Summer 2013: Villa Transfers, Speculation, Suggestions and Rumours

[VILLA MOLE]

I wouldn't be surprised if we spent £12 million on a player. But I would be surprised if that player were Belhanda, given that lambert has already ruled him out

Pretty much the way I see it, too.

As we shift more of the higher earners off I think it becomes more likely.  I also think Randy will back Lambert's judgement if he thinks a player is worth going that extra yard for.

The only thing I can see where such a deal may fall down if with Lambert himself, where he may doubt it's value for money and he could get a £6m player that would give us the same contribution.   

Is he not a Link striker which we have in Tonev and Helinus ? 

[Marlon's Hairy Wood]

Anyone heard anything about Popov since his initial link? He'd come out in the press and said that Petrov had told him we were interested..

Possibly something we'll look into if Bent leaves?

[Clampy]

I would'nt totally be against Barry coming back, that's if he's happy to sit on the bench and come on for the last 20 minutes to help see games out. It would'nt surprise me to see him end up somewhere like West Ham though.

[LeeB]

I would'nt totally be against Barry coming back, that's if he's happy to sit on the bench and come on for the last 20 minutes to help see games out. It would'nt surprise me to see him end up somewhere like West Ham though.

Delivering pin point set pieces for the line out.

[Ads]

I would'nt totally be against Barry coming back, that's if he's happy to sit on the bench and come on for the last 20 minutes to help see games out. It would'nt surprise me to see him end up somewhere like West Ham though.

Delivering pin point set pieces for the line out.

With Barry's bulk, you would think that Fat Sam would want Barry to slot in at Tight Head, bulk up that front row now that they've got Carroll in at lock too.

Their pack is going to have some weight behind it.

I hope those hoof merchants get relegated. Wankers.

[Dante Lavelli]

Any body think that Belhanda still might end up at Villa.? Lots of rumours going around.

I can't decide, I can see how he'd fit the system we play and I think he'd be excellent so I understand the link, I also think the money for the fee and wages is fine, but I think Bacuna is a similar player so I'm not sure anymore.  I hope so though, I think he'd be an exciting player to fill the role we tried to give to nzogbia.

As a bit of a tactical guru Paul e, I'm interested to hear how you think he'd fit in the system?
For me he looks a Number 10 which would mean a change to 4231.  Would you play him in one of the Gabby/Weimann roles?

No he would be a central midfielder, from what i've seen he's got the work rate you want to be given the attacking role in a 3 (how we played Nzogbia in front of Westwood and Delph).  The main reason Sylla for Nzogbia worked is that Sylla closed up the space in midfield, often playing ahead of the other 2 when we were defending, but I don't think he has the goal threat to be a permanent solution there, I think Belhanda would score plenty from midfield for us, without him we're pinning our hopes on 1 of 3 things happening:

Delph finds his scoring boots
Gardner makes the step up and becomes a mainstay in the side in the space of a couple of weeks
Bacuna settles quickly and is the type of player we're hoping him to be (I think he is but he needs time)

If we're going to sign one proven player I think this is the most important position to do it in, some people will say we need a defender but I think our defensive problems last year were as much down to our midfield as anything else.  We were particularly poor in dealing with players in a 'deep lying playmaker' role, Luiz in that game at chelsea, rooney (oddly) in the Man U game (where RVP scored his offside goal of the season).  It's because our setup needs us to be fighting for the ball higher up the pitch, we have no ocver for our fullbacks, we can't give them an easy time getting their fullbacks forward and hitting them with crossfield passes.  If their fullbacks do break forward we need to try to win it at source so Gabby and Weimann can exploit that space out wide.

Thanks Paul.  Appreciated.
I did often notice Sylla in advanced positions although I assumed that was him being out of position rather than a tactical masterplan. 

I agree that this is the key position to fill as the bloke is going to have to be our attacking dimension (along with Delph, who has impressed me) but without compromising the midfield's defensive structure.  Milner would be ideal but that's mainly because I know his attributes.  The descriptions of Bacuna are similar although I don't think anyone knows how good he will be. 

[mr woo]

Barry on top of what we have already? Can't see the point.

Barry instead of KEA? On the same wages? Yeah, go on then.

[Phil from the upper holte]

The metro said Spurs were going to open negotiations with £20m Benteke, How are they going to open negotiations if they haven't had a bid accepted and no way will they let him go for £20m (in my opinion anyway)

[eastie]

The metro said Spurs were going to open negotiations with £20m Benteke, How are they going to open negotiations if they haven't had a bid accepted and no way will they let him go for £20m (in my opinion anyway)

£20m is laughable , and why would he want to go to spurs?
Another year at villa and he will have much bigger clubs than spurs on offer .

[paul_e]

As I've said ib the first comment I think Bacuna will be the player he puts into that role, I just think it's a lot to ask of a guy who been pushed all over the park for a few seasons.  If he settles in like Benteke did and hits the ground running then great but I'm not sure we should be banking on that.  We've done very well with theses youngsters who were considered 'not quite ready' so far but to think we can do the same with all of them is a bit of a risk, I think we'll see as many Bennetts as we see Lowtons going forward (i.e. taking the best part of a season to look capable of playing at this level).

If we're going to spend £12m on a player I'd rather it be someone of the age and reputation of Belhanda, I think there's comparitively little risk there.  We spent big on Benteke (compared to the rest of our signings) and he's turned out to be the best of the bunch, there's a lesson in that.

[richard moore]

The metro said Spurs were going to open negotiations with £20m Benteke, How are they going to open negotiations if they haven't had a bid accepted and no way will they let him go for £20m (in my opinion anyway)

£20m is laughable , and why would he want to go to spurs?
Another year at villa and he will have much bigger clubs than spurs on offer .

My biggest fear is that they will have the money to spend on Benteke from the Bale to West Ham for £25m sale...

[eastie]

Belhanda was being touted as being chased by several top clubs , however nobody seems to have put in a bid for him and the owner may drop his price - he seems more keen to sell than anyone does to buy - seems a bit odd that .

Villa have tipped off the local press including kendrick that we have no interest in belhanda so i can't see it happening .

[Salsa Party Animal]

It could be a method from Villa to get price below 10 millions and it could be poker tactics to stop other club thinking we got money to spend.

[Pete3206]

Spurs have actually bid for Benteke? Bless.

As for Barry, taking the emotion out of the fact that he's pissed off a lot of fans at Villa, I don't think we could turn down the opportunity of having him back, seeing as we were crying out for a Petrov like influenece last season, when the youngsters were struggling. My only concern is wages, given that he's on a fortune at Man City. He might well elect to run the contract down, staying put.

[DrGonzo]

Except that Lambert isn't one to talk about his signings in advance.  He ain't no 'Arry "I've never even seen the lad play" Redknapp.