It's been a good morning so far. I've had my coffee made, not brought to me, but still freshly made and I've had an extra hour in bed, which basically means two extra hours in bed and to top it all off, it's looking like it's going to be a nice day outside, which is where I plan on spending most of it.

Then I read that Chelsea are interested in Ashley Young and while I fancy he's having fun at Villa, he's an ambitious young man, who wants to win stuff and the £100k a week they may very well offer him will be too much and I suspect he might like the move.

Like I said, it's not that he probably wouldn't want to stay with us, but there is quite a big difference in earning £2.5mn. a season and £5mn. a season and the pull of silverware is also very appealing. But it is just a rumour, so I'll leave it at that but I will mention something else quickly.

If we finish fifth but Martin O'Neill had his players lined up, so basically the week after the season is over, he signs them all and they're all quality and you can clearly see they're going to make us much much stronger, that may very well be enough to keep the likes of Young from even thinking about a move and you never know, for those of you that are big fans of Barry, if he sees that, for the first time in his ten season at Villa, it might very well be enough for him to think that maybe, next season, Villa are really going to give it a proper go.

These are all maybe this and maybe that, I know, but maybe that is just what it will take.

In other speculation today, we've got the above mentioned Barry moving to Anfield in the summer for £8mn. and he's going to go there to be a utility man, covering a few positions, we've seen him play at Villa Park over the years. Now, I've got no special skills that allow me to see into the future but if Barry is going to Liverpool to be the utility player, isn't that like a demotion?

Don't get me wrong, Liverpool, right now, are better equipped to win things than us, but if he's going to play one of three positions, it doesn't sound like he's going to make the first team stronger, instead he's going to sit on the bench in case someone gets injured. Like I said above, I can't see into the future but I know what I'd prefer.

But when if these two players go, we've got their replacements lined up according to the papers. The Steven Defour rumour, that really isn't much of a rumour any more gets a mention today as does a new one, a certain Daniel Aquino from Real Murcia.

Aquino is 18 years old, apparently a raw talent and he plays on the left wing. So, if Barry and Young do go, we've got replacements lined up, but like I've suggested above, if Martin O'Neill just did his business early, gave a list to Lerner and told him these are the players, then surely if players believe that something might happen next season, they might actually want to stay and be part of it?

All rumours like I've said, but still, we like rumours and they're good for a Sunday morning.

Comments (40)

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fastbackace said:

... good post. i dont see webcam leaving. atleast i hope not. and barry... well... maybe he'll pull a robbie keane. lol mon, please do your job... and do some research, and bring in the players.

Comment 1, made on March 29, 2009 at 8.04 am

fastbackace said:

... holy shit. first.

Comment 2, made on March 29, 2009 at 8.05 am

Daniel Wilson said:

... I see the quoted price Chelsea have on Ashley Young is 15 mil, where do the papers get this crap from. Like MON would sell him for anything like that little. Glad to hear some rumours about foreign players coming in for a change. A bit of flair would be nice, just not to a stupid extent where the team takes three quarters of a season to gel (Tottenham)

Comment 3, made on March 29, 2009 at 8.14 am

Nick said:

... Gareth Barry, Liverpool's John O'Shea. Thats how it will turn out. As for Ashley, I doubt he'll go. MON won't take anything less than £25m I bet, and I wouldn't be surprised is Chelsea baulk at that price. I doubt Young will want to leave straight away either, I think if the team improves he'll get into the England team regularly. As for the first 11, thats upto Capello, who doesn't appear to rate Young as much as the rest of us (or many England fans).

Comment 4, made on March 29, 2009 at 8.22 am

Alistair said:

... Is the injury to Heskey serious? if it is, is it a good thing! Maybe a bit harsh

Comment 5, made on March 29, 2009 at 8.39 am

Alistair said:

... And i rate Defour, he is a young attacking midfielder which is what Villa need, even if Barry doesn't go. And i can't see ash leaving.

