Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[LeeB]

It's been a good few pages since anybody mentioned James Milner.  Just saying, like.

It's the only one I'd consider.

And I'd say yes in a heartbeat.

I think if there was any chance of Milner coming back, we'd have a decent chance of forming, entirely from posters on here, a human chain to pass him from man to man, from Manchester back down here, like buckets of water towards a burning house.

Everything about Milner fits right into what we're now about.

He'd be like Lampard for us in the middle, he'd become exactly the player we thought he could be.

Instead of pissing around up at that soulless dump playing here there and everywhere, and doing the donkey work for show ponies with more money than talent.

Still, never gonna happen.

[jcsutv]

How many times can a player return?

[TheSandman]

I hate to play the part of the lone heretic but I just don't see the appeal of bringing Milner back. I don't think he's a bad player, on the contrary I think he's a good one sadly underused at Citeh. I just don't want him back. Or rate him as much as pretty much everybody else on here.

[jcsutv]

I always thought Milner and Young wanted quality around them. They were in a league of their own at the time. We are better now though.  Milner would be good.

[pauliewalnuts]

Maybe this coming season will be different, but I genuinely struggle to think of another footballer in the league who would have improved our side last season as much as Milner would have.

I don't think he's necessarily one of the best players in the league, I just think he'd have been absolutely what we needed last year, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he looked that way this coming season, too.

When I see him spazzing around on the wing for England or Man City, and so many people not understanding the fact that he needs to be played in the middle, it makes me want to chuck the telly out of the window.

[danlanza]

I hate to play the part of the lone heretic but I just don't see the appeal of bringing Milner back. I don't think he's a bad player, on the contrary I think he's a good one sadly underused at Citeh. I just don't want him back. Or rate him as much as pretty much everybody else on here.

If he was available, with a decent deal then fuck me, yes please. Milner back at Villa would be superb. Another experienced player to teach the young lads. Bring it on.

[jcsutv]

How many times can a player return? Milner used to return, return and return again, if we needed him to play for time. What a boy!

[TheSandman]

I just think it would upset the applecart we have. He'd be most likely to replace Delph or Westwood in our side and neither deserve to be dropped (I think Sylla brings something different to the side). I like the look of our midfield as it ended last season and all it really needs is a bit more strength in depth rather than a player coming in who's a guaranteed starter. The focus of our work should be on the defence.

It's no reflection on Milner that I think that. Whilst I role my eyes at some of the more OTT comments about him I think he's a decent player but we've moved on and have something different now. If Westwood and Delph continue as they started to look at the end of last season then they'll be getting starts in the England central midfield.

[pauliewalnuts]

This is a general point, and not in reaction to the above discussion, but I think, in the excitement of recent signings, people are forgetting, we've just finished fifteenth. It's an exciting experiment, but it's not as if we've hit on some magic formula and are on an unstoppable march to the top.

There is reason for optimism, and I am really looking forward to next season, but we're still a side which narrowly avoided relegation. I think we need to prepare ourselves for the idea we may very well finish in the bottom half next year, and not be too surprised, or disappointed, if that happens.

[Louzie0]

I get increasingly irritated (because I'm like that) with posts on this thread about superannuated superstars, ex Villa players, and currently rated journeymen from the top 14 or whatever being suggested because lambert DOES NOT BUY THEM.

However, I think Milner is an exception to this and that PL could do a lot worse than sign him up.  He's wasted where he is. (Acknowledge points by Sandman about his impact on the squad as well.)

This opinion is mitigated by the facts that, well, he's well-known, expensive, older than the rest of our team and as we know, Lambert does not buy them.
Apart from those reservations, he'd be rather good for the Villa at this point if PL could do a deal.

[pauliewalnuts]

I don't think it would ever happen.

However, at the same time, if I think about what sort of club would be in for him if Pellegrini decided he didn't want Milner any more, it's not as if there is a long list of top clubs there.

[villan from luton]

We would not be able to afford Milners wages, or even come close to them surely. Would love him at the club, but we have just bought another two attacking players and another one coming next week, is Milner what we need? Think he is a great player in the centre and good out wide and will never forget his effort in that Wes tHam game, but we cant get him and would he want to come back to mid table team

[TheSandman]

This is a general point, and not in reaction to the above discussion, but I think, in the excitement of recent signings, people are forgetting, we've just finished fifteenth. It's an exciting experiment, but it's not as if we've hit on some magic formula and are on an unstoppable march to the top.

There is reason for optimism, and I am really looking forward to next season, but we're still a side which narrowly avoided relegation. I think we need to prepare ourselves for the idea we may very well finish in the bottom half next year, and not be too surprised, or disappointed, if that happens.

I agree Paulie. My general expectation is that we'll be around 8-12th but relatively clear of relegation. Anything better than that is great. We have a squad that has been assembled very cheaply by the standards of the premier league and I think it is difficult for that kind of squad to break above that kind of level. I'm expecting baby steps, and of course not every bargain buy will pay off as we hope (see for example El Ahmadi). My big worry is that Benteke leaves and we need to find somebody to replace his goals. If he goes, that'll hit next season's prospects hard.

[LeeB]

We would not be able to afford Milners wages, or even come close to them surely. Would love him at the club, but we have just bought another two attacking players and another one coming next week, is Milner what we need? Think he is a great player in the centre and good out wide and will never forget his effort in that Wes tHam game, but we cant get him and would he want to come back to mid table team

I know, but I've got a raging hard on about everything at the Villa right now, and any things possible.

I'll calm down in time.

[villan from luton]

We would not be able to afford Milners wages, or even come close to them surely. Would love him at the club, but we have just bought another two attacking players and another one coming next week, is Milner what we need? Think he is a great player in the centre and good out wide and will never forget his effort in that Wes tHam game, but we cant get him and would he want to come back to mid table team

I know, but I've got a raging hard on about everything at the Villa right now, and any things possible.

I'll calm down in time.

Are you sure the raging hard on was not thinking about me, cos I will send you a picture and you will calm down instantly