2023 Summer transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[LeeB]

People's opinion of world class does differ but i think he's the 4th world class player i've seen at the Villa (since the late 80's). McGrath obviously, Platt and Yorke (for a few years) and now Martinez, and i think he pretty much has been since he walked through the door. Great to have a player of that standing again.

Yeah, I agree there, and literally was from the first game with him saving the penalty against Sheff Utd

[Smirker]

Martinez is the only player I'd say is arguably world class at Villa in my time (1996/7).

[Rigadon]

Martinez is the only player I'd say is arguably world class at Villa in my time (1996/7).

Grealish? Depends on your criteria I guess.  Martinez is brilliant and played a significant role in a work cup winning team.  But Grealish was unplayable for us at times.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Is it just me that thinks of Batman every time Pau Torres is mentioned?

[LeeB]

I think of Pam Ayers for some reason

[Smirker]

Martinez is the only player I'd say is arguably world class at Villa in my time (1996/7).

Grealish? Depends on your criteria I guess.  Martinez is brilliant and played a significant role in a work cup winning team.  But Grealish was unplayable for us at times.

Grealish defo not.

[PaulWinch again]

Personal view is it’s hard to prove “world classness” if you’re not performing at the absolute elite level, which Villa haven’t been over the last few decades. I think Emi crossed the line because of his international exploits, most notably the World Cup win. That’s like a proof point - it doesn’t mean all players playing at that elite level are world class, or those that have played there and come back down weren’t world class. But I think it’s hard to prove unless you’ve demonstrated it at that level.

[Mister E]

For a bit of lazy scouting, here's a list of possible targets.

[Brend'Watkins]

I think 'Takes my Breath Away' as I think it was by Tpau. It wasn't. Quite clearly my Pau thought process is all over the place and I've briefly been to the Pyrenees town Pau many years ago.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think 'Takes my Breath Away' as I think it was by Tpau. It wasn't. Quite clearly my Pau thought process is all over the place and I've briefly been to the Pyrenees town Pau many years ago.

Takes My Breath Away was by Berlin

[Villatillidie25]

Martinez is the only player I'd say is arguably world class at Villa in my time (1996/7).

Grealish? Depends on your criteria I guess.  Martinez is brilliant and played a significant role in a work cup winning team.  But Grealish was unplayable for us at times.

Grealish defo not.

I think this depends on your criteria for world class though. I'd argue someone who is bought for £100m and then plays a key role in a treble winning side must be knocking on the door of world class unless you consider world class to literally be the top handful in the world... (particularly given I think he was probably better for us than he's been for City but then maybe that's a stylistic thing).

For me, Mcgrath, Platt, Yorke, Grealish and Martinez are probably the ones.

[Hookeysmith]

Come on Villa

Please lets have a player in soon

[LeonW]

Personal view is it’s hard to prove “world classness” if you’re not performing at the absolute elite level, which Villa haven’t been over the last few decades. I think Emi crossed the line because of his international exploits, most notably the World Cup win. That’s like a proof point - it doesn’t mean all players playing at that elite level are world class, or those that have played there and come back down weren’t world class. But I think it’s hard to prove unless you’ve demonstrated it at that level.

The big difference is that Martinez wasn’t just part of the team that won their first Copa America in 30 years and their first World Cup in almost 40 years; he was a key player. He made the difference when it mattered. You put Sergio Romero in goal instead and they don’t win either. When it mattered most, Martinez delivered. That makes him world class.

[Clampy]

I think 'Takes my Breath Away' as I think it was by Tpau. It wasn't. Quite clearly my Pau thought process is all over the place and I've briefly been to the Pyrenees town Pau many years ago.

Takes My Breath Away was by Berlin

And it was bloody awful and if I remember rightly, was number one for ages.

[LeonW]

Martinez is the only player I'd say is arguably world class at Villa in my time (1996/7).

Grealish? Depends on your criteria I guess.  Martinez is brilliant and played a significant role in a work cup winning team.  But Grealish was unplayable for us at times.

Grealish defo not.

I think this depends on your criteria for world class though. I'd argue someone who is bought for £100m and then plays a key role in a treble winning side must be knocking on the door of world class unless you consider world class to literally be the top handful in the world... (particularly given I think he was probably better for us than he's been for City but then maybe that's a stylistic thing).

For me, Mcgrath, Platt, Yorke, Grealish and Martinez are probably the ones.

A key role?