Written by Damian Wednesday, 28 July 2010 08:35
I've just got a feeling that this one could happen very soon. Luke Young wants out; he doesn't like the retro football from O'Neill and when you talk publicly against the manager, you do it in the knowledge that your days will then be numbered.
All things point to Liverpool but to be more precise, to Roy Hodgson, who was rumoured to be interested in the player when at Fulham.
The rumour mill also suggests the price is £2.5mn - a lot less than we paid for the player sixty odd games ago and surely a great price for a player Fabio Capello was trying to get out of international retirement just a few months ago.
If true, it is a pity. He had something to offer and is a very good player but for whatever reason Martin O'Neill has made the decision and when he makes those decisions he rarely changes.
Still, we've got King Carlos who can play at right back, Habib Beye and Eric Lichaj and lets not forget we can always put James Milner at right back and the manager has been known to ask Emile Heskey to play in defence. Who needs Luke Young?
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Chiefy
said:
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... 1st ???? he obviously was never going to get a chance, what ever he has done must have really done MON head in. |
Rortyboy
said:
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... I am sorry Damian but this blog has gone as far as it can go. I don’t doubt that you work hard and do your best but it is just not a top-flight blog. It is too wedded to old-fashioned manager bashing and attacking the owner. Modern, creative blogs provide insight into players’ abilities, deepen understanding of tactics and offer analysis of club development. This blog is just stuck in 1970s criticism, criticism, criticism. I know some bloggers, and you know who you are, are perfectly happy with being a hardly noticed, boring repetitive blog. But some of us, the real bloggers who watch football on a computer, want more – we want to be noticed in Europe, a force in football blogging. We have ambition for the blog. But unless the blog changes, and I don’t think it will much as I hope it might, then we are stuck in old ways, condemned to the never noticed regions of 7th / 8th blog. |
Chiefy
said:
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... Rumour mill has it Damo that |
Carlos is a centre back!!
said:
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... Why the hell are we letting Luke go?! If he's good enough for Liverpool he's good enough for us. One of MON's biggest mistakes. He was close to player of the year in his first season and then was for some reason replaced at right back by a centre back who everyone can clearly see can not play there. This is so frustrating. An England international right back that we are letting go to one of out rivals for 2.5mill...what a joke. |
HT Sweden
said:
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... How come we always ( well almost) seems to sell players for less money then we buy them? Are they getting worse playing at Villa? |
Chiefy
said:
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... It is everywhere that the Milner saga could be coming to an end! Spuds and Citeh wont meet the valuation so Milner could start the season a Villa player! Dont you just feel so valued now James? they value that much they will disrupt you, have your good manor questioned, cause your employers fans to question you and then walk away! told you there would be tears and told you they wouldnt be ours. Now get your head down and do what we pay you to do! |
Luckynumber7
said:
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... I think that Young is a decent right back, and one that can easily take that step down to play with Liverpool. It makes sense that Roy wants to create Fulham at Liverpool and I wish him all the best. This signing, along with the Yossi Benyaun and Maschereno leaving - should firmly cement Liverpool below us where they belong. As I tend to do, I disagree with the slant that Damian has put on this. I think Young lost his place, perhaps was better than Cuellar going forward but nowhere near as strong in defence. I find it very difficult to understand the bit about retro football; that seems to be a complete assumption or piece of guesswork on your part Damian. |
jk92293
said:
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... shame we couldnt get the best from Young. his heart was never in it since his brother died. i say just let him go back to London and do well elsewhere. whether he was given the chance or not, he doesnt want to be at Villa, so let him go and get a couple of quid for the coffers! |
The Droyd
said:
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... Carlos is a Centre back - I agree with everything that you say there. However I am guessing that O'Neill wants Young out because of a bust up. Anyone that watches Villa at home will know that Young at right back is by far a better option than Cuellar. At 31 and reportedly one of our highest earners, £2.5 million sounds about right for a player we are trying to offload. |
av1979
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... This just shows O neal hasnt got a clue,letting luke young go for 2.75 mil, he is a good full back and can play on either side.O neal needs to star watching the game instead of living every second of it.O neal needs to go as soon as. |
jk92293
said:
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...Dont you just feel so valued now James? they value that much they will disrupt you, have your good manor questioned, cause your employers fans to question you and then walk away! told you there would be tears and told you they wouldnt be ours. well said! |
The Droyd
said:
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... I think Citeh will pay the £30 million. Money is no object to them. Expect him to leave on deadline day. Citeh will be very happy to cause us maximum disruption by leaving it to the last minute. They know we have a sell to buy policy so by leaving until the last minute, it gives us no time to get a replacement. As we were one of their main rivals last season, this is an ideal situation for them. |
Svilen
said:
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... Luke Young is determined and experienced player but very slow.And he'll become slower this year so 2.5 million i s good price for him. |
theirishvillan
said:
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... Sad to see him go he's the best player we have in that position and was never given a fair crack of the whip. |
taglor
said:
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... Anyone fancy a Villa Blog pint after or before a game this season? You never know I might turn out to be a hot 19 year old blonde female :s |
deansaunderspermthatsperm
said:
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... now milner will have a so-so season and leave next year for about 8m |
Chiefy
said:
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... The Droyd - I dont think they will, I think it has taken so much of their time already I dont think they will come back for Milner, Mancini has got more problems to worry about like trimming his over inflated squad down and managing the ego's he has already. I think if nothing is done soon I dont think it will be and if Milner plays in Portugal I think he will still be here atleast until January, which could be an agreement the two clubs have already made ?!?! |
jimboAVFC
said:
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... it's a catch 22 situation with young/cuellar. Young is better going forward but carlos is stronger in defence. which would you rather have??? |
Chiefy
said:
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... Taglor --- before west ham in the adventures mate, infact before every home in game in the ad's ??  |
Mowgs
said:
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... Damo - ever the pessimist! If James does stay then we should be happy. Hopefully he can kick on again. As for Lukie. As mentioned by theirishvillain he never truly got a fair crack of the whip but his chance has been and gone sadly. He is supposedly one of the highest earners so it's probably best to move him on rather than leaving him rotting on the bench. Chance for Lichaj to develop instead. |
Andy
said:
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... Chiefy...I like some of the stuff you write. It's either entertaining or has substance, but I'm afraid your constant attacks on James Milner is getting beyond a joke now. You, me and all those on this blog don't actually know whats gone off and whats been said. All we can do is have our opinion and put it across respectfully, but the verbal attacks just lower the tone. If it's proved Milner has been a t**t about any of this then so be it, but I have a feeling that MON and the club have been just as guilty of a bit of underhand work in this. In fact it's quite obvious they have not been 100% right in this. James Milner is a good player who plays for Aston Villa. He's done us good service and upto now we don't actually have any firm evidence that he's done anything wrong. In fact even if he's put in a transfer request, so what, it's nothing to do with me or you. It's business and employment. People move jobs. You do and I do. James Milner has kept his mouth shut over all this. James or his agent have not gone running to the press or anything. He's done this with dignity. He's in a no win situation. The players at the club are not slagging him off. They speak highly of him. He's not done a Gareth Barry, so let's lay off him until he does. |
The Droyd
said:
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... It's very possible that you are right Chiefy and it certainly happened with Gareth Barry to Liverpool. The reason I believe that he will be off is that Citeh are in a different league to Liverpool in terms of money. When have they ever failed to get a player that they want in terms of the transfer fee? They can afford the £30 million and are happy to pay over the odds for players. They are just trying to destabilise us in the process of the purchase because they see us as rivals. Which is testament to the excellent job O'Neill has done the last couple of years. |
VillaDude
said:
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... I actually just come to this blog now to talk about villa to the other users and not read the above blog. Reading the same thing about how poor the football is and that's the reason a player wants to leave is just getting boring... Anyway, I think we should sell Luke Young for 2.5m. We are desperate to get people off the wage list and Young is earning a reported 40k and not playing.. We are struggling to get Sidwell, Shorey, Beye and Davies off the list so at least Young is a start.. |
The Droyd
said:
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... Andy, as fans I think we have the right to bitch on a blog about one of our best players wanting to leave after paying £12 million for him just under 2 years ago. So I am with Chiefy there. I even think have the right to boo him at the games for his disloyalty. We pay a lot of money to watch these overpaid dimwits play football so as fans we have the right to criticise. I personally won't boo him as I think it is counter productive as the players need the fans behind the team. |
Rhys
said:
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... I can't see this transfer happening. For what it's worth I think it would be a good deal for both Young and the club, but I can't see Young moving to act as cover for Glen Johnson at this stage of his career. Unless Liverpool want him to play left-back of course? Even then, it would be a strange move. |
hotmonocle
said:
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... What is happening at VP? we are a laughing stock each transfer window we act slowly get left with what is left on the shelf, but this summer totally outdone ourselves hope MON has something up his sleeve ( which i doubt based on all of the past windows) or will be struggling to finish in the top ten - it will be back to Leicester days only hope is the League Cup (we already play the same way) |
Chiefy
said:
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...I like some of the stuff you write. It's either entertaining or has substance, but I'm afraid your constant attacks on James Milner is getting beyond a joke now. I have not attacked him, I have just pointed out what seems to be the picture being painted by the press, for me Milner can do what he likes I have gone past caring, but while he is at MY club and wearing the colours of MY club he should get his head down and do what we pay him alot of money to do. No attack just opinion |
AussieVillan
said:
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... Mon better just hurry up and accept citys 25 mil offer or it will just drag on and disrupt the start of the season ! And by selling young it looks like mon will just keep playing cuellar at RB all season ! |
Genital Grinder
said:
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... The Droyd I agree completely. Just the fact that he wants to leave and jump ship to a rival club is enough for me to slag him off. I don't care what anyone says about there being no loyalty in football anymore and it's just a business and blah blah, it doesn't mean that these mercenaries should just get away it, I think they should be booed and jeered into the ground and made to feel like the money grabbing scum that they are. (not that they'd care very much but anyway...) That is of course if Milner leaves... |
av.badger
said:
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... good luck to luke young if he goes,its not worked out for him at villa,2.75mill is a fair price for a mediocre 31yr old i.m.o. If jimmy stays lets get behind him and the rest of the team,up the villa! |
Lew Chatterleys lover
said:
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... The way Villa play the wing backs see more of the ball than any other player, in which case it make sense to have someone in those positions who is comfortable on the ball and has some distribution skills ? Beye and Young both fit the bill but this seems completely lost on MON who will no doubt persevere with Cuellar again, I don't think there's any chance of Lichaj or Beye getting more than a handfull of games. As for Luke Young, other than the Chelsea debacle can anyone tell me of any other bad games he's had, I certainly can't remember one. |
Chiefy
said:
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... I will not boo Milner as Droyd states it is counter productive by I will not applaud or cheer him either, Milner has made his bed now he can lie in it whatever the outcome maybe ! |
Rortyboy
said:
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... Damian - one more season, I admire your optimism. My guess is that this time next year we will be reading that we need a 20 goal a season striker, our best players are the ones who don't play and the kids need a run out. Or more worryingly MON will have quit and some new bloke will be promised a transfer kitty and present us with a five year plan. Never mind - at least the football is getting better... |
VillaDude
said:
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... If you read MONs comments, it's not up to him to accept or reject any bids.. He has said Randy and Chief Exec have valued the players and he's letting them handle everything.. MON no longer has that hands on role due to over inflated prices he has paid and salaries dished out... |
Andy
said:
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... So if Milner scores the winner against Birmingham or scores the winner in a cup you're not going to be jumping up and down cheering as James celebrates with Ash Young and Gabby etc at the corner flag...?!  I think you will be. |
SCOTT1
said:
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... any news on Collins injury?To do it that early u must summise he didnt warm up properly.As for Young,if he goes to Liverpool id be surprised if he doesnt play lb hes not going to be a bench warmer. |
Chiefy
said:
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... Andy -- cause I will because he has had a direct impact on my club, but at the same token I wont be singing his name for no reason, al la Carew. Milner, like Barry did, will have to earn my applause |
Genital Grinder
said:
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...So if Milner scores the winner against Birmingham or scores the winner in a cup you're not going to be jumping up and down cheering as James celebrates with Ash Young and Gabby etc at the corner flag...?! I think you will be. I will be jumping up and down because Villa have scored, I would just probably be wishing that Gabby or Ash scored it, because I know that p***k will be off in the summer, just like that other money grabbing t**t last summer... |
Andy
said:
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... The point I made was that we don't actually know whats been said, yet some are slating Milner. He's said nothing. The only person that we know (as far as I've heard anyway) to actually have said anything is MON. And to be fair, that was all wishy washy clep trap, where he could not actually grow the balls to say exactly what was said. He used his own words when he said 'intimated'. He did not actually use factual words. All I'm saying is it's a very prejudiced view on something we don't know any firm facts about. For all we know Milner said he does not want to accept the offer he was presented with before the WC and Villa said, take it or leave it. It might just be Villa that are the ones not trying hard enough to keep our best players. Some on here moan on that the club shoudl be trying theor best to keep our best players. I've read comment like, 'It's not my money, the club should pay whats need to get and retain players'. |
theirishvillan
said:
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... Sky sports saying west ham have rejected a bid for scott parker. Wonder if that was us again???? or maybe liverpool trying to replace macherano |
Headologist
said:
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... Luke Young Why didn't MON play him? 'Cos when he did we got thrashed 7-1, lesson learnt Luke, goodbye, good luck |
The Droyd
said:
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... Yes it was Spurs. West Ham can keep him. Any bid for him from us looks to be dead as a result of West Ham's stance. Good. |
jk92293
said:
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... looks like we can all assume he will be playing with us next season. have to say, i am happy with that! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/8862366.stm |
Chiefy
said:
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... Andy -- we dont know half the time what has been said or done yet it is ok when everything decides to shot the manager down, so why is this not the case when a player does it ?? |
Joty
said:
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... Reason for leaving is one year ago, when Young wasn´t mentally able to play after a family affair. I have the feeling that since this moment he has been out of MON´s plans. So the fee is right and LFC has one homegrown player more, which they urgently require. |
Genital Grinder
said:
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... Andy, the fact that Milner hasn't come out and said "I want to stay" says it all to me, and that's why people are turning their back on him. And if we're not trying hard enough to keep our best players, then you must assume our club is being run by a bunch of idiots, surely they are trying their best, but maybe it's not good enough for Milner anymore because he's had one good season and he thinks he's god. He could have it all at Villa, be the number one man, a hero, start every week, become a regular international, very possibly win silverware here, but it looks like that's not good enough for him and he's rather earn more dough sitting on a bench or even in the stands. I know we really don't know whats been said, but it doesn't look good from Milners camp does it? Give us a statement! Fill us in! Otherwise you'll have people like me on places like this tearing him apart! |
Simeon
said:
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... If Milner isn't sold, it's a disaster for Aston Villa FC. But until it doesn't happen there is hope that sense will prevail - even if it's a forlorn hope. If Liverpool are willing to stump up £2.5m for a 31 year old reserve (no matter how good, and how much better than what they already have, he is), then they must be desperate. Villa are in the amazing position where they can count themselves lucky that they only take a loss of £3.5m on a player who should be in their team week in, week out. Only under this manager could we see this kind of insanity. Good luck Luke Young. You were near-faultless in a Villa shirt, and always gave 100%. You never deserved to be treated the way you were, and frankly you are too good for Martin O'Neill. I trust at Liverpool you will experience a far more enlightened footballing existence. |
Lew Chatterleys lover
said:
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... to Headologist Didn't realised Luke Young had only played one game for the club since we bought him. |
RichT
said:
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... Don't believe the papers! The Milner deal is very much sill on. Having spoken to someone close to the City management I hear that Villa are keen to cash in but that City do not want to over pay. They are now publicly cooling their interest so Villa accept a lower fee (less than the £30m). Villa won't do any real business until the Milner issue is resolved so they can't hold out too long! Milner WILL be going! The sooner the better for Aston Villa! |
KrisAVFC
said:
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... looking at the villa website and the "media watch" I can't see him going, i think this whole thing has fallen through and he's just reasuring us that he not p***** off about it like Barry was. |
Simeon
said:
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... This blog might be talking about some of the same stuff and making some of the same points that it has been for the past couple of years, but the blog is simly reflecting the reality of what is going on with our club. Actually, this summer is quite a bit different to previous summers because, for the first time, our manager doesn't have any new money to spend. Because there is no money to spend (and the more enlightnened amongst us know why this is), there is very little doing in terms of players coming in to the club, and plenty in terms of players moving on. It couldn't be any other way. Naturally, this makes for a rather depressing existence for the devoted Villan. But there is one man to blame for this, frankly awful, state of affairs, and one man to blame for this blog talking about the same issues again and again. |
Chiefy
said:
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... Young is being allowed to leave because whatever you think of Cuellar at right back is immaterial why? because stats dont lie and who had one of the strongest defences in the league with Cuellar at right back ????? Young lost his place because of family reason but couldnt get it back because of this very reason, he gained his place back and we got raped by chelsea coincidence ?? I wish young all the best I really do, but those that keep banging on about Cuellar at right back get over it, look at the stats, begining of the season cuellar was level with Dunne in the opta stats index and he was playing out of position. |
VillaDude
said:
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... Listening to Cuellar pre-season and look at the way we have lined up, it seems Cuellar might back playing at centre back again |
DanWilson82
said:
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...some of us, the real bloggers who watch football on a computer, want more – we want to be noticed in Europe, a force in football blogging. We have ambition for the blog. Thanks for that, funniest thing i've read on here for about, well ever  |
Simeon
said:
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... VillaDude I read Cuellar's comments about playing right back, and I got the distinct impression that he would be playing at right back, which just goes to show how things can be interpreted differently. My guess would be that, were Collins unfit for the start of the season, Cuellar might well move in to the centre, and probably Beye would slot in at right back. After that, who knows what would happen? After all, our manager has set a precedent for discarding players who have performed excellently. Collins had a decent season last time out, but whether he came back into the side or not would seem to depend on what mood our manager was in at the time (and in fairness whether or not Beye was up to the job or not). But my money would firmly be on Cuellar playing the season at right back, assuming there are no serious injuries. |
Chiefy
said:
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...We've been linked with guess who.. Jermaine Jenas I would prefer Jermaine Jackson !! No real shock there if Spuds want Parker, it seems we are going for the cheaper option |
Rortyboy
said:
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... Simeon Honestly MON is not to blame for your lack of creativity or imagination - unless he is your Dad. Thinking about it that could explain a lot... |
John Salter
said:
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... Luke Young - He was never given the right opportunity to get his head right and play consistently after his brother died. He can't be blamed for the Chelski debacle. Villa were actually the better team until halftime and the Ref gave Chelski TWO penalties! James Milner - MON has suggested that Milners agent 'intimated' that he wanted to leave! That does not mean that James Milner has said 'he wants to leave.' If he goes, he goes and Villa get lots of Mercenary Cities cash. Until then or what was actually said is revealed anyone that starts booing Milner is going to do the club a diservice. I think he should make his stance on the 'transfer' public and so should MON as to what 'exactly' was said. Football agents are only in this for the cash, they leach on these overpaid people every day of their lives and what his agent said may not reflect his attitude. Either way at this time he's wearing a Villa shirt and should be supported as such. Until we know what exactly has happened, he shouldn't be put into the 'Barry' category! |
av.badger
said:
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... chiefy- agree entirely,based on their defensive capabilities Cuellar is by far the stronger player,if only his offensive play could improve,lacks any real idea once he crosses the half way line.looking forward to seeing ash play more of a free role in the centre,if it happens! |
Simeon
said:
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... Rortyboy In my opinion, you're more amusing when you're peddling your pseudo-academic economic analysis. I'm not sure satire is a strong suit, and I'm convinced that you don't have the knack for personal insults. However, I will concede that there is a market for low-brow comedy - and when it is done well I'm as likely to laugh ast he next man. But my advice - for what it's worth - is to specialise in one specific area, learn your craft and carve out a recognisable niche for yourself. Audiences by and large want to know broadly what they're getting from their entertainers. Good luck mate. |
Andy
said:
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... Chiefy...Like I've said before I read opinions and fully accept them. After all, I have my own opinions and expect those to be read. I have stated my opinions about MON and I have commented on things that he's actually done and evidenced what I have said based on things that MON has or has not done. They are my opinions. I don't, or should I say I'm not aware I've said anything about our manager, not based on some sort of fact. I comment on the way he plays, the way he uses his pets, the way he does not rotate etc. These are facts for us all to see and comment on and have our opinion on. The fact that we only have MON's side of this (because he's the only one we have had actual comment from) does not make it fact to be able to have a go at Milner for. You may ultimately be right, Milner may be orchastrating a move, but we don't know. Let me put it this way, which is very likely. The club, knowing that there would be interest in Milner, had discussions before the WC (which is fact). As the club have factually stated Milner was unwilling to sign a new contract, so contract discussions were discussed. Milner is under contract for another two years. Why does he need to sign a contract straight away. Who can blame him having time to consider it. You would and I would. You would do it for you, not for the fans. You cannot swear on your life that you would sign a contract just to give out a message to the club and fans. That is completely stupid. So, with MON not having spoke to Milner since before the WC how can he know anything when he went public last week. It may just have been a case of Villa trying to force Milners hand...? It may just have been a case of City trying to unsettle one of our best players...? It could be a number of reasons other than Milner being a t**t, so as we don't have facts to say Milner has been a t**t, then let's get behind him. He is a Villa player and one that works harder than any other Villa player in the squad. I am however still of the opnion that £25M+ would have been good business. |
Chiefy
said:
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... Andy -- Like I said i appreciate your opinion, I have not attacked Milner, I have just stated what my stance would be and is. Until the ink is dry and the money transferred he is ours and because of that he should get his head down and do the job WE pay him to do, and if he does that and does it well he will get the support that everyone else gets, but now he has to earn it not just get given it. |
Rortyboy
said:
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... Simeon That is called deflection. And I am not trying to be rude - I want to help. But I agree - see a specialist. |
Andy
said:
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... erm...yes he should get our support, because he's already earnt it...! Let one person on here tell us what James Milner has done wrong, not to deserve the same level of support he got last season..? If any of you are going to say he should have come out and declared he was going to sign a new contract and declare his future, then you really need to go take a reality pill and grow up. Theres a real world out there other than Aston Villa you know. |
Chiefy
said:
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... Andy -- Look opinions are different you cant convince me that yours is right and visa vesa, I may be wrong I dont know but Milner will have to show the same level of commitment and performance, if he stays, when that is done he will get the same level of support. Personally I think that is fair. |
The Droyd
said:
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... I don't have a problem with Cuellar playing full back away from home. But when we are playing at home and the majority of our opposition are getting 10 men behind the ball, we need someone that can play a bit. We make it easy for the away team by playing Cuellar at RB as they just give him loads of space because he can't use the ball. Our home record is not good enough but we are fantastic away. |
Andy
said:
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... That seems very fair Chiefy.... Now have you got any more snood photo's, because I could not find a claret and blue one for Chris the other day..!  |
Simeon
said:
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... Rortyboy I don't see any deflection here. You are trialling your material, and I'm giving you some feedback. I wouldn't set myself up as an authority on comedy you understand. I'm simply one punter with his own opinion. I would hate to discourage you from pursuing something your passionate about. But if you were a little unsure as to whether treading the boards was in your future, and I've helped you make up your mind one way or the other, then I'm pleased to have been of service. By the way, I'm not entirely sure how suggesting that I am the offspring of silly little man in glasses and a tracksuit is supposed to help me. But maybe you were attempting some laughter therapy that unfortunately went over my ahead. Anyway, I appreciate the effort. Very kind. But forgive me if I don't take you up on your suggestion to see a specialist. I tend to avoid advice from comedians. |
The Burp
said:
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... If Milner stays then once again we will be without a proper creative influence in the middle. Both Barry and Milner have now have performed 50% of this essential role over the last few seasons and to my mind 50% is not good enough. We need a decent midfielder who has a bit of something about him to spot a pass that nobody else can and dictate from the middle. A player that always looks like he has time on the ball. Whilst Barry and Milner are both good players this skill does not come naturally to them and because of that it looks like we will remain defficient in that area for at least another season. |
OptaJoe
said:
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... Might not be a suprise to Damo, but we actually had the WORST direct FK accuracy in the PL last season, with only 25% on target. Scum had the best, 75% on target. |
VillaNick
said:
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...Luke Young At last, someone who understands that Luke Young is not very good! Liverpool fans a no impressed at all about the prospect, Beye is a better player but I have a feeling Lichij will be give a chance. |
Ascone Villa
said:
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... Simeon Can I just ask who you'd prefer to be in the hotseat than this "silly little man in glasses and a tracksuit " you refer to? |
Matt T
said:
 |
... Well if Luke Young isn't going to play, then he should be sold. The problem for O'Neill will be if he manages to shift the surplus at cheap budgets, and they then go on to flourish with other clubs, big questions will be asked about his ability to know how to deal with transfers. I personally think we need to get rid of players that aren't going to play, but I think O'Neill needs to be very aware that the players who leave will be kept track of the same way as when Gary Cahill went. Same way as I imagine Davies will invariably end up at somewhere like Tottenham for £3m as their natural successor to Ledley King, or he will be sold on by Welly Face after he buys him for about £8-10m after. I imagine Shorey, Sidwell and Luke Young will all do well for their new clubs. If they do enjoy success, it will be another thing to add to the list. NRC on the other hand - I see him sitting on his backside till the end of his contract, and then using being out of contract as a great way to get another big payout from a contract. If we don't sell Sidwell, expect the same from him.... |
Matt T
said:
|
