2024 January transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I keep telling myself that we are in a great position, but it still feels deep down like a bubble burst a bit at that Sheffield United game and it's all been a bit deflated since.

We haven't hit the heights since the the Man City game but dropping points to Sheff Utd was more down to pathetic refereeing and VAR than anything else. There's no reason to think we can't kick on again. Playing McGinn in his best position will obviously help.

[Somniloquism]

It's a pity we can't recall Sanson. He'd get decent game-time now and he's in-form.

I think we'd struggle to get him back regardless.

“It was complicated because I was injured nine to ten months out of my first twelve months there,” he said.

“I had a series of injuries and I had Covid twice. Nothing worked out for me. I made the decision to leave when Unai Emery arrived, even though he would have liked to keep me.

“I told him that me and Aston Villa were over. Something there was wrong.

“I was sure of myself and my qualities but certain things went very badly with a coach at Aston Villa, it was a bit unfair. The problem is that it was Steven Gerrard who arrived instead of Unai Emery.”

Blimey...where are those quotes from? Never seen him be so vocal about the situation. A real shame he didn't see Unai coming in as a chance to thrive.

Sound like he just decided Villa were a jinx for him in the end.

[Somniloquism]

I keep telling myself that we are in a great position, but it still feels deep down like a bubble burst a bit at that Sheffield United game and it's all been a bit deflated since.

We haven't hit the heights since the the Man City game but dropping points to Sheff Utd was more down to pathetic refereeing and VAR than anything else. There's no reason to think we can't kick on again. Playing McGinn in his best position will obviously help.

I honestly think we are missing Pau more. It is noticeable that since his injury we have been off pace with turning defence into attack or breaking down teams. Especially with Luiz also being off with his passing for several games. Pau plays against Sheffield United and we move the ball faster meaning they don't setup their bus as fast.

[Gareth]

I keep telling myself that we are in a great position, but it still feels deep down like a bubble burst a bit at that Sheffield United game and it's all been a bit deflated since.

We haven't hit the heights since the the Man City game but dropping points to Sheff Utd was more down to pathetic refereeing and VAR than anything else. There's no reason to think we can't kick on again. Playing McGinn in his best position will obviously help.

I honestly think we are missing Pau more. It is noticeable that since his injury we have been off pace with turning defence into attack or breaking down teams. Especially with Luiz also being off with his passing for several games. Pau plays against Sheffield United and we move the ball faster meaning they don't setup their bus as fast.

 I agree, Lenglet is not as good as Pau, Carlos definitely isn’t anything like as good as Konsa, Konsa is wasted instead of Cash and Moreno hasn’t been as good Digne was first half of season.

[JUAN PABLO]

If Philogene ever gets above the level of mid-table premier league, at best, I’ll be surprised. He looks alright, and good luck to him, but don’t think he looks like a top level game changer.

i'm glad you are not our scout, given the opportunity i think he is a top level player

agree with you

some Hull supporter I saw said Bowen was nowhere near as good as Jaden .   I know its one fan but shows how hes rated

[PaulWinch again]

Well if he is much better than Bowen he’s some player and I’ve obviously missed something.

[Mister E]

Well if he is much better than Bowen he’s some player and I’ve obviously missed something.

... and we should be trying to get him back asap. If ...

[tomd2103]

I keep telling myself that we are in a great position, but it still feels deep down like a bubble burst a bit at that Sheffield United game and it's all been a bit deflated since.

We haven't hit the heights since the the Man City game but dropping points to Sheff Utd was more down to pathetic refereeing and VAR than anything else. There's no reason to think we can't kick on again. Playing McGinn in his best position will obviously help.  If the reality is that we can't make significant additions to the squad because of FFP then so be it.

I.know and maybe I just let myself get carried away a bit.  The thought of leaving Villa Park that Friday night top of the league and maybe in serious contention was a great one, so I suppose it was natural to feel a bit deflated.

