The Aston Villa Fan Club

[shaz619]

Destroyed Birmingham today and moved into no.2

We coming for you [MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION] [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] We coming

)

 

[shaz619]

I will probably go to watch Villa v any side in the PL, great stadium and great atmosphere.

Credit to the Dean Smith, he came in when the side was struggling and totaly transfromed the fortunes. Has to be one of the all time great turnarounds by a manager coming in.

View attachment 91763

Unlike a certain manager in EPL who had quiet a bit of hype after replacing a big manager, Smith took us all the way to glory but I must say I didn't expect it he surprised everyone when expectations were at an all time low, haha he deserves nothing less then a knighthood hopefully the prince makes a few phone calls lol

Definitely mate, awesome ground, city and club; can't wait for the upcoming season. Will be awesome to attend games with us playing the big guns once again, man I can't describe the feeling; am sure many people experience a lot of highs and lows in the EPL but just playing in the top echelons of football is taken for granted by many

 

[shaz619]

 

[shaz619]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An Aston Villa fan as manager.<br><br>An Aston Villa fan as captain.<br><br>And 38,000 jubilant Aston Villa fans at Wembley.<br><br>&#55356;&#57286; <a href="https://t.co/VtWFIK8hv4">pic.twitter.com/VtWFIK8hv4</a></p>— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCMOTD/status/1133047683806040065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[shaykh]

We're going up!!...

What a great moment... At the beginning of the season it looked like we were going into administration... 13th in March... And now going up...

This feels sweeter than finishing in the top 2..

Back playing in the best league in the world... 170m better off and now we get to keep our best players...

So relieved... Those last 15mins passed by sooo slowly

 

[hadi123]

After Villa went 2-0 up, they looked all over the place but they held on to their lead. Congratulations to Villa

 

[Nostalgic]

Now we know what Misbah-ul-Haq has been up to since retiring from cricket...

 

[Markhor]

Well done !

Villa Park is one of England's top grounds and the club has a proud history. Good to see them back.

 

[shaykh]

Thanks for the congrats...

Of that 170m we will have to pay Lerner 30m as a payoff...part of the Xia approach...I reckon the rest of his shares will be bought by Edens, Sayyef and Purslow...

I feel so much more confident with these three guys at the helm...legitimately successful people who have a vision for the club...Purslow alluded in his interview that we were a year ahead of schedule...

Seeing some of the vids of the players celebrating I would be shocked if they aren't here in August...

https://twitter.com/itsdxnni/status/1133093978100908032

Mings loves us ...

Now comes the fun part...building for August...we got Atletico's old scout Suso who hopefully will find a few gems...bargains are to be found but not in England...

That said we have been linked with the fantastically named Joe Aribo who's available on a free an i suspect will be a centre mid squad player...

I'm always hoping a few guys will come up from the academy like Jack has...

Usually the guys I hype the most turn out to be awful...I had high hopes for Luke Moore and Nathan Delfouneso once upon a time...but I think we might give Jacob Ramsey a crack next term...

Most important thing now is to buy all our loan signings...

 

[shaz619]

Thanks for the congrats...

Of that 170m we will have to pay Lerner 30m as a payoff...part of the Xia approach...I reckon the rest of his shares will be bought by Edens, Sayyef and Purslow...

I feel so much more confident with these three guys at the helm...legitimately successful people who have a vision for the club...Purslow alluded in his interview that we were a year ahead of schedule...

Seeing some of the vids of the players celebrating I would be shocked if they aren't here in August...

https://twitter.com/itsdxnni/status/1133093978100908032

Mings loves us ...

Now comes the fun part...building for August...we got Atletico's old scout Suso who hopefully will find a few gems...bargains are to be found but not in England...

That said we have been linked with the fantastically named Joe Aribo who's available on a free an i suspect will be a centre mid squad player...

I'm always hoping a few guys will come up from the academy like Jack has...

Usually the guys I hype the most turn out to be awful...I had high hopes for Luke Moore and Nathan Delfouneso once upon a time...but I think we might give Jacob Ramsey a crack next term...

Most important thing now is to buy all our loan signings...

Btw am not sure how financial fair play works with regards to promotion ? how much of a clean slate do we get but that 170 mill at the very least should help us balance the books right but ideally you want to use that to plan the season ahead primarily as you say

What an excellent bunch though, I have faith in these guys and want us to retain the core squad everyone is a thoroughbred Villa fan

 

[shaz619]

Well done !

Villa Park is one of England's top grounds and the club has a proud history. Good to see them back.

Nice one mate, hope to see you at Villa park soon

 

[shaykh]

So having a look finances...this is a bit long but i hope it's useful...

So where do we get revenue from?...

ATTENDANCES

Generally been awful for a while but they have picked up this season...and cos we lack TV revenue attendances are especially crucial...to put things in perspective we were getting 21.4m for matchday income in 2011 afterwhich is halved...last season it was 11.8m which despite being low for us was still the highest in the league...and this year our average has been 35,000 compared to 32,000 last season...

Now that we are back in the Prem we should generate more income here...as attendances increase...

TV Deal

Well we didn't have any of Xia's money being pumped into the club...and we were surviving primarily due to parachute payments...this being the third and final year of them...those saw a fall from £40m to 34m...

So EFL clubs earn about £2.5 million from the broadcast contract plus £100-140,000 for a home match that takes place before the cameras and £10,000 for an away match...

Bear in mind that we were operating at a £40m loss nearly putting us into administration with a chairman with no money...thankfully Sayyef, Edens and Purslow have saved us...

OTHER NON PLAYING AREAS

Commercial income naturally fell when we got relegated...halved actually...was £31m in 2016...in 2018 this was £16.4m...sponsorship dropped by £9.1 million to £2.7 million...

Other commercial revenue, such as merchandise, royalties and corporate entertaining, fell from £16 million to £9.6 million...

Getting to the prem will naturally increase funds in these areas...and trusting the nouse of our board we should be able to do some good deals...

This isn't even discussing the players but what's incredible is our turnover of £68.6m was our worst ever...but was still the best in the Championship...we are after all a big club...we were on £108.8 the season we got relegated...

PLAYER WAGES

So what Xia did which nearly sent us into administration was gamble with player signings and wages...so we spent £73m on wages last season which was more that our total turnover...the thing is a lot of that was wasted money as i will show...Wolves btw were second highest on £50m...incredibly the likes of Sheff Utd were on 19m...

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

According to Purslow:

“We’re moving in the right direction. Thanks to our new majority owners, we have a completely clean balance sheet, the financial problems the club had incurred were all cleared with the investors’ money and we now have a very strong financial base.”

“Nassef and Wes sent in tens of millions of pounds directly into the club, clearing the liabilities and effectively creating a clean slate on which to build a recovery for the club.

This is why it was a bit silly for Xia to even be there today...he didn't have any money to invest or in short to cover the money that we owed to the taxman...our new chairmen have been able to fund the club...I mean we were able to get Jack to sign a new contract and get all our loan signings, sign a 7m keeper...all according to Purslow whilst working within the parameters of FFP...

Here is the stuff regarding players and wages which is worth a look...

OUTGOINGS
Amavi (9m and 30kpw off the wage bill)
Gollini (4m and 20k)
Gil (1.6m and 28k)
Terry retirement (60k)
Total = 14.6m + 138k off wages

INCOMINGS
Kalinic 5.4m + 30k
Guilbert 4.5m + 15k
McGinn 2.8k + 25k
Nyland 2.7m + 20k
Total - 15.4m + 90k

So we slashed the wage bill somewhat there...and we also sent lots of players out on loan...for next season...

OUT OF CONTRACT
Elphick 25kpw
Hutton 30k
Whelan 30k
Bunn 15k
Micah Richards FINALLYYYY!! 50k
Jedinak 50k
Carroll 28k
TOTAL - 228k off the books

Out of Contract Players We Will Likely Sign (obviously these wages will go up)
Green 6k
Steer 8k

Possible Outgoings
Adomah 25k
Lansbury 40k
Bjarnason 25k
De Laet 25k
McCormack 40k
Hogan 35k
Bree 20k
Gardner 10k
Tshibola 10k

Either sell this bunch of misfits or send them out on loan...Realistically we could sell a few of these guys...what we did well was send a few of these guys out on loan...potentially this could be 240k off the wage bill...looking at those wages you see what an awful job we did pre-Smith...

POSSIBLE INCOMINGS/OUR LOANEES

El Ghazi 31k
Tuanzebe 5k
Hause 8k
Tammy 50k
Mings 25k

Who knows how much extra we will pay...for Hause and Mings I presume a substantial increase...

So to put things in perspective 170m is a shedload...cos we aren't really operating at a loss anymore...

Suso seems to be quite shrewd in the market and unlike Fulham I don't think we will waste all our money on a brand new squad...101m spent on 8 players and then a whole host of loan signings too...


What is the 170m?

So Huddersfield made 94m just from TV despite finishing bottom this season...and parachute payments are £75m if you get relegated...hence that £170m figure...

In fact according to Deloitte survival next season could net us £280m...and of course this is minus the rising attendances, commercial revenue etc...

SO CAN WE BUY PLAYERS?
Absolutely...the massive influx of money we are about to receive alongside commercial revenue...slashing of the wages through sales, out of contract players and loans should leave us with plenty of money to strengthen key areas...especially cos we CANNOT afford to get relegated again...

SOME CONCLUDING COMMENTS

Purslow says we are working within the constraints of FFP...
TV deal is gonna increase our revenue to serious levels...
Attendance revenue will increase...
Commercial revenue will increase...

Sayyef, Edens, Purslow and Suso seem to know what's up...and with Smith they have a great guy at the helm...it's a great time to be a villain...Sky is the Limit for this great club...

 

[shaykh]

So what kind of activity would I like to see this summer?

Lets look at our squad once the loans have gone home and our out of contract players have left...players in bold are surplus to requirements...

GK - Kalinic/Nyland
LD - Taylor
CD - Chester
RD - Elmo, Bree, De Laet
CM - Hourihane, Grealish, McGinn, Lansbury, Tshibola, Bjarnason
W - Adomah, O'Hare
F - Kodjia, Davis, Hogan, McCormack

This side as is is gonna get straight up relegated...

