I'm not mentioning pre-season starting in a couple of days or the fact we are three players down on last season or even that I think we need five really good players to come in and maybe three more very solid squad players for us to kick on from last season.

I'm not going to mention any of it and I'm not even going to bring up formation because I know O'Neill knows it has to change and the players are coming.

I think we should talk about Peter Crouch instead and not just because we are linked to him today or because O'Leary, who has finally accepted that he is nothing better than an assistant, was a fool to let him go, but because he really is one of the luckiest guys in the league and not a bad footballer at the same time.

In fact, Crouch is a very decent football player and while we all know what happens after you've been in a relationship for a while, most of you would swap the love you think you have for his very fake love, in a heartbeat and if only for one night. I mean no disrespect to Crouch but take away his money and a bird like that wouldn't normally look at him twice and while he must know this and if he were to add it all up he'd figure something out, I'm sure it doesn't bother him. He knows and he doesn't care any more. You can hardly blame him with what he has gotten out of the game can you?

But, more on Crouch as a player and the speculation today is that it's between us and Sunderland. Surely any self respecting whore of a footballer would pick us over Sunderland?

On the other hand, Sunderland may very well be able to offer more hard currency as they also have an American billionaire owner. Funny how all these American billionaire owners are coming over buying our clubs and then piling them with debt. Do you think they know something we don't, or maybe they have a plan?

For footballing reasons and because we might get a picture of his wife draped only in a claret and blue scarf, I hope Crouch comes back to Villa Park but if he were to move for purely financial reasons I suspect he might go to Sunderland, but it is only speculation and will probably come to nothing even though we do need another striker or two.

Quite a bit more speculation today, but all things we've touched on the last few days so I'm not going to list again. Crouch is quality and would be a good signing and if he were coming I'd be happy as I think he has something to prove and we might very well be the club to give him the opportunity to prove himself.

Comments (180)

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Tim Wood said:

... I'm not mentioning pre-season starting in a couple of days or the fact we are three players down on last season or even that I think we need five really good players to come in and maybe three more very solid squad players for us to kick on from last season. I'm not going to mention any of it and I'm not even going to bring up formation because I know O'Neill knows it has to change and the players are coming. Oh but you have!

Comment 1, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.50 am

Dubai Dave said:

... The Lamppost is back!

Comment 2, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.54 am

jinksy said:

... Damian - Crouchy was asked what he would be if he wasn't a footballer he answered - A Virgin. Very funny & shows what a top bloke he is.

Comment 3, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.55 am

In MON I Still Trust!! (well sort of!!) said:

... Surely, we will sign someone this week...surely?!?!?!>

Comment 4, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.56 am

WOFFER said:

... why would we buy crouch when we have Carew and Heskey, we need options this wouldnt give us anything we dont already have. please can we sign someone soon?

Comment 5, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.57 am

Billy7 said:

... i really rate Crouch, scores goals but also sets them up, (for Marcus Berg) lol, but i think the only way he'll come is if Carew is on his way, Carew or Crouch?

Comment 6, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.58 am

runtingz said:

... havent we already got two target men at villa so why would we buy crouch i think an out and out goal getter like marcus berg would fit the bill of what we need to develop our squad

Comment 7, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.58 am

lucky4 said:

... If crouch comes then surely that means carew is going cause we cant have crouch carew and heskey and mon wont get rid of heskey will he!

Comment 8, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.58 am

Tim Wood said:

... I rate him, he's far better than Heskey, whether he's any better than Carew???? But he's still not that 20 goal-a-season striker we've been crying out for for years!

Comment 9, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.58 am

villacraig said:

... I think he'd choose us over Sunderland too. And i also think that Abbey would have a say in it as well. Live in the second city of the country or move to the industrially ridden north east, hmmmm, that's a toughy!! Some guys from my GF's work said that there was gonna be some big news today on the football front. As they are all villa fans, thought it might be something to do with us. Anyone heard anything?

Comment 10, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.58 am

Damian said:

... Crouch is surely a better option than Heskey and Harewood and for all the talk, there is speculation that Carew could be off too .. so we might need a big man up front.

Comment 11, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.00 am

bass said:

... Crounch is a donkey and would do nothing for us! i think big john is 100 times better than him and carew can head a ball!! as for him going to us over sunderland....i think the last palyer to have the choice was craig gordan and he isn't playing his football at villa park, but then again he isn't playing much at the stadium of light either!!! once again the papers are filled with those magic words ' villa are preparing a bid for....' i would love to know the process we go for in preparing a bid for... do you think martin no'deal and randy sit in his office and play paper scissors stone for the transfer money and martin is just shit at it???? oh well maybe tomorrow........

Comment 12, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.04 am

jinksy said:

... Why would MON get rid of Carew? He's the best player we have by miles. I can't see how he'd replace him, i like Crouch but he isn't in the same league as Carew.

Comment 13, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.06 am

truevillan said:

... i agree with posts above and said it yesterday, i like crouch, but we would not need so many target men, so who goes? on form it should be heskey, but it wont be! that leaves carew and im afraid carew is better than crouch which means we have actually weakened the squad if the above happens! we need a player in the mould of berg, a goal snatcher, little and pacey (owen would have fitted the bill!) lets just hope some players are on the way as this window is turning into every other window, where is bentley? hat happened to defour? if jurado and veleso are so keen, why no offers? i wish MON had a record of doing this but always gets his man, unfortunately he tends to end up on plan C and we end up with very average players, please prove me wrong MON!

Comment 14, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.13 am

ak_27 said:

... The question is would you prefer Crouch over Carew because i can't see Carew being here at the start of this season if Crouch arrives.

Comment 15, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.14 am

Damian said:

... ak_27 i think i'd rather have ...

Comment 16, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.17 am

TheJohnnyVillan said:

... Although Crouch is a decent footballer, I think Carew is a better! Carew is generally stronger, cleverer and I think there are more goals in Carew than Crouch. Carew seems to have a nack of scoring important goals, and I believe with the right midfield behind is certainly capable of scoring 20 goals a season. I can't really see Crouch doing that.

Comment 17, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.24 am

whitey said:

... We don't need Crouch, Heskey and Carew. Carew is the best of the 3 but if we could get £15 mill from Man City for Carew and pick up Crouch for £9 mill then I would go with that. Carew is a bit older than Crouch. Carew is a lot stronger and quicker than Crouch but is also more injury prone and I would back Crouch to score more in a season. I was more excited and interested by the paper talk this morning about Hangeland.

Comment 18, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.25 am

Tom Smith said:

... i really hope this transfer doesnt happen, i think carew is superior to crouch in every way. id like to see berg come cause i can see him scoring goals for us. any news on the bentley transfer people i want that done as soon as possible ?!? UTV

Comment 19, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.27 am

Nick Humphries said:

... Carew is better than crouch. Skysports reporting that sunderland want Dunne. Would be a good signing for us so if we are to battle Sunderland for a signing then I hope its him and not Crouch!

Comment 20, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.27 am

colm tarpey said:

... Crouch was a good player for us when he was here but I much prefer Carew...plus i want to avoid the embarrassment of buying him for 6 mill (was it?) and selling him for 2 them him getting sold for sh1t loads more before coming to us again for what...another 7/8 mill...... It's my birthday today and I would like a pint of Haaglandbrau please Martin!

