Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[OCD]

After last summer's signings we're going to be linked (or used by players' agents) to practically every young player with potential from the lower leagues. Occasionally even a blind squirrel will find a nut but most of the time they're wandering around aimlessly in the dark.

[gervilla]

It's more interesting than being linked with NRC and half of the Wigan/Reading/QPR squads.
The whole Benteke is he or isn't he off thing is going to really get on my tits though.

[Walmley_Villa]

We've lost our Head Groundsman to PSG, does that count as a transfer? Did a great job tbf. Good luck to him.

[walsall villain]

Tokoyo

Bent is a different player and doesnt suit the way we play under Lambert. He will leave whatever happens with Benteke

Absolutely. They are totally different in what they offer and if Benteke leaves, and I don't think he will, we need someone who can hold the ball up like he does.

[Billy Walker]

Tokoyo

Bent is a different player and doesnt suit the way we play under Lambert. He will leave whatever happens with Benteke

Absolutely. They are totally different in what they offer and if Benteke leaves, and I don't think he will, we need someone who can hold the ball up like he does.

I have a feeling we'll sign another player in the Benteke mould this summer.  (Maybe someone raw from the second tier of French or Belgian football, for the same type of fee as Bowery.)

[Greg N'Ash]

I'd prefer to keep Bent if Benteke goes. Strangely enough 15 goal a season strikers aren't easy to find and as we saw, play him and Bent scores even when he apparently doesn't fit Lambert's style of play. I'm also amazed how everyone assumes Lambert would have a ready made replacement lined up.  Seeing Benteke probably kept us up, then chucking out another guy who can score double figures in the league to a rival is probably not that advisable

[Salsa Party Animal]

I wouldn't sell Bent until we got replacement as Benteke could be sold or get injured.

[Ian.]

The problem is Bent is not a replacement for any of our forwards. Move him on and trust Lambert to replace him with someone who will fit into the system.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

PL has mentioned that originally he planned to play Bent with Benteke but Bent was injured and he changed his tactics. I do not see why PL could not incorporate Bent back into his system especially now he has a whole summer to bring in different players to assist a new style of play ?

[Ian.]

It has taken us a long time to adjust to a certain style and system. It is working very well with the three up top. I just can not see Bent in that Benteke role and definitely not the role the other two play.
I just hope Benteke stays and we get some decent money on Bent and replace him with someone who will fit in. I do like Bent and he will score goals for another team.

I think Greg, Bent might score a few if we played him all season in Benteke's role, however we will also lose a lot of those matches as the whole team will suffer as he will not play that role very well.

[Matt Collins]

The 433 or 4231 suits the rest of our players so well though.

Bent has to play in a 442. Hardly anyone plays 442 for a reason.hats why players like bent and Michael Owen are increasingly finding it difficult.

He could be a good fit for a Fulham because Berbatov can play the number ten role and help them build attacks with his back to goal.

We were having this debate about bent before benteke arrived. It was no coincidence that our best performance under McLeish was at Chelsea, where gabby was up front.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Having just watched Bents goal at Wigan i just get the feeling we are letting a prolific premier goal scorer walk out the back door. Something like 25 goals in 52 appearances is incredible and the value of a player of that calibre in any team is something that has to be looked at and questioned ......... 

[DrGonzo]

Maybe Lambert is just getting rid of Bent on a whim...

[OCD]

There's also the point that Bent's 29 and has to be playing regular football - not being back-up to Benteke. In another year's time his market value will drop steeply so now is really the time to sell to recoup as much as his transfer fee as possible. And if Benteke is staying, then Bent will become an increasingly frustrated player.

If Benteke were to leave, presumably we would get about £30m for him. Benteke's more than just the goalscorer that Bent is - he's integral to our style of play. Whilst Bent goes missing for most of our games, Benteke wins and increasingly keeps the ball and plays others in. We would need to use some of that £30m to find someone similar so irregardless of what happens with Benteke, Bent needs to be sold.

[N'ZMAV]

Aren't we meant to be bringing Harry Forrester back this summer? That's what I've heard.