Transfer speculation 2016/17

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/08/04/leeds-united-poised-to-move-for-unwanted-aston-villa-defender-jo/?

I see this as a positive in that it confirms that Dr T and RDM are serious about clearing the decks. Lescott would have been decent cover for Baker this season in the Championship, but there's probably too much friction between him and the fans to make it work.

Ok cool to know. I have 0 itk knowledge but a complete love for my club. Anyway after watching you tube and visiting Fulham sites i now know what a gem of a player we have on our hands. Also by breaking the championship transfer record we have really turned some heads.

Interesting week so far after having to play catch up.. a couple of actual positives.

Still can't understand why a technical director wasn't the first role to be filled after Dr. Tony bought the club, considering we had a fresh start and needed to learn from recent mistakes e.g. rushed buys/ managerial picks who become unwanted players as soon as the manager is sacked etc.

CLARK OUT: Great. For me, with the early promises of a ruthless clear out from Dr T, I was hoping it would mean the end for some lingering, error-ridden, costly, loss-after-loss, ineffective players and last season we saw Richardson (contract expired, gone), Clark (now sold), Sanchez (lingering, will hopefully be sold), Westwood (will still be with Villa when he's 40 and talked about as being 'potentially good/neat' without ever justifying a position) and Hutton (so good, we don't even need a second right back?). Two down so far.. but the worrying part is neither have been through Villa's doing.. Richardson's contract expired and Newcastle came in to take Clark by meeting his release clause. The other players we've let go have been wanted players by other clubs (Gueye, Gil, Guzan.. same will apply to Sinclair) so it's been anything but 'ruthless' so far. I think Newcastle have done us a big favour by taking Clark, as I was envisioning a season where Baker starts off brightly before picking up an injury, leaving us with Clark as our LCB. Bullet dodged.

MCCORMACK IN: Earlier in the summer I wouldn't have understood it as our strikers seemed to be the only section of our first 11 that didn't need to be altered- I thought to maximise our attacking threat, our main investment should be adding goals and assists to our midfield in the form of Matt Ritchie or Bakary Sako.. however as time has gone on these kinds of options have either disappeared or look unlikely. IF we keep Gestede and Ayew, then McCormack will be a good addition, IF all three play together. Switching McCormack (a 20 goal a season Championship striker) for Gestede (a 20 goal a season Championship striker) would make no sense. Also, allowing it to be a reason for selling Ayew would make no sense. RDM has basically played Ayew in attacking midfield this pre-season and he's left Gestede stranded up front.. Grealish has also struggled to prove in the few chances he's had that he can be relied upon for consistent end product.. looking at the vs. Middlesbrough line-up, if McCormack takes a position next to Gestede and Ayew takes Grealish's role, we'd be a strong attacking force, and goals would be likely in every game we play. However, they'd still need to be assisted.. right now from midfield, our highest assister is Veretout IF he stays [Westwood out, Veretout in, next to Tshibola) and suddenly the attack and midfield is looking better balanced.. and the demand for the golden promotion winning 80 goals is looking a little more realistic.

SIGNINGS STILL NEEDED:
-Right back: The right side of our pitch simply doesn't function either in attack or defence with Hutton- will make or break our season.
-Creative midfielder: Right now, Grealish is the only 'playmaker' in the squad, and may not even feature in the first 11 if Ayew is switched to attacking mid.
-Right/Left midfielder: If Sinclair goes, Gil's gone.. we're lacking in these areas.
-Keeper: If Gollini struggles, we risk our whole season without a reliable plan B.
Let's hope Dr T and RDM have these positions in mind when referring to another 3 or 4 ins.

Mr Natterjack wrote:Interesting week so far after having to play catch up.. a couple of actual positives.

Still can't understand why a technical director wasn't the first role to be filled after Dr. Tony bought the club, considering we had a fresh start and needed to learn from recent mistakes e.g. rushed buys/ managerial picks who become unwanted players as soon as the manager is sacked etc.

