Leandro Bacuna - Sold

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Has anyone seen the AVTV interviews with bacuna and Okore?  They both seem like level-headed young lads but I'm a bit concerned by their apparent desire to "show themselves".  Bacuna in particular seems obsessed with it.

Gronigen is not that far from Amsterdam. Bacuna might want his own window with a red light behind him ........

[villa kicks]

He could be one to potentially pop up with a few goals. I'd expect him to fit in when one of Sylla, Westy, or Delph is out injured/suspended/off for. KEA still has a future here. I can't see Lambo giving up on him. He'll be useful next season, and the more confidence we play with as a team, the better for him to settle in.

Perhaps one more option for CM, maybe Murphy, and we're set in midfield and attack I reckon (assuming Helenius is finalised as expected).
Add Cresswell and a sub keeper and we'll be in good nick.

what about gards and herdy? Another 2 midfielders we can't forget about certainly looking competitive now

[OCD]

Lambert doesn't see Herd as a midfielder. Gardner's like a new signing himself after all this time - with the right players around him it could be interesting to see if he can finally fulfil his potential.

[devilla]

Welcome Leandro.

I'm starting to lose count now....!

[Monty]

I have never heard of him and, with Lambert around, I find that frankly a little exciting. I hope he's the best signing since Benteke.

[tomd2103]

He could be one to potentially pop up with a few goals. I'd expect him to fit in when one of Sylla, Westy, or Delph is out injured/suspended/off for. KEA still has a future here. I can't see Lambo giving up on him. He'll be useful next season, and the more confidence we play with as a team, the better for him to settle in.

Perhaps one more option for CM, maybe Murphy, and we're set in midfield and attack I reckon (assuming Helenius is finalised as expected).
Add Cresswell and a sub keeper and we'll be in good nick.

As it stands I don't really see us having a like for like replacement for Westwood if he gets injured, so if we are to bring in another midfielder it may be someone more in that mould.

[ozzjim]

He could be one to potentially pop up with a few goals. I'd expect him to fit in when one of Sylla, Westy, or Delph is out injured/suspended/off for. KEA still has a future here. I can't see Lambo giving up on him. He'll be useful next season, and the more confidence we play with as a team, the better for him to settle in.

Perhaps one more option for CM, maybe Murphy, and we're set in midfield and attack I reckon (assuming Helenius is finalised as expected).
Add Cresswell and a sub keeper and we'll be in good nick.

As it stands I don't really see us having a like for like replacement for Westwood if he gets injured, so if we are to bring in another midfielder it may be someone more in that mould.

I actually think KEA will provide that cover. As could, dare I say it, Bannan for a one off game, one thing he did impress me with was his workrate last season, and he worked his nads off for Scotland the other night.

Anyhow, we currently have

Westwood
Delph
Sylla

KEA
Gardner
Bannan
Bacuna

I think 1 more comes and 1 will leave. Probably Bannan actually. But I would understand not signing anyone else in there until late August now and see how this lot gel together.

[achilles]

Welcome Leandro and the best of luck... now can we have a left back please, pretty please?

[tomd2103]

He could be one to potentially pop up with a few goals. I'd expect him to fit in when one of Sylla, Westy, or Delph is out injured/suspended/off for. KEA still has a future here. I can't see Lambo giving up on him. He'll be useful next season, and the more confidence we play with as a team, the better for him to settle in.

Perhaps one more option for CM, maybe Murphy, and we're set in midfield and attack I reckon (assuming Helenius is finalised as expected).
Add Cresswell and a sub keeper and we'll be in good nick.

As it stands I don't really see us having a like for like replacement for Westwood if he gets injured, so if we are to bring in another midfielder it may be someone more in that mould.

I actually think KEA will provide that cover. As could, dare I say it, Bannan for a one off game, one thing he did impress me with was his workrate last season, and he worked his nads off for Scotland the other night.

KEA could cover for Westwood, though I don't know whether he is good enough on the ball to play that role.  I think Westwood's importance to the team was highlighted when he was cup tied for the games against Bradford.  Granted KEA wasn't there either, but we missed Westwood in those games and Bannan showed why he shouldn't be plaing in that position.

[Matt C]

We're building competition in all positions now which is great. Never heard of him but I've no reason to doubt Lambert's ability to spot a player. Welcome aboard.

[Louzie0]

Welcome to Villa, Leandro. May you make a position your own and inspire the Villa to achieve beyond our dreams.

[The Left Side]

Welcome Leandro, live the dream for us.

[Matt Collins]

Lambert doesn't see Herd as a midfielder. Gardner's like a new signing himself after all this time - with the right players around him it could be interesting to see if he can finally fulfil his potential.

Quite right too. I see him as a championship player at best.

Gardner's the hope. But I'd put him on loan unless he's outstanding in pre season.

[paul_e]

I think we're done in midfield.

Westwood, Sylla, Delph, KEA, Bacuna, Gardner, Johnson - With Carruthers probably deserving a look as well.  I've also ignored Bannan because I think he's off but I'd be happy to keep him as well.

If we finalise Helenius we're pretty much done in attack.

which means some cover at full back and a young keeper to battle for the spot on the bench with Seigrist and I'll be happy.

After that I think we're only really needing to look for the exceptional talents, if Will Hughes was interested, for example.

[dave shelley]

I'm an old softy me but, I loved it when he said in interview"my parents are very proud" I took that to mean his move to the Villa.