Monday morning is upon us and the weekend is over. With most of us facing the task of being back at work after the weekend, it seems a suitable enough time to look forward in Aston Villa terms.

The weekend’s win was a great achievement, but the past is the past and three points alone means nothing in the grand scheme of the Premier League. What Villa need to do now is progress – make steps that allow the club to build on those positives, and there were many, and make something of the next few games.

The club are, after seasons of underfunding, a long way from former glories. Despite Villa’s proud past, recent history has been far less interesting to read, bordering on the tedious. All that said, we are where we are, and to get up the ladder we need to acknowledge the steps we can take, and the limitations of what we can and can’t do.

Part of that means being open to some potential uses of the loan system. Whilst I’ve heard some fans to be critical of Villa taking players on loan, our current position leaves us an ideal candidate to get a player or two from a top team and use that to reinforce our own squad. In that sense, we need to get over the fact that we’re not top six contenders and work out the way back there – it certainly won’t be achieved simply be reminiscing or complaining.

When it comes to deciding exactly who could come in, things get a little harder. It still puzzles me that the number nine shirt is vacant. Yes, Nicklas Helenius is not playing at Villa Park this season given his loan to AaB, but I’d be amazed if the tall Danish striker gets the same number on his return, assuming he comes back at all.

In that sense, maybe there’s a thought for a man to lead the line. Yes, Christian Benteke is an obvious target for balls when he’s fit, but there’s also a certain depth to the Belgian’s ability that makes me wonder if he would actually play well alongside a more classic number nine. Why? We’ve seen from experience that Benteke’s hold up play is excellent, and his ability to play with his back to goal is one of his greatest asset. In that sense, I think a strong striker would be his perfect foil.

Some might say that Darren Bent could be the ideal candidate and, now that the club has wingers in place, there’d be some logic to such a move. However, even though Charles N’Zogbia and Alan Hutton have returned to the squad despite their significant wages, my feeling is that the monolithic wage paid to Bent is simply not viable enough for him to be built around – I could conceive both Hutton and N’Zogbia getting new contracts if they performed, but I don’t see Villa’s former number nine clawing his way back beyond some cameos for the rest of his contract.

So who? The short (and honest) answer is I don’t know. Specifics regarding exactly who the manager wants to sign will, at least until very close to the deal, remain a mystery, but that doesn’t mean loans can’t have an impact. Villa have done well in the past with loans – Kyle Walker and young James Milner spring to mind – and swallowing a bit of pride and getting back on the market might be the right tonic.

That said, finances are still going to be some kind of constraint on how things are dealt with going forwards, but that does mean if we tap on the shoulders of some of the richer clubs – the likes of Manchester City for instance – they may well be far more lenient, both in terms of loan fee and the wage contribution required.

Given all that, I look forward to seeing what happens this Saturday at Villa Park. True to my behaviour, I’ll be cautiously optimistic that we can make something of the game, even if that means one point instead of three – the future may still be unclear, but the road there will be taken a step at a time, from what was a solid performance at the weekend.

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Matt Turvey
Matt is the owner of, and chief writer for, Aston Villa Life. He is also a columnist for the Wolverhampton Express & Star, appearing in the Kick Off pullout on Saturdays and the Final Whistle pullout the Monday after Aston Villa play, as well as every Thursday as a blogger on their website. He has previously been featured as a writer on Football365 and Life's A Pitch, and was a regular pundit for Sports Tonight TV on Sky.

Comments 125

  1. Clive Evans

    A leading question Matt, as always!
    It’s very difficult to make a guess in the hiatus as the outcome is unsure – do we continue with Lerner and, whatever the answer to that question is, do we continue with Lambert?
    Whatever arises from the answers to those questions, what will be the financial situation vis-a-vis transfers?
    Newcastle has adopted a strategy whereby they have bought 2 young players from Forest but left them there on loan for a season. They also buy young and cheap (£5m or so) and offer 5 year contracts.
    Southampton has shed it’s start players and appears to have found some form with the new bargain-buy intake.

    But I deviate off-topic; the answer to your question about the next number 9 should definitely not be Bent; neither does it need to be, with Benteke knocking the ball on, a six-footer McInally type. A short Shane Long version can play well with the right service. Of course the question must then be asked what happens if CB gets injured?

