Joe Cole

[LeeB]

It's not so long ago an over-the-hill Robbie Keane turned up for two months and lit the bloody place up.

[CJ]

I haven't been this excited since we signed Jermaine Jenas.

Have you forgotten the excitement when we got Simon Dawkins? Head and shoulders above Jenas on the orgasmatron for me

[bertlambshank]

It's not so long ago an over-the-hill Robbie Keane turned up for two months and lit the bloody place up.

Keane never looked fucked after 5 minutes Cole does.

[Ron Manager]

It's not so long ago an over-the-hill Robbie Keane turned up for two months and lit the bloody place up.

Keane never looked fucked after 5 minutes Cole does.

Carlton Cole?

[johnny from donny]

Cole is not exactly 'building for the future' more a case of saving us from the drop next season! Senderos same.

Exactly right, we're not going to be paying transfer fees because Randy won't get the money back. The plan is obviously to maintain premier league status with as little outlay as possible.
Honestly, I think the new additions improve the squad, I expect more of the same or perhaps a couple of loan signings. I just hope that the club will resist the urge to sell some of our  better players.

[kippaxvilla2]

Former England midfielder Joe Cole admits he cannot wait to get started after agreeing a two-year deal to join Aston Villa.

The 32-year-old was available on a free transfer after being released by West Ham United at the end of last season.

Cole, who has also played for Chelsea, Liverpool and Lille, is relishing the chance to play for his fourth Premier League club.

"I've signed a two-year deal and I am very excited about it, coming to a massive club. I'm very excited about it and can't wait to get going," he said.

 "I've signed a two-year deal and I am very excited about it, coming to a massive club. I'm very excited about it and can't wait to get going."

Joe Cole
"I spoke to the gaffer and we agree on a lot of things in football and playing in a central midfield role sold it for me.

"I'll be coming here and I'll be learning too. Obviously I'll bring my experience to the squad but you still learn every day and I want to learn.

"I know I'll learn from the manager, I'll learn from other players here and going forward together we want to get the best results for the club.

"It will be exciting to play with the young players here. I'll be trying to keep hold of the ball, make some goals and score some goals. It'a a great challenge. I can't wait to get started."

Cole, who won 56 caps for England, won three Premier League titles during a successful seven-year spell with Chelsea but a succession of injuries disrupted his career.

A move to Liverpool in 2010 failed to reignite his career but he enjoyed a successful loan spell with Lille before returning to Upton Park last year.

Cole becomes Villa's second signing of the summer - former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos joining last week.

[junxs]

I was disappointed at first, but we all know there is a quality player there on his day. The more I think about it under the circumstances there aren't many better free transfers out there - especially in a position we have no one else as good. Even if its just 20 minutes from the bench to try to unlock defences.

[john e]

ST sales must be appalling

Why?

We don't seem to be investing. We are going backwards I'd say. It's worrying and people may hedge before spending big money on a ticket especially with all the uncertainty over ownership.

There's a difference between slow and appalling.

See Baker, N

Love it

[TopDeck113]

It says something when a Bury fan comes into work and the first thing he does is take the piss out of a Villa signing...

[Toronto Villa]

It says something when a Bury fan comes into work and the first thing he does is take the piss out of a Villa signing...

remind him that he's a Bury fan

[TopDeck113]

It says something when a Bury fan comes into work and the first thing he does is take the piss out of a Villa signing...

remind him that he's a Bury fan

The thing is he totally accepts his club's position in the football pecking order; whereas I can't accept this latest lurch in recruitment policy by my club to now being the nursing home for under-achievers and has-beens.

[john e]

It says something when a Bury fan comes into work and the first thing he does is take the piss out of a Villa signing...

My lad moved to Bury last year, absolutely loves it up there

[Ian.]

It says something when a Bury fan comes into work and the first thing he does is take the piss out of a Villa signing...

The thing is though its not like some of the signings us and others have made over the years with Free Transfers, he's accepted a pretty modest wage. I reckon that says he's here to play football and not sit back and take a salary. It's a good move I reckon.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

"playing in a central midfield role sold it for me"
Perhaps he'll just stand there majestically, stroking the ball to left and right, forward and through the oppo defence, while Westwood and Delph do all the running for him?
The great minds that are Lambert and Cole...and I, think alike!!!???

 

[frank black]

It says something when a Bury fan comes into work and the first thing he does is take the piss out of a Villa signing...

The thing is though its not like some of the signings us and others have made over the years with Free Transfers, he's accepted a pretty modest wage. I reckon that says he's here to play football and not sit back and take a salary. It's a good move I reckon.

More likely 'any port in storm' situation. He is not exactly likely to be offered similar wages to his current package anywhere.

I hope he comes in and helps the team pick up a few extra points. However it's Villa so I guess he will have the same impact as Mr Ireland.