Aston Villa's Wasted Millions.

[dcdavecollett]

Carson must be a good trainer as he doesn't really play often enough to stay fit.

At least he'll have plenty of time to polish his medals.

[ez]

Would that be Jordan Bowery?  Cost the vast amout of half a mil IIRC.

That's him.

[ez]

Ings is a good shout but at least we got 15 million back. Don't hear much of him now. I expect he'll be back at Southampton soon for about 5 million.

[Rory]

I don't think Ings deserves to be on the list, to be fair. We bought him in a bit of a panic, didn't quite know how to use him, he scored a few, then we got a decent fee back.

He didn't let us down, unlike some of the wankers mentioned.

[KevinGage]

kiraly wasn't that bad imo....just had that awful error in his last game that everyone remembers. he came in at short notice when sorensen and taylor were injured.

carson was worse.

Strange one Carson. O'Neil played him in almost every game then sent him back to Liverpool.

I think Liverpool wanted a ridiculous fee for him which, strangely for him, O'Neill refused to pay.

According to Carson himself, MON told him at the end of the loan spell he wanted a more experienced keeper.

Which is why we signed 57 year old Brad Friedel.

[pauliewalnuts]

kiraly wasn't that bad imo....just had that awful error in his last game that everyone remembers. he came in at short notice when sorensen and taylor were injured.

carson was worse.

Strange one Carson. O'Neil played him in almost every game then sent him back to Liverpool.

I think Liverpool wanted a ridiculous fee for him which, strangely for him, O'Neill refused to pay.

According to Carson himself, MON told him at the end of the loan spell he wanted a more experienced keeper.

Which is why we signed 57 year old Brad Friedel.

On a 35 year contract.

[LeeB]

Yeah, but he can do yoga.

[dcdavecollett]

I seem to recall us approaching Liverpool to see about making Carson's move permanent. Apparently, we were quoted a fee of £9m.

A short while later, SC went to the Albion. The fee? £3m.

[Dick Edwards]

There's sure some undeserved names put forward on this thread. For me, all of O'Neill's signings that he hardly played (Beye, Sidwell etc) are worthy nominations but the clear winner in terms of  initial transfer fee, outlay in wages, complete lack of productivity on the pitch and negligible sale recuperation has got to be Ross McCormack.

[dave shelley]

Did we ever receive any money for N'zogbia or did his contract expire?  He was another waste of time, space and money.

[Exeter 77]

N'Zogbia left as a free agent and when he came to sign for a French club his medical detected a heart problem which forced him to retire.

[dave shelley]

N'Zogbia left as a free agent and when he came to sign for a French club his medical detected a heart problem which forced him to retire.

I did not know that, thanks.  I hope he's well.

[Dick Edwards]

Did we ever receive any money for N'zogbia or did his contract expire?  He was another waste of time, space and money.

If nothing else he did score a match winning free kick at the Holte End against West Ham that effectively kept us up one season.

And he did have a rather flamboyant taste in suits.

[SoccerHQ]

kiraly wasn't that bad imo....just had that awful error in his last game that everyone remembers. he came in at short notice when sorensen and taylor were injured.

carson was worse.

Strange one Carson. O'Neil played him in almost every game then sent him back to Liverpool.

I think Liverpool wanted a ridiculous fee for him which, strangely for him, O'Neill refused to pay.

Yes Liverpool wanted about 10m.

Carson started off o.k but then made that infamous error V Croatia and he was shaky after that.

Friedel then became available for 3m and we also signed Guzan the same summer so there was no need for Carson and he never played regularly for a top 6 prem club so can't say O'Neill got that recruitment issue wrong for once.

[SoccerHQ]

N'Zogbia left as a free agent and when he came to sign for a French club his medical detected a heart problem which forced him to retire.

I did not know that, thanks.  I hope he's well.

He did an interview with the Athletic a few years back.

Strange character. Based on his on field attitude you'd think he'd be a bit of a Collymore type but seems he was always giving the young players tips for cleaning boots and also available for advice.

Never came close to replacing Young so that was one of the reasons we rapidly declined from top 6 so quickly.