Summer 2025 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think any plans of replacing Watkins are now down the drain.If we are to keep him we need to find a better way to serve him. He's limited in ability but does have his strengths that bring in the goals.

Unai needs to give him a reminder of just sticking in the centre and more importantly getting the ball released early for him to chase. The passing the ball endlessly at the back does him absolutely no favours as does the hoofing it up to him through the clouds. I think he broke another of Gabby's records this season, the fewest touches in 45 minutes. Too often recently you forgot he (and Rogers) were on the pitch. That's more down to tactics than either failing to control a pass.

Some speed merchants our wide would also go a long way to increasing the probability of us scoring more. We need more people chipping in with the goals, as let's face it,  despite our defence not being the strongest this season, it was the lack of goals that defined our season when compared to those around us.

[ozzjim]

I agree Chris.  I can’t think of a time this season when I’ve missed either player.  The reason we’ve not made CL this year isn’t because we’ve been worse going forward. 

Of course it is. We've scored 18 less goals this season. We've been 10 goals better defensively, but lost 18 goals going forward. To say we've not missed Diaby and Luiz from an attacking perspective is simply untrue. The stats, and the style of play both play that out. We've won a number of games by the odd goal, but have lacked the ability to create chances in the same way this season.

[Dave]

Anyone know what is happening with Moreno? Coming back, being bought by Forest? Just forgotten by everyone when making lists of players and their values?

Think I saw a social media thing from him, a "Thanks Forest, good luck in the future" sort of thing. So I'm guessing they're not buying him.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

As always agree with Ozz. Compare our goals for and against with those clubs around us.

[Rigadon]

I agree Chris.  I can’t think of a time this season when I’ve missed either player.  The reason we’ve not made CL this year isn’t because we’ve been worse going forward. 

Of course it is. We've scored 18 less goals this season. We've been 10 goals better defensively, but lost 18 goals going forward. To say we've not missed Diaby and Luiz from an attacking perspective is simply untrue. The stats, and the style of play both play that out. We've won a number of games by the odd goal, but have lacked the ability to create chances in the same way this season.

That's an interesting stat that I didn't know.  I'm still not sure it's conclusive evidence that Luiz or (in particular) Diaby would've been worth 18 more goals this season.  I certainly haven't pined for them.  We've had games when we've missed key chances and conceded late goals - that's what's done for us (that and an inexperienced referee).  Also Watkins hasn't been as clinical. 

[OCD]

Also need to consider that teams are more aware of how we play and are better setting up against us. Scoring fewer isn't just down to personnel.

[john e]

I think Watkins leaving will be down to what offers we get for him if any and from who

[Dave]

I'm still not sure it's conclusive evidence that Luiz or (in particular) Diaby would've been worth 18 more goals this season.  I certainly haven't pined for them.  We've had games when we've missed key chances and conceded late goals - that's what's done for us (that and an inexperienced referee).  Also Watkins hasn't been as clinical. 

Ultimately, Rogers' improvement hasn't been enough to compensate for the loss of Diaby and Bailey's drop in form.

Having a semi-competent penalty taker would have made up for a lot of what we lost from Douglas Luiz.

[Rigadon]

I'm still not sure it's conclusive evidence that Luiz or (in particular) Diaby would've been worth 18 more goals this season.  I certainly haven't pined for them.  We've had games when we've missed key chances and conceded late goals - that's what's done for us (that and an inexperienced referee).  Also Watkins hasn't been as clinical. 

Ultimately, Rogers' improvement hasn't been enough to compensate for the loss of Diaby and Bailey's drop in form.

Having a semi-competent penalty taker would have made up for a lot of what we lost from Douglas Luiz.

Good point regarding Bailey - he's had a tremendous drop in form in comparison with last season.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

As good as he can be, it wouldn't be the end of the world selling Rogers. I'd prefer we keep him but when he's out on the right it's like playing with 10 men (9 if you count Watkins) for most of the game. I prefer to see Rogers as the 10, if Asensio is to fill that roll I'd have Rogers on the bench and somebody more suited like Malen or a signing on the right.

[SaddVillan]

Don't forget our sigming from Kasimpasa.

https://x.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1888951352992129137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1888951352992129137%7Ctwgr%5Eeb0bf83265d1c8d5eb9ed0d36a4eb0bd9c47764e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F6126232%2F2025%2F02%2F10%2Faston-villa-yasin-ozcan-transfer%2F

[Dave]

Don't forget our sigming from Kasimpasa.

https://x.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1888951352992129137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1888951352992129137%7Ctwgr%5Eeb0bf83265d1c8d5eb9ed0d36a4eb0bd9c47764e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F6126232%2F2025%2F02%2F10%2Faston-villa-yasin-ozcan-transfer%2F

Yup, who comes with good pedigree.

I'd be keen to keep Mings, but all of him Ozcan and Pau for the LCB position feels like a lot.

[Somniloquism]

I would also argue that Emery trying to use his squad more might also have had unintended consequences. Last year we had four players over 3000 mins where this year we have two, (and we all know which two.) Last year we had nine over 2000 minutes, this year we had six. I'm not denigrating it as it was needed but we also know he was taking off players who just scored and were raring, and bringing on players who then weren't getting up to speed. (More short term injuries probably impacted those stats as well).

I suspect even with Diaby and Luiz here, we probably would have been playing more conservatively to ensure we didn't burn out like last season, although Diaby's pace would have helped in some of the games.

[Ian.]

We’d be mad to sell Roger’s and I think or hope Emery wouldn’t even contemplate it. He’s been outstanding.

[paul_e]

What is the respective Xg for the past two seasons?

I've certainly felt that we don't look as threatening going forward and create fewer chances and look less secure at the back, particularly later in games. But I accept the point tally doesn't really support that.

this season
For 56
Against 50

last season
For 63
Against 60