Written by Andy Tuesday, 06 July 2010 10:57
It is obvious that Martin O’Neill is a fan of wingers, or wide midfield players and there has been quite a bit of debate lately about the merits of Villa’s current wide players.
James Milner might have played a lot of last season in the centre but I still believe he is best suited to the right wing. Ashley Young had by his standards a poor season last year but I am sure he has the talents to yet become a real superstar. I just wish he would just occasionally take a defender on and beat him.
Stuart Downing might not yet have been really accepted by the Villa fans, but I was very impressed with him at times last season and strongly believe that he will be one of our main players in the new season.
This has got me thinking about the Villa wingers I have seen in the past 30 years. Sometimes your memories of days gone by are a little rose tinted. I have to say that my favourite was Tony Morley as he seemed to have it all and an arrogance to go with it. His goal against Anderlecht in the European Cup semi-final was a highlight for me.
In fact Morley was the main reason we won the Cup in 1982. I also thought Mark Walters was one of the most technically gifted players we ever had but maybe he was always a better striker than winger.
Tony Daley, no I am sorry I wasn’t a fan, his pace was electric but he frequently ran out of pitch. Great goal against Luton but he was certainly never England class. I am sure like anybody else who was there that day we beat Man U 3-0 and French international Didier Six made his debut would have left like me thinking we had suddenly got a world class player at Villa Park. For some reason it just didn’t work out.
Next probably was the Graham Taylor brainwave of buying his Watford mate Nigel Callaghan who was supposed to cross the ball for Ian Ormondroyd. Callaghan was one of the best crossers but also one of the laziest players ever to play for the Villa. Mind you the fact that Ormondroyd “sticks” could not head the ball did not really help. In the end Ormondroyd was moved out to the wing, the Villa should have been champions instead of Liverpool (if only they hadn’t signed Cascarino), GT became England manager and Nigel Callaghan became a DJ.
In 1993 I thought we had another superb winger in Steve Frogatt. He made so many goals for Saunders and Atkinson and I still believe it he had stayed fit that first Premier League season that we would have won that first title. It wasn’t to be and Frogatt became a complete sicknote.
Then came the Ellis signing with the lovely hair David Ginola. It might have got a few more ladies at Villa Park but Ginola was never a John Gregory type of player.
On my wedding day in 2003 I managed to leave the reception to see Juan Pablo Angel score two against Leicester. The highlight that day was the sensational wing play by Peter Whittingham. I had seen him in the Youth team and really thought he was the answer. I am still not sure Whittingham was given a fair chance but maybe the Championship is his level. Maybe he has never quite believed in his own ability enough to become the star he should have been.
I think the last real winger before the current crop was Nobby Solano and at times he was unstoppable scoring some great goals. Just a pity he decided he had to return to Newcastle, but like so many players after they leave the Villa they are never the same again.
So there are a few wingers that I can recall, but who really was the greatest of them all?
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ak_27
said:
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... Yes Solano was a class little player. We could really do with him now. How did Ray Houghton do when he was the Villa? |
Alan fron Aussie
said:
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... Just before i call it a night, i'm now starting to get very nervous, as i have this funny feeling we might just lose both young and milner ( maybe i'm saying this so if it happens it will be easier to accept ). My concern is not so much losing either or both, but the player/players we get in, it's starting to get all to upsetting as it's becoming a very big merry-go-round at the moment, just wish something would happen, and SOON. |
Luke M
said:
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... Whittingham was the join-top Championship scorer last season so I certainly think he is above that level. I was a big fan. |
Ian Taylor
said:
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... For me, I'd have to say, the best Aston Villa winger of all time had to be Tony Morley. Part of that amazing League Championship AND European Championship winning side, Tony was amazing to watch. A great dribbler with a shot to match. One of my heroes, behind "Sid" Cowans though!! Keep up the good work! Tayls. |
john doyle
said:
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... there is only one runner as ian talor states Toney morley wes diffrent grade to any other winger we have ever had the 2 we have now would rate a 5 out of ten he would get a 10 skill pace crossing could go round the outside of players not like the 2 clowns we have now rember his goal of the season against everton i was there no villa player since except perhaps dailain atkinson has scored one better inthe last 40 years he wasdiffrent grade our best by a mile one of our great side of 80 81 |
mickey86
said:
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... was that THE ian taylor? lol - if so, i had your name and number on the back of my 97-98 villa away shirt.  the greatest whinger has to be savo milosevic!! oh, you said winger!! lol from what i have heard, you could argue that john roberston (assistant manager) was villas greatest ever winger (unfortunately he never played for us) id have to say, on his day - ashley young is probably our best ever winger - hes fast (always) skillfull (sometimes) and can cross a good ball (sometimes) when he does all 3 in one game then he is brilliant!! |