Comment 6, made on March 29, 2009 at 8.41 am

andrew said:

... I dont think Ash leaving would be that bad for us.He gets to easily marked out of games ,his performances of late heve been below par and were to predictable when he's in the team.If he does go though it will be damaging to the club as a whole, as it will show we lack ambition.MON will have to dig his heels in like he did with the Barry saga.

Comment 7, made on March 29, 2009 at 8.43 am

Nick said:

... MON wont sell Ashley Young. I think MON is as stubborn as he is honest, and when he put the price tag on Ashley it was him saying we will never sell. It will probably take Ashley to play out his contract and then move. But then again earlier this season when the Madrid rumors were flying he said he was very happy here for a bunch of reasons. That cant change too much in a matter of months. As for Barry he is off in the summer, I dont really doubt it. Would love for him to stay if he really wants to, but I cant see it. He will make Liverpool a stronger team, it is better having Barry push Alonso and Mascherano (spelling?) for places than the likes of Lucas.

Comment 8, made on March 29, 2009 at 9.09 am

Nick said:

... Anyone watch Downing for England? Ashley Young on his worst day is about 50 times better. It must be a personality thing with Capello. and I dont know whether to cheer or tear over Heskey's latest injury. Seriously which? I know which way im leaning

Comment 9, made on March 29, 2009 at 9.16 am

Daniel Wilson said:

... and I dont know whether to cheer or tear over Heskey's latest injury. Seriously which? I know which way im leaning I think if it pushes mon into reverting to our previously winning formation then it's got to be a good thing. Hope Heskeys not too bad but Carew needs to be starting ahead of him

Comment 10, made on March 29, 2009 at 9.59 am

James said:

... Every Liverpool fan I've spoken to (and there's plenty up here) has no idea what Rafa plans to do with Barry. They don't want him, they can't see what he'll bring to the team and they believe that Alonso has been the driving force behind their improved season. Rafa was ready to swap Alonso plus cash for Barry wasn't he? Rafa's crackin up.

Comment 11, made on March 29, 2009 at 10.24 am

Michael said:

... all ashley young has to do is look at shaus wright phillips, scott parker, wayne bridge, etc to see that moving to chelsea isnt a good idea, and id rather lose barry on a free in 2010 than to let liverpool have him for £8million, they wont want him as much when he is 31.

Comment 12, made on March 29, 2009 at 10.34 am

Leroy said:

... At the end of the day, Petrov and Barry play the same positions. MON needs to choose one and then buy the attacking option to compliment. For the last two seasons (and Damian knows this all to well also) i have been harping on about this point. Barry is not an attacking midfielder, we need one. Sidwell hasnt, for what ever reasons , stood up and made his claim for the spot. So i say we need Defour, if not better, and and let Barry go. Massive mistake not to cash in on him for 18mil IMO. Barry is not playing anywhere near to the high standard he produced last year and my guess is he will continue to slide. If we keep him play him at LB or DM, but in my opinion there isnt place for both Petrov and Barry in the midfield and there is no doubt who has been playing better this season, Petrov hands down. Lets move on and up, get the attacking option in the middle, somone who takes on his man, maybe that will aid in killing this long ball crap that is becoming easier and easier to defend nowadays...........

Comment 13, made on March 29, 2009 at 11.07 am

Leroy said:

... In response to Nan also, Alonso plus cash for Barry.....if MON actually turned that deal down, then i would just about call for his head.

Comment 14, made on March 29, 2009 at 11.11 am

Vijay said:

... Barry will leave and i hope MON is already planning for his replacement, if Ashley leaves this summer(and he will leave after the next world cup) then we are in dire straits! I have never been impressed with MON's transfer activities or his signings, Ashley apart, so im not expecting anything special this summer either, the thing different this summer is that we have actually made progress this year and we need to build on this, we need 4 top players to improve our first 11 not our squad, that costs money and i have a feeling that we dont have it, with Man city and spurs in a similar building mood we will not be able to compete with them, with the roumours today about Dowing and santaccruz to spurs, lescott to arsenal, its worrying because these are the 3 type of players that would improve our team bt wont come to us. Worrying summer ahead i guarantee, views??

