Unai Emery

[Risso]

But it does sound like Emery is in control of transfers overall so he'll know who he wants. We're 22 days into his first transfer window and as ever, a bit of patience is needed.

It closes in 9 days. A squad that has two goalies on the bench, and two kids with absolutely no prospect of getting any minutes isn't remotely strong enough. If Chelsea and Liverpool get their acts together next season, and Newcastle start flinging the cash around, then the top 6/7 is going to be as impossible to crack as ever. We've got a chance now, need to go for it. I don't understand why some Villa fans are always content with a vague promise of "jam tomorrow".

[Mellin]

I'm sure it's just a case of the right players not being available, if no one comes in. No point in signing a load of shit that gets bombed out after 6 months and rides out a 5 year deal on 60kpw.

[Clampy]

But it does sound like Emery is in control of transfers overall so he'll know who he wants. We're 22 days into his first transfer window and as ever, a bit of patience is needed.

It closes in 9 days. A squad that has two goalies on the bench, and two kids with absolutely no prospect of getting any minutes isn't remotely strong enough. If Chelsea and Liverpool get their acts together next season, and Newcastle start flinging the cash around, then the top 6/7 is going to be as impossible to crack as ever. We've got a chance now, need to go for it. I don't understand why some Villa fans are always content with a vague promise of "jam tomorrow".

You're forgetting we had the players out injured yesterday  and no-one is content with anything. Some fans just don't feel the need to panic during a new managers first transfer window whilst we are sitting comfortably in the table.

[tomd2103]

Yes, he does need backing and there is nothing to suggest that he won't be. He's here for a long time hopefully so we don't need to get everything done this month. There's absouley no point in buying just anybody.

There are currently 5 points between Spurs in 5th and us in 11th. With Chelsea and Liverpool having poor seasons by their standards, this is an ideal time to have a real push at the European places and disrupt the status quo. I don't want players for the sake of it but there's a whole world of players out there who would improve us, and we're in the richest league with amongst the richest owners.

Agree.  Thoughts before Christmas were to onsoludate somewhat and aim fir a top ten finish.  Looking at our form since then though and the form of some of the teams above us, I think there is an opportunity to finish in a European spot. 

Of course we need good additions and not expensive gambles, but if we can add a bit more quality in the final third then we might be able to kick on.

[Clampy]

I'm sure it's just a case of the right players not being available, if no one comes in. No point in signing a load of shit that gets bombed out after 6 months and rides out a 5 year deal on 60kpw.

Thats just it, or maybe the owners should 'get their fucking fingers out'. The Twitter like patience is staggering.

[Drummond]

Yes, he does need backing and there is nothing to suggest that he won't be. He's here for a long time hopefully so we don't need to get everything done this month. There's absouley no point in buying just anybody.

There are currently 5 points between Spurs in 5th and us in 11th. With Chelsea and Liverpool having poor seasons by their standards, this is an ideal time to have a real push at the European places and disrupt the status quo. I don't want players for the sake of it but there's a whole world of players out there who would improve us, and we're in the richest league with amongst the richest owners.

You said the same when Smith was in charge  yet changed your mind when Gerrard was, and now you've flipped again. 😉

You did some sums about expected pints return and form etc before, what's it like now?

FWIW, my view is that we should just aim to win every game and do our best to get Europe. Emery has a pass and with what we've seen already if it doesn't work this season he should get the summer to overhaul properly.

[Clampy]

The only thing we could do with short term is another forward and he's already said he'll bring in a replacement if Sanson and Nakamba go. Let's just see what progresses.

[kippaxvilla2]

The football is not great to watch at times is it?  But I don’t care I just want someone who knows what they’re doing and can get the better Of opposition tactically.  You can see he works on a game plan for every opponent.  Gerrard was a sack of shit and a complete waste of a year on an experiment.

[Risso]

Yes, he does need backing and there is nothing to suggest that he won't be. He's here for a long time hopefully so we don't need to get everything done this month. There's absouley no point in buying just anybody.

There are currently 5 points between Spurs in 5th and us in 11th. With Chelsea and Liverpool having poor seasons by their standards, this is an ideal time to have a real push at the European places and disrupt the status quo. I don't want players for the sake of it but there's a whole world of players out there who would improve us, and we're in the richest league with amongst the richest owners.

You said the same when Smith was in charge  yet changed your mind when Gerrard was, and now you've flipped again. 😉

You did some sums about expected pints return and form etc before, what's it like now?

FWIW, my view is that we should just aim to win every game and do our best to get Europe. Emery has a pass and with what we've seen already if it doesn't work this season he should get the summer to overhaul properly.

I take it that maths isn't your forté mate? The reason it's possible under Emery and it was hugely unlikely under Gerrard is the relative standing of the league. Both halves of the table this season are massively bunched up. 5 points separate 5th from 11th, and in the bottom half, 3 points separate 14th and 20th. This time last year under Gerrard we were 13 points off 5th, a monumental difference. I always want the team to be strengthened, but this year we've got a great manager in Emery AND a much more open and competitive league so it makes perfect sense to have a real go at it. There's nothing contradictory about that at all.

[PeterWithesShin]

After Gerrard's 6th game we were 9th having played 17 games and were 5 points off 5th.

[andyh]

The football is not great to watch at times is it?  But I don’t care I just want someone who knows what they’re doing and can get the better Of opposition tactically.  You can see he works on a game plan for every opponent.  Gerrard was a sack of shit and a complete waste of a year on an experiment.

It might not be great to watch….at the moment…but we are learning to win and changing the mentality of the players and the club.
The best teams don’t always play stunning football (I have been bored shitless watching Man City in many games) but they are consistent and that’s what we need to be.

[Monty]

The football is not great to watch at times is it?  But I don’t care I just want someone who knows what they’re doing and can get the better Of opposition tactically.  You can see he works on a game plan for every opponent.  Gerrard was a sack of shit and a complete waste of a year on an experiment.

It's also about what you're looking for. I'm sure the neutral doesn't necessarily count the minutes until they get to watch us again right now. From my point of view though, I don't remember the last time I've seen Villa look so competent and in control when we're in possession, from the movement off the ball to the way they're all taking it on the turn now, looking to make passing options with their first touch. It's not thrill-a-minute at the moment, but it's a foundation like I can't remember us having.

[Luffbralion]

I like Unai's flexibility...did anyone else notice that he ditched the shiny coat yesterday?

[Clampy]

I think we do tend to over pass it at times though, especially around the opposition box.

[Lastfootstamper]

Can I point out that we should be capable of reeling in sp*rs. We've already won 13 points from teams currently above us. They've taken 8. And that's from teams above us, not above them.