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

[pablo_picasso]

Spence at Spurs is probably available never had a look in there but was good at Forest.  Cash like and could be decent cover for him if UM thinks we need right back cover:

Shit at defending & has an equally shit attitude.

Major pass...

[Drummond]

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.

Eh? How can you say, after a window in which we've brought in Tielemens, Torres, Zaniolo and Diaby that we aren't going the final step? That's some serious talent and only two of them starters. We're obviously looking at others (given the comments Emery has made) and are being linked with players the calibre of Ferran Torres, Fati, Felix etc. If the players we want are holding out for Champions League teams, then we have to play the waiting game. I just don't see that as a failure.

[Smirker]

I'm half joking half serious here but...... Cash's finishing looked pretty decent. Do you think if we were absolutely stuck for options he could play a few games up top? I mean, probably if Watkins was out we'd be looking at Diaby or Zaniolo to play as a full striker, but I'd fancy Cash to net a few if they were playing where they do now and he's just floating around the box.

I remember lots of people thinking ElGhazi could do a job up top if needed.  Until he was needed and then we realised very quickly that he couldn't.

Well said.

[Risso]

I'm half joking half serious here but...... Cash's finishing looked pretty decent. Do you think if we were absolutely stuck for options he could play a few games up top? I mean, probably if Watkins was out we'd be looking at Diaby or Zaniolo to play as a full striker, but I'd fancy Cash to net a few if they were playing where they do now and he's just floating around the box.

I remember lots of people thinking ElGhazi could do a job up top if needed.  Until he was needed and then we realised very quickly that he couldn't.

Yep, it rarely works out very well.

[London Villan]

Did someone like Neil Cox or Scimeca have to play up front for us in one match - or am I making that up?

[Monty]

Scimeca, was a forward in youth football.

It really is rare. Most high-profile recent example must be recovered-fullback Michail Antonio.

[Kevin Dawson]

Scimeca, after Yorke had joined Man Utd.

[PeterWithesShin]

Boro and Newcastle at home, we won both, he didn't score. He did score twice that season, and we lost both.

[Percy McCarthy]

Scimeca, after Yorke had joined Man Utd.

We started really well too.

[Risso]

Did someone like Neil Cox or Scimeca have to play up front for us in one match - or am I making that up?

Scimeca start of the 98/99 season. We'd just sold Yorke, and Collymore was out, and it looked to me that Gregory was putting pressure on Ellis. A few days later we bought Merson, and then a couple of months later Dublin.

[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.

Eh? How can you say, after a window in which we've brought in Tielemens, Torres, Zaniolo and Diaby that we aren't going the final step? That's some serious talent and only two of them starters. We're obviously looking at others (given the comments Emery has made) and are being linked with players the calibre of Ferran Torres, Fati, Felix etc. If the players we want are holding out for Champions League teams, then we have to play the waiting game. I just don't see that as a failure.

I get all of that Drummond, and we've got a fantastic manager and a unique opportunity to really back him and kick on. I've lost count of the times we've not done that in my life as a Villa fan from seemingly excellent positions. We've bought in 4 very good players, but in my opinion, with the games we have and the stated ambition of the club, we are currently a couple short squad wise. We've gained 4, lost 2, and sold others that could have plugged a gap. The very fact people are discussing if Matty Cash could play up top should tell you everything about how thin the squad is. Very good quality in it, but it's thin. If we bring a defender and forward in before the deadline, happy days. Right now though, we played 3 at the back at the weekend with our only 3 fit, quality centre backs, we've got 1 premier league ready centre forward, 1 right back and are reliant on Traore and Bailey staying fit. A number of clubs around us have a bit more depth.

[Toronto Villa]

I’m not sure I get the not backing him comments. Haven’t we? Emery isn’t going to just spend for the sake of it. Every player he has added is done with thought. We are short on numbers because of the injuries and some kids leaving, but I don’t think what we end up with will be down to him not being backed. He’s said all along that we are looking to add and have certain players move on. The players we’ve bought so far have been brilliant. I want that over quantity. And more to the point if that’s what Emery wants.

[ASHTONVILLA]

Scimeca, was a forward in youth football.

It really is rare. Most high-profile recent example must be recovered-fullback Michail Antonio.

Didn't Chris Sutton start in defence at Norwich. Paul Warhurst was another that converted and did well.

[Ger Regan]

Dion Dublin?

[algy]

Dion Dublin?

Didn't he go the other way?  Started as a striker but made a pretty decent stab at being a central defender later in his career.