Which Players are Good Enough for 'The Next Level'?

[villan from luton]

Westwood will improve, I am sure, but has been an excellent buy IMHO. Must say I thought he needed to be in their faces a bit more the other night at Man Ure, will come with experience.

[villa kicks]

This debate means which Villa players will get linked and subsequently sold to other premier league teams. If they are good enough for this proposed next level that means challenging for Europa places and champions league places. The top level is playing  at title chasing teams, in champions league, and for English players representing England.  Benteke therefor is the outfield  player who is good enough for next level. Bent is good enough for Europa league teams. The GK Guzan and Given and also top quality. All the young players are still in development.
 But ones who are currently really lacking are Bennett, Stevens, Lichaj, Bowery, Bannan and Albrighton. All these players lack either technique, confidence or physical attributes to be top players for top teams. With this they lack consistency in continued quality and this will ultimately see them basic players no stars amongst them     

[villan from luton]

Weimann is good enough for next level now I would suggest, the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle seem to be interested. Given wont get a top team, wont get any team with his wages I suspect. Guzan maybe

[villa kicks]

Weimann is good enough for next level now I would suggest, the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle seem to be interested. Given wont get a top team, wont get any team with his wages I suspect. Guzan maybe

have to challenge such claims as I dont think  weimann would be starting ahead of suarez or papa cisse or figure as a first choice of either of these teams. One more season (remember this is his first season) makes sense

[Louzie0]

Personally, I'm waiting for Wigan to drop out of sight tomorrow and for the Villa to rise up the table next season to the point where other teams' players will be queueing up to be considered for transfer to contribute to our run on the Champs League!

And the only player who could have been, should have been, but isn't good enough for that is Steven Ireland.  Major disappointment at this point.

Given and Dunne will find their own way through to the next stages of their careers and I do not begrudge either of them, but what Ireland could have done for this team this season if he was half the player he was supposed to be will rankle with me for quite some time. No idea what his problem is but then, like most of us I have heard absolutely nothing.  It seems we have had a complete freeloader and he will be very hard to shift.  The next level for him should be coffee monitor in the job club in my local library.

[villan from luton]

Ireland has talent, but is a lazy fecker who never wanted to be at our club and if he aint the most motivated person, what chance did we have? Lambert gave him chances, McLeish did too to be fair. He is a multi millionaire no doubt and wont mind getting his pockets filled, makes me sick. Given is different in that I am sure he will move on on lower wages as wants to play, Dunne IMO has given us decent service and not his fault re injury

[villa kicks]

Irelands next level = Hull, Stoke, Cardiff, Reading, A league, MLS or Celtic.

[villan from luton]

Weimann is good enough for next level now I would suggest, the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle seem to be interested. Given wont get a top team, wont get any team with his wages I suspect. Guzan maybe

have to challenge such claims as I dont think  weimann would be starting ahead of suarez or papa cisse or figure as a first choice of either of these teams. One more season (remember this is his first season) makes sense

I dont disagree, though when you see some of the players Liverpool have played wide this season we may think differently. As for Newcastle, Ben arfa and sissoko look quality, but Weimann may be in there with the, papa cisse is the figurehead and not sure weimann up for that target role yet. I think he would get many games in both teams though

[Louzie0]

You (VK and VfL) are right but who is going to pay him to move?
There are now 4 managers who have not motivated him - the one at City who sold him, Houllier, TSM and now PL.  They're all different in their approach, so the consistent part of all those partnerships is ...SI.
He's a millstone unless PL can get anything out of him in the 4 matches we have left. Good luck with that.

[villan from luton]

Louzie0 I wouldnt have him anywhere near the squad in last 4 games, cant be trusted. As for anyone buying him, the only chance is the yanks, but cant see it. Ireland is a disgrace of a footballer, may do a lot for charity, so he should because he does feck all in his own profession.

[Louzie0]

Villa from Luton I tend to agree with you.
According to sources on here he's been training with the youth team, though. If he is not a total waste of space, hopefully he has been useful in that context.

[villan from luton]

Not if he is giving it the big I am bollox, he has made a fortune from being a footballer who initially was excellent but the last few years has given little input. The bloke has talent and that is the most upsetting thing

[Louzie0]

The bloke has talent and that is the most upsetting thing.

Isn't it. The most irritating and most gut-wrenching thing is watching somebody with real game -changing talent just... piss it up the wall!

(I was really searching for another way of expressing how I feel, as a female fan of the Villa - but actually I have to go with that one!)

[villa kicks]

Ireland is fairly talented but give me a Craig Gardner or the great jimmy milner any day. The responsibility lies firstly with player but the coaches and set up are needed to encourage the individual to be part of a team. Ireland could excel but not at any higher level as he would be found wanting under the 'pressure' of consistent high standards. I m glad he's not part of set up as Lambert was a excellent midfielder and knows what's needed so i trust him !   

[PaulWinch again]

We've talked about others but Bennett was absolutely superb defensively and going forward tonight.