Comment 21, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.30 am

colm tarpey said:

... Ha! you changed the picture Damien, Peer Pressure eh?!

Comment 22, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.34 am

clarkamus said:

... carew over crouch everyday

Comment 23, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.39 am

Panos said:

... i think i'd rather have ... I'd rather have the same...

Comment 24, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.39 am

VillaDude said:

... MON wants to get rid of Carew since Jan - He was after Heskey and Zaki, but only 1 donkey arrived that winter. If Zaki's deal came off, then Carew would have been out quicktime. MON is a control freak, and doesn't like anyone mis-behaving. It's because of the fans love Carew has stayed at Villa. I am getting really tired of speculation, swoops, hit-lits etc When the feck is MON going to actually buy anyone? How patient is everyone on here with MON? are we all going to give him until august 31st?

Comment 25, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.40 am

Doc said:

... As far as strikers are concerned, we have been credibly linked with two: up-and-coming Swede Marcus Berg and Peter Crouch. I would rather look to the future with Berg than go backwards with Crouch. Unless Carew is leaving, we don't have any need for the robot. Let's get Olof Mellberg on the phone to Berg telling him what a great career move Villa would be. You may have seen also that Brede Hangeland has rejected a new deal at Fulham - this has got to be good news, as I suspect he's on his way to the Villa. To me it's looking like Naughton, Hangeland, Bentley, Veloso/Borowski and Berg. And a reserve goalkeeper. Not full marks to O'Neill, but wouldn't be a bad effort. B+. Of course, if he signs Joe Cole as well (the one I REALLY want), then it's A*.

Comment 26, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.45 am

taglor said:

... Didn't Crouch used to play for us? Clancy is no better than a victorian lady of the night bleuuurgghh

Comment 27, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.46 am

Mike Carter said:

... I'm not a fan of Crouch. He couldn't score goals for us before and I've no reason to believe anything would change. He has a poor scoring record at Portsmouth and he did at Liverpool too. He's not what we need to progress.

Comment 28, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.50 am

deano avfc said:

... why all this talk of carew off?? if anyone should go it should be emile heskey. why get rid of our best goal scorer??? ps Clancey would get sausage. UTV

Comment 29, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.52 am

Villain down South said:

... Doc - Joe Cole would be a great buy. I'd be delighted if we ever managed to get him. Can you imagine him and Ashley Young tearing into teams.

Comment 30, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.56 am

JohnnyMcLeod said:

... So we might by another striker who wasn't quite good enough for Liverpool, and is actually behind our current donkey in the England pecking order. I do actually think that Crouchy is a better player than Heskey but can you imagine it, Carew out injured, Gabby dropped because he starts the season as badly as he finished the last one, and what are you left with up front ? Alternatively we could play 5 at the back and 5 up front on the basis that the midfield will become redundant. We need a clever Yorkie/Gary Shaw type of player who can feed off Carew and get the tap ins, maybe we should have persisted with Maloney !

Comment 31, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.58 am

stephen said:

... im sorry but there really is no dicussion in whether i'd have crouch or carew.....i'm sorry but carew is a much,much,much better player than crouch. we all know that if carew stayed "fit" last season he would have easily bagged us those 20 goals we all talk about :

Comment 32, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.04 pm

ak_27 said:

... Doc Bowles id be happy with that selection. But it doesn't really increase the squad size. If we could also add Dunne and maybe Fabian Delph then i would be for the first time happy with what MON has done in the transfer market. As for Carew i just feel that there was a lot more to the lap dacing incident that we know about (if rumours and the very dodgy inj are to believed) and MON may want rid of Carew. I personally would have Carew over Crouch.

Comment 33, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.04 pm

ak_27 said:

... I haven't seen this Berg player play. What type of striker is he? Im asking this as i feel the only type we need to bring in is the Tuncay/Gudjohnson type who can drop deep and become creative. We really are short of that type of striking option at the moment.

Comment 34, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.06 pm

Doc said:

... Villain down South - I just have a feeling that with Zhirkov joining Chelsea JC may want to look elsewhere. Villa would make sense for him for two reasons: firstly, he would be a permanent fixture in the starting line-up (he wouldn't get that luxury at any of the Big 4). Secondly, Fabio Capello is and will remain a regular visitor. If Cole's priority is to regain his England place, Villa would be a damned good club to do it with. And after all, MON kept his promise to Gareth Barry on that score.

Comment 35, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.07 pm

Sotc said:

... Hey guys can anyone tell me when villas preseason training I have been told tomorrow is this true ?

Comment 36, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.19 pm

testie said:

... Doc - I think if we pulled off the players you mention i would be very happy. That would leave us with 4 CB's, 2 Lb's and Rb's, cover/competion out wide and in midfield and attack. Ak_27 - I see what you mean about it still being a small squad on paper, but with 6 coming in and 2 out we would be up 4 players from last season. These players MON would actually want to use, unlike Salifou and Harewood.

Comment 37, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.26 pm

Nick said:

... Sotc - Thursday

Comment 38, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.30 pm

The pensioner said:

... Yes Scotc...AVFC pre-season starts tomorrow..8th July...All the other Premier sides, with one exeption,started before us. ATV

Comment 39, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.42 pm

AV79 said:

... The first half of last season it was the most xeciting i have ever known to be a villa fan. now its boring boring boring No players in and constant speculation Carew is leaving. He cant leave he is a massive personality at vp and is also our best goal scorer and most experianced player at europian level.Wake op martin. (not everybody sits in with a coco watching crime dramas)

Comment 40, made on July 07, 2009 at 12.57 pm

Jimmy Villain said:

... I seriously hope we don't get him back god knows we do not need another excuse to hoof the ball up field. We have Carew a much better ball player who can head the ball and doesn't get clattered by players half his size. After watching Benito Carbone in the masters i'd take him on a season loan, what a legend - Ash could learn a lot from him

Comment 41, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.00 pm

The pensioner said:

... Sorry Scotc...Mail online today!...Aston Villa,Portsmouth and Stoke,all due back on Thursday 9th for preseason...Damion was correct...He said a couple of days! UTV.

Comment 42, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.04 pm

Tim Wood said:

... http://www.skysports.com/story...75,00.html Hangeland has told Sky Sports that he wants to stay at Craven Cottage!

Comment 43, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.17 pm

True villa said:

... Come mon get someone in today!!!! Hey damien what are your sources saying? Any news on anyone? Anything? One thing is for sure, villa have signed a new canteen lady!

Comment 44, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.19 pm

IrishVillan said:

... Let's just clear this Carew thing up.... The speculation that he's leaving is pure tabloid/media crappery, that's being going on since the strip joint. He said himself he loves it at VP, and wants to stay, and MON came out and said he would want John to stay, absolutely, fantastic. So what are we worried about? Don't be having a dig at MON because of what the papers make up! I know you said before Damian that money talks, and a big enough offer would see him out the door, and I can't disagree, but if thats the case that must apply to EVERY player in the squad, Ashley, Gabby etc. therefore they are all just as likely to leave. But as far as I know Big John is the only player to come out and say "I love it here and I want to stay".

Comment 45, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.22 pm

jhavfc said:

... Surely if joe cole is going to leave chelsea, Mark Hughes and CITEH! would be right in for him. I doubt O'neill could outbid that kind of money they have and I think Capello would go and watch a few Man city games with them more likely to be challenging the top sides than us next season. He could be happy at chelsea as well.