    You can tell from this diatribe – I haven’t a clue!

  2. Trinity

    Hello Matt.

    Good article for a Monday after a first week victory, especially after the euphoria of winning at the Emirates first up last year and how quickly we went down hill thereafter. So, a dose of realism is a good thing. That said, I can’t see any reason why Villa can’t win at home this weekend. I expect a win.

    PL has said if he can still find players to improve the team, he’ll have a crack at getting them in. I agree that if that means loaning them for a while that’ll be a good thing. It depends. We wouldn’t want it to impede the progress of the likes of Jack Grealish. Grealish, though, would only be used regularly if the players around him can do their job well. That might even mean loaning experienced or more talented players to cover certain positions.

    Like you more or less say, perhaps some of the richer clubs, who don’t see us as a threat, will take pity on us and agree to help us out on favourable terms for Villa.

    Hope all is well health wise.

  3. Trinity

    Hey Clive!

    Might have to do some diving over your way around Christmas.

    We’ve seen what happens when CB gets injured. It’s a testament to his strength, he didn’t get injured during his first season with Villa. I don’t think he should be played the 90 minutes every game unless the hoof it to CB mentality stops. He’s getting hacked too often.

  4. Clive Evans

    Hey Trinity,
    Lovely here at Xmas – nice and warm but not ‘scorchio’!

    If you are in or near our area (Pranburi/Hua Hin) let me know. We get a good Xmas Day dinner with 3 Brits, 2 Aussies and at least one Kiwi.

    I agree about the CB injury problem – comes with the turf at that level. We need a stand-in player with ‘rubber legs’ who rarely gets injured – Paulo Wanchope, John Fashanu and Anelka spring to mind.

  6. Frem

    “Whether results have gone for or against, as a guy, he’s been excellent and always up front.

    Do yo think Lambert means ” I can’t believe my luck that he hasn’t sacked me one thousand times over ”

    Saturday will be a huge indication if we are changing. If it’s the usual defensive anti football display then it won’t be good. It’s about time we dominate the ball and attack

    Lambert says we want 1 or 2 more players. Please don’t be a left back, or a defender. Please please be creative players because we have none

  9. The Droyd

    Joe Cole is creative too Frem.

    If we sign another centre back then we will know for sure that Vlaar is off.

    I would like one more pacey wide forward in the Gabby mould like Scott Sinclair.

    Where are all the whingeing old gits today?

  10. Lionheart

    Sanchez ball winner.. Delph.. box to box energy.. Holtby playmaker..

    I like that as a trio in the middle of the park.. think it would be a very decent middle three..

    N Zog.. Richardson.. Grealish and maybe another on loan.. providing the width..

    If we could somehow push the boat out and get two more players in.. i think we could surprise a lot of people.. gosh one win and it’s got to me already 😀

  11. Frem

    Lionheart- That could be a very good trio indeed. Finally would give us a bit of balance, especially if we can get width as well. Richardson might be a CM option this season instead of out wide, he looked decent against Stoke.

    Hopefully we can keep a settled back 6 who will stay solid through out he season and then rotate in forward areas.

    It could be exciting times. If rumours are to believed, new owners could be in with a matter of weeks. Win our next two home games and then have new owners.

    We might finally have our Villa back and not the disgrace and embarrassment of last season

  13. Graham O'Gara

    Do we think we could get little pea on loan?

    He doesn’t want the “leave” united, but we could offer valuable first team football in the short term, a good spell in our first team could force him back in to contention at united… he works hard, makes brilliant runs in behind and down the channels and knows where the goal is…

  15. Graham O'Gara

    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a name I saw on one of the other sites.

    Bayern youth player. played 9 times for the first team, is apparently available for loan.

    Big solid box to box midfielder with an eye for a pass.

  16. Mark King

    I think with inclusion of Sanchez the full backs will get forward so not fussed about the winger if we don’t get one, would be happy with a creative midfield and a pacey forward.

