Unai Emery

[Drummond]

He’s stabilised us and removed the threat of relegation. His job is to build on that in the summer and have us challenging for the top 6 next year.

The new manager bounce stabilised us and took away the threat of relegation after a few games, so why couldn't we have tried to start the building process this January? As it is, we're leaking horrible goals, are out of the FA Cup to a League 2 club and have a bench with two youth team keepers on it, while our star keeper is publicly saying he wants to move on. We showed absolutely no ambition this winter, which is really disappointing, and the manager is a big part of that.

We started with Duran. We tried other deals which didn't come off.
We lost to Stevenage, it was absolute shit, and whilst Emery needs to take responsibility, the players didn't make great choices. I'd have thought that result did more than enough to convince Emery about the calibre of said players.
The bench with two young keepers is letting them see what it's all about, we've let others go on loan. It's hardly a nightmare scenario given we can only make 5 out of the 9 subs.
Martinez has said he wants to win trophies with Villa.
We've no idea whether we showed ambition or not, we just don't have a huge amount of evidence, barring signing Duran for the future and moving on a player you and others have moaned about repeatedly for decent financial benefit. It sounded like we were after a couple of decent signings, Felix, Williams, Guendozi, and they didn't work out, for whatever reason. The days are gone where teams can pay huge sums (ManCity are being found out) without having anything to offer a player (Champs League). It's justr not that easy to make signings in January.

[Risso]

It's not easy if you don't even bother making an offer, like we didn't with Guendouzi. There are always excuses with Villa, and trying to defend having two kid goalies on the bench is just mental. If it was that good an idea, why is nobody else doing it? A better future is always next year, when we're really going to try, honest.

[Clampy]

Marseille are second in their league, 5 points behind PSG at the moment. Couldn't it be as simple as them not wanting to part with one of their better midfielders at this moment in time instead of it being Villa's fault?

[Drummond]

It's not easy if you don't even bother making an offer, like we didn't with Guendouzi. There are always excuses with Villa, and trying to defend having two kid goalies on the bench is just mental. If it was that good an idea, why is nobody else doing it? A better future is always next year, when we're really going to try, honest.

Maybe Guendozi said he didn't want to come, yet, or ever.
Thanks for calling me 'mental' shows what mood you continue to be in, hope you feel happier soon, a win might sort it.

[Chris Smith]

It's not easy if you don't even bother making an offer, like we didn't with Guendouzi. There are always excuses with Villa, and trying to defend having two kid goalies on the bench is just mental. If it was that good an idea, why is nobody else doing it? A better future is always next year, when we're really going to try, honest.

Most of the work on transfers these days seems to be done behind the scenes through agents and other third parties. I am fairly sure that if Emery wanted Guendouzi enquiries were made but if it was clear that he didn’t want to move, either because he wanted to wait or didn’t fancy signing for us, then there was no point making a formal offer. Or it could all have been media speculation.

Two goalies on the bench is rubbish but it’s hardly fatal when only five subs can be used.

[Risso]

It's not easy if you don't even bother making an offer, like we didn't with Guendouzi. There are always excuses with Villa, and trying to defend having two kid goalies on the bench is just mental. If it was that good an idea, why is nobody else doing it? A better future is always next year, when we're really going to try, honest.

Most of the work on transfers these days seems to be done behind the scenes through agents and other third parties. I am fairly sure that if Emery wanted Guendouzi enquiries were made but if it was clear that he didn’t want to move, either because he wanted to wait or didn’t fancy signing for us, then there was no point making a formal offer. Or it could all have been media speculation.

Two goalies on the bench is rubbish but it’s hardly fatal when only five subs can be used.

It's pretty well guaranteeing that you can only use those particular five subs though. Again, if it's such a good idea, why isn't everybody playing kids in their team with no chance of getting any minutes? The January transfer window hasn't looked very clever in the last two games, let's be honest, and I'd be very surprised if it isn't three defeats on the spin after tomorrow. El Maestro's new clothes, so far.

[Footy-Vill]

It's not easy if you don't even bother making an offer, like we didn't with Guendouzi. There are always excuses with Villa, and trying to defend having two kid goalies on the bench is just mental. If it was that good an idea, why is nobody else doing it? A better future is always next year, when we're really going to try, honest.