mickey86
said:
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... also, everyone seems to be forgetting the mighty didier agathe and oyvind leonharsden!! |
Damian
said:
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... mickey86 i'm not saying it isn't, as i dont know for sure, but the email address used wasn't the email address i have for him. |
john doyle
said:
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... yes i forget the trip to anderlect and tonys goal which was as i rember voted the goal of the season in europen football so he had a goal of the season in europe one year then goal of the season in the leage the year before how many players have done that is was on his own |
Chiefy
said:
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...mickey86 DAMO -- you have THE Ian Taylor's email address and yet you cant source a leaked picture of the new shirt or MON transfer shopping list !!! whats wrong with you man start using the power of the site to convert some club friends into informants  |
Chiefy
said:
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... Miroslav Klose is available on a FREE TRANSFER..... see that MON one word you like FREE and one word the fans like TRANSFER......come on pull your finger out !!!! |
Big Dave
said:
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... Harry Burrows, a proper winger who could run down a muddy wing, beat the defender and still cross the heavy leather ball to the centre of the box. |
TheDiamond
said:
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... Klose scored 3 goals for his club last season. He only plays football when he's playing for his country |
leight
said:
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... the diamond only 3 goals last season... thats a massive improvement on emule then... come on mon sign the man.. |
leight
said:
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... mickeyshadow... come on... tony daley.. u got 2 love the man but he couldnt cross a postal order |
frem ( stephen ireland )
said:
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... Sport.co.ukunderstands that Paris Saint Germain midfielder Stephane Sessegnon is on the verge of signing for a Premier League side with Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Arsenal the possible destinations for the Benin international. “So, we will wait, and see where he will go. People will see in the next few days who he signs for.”. could it be us ? |
norwood villain
said:
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... Ray Graydon 193 appearances 67 goals, better than 1 in 3 and the winner in the League Cup final. Unfortunately the bloke I went with got us tickets in the Norwich end, so it happened at the other end of the ground in front of the jubilant claret and blues. |
Craigy1874
said:
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...could it be us ? You know what they say about things that seem too good to be true............ |
SidCowanslovechild
said:
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... Jon Doyle, Tony Morley of course by a mile. But the 2 clowns we have now - you're having a laugh |
DAJ
said:
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... Best winger? Nigel Callaghan, and by a country mile. Hell, he was that quick....we nver saw him move  |
frem ( stephen ireland )
said:
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... i think it will be everton. moyes type player. it wont be us because its not august the 31st and he playes outside scotland |
frem avfc
said:
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... i think sessngon or ben arfa should be coming in. its about time we catch up with the type of players they are and which we really need. they will stick a rocket up downing and youngs you know what. it can only be good. we then need a modric type player ( irleland) to kill defences off which we also need. we then havetwo two flairy dangerous players. keane is a the type of striker we need. intligent and links up with the midfield. he knows where to be in the box as well. gabi and fonz could learn. a holding player sp petrov can rest more and doesnt have to play every single game. someoen like veleso or dorrans could do a good job. and then a right back. so we need at leat 5 players. at least. the good news is are first buy last year was on the 12th of july and we ended up bringing 6 in altogether. so we need at least |
Chiefy
said:
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... Anyone else think we will see a "marquey" signing to wear the new shirt when it is released ?? still clutching at them straws telling myself everything is going to be ok and be patient........God dam how can it be our new signings never have a pre season with the rest of the first team so they waste the first few weeks of the season trying to work out whats going on, MON insists on playing them while they do this causing us to draw games we should win and lose games we should draw. The club reckon we will sell the same record season tickets again this year, Randy PR Guru, get MON to pull his finger out and sign a few players and you might sell more it is not that hard to work out. We have so many opportunities presented on a plate and we miss everyone, ok we might not want every one but surely something should be happening. You send the fans a thankyou card for our support, keep your card show me the players show me the ambition show me the movement for the players to take us to the next step, leak the picture of the shirt to give us something to hold on to while we have no football !!!!! Everything might turn out ok and we might win the league next year but please Randy or MON or Faulkner if you are reading just try and bring our movements forward a few weeks next year |
