When Lerner came in, his PR man, General Krulak spouted a lot of blarney about a five year plan about Villa getting into the top four. A lot of people bought into it and they can't be blamed, because they wanted to believe him. They wanted to believe the hype and then started to defend any criticism with the 'five year plan'.

Since then, Martin O'Neill has dismissed the five year plan and well, I don't think many were really that surprised.

The thing is, they came in and said five years, because five years was acceptable and believable. Had they come in and said next season, nobody would have really believed them after they spent just over £20mn. and had they said ten years, it wouldn't have worked, because ten years is too long time and it's very difficult to see ten years in the future. Also and this part is extremely important; it doesn't take ten years, it can be done in five.

Let me explain my post for today. We can buy every promising youngster in the country but it doesn't mean that in ten years they are all going to turn into excellent players and that they're going to win us the league. In fact, I don't think that even if we did that, that most would be with us after two or three seasons if they were actually that good, because well, we'd still be flirting with top six and not really kicking on.

In this league you need to make an impact. Look at Everton and David Moyes. He has managed Everton since 2002, do you really think they will be anything other than what they are without significant investment?

Do you honestly think we will be anything other than what we are without significant investment? I can tell you the answer right now; no.

You see, in this league, you have to get to where you want to be then build further. You have to spend the money to get top four and when you are there and in a better position to attract better players, you have to spend more to stay there. Getting to the top four is actually the easy part, it is what we do when we get to the top four that will really define Lerner and that is where my point of this post begins today.

Many people, myself included to an extent, put our poor run of form last season down to Laursen getting injured. I also think it was when we went 4-4-2 and I only say that so some don't think I'm forgetting or changing my mind, but imagine if Laursen hadn't had gotten injured.

Had Laursen stayed fit it could have been very different last season and that is the real point. We don't need to buy more youngsters or plan for another few seasons, we are right now, within touching distance and we have to kick on.

Part of me also believes that Cueller and Davies will form a very solid partnership in time and maybe Martin O'Neill does too, but what I'm trying to do today is get away from this 'planning for the future' mentality because we have been doing that now for three seasons.

This coming season has to be our first real push and to do that, we now need ready made quality additions and like I did last summer, I fancy they are coming.

Yes, the squad needs to be bigger so we don't give up on competitions again, but that is part of football and shouldn't be a surprise for the club, but our real focus has to be on the league and I hate writing this next part, but breaking into the top four.

To do that and fully concentrate on the league we need a central defender and a central midfielder. Replace what we have lost, put some faith in what we have got and then strengthen. Despite the poor run we had, we were very close last season and we are in an excellent position for this season, but lets not get complacent with talk of ten years and watching it happen, as that will get us into a cycle of never expecting anything.

Replace the two we have lost with proper replacements and strengthen the team with a better player or two and we can do it this season. Don't do that and we won't, but at this end of the league it really is about spending money and until we get into the top four we are going to have to spend a little more than the others, but that is the game we are in and shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.

The foundations are built, we can now build a straw house or one made out of brick. The number of rooms on each floor might not matter as much, but the quality of the build will. This really is the summer and I suspect that next January will be important too, much like it was for Arsene Wenger.

So, unless we sign a player or two today, that is my lot, as there isn't a fresh rumour to found anywhere, but I will say this; we can't let Ashley Young go, because if we replace him with DJ Downing, we will be going back a year and will sort of make everything done to date a fairly pointless exercise.

We need to show the likes of Young that we mean business and that will only happen if we do get better this season and that will happen with big signings, not more kids or potential. We did that last season and we moved on a point and stayed in the same position, we need the quality now and we will have to unfortunately pay for that quality.

Comments (103)

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Mark Johnson said:

... good post damian, I think you've said what every Villa fan has been thinking for a long time. I for one still trust and buy into MoN's beliefs and plans, I just wish it wasn't so frustrating. UTV

Comment 1, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.40 am

Keith said:

... Damian Do you think that Arsenal will be a top 4 team without the kind of investment you talk about? Whether the 5 year plan exists or not is irrelevant, MON has only been at Villa 3 seasons and therefore has another two cracks at it before anyone can criticise surely?

Comment 2, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.41 am

TrueVillan said:

... good post! totally agree, we need leaders and players with experience to help with he development of the youth we already have if we have shed loads of money, then fine, lets buy youngsters to develop, but if, as is being indicated, we have limited resourses, then we need quality and experience some of the figures quoted for these lower league players is stupid, for that we could buy abroad and get the finished artical

Comment 3, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.41 am

jason the ace said:

... PLEASE NOT DOWNING,HE WILL STILL BE INJURED COME OCTOBER WHAT USE IS THAT

Comment 4, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.45 am

jason the ace said:

... FIRST!FOR THE FIRST TIME

Comment 5, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.46 am

Damian said:

... keefvilla Arsenal are a top four team and when that was under pressure last season they went out in January and bought Arshavin. Should Arsenal find themselves in the same position next season, they will likely do the same. If we break into the top four next season, or someone else does and it is Arsenal that suffer, they will spend big the following summer to regain that top four place which is why I've said the most important thing is what we actually do when we get to the top four. Getting top four, I think is the easy part. Staying there is the hard part. One season of top four is pointless - we need continued top four football and that has to be part of the plan.