Most of the work on transfers these days seems to be done behind the scenes through agents and other third parties. I am fairly sure that if Emery wanted Guendouzi enquiries were made but if it was clear that he didn’t want to move, either because he wanted to wait or didn’t fancy signing for us, then there was no point making a formal offer. Or it could all have been media speculation.

Two goalies on the bench is rubbish but it’s hardly fatal when only five subs can be used.

 
I believe Emery should have some past players he has worked with and signed, as well as a Spanish influence throughout the team, because that is where he has had the most success, so there should be more Spanish players or players who can communicate in the language and understand fully the instructions.
 
Signing Guendouzi and, say, four quality players from La Liga would definitely see us improve at a faster rate, I suspect.
 
That's where we need to exclusively focus for transfers of any player of Spanish descent as well as any Premier League gems, but Spain is Emery's bread and butter, so it makes sense to make moves there. The club needs to play to Emery's and his coach's strengths.
 
 
 
 
 
 

[Risso]

Emery speaks about 5 languages so why would having Spanish speaking players make a difference? As long as they can defend/pass in midfield/score goals, it doesn't make any difference what nationality they are. Arteta seems to be doing OK at Arsenal without a single Spanish speaking player.

[Footy-Vill]

Emery speaks about 5 languages so why would having Spanish speaking players make a difference? As long as they can defend/pass in midfield/score goals, it doesn't make any difference what nationality they are. Arteta seems to be doing OK at Arsenal without a single Spanish speaking player.

Arteta can speak a host of languages.

But not just about Emery the rest of the coaches too at Villa
It's not a coincidence Duran and Moreno speak Spainish.
Emery may well speak all languages but he's had major success in Spain so bringing players who are use to him or communicating in native will only benefit the team.
Just an idea really that makes sense for communication and spirit

[Risso]

Duran's signing was nothing to do with Emery, we'd been tracking him long before Unai showed up.

[Footy-Vill]

Ok.
I like my theoretical idea which could be occurring.
It makes sense in my opinion to have these players rather than, for example, McGinn, who learned his trade and a very different style of coaching in Scotland, or Cash, who learned at a low-level club in Wycombe before attending a players academy for released football—both very british methods—and, more than coincidentally, neither of whom are starters or possess the desired footy intelligence Emery seeks.

Neither posses Mings quality in mind and he's an example of uk player adapting and where it can work as he possesses intellect .

[olaftab]

Marseille are second in their league, 5 points behind PSG at the moment. Couldn't it be as simple as them not wanting to part with one of their better midfielders at this moment in time instead of it being Villa's fault?

We have been through this issue on another thread, I think and no offer is no offer according to their Chairman. Why would he say that if that wasn't the case? After all having offers for his asset suits him as it adds to the player's value, regardless of whether he wanted to sell him or not.

[LeeB]

Ok.
I like my theoretical idea which could be occurring.
It makes sense in my opinion to have these players rather than, for example, McGinn, who learned his trade and a very different style of coaching in Scotland, or Cash, who learned at a low-level club in Wycombe before attending a players academy for released football—both very british methods—and, more than coincidentally, neither of whom are starters or possess the desired footy intelligence Emery seeks.

Neither posses Mings quality in mind and he's an example of uk player adapting and where it can work as he possesses intellect .

Ever humble

[Clampy]

Marseille are second in their league, 5 points behind PSG at the moment. Couldn't it be as simple as them not wanting to part with one of their better midfielders at this moment in time instead of it being Villa's fault?

We have been through this issue on another thread, I think and no offer is no offer according to their Chairman. Why would he say that if that wasn't the case? After all having offers for his asset suits him as it adds to the player's value, regardless of whether he wanted to sell him or not.

But just because we didnt make an offer dosent necessarily mean we didn't make an enquiry.

[Allan C]

Emery has the same problem that the previous two had. It’s pretty much the same squad. Despite “proper coaching” this squad is at the position that it should be. I’m confident that he is the man to rebuild and take us into the top 6 but patience is a must. It will take time.