Jacob Ramsey

[PaulWinch again]

I think it’s probably reasonably straightforward - did we actively want to sell JJ? Probably not. But equally we’re in a position where virtually anyone, if not everyone, is sellable under the right conditions. In this case JJ was offered terms, but we couldn’t meet in the middle - he had a view of his value and our view differed. Therefore selling now is right for all parties.

[Villa in Denmark]

It will be interesting where he plays though (or who he replaces in the squad). He plays left wing / left midfield for us so you assume similar for them. First choice there is Gordan/Barnes for the wing. Midfield behind is normally Joelinton, Tonali and Guimarăes. My guess will be Joelinton's position will be shared with JJ, although the former did go from a very shit striker to quiet a decent midfielder in that position. Of course whilst Isak if playing silly buggers, Gordan is forward so a further spot is open for JJ at the moment. Howe has also done a lot of experimentation with 3-5-3 with Livramento as wingback.

Cheating bastards.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think it’s probably reasonably straightforward - did we actively want to sell JJ? Probably not. But equally we’re in a position where virtually anyone, if not everyone, is sellable under the right conditions. In this case JJ was offered terms, but we couldn’t meet in the middle - he had a view of his value and our view differed. Therefore selling now is right for all parties.

End of the day, it looks a good deal for us.

It's more money than he's worth, he hasn't consistently forced his way into the team, he didn't sign new contracts despite his current deal starting to run down, and his absence - let's be totally honest here - is going to make next to no difference to us.

Oh, and he's got a really bad injury that kept him out for ages, and then flared up and triggered another injury spell.

At the start of the summer we all knew that realistically we'd have to sell one player who would fetch a decent sum.

Not sure who else people would have opted to move on?

[PeterWithesShin]

We're the cheating bastards managing 4 seasons of European football in only 3 seasons.

[Villa in Denmark]

We're the cheating bastards managing 4 seasons of European football in only 3 seasons.

Maybe Paulie has psychic powers and knows we're guaranteed to qualify again?

[villa for life]

You’re conflating some things though Bronte. What we did with Duran is very strong recruitment, you buy low and either have picked up a talent who could augment the team or you move them on for a huge profit. Our forward line being weaker currently, is about the constraints related to UEFA competition, specifically the one placed on us in respect of the “A” squad.

Exactly this.

Totally. Duran and Rogers have been the bright spots of our recruitment in the last few seasons.

Yeah, but what I was saying was that you saying:

Spot on. Our recruitment the last few years has not been great, and changing this is our route to a brighter future. People ask how can we compete with the likes of Liverpool and city etc? Well, think of Bournemouth, Brighton , Palace , Brentford and forest who have had even less transfer budget and don’t /can’t pay the kind of wages we do. What must they be thinking?

Doesn't stand up to analysis because:

1. We've somehow managed to engage in 'not great' recruitment and yet manage to reach the QF of the Champions League and the semi final of another European competition, qualify for Europe 4 years on the bounce, and finish in the top six on more than one occasion.

So how can it be 'not great', given that?

and:

2. You then referred to those other clubs and their view of what we do, when we have to do exactly the sort of thing they do - ie buy and sell players for profit - and that's the very fact that currently leads us to doing stuff like selling Ramsey.

I do apologise for comparing you to Tim, though, that was a pretty low blow.

I just don’t think it’s “been great”. I’ve felt we’ve overpaid on a few players, and paid too much wages for some. I think there are plenty of players in the premier league who are performing at a higher level and who are on much lower wages than some of our “star” players.

What is Bailey being paid per week? I’m just sure there are countless players who are outperforming him but being paid less. And that can be said for many of our players.

I have never said that our recruitment policy has been shit let alone bad. I just don’t think it’s been great. Fine, yes. Great, not for me.

I credit most of our success to Unai. In fact wasn’t he the one who initiated and insisted on the Rogers deal, perhaps our best transfer of recent times.

[PaulWinch again]

The idea of Bailey being a bad signing is odd too. Yes disappointing his form hasn’t matched the year before last in his time at Villa. But that one year he was one of the best players in the league and was essential in us finishing top 4. That alone, without whatever we sell him for, is net positive in terms of value.

[Somniloquism]

You said “ I suppose comparing you to Tim does deserve an apology”

That is reference to me. (Not my opinions )

"You" has been shortened in this case to the persona you have on here based off your footalling opinions. I don't know YOU to get personal. But I can comment on your opinions and call them stupid (as in stupid footballing opinions). And if that is shortened to stupid opinions, or just stupid in the future, just know it is not personal at you. Just at the football opinions you have

For example comparing teams who gamble on a player one year to sell for major profit, with occaisionally doing the same with young managers.And stating look we should be following them as a transfer strategy. We might be doing similar with some of the youth purchaes, not with the main squad though as we are normally competing at a higher level then Bournemouth (15th, 12th, 9th), Brentford (9th, 16th, 10th), and Brighton (6th, 11th, 8th) recently. And all you need is one season where the sold player quality can't be replaced and you end up like Southampton. (Brentford might be that this year if any of the promoted clubs click).

I've left your Forest comparison for last though as they Spent €200Mil one season and had a points deduction because of it, yes we should have followed that transfer policy as well and gambled the points deduction wouldn't harm us. Which year should we have done that? Conference year? Champions League entry year? The season just gone and back in Conference?

[PeterWithesShin]

While I agree that Bailey hasn't been a bad signing you can't put all the CL money we got into his value. It's split by everyone that got us there.

[villa for life]

The idea of Bailey being a bad signing is odd too. Yes disappointing his form hasn’t matched the year before last in his time at Villa. But that one year he was one of the best players in the league and was essential in us finishing top 4. That alone, without whatever we sell him for, is net positive in terms of value.

But then again, who said he’s been a “bad signing”?

Bailey performed at the highest level for one season and one season alone. Yet he’s been paid top top wages for many seasons, so whilst he’s been an ok/fine type of signing, I’d be reluctant to say his signing is evidence of “great recruitment”

[Demitri_C]

Yep, Grealish has scored loads against us.

He has very rarely played against us to be fair

[Grande Pablo]

On balance it is good business - I just hope we are able to flex some muscle with the proceeds. 

He maybe thought he was never going to be first choice.  It's always sad to see a homegrown lad go, but with Buendia I guess Unai has seen something different as to how we can attack.

Good luck to him - needs a good run being injury free.

[Demitri_C]

On balance it is good business - I just hope we are able to flex some muscle with the proceeds. 

He maybe thought he was never going to be first choice.  It's always sad to see a homegrown lad go, but with Buendia I guess Unai has seen something different as to how we can attack.

Good luck to him - needs a good run being injury free.

I would rather  have ramsey over buendia  i am afraid..

[PeterWithesShin]

What are you afraid of? Zombies, heights, sharks, zombie sharks high up?

[LeeB]

Leave the light on and wedge a chair under the door handle.