January 2023 Transfer Rumours, Discussions and Done Deals Thread

[Rigadon]

I'd like to see us upgrade our centre halves, but that feels like it can wait until the summer if it must - we will know more about Carlos by the end of the season too (as in whether he is the same player after the injury).  But we really must to sign a goalscoring centre forward - blow the whole budget on one if needs be.  That would give us a good chance a top 8 finish this season.  I'm sure they're trying. 

[PaulWinch again]

This isn’t aimed at you Rigadon but I do find it odd when people say just buy a goal scoring forward. I think unless you’re like Citeh, with Haaland, it is incredibly hard to do. There aren’t many about, which means if you’re Villa you’re buying on hope that potential materialises or someone who’s slightly past their prime.

[Rigadon]

This isn’t aimed at you Rigadon but I do find it odd when people say just buy a goal scoring forward. I think unless you’re like Citeh, with Haaland, it is incredibly hard to do. There aren’t many about, which means if you’re Villa you’re buying on hope that potential materialises or someone who’s slightly past their prime.

I agree that it's not easy, or everyone would do it!  But, we are an extremely wealthy club, in the most cash rich league in the world by some distance, so I'd hope that (and us now having a proper manager) should go in our favour.    At least we can afford it, which is not something other clubs can say with as much confidence. 

My point was more about the need to get one, more than the likelihood of getting one.  But I'm confident we are trying.

[john e]

the 3/4 windows to become a top 6-8 challenging team only works if you get the first 1/2 windows right

If the next window is a poor one we will keep being 3/4 windows away

[N'ZMAV]

haven't we been saying this since we came up?

[Ian.]

This isn’t aimed at you Rigadon but I do find it odd when people say just buy a goal scoring forward. I think unless you’re like Citeh, with Haaland, it is incredibly hard to do. There aren’t many about, which means if you’re Villa you’re buying on hope that potential materialises or someone who’s slightly past their prime.

We actually did that with Ings didn’t we? Isn’t his record 1 in 3 before signing for us?

[rougegorge]

Having a consistent goalscoring forward does help, but it doesn't mean nowadays that you are going to be in the top 6. Haaland is a bit of a one-off, but Arsenal don't have an 'out and out' goalscoring forward; they have several that regularly chip in.

Meanwhile Brentford have Toney, Fulham have Mitrovic and Leeds have Rodrigo all currently in the top 5 scorers. I don't think any of those teams will finish in the top 6.

I think it's more important that there is a solid defence (look at Newcastle) and more creativity across the team, with several players who are capable of scoring a few goals.

[Ian.]

I agree Rougegorge. A solid shape, organised, hard to beat and a eye for goal around the pitch.

[Stinkin_Thinkin]

I'd tap up the likes of Harvey Barnes or Hudson Odoi. I think we need a ball carrier on the opposite flank to Bailey. Or perhaps look at some sort of loan for Jaydon Sancho to give him game time.
 I was reading the article about Dean Saunders in the Liverpool programme what stuck with me was when it said we were 11th when he joined a few weeks later we were 3rd. A quick way to jump up the league

[ChicagoLion]

I'd tap up the likes of Harvey Barnes or Hudson Odoi. I think we need a ball carrier on the opposite flank to Bailey. Or perhaps look at some sort of loan for Jaydon Sancho to give him game time.
 I was reading the article about Dean Saunders in the Liverpool programme what stuck with me was when it said we were 11th when he joined a few weeks later we were 3rd. A quick way to jump up the league

Harvey Barnes ok, but Sancho and Odi?
No thanks.

[Dave P]

I agree Rougegorge. A solid shape, organised, hard to beat and a eye for goal around the pitch.

Spot on. Under Gerrard this season, we scored 7 goals in 11 league games. In the 5 games since he was potted, we’ve scored 10 goals from 5 different scorers. We will make chances but short term success will stem from a solid defensive base.

But having said that, strikers are sexy so let’s get Abraham and Felix.

[SoccerHQ]

haven't we been saying this since we came up?

Grealish leaving set us back years I'm afraid.

If you keep a player of that quality and add likes of Ings and Bailey then that would've been ridiculously exciting and it would've been justified to talk about top 6. Instead the attacking dynamic hasn't looked right at all for 18 months.

Same now if we get in 2-3 really good players in the summer.....only to see Ramsey leave on August 31st because some oil baron club decided he's a good alternative if they can't sign Bellingham.

[Dante Lavelli]

I hate to say it but for the next couple of season we should swallow our pride and accept a role as facilitators for the world’s best.  position ourselves as a good home for “Real Madrid” misfits and youngsters that cannot get games. Or a bigger Leicester where the world’s best come for a year or two before joining …Barca or whoever.

we need to think differently, otherwise we’re just another club in the ‘who is the richest’ queue. 

[ChicagoLion]

I hate to say it but for the next couple of season we should swallow our pride and accept a role as facilitators for the world’s best.  position ourselves as a good home for “Real Madrid” misfits and youngsters that cannot get games. Or a bigger Leicester where the world’s best come for a year or two before joining …Barca or whoever.

we need to think differently, otherwise we’re just another club in the ‘who is the richest’ queue.

And that would get us absolutely nowhere.

[Dante Lavelli]

I hate to say it but for the next couple of season we should swallow our pride and accept a role as facilitators for the world’s best.  position ourselves as a good home for “Real Madrid” misfits and youngsters that cannot get games. Or a bigger Leicester where the world’s best come for a year or two before joining …Barca or whoever.

we need to think differently, otherwise we’re just another club in the ‘who is the richest’ queue.

And that would get us absolutely nowhere.

First we need to consistently be above West Ham, Leicester, Newcastle and Everton.  Once there, we can make better plans and target Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal and whoever is having a blip between Liverpool, Man U and Man City.