Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[Matt Collins]

I'm not too disheartened. If we managed to sign an attacking player as good as Benteke (which we surely can't expect of course) and players as good as Westwood and Lowton, even a centre half of similar calibre to Vlaar, we'd be much better than this season.

[Greg N'Ash]

I don't think that should necessarily discount experienced players though. Or I'd hope not. We need a bit more experience at the back. As long as we buy from a good standard, or find a very well scouted player. We could do with a new Laursen that's for sure.
Much as I think Lescott would be a great signing, I don't think it'll happen in a million years. If we can find Julians Dutch cousin, Van Lescott, that might work.
I think at least it seems that Lambo has found his system and has got us looking good going forward. A few inspired signings and we'll be good next season I feel, whether we sign the likes of Lescott or not.
We need better centre halves for sure.

That's the key i think. If Lambert buys a Div1 or championship centre-half this summer i'll be worried, but there's plenty of foreign players with experience, but in the 15-25k wages bracket who could possibly come here and do a job. The english eqavilent like Lescott on god knows how much is not going to happen.

[Toronto Villa]

don't read too much into this. Please recall that we agreed a fee for Dempsey who is an established PL player at the time was 29, and has been pointed out we bought Benteke, unproven for £7m. If our signings are of that ilk then I'm perfectly fine with that. If it means the days of Darren Bent at £18m are over than that's understandable. What I am fully behind is finding players that want to play for the club. Lescott or similar can still fit what the club is looking for because he will be worth the money they pay for him and pay to him.

You sound like the materialistic straw-clutching wife of a millionaire who has gone bust, yet she still wants supercars, mansions and Michelin starred dindins.

I have no idea what you're on about

Nor would she.

you on drugs?

[paulcomben]

don't read too much into this. Please recall that we agreed a fee for Dempsey who is an established PL player at the time was 29, and has been pointed out we bought Benteke, unproven for £7m. If our signings are of that ilk then I'm perfectly fine with that. If it means the days of Darren Bent at £18m are over than that's understandable. What I am fully behind is finding players that want to play for the club. Lescott or similar can still fit what the club is looking for because he will be worth the money they pay for him and pay to him.

You sound like the materialistic straw-clutching wife of a millionaire who has gone bust, yet she still wants supercars, mansions and Michelin starred dindins.

I have no idea what you're on about

Nor would she.

you on drugs?

A spot of Lemsip once every winter. The occasional Ibuprofen. You?  And what has that got to do with understanding what Mr Lambert is saying?

[Toronto Villa]

paul, I really cannot be arsed with a quotathon about nothing. If you wish to contest something I've said feel free. If you want to talk bollocks or in riddle then find a mirror.

[paulcomben]

paul, I really cannot be arsed with a quotathon about nothing. If you wish to contest something I've said feel free. If you want to talk bollocks or in riddle then find a mirror.

Plenty of mirrors here, but no wish to do either, thanks. Contesting something you said, without the subtle pleasures of similies, analogies, metaphors nor wit, Villa will not be signing any Lescotts nor Dempseys.

[neo_Villan]

A bit disheartening. More unproven players will mean another brave campaign finishing in the bottom half. We arguably need one or two "names" which surely can't be beyond us if we get shot of the non-functioning fun boy trio (Ireland, Given, Bent/Dunne).

Disagree. This season Lambert effectively changed the entire team with Gabby the only player who could be deemed experienced at this level. The others were either new to the league or had never had a sustained run in the first team. Next season the general core of the team will remain the same, will continue to evolve and I'm sure Lambert will make a few well-judged signings to both complement and enhance the squad. There is absolutely no reason next season will be a repeat of this one just because we won't be getting any 'names' as you put it.

[Toronto Villa]

paul, I really cannot be arsed with a quotathon about nothing. If you wish to contest something I've said feel free. If you want to talk bollocks or in riddle then find a mirror.

