Douglas Luiz - coming back?

[Demitri_C]

That’s bad news, he’s such a big player for us, not the same without him.

I agree. I still find it unbelievable smith did not think we need a player in the middle. We all called it in the summer

Do you honestly think he did not know we need a player in the middle?  He's hardly going to say before the season starts 'our midfield is a bit shit' is he?

Same as he probably also thought we were desperately short up front in 19/20 and 20/21.  We seem to have a habit of leaving ourselves incredibly short in at least one position every season.  Hopefully Gerrard will kick the doors down and make sure he gets what he needs in the next windows.

Well we needed a player there more than ings or buendia thats for sure yet we weny for them. Our number one priority should have been bissouma.  He for me would have been a better signing that JWP.

Last line completely agree mate

[Ad@m]

That’s bad news, he’s such a big player for us, not the same without him.

I agree. I still find it unbelievable smith did not think we need a player in the middle. We all called it in the summer

Do you honestly think he did not know we need a player in the middle?  He's hardly going to say before the season starts 'our midfield is a bit shit' is he?

Same as he probably also thought we were desperately short up front in 19/20 and 20/21.  We seem to have a habit of leaving ourselves incredibly short in at least one position every season.  Hopefully Gerrard will kick the doors down and make sure he gets what he needs in the next windows.

Well we needed a player there more than ings or buendia thats for sure yet we weny for them. Our number one priority should have been bissouma.  He for me would have been a better signing that JWP.

Last line completely agree mate

We needed another striker as last season if Olly was out we were left with Davis, who is absolutely not a Premier League standard striker.

It's also not exactly fair to criticise the club for buying Buendia considering the season he had last year for Norwich and we had a Grealish-sized hole to fill in midfield.

So sure, not getting a bad-ass DCM in was a failure (again), but I don't think it was for the want of trying.  The reality is that the sort of player who'd improve us there doesn't grow on trees and unless we wanted to have our pants pulled down over the fee (which we also can't afford to do given FFP) it wasn't to be this summer.  I'm sure it's still a priority though.

[chrisw1]

I remain of the view Ings and Buendia were good (and necessary) signings.  Smith's use of them perhaps notsomuch.

That doesn't change the fact we were desperate for a DM.  It's all very well  saying we tried for JWP, but seriously it's not like he was the only viable option in the whole of world football?  Bearing in mind we had a net neutral spend you would have thought we could have found c£40m for the right player.  It's contributed to Smith losing his job and hopefully the club will have learned a lesson.

[Aldridge Villa]

Needs more consistency. Hasn’t really hit anywhere near the heights that might have merited a Man City recall which some of our parish feared at the time.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

What's this shit about Dougie trying to force a move to Roma in January, the Guardian have the following:

'Aston Villa fans were understandably pleased to see pictures of Douglas Luiz back in training on Tuesday after a three-match absence with a hamstring injury, but will have been less impressed by Wednesday’s speculation that the Brazilian defensive midfielder and his representatives are angling for a move to Roma in January. Should Douglas Luiz return to action in the holding role at which he excels this weekend, Marvelous Nakamba looks likely to make way. And should Douglas Luiz agitate for a move to Serie A during the next transfer window he will be sorely missed at Villa Park'.

The interest from Roma has been a background noise for a few months now but Il Romanista are reporting that we want £29m for him and Roma can't pay it but just as worrying Dougie is refusing to sign a new contract with his existing contract due to end in 2023.

I hope all this is bullshit.

[eamonn]

Someone else posted on the forum today that the new coaching staff were eulogising over him in the Players Lounge after the game last weekend. He'll be seduced by Stevie and show his best form.

[Hookeysmith]

Sorry but if he (or any player) wants to go....then they can go as long as our price is met.

We want winners not quitters

[N'ZMAV]

Sorry but if he (or any player) wants to go....then they can go as long as our price is met.

We want winners not quitters

agreed - I'm not getting attached to any of them any more - especially ones that aren't as good as they think they are

[paul_e]

Thought he was excellent tonight, our man of the match by a fair way in my opinion.

[Axl Rose]

Have never really understood the extent of the Luiz praise, but he played really well in that second half. More of that tenacity and energy please.

[supertom]

Thought he was excellent tonight, our man of the match by a fair way in my opinion.

Yep. Our best player in the first half along with Ollie, as others struggled and great second half as everyone improved alongside. Definite signs again today that Douglas could be a playmaker. Sanson's cameo and indeed Carney, suggest we've got a bit of depth.

[Clark W Griswold]

Half decent first half and excellent second, certainly one of our best players tonight.

[Ian.]

He was absolutely superb that second half. He was a monster in that midfield, he drove us on and gave us a real desire to not give up. His attitude was fantastic.

[thick_mike]

He was absolutely superb that second half. He was a monster in that midfield, he drove us on and gave us a real desire to not give up. His attitude was fantastic.

Agreed

[eamonn]

He was the best midfielder on the pitch in the second half. More of that and we'll be sucking diesel.