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

[Risso]

We couldn't fill the bench, and that was after having two keepers on it. We've obviously got Dendoncker, Ramsey and Moreno to come back, but that's not giving us much wriggle room at all. Another injury or two, and we'll be back in the same position.

[SoccerHQ]

Castagne looking like he could be going from Leicester to Fulham for £15m.  Not spectacular, but might have been a decent squad addition at that price.

Yes he was good in Serie A and can play both sides so pretty good price. Not all good FBs cost 20m +.

I think Tete's being linked with a few moves, he'd be a great pick up for RB.

[Ger Regan]

What I don't understand is that if we're ok with putting a youth keeper on the bench, why not put someone like Kellyman, Revan or Feeney on it depending on positional cover need.

[paul_e]

I really think we need one or two. Things look good after some positive results, but we have lost two first teamers to season ending injuries, plus our first choice keeper has an injury (hopefully very short-term). It wouldn’t take much, a couple more injuries, and we really start to creak. Especially if we’re still looking to offload players, noting both Archer and Coutinho did feature in our first few games.

Zaniolo has come in since though (and is effectively replacing Archer even if they're not playing exactly the same) and Coutinho hasn't gone yet. We also have a massive injury list right now but most of them are going to be back after the next 2 games so it will look better by the time we play palace. As I've said a few times the only definite gap in the squad right now is for another defender because, discounting Mings, we only have 7 senior defenders in the squad, whether that's a right back or a centre back really depends on what Emery wants to do with Konsa long term and what he sees Chambers as best suited to.

I do see Chambers and Bert as the replacements for Mings and Buendia though because I doubt either of them were in our plans for the season until those injuries.

[JUAN PABLO]

Problem with Bert , he is just as injury prone.

[lovejoy]

Problem with Bert , he is just as injury prone.

and he's not very good.

[AV84]

What I don't understand is that if we're ok with putting a youth keeper on the bench, why not put someone like Kellyman, Revan or Feeney on it depending on positional cover need.

Did some of them play for the U21s last week, I think Kellyman did. Can't remember the day but maybe it was just too much football?

Edit - Friday night they played Man City. So maybe we'll see one or two of them on the bench on Thursday.

[PaulWinch again]

What I don't understand is that if we're ok with putting a youth keeper on the bench, why not put someone like Kellyman, Revan or Feeney on it depending on positional cover need.

I think it’s about the status of the first team, i.e. to get on the bench you’ve shown you’re ready to play. That’d be my suspicion.

[PaulWinch again]

Emery’s comments post game definitely suggest we’re looking.

[Paul.S]

30 mins for Traore or a game every so often is as much as he can deal with. I don’t think he’s a replacement for anyone but more of a luxury.
Maybe a game here or there in Europe, depending on the opponent, but I don’t see him as someone who can fill in for a number of games in the league.
If Coutinho does leave then ideally we need something else but I can’t see that happening. I think we’ll bring another 1 in and I can see it being a defender. Maybe a centre half  or RB depending on how Emery wants to play and sees things.

[ozzjim]

We're still 2 short. An attacking and a defensive option. A quick glance at our bench tells you that. Players will return from injury sure, but others will get injured too. As ever with Villa, we are not going the final step to be truly strong enough to compete.

[Chris Smith]

We're still 2 short. An attacking and a defensive option. A quick glance at our bench tells you that. Players will return from injury sure, but others will get injured too. As ever with Villa, we are not going the final step to be truly strong enough to compete.

Against that we have to accept that Emery is only going to sign players that are up to his standards. If they’re not available he’ll wait for the next window.

[AV84]

Emery's comments at the weekend about not replacing Mings and Buendia were interesting. He basically said they can't be replaced as people, and that as far as on the pitch went they were looking to see if the players already there could fill the holes left by their absence. Which to me sounds perfectly sensible.

That may explain the different midfield setups we've seen this season so far. As for more players coming in it doesn't seem like he's looking at it numbers wise, like 2 injured must buy 2 more. Seems more like he's got plans and tactics and he's going to make sure he has the players that can carry them out, and if he already has the players to do it then he's not going to buy just for the sake of buying.

I've said it already but I think if we get anyone else in it will be one of the bigger names we were linked with earlier in the window. Otherwise I think we're done.

[jwarry]

Romano
EXCL: Aston Villa weighing up a move for Clement Lenglet as option on the table for the final days of the window 🟣🔵

There are multiple options available but Barcelona aware of Aston Villa interest, waiting for developments.

In any case, Barça feel sure that CL will leave.



Can’t say I know enough about him but I can’t remember him pulling up any trees at Spudz

[Sexual Ealing]

Our favourite soothsayer reckons we're 'weighing up' a bid for Lenglet.
https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1696490853907185783