So first thing...

NEW CONTRACTS
Steer
Green (I am unimpressed by him but still think he has something)

SIGN UP THE LOANEES
Mings
Tuanzabe
El Ghazi
Hause
Tammy

I think Hause is available for 2m as part of the clause...El Ghazi is around 5m...Mings is an absolute must...Tammy apparently is 20m...im not sold on him as he misses a lot of chances but he's 21...just scored over 20 goals and has so much passion for the club...also it's crucial to retain the spine...

GET RID OF THE FOLLOWING
McCormack (anywhere)
Hogan (maybe Sheff Utd)
Lansbury (is anyone gonna wanna pay that wage?)
Tshibola (loan)
De Laet (loan)
Bjarnason (some Italian clubs are looking at him)
Bree (loan)

ALREADY SIGNED
Guilbert

So assuming even if the aforementioned surplus to requirement players aren't sold they won't be given a squad number...it would be nice to start here as our spine...

UPDATED SQUAD

GK - Steer/Kalinic/Nyland
LD - Taylor
CD - Mings/Tuanzebe/Hause/Chester
RD - Guilbert/Elmo
CM - Hourihane, Grealish, McGinn, Ramsey
LM - El Ghazi
RM - Green
CF - Tammy, Kodjia, Davis

That's a nice base with some clear areas for improvement for next season...

Especially for the way Smith likes to play we need a replacement for Adomah...someone good enough to slot into the first team...and maybe another winger as backup...we have been linked with Ryan Kent who has done well at Rangers...

Guilbert has apparently been excellent this season...and i'm curious to see how he performs at right back...Elmo has done well enough this season to be considered a squad player...

Left back is an imperative imo ...Taylor has been decent but he's awful going forward...a young up and coming wing back in the academy would be nice too...

For the premier league we seriously need a good DM...Hourihane is better playing as a sub for either Jack or McGinn...and with Whelan going we really do need a replacement...

The other positions we don't need new first teamers just squad players...like Aribo who we are being linked with...so a balance of new first teamers in problem areas...and then kids to add depth to the squad...

GK - Steer/Kalinic/Nyland (no change)
LD - New lb/Taylor/prospect
RD - Guilbert/Elmo
CD - Chester/Mings/Hause/Tuanzabe (no change)
DM - New DM
CM - Grealish/McGinn/Ramsey/Hourihane + prospect
LW - El Ghazi/prospect
RW - New winger
CF - Tammy, Kodjia, Davis

Therefore 3 decent money first teamers alongside our loanees and then some budget prospects...

 

[shaz619]

So having a look finances...this is a bit long but i hope it's useful...

So where do we get revenue from?...

ATTENDANCES

Generally been awful for a while but they have picked up this season...and cos we lack TV revenue attendances are especially crucial...to put things in perspective we were getting 21.4m for matchday income in 2011 afterwhich is halved...last season it was 11.8m which despite being low for us was still the highest in the league...and this year our average has been 35,000 compared to 32,000 last season...

Now that we are back in the Prem we should generate more income here...as attendances increase...

TV Deal

Well we didn't have any of Xia's money being pumped into the club...and we were surviving primarily due to parachute payments...this being the third and final year of them...those saw a fall from £40m to 34m...

So EFL clubs earn about £2.5 million from the broadcast contract plus £100-140,000 for a home match that takes place before the cameras and £10,000 for an away match...

Bear in mind that we were operating at a £40m loss nearly putting us into administration with a chairman with no money...thankfully Sayyef, Edens and Purslow have saved us...

OTHER NON PLAYING AREAS

Commercial income naturally fell when we got relegated...halved actually...was £31m in 2016...in 2018 this was £16.4m...sponsorship dropped by £9.1 million to £2.7 million...

Other commercial revenue, such as merchandise, royalties and corporate entertaining, fell from £16 million to £9.6 million...

Getting to the prem will naturally increase funds in these areas...and trusting the nouse of our board we should be able to do some good deals...

This isn't even discussing the players but what's incredible is our turnover of £68.6m was our worst ever...but was still the best in the Championship...we are after all a big club...we were on £108.8 the season we got relegated...

PLAYER WAGES

So what Xia did which nearly sent us into administration was gamble with player signings and wages...so we spent £73m on wages last season which was more that our total turnover...the thing is a lot of that was wasted money as i will show...Wolves btw were second highest on £50m...incredibly the likes of Sheff Utd were on 19m...

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

According to Purslow:

“We’re moving in the right direction. Thanks to our new majority owners, we have a completely clean balance sheet, the financial problems the club had incurred were all cleared with the investors’ money and we now have a very strong financial base.”

“Nassef and Wes sent in tens of millions of pounds directly into the club, clearing the liabilities and effectively creating a clean slate on which to build a recovery for the club.

This is why it was a bit silly for Xia to even be there today...he didn't have any money to invest or in short to cover the money that we owed to the taxman...our new chairmen have been able to fund the club...I mean we were able to get Jack to sign a new contract and get all our loan signings, sign a 7m keeper...all according to Purslow whilst working within the parameters of FFP...

Here is the stuff regarding players and wages which is worth a look...

OUTGOINGS
Amavi (9m and 30kpw off the wage bill)
Gollini (4m and 20k)
Gil (1.6m and 28k)
Terry retirement (60k)
Total = 14.6m + 138k off wages

INCOMINGS
Kalinic 5.4m + 30k
Guilbert 4.5m + 15k
McGinn 2.8k + 25k
Nyland 2.7m + 20k
Total - 15.4m + 90k

So we slashed the wage bill somewhat there...and we also sent lots of players out on loan...for next season...

OUT OF CONTRACT
Elphick 25kpw
Hutton 30k
Whelan 30k
Bunn 15k
Micah Richards FINALLYYYY!! 50k
Jedinak 50k
Carroll 28k
TOTAL - 228k off the books

Out of Contract Players We Will Likely Sign (obviously these wages will go up)
Green 6k
Steer 8k

Possible Outgoings
Adomah 25k
Lansbury 40k
Bjarnason 25k
De Laet 25k
McCormack 40k
Hogan 35k
Bree 20k
Gardner 10k
Tshibola 10k

Either sell this bunch of misfits or send them out on loan...Realistically we could sell a few of these guys...what we did well was send a few of these guys out on loan...potentially this could be 240k off the wage bill...looking at those wages you see what an awful job we did pre-Smith...

POSSIBLE INCOMINGS/OUR LOANEES

El Ghazi 31k
Tuanzebe 5k
Hause 8k
Tammy 50k
Mings 25k

Who knows how much extra we will pay...for Hause and Mings I presume a substantial increase...

So to put things in perspective 170m is a shedload...cos we aren't really operating at a loss anymore...

Suso seems to be quite shrewd in the market and unlike Fulham I don't think we will waste all our money on a brand new squad...101m spent on 8 players and then a whole host of loan signings too...


What is the 170m?

So Huddersfield made 94m just from TV despite finishing bottom this season...and parachute payments are £75m if you get relegated...hence that £170m figure...

In fact according to Deloitte survival next season could net us £280m...and of course this is minus the rising attendances, commercial revenue etc...

SO CAN WE BUY PLAYERS?
Absolutely...the massive influx of money we are about to receive alongside commercial revenue...slashing of the wages through sales, out of contract players and loans should leave us with plenty of money to strengthen key areas...especially cos we CANNOT afford to get relegated again...

SOME CONCLUDING COMMENTS

Purslow says we are working within the constraints of FFP...
TV deal is gonna increase our revenue to serious levels...
Attendance revenue will increase...
Commercial revenue will increase...

Sayyef, Edens, Purslow and Suso seem to know what's up...and with Smith they have a great guy at the helm...it's a great time to be a villain...Sky is the Limit for this great club...

So what kind of activity would I like to see this summer?

Lets look at our squad once the loans have gone home and our out of contract players have left...players in bold are surplus to requirements...

GK - Kalinic/Nyland
LD - Taylor
CD - Chester
RD - Elmo, Bree, De Laet
CM - Hourihane, Grealish, McGinn, Lansbury, Tshibola, Bjarnason
W - Adomah, O'Hare
F - Kodjia, Davis, Hogan, McCormack

This side as is is gonna get straight up relegated...

So first thing...

NEW CONTRACTS
Steer
Green (I am unimpressed by him but still think he has something)

SIGN UP THE LOANEES
Mings
Tuanzabe
El Ghazi
Hause
Tammy

I think Hause is available for 2m as part of the clause...El Ghazi is around 5m...Mings is an absolute must...Tammy apparently is 20m...im not sold on him as he misses a lot of chances but he's 21...just scored over 20 goals and has so much passion for the club...also it's crucial to retain the spine...

GET RID OF THE FOLLOWING
McCormack (anywhere)
Hogan (maybe Sheff Utd)
Lansbury (is anyone gonna wanna pay that wage?)
Tshibola (loan)
De Laet (loan)
Bjarnason (some Italian clubs are looking at him)
Bree (loan)

ALREADY SIGNED
Guilbert

So assuming even if the aforementioned surplus to requirement players aren't sold they won't be given a squad number...it would be nice to start here as our spine...

UPDATED SQUAD

GK - Steer/Kalinic/Nyland
LD - Taylor
CD - Mings/Tuanzebe/Hause/Chester
RD - Guilbert/Elmo
CM - Hourihane, Grealish, McGinn, Ramsey
LM - El Ghazi
RM - Green
CF - Tammy, Kodjia, Davis

That's a nice base with some clear areas for improvement for next season...

Especially for the way Smith likes to play we need a replacement for Adomah...someone good enough to slot into the first team...and maybe another winger as backup...we have been linked with Ryan Kent who has done well at Rangers...

Guilbert has apparently been excellent this season...and i'm curious to see how he performs at right back...Elmo has done well enough this season to be considered a squad player...

Left back is an imperative imo ...Taylor has been decent but he's awful going forward...a young up and coming wing back in the academy would be nice too...

For the premier league we seriously need a good DM...Hourihane is better playing as a sub for either Jack or McGinn...and with Whelan going we really do need a replacement...

The other positions we don't need new first teamers just squad players...like Aribo who we are being linked with...so a balance of new first teamers in problem areas...and then kids to add depth to the squad...