Comment 46, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.24 pm

Jake Gardner said:

... Rodney Rodney Trotter, Rodney Trotter in the AIR!

Comment 47, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.29 pm

TrueVillan said:

... SSN hangeland sayin he expects to stay at fulham and wants to sign a new deal, but has to be right! would be nice for one of our targets to suggest he would like the move! wheater was the same, does not say a lot about MON pullin power that these guys dont seem interested! this is gettin on my bloody nerves now, someone please sign!! (not campbell, crouch though!!)

Comment 48, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.30 pm

Ed Villa said:

... I think the only reason why MON would sign Crouch is if he is planning to play 4-4-2. Which I and most of you hope he doesn't and plays 4-5-1 which we've had most success with. I agree with Truevillian in the fact that Carew won't leave so is he planning 4-4-2?? I know we need more quality and options across the pitch but i'd rather see the money spent strengthing our defence and midfield.

Comment 49, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.33 pm

Ed Villa said:

... Sorry meant to say agree with IrishVillian

Comment 50, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.34 pm

Mega said:

... NO to Rodney Trotter. Carew 10 times the player he is, now where is that world class midefielder and centre half we desperately need ?

Comment 51, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.34 pm

Billy7 said:

... reports suggest AC milan have signed that American defender who looked good! Cannot spell his name

Comment 52, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.36 pm

steve_2000 said:

... Taglor said... Didn't Crouch used to play for us? Think this proves his opinion on all things villa is irrelevant..

Comment 53, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.43 pm

Andy Young said:

... If only Big Ron still had some proper say in the matter: http://ww.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/07/07/1368825/aston-villa-should-sign-chelseas-branislav-ivanovic-ron

Comment 54, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.54 pm

Aero-For-Villa said:

... Thank you Big Ron! http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/07/07/1368825/aston-villa-should-sign-chelseas-branislav-ivanovic-ron Ron cant sign anyone, but he can at least put some ideas into that empty head of MON... do some business Marty! UTV!

Comment 55, made on July 07, 2009 at 1.56 pm

villamoon said:

... I wouldnt mind seeing Crouch back at VP. Especially with our wingers Young and Bentley whipping the ball across for Carew and Crouch to feast on. With Milner just behind them and Petrov the rock in front of the back four consisting of L.Young. Davies, Hangeland and Freddie Bouma !!!

Comment 56, made on July 07, 2009 at 2.16 pm

Aero-For-Villa said:

... I say we sign Bosko Balaban and Kachoul! LoL

Comment 57, made on July 07, 2009 at 2.17 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... Crouch, although being a good guy, is completely unnecissary in my opinion. He isn't good enough to move us forward, we already have better options up front. Abbey Clancy is rough too unless you like cheap scousers. Mon has 2 days to do something now, getting people in after preseason begins is not acceptable in my book, he has had plenty of time and i'm about to lose my patience.

Comment 58, made on July 07, 2009 at 2.20 pm

THE AV VILLAN said:

... http://www.skysports.com/story...75,00.html Hangeland has told Sky Sports that he wants to stay at Craven Cottage! No need to worry about players saying they want to stay at their current club. This guarentees them a nice slice of the pie when the club accepts a bid!!! I also read today Berg has an asking price of 5m, can someone please tell me why we haven't made a bid. On second thoughts don't answer the previous question, i know the answer!!!

Comment 59, made on July 07, 2009 at 2.23 pm

Graymo said:

... No to Crouch. Sell him for 2 mill or so then buy him for 11. Great business as usual.

Comment 60, made on July 07, 2009 at 2.25 pm

Christian said:

... I don't want to see Berg signing for us. The last Swedish striker we had was bloody awful (does anyone remember Allback?). Elmander at Bolton isn't much better and they rave about him in Sweden! My concern with Berg is that at the last U21 championships 3 players looked a cut above everyone- Babel, Drenthe and Rigters. None of them even make a 1st team squad... Basically, if you're 21-ish and you're good enough you are NOT put in the U21's- you go to the full team. Obviously there are exceptions, but in general, quality players don't step back down.

Comment 61, made on July 07, 2009 at 2.42 pm

Paul Theiss said:

... billy7: reports suggest AC milan have signed that American defender who looked good! Cannot spell his name Gooch Onyewu

Comment 62, made on July 07, 2009 at 2.52 pm

woodt said:

... if mr no-deal gets rid of big john he should be sacked!! big john is one of only a couple of decent signings this prat has made, & i think that was more luck than judgment because lyon wanted baros. i don't see mr no-deal doing anything different in this window than he has done in the others and lets face it they've all been crap. wayne routledge, marlon harewood, mustafa salifou, zat 'bloody' knight, shorey and the list goes on, all 'clutchimg at straws' signings. when are we going to sign a named player of known skills, why are all his signings understated? its because he can't handle the real stars and all that goes with them. he has only ever signed 1 named player, collymore at leicester, he couldn't handle him, so thats it. i say get rid of mr no-deal and his doug ellis type signings (not to mention his lack of tactics, thats another story all together) and get someone who matches our and the chairmans ambitions. bye the way, i have seen the plans for the new holte suite refurbishment, very impressive. also the 3 boxes on the corner between the holte & the trinity are being changed, the middle one will be for directors, the top one is the new sky entertainment box, the other stays the same, i have also heard the old clock that was on the old witton lane stand will be on top of these boxes,nice touch, so it looks like randy's doing his bit off the pitch, we just need someone as his equal on it. i think this is his 6th window now and again it looks same old same old. nearley half way through and not a sign of anyone and we are back training this week. never mind! we've always got august 31st to look forward to again 'all together now!' role on the last day signing ( i hear routledge is surplus to requiements again)

Comment 63, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.01 pm

Simon said:

... Off topic, but Onyewu the US No. 5 has signed for AC Milan. Bugger

Comment 64, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.08 pm

evanvilla said:

... i feel what caused our downfall from 4th to 6th last season was that MON changed the tactics from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 after the january transfer window to facilitate heskey in the team!!After we changed to 4-4-2 we were to open in midfield.Petrov was unable to hold the midfield himself when Barry bombed forward!!Petrov isn't defensive midfielder and what we needed last season was player like veloso to defend and hold the middle of the field and therefore play 4-5-1!I feel if were goin to play 4-4-2 then we need a proper defensive midfielder

Comment 65, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.11 pm

Simon said:

... Forget crouchy, get Savo back

Comment 66, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.11 pm

Marty said:

... This place amazes me at times, people rightly moan about the small squad but whenever we get linked to a player theres speculation about who is going.... Crouch is not a replacement for Carew or Heskey, he is a different type of player. Dispite being 8ft 9 he cant head the ball so makes a crap target man, young could put a perfect cross in and there would be more chance of the ball ending up back at youngs feet than the back of the net. Crouch is best when the ball is on the ground and at his feet, so he would play alongside Heskey or Carew not instead of them. He could be a good signing but for the money being quoted I dont think he would be worth it. If it is a choice between us and Sunderland though he only has to ask Craig Gordon if he has any regrets

Comment 67, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.12 pm

Paul Bennett said:

... Cheers for sortin the log in issues Damo. If I had to choose between having Crouchy back at VP or spending one night with his woman, id pick Abbey. Only if she kept her mouth shut for the entire evening! I dont think we need Crouch, I fancy Big John to have a cracking season if he can stay fit and I reckon he can bag us 20 goals. Cue laughter. We have Carew, Heskey and Gabs, I reckon we should definately move in for Berg before anyone. He scored loads of goals in the U21 championship, how many did Gabby get? He will be cheaper and who knows he may turn out to be a gem. Worth a punt id say. With Crouch u know exactly what u will get, and Carew will give us more. UTV

Comment 68, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.12 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... Obertan is having a medical at United. Plays on the wing. Ashley isn't going any where.

