Summer transfer, gossip and speculation thread

[wolfman999]

At the moment, there's a lot of speculation but the truth is, we think we do but none of us know the true state of the clubs finances. I think those now in charge wil have considered this outcome and planned accordingly. What it does show is how TV money has destroyed the natural order of things with the top league dominated by small poorly supported clubs like Burnley, Watford, Bournemouth et all. If I was the Premiership, I would be very scared that I was in danger of no longer being the saleable product abroad that I was. I can't see many in China staying up to watch Bournemouth play Huddersfield.

[OzVilla]

Unfortunately they aint bothered, the other clubs are just the cannon fodder for the top 6 clubs that take up 95% of the PL foreign glory hunting revenue raisers.

[kentishvillan]

Crikey.  One or two panicky posters on here.  Yes, the loanees will go, plus probably JT and Hutton, and we instantly need a new goalkeeper, left back and centre half, but as long as we keep Grealish and Chester, and Kodjia re-discovers his mojo, we have enough elsewhere in the squad to be a force in this league once again.  But we will need to start to use the younger players: Bree should be a starter at RB, RHM and Davis should support Kodjia and Hogan in attack, and we need to get O'Hare up to speed to play in midfield.  But above all this is the question of the manager.  If we go again with Steve Bruce I fear we will simply get more of the same: football played on the back foot and on the break.  In my view that's not good enough for Aston Villa in the 2nd division.  We need a change of style and emphasis, which is why I would thank SB for his services and look for more progressive thought elsewhere.
[/quote]

Excellent post, that’s exactly how I see things too. There will be more than enough quality, experience and most importantly a fine crop of youngsters coming through, in order to mount a challenge next season. Also, I don’t envisage there being 2 stand out footballing teams like Wolves and Fulham in this division next season, especially amongst the 3 teams coming down to join us.
However, the job is a different one next season and not one best suited to Steve Bruce. A thoroughly decent and honourable man, and I so wanted him to succeed, but the ‘project’ is now heading in a different direction and a more progressive style of play is surely required. Dean Smith seems an obvious early candidate, however I’d like to think that we will draft up a shortlist that includes strict criteria beyond just being a Villa fan. No idea exactly who that might be, but the emphasis has to be on developing youngsters, and playing stylish attacking football.
I felt lower than a snake’s belly as I walked out of the stadium yesterday, but now is the time to look forward as our once great club needs us all more than ever. VTID !

[Mister E]

Crikey.  One or two panicky posters on here.  Yes, the loanees will go, plus probably JT and Hutton, and we instantly need a new goalkeeper, left back and centre half, but as long as we keep Grealish and Chester, and Kodjia re-discovers his mojo, we have enough elsewhere in the squad to be a force in this league once again.  But we will need to start to use the younger players: Bree should be a starter at RB, RHM and Davis should support Kodjia and Hogan in attack, and we need to get O'Hare up to speed to play in midfield.  But above all this is the question of the manager.  If we go again with Steve Bruce I fear we will simply get more of the same: football played on the back foot and on the break.  In my view that's not good enough for Aston Villa in the 2nd division.  We need a change of style and emphasis, which is why I would thank SB for his services and look for more progressive thought elsewhere.

Excellent post, that’s exactly how I see things too. There will be more than enough quality, experience and most importantly a fine crop of youngsters coming through, in order to mount a challenge next season. Also, I don’t envisage there being 2 stand out footballing teams like Wolves and Fulham in this division next season, especially amongst the 3 teams coming down to join us.
However, the job is a different one next season and not one best suited to Steve Bruce. A thoroughly decent and honourable man, and I so wanted him to succeed, but the ‘project’ is now heading in a different direction and a more progressive style of play is surely required. Dean Smith seems an obvious early candidate, however I’d like to think that we will draft up a shortlist that includes strict criteria beyond just being a Villa fan. No idea exactly who that might be, but the emphasis has to be on developing youngsters, and playing stylish attacking football.
I felt lower than a snake’s belly as I walked out of the stadium yesterday, but now is the time to look forward as our once great club needs us all more than ever. VTID !
[/quote]I’ll endorse all of that.
Gotta look forward now, with a progressive and smart manager.

[garyshawsknee]

I'd be amazed if we were able to hold on to Chester. He's been the best defender in the Championship by a mile and is bound to attract a lot of interest. Regarding Smith, I think he's much more than just a Villa fan, done an incredible job at Brentford, he can spot a good player from the lower leagues which is something we may have to do now and can probably get a tune out of Hogan.

[Dante Lavelli]

Regarding Smith, I think he's much more than just a Villa fan, done an incredible job at Brentford, he can spot a good player from the lower leagues which is something we may have to do now and can probably get a tune out of Hogan.

Brentford are (in)famous for using sabermetric techniques, which is either good or bad depending on your perspective.  Either way, it will have had a significant influence on the club's performances over the years, so we'd either have to replicate that system or there's a risk that the 'moneyball' was the key component rather than the Smith himself.

[SoccerHQ]

Regarding Smith, I think he's much more than just a Villa fan, done an incredible job at Brentford, he can spot a good player from the lower leagues which is something we may have to do now and can probably get a tune out of Hogan.

Brentford are (in)famous for using sabermetric techniques, which is either good or bad depending on your perspective.  Either way, it will have had a significant influence on the club's performances over the years, so we'd either have to replicate that system or there's a risk that the 'moneyball' was the key component rather than the Smith himself.

Smith has also signed a few players he had at Walsall, Rico Henry and Sawyers so they don't just sign all their players from a database.

[Richard E]

The one thing that still gives me hope for next season is that I don't see another standout team amongst the list of who will be in our division.

[mr underhill]

and that's the problem - one spot will be occupied by the side you least expect to do well.

[SoccerHQ]

The one thing that still gives me hope for next season is that I don't see another standout team amongst the list of who will be in our division.

Can see Boro doing everything Cardiff did this year.

Think they'll be up there for top 2.

Stoke under Rowett probably look the best of the relegated teams to challenge. West Brom and Swansea will have a lot of changes in their squads.

[Steve67]

Someone will jump forward from the crowd, they always do.  Hopefully the hurt from this year serves as motivation for Villa next season.

[kentishvillan]

I'd be amazed if we were able to hold on to Chester. He's been the best defender in the Championship by a mile and is bound to attract a lot of interest. Regarding Smith, I think he's much more than just a Villa fan, done an incredible job at Brentford, he can spot a good player from the lower leagues which is something we may have to do now and can probably get a tune out of Hogan.

I agree, he is much more than just a Villa fan, but at the moment his is the only name I’m hearing being put forward on here. We surely need a decent shortlist drafted up with several viable candidates which match the scope of the job in hand.

[aj2k77]

The big worry is that the main ''characters'' in the squad, the leaders, will all be gone.

I don't want us to become a group of individuals easily bullied around the pitch again. This summer is a massive rebuilding job now.

[aj2k77]

Shaun Hutchinson from Milwall, Centreback, might be worth a look if we are skint.

[AsTallAsLions]

This nonsense about Dean Smith being able to unlock some mystical scoring ability in Scott Hogan. He cost us £15m which for a Championship striker is a fortune. He's got a very simple remit, score or contribute to goals. People including myself have been quick to label Bruce a failure on the basis of his performance versus targets this season, well if you ask me, Hogan's been abysmal and I've seen nothing from him to suggest that he should be a part of any future Villa squad.