Glenn Whelan - Released

[sid1964]

I just do not know how a Championship club can keep paying all these players! it is ridiculous we need to move players on and quickly.

[wozwebs]

Just asked a Stoke ST holder who I do some website work for about him and he said:

"I’ve always quite liked him mate. Does the hard graft and kept players signed to replace him out of the first 11. I wouldn’t have minded if he started our first game. My fear is we are signing no one and selling 1) our best player 2) the players who seemed to keep the team together (Walters, Whelan)."

[Toronto Villa]

Stoke fans aren't suggesting he was past it as a PL player so as long as he has one more season at that level left in the tank he'll donfine for us.

FFP has clearly affected our transfers this summer along with players not being sold. So to bring in 4 for £2.5m is pretty good overall. What I'm most concerned about is what we've seen so far. We lack cohesiveness and creativity so hopefully that will come in time. We must get off to a fast start.

[darren woolley]

Welcome to Villa Glenn I think he will do a job for us short term another with experience which is only a good thing.

[chrisw1]

Initially massively underwhelmed but I'm now warming a bit to this.  2 years is sensible and a bit of graft and nous in the middle of the middle of the park may be no bad thing.  Surely an upgrade on Gardner and we did struggle when Jedi was out.

I still wonder who's going to create goals though and we don't seem to have addressed this at all.

[JUAN PABLO]

Charlie Adam next hopefully


Welcome Glenn anyway , think he will be alright .

[kippaxvilla2]

Doesn't that make 10 Central Midfielders and 5 right backs competing for 3 spots (assuming a two man holding midfield)?

[Clark W Griswold]

Initially massively underwhelmed but I'm now warming a bit to this.  2 years is sensible and a bit of graft and nous in the middle of the middle of the park may be no bad thing.  Surely an upgrade on Gardner and we did struggle when Jedi was out.

I still wonder who's going to create goals though and we don't seem to have addressed this at all.

The middle of the middle, that's a pretty central role.

I agree that the final purchase should be a really good left winger who can create for the front 2. Someone who can take the ball forward quickly with purpose and actually beat a man.

[Ger Regan]

He'll provide the cover that hopefully allows hourihane to get on with what he is supposed to be good at, creating chances. I've not been his biggest fan in an Ireland jersey but funnily enough I think he's a decent fit for us.

[cdbearsfan]

Welcome, Glenn.

[ASHTONVILLA]

I like Jedinack, but he can't play in a 4-4-2 effectively and looks knackered every time he plays for Australia. Hopefully Whelan can play 4-4-2 and allow Hourihane or Lansbury to get forwards more.

[Ad@m]

Our signings this Summer aren't exactly designed to set the pulse racing are they?

That said, we looked crap without Jedinak in the side last year so if he provides cover for him then it's probably worth doing.  I do wish Tshibola would be given a chance though as I think he's got that role in him.

[TheTimVilla]

Initially massively underwhelmed but I'm now warming a bit to this.  2 years is sensible and a bit of graft and nous in the middle of the middle of the park may be no bad thing.  Surely an upgrade on Gardner and we did struggle when Jedi was out.

I still wonder who's going to create goals though and we don't seem to have addressed this at all.

The middle of the middle, that's a pretty central role.

I agree that the final purchase should be a really good left winger who can create for the front 2. Someone who can take the ball forward quickly with purpose and actually beat a man.

Grealish?

[eamonn]

Surely this is the end for Gary Gardner? Like Whelan he's not got much pace and has a decent hit on him, unlike Whelan he's not proven at PL level. Sad given his early potential and local boy status.

[Hookeysmith]

I can't say I know anything about Glenn Whelan, for some reason I thought he was Jon Walters but they are two different players I take it?

I thought Bruce was a great appointment. I don't think he'll still be the Aston Villa manager in February. Bound to be Jaap Stam or the Brentford manager.

I would more bet the replacement would be a "refreshed" Alladyce - god forbid