Welcome Roberto Di Matteo and Steve Clarke

[aj2k77]

We need to be a unit of togetherness on and off the pitch, therefor, no matter what they say or how hard they train

Richards
Lescott
Agbonlahor
Bacuna
Guzan

All need to be sacked off no matter what.

[chrisw1]

Whilst I agree I'd rather not see any of these again in a Villa shirt, we really have to let the manager make the decision.

For example, if he decides Lescott can make a reasonable contribution to the squad in a 46 game season (+ cups), then I am happy enough for him to make that call.  However, I would be very dissapointed if we retain all of them.

[KevinGage]

Some of those are on lengthy contracts, so it won't be that straightforward.

Do you spend £20 million paying that lot off and scupper the transfer budget, or do you work on deals to get them out of the club?  If it is the latter, we might have to wait until near the end of the transfer window before clubs take a gamble.  It would be odd if any of that lot were towards the top of any managers list.

[LeeB]

Some of those are on lengthy contracts, so it won't be that straightforward.

Do you spend £20 million paying that lot off and scupper the transfer budget, or do you work on deals to get them out of the club?  If it is the latter, we might have to wait until near the end of the transfer window before clubs take a gamble.  It would be odd if any of that lot were towards the top of any managers list.

*prays Tim Sherwood gets a gig somewhere*

[Stirchley Villain]

Whilst I agree I'd rather not see any of these again in a Villa shirt, we really have to let the manager make the decision.

For example, if he decides Lescott can make a reasonable contribution to the squad in a 46 game season (+ cups), then I am happy enough for him to make that call.  However, I would be very dissapointed if we retain all of them.

Rapprochement/ reconciliation might be best for us all.

[AV89]

We need to be a unit of togetherness on and off the pitch, therefor, no matter what they say or how hard they train

Richards
Lescott
Agbonlahor
Bacuna
Guzan

All need to be sacked off no matter what.

This is why the arrival of Clarke and Bond is a real bonus.  Bodymoor Heath needs to become a proper work place again.  There won't be time for pissing about anymore.

[peter w]

When does pre-season training start?

[ChicagoLion]

We need to be a unit of togetherness on and off the pitch, therefor, no matter what they say or how hard they train

Richards
Lescott
Agbonlahor
Bacuna
Guzan

All need to be sacked off no matter what.

i agree, maybe you could make a case for Lescott but the other 4 must go.

[Matt C]

We'll get a buyer for Richards I'm sure but the rest of them will be tough to shift.

[paul_e]

We'll get a buyer for Richards I'm sure but the rest of them will be tough to shift.

Guzan and Bacuna will get offers as well.

[Toronto Villa]

The truth is they might all want to go and not deal with it anymore. It's as much about their determination to leave as it is our determination to not have them at the club.

[b23]

When does pre-season training start?

Next week. In Austria.

[supertom]

We'll get a buyer for Richards I'm sure but the rest of them will be tough to shift.

Guzan and Bacuna will get offers as well.

For sure. I don't think we'll be demanding big fees for any of them. Bacuna will end up back in Holland and we'll probably bring in something along the lines of what we paid for him (750k-ish).

[godzvilla]

When does pre-season training start?

Next week. In Austria.

Not to appear pedantic, but... ( from the local Rag) "Di Matteo alerted the seniors to his plans last week and told all the non-internationals to return on June 29 - two days after he officially starts at Bodymoor Heath alongside a new-look coaching team .
 Di Matteo’s immediate plans are to press on with transfer targets before embarking on his first full day at the training ground on June 27 .
Two days will be spent mapping out a fitness schedule and discussing ideas with assistant Steve Clarke and first-team coach Kevin Bond.
When the players return they will be introduced to Di Matteo and his team and then put through their paces by new fitness coach Max Marchesi.
The first six or seven days will largely be fitness-based workouts before Villa step up the pace when they visit Austria for a warm-weather training camp " .
I believe they are scheduled to leave for Austria on July4th/ 5th for a week.....Godzvilla!

[peter w]

For those that have played sport to an even half decent level I'm not sure what was worse pre-season training or the lead up to pre-season training. That bit about fitness based workouts just brought it all back. It is truly horrible. Fit as a fiddle after but my God does it hurt. Your head wants you to stop, to cheat, to just collapse but you keep going. No nicey nicey coaches either they're all monsters. How I miss it...