Comment 69, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.13 pm

Paul Bennett said:

... woodt - All those "clutching at straw" signings you talk about are all we could attract when MON joined us. We were relegation candidiates the year before remember? Its down to "mr no-deal" that we can even talk about attracting the types of player that are being mentioned this season. All those players have done a job for us at some time, apart from routledge and salifou. Were moving forward, see who he signs this summer before u start slating people. UTV

Comment 70, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.19 pm

Nickdj said:

... Can i just ask why Crouch is so lucky, Abby Clancey is not as fit as she thinks she is, has a mouth like a camel imo. They make a good pair!

Comment 71, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.20 pm

taglor said:

... Steve 2000, you ever heard of someone being ironic?

Comment 72, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.25 pm

woodinho said:

... Really f**kin bored of shit rumours and no signings now. Getting to the point that unless I see a "Villa sign such and such.." link on newsnow I'm just not interested! Cant be arsed to read peoples comments on here, just want some action now. We've all done enough talk about possible targets, lets see some bloody action!

Comment 73, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.32 pm

Carl Main said:

... http://www.skysports.com/story...75,00.html Gutted!!!!...Micah Richards...now!!!!!

Comment 74, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.37 pm

RayK said:

... Dan - agreed and the Chelsea rumours have quietened down too which is nice. According to the press ManU are buying Obertan - a 20 year old French U21 winger - for just £3m. Shows you that you can pick up decent talent/potential at a fgood price if you're scouting network is wide enough.... And I wouldn't be too concerned about Hangeland's comments - how often do you hear footballers say they they love the club, don't want to leave .... only to leave the next week.

Comment 75, made on July 07, 2009 at 3.53 pm

Mike Carter said:

... Obertan will be a class player, mark my words!

Comment 76, made on July 07, 2009 at 4.02 pm

Villa Nick said:

... I don't think anyone really know if we have made bids or not for players.........It has always been a bit of a freak show at Villa Park with Ellis looking to get into the media as and when he can, times have changed with the quiet men at the helm.

Comment 77, made on July 07, 2009 at 4.24 pm

TrueVillan said:

... this is getting bloody boring! even the speculation is second and third hand now! how long are we going to be interested in velso and possibly making a bid, bolton have bid £8mil, so that should give MON an idea he will cost in the region of £10+ mil, so do it or end the speculation! he is normally quicker than this to piss on our fireworks when we have some exciting links, seems very quiet this transfer window! well the 1st july came and went for our 'nailed on'deals so role on 31st august and the last minute deals he so loves!

Comment 78, made on July 07, 2009 at 4.27 pm

Steve Badger said:

... I can't believe that story that's saying Haangerland is staying at Fulham. Read what it says; "I'm very happy at Fulham and would like a new contract, but then we must agree on something that both parties can be satisfied with," he told TV 2 Sporten. If that's not saying "I'm not satisfied with the offer and if I get a better one, I'm off" I'll eat my hat. Pretty confident we've got Bentley and if MON is genuinely interested in Haangerland, I'd be pretty confident we'll get him too. Those two are a nice start for me. Or am I being daft?

Comment 79, made on July 07, 2009 at 4.52 pm

Christian said:

... Come on Villa, do something! Had a lunchtime chat with a Baggies fan today, and as sh*t as it must be to follow them, he did say 'thank f*ck I'm not a Villa fan, you're the most boring team in the world, you dont do anything!' Of course I argued... But I've spent the last hour thinking the b*stard might not be too far from the truth

Comment 80, made on July 07, 2009 at 4.54 pm

Villa4life said:

... this has to be mentioned in these posts.....we have Carew and Heskey.....why do we need him...... unless Heskey is out, but this will not be the case as we just signed him in jan.....and Carew.....well he is a better player than crouch so jog on with this post.....

Comment 81, made on July 07, 2009 at 5.12 pm

upthevilla said:

... We can all speculate all summer, but the truth is MoN, as good as he is cannot work out the modern transfer market. Another day draws to an end and Mon and the US liar are just taking the p*ss. I have already decided not to renew next season. That is me, and my two sons.As for the comment made by Christian1983 and what his Baggie mate said, well I tend to agree. We are a million miles away from the league cup (QPR) nevermind the top four. I will watch Villa via MOTD or Sky and spend my money on somthing my sons will enjoy instead of being heart broken and lied too year after year. Three more empty seats!!! How many more????

Comment 82, made on July 07, 2009 at 5.36 pm

Harry Stanton said:

... We can all speculate all summer, but the truth is MoN, as good as he is cannot work out the modern transfer market. Another day draws to an end and Mon and the US liar are just taking the p*ss. I have already decided not to renew next season. Good, hope you're the moaning git behind me.

Comment 83, made on July 07, 2009 at 5.48 pm

rob h said:

... up the villa the transfer window closes in another 7 weeks. But its your choice you can judge the pending season now before a ball is kicked if you like?????? you must have a seriously dull life if you prejudge everything before they have happened. are your xmas presents going to be shit this year so your cancelling it for you and your two kids? grow up dope Some people say the most dumb ass things on this blog. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. why not all decide to judge the transfer dealings partially on the 31st august then after say 10 games. would that not be sensible.

Comment 84, made on July 07, 2009 at 5.48 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... Good, hope you're the moaning git behind me Or me!! Where did you sit upthevilla?

Comment 85, made on July 07, 2009 at 5.50 pm

Carl Main said:

... upthevilla.....That name is ironic after your post!haha!

Comment 86, made on July 07, 2009 at 5.51 pm

themadman said:

... Pretty confident we've got Bentley and if MON is genuinely interested in Haangerland, I'd be pretty confident we'll get him too. Those two are a nice start for me. Or am I being daft? u r being daft villa wont get hangeland

Comment 87, made on July 07, 2009 at 5.54 pm

mikey18 said:

... At the end of the day we don't know how many bids Villa, MoN, Randy have but in for players. We didn't know about the Zaki bid! What we do know is MoN likes to try and keep things quiet! And Only ever talks about a player he is interested in signing after he's signed them! It was only this time last season that everybody was saying the same thing, getting frustrated with the lack of signings, and infuriated further due to the fact we needed heavy reinforcements. Everyone then said MoN had no pull in the transfer market. Well last season he made Barry stay...MoN is one of the few managers in the game i think could of done that! He then went on to sign Cuellar...Everybody supported this signing at the time, and i still think he could come good with a run of games. Fridel, better than Carson and is solid, his kicking his immense and i think he did a good job last season considering he was playing behind a consistently changed back four. Guzan good prospect. Shorey has shown what he can do, he has a england cap for a reason, lets get behind him and hopefully he can come good. Luke Young one of our better players last season. Milner, a Gem, despite Damian's outrage at the price of the lad his free kick against everton at VP made up for a large part of that fee! Finally Sidwell, jurys outstill, but for 5mil was worth a gamble. My point...This was what we were facing last season, and MoN came good and we came SO close to the top 4. The season before last we managed to get ashley! GREAT coup, with a lot of other, maybe more attractive clubs, interested at the time. So despite this good work, and the strides Villa have taken under its new leadership Villa fans consistently moan and demand for a new manager and criticize the chairman? are we as fickle as DoL suggested???

