Joleon Lescott - GONE

[Fasth56]

I am not against the signing of Lescott, but I feel that the signing of a real commanding type keeper who marshalls the defence would have the same effect. If the defence do not have a great deal of confidence in the keeper it shows in rash decision making. Put a dominating keeper in there and the defence looks more solid because the rash challenges are cut out.

[KRS]

5x CFs?...or are you counting Sinclair?

Gabby
Gestede
Ayew
Kozak
Sinclair?

[KRS]

I am not against the signing of Lescott, but I feel that the signing of a real commanding type keeper who marshalls the defence would have the same effect. If the defence do not have a great deal of confidence in the keeper it shows in rash decision making. Put a dominating keeper in there and the defence looks more solid because the rash challenges are cut out.

Thats a good shout. When was the last time we had a truly confident and dominating goalkeeper? Schmeichel?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

5x CFs?...or are you counting Sinclair?

Gabby
Gestede
Ayew
Kozak
Sinclair?

Of course. He's no winger and the centre forward role seems to suit his talents.

The only way I could understand bringing in Lescott is if we send Baker out on loan to one of the richer Championship clubs with the hope he does well and we sell them to him next summer.

[peter w]

Not sure how he will cope at yourselves personally.

At our place where attacking is frowned upon he excels because we're compact, organised and very rarely stretched so he is able to defend deep and defend well. From that point he is a good defender.

I look at the Villa backline and the way I think Sherwood will set you up and then raise questions about whether he is suitable. You're going to be more open, not as well organised and probably further up the pitch than we are. When Lescott is exposed you have a problem because his legs are going with his age - bloody Zamora out-sprinted him last season! Your new left-back looks a more attacking full back and that is going to leave Lescott exposed down the channels and at that point you will have problems. If Sherwood sets you up similar to ourselves then you have a good defender on your hands.

He's our highest earner and now 33 years of age - getting him off the books will appeal - especially when he has been replaced by a good defender who is younger than him.

Exactly how I see it too, his legs are gone and if we defend high up the pitch he will struggle, especially with the gaps Amavi leaves.

Clark had a shocker against Sunderland and needs to cut out his dirty tackles but is 8 years younger.

We have just given two left sided centre halves new contracts, bringing in another one at 33 yrs of age on big wages is MON type thinking that got us in trouble.

Hope this signing doesn't happen. Victor Valdez though...

Although you're right mostly where I think he is worthwhile is that he'll be a talker. If he can see trouble he'll be able to shout to Sanchez and/or Westwood or whoever to hold tight, to cover a run, or to his captain to cover a run behind him with his speed. And remember Clark is no speed merchant either. Lescott for Clark in that respect is no serious giveaway.

It's not that long ago he was an England international and whilst his legs have gone I think we need an organiser, a talker, and someone who is vastly experienced. It's a risk, yes, but at the moment not a huge one. Where Clark came on last season he seems to have gone back as much at the start of this season. He is definitely an upgrade on the 2015-16 Clark and he can pass a ball too. As well as being a threat for set-pieces at the other end. I think he is a start not the end solution so how small an upgrade he may be I think we've got more to win if he works out that we stand to lose should it not.

[KRS]

Well the key to success for an ageing CB is speed of mind rather than speed of movement...Lescott isn't on the same level of God by any stretch of the imagination but if he can use his experience to his and the teams advantage then lets hope he doesn't find himself compromised by being caught out of position. Hopefully he'll help instil that discipline, communication and organisation we're missing at the back...and hopefully that will reduce the number of goals conceded due to stupid mistakes and lack of concentration at the end of a game.

Of course. He's no winger and the centre forward role seems to suit his talents.

I agree. He's not a natural CF but he's definitely the best of a bad bunch at the moment so deserves his place, and he's better off utilised in that role with Traore, Grealish and Gil to accommodate in the team.