GK - Steer/Kalinic/Nyland (no change)
LD - New lb/Taylor/prospect
RD - Guilbert/Elmo
CD - Chester/Mings/Hause/Tuanzabe (no change)
DM - New DM
CM - Grealish/McGinn/Ramsey/Hourihane + prospect
LW - El Ghazi/prospect
RW - New winger
CF - Tammy, Kodjia, Davis

Therefore 3 decent money first teamers alongside our loanees and then some budget prospects...

Fantastic stuff shaykh this is amazing information not just for Villa fans but also to give a background on what promotion to the EPL means and the financial / administration entails of football at the highest level !

Posts of the week!! [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION] [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION]

 

[shaz619]

So having a look finances...this is a bit long but i hope it's useful...

So where do we get revenue from?...

ATTENDANCES

Generally been awful for a while but they have picked up this season...and cos we lack TV revenue attendances are especially crucial...to put things in perspective we were getting 21.4m for matchday income in 2011 afterwhich is halved...last season it was 11.8m which despite being low for us was still the highest in the league...and this year our average has been 35,000 compared to 32,000 last season...

Now that we are back in the Prem we should generate more income here...as attendances increase...

TV Deal

Well we didn't have any of Xia's money being pumped into the club...and we were surviving primarily due to parachute payments...this being the third and final year of them...those saw a fall from £40m to 34m...

So EFL clubs earn about £2.5 million from the broadcast contract plus £100-140,000 for a home match that takes place before the cameras and £10,000 for an away match...

Bear in mind that we were operating at a £40m loss nearly putting us into administration with a chairman with no money...thankfully Sayyef, Edens and Purslow have saved us...

OTHER NON PLAYING AREAS

Commercial income naturally fell when we got relegated...halved actually...was £31m in 2016...in 2018 this was £16.4m...sponsorship dropped by £9.1 million to £2.7 million...

Other commercial revenue, such as merchandise, royalties and corporate entertaining, fell from £16 million to £9.6 million...

Getting to the prem will naturally increase funds in these areas...and trusting the nouse of our board we should be able to do some good deals...

This isn't even discussing the players but what's incredible is our turnover of £68.6m was our worst ever...but was still the best in the Championship...we are after all a big club...we were on £108.8 the season we got relegated...

PLAYER WAGES

So what Xia did which nearly sent us into administration was gamble with player signings and wages...so we spent £73m on wages last season which was more that our total turnover...the thing is a lot of that was wasted money as i will show...Wolves btw were second highest on £50m...incredibly the likes of Sheff Utd were on 19m...

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

According to Purslow:

“We’re moving in the right direction. Thanks to our new majority owners, we have a completely clean balance sheet, the financial problems the club had incurred were all cleared with the investors’ money and we now have a very strong financial base.”

“Nassef and Wes sent in tens of millions of pounds directly into the club, clearing the liabilities and effectively creating a clean slate on which to build a recovery for the club.

This is why it was a bit silly for Xia to even be there today...he didn't have any money to invest or in short to cover the money that we owed to the taxman...our new chairmen have been able to fund the club...I mean we were able to get Jack to sign a new contract and get all our loan signings, sign a 7m keeper...all according to Purslow whilst working within the parameters of FFP...

Here is the stuff regarding players and wages which is worth a look...

OUTGOINGS
Amavi (9m and 30kpw off the wage bill)
Gollini (4m and 20k)
Gil (1.6m and 28k)
Terry retirement (60k)
Total = 14.6m + 138k off wages

INCOMINGS
Kalinic 5.4m + 30k
Guilbert 4.5m + 15k
McGinn 2.8k + 25k
Nyland 2.7m + 20k
Total - 15.4m + 90k

So we slashed the wage bill somewhat there...and we also sent lots of players out on loan...for next season...

OUT OF CONTRACT
Elphick 25kpw
Hutton 30k
Whelan 30k
Bunn 15k
Micah Richards FINALLYYYY!! 50k
Jedinak 50k
Carroll 28k
TOTAL - 228k off the books

Out of Contract Players We Will Likely Sign (obviously these wages will go up)
Green 6k
Steer 8k

Possible Outgoings
Adomah 25k
Lansbury 40k
Bjarnason 25k
De Laet 25k
McCormack 40k
Hogan 35k
Bree 20k
Gardner 10k
Tshibola 10k

Either sell this bunch of misfits or send them out on loan...Realistically we could sell a few of these guys...what we did well was send a few of these guys out on loan...potentially this could be 240k off the wage bill...looking at those wages you see what an awful job we did pre-Smith...

POSSIBLE INCOMINGS/OUR LOANEES

El Ghazi 31k
Tuanzebe 5k
Hause 8k
Tammy 50k
Mings 25k

Who knows how much extra we will pay...for Hause and Mings I presume a substantial increase...

So to put things in perspective 170m is a shedload...cos we aren't really operating at a loss anymore...

Suso seems to be quite shrewd in the market and unlike Fulham I don't think we will waste all our money on a brand new squad...101m spent on 8 players and then a whole host of loan signings too...


What is the 170m?

So Huddersfield made 94m just from TV despite finishing bottom this season...and parachute payments are £75m if you get relegated...hence that £170m figure...

In fact according to Deloitte survival next season could net us £280m...and of course this is minus the rising attendances, commercial revenue etc...

SO CAN WE BUY PLAYERS?
Absolutely...the massive influx of money we are about to receive alongside commercial revenue...slashing of the wages through sales, out of contract players and loans should leave us with plenty of money to strengthen key areas...especially cos we CANNOT afford to get relegated again...

SOME CONCLUDING COMMENTS

Purslow says we are working within the constraints of FFP...
TV deal is gonna increase our revenue to serious levels...
Attendance revenue will increase...
Commercial revenue will increase...

Sayyef, Edens, Purslow and Suso seem to know what's up...and with Smith they have a great guy at the helm...it's a great time to be a villain...Sky is the Limit for this great club...

By the way shaykh, McCormack will be on 70K per week from here on due to a clause in his contract !! we're already in the red in this aspect, I have read about this so it just makes me think how much we could be losing with the other bunch of jobbers, and releasing them may not be so simple either. It's a shambles, the guy is not even worth 10K a week! and correct me if am wrong but he hasn't played for 2 or 3 years now!

Also due to our promotion previous owner Randy Lerner nets 30 million ! due to another clause inserted by Xia when he took over in 2016.

So unfortunately we may not be left with as big a pie as we think but the commercial revenue is going to be a massive boost as you say

 

[shaz619]

Did anyone know Tom Hanks is a Villa fan ? lol
[MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In the UK? Prepared! Hanx <a href="https://t.co/ncjCfeZUQl">pic.twitter.com/ncjCfeZUQl</a></p>— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomhanks/status/1133051442497908736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Retweet this blessed photo of Tom Hanks to break the Drake curse <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/avfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#avfc</a> <a href="https://t.co/vJDTHGwT8F">pic.twitter.com/vJDTHGwT8F</a></p>— Premier League fan Ryan¹⁰ (@Ryxn_AVFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ryxn_AVFC/status/1131843826715385857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[shaykh]

By the way shaykh, McCormack will be on 70K per week from here on due to a clause in his contract !! we're already in the red in this aspect, I have read about this so it just makes me think how much we could be losing with the other bunch of jobbers, and releasing them may not be so simple either. It's a shambles, the guy is not even worth 10K a week! and correct me if am wrong but he hasn't played for 2 or 3 years now!

Also due to our promotion previous owner Randy Lerner nets 30 million ! due to another clause inserted by Xia when he took over in 2016.

So unfortunately we may not be left with as big a pie as we think but the commercial revenue is going to be a massive boost as you say

Thanks for the kind words bro...

McCormack played for some Aussie team and did alright then we sent him on loan to Motherwell and they didn't play him at all...

I highly doubt either of those clubs were paying his full wages...so yeh McCormack is gonna get a bump in his wage and he will be impossible to shift...

We aren't gonna be able to shift Lansbury either...

Micah is finally off the books...dunno about you but i don't hate him like some Villa fans do...he turned up to training everyday...he's apparently a good lad in the dressing room and gets on well with the young players...his injuries just mean he can't play...

McCormack on the other hand was a cancer...completely unprofessional and uncommitted...players have far too much power with their contracts imo...

In any other job if you don't do it properly then you get sacked...at the very least we should be able to reduce salaries for non performance...

I do think though under the current regime we are much better off and wont spend over the odds for some of these fools we have bought...

Yeh and you're right about Lerner...another one of Xia's specials...

I think we will have plenty of money this summer...we are a big club and even when we got relegated we were mid table I think for revenue...we should beat the likes of Brighton, Burnley, Sheff Utd, even Bournemouth to players...

I'm thinking one marquee signing and some other El Ghazi type finds by Suso...

 

[shaykh]

Did anyone know Tom Hanks is a Villa fan ? lol
[MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In the UK? Prepared! Hanx <a href="https://t.co/ncjCfeZUQl">pic.twitter.com/ncjCfeZUQl</a></p>— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomhanks/status/1133051442497908736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Retweet this blessed photo of Tom Hanks to break the Drake curse <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/avfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#avfc</a> <a href="https://t.co/vJDTHGwT8F">pic.twitter.com/vJDTHGwT8F</a></p>— Premier League fan Ryan¹⁰ (@Ryxn_AVFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ryxn_AVFC/status/1131843826715385857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Lol so random right...

Do you know the Bin Laden story?...apparently an Arsenal fan and he bought his son a Nigel Winterburn bedspread...

Can't make this stuff up

 

[shaykh]

A little more on my thoughts about how great a season this has been...Shaz check out Xia's tweet if you haven't already...so cringeworthy...

There have been many great comebacks this season...but ours just might be the best...

I was trying to work out why this all has felt so much better than last year...obviously this year we got the promotion...we had that massive surge from March...a manager who made us exciting to watch...and a bunch of players who showed passion for the club...all huge factors...and another which is deserving of a mention is our owners...

Before the Fulham game last year like some of you I desperately wanted us to go up but also was well aware that this was a side that would struggle in the premier league even with that new money...but that result never manifested...

