Written by Damian Thursday, 02 July 2009 11:30
I've probably missed something but I'm also getting a little excited. Am I allowed to do that or am I going to disappoint some of you? Let me explain why.
First, the rumour about Bramble bush Titus seems to have been dismissed. Not by the club directly to us but someone at the Express & Star called them up and they've published something dismissing it. What they've actually published is that he isn't on the 'hit list'. That is the part that got me excited and I'll explain why.
You see, a little bird told me yesterday that Martin O'Neill is going away for a few days. He isn't sure if it is another holiday or work related but at the same time he did say that he left a list of players to a certain key member of the board with instructions along the lines of 'these are the ones I want'.
It sort of fits too because there is strong speculation that O'Neill has met with a few players and it may just be a case of he has done his work, confirmed who he wants and now it goes to someone else to take care of the paperwork. Hearing what I heard yesterday and the phrase 'hit list' just fits. If we find out soon that O'Neill is having another short break or is going overseas, then I'll be extremely happy, because then it would all fit together.
If this is all true though, which would be a miracle, it is likely that we won't see any players paraded for a few days, simply because O'Neill is going away, again, if that part is true also and I know I'm getting carried away, but please allow me this much.
But, before I go, to the Swedish goalscoring sensation that goes by the name of Marcus Berg. He is 22 years old and currently plays for FC Groningen and in the recent U21 tournament in Sweden scored 25 goals in 5 matches. Okay, I'm not sure how many he scored or played in but he won the Golden Boot award I think and I can't be arsed to check.
The rumour anyway is, that he has been offered to a few clubs and one of those is us. If he has been offered though it might be nothing, only if you believe the above, which is that Martin O'Neill has already identified his players and provided the board with a list.
I am going to believe though and from this day forward I am going to go with that theory because the theory that it is all done and now up to the board gives me a little confidence that we will be stronger next season. Also, if it is all true I don't mind the manager going off again for another holiday although a part of me would really like to hope it's to talk to some Spanish wonder kid that wants to play in claret and blue and at Villa Park nest season.
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Paul Egan
said:
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... Berg looked class against England in the U21s - would love to see him signed as long as the fee isn't extortionate. Interesting hearing about a 'hit list'. I didn't realise MON wanted anyone killed. |
Shakey4
said:
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... Good news, wonder how long it will be before someone finds something to moan about  |
Stathis
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... "although a part of me would like to hope it's to talk to some Spanish wonder kid that wants to play in claret and blue and at Villa Park" Haha ye, i would hope for that too  As for Marcus Berg, he really is a goalscorin machine, and still soo young! Only prob is he's been scorin like crazy in leagues like the swedish and the dutch..but i believe he has potential to make it in the big ones. I'd love him in Villa, plus he shouldnt cost must, he plays for Groningen afterall. |
whitey
said:
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... PaulE, There is something very disturbing about your pic. It kind of freaks me out and repulses me at the same time. Glad to hear we aren't after Titus Bramble. |
Pi
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... Clutching at straws if ever i've seen it... but loving the optimism. Keep it coming. UTV |
john franey
said:
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... I thought villa had a scout out in scandanavia looking at players surly he would of spotted this berg guy before the u21 tournament started and his value went up. |
toastman
said:
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... Thank God, scrolling the last blog was a pain... Anyway what you have said does make sense, O'neil would not deal with the money side he would just say make this happen, and go put his feet up with his mobile on. We could get someone in possibly by tommorow but that would be pushing it, next week would be the best bet. |
Warwick Kirk
said:
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... Like i said on the other comments page: from teamtalk: O'Neill is desperate to bring in a new central defender following the retirement of skipper Martin Laursen but it is understood there are no imminent signings about to happen at Villa. Nowt soon me reckons! |
Mac McCarthy
said:
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... im just really bored with the same thing every season. its becoming very tiring. |
Mark Johnson
said:
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... New players announced tomorrow, MoN has buggered off for a rest cos he can't cope with signing players this early in the window Nah, he's gone orf to get Luis Garcia. keep the faith kids, He'll do us proud, you mark my words. SOTC |
Billy7
said:
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... O.neil has left a hit list for a board member to 'go get em' all in England.....Hangleand, Bentley, Naughton, Campbell, Jenas, Owen. In the mean time, he goes to Belgium to talk and convince Defour to sign! |
sean jones
said:
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... The signings can wait as long as we are not getting Bramble. The reports of us not wanting him are music to my ears. This is one transfer im glad has been dismissed. Hopefully we have bought someone within the next week |
TrueVillan
said:
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... no titanic bramble, sorry, titus! it was just that he is the type of player that gives you a sinking feeling!! |