Comment 88, made on July 07, 2009 at 5.56 pm

JSINGH said:

... Hi i just read on football-rumours.co.uk that Ashley Young is on his way to Everton for &16.5M is this true. It says also that MON and Ashley arent speaking to each other.

Comment 89, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.00 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... the transfer window closes in another 7 weeks. But its your choice you can judge the pending season now before a ball is kicked if you like?????? Rob, your right, but my view has been been give Mon time, but signings should be in before pre season so the team has time to Gel. It wouldn't matter so much if we only needed 1 or 2 players, but we have 3 to replace + another 3 or 4 to bulk, the team that Mon admitted was too small, out. Pre season starts on Thursday, we currently have nothing looking likely to go through any time soon and were -3 from last season. I want Mon to prove me wrong and spring some suprises tomorrow but I can't see it happening and I don't think he has any excuses this time around as he has himself admitted our squad is too small and he hasn't fixed it quickly enough IMO.

Comment 90, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.01 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... JSINGH - never ever listen to ANYTHING on football-rumours.com. Anyone can add anything, I could go on right now and email in that we have a deal wrapped up for Messi and it would get printed tomorrow.

Comment 91, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.04 pm

Carl Main said:

... JSINGH...That sound like absolute bollocks to me mate. Dont believe everything the media throws at you. Im a radio producer and when im struggling for content I come out with some utter shite to fill scripts and features! Ash was only saying a few weeks ago how much he loves playing for MON and how he owes everything to him. Ash will be ours for at least another season or two.

Comment 92, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.09 pm

Tim Wood said:

... Bored bored bored bored bored

Comment 93, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.09 pm

JSINGH said:

... oh right i never knew, thats makes me feel miles better, so would you say we will be signing anyone tomorrow.

Comment 94, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.10 pm

deano avfc said:

... Do you all think MON and his staff are just sitting around the office not trying to do all they can to take the club forward? Of course they're trying 100% to get reinforcements asap but I for one am glad we dont have staff that just go out and buy shit players and pay them obscene amounts in wages just to keep the fans happy..... Newcastle united for one will be playing championship football next season whilst the villa will again be challenging the top 4 of the Barclays PL. MON must be doing something right, it really makes me laugh the fans on here going on about 'right now' and 'need a signing today' I'd like to see you sit in the managers chair and see how easy it would be, on the other hand...no i wouldn't. UTV

Comment 95, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.12 pm

Mowgs said:

... Negativity drifting around here again today... I personally can't wait for next season. Got my season card thingee all renewed and very much looking forward to kick off. Worth noting how good value the tickets are too. My colleague is an Arsenal season ticket holder and pays over three times as much as I do for my ticket. Sure he'll argue they play more attractive football; but nothing compares to watching your team play week in week out. If you are in a position to do it, finacially and in terms of free time, then I can't think of anything better. Good news is it's been really easy to identify what positions we need this year. Centre half is a must (even if MON has forked out a lot on Cuellar and Davies). Personally think Zat will leave if we get a new one in. The other must for me is a creative midfielder. Too many 0-0s last year when our one trick pony counter-attack approach was easily subdued by teams defending deep at VP. Bentley could be the man to unpick a few locks (Joe Cole would be even better). However, my main concern is lack of leadership on the pitch.

Comment 96, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.14 pm

Carl Main said:

... I really dont know when we will sign anyone...im getting very bored with just speculation now...Even if we got linked with Eto'o or Messi I dont think i would be excited anymore! We will obviously sign players this summer and some of them will be good signings...I just cant see any happening soon. MON is like my missus when shopping, pissing about all over the place and annoying!

Comment 97, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.17 pm

whitey said:

... Well said mikey18. I agree. Too much verbal incontinence on here. We are doing just fine. I have every faith that M'ON will make Villa the best that they can be.

Comment 98, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.22 pm

mikey18 said:

... Maindog, all that pissing about when shopping means she looks top drawer on a satruday night, so well worth it! at least its the case with my Bird! and hopefully MoN and AVFC!

Comment 99, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.29 pm

deansaundersperm that's perm said:

... and blues spend another 8/9 million http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/h...138918.stm

Comment 100, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.30 pm

Mowgs said:

... And yet they'll still manage to finish in the bottom six.

Comment 101, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.32 pm

DAMIEN REYNOLDS said:

... Does any one know if Salifou and O'Halloran have left the club i know their contracts were up at the end of june but did not hear any thing about them leaving. Relaxe lads the signings will come .

Comment 102, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.32 pm

scott said:

... with regards to the title DEFINALTLY THE LATTER

Comment 103, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.35 pm

truevillan said:

... my concern with the lack f signings is due to the fact pre season is about to start. this is an important part of players gelling, those who have come from abroad need to settle and find a place to live (and learn english!) and the manager should be looking at different formations and styles of play, depending on the opposition. how can we do all that when we have not got any new players in! we need at least 3 first teamers, so they need to be there now, and 3 squad players, who we need to access. if we want to join the big four then we need to act like them, the best being manure, who are already putting their buys into place ready for pre season. so yes, we have several weeks to buy players, but the longer we dont sign the shorter the period they have to settle and the manager cannot access them in friendlies, which means we have to do all that in league games, and possibly lose points while we find out these new players best roles and positions

Comment 104, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.38 pm

Mike Carter said:

... People need to chill the hell out. So what if we haven't signed anyone yet? There are still 55 days left until the window closes. PLENTY of time!!! People might say we need players in now so they can gel - that's a luxury, not a necessity. So long as we have faces in for the 1st of September it matters not when the deal was sealed. A long time to go yet guys, calm down.

Comment 105, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.47 pm

RichT said:

... Why oh why is Martin taking so long. I would have liked to have seen key possisions filled before pre-season. How can a new defender gel with the back 4 if he's not there? Any midfielder needs to learn how our forwards move and where to be to balance the side. I'm happy to bring in squad players later in the window but we are short in important places and I for one am worried! Hope MON is looking at Dunne. He is solid and would come for a resonable fee (Man City can't fancy him as they're trying to spend billions on Terry or Lescott). We certainly don't need Crouch. Both Carew and Heskey are better than him. I rather see Bent come in and offer something different. If this window has shown anything it is that we need a better scouting network. Fergie is signing a french Ashley Young for 3 mil, Moyes has signed some guy from the USA non-league! We struggle to look further than the Premier League! Sort it out! Lets start getting value for Randys bucks.