    GOG
    good shout on little pea, but I would sound out watford for troy deany, pace power and knows where the net is could be perfect foil to benteke. I think Kosak will be used to keep tekkers fresh and occasionally together if we are losing with 20 to go. I’m more than a little upset that Helenius wasn’t given a fair shout even when we had no tekkers or Kosak the lad reminds me of a cross between sheringham and crouch has a very clinical finish unlike lash it andy and two left feet gabby

  18. Graham O'Gara

    Clive

    as pointed out above, United may be willing to give a concession on his wages…

    Mark

    Helen, I thought looked like he would have thrived in a team set up like Southampton. He reminded me of Lambert without the physicality.
    I hope that he comes back stronger and full of confidence, still think he could be a player. By all accounts he was the best finisher at the club in training, unfortunately didn’t seem to have the all round game to suit the Lambert Hoof master plan. I don’t think I given up hope of him returning.

  19. Gareth Stevens

    Afternoon all…

    I haven’t been on here for a long time but have been following you all very closely (the website and comments online that is).

    Very pleased with the three points… Certainly a fantastic start to the season. I’ve not seen the game but the general feeling seems to be that we really deserved the victory. The key to this appears to be the implementation of a powerful back four – can’t see us getting bullied like last year. Is this Roy Keane’s influence or has Lambert finally started using his head?

    Those who were fortunate enough to watch are all still concerned about the style of football. 36% possession against Stoke is not great but I’ll start worrying if this is becomes the norm for our home games.
    As for the squad, I’m rather pleased with the way it’s filling up. Sanchez was an absolute must purchase for us – I can’t think of a more important purchase right now. The thought of Bennett. Lowton (defensively) and Baker in the same backline still freaks me out though. I’m hoping Bennett and Baker will be moved on as they’re just not premiership quality.

    Further forward, Benteke’s return cannot come soon enough. Gabby is just awful and has been so for at least two seasons. He’s getting slower yet his ball control is getting worse? A front two of Weiman and Gabby will scare no-one and I do wonder about Bent’s work rate (or lack thereof).

    Lambert’s clearly not a winger man so I’ve given up all hope of us getting a decent one. You’d think with strikers the size of Benteke and Kozak, you’d want to get in as many crosses from the by-line as possible (Albrighton was good at this).

    So what business will we see (if any) over the next two weeks? I can’t help but feel that Lambert will try and get another number 10. Joe Cole at his age is an unknown quantity and his fitness levels are poor so he can’t be relied upon. As Lerner’s freed up a bit of cash, Lambert may want to add some depth here.

    UTV!!!!!!!!!

  20. Mark King

    Welcome Gareth

    I think your right cole was a silly gamble imo with his age recent record and injuries

    Gog
    With a new regiem due if helenius puts in 20 this season he will be looked at again

  21. Graham O'Gara

    Re Cole, he’s not a starter but if he can come on and add to guile in the final 20minutes of games and give opposition something else to think about he will be worth it IMO.

    We’ll see how it pans out. But a £20k deal isn’t going to break the bank and he can provide something different to the other players we have,

  22. The Droyd

    I agree with Graham. Cole can provide us with some much needed creativity at VP when we have run out of ideas.

    On last season’s home form that was usually after about 10 minutes of the game.

    We can’t go on trying to play like an away team when we are at VP. Unless it’s against the top 4.

  23. Mark King

    Gog

    That was my assumption but with a poor injury record its 20k a week and a squad place lost potentually. I know it can happen to anyone but for me being able to complete a game of football is a prerequisite for 20k could of kept albrighton for 10k more. Joe didn’t show enough at wet spam for me

  25. Gareth Stevens

    I don’t know about you you guys but I’d prefer to have that creativity on the field for closer to 90 minutes…

    I’d like to see us get a creative player with a good engine room.

  27. Heroes-and-Villans

    This is the thing with Football…it’s not rocket science. Everyone knows a good side is built from the back. Low and behold we improve the back 4 and we put in the best defensive shift in ages. There is a good chance when we look back at the end of the season that senderous on a free is a great signing.

    There is also a chance we could go down though!!!

    Villa Park form will determine what we are going to do. 4 points out of next 2 home games is a must really for any positive signs.

  28. Graham O'Gara

    Serious rumours Holtby could be on his way… £4m will Lerner stretch the purse strings? Useful No.10 or wide forward player….

