Aston Villa vs Parma Pre-Season Friendly

[Ian.]

It's so frustrating as we need to strengthen the midfield and we have so little funds and on paper we have good options up front if Benteke, Kozak, Gabby and Weimann are fit. I hope we do not just gamble on riding our luck until they are fit and we are looking at filling that position. Hopefully as last January we tried to fill that void with Holte we will again, even if it is a temporary solution

[JJ-AV]

Not seen anything of the game as I'm away, but I'm surprised that back four kept a clean sheet.

It'd be interesting to see a comparison of the sides from Lerner's first showpiece friendly v Inter (August 07 was that?) against now. Assuming it's his last, of course.

[Olneythelonely]

The so called two players that Lambert wants can't come in quickly enough. Desperate for Benteke to get back too.

One is already come in right?

[Matt Collins]

No he's interested in one or two more - thought to be a central and wide midfielder

I'd prioritise a centre forward on loan, but lambert' comments don't suggest he's unhappy with the three we have available

Another example of a volte face, having specifically talked about how we obviously lacked a purport target man when our forward options were exactly the current three, two years ago (and been proven right)

[Matt Collins]

Not seen anything of the game as I'm away, but I'm surprised that back four kept a clean sheet.

I don't think they would in the premier league! Serie a sides are a month behind us (so in theory we should have been at least a bit more like Groningen against us)

[Gregorys Boy]

To take the postives it is a clean sheet against a reasonable team.  Would have liked a different team, but then bar one or two I am guessing this maybe the team to lineup against Stoke.  So it looks like our star player of pre-season ONE ALAN HUTTON! Maybe starting?

[dave.woodhall]

No he's interested in one or two more - thought to be a central and wide midfielder

I'd prioritise a centre forward on loan, but lambert' comments don't suggest he's unhappy with the three we have available

Another example of a volte face, having specifically talked about how we obviously lacked a purport target man when our forward options were exactly the current three, two years ago (and been proven right)

Look at it from the other side. Where are you going to get a decent striker good enough to drop straight into the team now but happy to be third choice in a couple of months time?

[Gregorys Boy]

No he's interested in one or two more - thought to be a central and wide midfielder

I'd prioritise a centre forward on loan, but lambert' comments don't suggest he's unhappy with the three we have available

Another example of a volte face, having specifically talked about how we obviously lacked a purport target man when our forward options were exactly the current three, two years ago (and been proven right)

Look at it from the other side. Where are you going to get a decent striker good enough to drop straight into the team now but happy to be third choice in a couple of months time?

Spot on Dave.   And I really don't see too much of a case for us needing a striker right now anyway.  After the first month we have a tough run-in for awhile, so with or without Benteke or whoever we would struggle in those games, but then we proved last season than we are capable of causing upsets.

[Dante Lavelli]

No he's interested in one or two more - thought to be a central and wide midfielder

I'd prioritise a centre forward on loan, but lambert' comments don't suggest he's unhappy with the three we have available

Another example of a volte face, having specifically talked about how we obviously lacked a purport target man when our forward options were exactly the current three, two years ago (and been proven right)

Look at it from the other side. Where are you going to get a decent striker good enough to drop straight into the team now but happy to be third choice in a couple of months time?

Spot on Dave.   And I really don't see too much of a case for us needing a striker right now anyway.  After the first month we have a tough run-in for awhile, so with or without Benteke or whoever we would struggle in those games, but then we proved last season than we are capable of causing upsets.

I agree.  We do not operate in an economy where we can afford to spend 5-10m on a player to cover a period of 2-3 months.
Furthermore, I do not recall our strikers missing that many chances in recent season (certainly not more than other strikers).  The problem has been creating the chances and therefore midfield should be where any money is spent in my opinion.

[Ian.]

No he's interested in one or two more - thought to be a central and wide midfielder

I'd prioritise a centre forward on loan, but lambert' comments don't suggest he's unhappy with the three we have available

Another example of a volte face, having specifically talked about how we obviously lacked a purport target man when our forward options were exactly the current three, two years ago (and been proven right)

Look at it from the other side. Where are you going to get a decent striker good enough to drop straight into the team now but happy to be third choice in a couple of months time?

That's why it is so frustrating for everyone. Without the injuries we are quite strong up top.

[PeterWithesShin]

Always sure of a friendly welcome from the VP stewards! This was the second half when the stewards had calmed down and were letting them enjoy themselves.

[UK Redsox]

Most importantly Mr Shin, did you and Leeg manage to spot each other in the crowd and give the secret ex-H&V sellers salute ?

[PeterWithesShin]

Most importantly Mr Shin, did you and Leeg manage to spot each other in the crowd and give the secret ex-H&V sellers salute ?

We used coded texts to work out where each other was and then acknowledged each other the signal.

Or maybe we waved to each other like a pair girls.

[Toronto Villa]

No he's interested in one or two more - thought to be a central and wide midfielder

I'd prioritise a centre forward on loan, but lambert' comments don't suggest he's unhappy with the three we have available

Another example of a volte face, having specifically talked about how we obviously lacked a purport target man when our forward options were exactly the current three, two years ago (and been proven right)

Look at it from the other side. Where are you going to get a decent striker good enough to drop straight into the team now but happy to be third choice in a couple of months time?

That's why it is so frustrating for everyone. Without the injuries we are quite strong up top.

It is. Not many of the sides in the PL can say they have one of the top young strikers in the Europe in their squad, who is such a difference maker when he is fit and in form. We just need to hope we can find the creativity to make best use of Bent, Gabby and Weimann who need find some form in the first couple of months. The creativity is a huge issue for me because we look so flat at times with the current group.

[KevinGage]

No he's interested in one or two more - thought to be a central and wide midfielder

I'd prioritise a centre forward on loan, but lambert' comments don't suggest he's unhappy with the three we have available

Another example of a volte face, having specifically talked about how we obviously lacked a purport target man when our forward options were exactly the current three, two years ago (and been proven right)

Look at it from the other side. Where are you going to get a decent striker good enough to drop straight into the team now but happy to be third choice in a couple of months time?

We could look at a Borini-type forward, on a season long loan deal.  Someone who can play up top, or left or right of the central striker.

Would cover the gap we have up top at present, and they could drop left or right when Benteke returns. 

I don't think we will do it, I'd say the powers that be probably feel that with Bent, Gabby and Weimann we already have enough cover.