... Chances are we will sell off some of the surplus low value players and probably buy someone like Kevin Doyle. That's assuming that Milner doesn't go - and if Villa hold out for £30m when we're being offered £24m and Wright Phillips... Well then O'Neill is more crazy than I thought. Mark my words - if Milner doesn't go now, he will go later for a lot less money (as someone said earlier - probably about £8-12m) |
The Droyd
said:
|
... VillaNick - I am also puzzled by Beye not being given a chance. I find it staggering when Villa fans say he is rubbish. Whenever I have seen him in a Villa shirt, he gives us more going forwards than Young and is stronger and quicker. Capable of playing centre back, he has the defensive attributes also. At least we have seen a lot of Young and whilst he has done nothing wrong, I would only ever describe him as OK. It is a complete mystery to me. |
Matt T
said:
|
... Oh and why is O'Neill making out that Randy is picking the prices O'Neill added: "I think the owner puts a price on players. Of course, he will have an idea on the price. b******s - if MON says that we should sell him at £24m, I do not see in a million years that Lerner is going to say "No". This just smacks of diversion... |
Andy
said:
|
... Matt...I really hope L Young does do well at Liverpool. Good on him. He deserves break. Respect to Hodgson for spotting a quality player that has been kept out of a side. Anyone that uses the 7-1 to Cheslea as a reason to blame Young obviously knows nothing. That loss was as a result of our formation and the lacklustre performance of a whole team. You don't lose 7-1 because of one player. I suppose Chelsea played really crao in that game.....! |
Matt T
said:
|
... Andy, Exactly... Blaming us losing 7-1 on one player is ridiculous. Blaming the bloke for maybe being responsible for a goal? That's feasible. However, being responsible for a thrashing? That's just people seeing a change in the team of one player, and blaming that result on the change. |
AdamD
said:
 |
... MON has done a lot of good for the Villa but you have to question his tactics in the transfer market surely the fiascos of Millner/Barry will only unsettle the squad , and his last minute shopping I would imagine does the same , and we all know what happened in the opener last season!! .It would be nice to actually start the season with a settled and balanced squad , is that possible under MON? |
Matt T
said:
|
... Andy, Hodgson is a good manager. He would have been my pick if O'Neill would have walked. However, I think that he'll never move now. I think he will be at Liverpool until he gets the call to be England manager, and then he will retire afterwards. |
Matt T
said:
|
... Any bloke that can get Fulham to a Europa League final, will do amazingly well at Liverpool... |
Andy
said:
|
...O'Neill added: "I think the owner puts a price on players. Of course, he will have an idea on the price. He 'thinks'...???!!! Does he not know. Does our manager actually know the answer to anything at the moment. Come on...This is getting to be a bit of a farce now. I'm not filled with confidence about who's now in charge at Villa these days. |
jk92293
said:
|
... Matt T - valuations, negotiations and bids are handled by the board...the manager can be part of it, giving advise, recommendations etc, but the final decision is not down to him, unless it is specified. i assume everyone knew that?? |
Matt T
said:
|
... Andy, O'Neill is the one who will pick if we sell him or not. He is simply looking for a fall guy to blame if we sell him, or if we don't. If we do sell him - the owner told him to sell. If we don't sell him - the owner held out for too much money. Smacks of "I don't want to be blamed whatever happens". It is clearly evident from everything we know about the club that Lerner leaves O'Neill to buy and sell whatever he likes given the budget he is given. If O'Neill wants to sell Milner for the price that Man City offer, Lerner will not say "Sorry Martin, you can't sell him for £12m profit, you must sell him for £18m profit" |
Matt T
said:
|
... jk92293 We are making a profit, and the sale is about the manager's decision to keep the player or not. The fact of the matter is we are making a profit on the sale, there is no way a non footballing person is going to complain that they have only made £12m profit. PS I know exactly how business runs, I have been doing it for long enough - but we also know for a certified fact that O'Neill is in full control of everything football related at the club, and the owner just puts his hand in his pocket when he has the cash available. |
Matt T
said:
|
... If O'Neill thought Milner staying was going to cause a problem with team morale, there is no way on this planet that Lerner would demand we made more profit from him. Lerner is not the sort of bloke to look at profit on a player above the effect on the team. The guy is a business man, not a clown. It is clearly evident that O'Neill makes the choices, the same way he did when we sold Gareth Barry. |
Andy
said:
|
... jk...I may have dreamt this or I'm just losing my memory these days but didn't Randy say some years ago that he left the running of the club in footballing terms to MON. |
Matt T
said:
|
... I would much rather have £24m from Man City now, than £12m in a years time. You would think that he would have learned from the Barry saga that an unsettled player will go for cheaper next season (given that they are not signing another contract) |
Matt T
said:
|
... Andy, Yes he did. One of the main reasons why O'Neill would be so hesitant to leave this club is practically nowhere else will give him that sort of free reign. |
churchill
said:
 |
...Modern, creative blogs provide insight into players’ abilities, deepen understanding of tactics and offer analysis of club development. This blog is just stuck in 1970s criticism, criticism, criticism. Rorty You comment caught my eye. I’ve seen plenty of comments pointing the way forward for the Villa; I’ve never seen one doing it for a blog. It’s an interesting notion. If you placed my hand on a bible and told me to tell the truth, I’d have to say that, at times, Damo is overly negative, more overly pessimistic really, than I care for, but the remedy is, to a great extent, in your own hands. Damo allows members here to submit pieces for publication at the top under the headline. I don’t know of any other blog owner that does that (Harry Hotspur has just started). I don’t get around a lot so maybe I’ve missed something. If that doesn’t appeal, simply post your thoughts, as you do now, in the comments section. O’Neill’s approach fascinates me, as do other managers. Weighing the merits of the players, of the owner, of the junior team coaches, of the tea lady ought to be discussed more by people who know what they’re talking about. How I miss Doc Bowles! There are posters who are unhappy with O’Neill. And those unhappy with Lerner. OK, tell us once or twice then give us a break. Try to focus on the positive. This positive attitude is one of the elements of success. If you’re tempted to tell us a third time how ghastly this are at Villa Park, try slashing your wrists as a solution. |
jk92293
