Winter 25-26 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[Ian.]

Dougie! That would be a smart move.

[LeeS]

5 pens in there and all different. His delivery from set pieces was exceptional. I’d be happy to have him back.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

If we can get him on loan (but with an option) then fair enough. He’d be an underwhelming signing if permanent

Im in the same boat. I was a big fan when he was here but he’s not really played since he left, he’d be ok as cover to help us out.

[Tayls_7]

By my calculations, if Dougie returns it increases the chances of FV returning to this forum from his self-imposed exile (?) by 71.9%.

[London Villan]

He was a key player in the team that got us 4th. Teilemans is now the only player where we don’t have a replacement/understudy. It makes a lot of sense.

[algy]

It’s the Villa All-stars!

I could see the reasoning. We need a bit of reinforcement in the middle to keep the momentum going. Dougie and Bailey both know the club, know Unai, and are unlikely to upset the apple cart. Tammy too, to some extent.

If Emery thinks we have a shot at the league title, and he’d be perfectly justified in that, it makes sense not to upset anything by bringing a completely new player in who might potentially unnerve our existing players.

Maybe loan with a reasonably priced option to buy for Dougie? He’s not been great since he left us, but maybe he just needs a particular basque’s arm around his shoulder.

—

It’s obviously a hypothetical thing as it’s highly unlikely to happen, but it’d be both funny & tragic if we were to win the league, and the one notable absence from the players that’s taken us there from the championship was the one who could’ve been the greatest of all. Imagine trading that for a few trinkets that all come with an asterisk anyway.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Doug can take a penalty as well*, should we ever get one.

*Olympiacos accepted.

[Dave]

If this does happen, I couldn't be more comfortable with it.

If what we're trying to do is bring in a player for the next three - four years who will replace Barkley and start to move McGinn to the bench as he gets older then he's obviously not that.

But if what we're trying to do is fill a pretty alarming gap that has suddenly opened up in an important area for the pitch for the next two to three months with someone who can play two or three roles well, knows the system, the expectations and his team mates, who can do either sixty minutes or thirty as the circumstances require then I can't really think of anyone who would be better suited. He's exactly what we need to get through the supposedly easier fixtures of February and March before the business end.

As well as the (already-mentioned) penalties, I also wouldn't mind seeing a few of his corners back, swinging in towards Onana and Abraham.

[PeterWithe]

As an aside, Barkley was on FB disputing a post on a Villa site that his contract is up in June.

[Pat Mustard]

The only time I've really watched Dougie this season was in Forest's first Europa League match against Betis, and he absolutely ran the show in the first half, only to be subbed at half time by Ange.  Not sure if that is to do with some clause around minutes, but I remember at the time thinking it was utterly bizarre - with the squad we have around him I still think he could do a great job.

[Monty]

Maybe I'm alone in not being a fan of this.

If he's being considered as an option to rest Tielemans occasionally then fair enough, but he was a terrible stand in for Kamara. Admittedly he was exhausted at the tail end of that season, but still.

We have onana and Bogarde now so hopefully he’s not needed there.  My worry is this has come about following a knock to Tielemans, the player he is best suited to replace.

Touch wood but I think this is clearly a response to the Kamara injury, FWIW. Emery seems to have a slightly weird view of the midfield as a wholly fungible thing, so I accept that Doug could be a replacement for either. But, I think, it's for Bouba.

[DrGonzo]

Luiz feels like the right move financially. boring I know.  Malen out for Abraham changes our structure when needed and maintains the FFP tightrope balancing act.  Bailey will probably be retained for the season.  Unless we see Guessand leaving on a permanent deal I would imagine that will be that.

[aj2k77]

Just missing Grealish from the old gang now....

[Smirker]

Luiz isn't boring. It's ball-tingling. 

[DrGonzo]

 Boring in terms of it being a deal that is rooted in financial common sense.