andy5759
said:
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... Afternoon all, I haven't read any of the above yet. This caught my eye on NewsNow; http://www.eatsleepsport.com/a...5722.html? The cloak and dagger style of the wait and see suggests the hand of MoN somewhere in this. We have been linked to him before a few times. |
villa
david g
said:
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... It's going back a bit now, but I had the honour of seeing Peter McParland turn out on the wing on numerous occasions in the late 1950s. Fifty years on, he remains one of my all-time Villa favourites. Truly a fine talent. |
symbas
said:
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... Morley is surely the best in the last 30-years but i do have a soft spot for Didier Six just cos of his first home game, but for games i regular attended it would have to be Mark Walters. Luvely step over, but went to liverscum. Nugget  |
SidCowanslovechild
said:
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... Perhaps my memory is playing tricks on me but didn't Six do f all for us? |
mickey86
said:
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... talking of pre-season training - anyone else think that the england team should have stayed together until the end of the world cup? would hav been a punishment for poor performance, plus all england managers moan that the team dont spend enough time together - that would have been 2 straight weeks with each other. |
jk92293
said:
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... anyone heading to Dalymount on the 24th? 3pm kick off..... any ideas if it is an all-ticket or pay as you enter? |
Craigy1874
said:
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... Would love to sign Sessegnon, but can anyone see it happening...........really? |
Oscars Arse
said:
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... Brian Little when he played wide outstanding!!! Ray Graydon dribbling across the pitch from one wing to the other and Tony Morley. Wing play was a skill of its own back in the day now it's more like kick and run after it then hoof it over with your head still down. Am I right? |
John C
said:
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... Peter McParland Won us the FA Cup in 1957. Played for Nothern Ireland in 1958 world cup and voted into the best 11 players in the competion team on the left wing. Also used as a occaisonal centre forwrd. Superb goalscorer as seen with great goals in 1957 cup final |
Geoff
said:
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... WHY are we repeatedly being linked with Modeste M'Bami, if we sign this guy MON should be sacked immediately. What the heck!!!! |
rh-villa959
said:
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... got to admire heskey.he had a disastrous world cup.comes home,puts a frock on and wins the womens title at wimbledon .good on him i say |
wicklow villa
said:
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......Ye cant wait should be a great day,apparently a lot of villa fans coming over for it.Check out this link for more infohttp://astonvilla.ie/content.p...Confirmed! |
Chiefy
said:
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... McGeady coming to Villa with Petrov going the other way and 4 million, apprantley Petrov wants to finish at Celtic. Just some new tosh I found |
paulmcgrathsknees
said:
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... Barry had blistering pace and sublime skill on the left cant believe he wasnt mentioned in this post!!!! |
paulmcgrathsknees
said:
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... but seriously it has to be tony daley for me...i remember the way the trinity or witton lane stand used to stand up when he had the ball...electrifying!!! |
john doyle
said:
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... sid cowans love child yes comperd to tony morly the 2 we have now are clowns they aint in the same class morley would be worth 40 mill at least by todays standards and as i said he could go around the outside of the full back as well as inside when did the 2 clowns score eurpoen goal of the season or for that matter goal of the season in england as tony did ashley and downing just aint in the same class i only wish either of them could be half as good as morley then they would be the best wingers in the prem yes he was that good just look at some footage of him you could not talk of the 2 now in the same breath |
TheDiamond
said:
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... "Barry had blistering pace and sublime skill on the left cant believe he wasnt mentioned in this post!!!!" I don't think anyone can understand you with you in that direction. |
TheDiamond
said:
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..."Barry had blistering pace and sublime skill on the left cant believe he wasnt mentioned in this post!!!!"... I don't think anyone can understand your tongue with you in that direction. |
john doyle
said:
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... cheify hope you are right would be worth it to get rid of petrov he can only last 50 mins and he is a year older now 4 mill for that winger would be a good buy as petrov aint worth anything now |
Chiefy
said:
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... Petrov only got 1year left and he has said, apprantley,, he wants to finish up there if he could hopefully we shall see sooner rather than later |
Villa Kid
said:
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...TheDiamond said: yeap blistering pace going to Mancity  |
blake0121
said:
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... Yes Tony Morley was dangerous and so will Ashley Young in years to come Can't decide on our best ever winger but I know our best ever attacking midfielder was Paul Merson for me he's goals were legendary and out of this world |
rocky5
said:
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...yeap blistering pace going to Mancity mark walters for me,him leaving for rangers gutted me more than any other player leaving since.i saw an old pic of him recently and the way he looked i could just picture him running down the road with a petrol bomb in his hand during the brixton riots. |
RobL
said:
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... Off the topic, Dan gosling anyone? Available on a free, which is just unbelievable. Linked with Newcastle and a few others, am almost certain we'd win the race. |
Chiefy
said:
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... 7 days to go till new kit no leaks anywhere ! 39 days to go till new season no signings, no rumours, no nothing. More in the press about players going than coming. WTF  |
Chiefy
said:
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...Manchester City will offer Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha in plus a cash fee in order to secure the signing of James Milner. Grab your coat Millie lets be going !!!! What a deal that would be with cash as well, would be up there with some of the best bits of business MON has done !!!! Onuoha can play at right back as well !!!! |
Chiefy
said:
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... That MOCK UP shirt further up, I know where it is from. Ironically it is the PSG away shirt for this season with our sponsor on it, guess who plays for PSG SESSSOONNSSSNNNDDDGGGG (spelling, but you know who i mean) |
The Droyd
said:
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... I would also take Onuoha and Ireland + £15 mill for Milner. But seeing as though it's from The Star, it is almost certainly b******s. The Sun say West Ham are expecting a Villa bid for Parker. Another paper from the gutters that spouts utter crap. I am getting rather bored as usual with our lack of summer transfer activity. |
Chiefy
said:
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... Droyd -- we could quite possibly see Parker, Ireland and Onhoua with a little change for one MILNER, that would be brilliant business. It is very boring at the minute, scrapping around for a little rumour or bit of news, people have got fed up of doing mock up's for the new kit as well now ! |
nath888
said:
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... Actually Chiefy don't worry mate. just read the droyds comment. Its not even worth discussing if its from the star! |
Chiefy
said:
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... Nath888 -- its not just there it is all over the web on various sites. It makes sense. Dunne bigged up Villa earlier in the closed season, Ireland wants out, Onhoua wants out Ireland 10mil Onhoua 5mil Citeh get rid of the players who want out we get what we want everyone is happy |
The Droyd
said:
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... Chiefy - I think that would improve our team. We should certainly play hardball with Citeh. I would prefer Micah Richards to Onuoha. Being a brummie, he may fancy it. I would like Parker and maybe even Keane(God, I must be desperate for a signing!) but for the sort of money we would have to stump up, I just don't think they are worth it. We need to forget about players that have done well in The World Cup. Their prices will be inflated and competition will be high. |
Lew Chatterleys lover
said:
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... Obviously not many Villa historians on this site, best Villa winger without doubt was Eric Houghton. 170 goals in 392 games, played for England 7 times, and also played first class cricket for Warwickshire. Managed us when we last won the FA Cup in '57. Probably also a candidate for greatest Villa 11. In the modern era Morley was the greatest, 2 footed and an eye for goal. As a kid I loved watching Johnny Macleod and Willie Anderson, proper old fashioned wingers and very underrated. |
Chiefy
said:
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... Ibras**tovic wants 250k a week to play for Citeh !!! scary thing is they will pay it !! |
VillaDude
said:
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... I really don't know why Milner would want to go to Man City? They will play him on the wing, and he probabably won't get in the first team. If anything, it will hamper his chances of playing for England.. I think City will play 5 in midfield, with Tevez being the link with Adebayour... Johnson (mancini signing) De Jong Toure (mancini signing) Tevez Silva (mancini signing) 100k a week must be too good to turn down and sit on a bench... |
VillaDude
said:
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... The above team doesn't even include Gareth Barry, expect him to be available very soon... |
Chiefy
said:
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... someone is going to get the sack, Arsenal's yank website is selling Chelsea shirts on it http://tribalfootball.com/hands-across-america-arsenal-flogging-chelsea-merchandise-their-website-957081 |
bobvillian
said:
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... 22mill + ireland would be better .as for parker to old and injury prone for 10mill+.are we back in training now?and why o why is MON still not moved in transfer market.3 teams in premier still not signed anybody we are one of them suprise suprise????i even think gosling from everton on a free would be a start for a big talent.still not long to christmas ??????????????????? |
john doyle
said:
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... lew chatterleys lover i rember willie anderson very well also Stumpy Macloeod rember his chant. houghoutan wes before my time i can only comment on the players who i have seen play rember one night in cup at crystal palace when willie anderson was out of this world beat them on his own probley 69 |
mon 4-5-1
said:
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... Gosling from Everton, what have we got to lose. He will be a future star, big mistake from Everton. |
TheDiamond
said:
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... I don't know which is more irritating about silly season. The papers coming up with nonsense, our fans believing said nonsense, or our fans coming up with even worse nonsense then posting on the internet for the tabloids to source and print tomorrow. |
Lew Chatterleys lover
said:
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... Barry + Ireland + 15 million, spend the dosh on Darren Bent and send Heskey the other way to team up again with potato head. Come to think of it if we didn't sign anyone at all and just got rid of Ivanhoe it would make my summer. |
Chiefy
said:
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... TheDiamond -- its all nonsense all of it, but this is what money has done to the game, turned us all into stark raving looneys who are looking for a any glimer of a signing which could in our opinions improve our team and take us closer to the holy grail of champions league. |
leight
said:
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... out: milner, sidwell, shorey, beye, l.young(unfortunately) + heskey.. in: ireland, onuoha, prince boateng, + goalscorer(that scores goals not "create space for others") first game of season... friedel warnock cuellar dunne onuoha ash ireland reo coker prince boateng gab goalmachine (?????????????) |
leight
said:
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... but will probably be: friedel dunne collins cuellar ash petrov sidwell dj gab emule |
The Droyd
said:
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... Leight - Do you anticipate us starting the season with a 10 man team or are you expecting Warnock to get sent off in the opening minutes? |
leight
said:
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... the droyd... dont worry we got super emule in there, he is as good as 2 men rolled into 1.... |
vivavilla
said:
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...dont worry we got super emule in there, he is as good as 2 men rolled into 1.... You mean he looks like two men rolled into one... |
AussieLion
said:
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... Ireland + Onuoha + 15m for Milner is a pretty good deal. But I'd rather get Ireland and Richards because I doont think Onuoha is a better CB than Cuellar or Dunne and might not replace Cuellar at RB if MON still plays him there whereas Richards, if he plays well, might replace Ceullar. Gosling would also be worth a look too. He would cost nothing and his wages wouldnt be that higher if he doesnt fit into the team. And please, please, please let there be some news tommorrow. Ive been looking every day for a report on our new jersey or a new signing and so far there has been nothing but rumours! |
JohnUTV
said:
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... Dan Gosling from Everton was one of their young stars.....Was talk by Harry Red fat knapp on Talk Sport recently about a young player at prem club in north having thought he had made it and attitude now stinks...Everton are no mugs when it comes to developing young talent (or signing very good foreigners at right price:MON note) I wonder if Gosling was this player? |
Craigy1874
said:
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... On the first page of the official site, it has a cartoon of ash young with a blind fold on and the slogan is "seeing is believing" - but he has a blindfold on so cant see - does this mean he does't believe ???????????? |
JohnUTV
said:
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... probably means he might as well be blindfolded; some of the crosses he put in last year....and he needs to take it off and start seeing whats going on around him |
vivavilla
said:
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... Craigy can't you see the video next to it? He kicks three balls from the halfway line, two off either post and the last one off the crossbar (whilst blindfolded). It's a blatant ripoff of the NFL Fantasy File videos, this one in particular: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZghatdM8mo |
mickey86
said:
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... whos sesegnon? is he gonna be the player that everyone on here wants because he has a foreign name yet they have never heard of him? |
Aero-4-Villa
said:
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...It's a blatant ripoff of the NFL Fantasy File videos Well Braylon Edwards (a Cleveland Browns player) did one of them videos, so you never know. I'd say Randy came up with the idea. |
Tonebone
said:
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... Is Mon alive???? Does he realise the summer is underway and its pre season next week? Just beeen checking the transfers this summer http://www.betinf.com/england_transfer.htm it appears we are one of only 4 clubs not to make a signing!!! why does this always happen!!! some lost opportunities already, petrov, benayoun, etc - oneil really needs to wake up!!! |
craigy
said:
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...... Craigy can't you see the video next to it? He kicks three balls from the halfway line, two off either post and the last one off the crossbar ( Ahh right, that never came up on my machine, thanks for clearing that up mate! |
frem ( stephen ireland )
said:
