Summer transfer, gossip, speculation and the usual butter ollocks thread

[UK Redsox]

A few big names on there.

Yep, but with Mario Götze probably going to Hertha, the three biggest name strikers are Mandzukic, Sturridge and Welbeck.

Not exactly an inspiring choice

[PeterWithe]

Gael Clichy on there as well, I've lost track of time mind and he may be about 45 now.

[maidstonevillain]

Shame Clyne is not a left back.

[cdbearsfan]

Every time I hear the name Götze, internal jukebox is on Chas 'N' Dave for the next hour.

[Richie]

King, Benrahma, these are excellent options but I agree with sickbeggar, anyone who wouldn't be coming to improve the first team now would be pretty pointless.

Improving our backup options in the likely event we pick up key injuries wouldn’t be pretty pointless.

I'd like us to bring these pair in. Would certainly be an upgrade on AEG and Davis.

I've wanted Benrahma for a couple of years now, but as he plays mainly on the left it was with a view to moving Jack inside either to 10 or 8.  Now we have Barkley I don't see how Benrahma would get much game time.  Yes a brilliant squad / back-up option, but I couldn't see him coming to be back up for Jack.  King would also know he's unlikely to be first choice, but at least he covers a couple of positions so would be more likely to get gametime.

I think they'd both add something to the squad, but feel unliklely to me now.

I think this shows how far we’ve come when players like King and Benrahma wouldn’t be guaranteed starting places in the team. The Villa revolution is underway ladies and gents. Let’s enjoy the ride.

[eamonn]

Too fuckin' right. The 2010's were anni horribili.Time for a long over-due decade of decadence down the Villa.

[Brazilian Villain]

I think this shows how far we’ve come when players like King and Benrahma wouldn’t be guaranteed starting places in the team. The Villa revolution is underway ladies and gents. Let’s enjoy the ride.

Indeed, the play-off defeat to Fulham may turn out to be one of our best results.

[Big Ming]

I'm thinking that some teams ( including Villa) have been or are benefiting from the absence of crowds.

In the last few years you could feel the fans anxiety and nerves transmitting to the players when we were under pressure.

If they are going to start playing with the swagger we saw on Sunday it really shouldn't be a problem going forward.

[WilliamStanding]

I'm thinking that some teams ( including Villa) have been or are benefiting from the absence of crowds.

In the last few years you could feel the fans anxiety and nerves transmitting to the players when we were under pressure.

If they are going to start playing with the swagger we saw on Sunday it really shouldn't be a problem going forward.

Lack of crowds aren’t affecting any professional football, it’s all a
Coincidence.

[dave.woodhall]

I think it's a case at Villa that away teams love playing here, their supporters love the day out and consequently we struggle.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think it's a case at Villa that away teams love playing here, their supporters love the day out and consequently we struggle.

One thing MON got right was moving the away fans from behind the goal.

[Sexual Ealing]

I think it's a case at Villa that away teams love playing here, their supporters love the day out and consequently we struggle.

I think the fact that Neville, Carragher et al cite VP as a favourite venue proves that. It's big enough to be an occasion*, difficult enough that it's not a walkover, but they'd normally have enough to edge it in the end. A bit like we found the Championship.

Hopefully Sunday marks the beginning of a change to all that.

Edit: *apart from that bit!

[PeterWithesShin]

For some reason the majority of defenders have forgotten how to do their jobs. I can't remember defences being this consistently bad from most sides at this level.

[cdbearsfan]

I can't be arsed to check the statistics but I don't feel like there were an exorbitant number of goals from the end of lockdown to the finish of last season? It is just this season, isn't it? Which would suggest statistical anomaly or other factor rather than being able to say for certain that it is because there are no crowds.

[PeterWithesShin]

It's just weird, you can't blame lack of crowds on Klopp, VVD or anyone realising as the goals and shots rained in that maybe a change of tactics would help. They just carried on doing what was obviously not working. Players/manager/coaches would get slaughtered for doing that at Bromsgrove's level, and yet here were some of the best in the world doing it.