Languishing following our playoff defeat to Fulham...soon the realisation came that we hadn't simply lost a match but we were at risk of extinction...or done as a big club...

Xia who upon taking over the club endeared himself to fans with his cryptic tweets, his scolding of players and wishing fans Happy Birthday on Twitter...what these things hid was his utter incompetence in running our beloved club...he straight Hugo Chavez'ed our club...

His situation was different to the likes of FOSUN who held assets outside of China and thus weren't impacted as Xia was when President Xi clamped down on foreign investment...Xia did have problems moving his money...while this explains his problems with investment what this doesn't justify is the utter irresponsibility in simply throwing our parachute money at the problem...and simply thinking throwing lots of money around in our early windows was beneficial...increasing our wage bill with only the hope of promotion making it possible to balance the books...this all while he and his crony Wyness promised us they had a plan if we didn't get promoted...what they didn't tell us is the alternative to promotion was administration...

What lead was a period of waiting and praying for someone to get us out of our mess...it seemed a given that we were gonna lose Jack...Chester back then was a massive potential loss for us...then it became a real worry that we might not exist as a club ...that the club I have loved since '95 would simply join the annals of history...that I might genuinely give up watching the sport...or more hopeful and realistic we would end up relegated with a point deduction...the thought of top flight football was a distant thought...

Then came Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens...a pair with 9billion between them...Xia finally accepted an offer that would leave him with a nominal role and minority shareholder...our two new majority shareholders immediately injected 60m into the club and plugged the 40m black hole that had endangered us...an we were jolted back to life...Xia was no longer the majority shareholder and thankfully had no say in the day to day running of the club...then came Jack's new contract and the feel good factor was back...

Whatever happened this season....even if we didn't get promoted I was at the very least confident that we would exist next season...I felt confident Purslow was honest when he said they had a plan if we didn't go up...while our comeback from March has been incredible...it's made even more special considering the types of emotions we as fans were going through last year...the fear of what could possibily happen....thanks Sawiris and Edens who raised the flag with their actions rather than limelight seeking tweets...but I guess Tony deserves a thanks...without him creating the mess he created we would never have had the opportunity to be reborn...we would never have got the owners we have now...so while people will understandably slam Tony for his self congratulatory tone with his latest tweet...we wouldn't be where we are without his 'contribution'...and I do he feel he was well intentioned albeit with a grandiose sense of self...

Had we got promoted last year Xia and Wyness would have left us in even more debt and likely left us relegated...and that too while paying Randy his 30million...I am so much more confident this time round...not just with the players who have been fantastic, Smith who has been a revelation but also with our owners who along with Purslow and Suso seem to know exactly what it takes to make us a premiership club again...Xia simply wanted us to get promoted...our new ownership are building us to be a Premiership side...

From fading into obscurity to promotion to the best league in world football...now that's what I call a comeback

 

[shaz619]

Lol so random right...

Do you know the Bin Laden story?...apparently an Arsenal fan and he bought his son a Nigel Winterburn bedspread...

Can't make this stuff up

I read about that hilarious ) has to be something made up

 

[shaz619]

A little more on my thoughts about how great a season this has been...Shaz check out Xia's tweet if you haven't already...so cringeworthy...

There have been many great comebacks this season...but ours just might be the best...

I was trying to work out why this all has felt so much better than last year...obviously this year we got the promotion...we had that massive surge from March...a manager who made us exciting to watch...and a bunch of players who showed passion for the club...all huge factors...and another which is deserving of a mention is our owners...

Before the Fulham game last year like some of you I desperately wanted us to go up but also was well aware that this was a side that would struggle in the premier league even with that new money...but that result never manifested...

Languishing following our playoff defeat to Fulham...soon the realisation came that we hadn't simply lost a match but we were at risk of extinction...or done as a big club...

Xia who upon taking over the club endeared himself to fans with his cryptic tweets, his scolding of players and wishing fans Happy Birthday on Twitter...what these things hid was his utter incompetence in running our beloved club...he straight Hugo Chavez'ed our club...

His situation was different to the likes of FOSUN who held assets outside of China and thus weren't impacted as Xia was when President Xi clamped down on foreign investment...Xia did have problems moving his money...while this explains his problems with investment what this doesn't justify is the utter irresponsibility in simply throwing our parachute money at the problem...and simply thinking throwing lots of money around in our early windows was beneficial...increasing our wage bill with only the hope of promotion making it possible to balance the books...this all while he and his crony Wyness promised us they had a plan if we didn't get promoted...what they didn't tell us is the alternative to promotion was administration...

What lead was a period of waiting and praying for someone to get us out of our mess...it seemed a given that we were gonna lose Jack...Chester back then was a massive potential loss for us...then it became a real worry that we might not exist as a club ...that the club I have loved since '95 would simply join the annals of history...that I might genuinely give up watching the sport...or more hopeful and realistic we would end up relegated with a point deduction...the thought of top flight football was a distant thought...

Then came Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens...a pair with 9billion between them...Xia finally accepted an offer that would leave him with a nominal role and minority shareholder...our two new majority shareholders immediately injected 60m into the club and plugged the 40m black hole that had endangered us...an we were jolted back to life...Xia was no longer the majority shareholder and thankfully had no say in the day to day running of the club...then came Jack's new contract and the feel good factor was back...

Whatever happened this season....even if we didn't get promoted I was at the very least confident that we would exist next season...I felt confident Purslow was honest when he said they had a plan if we didn't go up...while our comeback from March has been incredible...it's made even more special considering the types of emotions we as fans were going through last year...the fear of what could possibily happen....thanks Sawiris and Edens who raised the flag with their actions rather than limelight seeking tweets...but I guess Tony deserves a thanks...without him creating the mess he created we would never have had the opportunity to be reborn...we would never have got the owners we have now...so while people will understandably slam Tony for his self congratulatory tone with his latest tweet...we wouldn't be where we are without his 'contribution'...and I do he feel he was well intentioned albeit with a grandiose sense of self...

Had we got promoted last year Xia and Wyness would have left us in even more debt and likely left us relegated...and that too while paying Randy his 30million...I am so much more confident this time round...not just with the players who have been fantastic, Smith who has been a revelation but also with our owners who along with Purslow and Suso seem to know exactly what it takes to make us a premiership club again...Xia simply wanted us to get promoted...our new ownership are building us to be a Premiership side...

From fading into obscurity to promotion to the best league in world football...now that's what I call a comeback

Xia boils my blood, how far are we from getting rid of him ? he stills owns 50 % but he shouldn't be able to wield too much influence moving forward

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=133972]shaykh[/MENTION] For me it is the greatest comeback ever although I am biased, I share the sentiment with you that there was a feeling that even if we did beat Fulham; we were not ready for the EPL. Fast forward to the current season and after that awful start it further vindicated that fact, it's really really strange for me bro because as soon as got relegated 3 years ago it sort of made me support the club even more because I felt like it was needed and I took so much for granted in the past, yes we may not have won a lot but just being in the EPL is of the most esteem honour man it just means a great deal and we have such a beautiful history it was like Tyson being knocked out by Douglas, but am still going to support Tyson despite that!

As much as I hate Xia, it was a blessing in disguise; we wouldn't be where we are now if it was not for his mistakes. Do you think Manchester United can learn from us ?

 

[shaz619]

I need the new top dammit! had enough of all the retro shirts ) the latest kit is always out of stock on the shop Villa website but I see this as a good sign still

 

[shaykh]

Xia boils my blood, how far are we from getting rid of him ? he stills owns 50 % but he shouldn't be able to wield too much influence moving forward

The Recon groups minority shares have been converted to deferred shares...meaning...the deferred shares can be purchased by the club, he has no voting rights nor does he earn any dividends...ie he has absolutely no tangible role...

And he owns 45%...Sawiris and Edens control the club...did you notice they were sat nowhere near him at the game...that was Xia's first game this season...Sawiris and Edens will purchase the rest of his shares soon enough...

 

[shaykh]

[MENTION=133972]shaykh[/MENTION] For me it is the greatest comeback ever although I am biased, I share the sentiment with you that there was a feeling that even if we did beat Fulham; we were not ready for the EPL. Fast forward to the current season and after that awful start it further vindicated that fact, it's really really strange for me bro because as soon as got relegated 3 years ago it sort of made me support the club even more because I felt like it was needed and I took so much for granted in the past, yes we may not have won a lot but just being in the EPL is of the most esteem honour man it just means a great deal and we have such a beautiful history it was like Tyson being knocked out by Douglas, but am still going to support Tyson despite that!

As much as I hate Xia, it was a blessing in disguise; we wouldn't be where we are now if it was not for his mistakes. Do you think Manchester United can learn from us ?

Haha a lot of clubs can learn from us...throwing money around and hoping it lands is not how to run a club...

What I do hope is it was enough of a wakeup call to the fans and they understand the importance of spending money wisely...

On my Villa FB group there are still guy trying to say we need to sign a new squad next season...ignorance is what it is...

Completely feel you on supporting Villa in the championship...it all feels so much more important...promotion has mattered so much more than being a mid table side in the prem...its all been very exciting...and yep Xia its all part of the plan to return is to our former glory

 

[shaykh]

Compare Purslow and Wyness...

Honestly this guy makes me so confident in our future...

 

[shaykh]

In the aftermath of our promotion the wheels already seem to be in motion...

Take home messages from Purslow and Smith
- 3 of our loanees are being worked on as permanents
- we won't be looking at loan signings anymore

So Bournemouth fans seem certain Mings is off...figure being touted is 12m which imo is a steal...
Hause and El Ghazi should be wrapped up soon...

Tammy and Tuanzebe won't be signed at least not yet...i'd really like us to have Tuanzebe but i'm ok without Tammy...

Prices being touted for Tammy seem to be in the 25-30m range...he's not worth that...one player we have been linked with is Maupay touted at 20m...imo he's a superior player...much more clinical, holds up the ball well, is aggressive and has a bit of a nasty streak, and is good in the air...think he's class and for 20m he would be a steal...

A striker we haven't been linked with but I think would be decent is Mitrovic...

Apparently interested in Ryan Kent...not seen him play...Rangers seem to love him...Bristol City thought he was poor...

More likely is we are signing players the media won't report on...