Comment 106, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.57 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... People need to chill the hell out. So what if we haven't signed anyone yet? There are still 55 days left until the window closes. PLENTY of time!!! People might say we need players in now so they can gel - that's a luxury, not a necessity. So long as we have faces in for the 1st of September it matters not when the deal was sealed. A long time to go yet guys, calm down. Were just going to have to agree to disagree on that one. I can see things going horribly wrong if we chuck 3-5 new starters in at the same time who havn't had some serious playing time together

Comment 107, made on July 07, 2009 at 6.57 pm

mikey18 said:

... Personally, I would like to see the Players we have already, who have shown abit of promise in a claret and blue shirt, or somewhere else to get a chance in the starting XI before playing a new signing. I think that is the way MoN works he played NRC

Comment 108, made on July 07, 2009 at 7.04 pm

mikey18 said:

... ...NRC RW ahead of milner at the start of last season for example. If we started the season with NRC Sidwell, Cuellar and Sidewell started that would be under additional pressure to preform if we have new signings in place and that way we get the best out of the team! players on the bench train hard and when given the chance come in and do a good job. Players in the Starting XI work their socks of to remain in it! It seems like a good way of doing things to me

Comment 109, made on July 07, 2009 at 7.06 pm

Skab0y said:

... Evening guys, ive been very paticient with Martin Slow Neil in the transfer market. But we start pre season training in a few days now, and no signings whatsover and IMO we have lost our two best players, things are not looking 2 bright for the new season. Come on Slow Neil get your finger out, as you cant use the "We have a small squad" excuse any longer...UTV

Comment 110, made on July 07, 2009 at 7.29 pm

truevillan said:

... danwilson82 spot on mate! with the amount of first teamers we need they HAVE to have time to get to know the set up, as i said above, especially if they have come from abroad and know little about us

Comment 111, made on July 07, 2009 at 7.32 pm

Ed Villa said:

... I agree with the fact that we need players now so they can gel but I dont think they HAVE to be in this week for the start of pre-season. I think aslong as we have some new faces by August 1st that will still give 2 weeks to gel. Its not ideal but if waiting a few more weeks to get the right players then so be it. If we signed no-one until August 31st then signed Bently, Defour and Hangeland we'd be over the moon. Agreed that MON and the transfer window does not mix well but I believe that he will do the biz eventually! UTV

Comment 112, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.00 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... Last night i was told about a player on my last on comment 100 i said i have swore not to share it has the person can get told off, check the daily mail website tomorrow, well the mail didn't print the story and im sorry for the comment. I have copy some of the email Valencia winger Joaquin Sanchez Rodriguez is expected to be one of the first out of the Mestalla this summer after a public spat with his coach Unai Emery last season. The club’s financial difficulties are well documented leaving them £400m in debt and Joaquin is expected to be one of a handful of first team stars on their way out particularly after his recent behaviour. Reports in Spain suggest Aston Villa are willing to bid 7.5 to 12.5 million, The 27-year-old Valencia star has struggled since earning a big money move to the club three seasons ago from Real Betis where he was the undoubted star man. Joaquin had broken through the ranks for the Seville based club before appearing in the first team in the 2000/01 season as a teenager. Aston Villa are also on the lookout for new recruits and Joaquin would fit perfectly into Martin O’Neill’s system of play with Ashley Young on the left flank and the power of Emile Heskey or John Carew central. Signing a world class player like Joaquin will make loads of money in shirts and I really hope the fans can get of O'Neill's back, wait a few days and it will be in all the newspaper before everton or spurs say they want him 10 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 113, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.15 pm

ak_27 said:

... Joaquin is no longer a world class player and hasn't been for a few seasons now. Would be a big gamble. Still if price was right and he could get some of his form back then yes. But anything more then 5m seems excessive to me.

Comment 114, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.22 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... DanWilson82 are you still going to rip into like you said last night comment if im wrong

Comment 115, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.24 pm

holte ade said:

... getting bored with all this paper talk now!! And to anybody not pissed off with the complete lack of news coming from the club this window maybe they should look at the first team squad on the offical site. I counted only FOURTEEN players with regular first team experience behind them. The last half of last season showed how ill prepared we were to cope with the demands of a full season plus the domestic cups plus european football and with only just over a month to go till the start of next season there is no way we can expect to be in a better position this year. Forget all the paper hype and player PR talk the reality is we are at least 8 or 9 qaulity players short.Are we going to see that many arrive this window? I very much doubt it

Comment 116, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.24 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... forgot my sign 10 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 117, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.25 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... ak 27 martin can get the best out of any player and i would at least 12 million on him, two players on the wing will get us further up the league just like last season 10 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 118, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.29 pm

Leicestershire AVFC said:

... holte ade, we only need to replace at least 5 players and keep the same squad, im fed up with the comments we should sell him because hes not has good enought, if we should only sell if we got replacements, i remember all you haters moaning about stan until he scored that great goal againist derby, i think the most improve player this season will be reo coker, 10 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 119, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.34 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... Leicestershire AVFC - I was having a laugh, but it takes balls to make a statement like you did, if your not certain it's going to come true, there are a lot of people on here baying for blood right now

Comment 120, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.39 pm

holte end hero said:

... yeah leicestershire if you are wrong im going to drive up to leicester and burn down your house and put you in hosptial

Comment 121, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.45 pm

woody said:

... just got in from work and found we had made our first signing that well known spanish player........NO JUAN. keep smiling not long now til the 31st of august when MON's does his big shop.

Comment 122, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.46 pm

tiptonvillan said:

... word has it robbie keane will sign on friday

Comment 123, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.47 pm

holte end hero said:

... who would want to join us when we only sign has beens, we paid lanky 4.5million sold him for 2 million and now we are going to pay 11.million that works out 13.5 million on a 28 year old

Comment 124, made on July 07, 2009 at 8.48 pm

confusedvillafan said:

... tiptonvilla we signed defour last night according to you you TWAT. get back to smallheath

Comment 125, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.00 pm

Altan Kargaci said:

... word has it robbie keane will sign on friday I'll beleive it when I see it . If it were to be true then Ash Young had better not have anything to do with it . UTV

Comment 126, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.02 pm

Leic3stershire AVFC said:

... dan wilson if we sign Joaquin or our first player on 17th july you buy me a beer when we are both at the game, if im wrong i will buy you a beer, deal? 10 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 127, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.02 pm

peter power said:

... bentley is back in the uk tonight

Comment 128, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.03 pm

ak_27 said:

... Leic3stershire AVFC i used to believe that MON could indeed get the best out of players. But im not so sure anymore. Sidwell, Cullar, Routledge, Davies, Knight, NRC havent exactly set the place alight so far. Time will tell on some of these players. But i realy wouldn't be spending 12m on Joaquin. Would be a very big gamble. Often wingers peak early on in their careers and go downhill at 25/26 for no obvious reason(Duff for example). He looks like of those players.

Comment 129, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.09 pm

Leic3stershire AVFC said:

... ak 27 Sidwell was out for a few months stan stole his place and couldn't get it back Cullar rangers still think hes a legend i think he can become a better player this season Routledge for 1 million he was a bench player, Davies always be a pub player who knows be might get better with age Knight i think hes alright not a first team player at the moment but keep him instead of a extra 4 million NRC play him where he can play, attacking midfield, hes got to stop think about london,

Comment 130, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.19 pm

Leic3stershire AVFC said:

... duff 9 times out of 10 players go to newcastle and become crap, still worth a gamble 10 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 131, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.21 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... Stantino (#83) Ha ha ha - good one mate.

Comment 132, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.23 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... JSingh (#89) that rumour and the comment about Mon and Ash not speaking appeared on there some time ago - pay no attention, we would have heard about it from elsewhere if true.