Comment 15, made on March 29, 2009 at 11.28 am

Matthew Clark said:

... Vijay, downing wouldn't improve doncaster.

Comment 16, made on March 29, 2009 at 11.40 am

Vijay said:

... He needs to be playing with better quality players around him week n week out, when he sings for spurs and improves we will be regretting it so matthew mate, give me 4 realistic players who u think would improve our first 11

Comment 17, made on March 29, 2009 at 11.48 am

Leroy said:

... Defour, Aquinas, Richards and Sturridge

Comment 18, made on March 29, 2009 at 11.51 am

Vijay said:

... who is aquinas and how many times have u seen defour and sturridge play??

Comment 19, made on March 29, 2009 at 12.02 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... give me 4 realistic players who u think would improve our first 11 Messi, Ronaldo, Kaka & Robbie Savage

Comment 20, made on March 29, 2009 at 12.14 pm

Vijay said:

... dan mate those are as realistic as you having dinner tonight by sydney harbour!!

Comment 21, made on March 29, 2009 at 12.17 pm

Ramon Maklouf said:

... dan mate those are as realistic as you having dinner tonight by sydney harbour!! Does the same apply to me cos I'm having dinner at Cockle Bay Wharf which is harbourside tomorrow ? You see, I live in the land of Oz! On a serious note, people need to stop slagging MON off for his trasnfer activity. He has gotten us to 5th [4th for majority of season] with the players he brought in and they have proven they are up to it. People who say he should have bought in January forget to realise that one of our major reasons for going so s*ite as of late is because of the one signing MON did make in January.. Heskey. If anything MON needs to revert to what was working. And to whoever it was who said Barry and Petrov can't play together if we sign a creative midfielder [Defour or whoever that person may be]... What if we play 5 in the middle? UTV! Have Faith people!

Comment 22, made on March 29, 2009 at 12.26 pm

Leroy said:

... It was me who said it Ramonicious, still doesnt change the fact that we need an attacking player in the middle....or do i have to jump on the manly ferry and tell you myself? =)

Comment 23, made on March 29, 2009 at 12.29 pm

James said:

... It was a tough one the Barry saga. We needed to stand up to the Big 4 and show we were able to compete, BUT at the same time we were being offered a great deal for Barry. It was a no win situation really. Sell your supposed best player and you look weak, but now we've missed out on any possible swap deal and/or £10m. It's a tough job this football management isn't it?

Comment 24, made on March 29, 2009 at 12.38 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... let barry go but for the love of god not Ashley... could be a summer that defines our future

Comment 25, made on March 29, 2009 at 1.21 pm

James said:

... I with you there Fitzy.

Comment 26, made on March 29, 2009 at 1.48 pm

Simon said:

... How many wingers went to Chelski for the money and silverware and how many are still there? SWP and Duff spring to mind and i'm sure there are a few others. For me it would be a bad move for Ash and i'm sure Sidwell could tell him a thing or two. However, saying that, if we get 25Mill for him, i'm sure MON could invest it wisely. There is also the other possibility that MON refuses him an exit. He did learrn from tha master and how many people remeber Franz Carr?

Comment 27, made on March 29, 2009 at 3.19 pm

Simon said:

... How can you say let Barry go. I watched the Englang game last night and he seemed to gel the team together letting the socalled bigger names steal the limelight.Every body says Gerrard and Lamps can't play together but barry allowed this to happen to good effect but there is no way carrick or anybody else could have done this. The only way to consider him going is for a good fee and repeating what i said above am confident MON would invest the money wisely.

Comment 28, made on March 29, 2009 at 3.25 pm

Fitzy_7 said:

... Because hes 28 and hes not gonna improve anymore and he has said if villa dont get 4th hes as good as gone. so why keep a player who wont want to play whose not getting any younger get the 8-10 mil for him and iinvest it on a younger player who wants to play for us im a huge barry fan but i just cant look at him the same after the whole barrygate incident... theres far better players out there..