Kaz
said:
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... We will not be signing anyone of note. If we do, it will be left over scraps, who may perhaps have been quality in a bygone era, or a fringe player who hasn't had a chance. I'm not gearing up for anything, will just end up being dissappointed. I'll be over the moon if we do sign quality. But I don't see anything happening at all until maybe around the 20th of August, and we start to panic buy. Just Bentley wouldn't be anywhere near enough, we NEED that leader in the back four, that is the key and should have been sorted in January, not now. |
Filo
said:
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... You're getting excited because you've found out that MON has a hit list? How did you think we made our signings? Stuck all the players in a hat and drew them out at random? You do write some absolute garbage. While I'm on about garbage. Never sign a player based solely on the U21 tournament!! To prove my point the top 2 strikers in the last U21 Euro tournament were Leroy Lita and Maceo Rigters. No surprise that Berg's club are touting him around, looking to cash in while his stock is high. |
HT Sweden
said:
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... Marcus Berg had a success with former double UEFA champions IFK Göteborg before leaving to Groningen 2007. He could be as expensive as £7-9 million. As i already mentioned, the big swedish talent right now is Rasmus Elm, playing for swedish club Kalmar FF. Buy him!! Damian: would be nice with an interview with David Wilson, Villas Scandinavian scout. Raw talent is cheap up north. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wilson_(English_footballer) |
Damian
said:
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... Filo Garbage is it. Well, why do you come back? Don't come back if it is garbage. In fact, read the post first, then comment. HT Sweden Good idea, I'll give him a ring. |
janjabanson
said:
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... I spend much of my lunch break (and working day too, shhhh!)checking this site and others, hoping and praying we will be signing the talent i dream of at Villa Park (Defour, Sneijder, Van der Vaart) and don't believe they are beyond possibilities. But what we end up with is more along the lines of Wheater and Huddlestone. However, whoever wrote the Bramble story should be electrocted slowly or, if it comes true,i'll gladly take that slow and painful death rather than see him score wonderful sliced own goals in the Holte End!!! |
Keith
said:
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... Thank you Filo, someone else for Damian to have a go at  A positive post and much better Mr D. |
In MON I Still Trust!! (well sort of!!)
said:
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... I've just seen the Sol Campbell interview on SSN and I've never seen a bloke so happy when Villa were mentioned....bloke got a semi!! Reckon that's a done deal, as is Bentley, Naughton and Owen. |
Damian
said:
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... Quick Note to all those that won a t-shirt. The fifth winner has just emailed in so I will now be arranging. Cheers |
lee
said:
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... hello damo i am an everton fan and just want to say arent you getting pissed off with man city.everton are in the same boat as villa and have been for a long time we both spend similar amount of money get basically the same outcome every season i.e {last two seasons weve both finished in the uefa cup spots}.as clubs we are doing things the right way but it seems unfair that a no mark club like man city who havent done anything of any note in their history can just come along and piss away martin o'neills and david moyes hard work over the last few seasons by spending money willy nilly.as a club they havent worked for it they are cheating their way through the league it gets my back up.one thing i will say and the point i am trying to make is that villa and everton seem to be the only two BIG CLUBS who still have their dignity in tact and for me i would rather have that than have my club CHEAT their way to the top. |
RayK
said:
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... Berg will wnat regular 1st team football and would be 4th choice at Villa Park so will not come. He is easily the sort of player who could be worth £15m in a couple of years time. On the whole 'why no signings' debate that continues to rage .... does anyone think than MON is holding fire to see which of last season's Real Madrid or Barca players become available? That might explain why no big name signings have arrived yet but doesn't shed any light on why the likes of Naughton haven't put pen to paper. |
runner29
said:
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... Damian can you help me? i login with my user name runner and have been useing it for a long time but now when a login it tells me that the name is already in use so i have to use runner29 why? |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... its getting bloody annoying being a villa fan in the summer, the players we keep gettin linked to arent the class we need and mon needs to get some quality soon cus no excuses this season(small squad) my arse. |
Damian
said:
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... lee i suspect you are the same person who i have had to ban IP for on a few occassions recently for spamming so i'm not going to get into it. you said htey were cheating. well, they're not and given an oil billionaire, seeing as that is probably what it would take to get us the league title over lerner, i'd take the oil billionaire |
Ed Villa
said:
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... I have full faith in MON. These last few years have been the best years for me as Villa supporter. I can remember back to the early 90's. I love the way the club is run and our values and believe that MON will bring in the quality needed. I really hate people that post stupid links to players from a 'contact' or saying they've seen a player near VP but I did recieve a genuine call earlier in the week from a very good friend whose father is a retired football agent and now does somekind of consultancy work for Chelsea. Anyway he says Joe Cole has had an offer from Villa. As I say I don't want to appear a Dick but thought it warranted a comment on here. UTV |
Harry Stanton
said:
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... less than an hour before the first moan. It's no wonder our fans have a piss poor reputation. Not sure about the Swedish chap as I only saw him in the final but he took his goals well there. I am fairly certain that Owen will be coming or at least that he is on O'Neill's 'list'. My reasoning is thus: O'Neill made the unusual step of saying that we hadn't offered him a contract perhaps because he didn't want to be part of any shennanigans in starting a bidding war (in terms of wages) between any interested parties. If he wasn't bothered about Owen's stock I reckon he would have let the story pass without note much like the rest of the bs that we get linked with. Owen seems to only realistically want a move to either us or Everton and probably will only got to Hull or Stoke if absolutely nothing else turns up (personally I think he should enter the Grand National on one of his horses before signing for the perma-tan idiot). I think Everton are keen on Jo and that will be their big signing of the summer which reduces Owen's choices further. In short Owen's camp brought the story out (and the leaflet) to flush out interest and try and get a good wage for him, MON has consequently played down any link to keep his wages realistic. Of course I could just be talking a load of guff, like many other people who claim to know how the transfer system works... I won't go so far as Darren in suggesting I will eat sh*t if it doesn't happen but I am fairly certain Owen will be coming. |
lee
said:
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... to be honest damian i havent been on my lap top for two weeks as i have been away i live with a friend who i know comes on this blog so i will blame him for that and i apologise for any inconvenience. |
THE AV VILLAN
said:
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... Nice one Damo!!!! No sooner than i finish writing about bad news bad news and more bad news, you come along and lighten my day!!!!!!!!! |
gregdavillain
said:
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... well done damian ur after brightning up my day, i was well under a cloud when i read on goal.com that we were linkd with bramble, and then saw ur post i was pissed off to say the least. I see ur point about the 'hitlist' because it proves to the doubters even though there has been nothing coming from the club there are negotiations going on behind the scenes and Oniell is working, and for those who thought he was resting on his laurels it brings back the faith and maybe give us a bit of patience witing to see we get. And thats not garbage cheers bud |
Paul Egan
said:
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...PaulE, It should do - the poor bloke was incinerated 2000 years ago. 0 Billy7 - I love your optimism! I don't believe it for one second, but I love it. |
lee
said:
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... and everton will have ashley young off you aswell so you will be five players down.ha ha |
Vijay
said:
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... We are 2 players down, in my view our 2 best players, we are in real trouble, we should pay 20 million for Lescott, thats how much i rate him |
kohoutek, home now and name still not working properly
said:
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...Interesting hearing about a 'hit list'. I didn't realise MON wanted anyone killed. Most likely it's some whinging fan on this board. |
Vijay
said:
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... Before you say im crazy about Lescott i understand that we may have to be more conservative with our other signings so here : Lescott 20 million Campbell Free Bentley and Jenas 15 million Owen Free Total 35 million Outs: Barry 12 million Harewood 2 million Total 14 million 21 million net, i think thats fine, dont you guys?? |
rob h
said:
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... no we are gonna have lescott and arteta off you you f**kin toffee. now get back the the mersey and drown yourself. dont come back here unless its to congratulate us on our capture of those to. havent you got a car to steal or soemthing you scally |
FatKevs
said:
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... I think Mon Deserves a break. Dubi may be a pick me up lke the players needed as we have done so bad in the transfer market loosing our key players with none coming in. All will be great then come the start of the season Its only a game after all |
Simeon
said:
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... Either we're going to play 4-5-1, in which no striker will be signed - not even professional waste-of-space Owen. Or we're going to play 4-4-2 (which is inevitable), and the one striker we might sign will be professional waste-of-space Owen. So the only people who could possibly be happy if we signed Owen are the double-mugs who rate this no-talent and want us to play 4-4-2. |
Mark Johnson
said:
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... happy days are here again, it's the transfer window we search in vain, For that big name signing Who's come from Spain HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN !!! |
TheJohnnyVillan
said:
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... Am I the only one who can't believe this?! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1197078/VIDEO-SPECIAL-Turkish-delight-Manchester-City-reject-Darius-Vassell-mobbed-3-000-jubilant-Ankaragucu-fans.html?ITO=1490 |
RobL
said:
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... Guys, opinion. Clint Dempsey is apparently jack of the terms in his contract discussions with fulham, and is rumoured to fancy a switch to everton for 4 million. Surely if we're looking for reenforcement on the flank/someone to play in the hole for 4 million he would be a steal? Mind you noone seemed to think 12 million for Deco and Carvalho when i asked yesterday so there may be a different approach on this one too. Can't see past the value personally, gives 110% and scores goals. |
Alistair
said:
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... Thanks Damian A positive post - just what we all needed while we wait for the signings which must come.  |
rob h
said:
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... this will cheer you all up. see if you remember it? let me know if it did? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUODJ8fsSNo |
mr_chips
said:
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... Please not Titus Bramble. Please Martin, I don't ask for much as a villa fan just please don't buy him. I thought Bentley was supposed to sign on July 1st? you know i wish there was some credibility in all the newspapers, i'm sick of websites etc getting my hopes up saying we might actually sign the likes of Hleb. Come on get some quality in because i don't mean to be the doom merchant but look at man c...we won't be able to compete... ffs even blues have been signing the likes of Kevin Doyle. |
Damian
said:
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... rob h great goal that and what a tragedy .. we all saw something special there cant believe that darius vasell video though |
HT Sweden
said:
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... Even less famous footballers (Tobias Linderoth, former Everton, now Galatasaray) than DV recieve massive support arriving to a turkey club. Its stunning. |
gregdavillain
said:
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... vasselll, thats unbelievable, ronalso didnt get a recepion like that to real madrid!! |
rob h
said:
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... its when they heard he was a team mate of the mighty alpay they turned out to see if he had any scars |
RayK
said:
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... that Vassell video is just crazy but if I was Darius I'd be a bit worried by their reaction if he didn't score for a few games.....  |
Villain down South
said:
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... 1203 BST: Aston Villa have dismissed speculation linking them with a move for Wigan defender Titus Bramble, reportedly worth £3.5m plus midfielder Barry Bannan. (Press Association) |
Fitzy_7
said:
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... that darius vassell video is one of the most pathetic videos I have ever witnessed |
cjd10030
said:
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... God, i come on here to have a look at latest rumours and the majority of people are just moan moan moan....dont people realise we are currently sitting 2nd in the premier league??? |
Anthony Laud
said:
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... well its getting to the stage where even if oneil makes a any signings now they will not be here in time to start in our first few games. It usually take s a few months for oneil to give new players a chance unless forced! I cannot believe the man that moaned last season about our squad size ,even more than oleary used the line honest bunch of lads, is going to go into pre season next week with a squad 3 players smaller. what an absolute clown! |
Anthony Laud
said:
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... yes i know that Rob h - your point? pre season starts in a week then 10 days after that the squad leave for the peace cup! |
Harry Stanton
said:
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...Bets half gone from 20-1 to 7-4 on Owen to join Man Utd/quote] |
Paul Theiss
said:
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...RobL, I agree. Dempsey would make a great squad player. Yes, he would. But, as an American, I hope he doesn't join Villa. He needs to play regularly, not as a squad player. |
Mowgs
said:
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... That Vassell video is off the chart. Poor guy looks well confused. Makes up for another boring news day! |
david g
said:
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... The "link" to Titus Bramble has to be the biggest wind-up of the close season so far. If the rumour turns out to have any substance at all, I reckon that Randy Lerner will be calling in the men in white coats to come and collect O'Neill from Villa Park. This really is one to believe only when you see it, and please, we'll NEVER see it!! |
Mark
said:
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... Tonebone whilst I kind of share your concern I thought the same last season but we got off to a flyer. |
TrueVillan
said:
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... with how down everyone is on this site, lets just hope that MON brings us something nice back from his trip! jurado and defour would be nice, never happen, but nice! |
tiptonvillan
said:
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... hi all in belgum at the mo and seen mon at the mount pleasent hotel,he said hello was very nice. |
Andy Stedman
said:
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... I dont normally coment on here-enjoy the banter from others. But I have just watched the vasell video. His face is a classic, TheJohnnyVillan cheers for putting that link up its made my day!! i put the club into wikipedia this just said it all really. ANKARAGÜCÜ The team is known today for its large hooligan group. Some examples include the violent monopoly of Ankaragücü merchandise or the now the most dangerous neighborhood in Ankara Çin Çin, patrolled by heavily armed policemen, is associated with Ankaragücü fans. Enjoy Darius |
Rich
said:
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... Wait for it!! Can this be true or am I completely gullible Aston Villa have agreed an £18million fee for Huntelaar. |
upthevilla
said:
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... Owen going to Man U. I have observed instead of commenting today, however, when will people realise that we are/will be relegation candidates next year. We are so far adrift of the cream of the crop players it's terryfying. We are in the s@it. Liar owner and an egotistical outdated manager. Sven the man. |
Rich
said:
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... Apparently on Sky Sports News according to BBC 606. Haven't had time to check source and look into it myself, but rushed to share the possible good news. Main concern is that Man U are possibly lurking as in need of a striker themselves. |
Rich
said:
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... Sorry all - must be gullible. As said, I didn't follow up story properly, wanting to share the news as soon as it broke. Looks like some bastard Liverpool fan having a wind up. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... Why would Man U want Owen, they are well past the stage of having to takes risks on players, plus they have 80 million in their back pockets? They could sign pretty much any striker in the world plus Owen will not make the United fans happy, smells of BS to me. + the day we agree an 18million fee for Huntellar is the day I bow down at the feet of Karen Brady and offer to clean her belly button with my tongue. I'm still hopefull for a signing this week though...  |
Awol
said:
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... Damian Reference your 'hit list' suggestion and MON going away for a few days, see link to Campbell interview below. Stacks up with what you were suggesting.. http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid271552671?bctid=28281161001 |
Nik Skilton
said:
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... i dont like the birmingham mail, especially a certain reporter of theirs, however, they have the survey results from this year on there. Especially interesting when you look at last years results.... |
Paul Egan
said:
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...dont people realise we are currently sitting 2nd in the premier league- if we can just stay there....! Apparently the Vassell thing was organised by the club's chairman. He's probably trying to ease the fears of the racist abuse he might receive. I can't see anything on Huntelaar, so I presume it's bollocks. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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...I can't see anything on Huntelaar, so I presume it's bollocks. Darn it, I was secretly hoping that I could get stuck into Brady... |
David Tyler
said:
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... Damian, Just in and responding to an early post re: Man City... they're not breaking any rules in terms of spending (or trying to spend) money - that's a fair option open to anyone with the pockets. Don't you think Mark Hughes is a bit quick to talk in public about targets though? To be fair, He was quiet on Barry but he's talked about others, especially Santa Cruz and is also doing do now with Eto'o. It's very close to a direct tap up... and very close to Benitez with Barry (and probably why he made an exception this time round). Best not to speculate on the reason for his trip but yep, I hope it's a little marketing trip. |
David Tyler
said:
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... That interview with Sol is class... great body language / facials - he fancies/expects it. He's got me warmed to the idea of him coming. I still think a season of Davies and Cuellar may turn out great and I'd see Sol aiding both of them. |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Those survey results are eye opening, in that they nowhere near reflect the negativity you often see on here. Here's the link; http://www.birminghammail.net/...-24061220/ |
Nik Skilton
said:
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... i agree badger. I think a player will come from nowhere a be great this season...cuellar? |
Watford Legend
said:
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... your team has bidded for our player tommy smith for 1.8 million from my team watford, hes a great player good luck |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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...Would you allow Brady to get down on her knees and lick out your belly button Dan? I'm just going out for a few pints, I'll answer that when I get back, themachine - sorry about your dinner... |
Watford Legend
said:
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... go to sky sports if you dont believe me, i will stay on this blog for 30 mins and then i will go back to mine |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Nik986, i agree badger. I think a player will come from nowhere a be great this season...cuellar? I really don't think Cuellar has been given a proper chance to settle, so yes, I'm expecting him to show his metal this season. Milner, Gabby and Ash to all push on, imo. Carew really can be that 20 goal a season striker too. Maybe it's blind optimism, but I don't think so. I've watched the game for a few years now and I've never felt so confident in the ability of our players. We're just missing a few pieces of the jigsaw, imo. If MON get's it right (and for all you moaners, his transfer dealings piss me off too) we'll be ok. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... The last report about Tommy Smith with a denial by Watford that a deal had been agreed with Reading yesterday. Right, pub time, toodle pip |
Steve Badger
said:
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...The last report about Tommy Smith with a denial by Watford that a deal had been agreed with Reading yesterday. I'm seeing the same. Go on then Watford Legend, tell us a bit about him. Any good? |
Andy Scarborough
said:
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... Swedish? Golden Boot? I can't get Baros (or is it Brolin?) out of my mind. Ha ha ha, only joking, I am sure the lad is top drawer if MoN goes for him. Damian, I share your excitement. Though my reasons are that I am rather simple minded.  |
K4AVFC
said:
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... Tommy Smith comin to Aston Villa.. Hahahahahhaha!!!!!! Burnely or Hull maybe, but Villa.. Yer right! He has played at a shit level for a shit club for far too long to be any good.. So no, he is not a "great" player. |
Mellon
said:
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... just wanted to pick up on a couple of points that keep coming up: 1. since when has it ever been important how many players you have or haven't brought in by the end of June? One of only five teams that haven't bought anyone so far, so what...... Judge at the end of August, that's what we have to go into next season with! That's another eight weeks of transfer window. 2. Downing not being very good. He is no Ronaldo but he is an England winger and it would take us forward. When one of our wingers is injured at the moment, Gardner or NRC play cover. Downing would be an improvement. 3. Lerner being compared to Ellis, hang on, what? Not only did he buy the club out right and clear the old debt, and complete the training ground and the Holte and all the other bits, he is not trying to do the managers job for him. Things are much better and he is investing in players. There are a handful of clubs who spend more than we do and lot more that spend less including Everton and Arsenal. Keep on and you'll drive him out. |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Mellon, 3. Lerner being compared to Ellis, hang on, what? Totally agree mate. Don't worry, we have a few noses on here who try to stir stuff up. Genuine Villa fans are pretty positive, imo. |
Nik Skilton
said:
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... i've got to say i know we've lost two really good players in Laursen and Barry, and they will be hard to replace, but we have also 'gained' some players who can do a job this year. Parish, Clark, Albrighton, Forrester and Bannan |
Altan Kargaci
said:
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... I know your all going to think im bull shiting you but this morning at 6.30 am I took off from Gatwick heading for Ibiza on an Easy Jet flight . On board was nun other than .......Luke Young . For the whole 2 hours I stared at him like a fool , at baggage reclaim I waltz up to him for a photo and asked how long he was out here for , he said it was a birthday surprise from his misses. Anyway asked about transfers and he said he knew nothing ....! Nice guy though ...! |
Paul Theiss
said:
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... nik986: just says unnamed club - more likely to be reading surely? No. Watford's chairman said, "This is a new club that has expressed a desire to sign Tommy." |
Steve Badger
said:
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... Altan, I actually believe that mate. His birthday is the 19th and I guess that would be too late. |
darrenvilla26
said:
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... is anyone else frustrated at the fact MON treats Lerner's money as his own?? |
Fitzy_7
said:
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... did anyone see Sol Campbells smile today on ssn when asked about interest fron villa.... hmmmmmm |
Halfwit
said:
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... Still guna take a month or so for martin the snail to get round to signing a player |
Steve Badger
said:
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...Still guna take a month or so for martin the snail to get round to signing a player So? I don't care. They'll be the right players, whatever. As much as we slate Sid and NRC, they're decent squad players. If mON can get top players at the right price (Even if it's a bit too much) he will. I'm calling a truce with you tonight, halfwit. Just have a little faith eh? |
HT Sweden
said:
|
... Someone mentioned Tomas Brolin earlier, i know he´s bit of a joke in England- but dont forget he was part of the FIFA world team for the 1994 championship i USA. Regarded as one of the best swedish players all time. But should have quit earlier. |
sazavfc
said:
 |
... DANIEL STURRIDGE HAS OFFICIALLY LEFT MAN CITY. LETS SIGN THE GEEZER UP RIGHT NOW!!!! |
sazavfc
said:
|
... o wait hes already in talks with chelsea (that was not slating MON, I actually forgot that he was in talks with them) |
Halfwit
said:
|
... All i want us to have is a bigger squad so come near the end of this season new season about to start we will have enough players to cope with it unlike the season just gone players got knackerd and had hardley anything left to give which cost us in the end I really cant see our squad being bigger than last season not even one extra player is enough we need at least 8 more players if we want to last a full season...I understand theres a fewkids comming thru but they are not guna take the place of the likes of barry or laursen are they When you have the smallest squad in the leauge you should be one of the most active in the transfer market |
evanvilla
said:
 |
... It is surprising some of the talent left go:In the premier league you have got the likes of daniel sturridge and lee martin!!Good english talent.In the primiera league you have Maniche and carlos kameni while in the serie A the likes of Hernan Crespo and the oldie Paulo maldini!! |
upthevilla
said:
|
... It's late and we are no closer to signing a decent player than the scum winning the EPL. However, here is one I heard this evening after my parents returned from Ireland on the outskirts of Wicklow and they had a pint with a certain Robbie Keans cousins who said that he was on the brink of signing for Villa, it just depended on Webcam, who wants to stay, hench the Keane price going up.Keane likes the Midlands and and likes Mon for some reason!! |
fatkevs
said:
|
... I really hope we do not have to see ashley leave this summer but i would not be suprised if mon does let him go where we will come 2nd best in any exchange. Surely we could of tied up so deal with man city rather than just taking the money & run, No Imagination Lets get in young foreign tallent to move us forward none of the old players we are linked with |
fatkevs
said:
|
