Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[KevinGage]

I don't think Rhodes would come to sit on our bench, in all honesty. 

There might be other topflight clubs who could offer him first team football, particularly the promoted sides. Or Wham, if they can't tie up a deal for Carroll.   Weimann and Gabby can both play up top as the focal point, should Big Ben be injured/ suspended.

  If we're just looking at a forward as backup, Troy Deeney at Watford offers a physical threat (and not just to students) and wouldn't cost the earth.  Would be a better option than Bowery, anyroad.

If Big Ben moves on that obviously changes things, and we'd need to be looking at a far better calibre of forward. 

As things stand, we're OK for forwards.  It's midfield and defence (in particular) that should be our main focus.

[PeterWithesShin]

It would be a no from me for Deeney. I don't want someone who was sentenced for a year (or whatever it was) for kicking someone in the head representing Aston Villa.

[Mazrim]

I think we need 5 forwards fighting it out for 3 positions. We have 3 nailed on, Bent will be sold I think and Bowery should go on loan.

[Hillbilly]

It would be good to have a hit rate like Celtic 15 or so years ago. Larsson, Moravcik, Balde, Mjallby, Valgaeren and er Lambert. All relatively unsung players who turned out to be pretty darned good, even allowing for the manager (who I think only signed Valgaeren of that lot). I wonder if it might have been formative for Lambert who can see that quality is out there if you know where to look for it.

[ozzjim]

I think we need 5 forwards fighting it out for 3 positions. We have 3 nailed on, Bent will be sold I think and Bowery should go on loan.

I agree, but I would include NZogbia in there. I think we need 2 options going forward. Someone with pace like Gabby, that we know will allow us to stretch the channels still, and someone with skill, tricks and vision like Coutinho, who when he plays I can see why we were interested in getting him on loan in January.

[Mister E]

I think we need 5 forwards fighting it out for 3 positions. We have 3 nailed on, Bent will be sold I think and Bowery should go on loan.

I agree, but I would include NZogbia in there. I think we need 2 options going forward. Someone with pace like Gabby, that we know will allow us to stretch the channels still, and someone with skill, tricks and vision like Coutinho, who when he plays I can see why we were interested in getting him on loan in January.

' afraid that I'm once again going to say a big "no" to Charles. Too flaky and too little heart for it all.
Get rid and use the money more wisely.

[Matt Collins]

I think we do need to make more of the loan system, in terms of sending our kids out. Every time I watch reserve football I'm reminded quite how far behind premier league standard it is. It's very poor.

I would be looking to send out the likes of Gardner, Carruthers and possibly even the younger players like Grealish and Robinson. And it may be worth giving Albrighton some games away from Villa to see if he can get some form back.

One of the reasons we can't do what Spurs do is that they clearly don't see mid and lower level top flight teams as rivals. Whereas we do.

Another is that I think they've had better youngsters. Like us, their better ones seem to be guys they've brought in (Lowton, Westwood, Delph even Weimann at a young age) rather than raised from scratch (Albrighton, Bannan, Herd, etc). Baker and Clark do however have some potential to step beyond that level. Gabby's the exception to the rule! And perhaps the three home growns I mentioned will step up if given more regular football lower down the leagues, because that's what makes or breaks players (hence my point about making better use of the loan system).

[eastie]

I think we do need to make more of the loan system, in terms of sending our kids out. Every time I watch reserve football I'm reminded quite how far behind premier league standard it is. It's very poor.

I would be looking to send out the likes of Gardner, Carruthers and possibly even the younger players like Grealish and Robinson. And it may be worth giving Albrighton some games away from Villa to see if he can get some form back.

One of the reasons we can't do what Spurs do is that they clearly don't see mid and lower level top flight teams as rivals. Whereas we do.

Another is that I think they've had better youngsters. Like us, their better ones seem to be guys they've brought in (Lowton, Westwood, Delph even Weimann at a young age) rather than raised from scratch (Albrighton, Bannan, Herd, etc). Baker and Clark do however have some potential to step beyond that level. Gabby's the exception to the rule! And perhaps the three home growns I mentioned will step up if given more regular football lower down the leagues, because that's what makes or breaks players (hence my point about making better use of the loan system).

Gardner will play a big part for us next season - i think we need to strengthen the defence and maybe add a midfielder and another striker should bent go - should be a much less stressful summer of business .

[ADVILLAFAN]

If he can stay fit, that Ramis at Wigan might be worth buying.

[danlanza]

Bakary Sako is mentioned in some papers today. Not really watched him cause he is a Doghead. Anybody got any opinions on him ?

[AlwaysAVFC]

It would be a no from me for Deeney. I don't want someone who was sentenced for a year (or whatever it was) for kicking someone in the head representing Aston Villa.

Erm isn't he pretty much a Lulu? Well closely associated some of them anyway

[tomd2103]

If we could buy Rhodes and sell Bent at little or no loss, and likely save a lot on wages, I'd go for it.

Rhodes offers even less in open play than Bent does.  He doesn't look up to Championship standard when it comes to holding the ball up and winning the ball in the air, but is a natural finisher.  If we are going to go for someone who can come in for CB when needed, then I think we need someone who can offer a little more to the team. 

[Concrete John]

If Lambert is going to bring someone in to be understudy to Benteke, then the fee/wages of even a Jordan Rhodes is more than he'd pay for that.  Expect another Bowery like signing.

[Monty]

If Lambert is going to bring someone in to be understudy to Benteke, then the fee/wages of even a Jordan Rhodes is more than he'd pay for that.  Expect another Bowery like signing.

In fact, I'd say just expect a lot signings we don't know a whole lot about.

[Concrete John]

If Lambert is going to bring someone in to be understudy to Benteke, then the fee/wages of even a Jordan Rhodes is more than he'd pay for that.  Expect another Bowery like signing.

In fact, I'd say just expect a lot signings we don't know a whole lot about.

Nothing wrong with that in principle.  But if he could throw in the odd Lescott, we'd appreciate it