 

[shaz619]

Haha a lot of clubs can learn from us...throwing money around and hoping it lands is not how to run a club...

What I do hope is it was enough of a wakeup call to the fans and they understand the importance of spending money wisely...

On my Villa FB group there are still guy trying to say we need to sign a new squad next season...ignorance is what it is...

Completely feel you on supporting Villa in the championship...it all feels so much more important...promotion has mattered so much more than being a mid table side in the prem...its all been very exciting...and yep Xia its all part of the plan to return is to our former glory

You get some absolute mongs on them FB pages ) then again they are necessary evil to counter all the uncalled for abuse we get lol

 

[shaz619]

Compare Purslow and Wyness...

Honestly this guy makes me so confident in our future...

Both are life long Villa fans as well I think, that certainly helps a great deal as we have seen this season; glad he sees that we don't need an inferior complex with our rich and glorious history, minnow approach and you will be scraping at the bottom of the barrel, definitely hopeful for the future. I just hope we are equally motivated for the EPL and make some very positive moves, a change in the mindset can do wonders; aim as high as possible, just look at our rivals Wolvo!

 

[WC-Passion]

Congratulations to all Villa fans on PakPassion.

I’m sorry guys but we’re probably taking back Tammy to be 3rd choice next season so you probably want to look for a new striker soon. Transfer ban and all.

Not looking forward to next season but I hope Villa show some fight unlike in 15/16.

 

[shaykh]

Congratulations to all Villa fans on PakPassion.

I’m sorry guys but we’re probably taking back Tammy to be 3rd choice next season so you probably want to look for a new striker soon. Transfer ban and all.

Not looking forward to next season but I hope Villa show some fight unlike in 15/16.

That's fair...third though?...

Giroud, Higuain, Batshuayi, Morata are all ahead of him surely?...

He's been supremely important in getting us where we are...but i'd also say he's the most replaceable of our loanees...while he is a fox in the box he misses a lot of chances and his hold up play isnt as good as it should be...be surprised if you end up playing him...he's gonna get better but he's still a bit raw...

 

[shaz619]

Congratulations to all Villa fans on PakPassion.

I’m sorry guys but we’re probably taking back Tammy to be 3rd choice next season so you probably want to look for a new striker soon. Transfer ban and all.

Not looking forward to next season but I hope Villa show some fight unlike in 15/16.

You don't worry little man, when we smash you, we will be ending racism in football

 

[shaz619]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chelsea fans when they realise the food in Azerbaijan is halal <a href="https://t.co/kWk7Vp7UDv">pic.twitter.com/kWk7Vp7UDv</a></p>— Walid Arsenal (@1Walid1) <a href="https://twitter.com/1Walid1/status/1133318480302878720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

)

 

[shaykh]

Well it's only been a few days and there's been plenty of activity...

OUTGOINGS

So confirmed are 4 players have been released...

Jedi
Adomah
Hutton
Elphick

All good choices...Whelan hasn't been announced but I'd like to think he's going too...he's been good for us this season but surely it's time to move on...

Steer has agreed a 1 year contract extension...
Green too has 1 year extra...

That leaves Bunn, De Laet and Richards...who probably weren't worth mentioning and will be released...


INCOMINGS

Hilariously we have apparently arranged a swap (Gary Gardner for Jota)...the Bluenose one...

Gardner is a player who is of no value to us and Jota is their best player...6m they paid for him...he was brilliant at Brentford where he played for Smith but has been playing in a poor Brum team ...could be an excellent squad player...we are going to have a few of these kinds of signings...he's better than Adomah and Green but I still think we will sign a first choice right winger...

SQUAD

GK - Steer, Kalinic, Nyland
LD - Taylor
RD - Elmo, Guilbert
CD - Chester
DM - Whelan*
CM - Grealish, Hourihane, McGinn
W - Green
FW - Kodjia, Davis

It's gonna be a busy summer...

 

[shaz619]

Well it's only been a few days and there's been plenty of activity...

OUTGOINGS

So confirmed are 4 players have been released...

Jedi
Adomah
Hutton
Elphick

All good choices...Whelan hasn't been announced but I'd like to think he's going too...he's been good for us this season but surely it's time to move on...

Steer has agreed a 1 year contract extension...
Green too has 1 year extra...

That leaves Bunn, De Laet and Richards...who probably weren't worth mentioning and will be released...


INCOMINGS

Hilariously we have apparently arranged a swap (Gary Gardner for Jota)...the Bluenose one...

Gardner is a player who is of no value to us and Jota is their best player...6m they paid for him...he was brilliant at Brentford where he played for Smith but has been playing in a poor Brum team ...could be an excellent squad player...we are going to have a few of these kinds of signings...he's better than Adomah and Green but I still think we will sign a first choice right winger...

SQUAD

GK - Steer, Kalinic, Nyland
LD - Taylor
RD - Elmo, Guilbert
CD - Chester
DM - Whelan*
CM - Grealish, Hourihane, McGinn
W - Green
FW - Kodjia, Davis

It's gonna be a busy summer...

Harvey Knibbs has also been sold to Cambridge, not sure how I feel about this....

I think Jota can be a good signing deal reportedly worth 4m, we need players who fit our manager's vision / system and he has a solid relationship with Smith from the past, interestingly he is our first signing from the blues directly since 1983 #BigHearts

Villa wasting no time making big plans already

 

[shaykh]

Lol Shaz plenty of our substandard players have gone the other way...been stars for them ...

So it's been confirmed that Whelan, Micah, Bunn and De Laet have been released...
This is along with Adomah, Jedi, Adomah and Elphick...

Thus 8 released...

Jota deal has apparently been completed with Gardner going the other way...on the topic of the 4m part of that was subsidising what would have been Gardners wage increase which Birmingham couldn't afforc...

So of 15 players that are surplus to requirements 9 of them are gone...

Surplus to Requirements
Jedi
Adomah
Whelan
Hutton
Micah
Elphick
Bunn
Gardner
De Laet
Bjarnason
Tshibola
McCormack
Hogan
Lansbury

Bjarnason is sellable...so is Tish...if not their contracts end next season...
Hogan and Lansbury...the issue for clubs will be matching their wage...both have 2 seasons left on their contracts...
McCormack is unshiftable...this cancer will be gone next summer...or here is praying that some Chinese club will want to sign him

 

[shaykh]

On the subject of our academy...there has ultimately been a purge of players 20 and over...

Shaz you mentioned Knibbs...he actually got released in March...this whole group did all in one go...

Harry McKirdy (22), Jordan Cox (20), Kelsey Mooney (20), Harvey Knibbs (20), Mitch Clark (20), Jordan Lyden (23), Corey Blackett-Taylor (21), Alex Prosser (20)

Bedeau (19) was released earlier in the season...

The following players are out of contract...

Ben Guy, Callum Rowe, Charlie Farr, Charlie McConnachie, Colin Odutayo, Dimitri Sea, Ethan Patterson, Indiana Vassilev, Isiah Bazeley-Graham, Jack Clarke, Jake Walker, Luke Ige, Mungo Bridge, Sam Lomax and Easah Suliman.

Easah Suliman will likely get released...

 

[shaykh]

Had a look at the U23 Squad...after releases this is who is left...players whose contract have expired are in bold...players released are underlined...

Villa U23 Sqaud

Sarkic
Lomax
Suliman
Revan
Walker
Bazeley-Graham
Jake Doyle-Hayes
Jack Clarke
Callum Rowe
Jacob Ramsey
Harry McKirdy
Jordan Cox
Kelsey Mooney
Harvey Knibbs
Mitch Clark
Corey Blackett Taylor
Alex Prosser

Potentially then in a few days our U23 squad could be:

Ramsey, Jake Doyle Hayes, Revan and Sarkic...

U18 Squad

Sinisalo
Onodi
Ige
Burton
Sohna
Patterson
Bridge
McConnachie
Farr
H Sohna
Birch
Brunt
Ramsey
Tait
Archer
Hooper
Vassilev
Wright
Philogene-Bidace
Odutayo
Pressley
Guy
Sea

Obviously these guys have a better chance of having their contracts renewed...and quite a few of this bunch made the step up to the U23's once the purge happened...

Curious to see what the plan is...evidently it seems clear that none of our U23's are gonna be over 20 anymore...either players of that age will be let go or sent out on loan ...

I'm expecting a lot of young players to be signed to our academy over the following seasons...Purslow has spoken about improving it...

 

[shaz619]

On the subject of our academy...there has ultimately been a purge of players 20 and over...

Shaz you mentioned Knibbs...he actually got released in March...this whole group did all in one go...



Bedeau (19) was released earlier in the season...

The following players are out of contract...



Easah Suliman will likely get released...

My bad, I thought he had potential though. I never got the chance to see the extent of Suliman's ability ? But he was in the news given his background as you don't see too many Brit Asians in football, then again I'd have thought there are quiet a few in the academy ?

 

[shaz619]

Lol Shaz plenty of our substandard players have gone the other way...been stars for them ...

So it's been confirmed that Whelan, Micah, Bunn and De Laet have been released...
This is along with Adomah, Jedi, Adomah and Elphick...

Thus 8 released...

Jota deal has apparently been completed with Gardner going the other way...on the topic of the 4m part of that was subsidising what would have been Gardners wage increase which Birmingham couldn't afforc...

So of 15 players that are surplus to requirements 9 of them are gone...

Surplus to Requirements
Jedi
Adomah
Whelan
Hutton
Micah
Elphick
Bunn
Gardner
De Laet
Bjarnason
Tshibola
McCormack
Hogan
Lansbury

Bjarnason is sellable...so is Tish...if not their contracts end next season...
Hogan and Lansbury...the issue for clubs will be matching their wage...both have 2 seasons left on their contracts...
McCormack is unshiftable...this cancer will be gone next summer...or here is praying that some Chinese club will want to sign him

It is sad to see even rubbish like McCormack is probably set for life so long he made smart investments, his work ethic is awful. And lmao literally dumping the rubbish in Birmingham )

I just saw on BBC, Smith saying we are playing to win! And the 8 players released you just said including Adomah!! I thought we'd have given him another season

 

[MMHS]

Congrats to Villa fans - one of English Elite clubs back in EPL. Also, UKs 2nd most populous metro needs a team in EPL. Now, I hope Leeds make it next year.