... I fully believe that Mon has to deal as the Yank will not put his own money in. Why buy the bloody club if you are only interested in the buildings We Fans have no chance of buying into the club as the yank has everything does that not bother anyone |
David Tyler
said:
|
... upthevilla - if that's true, it's positive in two respects: that we can attract the calibre of one and have the other want to stay. I suspect that Spurs chasing Webbie is holding up at least Bentley and one other potential signing... which in turn means MON can't really press ahead until resolved (suspect Bentley is high on the list). Putting 2 and 2 together and getting 832... is the 'hit list' plan B because the transactions with Spurs are all falling through??? |
evanvilla
said:
|
... I read there(report)that it is between us and sunderland for robbie keane but would have to pay in the region of 12 million to get him!!I think he is very overated player which was proved when he joined liverpool and didnt get a look in!! |
fatkevs
said:
|
... what else would keep a player at a club going backwards We do not even have a good song for him Sally does better |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Doubting Lerner for putting his cash in is pretty stupid at this stage IMO. We have the Barry money (12million) for Mon to spend, and that isn't gone yet, so obviously its not funding which is holding any signing up? I don't think I'm missing anything saying that. Unless Randy plans on pocketing that cash no one has any proof he isn't spending this summer???? |
fatkevs
said:
|
... The trouble with raiding spuds is we get players they do not want in exchange for players that we need. We should not waste this precious time negotiating with them ( A bid assumption Mon is doing something except looking for Suntan oil) We should look elsewhere & if they come free bonus |
fatkevs
said:
|
... No Proof except Signings & when pushing for CL we only got Hesky We must sign someone but is there any real intent i doubt it. The owner hardley at the club that says everthing to me We are a plaything |
David Tyler
said:
|
... fatkev, I agree with that... that we should look elsewhere. If we buy a centre mid from somewhere else, they might get worried about not offloading Bentley and deal. Depends how highly he rates the guys he's in for and who's his priority. I'm with Dan though, bit early to generalise. Even if we see modest investment this summer, it doesn't mean he's solely there to bleed it though. These are times when many clubs will be prudent actually. Sure, Real Madrid have passed on the Spanish taxpayers' money to Milan, Man U and Lyon, so they'll have money to spend. Man City are obviously doing there bit to advertise Abu Dhabi too but the only really big transfers will be in a chain ultimately traced back to one of those 2 clubs, and possibly Chelsea. |
fatkevs
said:
|
... Why are we so content with a chairman doing a mini Glazier & who has less ambition/love for the club than Ellis . Remeber Ellis rebuild the ground (Sadly the Trinity) Randy has pissed about on a few pub refurbs & competed the training ground There was a time we were linked with Top Players Hoax maybe but at least a sniff that is where we are now ranked |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... Fatkevs - I think you've misunderstood my comment, what i'm saying is, anyone who thinks Randy is not going to spend this summer surely can't say that yet, as we have 12 million from Barry which is unspent - so knowing this, until it's gone and nothing else is being added we can't say Learner isn't splashing the cash (unless he is pocketing the 12 million) Regarding the 73 million debt, I'm fairly sure that was the purchase of the club. I'd like to think that money being spent on transfers will now, in the main part come from club profits, being produced due to work thats been done to turn us into a profitable company. Obviously that amount of investment wont make us world beaters, but that is a completely different debate. |
Daniel Wilson
said:
|
... 1 other thing fatkevs, and don't think i'm having a wind up, I'm just interested in what your opinion is. Say you were a Billionaire and decided to invest in a football club that you had no prior connections with and didn't support. How much of your own cash would you be happy to throw at it, knowing that you may never see it all returned. My personal opinion is that Learner has done a lot for the club but probably isn't ever going to be willing to chuck 'Man City' cash at the club, and I don't blame him. I don't think we could ask for much more from a guy that probably didn't even know which county villa park was in 5 years a go. He is a business man, and wants to make money, the same could be said for 99% of owners, and out of them he ranks with the best IMO. Just my opinion, like I said your welcome to yours and i'd be interested to know what you think. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Don't even listen to fatKevs, imo. I was going to call him something, but maybe I shouldn't.  |
Gingervilla
said:
 |
... Danwilson82 Mr Learner started following the villa in 1980 when he was at university (Cambridge I think) |
Faccundo
said:
 |
... Damo Long time reader and first time blogger. As a fanatical Villain like most others who regularly post here, I want to congratulate you on the site and implore you to keep up the excellent work. If you need any validation of your efforts just look at what happened to O****e after your departure - the place is dead. Anyway last season was an immense one to be a Villain, even if it did fall away at the end. Sitting above Chelsea in Jan and 7 points ahead of Arsenal in Feb is where we should be every year. I got down to the Holte End to witness our relegation of Newcastle and renditions of the Paul McGrath chant and Holtenders in the Sky were electric. Re transfers on a budget - I'm going to suggest two little known but in my opinion outstanding Australian youngsters who've learnt their trade in the A-League and a season ago earnt moves to medium sized European clubs. One is Nathan Burns, a 21yo striker, who started out at Adelaide United and is now at AEK Athens. AEK are a reasonable sized team and would be willing to accept 2-3m in my opinion. Burns is technically gifted, pacy, positionally astute and from what I've heard a hard worker who makes every endeavour to fit into the team. This would be a gamble but one that may pay off spectacularly. The second is Bruce Djite of Gençlerbirligi who is 22yo, and is more physically imposing, slower but with greater strength. He recently had his call up to the senior Australian team. He is more of a MON style player, but I prefer Burns. MON I hope your reading this and there seems little to risk in a 2-3m tranfer for Burns when Glen Johnson is going for 19m pounds. |