Comment 6, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.48 am

vijay said:

... Damian mate, i agree with your fantastic article but unfortunately i have come to the conclusion that we will not break into the top 4 for the forseeable future, we have to work hard to consolidate to remain in the top 6 and try and do well in the 3 cups, thats the type of club we are. I dont see significant investment in the club for us to break into the top 4 but anyway who knows, we can always hope, this summer will determine how interested Lerner is in really taking that one important step forward.

Comment 7, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.48 am

Mowgs said:

... Losing Laursen clearly had a significant impact on our results but I still feel the main reason for February onwards was due to fatigue. Squad size remains the most important issue for me. Just keep praying that MON is going to rectify this sooner rather than later... Agree with your foundation comments. So far we've witnessed a snowball effect and long may the snowball continue to grow. I just have a feeling that we may have hit the ceiling for the time being. I think it would take a near miracle for villa to finish top 4 next season.

Comment 8, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.49 am

Damian said:

... Mowgs So, start praying

Comment 9, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.50 am

TrueVillan said:

... off subject, would downing be insured if we bought him? seems a lot of money, if he ends upike bouma, and we have no insurance to back us up, cant see anyone willig to do it personally!

Comment 10, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.51 am

Andy Pepper said:

... Good post just hope MON realises that to progress we need to keep our best players and add to them with quality not with the quality of Downing which IMO is a major step back

Comment 11, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.51 am

Keith said:

... I think this 5 year plan only becomes an issue when things aren't going exactly as we want. Nobody talked about it last season until the team ran out of steam. Now it is an issue because we are frustrated that no signings have been made. I agree 100% that the reason Arsenal claimed 4th spot was that they signed quality in Arshavin while we need 2 or 3 quality players and got Heskey. But as you say in your post, we are within touching distance and so any 5 year plan is going well.

Comment 12, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.53 am

stephen may said:

... If you have strong foundations , you can build up and up and up , if you have weak foundations you better build on them fast cause they won't last very long and sooner or later whatever your building will come tumbling down , keep an eye on Man citeh it'll be very interesting to see where we are in 10 years and where they are!

Comment 13, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.54 am

ak_27 said:

... If we continue to build so slowly our foundations will just just be taken away by other clubs before we have time to build on them. If Young doesn't go this summer he ill go next. Barry is now gone. Going on MON's record how long will it tkae for him to replace these players? In order to just stand still we now need 2 top players to replace Barry and Laursen and it seems to me that MON still hasn't picked out who these 2 players are.

Comment 14, made on July 13, 2009 at 10.58 am

ak_27 said:

... TrueVillan he would be insured no problem. Rates might be a little higher but there is always insurance out there. Laursen was insured and we got a pay out for him also.

Comment 15, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.00 am

Villa4life said:

... First post so be nice, I have spent (probably like every other Villa fan) checking the web everyday waiting for a playerto be having a medical or the club to confirm something. To be honest by Friday I was starting to doubt that the club had any ambition or that we had any transfer targets in mind. Bad times. Then it happened - a moment of clarity - I started to think is MON the kind of person to who would be prepared to let all the hard work already achieved come undone? and Learner I mean how much has he invested in this project? do we really think he would not want to grow his investment by pushing on? Ok we do not have the financial muscle of some of the other clubs in the league but we do have two men at least who will not let this clib start going backwards. Too much blood, sweat and tears not to mention money have been pumped into Villa over the past three seasons for them to suddenly give up now. We do not have the money but we do have a couple of committed clever guys building a solid team that (as we have seen) can mix it with the big boys. Oh and to those calling for MON head get real who else do you want in charge? Adams? Dirty Harry? Strachen? oh or DOL?

Comment 16, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.00 am

Villain down South said:

... Good post Damian. I am trying to stay positive all the time and I think we are only clutching at straws right now because there are no singings yet. I agree with your comments on buying players who are ready now and not for the future and the thought of selling Young is horrible. We would be classed as a selling club then for sure.

Comment 17, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.01 am

Billy7 said:

... I totally agree, we need to replace 2 of our best players, and it will cost. It doesn't seem we are willing/able to pay the going rate, and i can imagine Ashley Young having more ambition than the club if this is the case, like i said yesterday he imo is irreplaceable. So we need to buy 2 QUALITY replacements, and another 3 players who will compete for a starting place while also be able to fit in different formations, ie- Downing, when fit would be a good asset, move Milner/Young/Bentley? And change when needed, Tuncay, up top or midfield, Naughton, Gets forward alot more if we're chasing a game/goal, and then a couple of potential youngsters for the future. I cant see it happening any more, i've lost a bit of faith but also realise MON is also irrespaceable imo, i just thought we'd have players lined up signed and sealed before pre-season training started. I'm down in the dumps and wish i didn't have the internet or sky sports news as its seriously taking over my life! I also told my wife i'd rather her leave than Ashley Young!