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... does anyone fancy dan gosling ? he can play right back and in midfield. the deal for milner is a very good one. we get his replacement for nothing and a right back for nothing. parker would be an improvement. add sidwell in the deal and lower the price. three players and none of randy money spent yet. this leaves a winger and a striker. say we get 12 million from player sales, add to lerners in put. we could add sessngon and falco. brad onuha collins dunne warnock young parker ireland sessngon gabi falco its an improvement |
VillaDude
said:
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... Looks like we are stuggling to get rid of the dead wood that MON signed...his recent comments sounds like he's giving them a second chance... |
The Droyd
said:
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... The tedium of being a Villa fan in the summer. I am so desperate for a transfer rumour or something, anything. Hasn't anyone got any stories of a friend of a friend whose Mum knows a tea lady that works at Villa and overheard Randy and Martin talking about a Brazilian right back that wants to come to Villa after not really enjoying Inter Milan? |
frem ( stephen ireland )
said:
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... Villa fringe men urged to step up oh my god. we might see sidwell, beye and reo at villa park next season. no wonder we are not buying anyone because he thinks we dont need to. they are really poor players. he needs to improve on them. ireland, parker etc |
Aero-4-Villa
said:
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... Christ... its this bulls**t that MON puts us through - that sometimes makes me wish we had a director of football. Im sick of this waiting. Just get the job done Martin. We need a 'wow' signing! UTV |
Christian1983
said:
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... The Droyd, I know exactly how you feel mate! It's like never-ending tedium. This will make you laugh though... http://www.thespoof.com/news/s...e=s6i17297 |
mon 4-5-1
said:
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...VillaDude said: Villa Dude - the question that has to be asked is what are we reffering to as dead wood? I would say the likes of NRC, L.Young, Curtis Davis, Habib Beye, would not be deemed as dead would. They have been unfortunate in that they have been very badly treated by O'Neil, in almost all there cases without any justification. These are players that could have future at Villa, and at least if they had played more often, in there strongest positions, we could have got a better sell on value for them, then huge losses we are going to make on them if we sell them right now. NRC would be a example, if O'Neil could just override his massive ego, and play him for next season, get him to sign a new 3 year contract, then sell him, we could at least get some return back on him, considering he is only 26 - 27. We do not need whole sale changes, just minor tweaks, with O'Neil for once concetrating on the Centre Midfield and getting some quality in. This is of course based on the fact if O'Neil actually knows if the transfer window is open, and if he is willing to invest in the midfield rather than another defender. |
frem ( stephen ireland )
said:
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... its worrying that oneill thinks reo, sid, beye and shorey are good enough for villa. whist teams are adding quality, oneills trying to keep are trash. they are not good enough to push us on. sidwell and reo? or parker and ireland ? who would you prefer |
JimVilla
said:
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... The sponsor is wrong but nice looking kit if it's for real. Inspired by the 81 side so we could do worse: http://www.newfootballkits.org...-1944.html |
The Droyd
said:
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... Christian 1983 - very good. mon 4-5-1 - I agree with what you say. They are all excellent players. Unlike most bloggers, I think Beye is our best right back and he hasn't put a foot wrong. Then again he hasn't had an opportunity to put a foot right or wrong. Unfortunately O'Neill clearly has got it in for these players so their days look numbered. Curtis Davies is the one I will be most sorry to see go. If we can't sell them then we are going to have a very decent bench. I would even be happy for us to keep Shorey and Sidwell as back up but I think Heskey needs to go. The problem with keeping all of these players is that it leaves us with decent back up but a huge wage bill and no money for transfers. Unless Milner goes. |
kohoutek
said:
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... I agree, the 'deadwood' isn't really bad for a bench. Can't really understand why MON brought in certain players only to never play them. Don't understand the L Young situation, nor Beye never even getting a look. Hard to argue with the defense's performance, but I'd like more attacking threat than Cuellar from the back. Likewise, I could see NRC at least coming on for Petrov in the 50-60th minute if nothing else. I like Petrov, but he's hardly a penetrating player anymore, and NRC should have had plenty of time to work on short sideways passes. If Stan's legs are going, NRC's energy would help immensely in 2nd half. If Milner's going and we get Ireland, we'll be better, and NRC can take over the "run-all-day" role behind him. Not ideal, but if they're not going to move on, might as well make use of them. Likewise, when we're chasing games, need to put LYoung or Beye in for Cuellar on the right. Would rather see Cuellar and Dunne featuring regularly with Collins rotating and keeping them both fresh. |
john doyle
said:
|