johnnybear
said:
 |
... Gingervilla Lerner graduated from Columbia University in 1984, spending 1983 at Clare College in Cambridge |
Halfwit
said:
|
... Well friday is here and friday will go without the signing of anyone for villa To Early for martin o neill he likes to wind us up and make us wait Ohh Well Come On Andy Murray |
straff24
said:
 |
... i hope today is the day they tell us about all the signing we have on our HIT LIST [not},,,,,utv.. |
sam4villacilla4life
said:
 |
... looks like owen is off to manure he is to have a medical today. f**k sacke marting pull ur finger i mean were miisn a gem there, jus wait untill january wen owen is top score with sumthin like 15 goals and gabby score like 3 and carew is injured. i havent bin annoyed about the lack of transfer activity but now cuz man city and real madrid are paying silly moey for players, top cluns like man u(owen)(lost out to madrid for benzema), chelsea, liverpool(johnson) are all having to loook a class down in so therefore we have to look a class down so im not expecting anything big atall anymore we mite get one gd signing but then its all cast offs that topclubs dont want jus like years before.that is why u shud go in first |
true villa
said:
 |
... guys i think its time for mon to go. i think if no 1 is signed by 8th july when they return for pre season training then i really think he should walk and allow someone else to make a positive impact. |
oo-aar
said:
 |
... I'd be really surprised if Owen went to ManU. Of course if he can, he will, but I've got a feeling that this ManU link is more about attracting other clubs. Hull and Stoke are the only clubs that seem to have said anything publicly about wanting him. I think that may have something to do with it. |
Mike Carter
said:
 |
... Well I bet all you Owen bashers feel a bit silly now. The greatest manager of all time is about to sign him to play for the best club in the country. Yet somehow, he wasn't quite good enough for us? I can't believe we've missed out here. |
Againsthesun
said:
 |
... First of all, have some faith guys - with faith comes patience. As soon the window opened up the first movers was either the biggest "silly-money" transfers or the waste-management of players deemed to leave. We managed to get Barry carried out for a decent sum. Getting value for money (which we need) is a clearly rougher process and it takes time. For each days that go now teams are lowering their demands on certain prospects. Look to Real who is in 100% need of getting 10+ players off their salary-list. They will get desperate and I am not very surprised if the likes of Babel, Nistelrooy, Van Der Vaart and so on get to leave for less money that Boro currently want for a mediocre leftback or Derby wants for a promising fellow. Would people be satisfied by now if we blew our bankroll on 4 semi-good players already at avg price 9 mill pounds - when they maybe was worth the half of it tops? Surely we would have a bigger squad but the quality would not necessarily be better. Furthermore we would have no money left to spend when Standard gets desperate on Defour, when Van Der Vaart must go within the next week and so on, and when asking price on Babel is at 3 mill. Summer just started, next 3-4 weeks has loads of opportunities. To the prospect: * Marcus Berg, living in Sweden despite being a norwegian, I know him very well. Was a lethal force alongside Nevland in Groningen when he arrived from IFK, has taken huge steps in the right direction ever since. A great player, quite similar to Marcus Rosenberg. Would be just a right type of buy for us. Skyhigh potential. |
truevillan
said:
|
... looks like owen to manure! another 'nailed on cert' that we were too slow for! the big four are now all becoming active and still we wait and wait, all i know is MON had better have something special up his sleeve, because if we all wait this long and end up with signings of the quality of sol campbell, bramble etc. i think our fans will realise MON really cannot cut it in the transfer market! please be abroad sorting out defour or such like and not on a jolly weekend at this crucial time, pre season is for getting he squad together and new players gelling, if we dont show some positive steps soon there could be rumblings in the camp from players like young who may question our ambitions and that will then put signings off! |
confusedvillafan
said:
 |
... truevillan, i dont think mon was too slow going for owen, MAYBE just maybe he doesnt want him,dont know how you class him as a nailed on cert ? |
vi11achar1ton
said:
 |
... I am getting bored with all these 'angry' comments about MON and his performance in the tranfer market. Most are in response to speculation and hype started by the media to sell newspapers and discussed and disected on this site ad nauseum. It is possible that, some players mentioned are too expensive either the transfer fee or their wage demands and/or some players don't want to come to Villa for whatever reason and/or some players/clubs are biding their time in the hope that a better offer will come in and/or MON is not interested in every player mentioned in the newspaper or speculated upon by site members. MON is doing OK so far - let him get on with it. |
FatKevs
said:
|
... I am sick of all the fans that have no ambition for the club. It is not just a day out & a Yanks toy. We should at the very least expect the club to be prepared for the new season we are not. OK O Bloody K |
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