Certain names have started popping up, some more persistently than others, and, well, we can’t help but fall for the speculation. Given that Alan Hutton and James Collins’ services don’t seem to be held in high regard by Paul Lambert, or most anyone else, some of the speculation at least seems relevant. And welcome.

And if Gabby is off, or even Stephen Ireland, other bits make sense, too. Me, I’d like to see Ireland given another year. But as I mentioned before, it’ll come down to what Lambert thinks he offers, whether it’s worth what we’re paying for it, and what his overall vision is. Off to QPR? Perhaps. As others have said, it’ll free up a fair amount of money, and maybe we need that more than we need Ireland.

On the other hand, if Ireland continues coming around, and Lambert thinks he can get the best from him…I’d give it a shot. If nothing else, I’d like to think he’d raise his value and appeal. But again, it will be a cost-benefit analysis in the end.

Now, I usually don’t go in for much speculation. It’s fun, yes, but a bit pointless to get too worked up about it. We hope players will come in, and good ones. But whether they’ll all gel, live up to their promise, stay fit…well, we’ve all been there before. It’s not like the video games.

What we seemingly can infer from this point is that if the rumors have any substance, then Lambert certainly doesn’t think much of back four, particularly our fullbacks. I don’t think anyone would disagree, so we should all feel a bit of hope. It would also seem that he’d rather not rely on Lichaj, Stevens, or Herd to claim a starting spot. Are they the depth? Given the funds available it would make sense. If Spurs can have Walker and Naughton, we can have Naughton and Lichaj or Herd.

Make of it what you will. I know I’d likely rather have any of the players mentioned than the ones they’re rumored to be replacing. But what about Delfouneso or Delph, and Jean II Makoun? Interesting set of pieces Lambert has to sort out. Is there a coherent picture to be formed? What are the missing pieces? As I’ve said before, I’m just very curious to see what Lambert’s view of the squad is. And we’ll soon be finding out.

The fun stuff

I’ve been quite enjoying the Euros, if only because it’s football and football without consequence. While I’d like England to win, it’s probably not going to happen, is it? My sentimental favorites, the Dutch, bombed out rather unspectacularly, seemingly ready to roar, then limply falling away, poor at the back, profligate in front of goal.

Spain have looked like Spain, and Germany are showing up as expected. I was trying to do the math today about who I wanted to do what, and what that meant for today’s matches. Do France and England both want to play for second?

I know I’d rather play Italy than Spain. Does it really matter? No. And that’s what makes it fun.

So I’m enjoying the relative lack of consequence as summer kicks in. The atmosphere has been good (overall, given the usual animosities), there’ve been some good games, and watching Olaf score two only to be outdone by a good English fightback…That was quality entertainment with a satisfying finish. It’s also fun playing Spot the Former Villan around the Groups.

I’ll be a bit sad when it’s over, daily spectacle and winners and losers, brave underdogs and deserved favorites, but then we’ll really be getting down to business at Villa Park, and a much different kind of action will take center stage.

The anticipation in the meantime is a much-needed breath of fresh air, Lambert’s getting to work out of the limelight for a bit, and I almost wish it could stretch on longer because promise is a nice thing to savor.

But as soon as the circus is over, I’ll be wanting the real stuff again. Games with much more consequence, stuff that feels like life and death. There’ll be heartbreaking moments, but probably fewer than before and likely a greater measure of joy than we were served up last year. And one surely hopes more pride. A better ratio of return beckons even if we don’t take fourth.

Not a bad summer for us Villans.

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