    Would bench Gabby surely! Only problem is would that move Grealish off the bench… it shouldn’t!

    Bent for me should be upfront in place of Gabby at the moment. Think he will be playing for a new contract, the more he impresses the more other clubs are likely to offer. He won’t be at Villa lnog, but while we can use a player like him who, clearly would be looking to impress and put himself in the shop window, we should.

  29. John Lerwill

    You know, I’m still trying to get my head round the part-time appointment of RK … an already fairly experienced manager.

    Not that I’m knocking that appointment. I feel that Saturday’s performance was a lot attributable to Keane’s approach and I feel strongly that he was a key influence in the purchase of Sanchez and maybe other players. I hear there are rumours emanating from Villa that this was the case.

    But how is this manager-coach relationship going to work out? Keane has reportedly insisted that he’s not staying to be appointed as manager, so has Lerner tried to avoid the embarrassment of getting rid of another manager in quick time by the RK appointment, to bolster the ranks?

    I suppose the situation is that this is a temporary setup pending the arrival of a new owner. Isn’t it?

  30. Gareth Stevens

    Droyd:

    I appreciate it’s that easy for maybe you or I to think of a realistic option, but we have a scouting system. There must be options. Whether it be loan or permanent there are players out there. Holtby being one of them.

    Martinez is very shrewd when I comes to this… Deulofeu is a good example.

  32. Steve W

    Very pleased with the win at Stoke. For whatever reason it finally happened, the inclusion of N’Zogbia for Tonev, Bent for Bowery, Given for Steer and even Hutton for Bacuna/Lowton makes the squad much stronger than it was last season.

    I’d like to see the loan system abolished in the Premier League. Since it won’t be, then it is a market we need to consider, but not if players like Grealish are sidelined in favour of journeymen.

  34. Graham O'Gara

    Davy Klaassen could be an option. Tho I imagine it take £8-10m to get him.

    Thing is Gareth we’re only going to get them on the way up (young players learning their trade) or on the way down.

  35. Frem

    Maybe Holtby can play the David Silva role when he comes in narrow from the right onto his left foot, or play narrow on the left like he did against Newcastle yesterday

    I’d prefer Gnabry though. We have knowone who can run at pace with the ball at there feet

    I don’t think Lambert will drop Grealish. He’s a talented player

  36. Frem

    The fans love him as well. Got a great reception when he came on against Stoke

    John- Keane and Lambert seemed good together on Saturday. Glad Keane was up of the bench getting stuck in. What we need

  37. Mark King

    I think keane would resign if we dropped Grealish, he’s in the first team on Keane s insistence apparently

    JL

    I would be amazed if new management wasn’t appointed even if Lambert got champs league. I think Keane is hear to show his face and because Lambert is his genuine friend, how else was he persuaded to take a hopeless position like ours on. Its not likely new owners have insisted as he’s going to be the next manager

  38. Graham O'Gara

    I fancy any new owners with any ambition may already have a manager in place to come in with.

    For me someone like Moyes would be the building block for any new owners with money. The man has a point to prove and has the experience in bringing a team through the murky waters of midtable.

  39. Heroes-and-Villans

    Id love Moyes. Crazy what the media and Utd made him out to be. He is a proper football man.

    Another one for attacking Midfield…Fellani on loan? just playing behing tekkers. Seen Fellani play live twice and was superb both occassions….against us!

  40. Frem

    I’d have Fellani

    If we get new owners, I’d like Benitez but Moyes could be ok also

    Maybe the new owners with A CEO like Courtese we would appoint someone different like Pochatino was when he went to Saints

  41. Gareth Stevens

    I’d be on cloud nine if we went through a Saints like revolution…

    A Courtese like CEO would be a dream… holding thumbs that we see something like this happening within the next 12 months.

    RE: Transfer targets:
    I still believe there are realistic targets but they’re more likely to be loans. Lets get two more in and go for that top 10 finish!

  42. Graham O'Gara

    Fellani would be a real coup… but his wages are monstrous and even with United paying 50% we’d have to stump up £70 a week.

    Can’t see it.

