January Transfer Window Rumours/Suggestions/Hearsay/Heresy/Horseplay

[LeeB]

I think I'd try for Giovinco, you never know, he might agree that he's 'retired' to mls too early and see this as a chance to get a move back to europe.

I reckon at least 14 teams in Serie A would take him in a flash.

He's unlikely to need a Championship playoff push to be noticed.

I know, but if you don't ask you don't get.

14 Italian sides couldn't afford him. We could.

[LeeB]

Is this Giovinco the guy that played for Arsenal and was awful?

Danny Ings doesn't seem to be getting many games.

No, you're thinking of Gervinho, and Danny Ings is out for the season again.

Other than that, good post.

[Old Kodjia]

Does anyone think Aron Gunnarsson (the number 17 from Saturday) may improve our midfield?  I know he was annoying on Saturday but to do a job on Grealish, you have to be.  I thought that he was possibly their best player.

He is current captain of Iceland (has been for around 4 years).  Apart from that, his CV isn't great.  Signed for Coventry in 2008, played 3 seasons for them, before joining Cardiff.

I've watched the opposing midfielders for most of the season, mindful that our midfield needs improving.  We are unlikely to persuade a decent PL player to drop down, so realistically  we will look to the Championship or abroad to bring someone in.

I thought Gunnarsson looked strong and had  a good game.  i'm not sure if this was his normal standard or not though.  I haven't seen many better midfielders in this league.  I thought the small ginger lad for Brentford did well against us (I think thet got him from Shrewsbury) but I liked Gunnarsson's presence on Saturday, I thought he'd compliment Jedinak.

To be fair if you can't be 'up' for a game at Villa park - Danny murphy aside - then you will never amount to anything. His track record suggests there's less to him than saturday's eye was able to meet.

Yes, his track record isn't mouth watering.  I still think he's one of the best opposing central midfielders that we've faced this season.  Maybe playing at VP every week would make him up for it each week?

[peter w]

Is this Giovinco the guy that played for Arsenal and was awful?

Danny Ings doesn't seem to be getting many games.

No, you're thinking of Gervinho, and Danny Ings is out for the season again.

Other than that, good post.

Arf...

[OCD]

Is this Giovinco the guy that played for Arsenal and was awful?

Danny Ings doesn't seem to be getting many games.

No, you're thinking of Gervinho, and Danny Ings is out for the season again.

Other than that, good post.

Lol. My interest in football declined around the same time Villa did!

[enigma]

I think I'd try for Giovinco, you never know, he might agree that he's 'retired' to mls too early and see this as a chance to get a move back to europe.

I reckon at least 14 teams in Serie A would take him in a flash.

He's unlikely to need a Championship playoff push to be noticed.

I know, but if you don't ask you don't get.

the only thing that will keep him from a top side in my opinion is that he is doing it in MLS.

That and the fact he's about 4' 3" tall. That doesn't bother me as I think he's a cracking player but I honestly think his size has put managers off him in the past. Probably why he ended up in MLS.

[damon loves JT]

I think I'd try for Giovinco, you never know, he might agree that he's 'retired' to mls too early and see this as a chance to get a move back to europe.

I reckon at least 14 teams in Serie A would take him in a flash.

He's unlikely to need a Championship playoff push to be noticed.

I know, but if you don't ask you don't get.

the only thing that will keep him from a top side in my opinion is that he is doing it in MLS.

That and the fact he's about 4' 3" tall. That doesn't bother me as I think he's a cracking player but I honestly think his size has put managers off him in the past. Probably why he ended up in MLS.

Playing for Toronto TimeBandits

[adrenachrome]

I think I'd try for Giovinco, you never know, he might agree that he's 'retired' to mls too early and see this as a chance to get a move back to europe.

I reckon at least 14 teams in Serie A would take him in a flash.

He's unlikely to need a Championship playoff push to be noticed.

I know, but if you don't ask you don't get.

the only thing that will keep him from a top side in my opinion is that he is doing it in MLS.

That and the fact he's about 4' 3" tall. That doesn't bother me as I think he's a cracking player but I honestly think his size has put managers off him in the past. Probably why he ended up in MLS.

Playing for Toronto TimeBandits

He'd be a giant in that outfit, and it is only a matter of time before the Edmonton Elves franchise is launched in Alberta.

[Oooh_andy]

We need a new right back. Hutton is too limited.

Bacuna would be a better bet at RB than Hutton.  Is there any news on whether De Laet might make it back before the end of the season?

No. I read last week that Bruce expects him to be ready for pre season

Yep in his presser on Friday said next pre season......massive blow

[Dante Lavelli]

Loftus Cheek is a good shout for a loan deal.  If he is a good fit, I could see Chelsea letting us have him for the whole of next season too.  He's played one game this season so not an unrealistic suggestion imo.

