back line lacked Premiership experience & I think we can see why we conceded so many goals. The 2nd goal yesterday was disapointing as over the last dozen or so games we had cut those type of goals out.

I think Lambert has finished with any defensive recruitment, unless there is cover for Lowton. I also think we are covered from an attacking  / width point of view. The only possible signings will be attacking / defensive midfield.

From where we were this time last year, we now have experience, a formation that suits us & one that the players know. The players already here & the new signings know that they will have a platform to show that they are up to the job & that they will get the rewards if they deliver.

I'd imagine we will need to shift a few of the 'bomb squad' out before we bring anymore in.

[SoccerHQ]

I think if PL shifts the 5 or 6 that he wants to, then at least a couple of new faces will come in, apart from Bent though there doesn't seem to be many clubs tempted by our outcasts.

I wonder if we're just waiting for Bent to leave, 6m fee and 60k off the wage bill would give us room to sign another attacking player and I'm not convinced we need another striker as Gabby, Benteke, Weimann and Helenius should be enough to get us through to January.

I would add Ireland aswell but that is extremely wishful thinking.

[peter w]

Once players start moving amongst English clubs and clubs start getting their squads into shape for the season, then we'll see more transfer activity. At least 2 or 3 more in I reckon.

[paul_e]

I think if PL shifts the 5 or 6 that he wants to, then at least a couple of new faces will come in, apart from Bent though there doesn't seem to be many clubs tempted by our outcasts.

I wonder if we're just waiting for Bent to leave, 6m fee and 60k off the wage bill would give us room to sign another attacking player and I'm not convinced we need another striker as Gabby, Benteke, Weimann and Helenius should be enough to get us through to January.

I would add Ireland aswell but that is extremely wishful thinking.

I think we'll see takers for Bent and Bannan, probably delfouneso as well, Ireland depends a lot on whether he's willing to take a cut in his wages.