... mon 451 and the droyd you are both spot in what you say mon is such a controle freak and if any one has a miss word with him that it he wont talk to them let alone play them or give them a second chance l young and beye are both miles better than carlos we all know that in fact every other player and fan in the prem knows it why dont mon because he has had words with them in mons world one cannot ask why aint i playing today boss if you do you will be banished to the bench for 2 years martin has his pets and will stick by them however bad they play as they are all yes men and as long as they all wipe his arse they will play every week and we all know who they are. on a brighter note good to see the fonz in the england squad he will be the top english scorer without doubt as at that age level he has no equal just hope him playing for england wont stop mon from playing him he will have had 4 or 5 proper game by the time the season starts and will be fitter than the rest playing meanenless warmup games he should be first choice center forward for villa and in time england |
Geoff
said:
|
... I will guarantee that if they do not go out and sign at least ONE real quality player they will finish in the bottom half of the table next season. This is going on far too long. City are intentionally dragging this out to delay MON from being able to sign players beacuse the OWNER admitted that they need to sell to buy. If you are going to do that to a manager, then just sack him and get someone else, because it is more humanee. I do wish we had a Club Football Director like they do in Spain and Italy that handles the transfers more directly. This is very frustrating, and you would think they want to sign someone to unveil their new Kits, and they may not even be able to do that! And the manager is trying to tell this bench junk that they can stay if they want when most of then can't play! Luke Young and Davies may be ok to keep, but Beye, Sidwell, NRC, Heskey & Carew, really? NO NO NO. If this team does not improve they will be a losing team next season - at least until the manager is SACKED in October. Actually, know what? If MON does not go and get the players we ALL know he needs, I predict he WILL be sacked by October, and a new manager brought in and allowed to clean house and sign players in January to save the season. |
mintvilla
said:
 |
... anyone seen that dan gosling is now available on a free, we should defo try and sign him, one for the future! |
frem( stephen Ireland)
said:
|
... Keeping one of sid or reo would be ok but keeping both is not good. we have petrov already and he will need to be rested. ireland is a must and then reo or sid could play the odd game. id rather keep reo, he just gives us that bit more. Beye i think will go and so will young. we have davis who is a good defender but we already have 3 good center backs so he will probably go to. i am worried that are squad will be basicly the same as last season apart from just 1 or two new players. |
frem( stephen Ireland)
said:
|
... damian- i tried and when you sent me the message to my email, i pasted the code or whatever but it said it was not right |
salty
said:
 |
... Past 30 years-probably Morley. Past 50 years-PeterMac without a doubt. Genuine world class player with pace, aggression, a shot and a head. That puts him above the field. The complete winger really. Past 80 years-the older timers would probably go for Eric Houghton 'the hardest kicker of a dead ball ever...' Past 100 years-read the history books!! |
young villain
said:
 |
... I'm not worried if we only sign 1 or 2 players to add to the squad tbh frem. I would love us to sign more but we have good players at the moment and have some great young players coming through. By the start of next season i would like to see The fonz and delph in the starting eleven. If we bring in Ireland and a right back, not a centre back, i would be quite happy with how things had gone. I think the Robbie Keane thing is pretty much a done deal as well. Technically ireland is better than milner and delph will be a lot better than petrov in many aspects. Therfore in my opinion a midfield of delph and ireland is a lot better than one of petrov and milner and we will have gained a decent profit from the milner sale. That is until in two years time city offer 25million for delph and we have to start over again.  |
mickey86
said:
|
... tonebone - villa might be one of 4 teams who havnt signed anyone - but apart from man city, who else has been signed that you would want at villa? with the crap that other teams have bought, im glad we havnt signed anyone yet! would u want MON to go out and sign a crap player just so we can say we have signed someone? becasue if he does do that, you will all still moan then!! |
Tonebone
said:
|
... Mickey 86 - you clearly didnt read my initial post did you?? I mentioned 2 players in that that werent signed my man city who would have been wothwhile!! |
The Way Forward
said:
 |
... Look at Holland, Spain and Germany. 3 of the top teams in the world. and they all play a 4-2-3-1 formation. This is the way forward for the Villa. All we need is an attacking right back (Richards) and it can be applied. ---------------------Brad----------------- --Richards----Collins----Dunne----Warnock-- -------------Petrov-------Delph----------- ---Downing---------Milner------Young------ --------------------Gabby----------------- Even if we lose milner we have Salifou waiting in the wings |
dingbat
said:
 |
... The Way Forward- See your point. What do you do when Petrov runs out of legs after an hour? |
Chiefy
said:
|
... When petrov runs out move milner there young into the middle and albrighton on the wing |
frem ( stephen ireland )
said:
|
... the way forward - i agree. i think 4 5 1 is our best formation. the only issue is mon likes to use the wings and get the ball in the box. is gabi going to be any good in the box on his own. if we get ireland he will obviously support him but still will it work? we might (should) change the way we play |