It just felt at thst point that everything was moving in a forward direction.  Since then though, performances have been a bit indifferent (though results have been OK), Chris Heck has created a bit of uncertainty with some poorly handled interventions, key players can't seem to shake off niggling injuries and it looks like we are going to be hampered in bringing on any quality new signings that could have helped us maintain our push at the top end of the table. 

Suppose that's what the heart says.  Head says that we are still in a very good position which everyone would have taken at this stage of the season.  If we can maintain the kind of form we have achieved under Unai Emery so far for the rest of the season then we should be right in the mix.

[Flamingo Lane]

I keep telling myself that we are in a great position, but it still feels deep down like a bubble burst a bit at that Sheffield United game and it's all been a bit deflated since.

It does feel a bit like that. Actually though, since then we have won two, drawn one and lost one. Win tonight, and things will feel different going into next Tuesday's game which, being at home, we should win as well.

[London Villan]

I think the sheff u and man u games were a turning point. We should have won both and if we had we’d still be top. Thats when we blew the title challenge…

[Toronto Villa]

Well if he is much better than Bowen he’s some player and I’ve obviously missed something.

Me too. Bowen is doing it in the PL and has done for a good while.

[DrGonzo]

Well if he is much better than Bowen he’s some player and I’ve obviously missed something.

Me too. Bowen is doing it in the PL and has done for a good while.

Clearly he isn't, rather like me saying SJM is a better player than De Bruyne.

[ASHTONVILLA]

Well if he is much better than Bowen he’s some player and I’ve obviously missed something.

Me too. Bowen is doing it in the PL and has done for a good while.

Clearly he isn't, rather like me saying SJM is a better player than De Bruyne.

I assume they meant in comparison to Bowen when he was at Hull, rather than Bowen now.

I have had a team of electricians from Hull fitting out the lighting in my glasshouse for the last couple of weeks. Two of them support Hull (the rest all support Leeds). They reckon he is as good a player as they have had in years, and better than Bowen was before he signed for West Ham.

I’d be happy to take him back next season, but fully understand why we sold him. Similar to when Cahill went to Bolton to get game time.

[brontebilly]

I keep telling myself that we are in a great position, but it still feels deep down like a bubble burst a bit at that Sheffield United game and it's all been a bit deflated since.

We haven't hit the heights since the the Man City game but dropping points to Sheff Utd was more down to pathetic refereeing and VAR than anything else. There's no reason to think we can't kick on again. Playing McGinn in his best position will obviously help.

I honestly think we are missing Pau more. It is noticeable that since his injury we have been off pace with turning defence into attack or breaking down teams. Especially with Luiz also being off with his passing for several games. Pau plays against Sheffield United and we move the ball faster meaning they don't setup their bus as fast.

 I agree, Lenglet is not as good as Pau, Carlos definitely isn’t anything like as good as Konsa, Konsa is wasted instead of Cash and Moreno hasn’t been as good Digne was first half of season.

Thought Moreno had a good game at Everton. Huge impact off bench against Brentford too. Mixed enough in between. Different kind of test tonight against Sterling most likely but I think at his best he offers a lot more than Digne.

Konsa at RB is on Emery and has worked well in only one game, Man City.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I keep telling myself that we are in a great position, but it still feels deep down like a bubble burst a bit at that Sheffield United game and it's all been a bit deflated since.

We haven't hit the heights since the the Man City game but dropping points to Sheff Utd was more down to pathetic refereeing and VAR than anything else. There's no reason to think we can't kick on again. Playing McGinn in his best position will obviously help.

I honestly think we are missing Pau more. It is noticeable that since his injury we have been off pace with turning defence into attack or breaking down teams. Especially with Luiz also being off with his passing for several games. Pau plays against Sheffield United and we move the ball faster meaning they don't setup their bus as fast.

True but if there was one area that I believe has brought us success, more than any other thus far it has been our midfield. They're such a joy to watch when on form though as Gareth points out our defence has been chopped and changed these last two months. Pau (and at times Konsa) certainly allows our midfield to sit higher up the pitch and avoids us watching Dougie and SJM coming deep to pick up the ball. Neither have looked as effective as we know they should be. The Pau factor and team selection have both played an impact recently.

Ask me again at 10pm.