Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[tomd2103]

I might have been hallucinating from lack of sleep - that's happened before, alright-  but I'm pretty sure I heard Jol wittering on about how good it was to be retaining the Hange monster on a longterm deal.

I'm pretty sure I heard the commentator say during the Fulham v QPR game that he had signed a new deal.

[tomd2103]

Bradley Johnson - Norwich. Good all round midfielder.
Scott Sinclair - Man City. Winger. Loan
Danny Rose. Spurs. Left back.
James McCarthy. Wigan. Midfielder.
Arouna Kone. Wigan. Striker.
Jonas Olsson. WBA. Centre back.

Done

Would sign him in a heartbeat if he was available at the right price.  Still only 22, but has got quite a bit of Premiership experience already.  Would be a great signing and would fit in well alongside Westwood. 

[eamonn]

Given the dearth of goals from midfield and the attempt to buy Clint Dempsey last summer I wonder will we be looking for something similar.

[JJ-AV]

Neville isn't the worst shout in the world. He's 'past it', but if he can still contribute at our level then why not? Everton are chasing the Champions League, if we're still in the division next season then someone like Neville with the know-how and experience to win a game could be beneficial.

Look at our results since January 1st. So many games we've thrown away points late on. Even on Saturday we'd have thrown another two away if it wasn't for a moment of individual brilliance.

I'm not saying we should sign him, but if we do then you can see why Lambert will have.

[N'ZMAV]

It would be interesting to see if we keep the current approach of developing younger players. I'm glad we started this last season, as I'm pretty sure a few clubs over the next couple of seasons will see this work for Villa and try something similar. Not many clubs can continue with the approach of buying proven quality with high wages. The days of clubs like Bolton bringing in huge names at the back end of their career are gone.

[Mister E]

I think the experience of Lescott and the youth of Okore would be a perfect answer for our stock of CB. We'd have Vlaar, Baker, Clark, Okore and Lescott; with Donacien and Willliams coming through.
I think this would also mean we can plug away with Bennett and Lowton as a specialist FB, since we'd have cover in both positions (lescott and Baker; Herd and Lichaj).

McCarthy and Berisha would be a good addition to the midfield - add them to Gardner, Delph, Westwood, Sylla, Grealish and Johnson and, once again, there is great balance of talent, experience and youth. If someone like Gazza Bazza were available for not-crazy wages, I would add them for additional MF strength, to sit in front of the back four.

[N'ZMAV]

I'm not saying we should sign him, but if we do then you can see why Lambert will have.

Has Lambert ever signed a player like that?

[eastie]

I'm not saying we should sign him, but if we do then you can see why Lambert will have.

Has Lambert ever signed a player like that?

Most of his Norwich squad were 25 or over, in fact only 5 out of the 24 were under the age of 25 so he certainly can't be accused of shying away from experienced players.

[N'ZMAV]

I'm not saying we should sign him, but if we do then you can see why Lambert will have.

Has Lambert ever signed a player like that?

Most of his Norwich squad were 25 or over, in fact only 5 out of the 24 were under the age of 25 so he certainly can't be accused of shying away from experienced players.

Did they have Premier League experience?...

[PaulWinch again]

Max Clayton is a quality young striker at Crewe, maybe an option in the future.

[N'ZMAV]

Max Clayton is a quality young striker at Crewe, maybe an option in the future.

Fergie will be in for him, like Nick Powell, another good player who he's developing.

[PaulWinch again]

Oh and I think we'll continue to look outside the Premier League to find players on the whole. I'd like Lescott and someone like McCarthy in though to add a spine to our side.

[jonzy85]

It is of course tempting fate discussing this, when we have yet to restore our PL status. But I guess it's fun...

One thing I find amusing is that in the MON years, he was heavily criticised for not looking beyond British based players, yet the majority of suggestions here are British based. Not only that, most are with PL clubs and therefore will be on contracts, which we more than likely won't be able to match.

I will be surprised if we sign a player from another PL club who has more than 12 months on his deal. I expect a smattering of players from the lower leagues along with 1 or 2 (maybe 3) well scouted and researched players from Europe.

If Lambert emulates his business in the window of last summer, I think we could be looking at a top 10 finish.

[MarkM]

If Lambert emulates his business in the window of last summer, I think we could be looking at a top 10 finish.

You have seen the current league table right?

A bit more experience in the players would be an advantage

[jonzy85]

If Lambert emulates his business in the window of last summer, I think we could be looking at a top 10 finish.

You have seen the current league table right?

A bit more experience in the players would be an advantage

Yes but, another injection of players like he signed would give us a pretty strong squad, plus I expect the players of this year to be stronger next year after the difficulties of this season, provided we stay up........