Damian
said:
|
... 451 - what like the two teams playing tongiht? madness i tell you http://www.astonvillawallpaper...mation-451 o'neill wont play 451 unless it is forced on him. retro football is 442 |
dingbat
said:
|
... People keep on about giving the Fonz a chance and I agree! Albrighton is the one I would like to see let off the leash! Young, hungry and fast. |
frem(stephen Ireland)
said:
|
... looks like everton are getting ben arfa. i think we have missed out on him and another talent |
proxopera
said:
 |
...anyone heading to Dalymount on the 24th? 3pm kick off..... Who are villa playing in Dalymount? Dilemma time - thinking of bringing my two young boys to see villa for their first time , so would a pre-season warm up in Dublin be acceaptable or should it be the full throated Villa park experience ?? |
TheDiamond
said:
|
... Just a few days ago I was holding on to a certain amount of optimism but after reading this I think it's obvious O'Neill won't be given much money. http://www.skysports.com/story...74,00.html At this stage I think the best we can hope for is that the Boussofa deal is kept alive. If not then at most we'll buy 2 average players at the last minute and there won't a big name signing without selling Milner which is more than a small step backwards. Back to training tomorrow with no new faces. It's awful to feel negative about the season before its even started but how can we be expected to feel any different? |
AussieLion
said:
|
... Rumour: Birmingham have had a 10m bid for McGeady rejected and will now offer 14m. If this is true how can they be offering that much for him? He isnt that great is he? But my main worry with this is that MON doesnt get into a bidding war for him, if he is indeed interested in McGeady. |
Chiefy
said:
|
... Doom and Gloom strike up again........... Ok Oneil is taking his time, but correct me if I am wrong we could surely get a windfall of 30million, 15million a right back and an attacking centre mid, for the cost of 1 over rated average winger who has a good engine! McGeady all rumour paper linked us to him because of the Celtic connection and that we could shortly be in the market for a midfielder, tosh. Yes it is depressing and yes it is frustrating but "feeling negative before the season ha started" is a little dramatic. We signed six players within days not so long back, the waiting and not knowing is pants but we have a while yet before we down tools and start banging on the drum. Sessogn was quoted as saying he is near a decision, could be us. Bousssfffae, you no who i mean, we have been linked and asked availability Keane lookslike spud are waiting till they find a replacement Ireland, Onhoua could be part of Milner deal if indeed he goes, backwards step?? really?? I dont think it is so there is five players that are all someone where in the process to do with us !! MON is mad for doing it this way and the club do suffer for it, season ticket sales, but you have to hold the belief it will all come good. If you dont hold that belief why support anyone other than the big four ?? |
bobvillian
said:
|
... the trouble with villa stems from full backs not supporting up front.we sit to deep o/k away from home but we get outplayed at home by the likes of west ham;wigan;skum;plan a but no plan b.this is all down to 1 man our big boss MON.4 years in job and still no full-back pairing?expect the same this year except that other teams are improving with money spent and no way will we finish as high as last year until we bring in quality players but under MON this is not going to happen? |
Rortyboy
said:
 |
... You are right Chiefy. Reasons to be cheerful. 1. DJ gets a full pre-season and becomes the class player he looked in glimpses last season 2. Webcam remembers how to go past players 3. Warnock is nicely rested having had a holiday in SA 4. The rest of the defense is good - and Luke Young looked impressive in the final game so there's a bit of competition for places 5. Gabby steps up again and hits 20 PL goals 6. We have some great youngsters with bags of potential 7. The team has great cup competition experience 8. We can only do better in Europe 9. We know Man City and Spuds will balls it up - they always do 10. And we are getting closer and closer to the Champions League - not far to go now Happy days.... |
VillaDude
said:
|
... The problem is down to our central midfield. We got out passed at home by teams like Wolves! Petrov will never be good enough as part of a 4 man midfield, but MON will always play us that way. Petrov stops running after 60 mins because he's too tired. |
Alan fron Aussie
said:
|
... Im trying to understand the situation as it stands and I can only come to the conclusion that " No sell = No buy ". I have just read that Milner will not be putting in a transfer request ??? if that's the case we surely can kiss goodbuy any quality signings ???. Reading between the lines of what O'neill said, I tend to agree we some of you that O'neill knows the situation only to well, and at this stage is thinking that it will be a very similar team to last year. My only wish is that someone would make a statement explaining the situation to the fans, we deserve that much. anyone agree if not totally ??? |
Damian
said:
|
... frem email me - damian@ this domain name.co.uk - you have to register and if you are using fake email addresses to leave comments, as you said the other day - i am not going to publish them anymore |
Herman
said:
 |
... Best Aston Villa Peter McParland (Northern Ireland International)voted by sports writers & FIFA judges the best left winger in the World Cup 1958 (not mention his 2 winning goals in the 1957 FA Cup. |
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