Plenty of mirrors here, but no wish to do either, thanks. Contesting something you said, without the subtle pleasures of similies, analogies, metaphors nor wit, Villa will not be signing any Lescotts nor Dempseys.

fuck me, I'm glad we got that sorted out

[CAitken]

I'm not disheartened by this at all, quite the opposite in fact. Since Jan 1st we are 6th on form, a few more young hungry quality youngsters and we'll be looking at 7th or 8th. After Sunday we could be just 5 points behind the yam yams who are 8th it's not much to make up.

[paulcomben]

paul, I really cannot be arsed with a quotathon about nothing. If you wish to contest something I've said feel free. If you want to talk bollocks or in riddle then find a mirror.

Plenty of mirrors here, but no wish to do either, thanks. Contesting something you said, without the subtle pleasures of similies, analogies, metaphors nor wit, Villa will not be signing any Lescotts nor Dempseys.

fuck me, I'm glad we got that sorted out

Me too. Saved a fortune, by cancelling the kids' planned Toronto schooling fees.

[Mazrim]

I wouldn't read anything much into that statement other than we're not going to be mugged off by mercenaries anymore, which is exactly what I want to hear and exactly why we were in a bit of a mess. Lambert will be after p,ayers that will genuinely improve us. If they're not a household name i couldn't give a fuck. The mantra is- if you want the big bucks, earn them. Can't wait for him to get cracking.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I wouldn't read anything much into that statement other than we're not going to be mugged off by mercenaries anymore, which is exactly what I want to hear and exactly why we were in a bit of a mess. Lambert will be after p,ayers that will genuinely improve us. If they're not a household name i couldn't give a fuck. The mantra is- if you want the big bucks, earn them. Can't wait for him to get cracking.

This.

[Billy Walker]

I totally trust Lambert to get the players in that we need to progress the club and kick on.  The way the tabloids have spun what he has said into some kind of statement of small-time, lack of ambition does not surprise me in the slightest.  They don't have a clue.

Edit: I notice the report is from the BBC.  They don't have a clue either! A supporter of another club reading that article will think: "Villa are f*cked.  There's no ambition at that place."  The whole context of what Lambert is saying has been left out, which is a bit disappointing from the BBC.

[curiousorange]

I didn't see the Lambert piece until just, so imagine how happy I was it tallied with my own take on the matter, which was posted today:

"Aston Villa fans have noted for months what the national media are waking up to: Paul Lambert wants to bring in players right for a team,rather than forming a team around key players..."

Read more: http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/news/16-05-2013/farewell-to-petrov-in-new-villa-era/831123#ixzz2TUwGrSDn

I would expect some kind of 'Lambert will be spending nothing' histrionics after his comments to the Beeb, but while Lambert has failings tactically, he's yet to really be sold a dud in the transfer market. He bought the important player (Sylla) in January and only loaned the one that wasn't (Dawkins). I would be intrigued to see what happens with Dawkins; given the overall success rate of Lambert's incomings, he obviously saw something in him that we haven't as yet. I think Sylla's first few outings showed he got stuck in but seemed a bit frantic, and I don't think it was obvious how integral he'd become long-term. I'd hesitate to splash half the transfer kitty on Dawkins, but maybe he's worth a punt if he can be picked up for relatively little.

[Billy Walker]

I didn't see the Lambert piece until just, so imagine how happy I was it tallied with my own take on the matter, which was posted today:

"Aston Villa fans have noted for months what the national media are waking up to: Paul Lambert wants to bring in players right for a team,rather than forming a team around key players..."

Read more: http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/news/16-05-2013/farewell-to-petrov-in-new-villa-era/831123#ixzz2TUwGrSDn

I would expect some kind of 'Lambert will be spending nothing' histrionics after his comments to the Beeb, but while Lambert has failings tactically, he's yet to really be sold a dud in the transfer market. He bought the important player (Sylla) in January and only loaned the one that wasn't (Dawkins). I would be intrigued to see what happens with Dawkins; given the overall success rate of Lambert's incomings, he obviously saw something in him that we haven't as yet. I think Sylla's first few outings showed he got stuck in but seemed a bit frantic, and I don't think it was obvious how integral he'd become long-term. I'd hesitate to splash half the transfer kitty on Dawkins, but maybe he's worth a punt if he can be picked up for relatively little.

Nicely written and you capture what is going on really well.