 

[shaykh]

I posted earlier about outgoings from the U23's and the essential cull that was taking place...and well it seems that Kimberley has been relieved of duties as academy director...it's possible that we might be thinking of going the Brentford route...

Brentford actually cleaned house and ditched their academy too...and instead had their reserve side playing other sides across Europe...and weren't constrained by a league...and decided to go with a B team model...

They focused on recruitment of players between the ages of 17 and 20 who have been released from academies or what are deemed 'undervalued markets' abroad...and the figures are pretty decent...9 players from their B team have made it to the first team over 3 seasons...that's quite an incredible achievement...

Something I found interesting about the recruitment process was this part:

“We have a good understanding of what kind of player can be successful in England. Part of our recruitment process is identifying different leagues where the physical qualities are often overlooked in favour of the tactical qualities, whereas in England if you are physical you have a good chance of being a good player. The tactical side of things can be taught and we are confident we can provide an environment where they can learn those skills. It’s a lot easier in those undervalued markets to take a player and put him into our environment for the longer term. Our job is improving the understanding of all the markets that are out there and trying to identify potential stars.”

Makes perfect sense...players that might have the qualities to succeed in England might not have those qualities elsewhere...

And their youth team is playing teams in varying environments and of varying qualities...

They have beaten Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Porto, Benfica and Premier League giants Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City...and have traveled ...

Playing against youth teams of this calibre is much better than being constrained by the U23's and essentially stagnating...

"We only play the reserve teams and youth teams of the most amazing clubs in the world, and we are beating Bayern Munich in Munich," Irving said.

Could allow us to appeal to more youth players too...who may choose this version for their development...the chance to play big clubs around Europe would be a nice sell...

Our academy frankly hasn't produced enough...the likes of Jack have progressed despite our setup rather than because of it...

And what do players gain from the U23 or U18 league?...

Our best youngsters should be sent out on loan...

Our youngest players should be playing at a more challenging level...

This is just speculation of course...maybe this isn't going to happen...but the removal of the academy director and the U23's almost all being released...there is certainly something in the works for next season...

Imagine if we could get 9 players in 3 seasons good enough for the first team...

 

[WC-Passion]

That's fair...third though?...

Giroud, Higuain, Batshuayi, Morata are all ahead of him surely?...

He's been supremely important in getting us where we are...but i'd also say he's the most replaceable of our loanees...while he is a fox in the box he misses a lot of chances and his hold up play isnt as good as it should be...be surprised if you end up playing him...he's gonna get better but he's still a bit raw...

Lampard is likely to come in as manager, so Higuain will definitely go back as Sarri was the only one who wanted him here (he's also been completely rubbish). Morata is probably being sold to Madrid as he loves it there and it seems like the physical game in England doesn't suit him at all. Giroud is the only one assured to be staying (just signed a contract extension, which only give to 30+ year old players when we really want them to stay) so it'll likely be Giroud, Batshuayi and Tammy if we get banned from registering players.

I've heard a lot of Villa fans say they don't really like him but honestly it doesn't matter too much to me. 25 goals and at 21 years of age, as an academy product, he needs to be in the squad. None of our strikers, except Michy, can score chances on a regular basis. Tammy is no worse than Higuain at this point and Morata doesn't want to be here. It's an easy decision really.

 

[shaykh]

Lampard is likely to come in as manager, so Higuain will definitely go back as Sarri was the only one who wanted him here (he's also been completely rubbish). Morata is probably being sold to Madrid as he loves it there and it seems like the physical game in England doesn't suit him at all. Giroud is the only one assured to be staying (just signed a contract extension, which only give to 30+ year old players when we really want them to stay) so it'll likely be Giroud, Batshuayi and Tammy if we get banned from registering players.

I've heard a lot of Villa fans say they don't really like him but honestly it doesn't matter too much to me. 25 goals and at 21 years of age, as an academy product, he needs to be in the squad. None of our strikers, except Michy, can score chances on a regular basis. Tammy is no worse than Higuain at this point and Morata doesn't want to be here. It's an easy decision really.

At 21 he's definitely going to get better...just don't see him leading the line for a side aiming for CL...I'd take him back though ...although with what you're saying I guess we won't be...

 

[shaykh]

So drum roll please...

Aston Villa can confirm Ross McCormack is to leave the club after signing a variation agreement.

The club would like to wish Ross well for the future.

Amazing amazing news that we have this waste of space out of the club...

I have no idea what the terms of the agreement are...except it seems he most certainly isn't getting the value of 70k a week...ie he won't have received a 3.4m payoff...

That's now 9 down...

The Jota deal hasn't been announced but ppl seem confident it's still happening...

DEADWOOD REMAINING

Bjarnason
Tshibola
Hogan
Lansbury

 

[shaykh]

Jota deal is confirmed now...

Finally that clown Gardner can go play for his favourite club ...

 

[shaykh]

Our first signing as a Premier League side...

 

[shaykh]

Fee of 3m agreed for Hause...ie we triggered the loan to buy agreement we had...providing he agrees terms we should have him back...

 

[shaykh]

El Ghazi is confirmed...reportedly for 8m...a steal in todays market...

Aston Villa is delighted to announce that Anwar El Ghazi has joined the club on a four-year deal.

The Dutch international enjoyed a highly impressive loan spell at Villa Park last season after signing from French outfit Lille.

And the 24-year-old, who scored at Wembley in the play-off final, will now have the opportunity to showcase his talents in the Premier League after moving for an undisclosed fee.

El Ghazi was recently regarded as one of the hottest prospects in European football after coming through the ranks at the world-renowned Ajax academy and was a major success story in last term’s successful promotion push with six goals in 37 appearances.

Head Coach, Dean Smith, said: “Anwar proved to everybody at Wembley how good a player he can be for Aston Villa.

“He’s ready for the step up to the Premier League and he’s a young player who has an awful lot of potential. It’s now my job and the job of the coaching staff and Anwar himself to fulfil the potential that he undoubtedly has.

“He’ll be a great addition to the squad for next season.”

 

[WC-Passion]

At 21 he's definitely going to get better...just don't see him leading the line for a side aiming for CL...I'd take him back though ...although with what you're saying I guess we won't be...

There's always a chance he'll be back at Villa. For example, if someone like Allegri came in, I doubt he'd play youth players like Tammy as much as Tammy would hope. Other than Kean, I don't really remember him giving too many minutes to youngsters.

 

[shaz619]

El Ghazi is confirmed...reportedly for 8m...a steal in todays market...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">El Ghazi announced...? &#55358;&#56631;*<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AVFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hfh7Y1vQLg">https://t.co/Hfh7Y1vQLg</a></p>— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1138008161087033344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[shaz619]

We're winning the premier league! you heard it here first! and if we don't, I suggest you all put a wager on us finishing above either Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea or perhaps all of them

 

[shaykh]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">El Ghazi announced...? ��*<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AVFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hfh7Y1vQLg">https://t.co/Hfh7Y1vQLg</a></p>— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1138008161087033344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He's such a top guy....

Btw that 8m figure wasn't accurate...that figure was Euros and included the already paid loan fee...

We actually paid 4.5m pounds for him...

Jota and El Ghazi for 8.5m is excellent business...

 

[shaykh]

Apparently at the most conservative estimate (ie that we finish 20th next season) we have 140m available for transfers...not saying this is what will be spent...it could be less or it could be upwards of this...

It does seem that Kalinic might be on his way ...and the links at present seem to be suggesting Butland is on the radar...

Still waiting for Mings...

Links to Benrahma ...he would be excellent but I doubt we would get him...

It's incredible still just how small our squad is...maybe we do need to spend 200m...

GK - Steer, Kalinic, Nyland
LD - Taylor
RD - Elmo, Guilbert
CD - Chester
CM - Grealish, Hourihane, McGinn
W - Green, Jota, El Ghazi
FW - Kodjia, Davis

Chester is injured as is Nyland...

These two new signings mean we have 13 fit first team players...

 

[shaykh]

so there are a lot of reports confirming we have signed a Brazilian striker Wesley Moraes for 20m...

Seen the youtube footage but can't say I know anything about him...proves one thing...the media knows nothing about who we will sign...

Percy is the most accurate journo out there...and he's said we are also in talks with Kalvin Phillips...would be an excellent signing imo...

Looks like we are gonna have a major overhaul ...other than Mings, El Ghazi, Jack and McGinn I reckon our first team will have 7 new first teamers...

GK - to be signed (linked to Butland and Etheridge)
LD - to be signed (linked to Targett)
RD -signed Guilbert
CD - to be signed (linked with Mings)
DM - to be signed (linked with Philipps)
LM - El Ghazi
RM - to be signed
CM - McGinn, Grealish
CF - Wesley

Backup players

GK - Steer (Kalinic to be sold)
LD - young LB or keep Taylor as backup
RD - Elmo as backup
CD - Hause, Chester
DM - Hourihane
LM - need a backup cos Green isnt up to it...
RM - Jota
CM - need signings
CF - Davis (Kodjia to be sold so maybe another striker)

I wouldn't be surprised to see 10-15 signings this summer...

 

[shaz619]

so there are a lot of reports confirming we have signed a Brazilian striker Wesley Moraes for 20m...

Seen the youtube footage but can't say I know anything about him...proves one thing...the media knows nothing about who we will sign...

Percy is the most accurate journo out there...and he's said we are also in talks with Kalvin Phillips...would be an excellent signing imo...

Looks like we are gonna have a major overhaul ...other than Mings, El Ghazi, Jack and McGinn I reckon our first team will have 7 new first teamers...

GK - to be signed (linked to Butland and Etheridge)
LD - to be signed (linked to Targett)
RD -signed Guilbert
CD - to be signed (linked with Mings)
DM - to be signed (linked with Philipps)
LM - El Ghazi
RM - to be signed
CM - McGinn, Grealish
CF - Wesley

Backup players

GK - Steer (Kalinic to be sold)
LD - young LB or keep Taylor as backup
RD - Elmo as backup
CD - Hause, Chester
DM - Hourihane
LM - need a backup cos Green isnt up to it...
RM - Jota
CM - need signings
CF - Davis (Kodjia to be sold so maybe another striker)

I wouldn't be surprised to see 10-15 signings this summer...