    Think Gards needs a chance to shine with stability and platform hopefully Sanchez will provide.

  44. Ian

    Matt, you are right, at 30 Bent is too expensive and old to build around. Never thought of that angle. Just as a late sub seems to be his lot right now.

    I like the loan system as it gives a player time on the pitch to develop, it gives the parent club a stage to show off a potential sale, and it can fill gaps on a team for a period of time. Loans, maybe should not have a window then injuries wouldn’t be so devastating to a smaller club in some instances.

  48. Frem

    Andrew- he’s a genius. I admire players who can get so many assists and goals for someone who really isn’t very quick what so ever. It’s all in his head. I love the assists he makes more so, can find passes know one else can

    Can only dream of having a player like that down at the Villa

  49. Frem

    You watch Silva, and then Gabby, Wiemann etc trying to create things and it’s pretty disgraceful really. There are many many better players all around the world who could create things better than those two

  50. Mark King

    Ian

    speaking of the Lambert fan club have they all gone on a lads holiday to minehead?
    I can’t believe they missed this opportunity to praise him on a job well done on the weekend

  52. Mark King

    this is why Lamberts the manager

    On Sanchez

    ‘I’m sure he will find his feet pretty quickly,’ said Lambert.
    ‘Today I saw him up close and your eyes tell you within a minute that he’s going to be a good player,
    ‘You can see that by the way he plays the game.’

    priceless 🙂

  53. Frem

    does anyone else think Sanchez looks like Ashely Young with an Afro ?

    On another note, you can tell Gabby just don’t give a shit about football because when he misses his sitters, there’s no emotion there. he just carry’s on like hes done nothing wrong without a care in the world. most strikers get really angry when they miss there chances, but not out Gabby. He’s got to go. Cant wait for Benteke to get back

  54. Matt Turvey

    Thanks everyone for your comments.

    Loans are funny things really. For us, at present, I’d be seriously looking at then to fill the gaps, even if it means that go back to their club after – I don’t think we can afford to be too proud about it.

    For the number nine role, it is hard to see who that player might be. If Benteke leads the line, Hernandez would be a great foil for him but he obviously isn’t a number nine for me.

    Also be interesting to see how the system develops when we have everyone back – feels nice to have options rather than desperate hope of holding together a competent first eleven…

  55. Mark King

    matt

    maybe with better players around supporting him Kosak can fill the shirt? he wasn’t very good at having the ball walloped at him from 40yds last season but then neither was benteke who generally got battered by centre halves too. maybe with a more measured approach we’ll see the best of him

  57. John Lerwill

    Mark: here’s the answer to the was it Keane who lured Sanchez debate…

    Do what?! 🙂 Since when does Angel decide who joins Villa, Mark?

    You’re just winding me up, I think.

  58. Frem

    Kosak will score goals if we supply him. He’s crap at holding the ball up. He’s crap at brining others into to play, he’s crap in the air if it’s hoofed to him but good enough if it’s crossed into him

    Look at how goals against Stoke, Norwich, Saints etc and there poachers goals. He has very good movement of the ball. That’s when you can afford to have poacher up top like Bent if he has service.

    Agree with Matt, we should be looking for 1 or 2 loans from bigger clubs like Arsenal and Spurs ( Gnabry and Holtby). Makes sense when there is currently no long term plan. Our manager and owner will be gone in a matter of months hopefully

  59. Mark King

    JL

    not at all john its everywhere that Angel influenced his decision not made the decision to buy him, and Lambert says in the press conference that he has watched him extensively. nothing points to Keane being the deciding factor or the man who singled him out although that could be true also

  60. John Lerwill

    Mark,

    Well of course I can believe Angel’s advice – but who went looking for Sanchez in the first place? After all Sanchez would not ring up Villa and say “I’m coming” … would he? 😉

  65. rogermuffin

    did we really only have 36% possession on saturday? on well we we going do better at home against the tripe all around us then we need 10% more then that.

    frem – sanchez look a little like ashley young only a little bit though, passing resemblance i believe its called.
    , lets hope he has as good for us as young was before he went and retired in manchester!

    Strange how both of our last 2 proper wingers young and downing have gone down hill since they left us.
    i don’t think either really wanted to go but landy rearner wanted to pay some bills.