Comment 133, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.28 pm

simondgm said:

... latest whisper I heard - deal being negotiated for joe cole, ourselves and the citeh globetrotters are at the table. the player wants to come to villa but chavsea want young as part of the deal so it's stalemate. probably b0ll0x but we're feeding off scraps at the moment, eh!?

Comment 134, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.47 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... Simondgm, would you take that swap? In fact, how many of us would take that swap? I would need to think long and very very hard about it - a bit like Damian's original question.

Comment 135, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.50 pm

peter power said:

... mon is after andy cole not joe cole

Comment 136, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.54 pm

simondgm said:

... no chance - keep AY, but would like them both! Cole classy but prone to injury and another London lad so keeping him keen in Midlands might be difficult. Young potentially will go further, IMO, has better pace and it's a paceman's game now and more so into the future.

Comment 137, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.54 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... andy5759 I was just thinking about posting the exact same question. Joe Cole, other than Villa players has probably been my favourite player for a couple of years, since the last world cup where he was outstanding infact. Ash is younger though and has the potential to become a world beater. I'd love to think we could have them both, I just can't see Cole coming to us, he was on Sky Sports earlier returning to Chelsea training and looked very much at home.

Comment 138, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.54 pm

simondgm said:

... tony daley advertising hair transplant 'technology'. ....after the barnets he used to sport at his peak!!!!!!

Comment 139, made on July 07, 2009 at 9.56 pm

steve2000 said:

... yes taglor i have heard of irony and if it was anyone else id believe you. I regularly read posts but dont actually post and it appears to me you are either spouting uneducated drivel about our club or calling posters (and i quote) morons.. Idiots.. Etc. So you see why i dont believe your pitiful excuse. Last summer you were telling us all you were no longer supporting the villa and that we were all suckers.

Comment 140, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.12 pm

robbo said:

... Is it really critical that the new players are with us from the start of pre-season training? There are a number of comments about how MON is always slow to buy, and this season is the same as all the others, but remember how good we were at the START of the season last year. The problem was at the back end of the season not the start. Oh...and for what it's worth I have renewed season tickets for me and my son and bought one for my wife for the first time. We managed to move to better seats too.......I'd like to think they are the ones vacated by that fickle guy who's given his up!

Comment 141, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.20 pm

Leic3stershire AVFC said:

... Villa's Young: Fans see football as a religious experience Luke Young has reminded all players that supporters are important by virtue of the fact they are the ones who travel everywhere and pay the players wages. "As a player, you always drive past the fans in the pub with their claret and blue shirts on and it reiterates in your mind what it means to them and how much money they've spent to go to a game," he told Villa's official website. "Not only do you go out and perform for yourself, your family, your manager and chairman, you do it for all those fans too. I appreciate and understand that. If you win, they have a smile on their face for the entire week until the next match rolls around. "My dad's mates are all Spurs fans and when I was a youngster at the club I used to pop down the pub to see them. They went home and away with their club and they used to have competitions to see who had travelled to more games, who had done more miles and who had missed the last game - that sort of thing. "They worked - and worked very hard - to be able to see their team at the weekend. I have seen first-hand what it means to fans out there. The game is so important to supporters." "Our fans work all week and their release - and their main thought throughout the week - is football. They talk about it 24/7," he added. "Football is religion. It's their identity - who they are is who they support. "If I wasn't playing, I'd be exactly the same. Credit to our fans, they come week in and week out and going to a game is almost a religious experience."

Comment 142, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.24 pm

vogra said:

... I like how the AC Milan fans do things, 300 fans outside the training ground gates protesting about the lack of signings..next day, they sign someone..ok guys, who's coming to Villa Park tommorow

Comment 143, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.34 pm

True villa said:

... am tell u guys a demo must be done at villa park!!! Mon is a p***k!!! Why isn't anyone asking direct questions to the club? This f**king bullshit!! Lerner and mon out!!!

Comment 144, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.49 pm

Leic3stershire AVFC said:

... i found this on fansonline, ok we already know about this An England striker and defender and a Sporting Lisbon midfielder are the latest players linked with a move to Villa Park. The summer transfer merry-go-round has yet to really take off in the Premier Leauge and Villa have certainly been quiet in the buying stakes, but that has not stopped Martin O’Neill being reported to be interested in a wide range of targets. Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch could be a target for a return to Villa Park amid uncertainty over his future at Fratton Park. Crouch was at Villa before playing for Southampton and Liverpool and O’Neill rates him highly. Sporting midfielder Miguel Veloso is also a target for Villa, plus Everton and Liverpool. The 23-year-old is a hot property in Portugal and seems certain to join a Premier League club. O'Neill is being described in some quarters as the favourite to sign the player, who has won seven caps for Portugal. West Ham's Matthew Upson also a potential target for Villa if their hopes of landing Fulham stopper Brett Hangeland fall through. Who do you want Villa to sign? 10 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 145, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.50 pm

Leic3stershire AVFC said:

... True villa i have already told you this once, you want to lay of your moms breast milk it damaging your brain, also us lads wants some, whos up for that say yes if you are almost 9 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 146, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.55 pm

kohoutek, home now and name still not working properly said:

... Robbo- Oh...and for what it's worth I have renewed season tickets for me and my son and bought one for my wife for the first time. We managed to move to better seats too.......I'd like to think they are the ones vacated by that fickle guy who's given his up! Fans like you are the reason for optimism.

Comment 147, made on July 07, 2009 at 10.58 pm

Rich said:

... Leicestershire AVFC Like Crouch as a player and person, but really don't see the need. MUCH rather Hangeland than Upson. Don't know enough about Veloso, so can only go by what others say, which seems in the main positive. Thats good enough for me. Would like Dunne alongside Hangeland so we have four CB's competing for the two jerseys. ZK would then IMO be surplus. Also worried we have no cover for Luke Young at right back. Can't continue to fill in with Gardner, Reo, Milner or Cuellar. This is not their positions. Also like the idea of Bentley enabling Milner to move inside and one more creative midfielder. Consensus seems to be tha Defour is the answer. Wouldn't mind Krankjer (spelling??). Therefore (being realistic) would be more than happy with: Dunne Hangeland a young right back with potential (Naughton?) Veloso Bentley Defour or Krankjer

Comment 148, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.13 pm

Steve Badger said:

... Vogra, I like how the AC Milan fans do things, 300 fans outside the training ground gates protesting about the lack of signings..next day, they sign someone..ok guys, who's coming to Villa Park tommorow Shut up you fool. True Villa too. Bloody hell Damian, you need to start checking IPs and ban some of these nose windups imo. Debate/banter, yes. Utter p***ks, who obviously don't support the club, get rid.

Comment 149, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.20 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... DanWilson82, with a new manager at Chels along with the fact that Joe hasn't played for almost a year I can see Ancelotti being open to offers. Ash is a top class player and will improve, but I have some niggling doubts as to whether Villa is the club where we will see his true talent. He could be one of those who needs players of his class around for him to shine. Right now I would want to hang on to him, however if a swap deal was on the cards - say Joe Cole pus £5-10 mill I would take it. That last comment might make some people laugh, but I truly believe that Ash is worth more on the market than Joe Cole, maybe more than £10 million more. As for Luke Young reminding players how seriously fans take their football; there should be no need for that. If the players don't get it by now they never will. Perhaps it's just a bit of a puff (PR speak) from the club to keep us disciples happy and off the drink. Maybe season ticket sales are down on last year. Just wait for the signings to come in by the end of this week. Welcome back Kohoutek - I always liked your comets.