[brontebilly]

Loftus Cheek is a good shout for a loan deal.  If he is a good fit, I could see Chelsea letting us have him for the whole of next season too.  He's played one game this season so not an unrealistic suggestion imo.

A loan deal for Notts County maybe, he has never shown anything at adult level really. Same for the "youngster" Tom Carroll, 24. Villa Park isn't the place for these.

I expect Bruce will be looking for proven performers at the level we are at. RB, CB and  CM (left side) we are very light. Still reckon getting Richards out even on loan will be a challenge. Not sure about our forwards, would nearly hang on to all of them bar poor Kozak.

Bruce might be open to trading Gestede if his comments today are anything to go by but I'd keep him. Westwood is still playing a lot of minutes for us but would hardly blame him if he wanted out in Jan.

GK - most backup options in EPL are poor but Gollini needs strong experienced competition
RB - Byram, Cameron
CB - Cathcart, Collins, Delaney
LCM - Ledley, Meyler,

LB maybe on loan if over injuries would be Tyrone Mings, dominated at this level before and surely better backup than Cissokho

[oldhill_avfc]

Does anyone think Aron Gunnarsson (the number 17 from Saturday) may improve our midfield?  I know he was annoying on Saturday but to do a job on Grealish, you have to be.  I thought that he was possibly their best player.

He is current captain of Iceland (has been for around 4 years).  Apart from that, his CV isn't great.  Signed for Coventry in 2008, played 3 seasons for them, before joining Cardiff.

I've watched the opposing midfielders for most of the season, mindful that our midfield needs improving.  We are unlikely to persuade a decent PL player to drop down, so realistically  we will look to the Championship or abroad to bring someone in.

I thought Gunnarsson looked strong and had  a good game.  i'm not sure if this was his normal standard or not though.  I haven't seen many better midfielders in this league.  I thought the small ginger lad for Brentford did well against us (I think thet got him from Shrewsbury) but I liked Gunnarsson's presence on Saturday, I thought he'd compliment Jedinak.

To be fair if you can't be 'up' for a game at Villa park - Danny murphy aside - then you will never amount to anything. His track record suggests there's less to him than saturday's eye was able to meet.

Yes, his track record isn't mouth watering.  I still think he's one of the best opposing central midfielders that we've faced this season.  Maybe playing at VP every week would make him up for it each week?

Grealish made Gunnarsson look like a clogger who was trying to balance kicking lumps out of him while avoiding being sent off.   

Grealish being arguably man of the match shows that he wasn't particuarly impressive in doing it either.

I'd be more inclined to look for someone who could contribute a bit more positively.

[Old Kodjia]

Does anyone think Aron Gunnarsson (the number 17 from Saturday) may improve our midfield?  I know he was annoying on Saturday but to do a job on Grealish, you have to be.  I thought that he was possibly their best player.

He is current captain of Iceland (has been for around 4 years).  Apart from that, his CV isn't great.  Signed for Coventry in 2008, played 3 seasons for them, before joining Cardiff.

I've watched the opposing midfielders for most of the season, mindful that our midfield needs improving.  We are unlikely to persuade a decent PL player to drop down, so realistically  we will look to the Championship or abroad to bring someone in.

I thought Gunnarsson looked strong and had  a good game.  i'm not sure if this was his normal standard or not though.  I haven't seen many better midfielders in this league.  I thought the small ginger lad for Brentford did well against us (I think thet got him from Shrewsbury) but I liked Gunnarsson's presence on Saturday, I thought he'd compliment Jedinak.

To be fair if you can't be 'up' for a game at Villa park - Danny murphy aside - then you will never amount to anything. His track record suggests there's less to him than saturday's eye was able to meet.

Yes, his track record isn't mouth watering.  I still think he's one of the best opposing central midfielders that we've faced this season.  Maybe playing at VP every week would make him up for it each week?

Grealish made Gunnarsson look like a clogger who was trying to balance kicking lumps out of him while avoiding being sent off.   

Grealish being arguably man of the match shows that he wasn't particuarly impressive in doing it either.

I'd be more inclined to look for someone who could contribute a bit more positively.

Using Grealish as the yardstick is not realistic.  He is the most fouled player in the division and makes most players he's up against "look like a clogger".

For me, I think that a midfield pairing of Jedinak and Gunnarsson would be extremely solid, an improvement on either Westwood or Gardner.

[PeterWithesShin]

Best player i've seen against us this season was the ginger playing for Brentford.

[MonsXI]

Best player i've seen against us this season was the ginger playing for Brentford.

Agreed and he always seems to be involved in their goals on channel 5's highlights show.