CLARK OUT: Great. For me, with the early promises of a ruthless clear out from Dr T, I was hoping it would mean the end for some lingering, error-ridden, costly, loss-after-loss, ineffective players and last season we saw Richardson (contract expired, gone), Clark (now sold), Sanchez (lingering, will hopefully be sold), Westwood (will still be with Villa when he's 40 and talked about as being 'potentially good/neat' without ever justifying a position) and Hutton (so good, we don't even need a second right back?). Two down so far.. but the worrying part is neither have been through Villa's doing.. Richardson's contract expired and Newcastle came in to take Clark by meeting his release clause. The other players we've let go have been wanted players by other clubs (Gueye, Gil, Guzan.. same will apply to Sinclair) so it's been anything but 'ruthless' so far. I think Newcastle have done us a big favour by taking Clark, as I was envisioning a season where Baker starts off brightly before picking up an injury, leaving us with Clark as our LCB. Bullet dodged.

MCCORMACK IN: Earlier in the summer I wouldn't have understood it as our strikers seemed to be the only section of our first 11 that didn't need to be altered- I thought to maximise our attacking threat, our main investment should be adding goals and assists to our midfield in the form of Matt Ritchie or Bakary Sako.. however as time has gone on these kinds of options have either disappeared or look unlikely. IF we keep Gestede and Ayew, then McCormack will be a good addition, IF all three play together. Switching McCormack (a 20 goal a season Championship striker) for Gestede (a 20 goal a season Championship striker) would make no sense. Also, allowing it to be a reason for selling Ayew would make no sense. RDM has basically played Ayew in attacking midfield this pre-season and he's left Gestede stranded up front.. Grealish has also struggled to prove in the few chances he's had that he can be relied upon for consistent end product.. looking at the vs. Middlesbrough line-up, if McCormack takes a position next to Gestede and Ayew takes Grealish's role, we'd be a strong attacking force, and goals would be likely in every game we play. However, they'd still need to be assisted.. right now from midfield, our highest assister is Veretout IF he stays [Westwood out, Veretout in, next to Tshibola) and suddenly the attack and midfield is looking better balanced.. and the demand for the golden promotion winning 80 goals is looking a little more realistic.

SIGNINGS STILL NEEDED:
-Right back: The right side of our pitch simply doesn't function either in attack or defence with Hutton- will make or break our season.
-Creative midfielder: Right now, Grealish is the only 'playmaker' in the squad, and may not even feature in the first 11 if Ayew is switched to attacking mid.
-Right/Left midfielder: If Sinclair goes, Gil's gone.. we're lacking in these areas.
-Keeper: If Gollini struggles, we risk our whole season without a reliable plan B.
Let's hope Dr T and RDM have these positions in mind when referring to another 3 or 4 ins.

Could not agree more.

Good post, Mr. N. I like to think that our cull is going to step up in the remaining weeks as some players realise that they have no place at Aston Villa. Already we have a heartening rumour about a Championship rival eyeing up Lescott (so again a move that has nothing to do with us being ruthless) and I live in the hope that Burnley will revive their interest in Westwood.

Another 'keeper is a good shout and Pantillimon has been a story that's come up a few times. A battle for #1 might even benefit both players.

just like to give a few thoughts on clark, he told the manager he would be staying and then he decides to join our direct rivals in the championship, if he was a better player i would be much more angry.

lukevilla wrote:just like to give a few thoughts on clark, he told the manager he would be staying and then he decides to join our direct rivals in the championship, if he was a better player i would be much more angry.

Totally sums up the modern player...stinks of DELPH THE DIPSTICK apart from the fact that clark isnt fit to even polish his boots! Makes me worry about Ayew though as i have a bad feeling he will also migrate to pastures new.

Ayew is irreplaceable, in the sense that he is much better than any potential replacement.

One bit of news .... Leanne and Jim_Villan have added to the ranks of Villa fans with a beautiful bouncing baby boy. He weighs in at ten pounds and will be a real prospect! Congratulations.

     

We heard this great news at 9.32 pm last night and we are overjoyed. Thinking of putting a sneaky bet on for Indy to be future England manager ( if big sam can do it then why the hell not lol)

Ivan Kraschinsky wrote:We heard this great news at 9.32 pm last night and we are overjoyed. Thinking of putting a sneaky bet on for Indy to be future England manager ( if big sam can do it then why the hell not lol)

Like it a lot!

Congrats!

Cheers lads much appreciated. He should be coming home just in time to see Villas first win of the new season!!

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/scott-sinclair-delighted-completes-celtic-8573460?#EVidWCC8ArwSOadK.97

Another done deal. Scott Sinclair leaves for Celtic. He could have been a lot more effective for us if we'd played a different type of football, and he would have been okay in the Championship. I'm sure he'll do well back with Brendan.