  66. rogermuffin

    yes Matt, i think a realistic aim for us based on the new found strength shown at stoke ( if its lasts and i think it will). is the top half. if we can finish the 1st of the season on 25-30 point we will be scoring and defending as a good team.

    the it will all depend on the 2nd half of the season , on where we get.. i think it may be worth trying a predictor.

  67. Mark King

    roger

    john keeps picking on me, yes we did have 36% but appeared strangely in control, sanchez is sporting a hairdo from the Jackson fives early days 🙂

    burnley having a go this could end in tears, costa just got a 9.5 for a dive

  68. Matt Turvey

    To be fair Rog, possession stats mean nothing without context – a counter attacking team will always have less possession than a team playing possession football.

    Haven’t got the stats to hand but 36% seems low considering, but don’t have them to hand so can’t really say…

  71. Mark King

    we desperately need to improve on our conversion rate, we miss so many easy chances, even benteke did it last season. Put more chances away and the team might not get so edgy

  72. rogermuffin

    Loans are a means to and end. in an ideal world, players would be falling over themselves to play for us, ( esp if rihania does diamond encrust the holte end).

    but even if we only keep a player for a season = if they are goo and do a job , do it i say.

    we should get more of our promising youth out on loan, lets get them down to notts county – it seemed to jack grealish a world of good, or maybe it was the rumour of women outnumbering men?

    I am glad i angel did give sanchez the final push to sign for us, he club should seriously think about getting angel to suggest some other columbians as well. ther must be other good ones we could get cheapish,

  73. Matt Turvey

    Certainly agree loans need to work both ways – I am glad we have finally started trying to develop our youth rather than chucking them into the pressure of Villa Park straight from the academy.

  76. Mark King

    roger

    too late 1-3 at half time

    counter attacking involves sucking a team in so unless you are the greatest passers of the ball in tight spaces the only way is to let them have it so they commit players forward so you can counter simple. helps if you can defend though 🙂

  89. Mark King

    bluudy, flippin, feckin ell, any one who’s wondering why we need a creative mid/10 should watch this lad :-). I have a few questions though

    A. why is he playing in russia

    B. how has he only got 2 caps

    C. tonev looked good in his video

    D.did his nephew do the special effects

    E. when can we buy him please?

    f. come back steamer I’ve nobody to wind up

  90. Ian

    Droyd, yesterday you mentioned “whingeing old git” and it got me to wondering. When do you become an old git? And is whingeing part of the aging process? And can’t you be a git all your life? I certainly worked with a few. Are Lambert and Lerner gits? What about Mark? He mentioned grandkids. Definitely old, no? But has he slipped into githood too? Am I old? The only attribute I’ll own up to. 🙂

  91. Mark King

    I’m a bit worried by the communication problems as in our international defence we have six different nationalities, to make things worse ones Scottish and three have similar nick names, we have concrete, senderock and the rock!! the rumoured capture of fred flinstone and Barney rubble have done the rounds at BMH. This has caused our new left back sissy to lock himself in the changing room until he thinks of a harder name. he’s also seen Alan Hutton with some shears in his hand.

    imagine the Argentinian lad, grealish and benteke interchanging passes?! yes passes I say!!!

    steamer, If we all referred to Lambert as Dave would you stop being so stubborn and come and be angry again?

    see what happens Steamer when I get bored?

  102. Mark King

    just watched the u21 match highlights v stoke with J cole okore and grealish all looked on form but grealish was exceptional all over the frontline beating players with ease and getting hacked regularly . okore looked comfortable and got forward too. J cole did well but as you would expect didn’t bust a gut but pulled the strings well

  104. rogermuffin

    Mark, that sounds promising. were did see that , avfc or another site?

    grealish could be so such a hero if he can reproduce on the big stage. Joe cole played eh

    hope he stays fir need him playing when we are home and need possesion and creativity.

