Tonev signs for villa! Now with added loan.

[PaulTheVillan]

Who? Anyway, best of luck.

[olaftab]

Villa seem to have stolen a march on the press with this one.  Official site was the first to conform the signing.

No they were not.

Dan well done for bringing us the news on Saturday that has been confirmed now.

[olaftab]

I like the tonev of his interview!

[paul_e]

I'm happy with this one, looks to have a bit of pace, a good shot and, my favourite bit, he's is genuinely 2 footed.  It makes someone so much harder to close down if they can move it and pass/shoot/cross from either foot.

I think he'll be competition for gabby and weimann.

[olaftab]

Is this the end of Albrighton at VP?

[Toronto Villa]

I'm looking forward to more top goals from us next season. We raised the bar considerably for spectular strikes last season and this kid isn't afraid to have a go from long range.

[dicedlam]

First time for everything, but I wonder if the OS have printed something in the story of Tonez's signing incorrectly.

It reads "Stiliyan being here wasn't a massive influence on me coming here..."

Surely he would have said he was a massive influence

Maybe he means it was the ambition and focus on young players that attracted him rather than Stan being here.

That's how I read it too, I think he's saying he was attracted by villa and the premiership rather than petrov.

First time for everything, but I wonder if the OS have printed something in the story of Tonez's signing incorrectly.

It reads "Stiliyan being here wasn't a massive influence on me coming here..."

Surely he would have said he was a massive influence

He may have been quoted correctly.
He was also linked to Celtic. Maybe he felt that he had to say that Stan did not influence his decision.

[FatSam]

alright, alright, sorry Fat Sam. If indeed you did suggest this on May 23rd, then fair play to you. I'm delighted you were right as I think this player will be very good for us.

No need for an apology. He's probably a bit raw, but it will be exciting if he does prove to be a good player for us. I'm pleased that we are now one of the clubs being more creative in the transfer market, rather than just paying top dollar for developed Premier League players. I understand that CSKA Sofia are due a sell-on fee from the deal.

[john e]

Is this the end of Albrighton at VP?

i'm hoping its the end for N'zog,
he doesn't fit into the new model at Villa anymore, plus the fact hasn't been very good

[flybo]

Welcome to villa

[supertom]

If Popov and/or Belhanda follow. Then there may not be much room for Alby. I think he deserves another crack, but a loan for a few months, or till Jan could do him good. Get him fit and playing again. If injuries crop up, he'll get his chance.

[CJ]

A new signing in June! Brilliant. I like the cut of Lambert's jib

[tomd2103]

Very encouraging as Lambert has identified an area that needs strengthening and has acted very swiftly.  With Gabby and Weimann (hopefully) still at the club next season, it means that Tonev can be integrated gradually and there won't be massive pressure on him to perform from the off.

[paul_e]

Very encouraging as Lambert has identified an area that needs strengthening and has acted very swiftly.  With Gabby and Weimann (hopefully) still at the club next season, it means that Tonev can be integrated gradually and there won't be massive pressure on him to perform from the off.

That will be true for most signings this summer, our first 11 is good, it's the options when we need to change things or to cover injuries that let us down.  Everyone we sign will be adding depth, even if 1-2 go straight into the side.

[mrfuse]

my favourite bit, he's is genuinely 2 footed

Yeah I love that bit, I wish that had been drilled into me when i was a kid. The so called "world class players" that are so one footed still bugs me a little.