said:
|
... Matt - i agree it is ultimately up to the MON if we keep him or not, but he is not at the head of the table for negotiations when money creeps into play. we would like to think he is, but he is not. no way! he would have spoken to Lerner, and told him that MIlner wants to leave and let him go...then a meeting would have been held where everyone is on the same page..including MON...about the fee and they are sticking to their guns. then replacements etc would ahve been spoken about. MON didnt just arrive in and write 30m on a piece of paper and puch it across the table to lerner. and he certainly doesnt just drop an email to lerner saying he has signed 10 players and to cough up. if you know the business so well you would know there is a chain and there are a few people higher up alot more concerned with money than james milner. they see ching ching and if MON thinks 23-24m is the best we can get, they will think about what he has to say, but its their decision, not his. i would love if MON did have complete control, but there is no point blaming him for EVERYTHING (talking generally about alot of posts) wehn there are other parts to play in why we are all so negative right now. either way, sell Milner and buy a sh*t load of players to keep us happy, i dont give a sh*t who gives the thumbs up in whatever boardroom! |
churchill
said:
|
...Rortyboy Touché, Damo. Nice to see you haven't lost your sense of humour. |
Matt T
said:
|
... Churchill, Ha ha ha ha I would agree with your statement. Seems a lot of the talk here is based on "Expect the worst, and anything better in an improvement" The basis is a great concept, well until the people who say that spend all their time complaining about how terrible the club is. My idea of expectations is that we finish top 8. If we finish less than then the manager should be queried as to why. I don't however think that a constant onslaught of any club employee benefits anyone, but I do believe O'Neill really needs to accept the fact that he is actually the one in charge here, and thus if sales do/don't happen, then that is his choice. If Lerner wanted to be someone who took control of sales and what prices they went for, he would employ a director of football. Something that he obviously hasn't done for a reason - because he trusts Martin with it. |
Squirrel
said:
 |
... I think before the tragedy with his brother and the argument with MON Luke Young was always one of our most consistent performers and pretty much always one of the top 3 players on the team. It will be a shame to see him go and I wish him luck, but if MON isn't going to play him there is no point in him staying. As for Cuellar at right back, oh dear! All of the top teams have attacking full-backs who are comfortable on the ball and build attacks. Full-backs get a lot of time on the ball and do instigate play, Carlos cannot pass and many of the players, Milner especially last season, do not want to pass to him due to his awful distribution. It may be acceptable for some to have a centre half stopper at right back against top teams, but week in week out against lesser oppositon shows no ambition or intention to improve our football. |
Matt T
said:
|
... JK, Yes - I totally agree. Milner should be sold, and we should use the money to actually improve the team. I fear if we don't sell him, then we will just end up with the same team as last year (minus a few surplus players) I hope MON used Weimann and Albrighton this year, rather than just giving them some more friendlies, but very little football in the actual season. I know the structure of the board, and where people sit, the chief exec, Randy and the board, but I also know for a fact that Lerner's involvement is to the tune of "Here you are Martin, we have £x to spend, if you sell players you can keep x% of the profits to reinvest. Our wage bill is quite high though, so if you could trim some players who aren't used, that would be great." The chairman has a board for a reason, but that reason isn't based on player valuations. If it was, surely we would have more people on the board with actual football experience? |
VillaNick
said:
|
...... Spot on! |
AussieLion
said:
 |
... Surely the Milner situation isnt that complicated? Cant anyone see that the most obvious thing to do is tell him the plan for the club, offer him a contract and then if he declines sell him now rather than next year for 10m? Its really not that hard. I like him but I'd rather cash in on him now for as much as possible. Also dont get to worried about not enough players being available. In a few weeks Man City will have a trove of players available. Ireland and De Jong for me thanks! If MON wants them that is. |
hotmonocle
said:
|
... the way Luke Young has been treated sums our current plight ..buy for £5m do not play him replace with a dud RB in Carlos and sell for half price to one of our closest rivals for half price! Complete lack of imagination & at this stage going backwards hope to be proved wrong - watch the home crowds dwindle this year they could not fill the ground last season this is based on the product being offered at VP it is boring & dull |
Chiefy
said:
|
... While many of us would take the 24mil than let Milner leave for 12mil next year, if offered would you let Milner leave next year for 12mil knowing that we would have an equal replacement ready to take over ? Much the same as Barry did I think this is what will happen, if not next summer then January. I think MON does not like to be rushed, clearly, and this is evidence of him stamping his feet. MON is not saying Milner cant go just when he feels ready and he we will have the club ready for that movement. Personally if i knew we would have equal or better replacement for Milner next summer i would wait and take less money when the time comes. If we take it now it is going to be a mad rush and panic to replace him, and MON doesnt like being rushed, we could end up with Salifou in the middle |
Chiefy
said:
|
... How people can still carry on criticising Cuellar in every comment is beyond me !!! Cuellar had no choice but to replace Young due to his family thingy, then low and behold our defence became as solid as a rock. Check the stats Cuellar was as good as anyone in the league and he was the one OUT of position. Granted Cuellar does not offer the attacking threat Young did or does but he has helped make our defence the third best in the league, Opta stats had him almost level with Dunne and yet you all continue to give the bloke grief. We should be applauding the fact that he had the balls to step in and play out of position for a new club, we should give him credit for helping the other lads form one of the best defence's in the league....He could be better going forward but then he could be worse at the back and we could ship goals for fun, at the moment we cant or dont have a player that does both in that position so I am grateful that Cuellar has played in a unfamiliar position and helped our team have one of the strongest defences in the league. It could be a damned site worse so get of his case and give him some credit |
churchill
said:
|
