Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[supertom]

I can only see Lescott coming in if we're expecting Vlaar to go. Or unless the plan is to play 3 CH's next season and we're going to bin Clark and Baker.

Delph could get into Utd's side at the moment, pretty comfortably. And as said a lot of other clubs would probably sniff around him. I think for this summer we're safe, but come next summer we could lose him for nowt. If he sees out his contract, at his age, he could conceivably double his earnings somewhere else by signing on a free. Same goes for Vlaar.

[Gregorys Boy]

Am I the only one who thinks Lescott is an accident waiting to happen?  Or have I missed the games where he's looked assured at the back and just seen the slightly calamitous ones.  In his defence he looked a lot more solid at Everton when he was the 'main man' but much less so at City especially once he was not considered first choice.

In fact I don't think there is much between him and senderos and Senderos is cheaper and younger (I think).

Think he is one of those who needs a run of games to really hit form.  With a bit of luck we may get the answer to whether there is much difference him and Senderos.  There isn't much in the age thing, Senderos is 29, am guessing Lescott is maybe one a couple of years older.

[RussellC]

Lescott has a few goals in him too, something none of our centre-backs have really offered since Laursen.

[Dante Lavelli]

I can only see Lescott coming in if we're expecting Vlaar to go. Or unless the plan is to play 3 CH's next season and we're going to bin Clark and Baker.

Delph could get into Utd's side at the moment, pretty comfortably. And as said a lot of other clubs would probably sniff around him. I think for this summer we're safe, but come next summer we could lose him for nowt. If he sees out his contract, at his age, he could conceivably double his earnings somewhere else by signing on a free. Same goes for Vlaar.

Typically each major international tournament heralds a change in style or tactical formation.  I would not be surprised if Holland's destruction of Spain will see more teams using three at the back. 

Based on our current players I think the system would suit us with Okore / Vlaar / Clark all complementing each other and providing a potentially solid base (Lowton Senderos and Baker being their understudies).  Bacuna and Bennet would also be able to play to their strengths.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Lescott has a few goals in him too, something none of our centre-backs have really offered since Laursen.

Most of those goals seem to come when he is playing against us, so would mean we concede less as well 

[Gareth]

I would have liked Lescott until we signed Senderos, I really hope we get 1 more centre half but it's essential we get one with pace to understudy Okore.  Vlaar, Senderos, Baker & Clark is a frighteningly slow set of defenders that puts too much emphasis on Okore being fit and staying fit.

Personally I would cut Clark & Baker loose, I think they will both be very decent defenders in time but the Premiership is not the place for them for them to learn their trade, particularly as they are in danger of being scapegoated as the symptom of our poor seasons. 

RB - Lowton + AN Other (one who can actually defend, not Bacuna)

LB - AN Other + Bennett or Luna,

CB - Vlaar, Okore, Senderos + AN Other (with pace) with Donancien as 5th choice

[kippaxvilla2]

Hope this is lost in translation.

The perception of English footballers and the Premier League mustn't be great in Holland. Footballers in the Premier League have advanced greatly over the last decade and fitness and health are now paramount to most, but still in Holland they seem to think that masses of players down beers whenever given the chance.

Ron Vlaar has been speaking to Helden in his own country about the sacrifices he made to get to the World Cup, and how he doesn't touch alcohol. He explained that two years ago he made a choice to live perfectly to get to the World Cup, Helden ask him if what they call 'the Aston Villa drinking culture' proved a problem.

Vlaar said he doesn't get involved and if other players had his dedication they may also be at the World Cup "I don't put myself in the position [to drink]. I don't."

When asked if not even having a beer after matches gets him grief, he said "Oh yes, but that doesn't interest me. I'm here, you know, that was my goal. From some of my club, only the goalkeeper is also here and normally Benteke, but he is injured. If my teammates would be for living, they would make their goals, I would think."

The Dutch defender hasn't gone out to criticise his club, but the perception in Holland is a little odd, the game there isn't without controversies at times and the best Dutch players often improve in the Premier League.

[sirlordbaltimore]

How many centre backs do we need ?, I can't see any logic in signing another CB when we have five already

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The only Villa player I can think Vlaar refers to is Herd who if he'd kept his nose clean would be at the World Cup.

[RussellC]

How many centre backs do we need ?, I can't see any logic in signing another CB when we have five already

I regard Clark as -1 and Baker as -3 so I think we've just about broken even as it stands.

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

Vlaar, Senderos, Baker & Clark is a frighteningly slow set of defenders that puts too much emphasis on Okore being fit and staying fit.

Vlaar is actually one of our quickest players if you look at the opta stats

[dekko]

Vlaar, Senderos, Baker & Clark is a frighteningly slow set of defenders that puts too much emphasis on Okore being fit and staying fit.

Vlaar is actually one of our quickest players if you look at the opta stats

Yeah his acceleration aint much but once he gets going he's fairly fast.  There was a bit during the Chelsea home game when Hazard was chasing after a long ball down the wing and Vlaar just burns past him to get the ball back, it was pretty ace.

[glasses]

The only Villa player I can think Vlaar refers to is Herd who if he'd kept his nose clean would be at the World Cup.

Great choice of words

[Richard E]

Hope this is lost in translation.

The perception of English footballers and the Premier League mustn't be great in Holland. Footballers in the Premier League have advanced greatly over the last decade and fitness and health are now paramount to most, but still in Holland they seem to think that masses of players down beers whenever given the chance.

Ron Vlaar has been speaking to Helden in his own country about the sacrifices he made to get to the World Cup, and how he doesn't touch alcohol. He explained that two years ago he made a choice to live perfectly to get to the World Cup, Helden ask him if what they call 'the Aston Villa drinking culture' proved a problem.

Vlaar said he doesn't get involved and if other players had his dedication they may also be at the World Cup "I don't put myself in the position [to drink]. I don't."

When asked if not even having a beer after matches gets him grief, he said "Oh yes, but that doesn't interest me. I'm here, you know, that was my goal. From some of my club, only the goalkeeper is also here and normally Benteke, but he is injured. If my teammates would be for living, they would make their goals, I would think."

The Dutch defender hasn't gone out to criticise his club, but the perception in Holland is a little odd, the game there isn't without controversies at times and the best Dutch players often improve in the Premier League.

I think something HAS been lost in translation. The original question in Dutch suggested it was the Premier League that had a drinking culture as opposed to specifically Aston Villa.

[aj2k77]

We do pass like we're pissed up though to be fair.