Donyell Malen

[Somniloquism]

If we sign him, he can play for us in the UEFA ECL froom the round of 16 onwards and won't be cup-tied.

He's appeared in 5 games for Dortmund in the ECL this season. 2 goals scored

•46.01: As of the round of 16, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players for the remaining matches in the current competition. Such registration must be completed by 2 February 2024 (24.00CET) at the latest. This deadline cannot be extended.
•46.02: Any or all of the players from the above quota of three may have been fielded for another club in the qualifying phase, play-offs or group stage of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League.

Players aren't cup-tied in European competitions any more? Wow. That's quite a big change, and I suspect it's a move that will make January transfer windows a bit busier moving forward.

Although you can only make a couple of changes to the squad I believe. (but that might be if you have a full squad anyway, I think ours is four short.)

[Dave]

Although you can only make a couple of changes to the squad I believe. (but that might be if you have a full squad anyway, I think ours is four short.)

Isn't ours only short though because we haven't got enough club-developed players to fill those mandatory spots - only Ramsey and Philogene?

Unless we're signing Chukwuemeka, Grealish or Archer back we're probably not going to fill those spaces.

[Somniloquism]

No idea, just know we have 21 edit 23 listed in the A squad out of 25. But in that case we are back to swaps aren't we and we would have to take someone out for Malen if we signed him who isn't Philogene or Ramsey. Maybe Buendia?

https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/52683--aston-villa/squad/

[Dave]

Yup, Buendia definitely looks to be the fall-guy if we bring a new attacker in.

Bigger issue is who drops out if we do sign a new right-sided defender - presumably Diego Carlos?

[SoccerHQ]

Werner and Sancho were the exact two I were thinking of. Huge number of assists in Bundesliga but less impact in tighter spaces here. Diaby was also hit and miss here although we rarely played him out wide and I think he'd have kicked on if he'd stayed.

The others listed are CFs or in De Bruyne's case someone who was moved into central midfield.

Not quite sure what your point is here.

Are you saying that the players I listed didn't adapt well to the Premier League? Or that there are other leagues with a better success rate than the Bundesliga for forwards (or probably any players, come to think of it) moving to the Premier League?

Just Werner and Sancho. Both looked top level in the Bundesliga first time, both massively flopped in premier league for the clubs that signed them. Sancho looks better at Chelsea but still not quite his dominant Bundesliga self.

As said I think in Bundesliga around 2018/19 you had even bottom half teams parking their defences on halfway line so that gave half a pitch for Sancho or Werner to run into to score or assist.

Less so in prem so if you're a wide player facing a low block you need a bit more to your game. It has changed now with the endless passing from the back so wide players can get chances that wide.

[Somniloquism]

Yup, Buendia definitely looks to be the fall-guy if we bring a new attacker in.

Bigger issue is who drops out if we do sign a new right-sided defender - presumably Diego Carlos?

Or drop one of the other two A list keepers and keep our fingers crossed a kid could step up.

[Dave]

Werner and Sancho were the exact two I were thinking of. Huge number of assists in Bundesliga but less impact in tighter spaces here. Diaby was also hit and miss here although we rarely played him out wide and I think he'd have kicked on if he'd stayed.

The others listed are CFs or in De Bruyne's case someone who was moved into central midfield.

Not quite sure what your point is here.

Are you saying that the players I listed didn't adapt well to the Premier League? Or that there are other leagues with a better success rate than the Bundesliga for forwards (or probably any players, come to think of it) moving to the Premier League?

Just Werner and Sancho. Both looked top level in the Bundesliga first time, both massively flopped in premier league for the clubs that signed them. Sancho looks better at Chelsea but still not quite his dominant Bundesliga self.

As said I think in Bundesliga around 2018/19 you had even bottom half teams parking their defences on halfway line so that gave half a pitch for Sancho or Werner to run into to score or assist.

Less so in prem so if you're a wide player facing a low block you need a bit more to your game. It has changed now with the endless passing from the back so wide players can get chances that wide.

Sure, but I wasn't suggesting that every single transfer from the Bundlesliga was a success. Just that the hit rate is probably higher than from any other comparable league.

[Dave]

Yup, Buendia definitely looks to be the fall-guy if we bring a new attacker in.

Bigger issue is who drops out if we do sign a new right-sided defender - presumably Diego Carlos?

Or drop one of the other two A list keepers and keep our fingers crossed a kid could step up.

Not a bad shout. Presumably there's not that much difference between Gauci and Zwych being sub keeper if Emi is out.

[murgsy]

I think he would be a good signing. He seems fairly quick, stronger than Diaby or Bailey and a bit more direct. Being Romanian born, watched him at the euros and he tormented us on our weaker defensive side.

[Rigadon]

If he's a better option than Leon Bailey then great.  I've never heard of him.

[Somniloquism]

If he's a better option than Leon Bailey then great.  I've never heard of him.

Although had you heard of Bailey or Diaby before we were linked with them?

[Rigadon]

If he's a better option than Leon Bailey then great.  I've never heard of him.

Although had you heard of Bailey or Diaby before we were linked with them?

Nope. I'm quite the ignoramus about other clubs players, especially when they play in other countries.

[PaulWinch again]

If he's a better option than Leon Bailey then great.  I've never heard of him.

Bailey has shown he can be very good - I still maintain I don’t think he’s great if he’s the “main man” I think competition/support might help release him a bit. Might be wrong, but it’s such a marked difference in terms of performance either side of Diaby being here. It could be he just got on with him well, but I think this will help him.

[paul_e]

No idea, just know we have 21 edit 23 listed in the A squad out of 25. But in that case we are back to swaps aren't we and we would have to take someone out for Malen if we signed him who isn't Philogene or Ramsey. Maybe Buendia?

https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/52683--aston-villa/squad/

Yes, 23 is the limit for us because of the 'club-trained' element that is reserved for 4 places.

Additionally we can only make 3 changes in total (not technically true but you need to sell 5 players to get a 4th spot and 7 to get a 5th).

The club-trained bit is what is really going to hurt us because we keep selling the players who could 'fill a gap'.

From that list the 2 that stand out as options to remove are Buendia and Ned, neither of which really offer us much based on how they've bene used so far. Both of them being replaced would help, especially if the Ned replacement is someone who can play CB and RB. If Torres hadn't been injured I'd have said replace Carlos as well but I don't think that's an option now.

[Dante Lavelli]

Malen IN and Philogene (loan) and Buendia OUT improves the composition of the squad and probably balances the looks.  Ultimately seems a very logical and PSR inspired move. 

I’d prefer a try before you buy loan deal as I’d go big for this position in the summer whereas this deal may block that option.