  105. rogermuffin

    mark,

    A. why is he playing in russia i think he was offered a lot of dosh and argebtina is not the most lucrative league in the world, and now he wants to leaf cos putin wants to shove all the crimea footbal league in to the russian one and things are getting quite dodgy over there, there rubns on the supermarket now cos putin banned any and all food imports

    B. how has he only got 2 caps – because messi is in his way?

    C. tonev looked good in his video – not this good

    D.did his nephew do the special effects – maybe

    E. when can we buy him please? – asap

    f. come back steamer I’ve nobody to wind up – as i agreed as was he quite hilarious sometimes, steamer come back! its getting to happy clappy here (lol) , the force is out of balance your the chosen one to return it to normal !!

  108. rogermuffin

    who is he and does he have any footy knowledge is the question, or he is going to stay on the commercial side and a proper footy person coming in?

    wasn’t there a rumor graham taylor was going to do that ?

  110. rogermuffin

    yes actually he doesn’t seem to bad. he could be a david dein type just what we need , just been googling him. seems quite experienced, could be a very good move,

  111. Frem

    We want a winger and now have CEO who knows his shit. Am I dreaming ?

    Get that 170 million pound Puma kit deal over at Villa please

  112. proxopera

    I was going to suggest a 4 141 formation until marky mark stole my thunder.
    Seriously though, if the back 4 remain as solid and if sanchez is ‘all that’ , it moves the mid 4 automatically into a more attacking position but whats missing right now is the guile to consistently convert possession into offensive opportunity. I was going to suggest that wes hoolihan could do the job but having seen the clips of blanco , he LOOKS like the man. All of the strikers could benefit from his ability, hell I could probably knock in a few myself with that kind of supply. Why is lambert suddenly going after the right type of player? Hmmmm….I wonder?

  113. Frem

    Surely he’d only leave Arsenal if he knew that there was exciting times around the corner for Villa ?

    TBAR have said for a few days now a take over will happen in the next few weeks, maybe a month or so

  114. Gareth Stevens

    He’s probably leaving Arsenal because the job at Villa is a better one…

    I’d love a takeover to be on the cards but I’ve given up on one taking place in the near future.

    A few more pounds from Lerner towards some new faces and I’ll be content… well at least for another year.

  115. Frem

    What’s better ?

    Why would he leave a club with ambition, a fantastic financial situation and a great attraction to huge sponsorship deals ( what he’s all about by the looks of things) to go to a club with no ambition, a dire financial situation and no attraction what so ever to sponsorship deals ?

  116. Mark King

    prox

    was going to say great minds think alike but you never thought of the self cleaning loo roll.

    maybe the new owners have asked him and I think he’s going get involved on the footy side more. unless randys enjoying it and lambos staying

  117. angel_8

    Randy can’t sell, that’s why the new appointment. There’s no interest. New executive is a revenue generator, it’s a great move on Randy’s part.

  119. Graham O'Gara

    Tom Fox coming to Villa has added to fuel to the rumour that Uzmanov is fed up of playing second fiddle at Arsenal and is. apparently, set to sell his shares in Arsenal and invest in another team…. namely Aston Villa….

    Yawn… this rumour has been appearing for about 2 years now…

  120. steamer

    Ta for that Rog, Joe’s one of my fave people, love headbangers, great guitarist but vocals !!!.

    As regards the shower, still no sign of any football knowledge in the boardroom, wouldn’t call Taylor a ‘proper’ footy person, his hoof ball nearly killed the game in this country, Usmanov also owns my fave Soviet team Dynamo Moscow so he should be aware of the various torture that can be applied for failure and treachery, are you listening Lerner and Lambert ? the gulag awaits. Lets hope these knobs are gone sooner rather than later. Little message for the happy clappers, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Lerner & Lambert OUT.

  121. Gareth Stevens

    Frem:

    A move from CCO at one club to CEO at another club would appeal to any career oriented individual…

    It’s a more powerful position than the one he has at Arsenal – so yah it’s a better job.

  122. Frem

    Does he know anything about football though ?

    I’m hoping he’d only leave us with the promise of new owners coming in very soon

    But he might just be in to make us more attractive to sell

    Good to have you back Steamer

  124. Gareth Stevens

    I hope he does Frem…

    I too was hoping for some business early this week but I guess we’ll have to be patient.

    I’m a lil nervous about the Newcastle game this Saturday… They have some real quality over at St James Park.

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