It's great to see these signings and potential this summer but we need to be a bit careful, how much money do they actually have? don't want to do an Xia again

 

[shaykh]

It's great to see these signings and potential this summer but we need to be a bit careful, how much money do they actually have? don't want to do an Xia again

We are one of the richest clubs in the prem...

To my understanding the issue is less the wealth of our owners...and more ensuring we remain within FFP...

We can spend 140m and remain within FFP to my understanding at the most conservative estimate...so could spend even more...

 

[shaykh]

Here's a scouting report on Moraes by Sam Tighe...all sounds very positive...

Movement:

Nice mix of dropping in, filtering wide to help team build play and darting in behind. Understands and sees midfield rotations well. Gets heavily involved and sometimes drifts up to 20-30m away from the penalty box to help progress the ball through the thirds.

Physical profile:

Very tall (6'4"), very strong, deceptively fast. Unlike quite a lot of target-style forwards, when he darts in behind he's usually gone. Aggressive in the air.

Technical:

A real mixed bag. He sees it all - spaces, movements, one-two opportunities - but sometimes lacks the technique to pull it off. Expect some shanked shots and scuffed/underhit passes. But probably about 70% of what he tries comes off and is very good.

Off the ball:

A proper workhorse. Club Brugge press high and well, and he led the effort. Tracks the ball all the way back to the GK, traps defenders against the sideline and sprints back to pressure from behind when opponents enter his team's half.

Overall:

Extremely team-oriented. Works hard and helps in every phase. Physically very impressive. He's the "reference striker" that Villa scout Juanfran labelled Maxi Gomez of Celta Vigo as. Clever, makes good runs, links with midfield. Finishing isn't a strong-suit.

 

[shaykh]

Kortney Hause has signed for 3m...

 

[shaykh]

Matija Sarkic has gone out on loan to Livingstone for a season long loan...

Apparently a fee of an initial 14m fee has been agreed for Matt Targett ...rising to 17m with add-ons...

Saints opinions is he won't bomb down the pitch like Bertrand and is significantly slower...however he is a much better passer...can ping those 40 yard passes...and is a better crosser...remember him being good for Fulham when they went up...

Bristol City have confirmed we have had a bit rejected for Webster their CB...we bid 15m apparently...

Kalinic might be on the way out for a money + player deal for Nantes DM Valentin Rongier...who i know nothing about tbf...

Butland deal apparently is going to happen...

All sadly quiet on the Mings front...but hopefully that will still go through...

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=133972]shaykh[/MENTION]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“I love the claret and blue”<a href="https://twitter.com/tomhanks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TomHanks</a> &#55357;&#56845;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AVFC</a><a href="https://t.co/mGAfcWCL6L">pic.twitter.com/mGAfcWCL6L</a></p>— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1143968058438029313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[shaykh]

[MENTION=133972]shaykh[/MENTION]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“I love the claret and blue”<a href="https://twitter.com/tomhanks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TomHanks</a> ��<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AVFC</a><a href="https://t.co/mGAfcWCL6L">pic.twitter.com/mGAfcWCL6L</a></p>— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1143968058438029313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Lol so random

 

[shaykh]

Mings has been sealed for an initial 20m...it's about time...

Been suggested that we have another 8-9 signings we want to make...and that Smith was at the AFCON to look at Trezeguet...

So with Mings and Targett signed we are now looking a bit better...

 

[shaykh]

Signings just keep coming...Ezri Konsa for 12m from Brentford...and strong suggestions that we might be sealing a deal for yet another centre back in Bjorn Engels...

From what I've seen of Konsa he seems very similar to Tuanzebe actually...

Squad is starting to really take shape...

Our first XI too...

New GK (possibly Heaton)
Guilbert
Targett
Konsa
Mings

New DM (Phillips??)
Grealish
McGinn
El Ghazi
New WF (Benrahma??)

Wesley


2nd XI

Steer

New LB
Elmo
Hause
Engels??

New DM
Hourihane
New CM
Jota
New WF (Trezeguet)

New ST + Kodjia

So by my reckoning and I am being greedy that is 3 more signings for the first team required (GK, DM, WF)

+ 6 signings for the squad (LD, CD, DM, CM, WF, ST)

Doubt we will complete 9 more signings but who knows...

Still some deadwood to remove...

Bjarnason
Lansbury
Hogan
Tish
Kalinic
Taylor

So much done in this window already and showing no signs of stopping...

 

[shaykh]

This window is ridiculous lol...

Really chuffed about Villa signing Diego Luiz (pending a work permit)

While some are calling it a glorified loan...it's just short sighted viewing it in those terms...Man City can't attain a work permit for Luiz cos they can't achieve the requisite number of points for him...things such as top 25% transfer fee, top 25% earners at the club etc which Villa fan...this imho will prove to be the coup of the summer...imagine paying 15m to loan a player and then being paid 30m to return him...

Considering City have just signed Rodri it isn't even a given that City will come back for him...and if they do it's cos he will evidently have done an amazing job for Villa...

Bjorn Engels too should be announced later today...

It's worth noting that the Luiz and Engels signings were claimed on Twitter by an 'ITK'...and he got slammed for suggesting Luiz would be coming to us...

He interestingly had stated within the same Tweet than mentioned these two that the following transfers were also close to done...

Heaton
Phillips
Trezeguet

 

[shaykh]

So another update of the squad and the areas that still need to be filled...

GK - New GK, Steer

LD - Targett, New LB
RD - Guilbert, Elmo
CD - Mings, Engels, Hause, Konza

DM - Luiz, New DM
CM - Grealish, Hourihane (who has just penned a new contract), McGinn, New CM
LWF - El Ghazi, New LWF
RWF - Jota, New RW
CF - Wesley, Kodjia, New CF

Both Luiz and Phillips are adept at playing at DM or CM so signing them both means we don't need two signings...

Remaining signings post Luiz and Engels

GK
LB
DM/CM
WF * 2
CF

This transfer window so far is beyond my wildest dreams so far...

 

[shaykh]

Seems the Trezeguet deal is done...Turkish press have reported the deal as complete...French press have confirmed the Engels deal...so it's just pending official announcement now...

The average age of the squad has been seriously lowered...

First XI as it stands...

Steer 26
Targett 23
Guilbert 24
Konza 21
Mings 26
Luiz 21
Grealish 23
McGinn 24
El Ghazi 24
Trezeguet 24
Wesley 22

Average age : 23


I've stopped predicting WHO we will sign...but I guess I can express some wants...

Seems Liverpool might be willing to let Wilson go...if thats the case then its a no brainer for me...we need a right winger...

GK...still think it will be Heaton...

DM/CM...still hoping we land Phillips...

CF...Maupay is going somewhere...question is whether it is us...

LB...I have no ideas on this one...

 

[shaykh]

Kinda frustrating reading about how Villa are doing a Fulham ...

So how many transfers is too many?...

We got promoted due to Jack and McGinn who are ours...
Tammy, Axel who are loanees who have left...
Mings, Anwar, Hause loanees who we have since signed...
And the likes of Whelan and Adomah who have since been released...

We released 9 players...and 5 of our loanees returned to their clubs...

This was our squad at one point...

GK - Steer, Kalinic, Nyland
DF - Chester, Elmo, Taylor
MF - McGinn, Hourihane, Grealish, Gardner, Bjarnason, Lansbury, Green
ST Kodjia, Davis

Arguably only 6 players who are Premiership quality...we aren't spending shitloads of money cos we're showing off...it's cos frankly it is what we need...

And it isn't being Fulham and it isn't being Football Manager when we buy and strengthen...it's a necessity...and the board appear to understand that as our transfer activity so far has shown...

Last season we started the season without centre backs...so it seems we have bought four (knowing that Chester isn't good enough)...including the loanees who got us promotion and a replacement for Tuanzebe in Konza...the fact that we signed 4 centre backs was proof that the owners and Smith were building a competitive squad not just a competitive first XI...

Guilbert was already on his way...we have improved on Taylor who was our weak link in the Championship with Targett...it's not implausible that Taylor doesn't make the 25...and we get a better deputy...

Luiz is an astute signing...the likes of Bjarnason weren't good enough for us in the Championship yet this deadwood is gonna be in our Prem squad...I highly doubt it...the same goes for Lansbury...I'd be happy for Ramsey to get a push...but I'd be surprised if we don't buy another DM along with the incoming Luiz...though our strongest spot it was still an area in need of depth...we know what happened when Jack got injured last season...

The right wing was our weak spot...Adomah and Green were awful...the idea that Green will be in the squad is nonsensical...he's a long way away from being remotely close to Prem quality...he needs another loan...and considering he was our ONLY winger following Adomah's release it was imperative to get 4 new wingers...we got Anwar back...Jota in quickly...Trezeguet on the way to deputise Anwar...what we do need is a right winger to slot straight into the first team ...

With Tammy gone we were left with Kodjia who is a third striker at best...Wesley was a necessity...and I still think we go for another striker...

The fact that we our completely rebuilding the squad is what we need to do...

We have had to spend just to keep some of the core...Mings, Hause, El Ghazi...

We have had to replace loanees with Konza and Wesley...that is 5 signings just to stay still...

I was fairly confident we would spend in excess of 100m at the beginning of the window as it was evident just how important it was to do so...

We aren't investing simply to survive but to belong in the league...

16 signings isn't greedy...we have had an excellent window so far and I'm sure we will continue...

We need a new GK

We have signed four CB's (presuming Engels is done)
We have signed a new LB
We have signed a new RB
We could do with one more LB...

We have signed a DM (presuming Luiz goes through)
We need one more DM and a CM
We have signed two wingers
We need two more (1 of whom seems to be Trezeguet)

We have signed a striker
We need one more...

To compete in the Premier League we need strength in depth...we can't afford to rely on one or two players ...

If Luiz, Engels and Trezeguet go through this week that leaves us with only a few positions to fill...and that too with a month to go...

GK, RW to go straight into the first team...

LB, DM, CM. FW to improve the squad...

 

[shaykh]

So a 3-0 win and a 1-0 win in pre-season...