...Off to slash my wrists Jerry ANDY, DON'T DO IT! There's too much to live for. This coming season Aston Villa will win the PL and Europa Cup. Finalists in both domestic cup competitions and every English player in the first XI gets called up by Capello. Real Madrid bid £100 mil for A Young and Man City offer £90 mil for Agbonlahor. Cuéllar is made captain of Spain and Walsall FC offer £2/17/6d for Emile Heskey and £27/10/- per week wages. Sidwell captains England and Sir Arry Redknapp declares him to be the best midfield player in Europe. He believes the second-best is Nigel Reo Coker. |
john doyle
said:
 |
... pinta dont you mean the manger who has nearly bankrupt the foot ball club with his buys and contracts he has given below avarage players for the last 3 years ge ir right mate |
john doyle
said:
|
... Cheify wake up carlos is the worst full back in the prem by a long way but in the top 10 at center half he is twice the player that the ball watcher collins is in that pos and if he cannot play center half then he should not play full stop for me he would start every game at center half but never at full back as he cannot pass the ball or overlap full stop i think 90 % of villa fans would agree with this statement |
john doyle
said:
|
... jk92293 i am sorry to say that mon is in controlle of everything at villa park the wages who we buy the s**te way we play at home , the money he has wasted the overvalueing of milner yes Mon is in controlle of every thing |
Geoff
said:
 |
... Well thats what happens when the owner and manager are STUPID enough to publicly even hint at, let alone admit, that you have to sell the buy. If you say that in public or to the press, you deserve to have this happen to you, and they do. It lets your competition know that you are weak and it weakens your stance by revealing your hand. You have to keep that stuff close to the vest and say nothing about it. The better transfer managers say nothing at all. This is why you need an actual club president over the manager below the owner who is a PR expert and a transfer expert. Now, of course City and Spurs will stall and disrupt us, I would do the same thing if I were them. Sign him on deadline day so that we have NO time to make improvements AND you may be able to knock us out of contention before January that way! Good job City, thats EXACTLY what you do to win when your competition is stupid enough to admit their weakness. I love Villa, but they deserve to not be able to upgrade this team if the powers in place are that amateurish and foolish about this. BUT, do not underestimate MON. He unveiled three players on deadline day last year. I have a very strong feeling that he already has agreements in place with two or three players and that he will unveil them on the last day just like last year. I just hope we can get Keane, if no one else. Just give me Keane. |
Geoff
said:
|
... Encouragingly though, the manager looks set to make an ultimatum about Milner to avoid this last minute disruption. |
Geoff
said:
|
... Getting Sidwell and Luke Young off the wake bill should allow us to sign someone soon, like, today... |
churchill
said:
|
...Well thats what happens when the owner and manager are STUPID enough to publicly even hint at, let alone admit, that you have to sell the buy. If you say that in public or to the press, you deserve to have this happen to you, and they do. Bolox, bolox and more bolox. Sir Arry Redknapp, whose name is spoken with reverence in transfer dealings, has openly declared that he has insufficient funds to buy Milner and A Young. Does that make him an idiot too? You imagine that clubs like Man City will engage in brinkmanship because they know we need the funds to buy. This is a two way street: If they take us to the wire O'Neill may decline their offer. Now time is against them IF their target is Milner, taking it to the deadline may leave THEM no time to get someone else if they don't pull it off. Man City will assume that we will take good players in part-ex. Other clubs (spurs for example) have players we want and also covet Milner and may pull the deal off first. The club in trouble here is Man City not Villa. They are over-burdened with foreign players and must ship some out. A player like Milner - English, young, and an international - is like gold-dust to Man City. They cannot afford to miss him and they WILL PAY THE PRICE. They have no choice. Lerner and O'Neill are playing, in my opinion, a cute game here. Let Man city stew in it. Sell to buy? I'd be happy if we bought no-one. This squad, with the emerging kids, is better than anything we've been linked with. Now calm the fcuk down and be patient. Get a grip, people. |
Geoff
said:
|
... Well I agree that bringing up Albrighton to have a solid place in the top 15 or so players is better than spending all that money on Aiden McGeady. Delfounesco, Lichaj will be more prominently figured this time as well. I still think they should send Heskey or Carew off packing, or both, and buy Keane, and play Delfounesco more. Using Spurs is a weak example. They are saying that they do not have the funds for those two players with what we are asking. That does NOT mean they lack the funds for someone they consider better or a prime target. He did not say "we have to sell to buy" - referring to ANY PLAYER and ANY situation for the WHOLE offseason. Thats VERY poor strategy. If I was running that operation, and indeed, many other clubs do this, you would not hear a darned thing about our transfer budget or targets, or, I may leak fake interest in a bunch of players to cover the ones I am really after. Then, WHOOSH, out of nowhere several players are unveiled in the span of a few weeks. MON is pretty good at that, but I would not have even entertained answering the question of sell to buy posed by the media. |
Geoff
said:
|
... I do think City will cough up the cash, but I think they need to be forced to cough up the 30, and publicly embarrassed that they are made to pay 30M for it. Still though, very foolish to reveael that kind of information to the public. UNLESS that in and of itself is not true and you are feigning weakness and they really have put a bunch of cash in the kitty - but that is very wishful thinking. Outside of Robbie Keane, I want to see some more depth in teh squad really. They have a starting 11, give or take a player or two, who is good enough to finish the top 4. The issue is the lack of depth on the bench. All these overpaid NRC types need to be replaced by younger, hungry players who cost less on the wage bill who can get worked into the squad in big matches and start against lesser teams and improve. Paying NRC 50K a week to sit the bench is counter-productive, same with John Carew. What a waste of all that money to sit them on the bench. |
VillaFan2008
said:
 |
... I hope we do sign Keane because we need another has-been striker like Heskey who can miss sitters!!! |
Simeon
said:
|
... Churchill It's not what our manager says that worries me. It's what he does. Similarly, Redknapp might talk utter tosh the vast majority of the time, but his work speaks for itself. |
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