Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[Mister E]

Only seen a few Youtube clips of him, but we would have to change the formation we employed at the end of the season to accommodate a player like that.  We would have to switch back to a 4-2-3-1 as opposed to the 4-3-3 which served us pretty well.

Know what you're saying here, Tom, but when does 4-3-3 become 4-2-3-1 or even 4-5-1? I'm pretty sure there were occasions at the end of the season where our MF and front players were morphing through several 'formations'. One of the benefits that Gabby and Weimann afford us is their effort and back-tracking; we sometimes had Benteke and Sylla upfront for periods of games.

I'm just saying that sometimes too much is made of the formation: the real issue is whether the players on the pitch have the nous, the training and the ability to adapt to the changing phases of a game. One thing that Lambert has - I think - brought to our game is a more fluid approach, and his focus on youngsters means that they are perhaps more willing to learn and adapt.

Not sure where Belhanda might fit in all of that!

[paul_e]

We accomodated Nzogbia in that role quite a bit and I'd be amazed if Belhanda gave less defensive contribution than him.  From what I've seen he's very hard working but does do a lot of that work further forward, which is fine so long as he's closing the ball down and not letting a defensive anchor control the game for the opposition.  I don't like Nzogbia in there because he doesn't do that.

[pauliewalnuts]

I doubt he would come considering teams that are in for him but I bet the express and star know feck all

I imagine the Aston Villa correspondent of the Express and Star, or their football desk, know a lot more about it then every single person on here.

That's their job, that's why they have contacts at the club. Maybe their contacts have said we are not interested to put up a smokescreen, maybe they are being honest, I don't know, but you not have to be overly gullible to think local sports journalists are likely to know more than we do.

[mr underhill]

surely a lot depends on what budget Lambert is operating on, especially so given the possibility of Benteke leaving. an acquisition budget excluding major sales is probably very limited, one with a basic amount plus a percentage of sales, might not be so limiting and a £10-12 m player becomes feasible. I tend to agree though that billy big bollocks type s will upset what looks like a great team ethos

[KevinGage]

If I'm being honest, I'm not overly disappointed by this. As good as he looks offensively, he doesn't half remind me of Taraabt at QPR.

I'm not sure we're quite ready to accommodate a player who probably offers nothing when we haven't got the ball (although I'm assuming this is the case, having not seen much of him), hence PL never really fancying Darren Bent.

He's played as a defensive midfielder on numerous occasions.  He likes a tackle and even has a bit of a nastry streak about him.   More Dembele than Taraabt.

[SamTheMouse]

I tend to think that when the local press definitively reports that Villa are not interested in a player, it really does mean Villa are not interested. IYou can put yer house on it.

[TheSandman]

To be honest, like many others the link with us was the first I've heard of Belhanda. I'm sure he's a very good player but I'm not going to be too disappointed that we're not in for him. Especially as I have every faith that Lambert has some gems lined up and if they're in the mould of Westwood and Lowton will come our way for a tenth of the fee.

[villa kicks]

Interesting to see Robson-Kanu linked that's 2  players?  I think this is unfounded and pure rumour we would want to but either player. Kanu even for experienced role is pushing on and Barry Robson would add steal in midfield but both best playing days are behind them. Now interestingly there's a chap called Robson-Kanu of reading would be a better signing and looked one of more useful players along with Alex Pearce and hope speculation to sign them have more substance. 

[LeeB]

Interesting to see Robson-Kanu linked that's 2  players?  I think this is unfounded and pure rumour we would want to but either player. Kanu even for experienced role is pushing on and Barry Robson would add steal in midfield but both best playing days are behind them. Now interestingly there's a chap called Robson-Kanu of reading would be a better signing and looked one of more useful players along with Alex Pearce and hope speculation to sign them have more substance. 

Barry Robson's about 35 and playing in the championship, ya daft sod.

[ozzjim]

Interesting to see Robson-Kanu linked that's 2  players?  I think this is unfounded and pure rumour we would want to but either player. Kanu even for experienced role is pushing on and Barry Robson would add steal in midfield but both best playing days are behind them. Now interestingly there's a chap called Robson-Kanu of reading would be a better signing and looked one of more useful players along with Alex Pearce and hope speculation to sign them have more substance. 

Wow. Just... wow.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Interesting to see Robson-Kanu linked that's 2  players?  I think this is unfounded and pure rumour we would want to but either player. Kanu even for experienced role is pushing on and Barry Robson would add steal in midfield but both best playing days are behind them. Now interestingly there's a chap called Robson-Kanu of reading would be a better signing and looked one of more useful players along with Alex Pearce and hope speculation to sign them have more substance. 

Wow. Just... wow.

Surely it's a post deliberately done as a joke? Isn't it?

[MoetVillan]

my word

[ozzjim]

Interesting to see Robson-Kanu linked that's 2  players?  I think this is unfounded and pure rumour we would want to but either player. Kanu even for experienced role is pushing on and Barry Robson would add steal in midfield but both best playing days are behind them. Now interestingly there's a chap called Robson-Kanu of reading would be a better signing and looked one of more useful players along with Alex Pearce and hope speculation to sign them have more substance. 

Wow. Just... wow.

Surely it's a post deliberately done as a joke? Isn't it?

Any other poster I would think yes for certain, but I just never know with Villa Kicks.

[Legion]

Interesting to see Robson-Kanu linked that's 2  players?  I think this is unfounded and pure rumour we would want to but either player. Kanu even for experienced role is pushing on and Barry Robson would add steal in midfield but both best playing days are behind them. Now interestingly there's a chap called Robson-Kanu of reading would be a better signing and looked one of more useful players along with Alex Pearce and hope speculation to sign them have more substance. 

Post of the month.

[LeeB]

Interesting to see Robson-Kanu linked that's 2  players?  I think this is unfounded and pure rumour we would want to but either player. Kanu even for experienced role is pushing on and Barry Robson would add steal in midfield but both best playing days are behind them. Now interestingly there's a chap called Robson-Kanu of reading would be a better signing and looked one of more useful players along with Alex Pearce and hope speculation to sign them have more substance. 

Post of the month.

Decade?