I'd like us to sign another CF, which would mean that Sinclair is likely to be one of the 3 rotating midfielders, but to be fair to TS, even if we dont sign another CF, at least we have half decent player and formation change options coming from the bench if we need to make changes during a game (which we haven't been able to say for a good while).

[adrenachrome]

Sky Sports

Joleon Lescott set for Aston Villa after fee agreed with West Brom

Last Updated: 01/09/15 12:10am

Aston Villa have agreed a fee with West Brom for central defender Joleon Lescott, according to Sky sources.

Lescott will undergo a medical with Aston Villa on Tuesday and, all going well, will then complete his transfer for a fee of £1m, which could rise to £2m.

[passitsideways]

As long as the contract isn't too long (two years is ideal; three is a little dicey but no problem if he stays healthy; four would be MON territory but I've got enough faith that they won't be that stupid), it's a very handy piece of business.

[warleyboy]

I see this as a great season defensive strenghthener.
This guy ain't no mug, voted fans player last year, all baggies friends I have are gutted to be losing him.
I'm hoping okore can get back soon and partner Lescott, moving Richards to a much needed RB.

[brontebilly]

Not sure how he will cope at yourselves personally.

At our place where attacking is frowned upon he excels because we're compact, organised and very rarely stretched so he is able to defend deep and defend well. From that point he is a good defender.

I look at the Villa backline and the way I think Sherwood will set you up and then raise questions about whether he is suitable. You're going to be more open, not as well organised and probably further up the pitch than we are. When Lescott is exposed you have a problem because his legs are going with his age - bloody Zamora out-sprinted him last season! Your new left-back looks a more attacking full back and that is going to leave Lescott exposed down the channels and at that point you will have problems. If Sherwood sets you up similar to ourselves then you have a good defender on your hands.

He's our highest earner and now 33 years of age - getting him off the books will appeal - especially when he has been replaced by a good defender who is younger than him.

Exactly how I see it too, his legs are gone and if we defend high up the pitch he will struggle, especially with the gaps Amavi leaves.

Clark had a shocker against Sunderland and needs to cut out his dirty tackles but is 8 years younger.

We have just given two left sided centre halves new contracts, bringing in another one at 33 yrs of age on big wages is MON type thinking that got us in trouble.

Hope this signing doesn't happen. Victor Valdez though...

Although you're right mostly where I think he is worthwhile is that he'll be a talker. If he can see trouble he'll be able to shout to Sanchez and/or Westwood or whoever to hold tight, to cover a run, or to his captain to cover a run behind him with his speed. And remember Clark is no speed merchant either. Lescott for Clark in that respect is no serious giveaway.

It's not that long ago he was an England international and whilst his legs have gone I think we need an organiser, a talker, and someone who is vastly experienced. It's a risk, yes, but at the moment not a huge one. Where Clark came on last season he seems to have gone back as much at the start of this season. He is definitely an upgrade on the 2015-16 Clark and he can pass a ball too. As well as being a threat for set-pieces at the other end. I think he is a start not the end solution so how small an upgrade he may be I think we've got more to win if he works out that we stand to lose should it not.

To be fair Clark was probably our best player in the first two games which has been quickly forgotten. His errors have cost us 2 of the last 3 goals but if he can cut out his dirty tackles and constant yellow cards, he can come good again.

If Lescott isn't going to offer more pace than Clark then he is a bit of a pointless signing. Lescott never struck me as much of an organizer to be honest either and this lifelong Villa fan lark should be irrelevant.

[Nastylee]

Albion fan in 'Lescott is a bit shit now' shocker after their Player of the Year moves to the big club up the road.

[cdbearsfan]

In fairness, Liam's usually a good lad.

[chrisw1]

In fairness, Liam's usually a good lad.

And it seemed like a pretty reasonable analysis to me.

[saunders_heroes]

Completed his medical according to Sky.

[darren woolley]

I hope we get this deal over the line soon another experienced defender coming in.