Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[neo_Villan]

He may have had a bad game, but he's generally looked strong and dependable for City and England this season.

No he hasn't. Which is why he has been kept out of the team by Nastasic.

[Tuscans]

Lescott isnt any better than Vlaar in my opinion. When I watched City in Europe or in the league, when he's played he seems to have a clanger in him.

[picicata]

Lescott isnt any better than Vlaar in my opinion. When I watched City in Europe or in the league, when he's played he seems to have a clanger in him.

Maybe he just swallowed a Swanee Whistle?

[Concrete John]

He may have had a bad game, but he's generally looked strong and dependable for City and England this season.

No he hasn't. Which is why he has been kept out of the team by Nastasic.

Not being able to get into the Man City team is hardly an indication a player isn't good enough for us right now.

[Toronto Villa]

Lescott isn't past it, and in fairness he hasn't really been playing for Citeh.

did you see Howson of Norwich go past him on Saturday, it was the sort of defending we have been giving Baker and Clarke all manner of stick to all season, at least they have an excuse,

 all defenders will make mistakes at times, but he looked for all the world passed it on Saturday when he was wobbling all over the floor with his legs kicking around in the air as Howson stroked the ball into the net

true John

not sure he's made as many as Baker etc

did you see Benteke go past Cahill. Would you have Cahill back? 

good point, but Howson is no Benteke my friend   

difference is that Cahill plays a lot more than Lescott. I'm sure if Lescott played every week he'd just be better and more consistent simply because he's a better defender. Plus if we bought him it wouldn't just be for his playing ability but because he is someone that would immediately command respect and instill confidence in those around him. Vlaar needs a strong influence to assist his game and help the develop the other younger players

[neo_Villan]

He may have had a bad game, but he's generally looked strong and dependable for City and England this season.

No he hasn't. Which is why he has been kept out of the team by Nastasic.

Not being able to get into the Man City team is hardly an indication a player isn't good enough for us right now.

My point is that he lost his place in the first place because he hasn't played well. Whenever I've seen him for Citeh this season, he has looked error-prone and off the pace.

[Richie]

http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/22996/villa-linked-with-new-move-for-cresswell

Seems to be highly rated by the Ipswich fans. Not sure if the asking price last year was excessive.

[PaulWinch again]

As TV says if Lescott plays regular games he'll get back up to speed again, he's a really good defender and comfortably good enough to improve us massively.

[supertom]

http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/22996/villa-linked-with-new-move-for-cresswell

Seems to be highly rated by the Ipswich fans. Not sure if the asking price last year was excessive.

Some papers last year seemed to quote anything up to 6 million, which is too much. I think we apparently offered around 3 iirc.
It would seem that Cresswell was PL's first choice left back. So if he does indeed go back in for him, I wouldn't be surprised. We seemed to hear a lot of nice for a time about signing him last year.
I wouldn't pay any more than 4 though.

[Dante Lavelli]

Do you know if he's ever played right back? 
Seem strange to have two rookie left backs in the squad, unless he's adept at covering both full back spots.

[Fernando Partridge]

Out of contract players worth investing- Chris Brunt would be good replacement for Nzog and Holman who should both go.
Yossi Benayoun and Emmerson Boyce both on a free??
At Walsall there is a quality player named febian brandy scores a few and hes on a free.
2 solid central defenders Twente Douglas and Zenits Hubocan

And some players Lambert and his scouts should defo go in for !
winger/attacking midfielder Austrian Arnautovic @werder

Shkatars Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Striker Alfie Finnbogason

and Will Hughes Derby !

[JUAN PABLO]

Lescott isn't past it, and in fairness he hasn't really been playing for Citeh.

did you see Howson of Norwich go past him on Saturday, it was the sort of defending we have been giving Baker and Clarke all manner of stick to all season, at least they have an excuse,

 all defenders will make mistakes at times, but he looked for all the world passed it on Saturday when he was wobbling all over the floor with his legs kicking around in the air as Howson stroked the ball into the net

true John

not sure he's made as many as Baker etc

did you see Benteke go past Cahill. Would you have Cahill back? 

good point, but Howson is no Benteke my friend   

Good goal that . I remember it now . But proper Im on holiday defending .

[Fasth56]

2 solid central defenders Twente Douglas and Zenits Hubocan

Olof only signed a one year deal at Villareal, meaning he's available on a free this year. Evidently a "right back" who can play centre half!

[VillaAlways]

From the Birmingham mail

Darren Bent will be allowed to leave Villa this summer – but the club look set to take a significant hit on the record £24 million fee they paid for the striker.

Right-back understudy Eric Lichaj , third choice goalkeeper Andy Marshall and loanee winger Simon Dawkins will also depart after the claret and blues opted not to renew their deals.

Bent and his representatives met with Villa earlier this week to discuss his future and it was decided the club would listen to offers for the 29-year-old.

He became Villa’s most expensive purchase in January 2011 when he arrived in a deal rising to £24 million from Sunderland and still has two years left on his contract.

But it is thought the club will struggle to attract offers of more than £8 million for Bent after he fell behind Christian Benteke in Paul Lambert’s striking pecking order.

Bent has scored 25 goals in 52 starts and 12 substitute appearance for Villa, the last of which came in Sunday’s draw at Wigan when he put himself in the shop window.

Since top scorer Benteke burst onto the scene, Bent has been limited to 12 league and cup starts and 11 cameos from the bench this season, notching six goals.

Villa had high hopes for Bent when he was signed by Gerard Houllier in a record deal 26 months ago and he scored nine goals, including a debut winner against Manchester City, to keep them in the Premier League.

He also hit 10 goals last season before his campaign was cut short in the February by an ankle problem which wrecked his dream of representing England at Euro 2012.

But despite being handed the captaincy at the start of Lambert’s tenure, Bent has since been restricted to a bit-part role, with injuries and Benteke’s form denying him a run in the first XI.

Bent has returned to the bench recently and started at Wigan on Sunday, but failed to make several matchday squads earlier in the season with Lambert preferring to select rookie striker Jordan Bowery.

Lambert rates the finishing prowess of the former Ipswich, Charlton, Tottenham and Sunderland frontman who is a member of the Premier League 100 goals club and is one of English football’s most prolific scorers.

[SoccerHQ]

West Ham are signing Romania's left back, Razvan Rat from Shakhtar on a free. Apart from having the best name in football, the fella is quality. Over 50 games in the Champions League, nearly 100 caps for Romania. He's initially signed a one-year deal with an option of extending it. Would have been ideal to help mentor Bennett.

Is Razvan Romanian for Roland by any chance?!

Thought West Ham would be in for Maynor Figueroa for the LB spot.I would take him, can fill in at centre half aswell.