Whats evident so far is Wesley seems to be one of those false 9s...link up play is brilliant as is his strength, vision and acceleration...early days but he could be our version of Firmino...

Guilbert looks excellent...great going forward and has a good cross on him...

Engels has been signed and pics have leaked of Trezeguet ...should be announced tomorrow...suggestion too is that there were no hiccups in getting Luiz his work permit...waiting for the signing to be confirmed anytime soon ...

So many links out there at the moment still...some more credible than others...L'Equipe and now Sky Sports have announced our bid for Benrahma was rejected...he is outstanding so i'm hoping we get this one over the line...

Possible Squad

First XI

GK - Butland (a suggested deal of money + Lansbury has been mentioned)...Heaton for 10m has been deemed poor value

LD - Targett (looks a huge upgrade on Taylor)
RD - Guilbert (looks a bargain)
CD - Mings
CD - Engels

DM - Luiz
CM - Jack
CM - McGinn

WF - El Ghazi
WF - Benrahma
CF - Wesley

2nd XI

GK - Steer

LD - Taylor (although I really hope we get someone like Rebocho who can cross (hes 5m)...Taylor isn't prem quality...
RD - Elmo
CD - Konza
CD - Hause

DM - Nakamba? Luyindama?...we keep getting linked with other DMs...
CM - Hourihane
CM - ???

LW - Trezeguet
RW - Jota
CF - Maupay/Leao ...Leao is a link that keeps popping up but I cant see it myself...

 

[shaykh]

5-1 win over Walsall

Thoughts on todays game...all in all the rust has gone...and the team looks up to speed...

Kalinic had very little to do...could do nothing with the goal he conceded...

Engels looked so comfortable on the ball...him and Mings seem to have a nice understanding...I do enjoy how we play from the back...

Guilbert looks great doesn't he...Wesley to Guilbert to Jota...oh so simple...wanna see him tested defensively but offensively he looks class...Targett was solid...always on the front foot...and some good passing...a big step up on Taylor...

Hourihane clearly off the pace...poor game for him...Lansbury and Jack were fine...Lansbury actually looks decent when surrounded by good players...Jack and Jota have a great understanding...some really nice link up play between them...his balance is amazing

Jota is looking such a bargain...lovely link up play especially with Wes...nice finishing...whats not to like...Wesley had an excellent game...great hold up play...he does bring the likes of Jota into the game...and he creates chances...he was even able to set up Green...took his first goal well...nice pen...and was unlucky not to get another assist with Lansbury coming in...he's unselfish too for a striker...I see him getting lots of assists for us...could be our own Firmino...

Green was just awful again...the whole team is looking a lot sharper..but Green just looks out of place...in a team of ball players he loses it far too much...and his control is terrible...glad we have signed Trezeguet...and definitely need another winger...

Subs
They only had 20 minutes...in terms of standouts...

RHM is just so much better than Green it seems...actually runs and beats his man...and actually seems to have decent control...and a nice cross for Hogan too...what he needs to improve is his link up play but I certainly prefer him on the wing that as a forward...

 

[shaykh]

Trezeguet signing done...

 

[shaykh]

 

[shaykh]

This insane window just keeps getting better...

Finally got Luiz over the line...and Trezeguet too...

John Percy who only ever writes about signings when they are more or less confirmed has also stated that Marvelous Nakamba is doing a medical ahead of an 11m move....

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...-marvelous-nakamba-summer-spending-pass-100m/

 

[shaykh]

So currently the squad looks like this:

GK - Steer/Kalinic
LD - Targett/Taylor
RD - Guilbert/Elmo
CD - Mings/Hause
CD - Engels/Konsa

DM - Luiz/Nakamba
CM - Jack/Lansbury
CM - McGinn/Hourihane

LW - El Ghazi/Trezeguet
RW - Jota/Green
CF - Wesley/Kodjia, Davis

We are still in the hunt for a keeper...
I want us to get another LB...Rebocho is the one id love us to get but it doesn't seem to be on the list...
We are still in the hunt for another winger...
We are still in the hunt for a striker...
Could possibly do better than Lansbury but I doubt we sign any more central midfielders now...

 

[shaykh]

Wow so signings 11+12 have been sealed...

Tom Heaton and Marvelous Nakamba...welcome to the club...I think Heaton is an outstanding signing...an excellent keeper who can organise a defence...

What's come out from some quite accurate ITK's thus far is we will be buying another striker who will likely break our transfer record so far...35m euros and Italian...

I got slammed by some for suggesting we might make 16 signings but it's looking possible now...

Green has gone out on loan which seems to be paving the way for a new winger...a crazy final week to look forward to...

The squad looks good now...new signings in bold...

GK - Heaton, Steer, Kalinic
LD - Targett, Taylor
RD - Guilbert, Elmo
CD - Mings, Hause
CD - Konza, Engels

DM - Luiz, Nakamba
CM - Grealish, Hourihane
CM - McGinn, Lansbury

LW - El Ghazi, Trezeguet
RW - Jota

CF - Wesley, Kodjia, Davis

Predictions signings wise for the final week

- New striker marquee signing (35m mark)...if not then Maupay will be the fallback...
- Right winger...I'm hoping it's Benrahma...
- Another CM...suggestion is Phillips or Santamaria...fits with the idea that Nakamba has been bought for Mcginns position
- A left back...Taylor is so poor...no links as yet...I'm just praying for this one...

Likelihood is we will finish with 14...but I'm gonna stick with my original prediction of 16...

Wouldn't be surprised to see us hit a 200m spend this window...

 

[shaykh]

3-1 victory over Leipzig

Thoughts on the game...this will go down as a 3-1 win in a pre-season friendly but Leipzig turned up to play...

To win 3-1 against a side in the Champions League was outstanding frankly...lots of pluses...and even the minuses are nit picky...

Leipzig were aggressive with a serious pressing game...and we held our own...

Heaton - I already feel so much better with him in the side...after a bit of a dodgy start rushing off his line he was brilliant...world class save in the second half and always communicating...feel so much better with him between the sticks...

Mings and Engels look great together...both did well defensively and Mings could have had a couple goals from set pieces...both look so comfortable on the ball too...love their confidence...

Guilbert looked good going forward...but caught out a couple times defensively...Targett was generally good going forward too but position wise was poor defensively in the first half...both weren't ready for the tempo but improved in the second half...we were against Leipzig so no shame in being troubled by their attackers...

Hourihane and that world class left foot...fantastic from set pieces...still see him as someone who plays better from an advanced position...not combative enough for a DM...

Jack was quiet overall but certain things like his first touch as always was impeccable...troubled by Leipzig's press but so would anyone...once Leipzig tired a bit and he had more time he improved...

McGinn got better as the game went on...got bullied a bit by Leipzig...but got better and scored a nice goal and could have had more...

Anwar was quiet...hope he's ok...Trezeguet though...what an assist for that third goal...on for a short time and made an instant impression...beautiful first touch, run and pass...

Jota was fine...some lovely control in parts...won an excellent free kick...good at cutting in and out...him and Guilbert have a good understanding...

Wesley's hold up play was class...he was up against some huge guys as well...there was one moment i think where he held the ball up while surrounded by three defenders...his first touch too was beautiful...as was that ball to McGinn....Kodj looked fine movement wise when he came on too...

A thoroughly useful 'friendly'...we won't face many sides as tough as Leipzig this coming season...

 

[shaykh]

Transfer News...

Maupay to Brighton is apparently done...ideally what this means is our 'Plan A' is close to done...

With Green out on loan the talk about Benrahma is getting a bit louder...I personally feel we will get him...i've seen a link to Berardi but given the choice i'd take Benrahma...

Had a 15m bid turned down for Kalvin Phillips...I have a feeling we will get this one over the line...

Sadly no links to left backs...

 

[shaykh]

So 4 days to get players in...and for some outgoings too...

So far we have sent Green, JDH and RHM out on loan...I suspect the following three will also get loan deals: O'Hare, Davis, Bree

5 others I can see leaving...Kalinic either to be sold or out on loan...Tshibola to be released?...Chester maybe?...we have four centre backs now...Hogan although who could possibly want him...and Bjarnason who I can see someone buying for a low price...

 

[shaykh]

Spurs 3-1 Villa

All in all an encouraging display. Good in the first half but not so great in the second. In particular we lost the ball far too easily and were sloppy in possession. Good defensively but the midfield got completely dominated and once Eriksen came on he changed the game.

Thankfully we won't face teams of this quality every week.

Heaton was outstanding and could do nothing with the goals, and made some fantastic saves in particular the one from Eriksen.

Engels and Mings were excellent together for the most part. Mings throwing himself at everything and Engels heading was great.That clearance too. Our keeper and centre backs were our best players today.

Taylor. I'll say it. He was good and these games where we are all out defence, he'll do well .Games where we feel we can attack we'll use Targett I imagine. Elmo too was fine.

Hourihane actually had a decent first half defensively but was completely ineffective in the second half.He just isn't a DM. We poor at retaining possession but we also just didn't intercept the ball in the second half. Conor just chased shadows. I look forward to seeing how Luiz progresses. He was more involved in his short cameo and looked good on the ball.

McGinn took his goal well and particularly in the first half harried and troubled Spurs with the press, but faded second half when our midfield got completely dominated.

Jack needs to realise he wont have as much time on the ball in the Prem. He had a really poor game but he'll learn.

Trezeguet looks class and handled Rose well. He was excellent pressing too and he's gonna get us goals on the counter this season and create some too. El Ghazi did a lot of good defensive work too. Jota will be a useful option in games where we have possession more but his lack of pace didn't help us today. As soon as we took Trez off our main threat was gone. Today it shows that we are a little light going into the season with three wingers.

Wesley did well for our goal but went to ground too easily in the first half I think Smith had a word at half time cos he stopped it second half and actually looked a lot better holding the ball up and linking play. He's gonna do well for us and I would have preferred Davis coming on to Kodjia who looked poor.

We lost today but our season won't be defined by games against the likes of Spurs.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Decent start from Villa, plenty of energy and showed no fear but dont know how to keep possesion for any length of time.

Should do well at Villa Park but will be very happy to survive the drop back to the champioship.