Comment 150, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.21 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... Badger - agreed. But don't get rid of Taglor as he's an essential part of this blog - like hangovers are an essential part of having a good time.

Comment 151, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.24 pm

simondgm said:

... true villa - are you a Villa manager and former ROI International? either way, s--t off you bell end.

Comment 152, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.31 pm

robbo said:

... Kohoutek, I'm sure that the majority of real Villa fans who live near enough to Villa Park and are lucky enough, to be able to afford season tickets will also be renewing theirs. Every fan I know will be looking forward to that moment when we walk back towards Villa park for the first game of the season and first hear the sound of the Holte End in the distance. I just can't understand how any true fan would want to give that up!

Comment 153, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.34 pm

simondgm said:

... get tommy hitzlsperger back????? discuss!?

Comment 154, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.36 pm

Leic3stershire AVFC said:

... simondgm good comment that made me laugh

Comment 155, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.36 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... I would love to see him back - he only left to cement his place in the german team. Now he's done that he might be open to an offer. Though I have heard that Arsenal fancy him as a natural lefty.

Comment 156, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.39 pm

Leic3stershire AVFC said:

... iv just had a email from the times online, go to the website or buy the paper Aston Villa will resist Tottenham Hotspur’s bid to sign John Carew, even as part of a possible swap deal involving Jermaine Jenas and David Bentley, both of whom are of interest to the Midlands club. Martin O’Neill, the Villa manager, is interested in Sylvain Distin, the Portsmouth defender, and is expected to sell Zat Knight, Nigel Reo-Coker and Nicky Shorey.

Comment 157, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.41 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... This has just come up on Time~~Online (via NewsNow - Aston Villa); "Aston Villa will resist Tottenham Hotspur’s bid to sign John Carew, even as part of a possible swap deal involving Jermaine Jenas and David Bentley, both of whom are of interest to the Midlands club. Martin O’Neill, the Villa manager, is interested in Sylvain Distin, the Portsmouth defender, and is expected to sell Zat Knight, Nigel Reo-Coker and Nicky Shorey." So the only links are now about payers leaving - get yer bots on Damian, yer needed on the pitch.

Comment 158, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.43 pm

Leic3stershire AVFC said:

... good night all here is the times link, http://www.timesonline.co.uk/t...9.ece[url=] almost 9 days to go until we sign our first player july 17th

Comment 159, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.43 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... I must get my computer thingumybob to refresh quicker - sorry peeps.

Comment 160, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.45 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... That Times article is just a space filler full of predictions once again. Why are we "expected" to sell Zat, Nicky Shorey and Reo-Coker, how would they possibly know? I've completely given up on anything the papers say, nothing gets out of Villa park, we won't know anything until it goes down and i'm bored of hearing all the rubbish they come out with everyday.

Comment 161, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.50 pm

deansaundersperm that's perm said:

... a decent link!!!! do you agree? http://www.timesonline.co.uk/t...568117.ece

Comment 162, made on July 07, 2009 at 11.52 pm

Keith said:

... deansaundersperm that's perm Who the 'kin hell is Trevor Aitken? Not a very well informed survey is it?

Comment 163, made on July 08, 2009 at 12.05 am

Anthony Laud said:

... Leicestershire villa - if mons first signing is on the 17th July he is a retard! thats a day before the team travel to the peace cup and 8 days into pre season. The players should be in already. we have by about 7 players the smallest squad in the prem sack oneil now!!

Comment 164, made on July 08, 2009 at 12.18 am

Billy7 said:

... so how many players do we need to sign? 1 for Laursen, 1 for Barry, 1 lock picker, 1 cover for right back, 1 cover for left back, 3 squad players, then sell Knight, Shorey and Reo? How many is that if they go? 11 new players needed haha! What a pile of shite.

Comment 165, made on July 08, 2009 at 12.23 am

Abdul Kashif said:

... Oguchi Onyewu has joined AC Milan, so that's another potential target gone..

Comment 166, made on July 08, 2009 at 12.30 am

peter power said:

... bring back john gregory ,mon aint got clue in the transfer market yet again.WE NEED SIGNINGS NOW!!!

Comment 167, made on July 08, 2009 at 12.31 am

Anthony Laud said:

... we are going into pre season with a far worse squad than we finished last season. and that was a squad oneil himself said was far too small! what a joke!

Comment 168, made on July 08, 2009 at 12.37 am

Steve Badger said:

... Andy, Badger - agreed. But don't get rid of Taglor as he's an essential part of this blog - like hangovers are an essential part of having a good time. I'm not on about Taglor. Buffoon that I think he is, he at least reasons his arguments sometimes, imo, so I agree with you. It's just the idiots whose only comment is "Lerner and MON out" ad nauseum. These are not Villa fans, simple, to my mind

Comment 169, made on July 08, 2009 at 12.40 am

peter power said:

... tonebone a joke is funny but villa,s squad is now very worring

Comment 170, made on July 08, 2009 at 12.42 am

confusedvillafan said:

... dont know about tonebone more like moanbone

Comment 171, made on July 08, 2009 at 12.47 am

confusedvillafan said:

... and wheres bentley bluey

Comment 172, made on July 08, 2009 at 12.50 am

Steve Badger said:

... Bluey, agreed. Good job I don't run this site because Tonebone would be gone too. Criticism is fine, but without balance, it's totally soul destroying. Maybe that's why we get the occasional posters who say the site is depressing?????

Comment 173, made on July 08, 2009 at 12.50 am

true said:

... lecister3shire there is no need to get personal mate. its a matter of opinion. but hey i have just dropped your mum and gran and sister off home after they all sucked me off!!!! i told your mum not to talk with her mouth full!!!

Comment 174, made on July 08, 2009 at 1.11 am

kohoutek, home now and name still not working properly said:

... Oh, and yeah, as to the original question, defo would rather shag Abbey than see Crouch wasting space at Villa Park. Can't believe that's actually a question... I mean, Crouch is alright, but just that, alright. The missus on the other hand...Maybe not CL quality, but she looks an honest sort who could do a job!

Comment 175, made on July 08, 2009 at 1.35 am

Halfwit said:

... I see more and more people here getting like me Totaly fed up with Martin O Snail Under O Snail we will always have a small squad and we will always burn out near the end of each season No wonder Randy Lerner loves him look how much money he is saving thanks to o snail's transfer policy

Comment 176, made on July 08, 2009 at 3.18 am

Rich said:

... Regarding the early news today; are they having a laugh. Why would we spend £14 million of our precious transfer budget and then loan Naughton back for the whole season and not (benefit?) from a fully match fit Downing until possibly January? I see no point in either!! The season will be all but over for us by then.

Comment 177, made on July 08, 2009 at 8.51 am

vogra said:

... Badger - i was being sarcastic ffs..you need to get a sense of humour,did you honestly think i was being serious..wahahahaha i just thought it was funny the lengths fans would go to push there clubs to sign players.

Comment 178, made on July 08, 2009 at 9.33 am

Barry Martin said:

... Where the hell are these god damn signings

Comment 179, made on July 08, 2009 at 9.54 am

Ashley said:

... Come on MON we need signings and we need them now

Comment 180, made on July 09, 2009 at 1.36 pm

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