Comment 29, made on March 29, 2009 at 3.46 pm

Simon said:

... I agree if he dont want to stay and we can get a good price, but with regards to better players, not english there aint, if there were hed be out the england team. Anyway i dont want to become a west ham where we have tons of potential and in years to come can say "yeh he started at the Villa you know". We need a mixture of experience and youth and Barry is the latter.

Comment 30, made on March 29, 2009 at 3.51 pm

Simon said:

... soz , should say Barry is the former

Comment 31, made on March 29, 2009 at 3.52 pm

truevillan said:

... MON bring players in early and from abroad! NO CHANCE! we will chase second rate english shit and probably all last minute. as for barry, not been the same this season, if he wants out, let him go and bring in someone who wants to play for us.

Comment 32, made on March 29, 2009 at 4.25 pm

Nick said:

... MON has brought in foreign players from abroad. Petrov, Cuellar... Seriously though: Carew, Salifou and Guzan. It's just he'd rather have British players, or foreigners who have lived in Britain for a while, than risk it on a foreigner who might not settle down properly.

Comment 33, made on March 29, 2009 at 4.34 pm

Ken Bonker said:

... We all know Barry is away at the end of the season, Rafa's bought him a brush to sweep up. Ash Young to Chelsea? god no, but if Chelsea come knocking with a wedge of cash, bye bye to Ash, that would be a real body blow for us, and he could be unsettled by that rumour anyway.

Comment 34, made on March 29, 2009 at 7.34 pm

syler said:

... Thank god the F1 season has restarted.....

Comment 35, made on March 29, 2009 at 7.54 pm

Mathew Dryhurst said:

... MON won't sell Young. I don't think Ashley would leave to anyone less than Man Utd in the UK. He would be stupid too. Chelsea have a long history of delaying the careers of burgeoning English talent, and he will know that full well.

Comment 36, made on March 29, 2009 at 10.03 pm

Ramon Maklouf said:

... Leroy and Nan - The offer was never Alonso plus cash for Barry. It was more like Alonso was linked with a £14-15mill move to Juve and his replacement was going to be Barry. I'd take Alonso every day of the week tho. Barry hasn't been the same player recently has he? MON's value of Young is probably closer to £35-40 mill then £15mill. Don't think he is worth that but I'd hate for us to lose him. On his day, best winger in the premier league bar Ronaldo.

Comment 37, made on March 29, 2009 at 11.04 pm

hitman83 said:

... I dont think it's a case of if, but when Barry goes. Rafa, im sure will still come in for him. If i remember correctly, Liverpool never went up to £15m either. Thats the figure the papers were saying. MON said the final offer was a straight £13m as far as i can remember? As for Young going for £15m, i think we could get more if he was set on leaving, which i cant see why he would. Iv not seen anything of a Aquinas to comment on. I think a big offer for Arda Turan should be attempted though. This is the boy we should be making our no.1 target!

Comment 38, made on March 30, 2009 at 7.47 am | url

rockyvilla said:

... If we do get cl football will Barry still want to stay? He said he will but maybe his head is already looking forward to joining Liverpool.If we dont qualify and Barry goes how are we going to attract a player of his quality, not being able to offer them CL.I believe that is why MON would not sell him.If we do qualify will he still want to join them?

Comment 39, made on March 30, 2009 at 1.51 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... Looks like we all agree that Gareth is off in the summer, and that Ash will stay. I wonder if MoN reakky does have a well stuffed war chest for transfers. If there is not much money available the sale of Gareth for about £8mn would be desirable. If a realistic replacement for Ash were to be available for around £8mn who would not take the £30mn for Ash and use the money to build? We all seem to get misty eyed about Ash, we paid alot of money for him and he's worth every penny, and he will get better - but money may be more important right now for Aston Villa. So; I agree that GB will probably be sold ths summer, but I disagree that we should hang on to Ash no matter what.

Comment 40, made on March 30, 2009 at 5.47 pm

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