Comment 18, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.06 am

Shashwat said:

... Damian u have said the words that every villa fan thinks. Cheers mate. But will ASHLEY YOUNG move to SPURS. Is DAVID BENTLY + 25 MILL an acceptable fee for martin o' neil to consider.

Comment 19, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.10 am

daniel wheeler said:

... don,t think we can take that next step yet. the top 4 wont be as easy to crack as you think damo. if anyone is going to do it man city will, like it or not throwing money at it is the only way to do it. if they don't make it this year they will continue to spend big until they do. however, if we are able to get players who are able to come in and compete or even replace the ones we already have we wont be to far away. but if we go for the likes of downing and delph, we will most likely go backwards this season. my message to mon would be to aim higher in terms of transfer targets.

Comment 20, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.10 am

RockSteady said:

... Sky Sports are running with the story on Miguel Veloso. It may have some credability

Comment 21, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.11 am

Mowgs said:

... Hah yeah trust me I pray every night! I personally think the key this year is to qualify again for the Europa league through our league position. So most likely top 7. You've got to feel that Man City and Spurs are both going to perform considerably better than last year. The gap between 4th and 5th was still pretty significant last season (9 points). I think that will be reduced right down to less than 5 points this season. And I for one hope that one of Villa, Spurs, City or Everton break up the monopoly. Obviously we all want it to be Villa but I'd be happy for anyone to do it. Every season the top 4 budget to finish in those top 4 places and as a result get the additional prize and Champs League tv revenue. The only way to really hurt them is to stop them qualifying for the Champs League. It hurts their ability to buy players, their ability to attract players, their ability to retain their current players.

Comment 22, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.12 am

Paul Egan said:

... I broadly agree, but we do need a larger squad as well as those 3-4 to go into the first team. The increase in squad size can be due to signing promising young players who are happy to fight for a place in the first team. And, the 3-4 'ready-made' first-teamers don't necessarily all have to cost big money. Maybe 2 of them will. So, I don't think we really need to make a choice between the long-term future and next season as the two sort of go hand in hand. 2 signings in the region of £10-15 million, and the rest should come for much less. It is also worth noting that Arsenal's resurgence wasn't just due to Arshavin's signing. They had loads of players out injured (Fabregas, Adebayor, Wallcott, Eduardo etc) and started playing well when those players started returning from injury.

Comment 23, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.12 am

ak_27 said:

... I think the gap between us and 4th is really bigger then we think it is. Arsenal will not have such a poor start to a season again. If they sort out the def midfield role they could really challenge for the title this season. Only team i see that will make a go for 4th will be City. So in reality we are really only in contention for Europa league this season. Personally i think we should make winning the Europa League our main aim this season. It is a well winnable competition and it would increase our name hugely internationally if we were to win it.

Comment 24, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.17 am

Keith said:

... Are we really so much weaker than the other rivals for top 4? Yes we are going to need to replace Laursen and Barry and increase the size of squad but I suspect MON knows this. Man Utd have lost Ronaldo and signed Owen, Valencia and Obertan, but will their first XI be better or worse? Liverpool have made a good signing in Johnson, but rumours still persist that they could lose Mascherano and Alonso, who would be very hard and costly to replace and a huge loss. Rafa already ruled out any more costly signings as the owners and club massively in debt. Chelsea have only signed Sturridge, Turnbull and Zhirkov, which of those will be first choice? I suspect a maximum of 10 league games between them. They could also lose Carvalho, Deco and Terry. Arsenal are in financial trouble. The apartments they built at Highbury are not selling. One signing in, but possibility of losing Adebayor and Fabregas. Everton and Spurs have far less money to spend this summer, every Spurs link is for a swap deal or part exchange. That leaves Man City who have money to burn but have yet to attract the type of player that will propel them into the top 4. Will Barry and Santa Cruz turn a mid table team into a top 4 one? Yes others will sign but they must then gel and why sign Santa Cruz if you are really in the market for players such as Eto'o? Yes we need quality signings, but we are not a million miles away from a top 4 finish and we have 2 seasons left according to the Generals 5 year plan.

Comment 25, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.18 am

gazza01 said:

... The five year plan was ok, until Man City and others came into more money. Now we have been knocked down the pecking order in terms of funds available. If it comes down a straight fight in spending, we will not be getting top 4

Comment 26, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.19 am

Andy Young said:

... The thing that disturbs me most about the so-called Downing bid is that he's crocked until December. If the deal goes through, and I suspect it probably will, O'Neill will more than likely try to assure the fans that Ashley will be going nowhere because we'd have no left-sided winger until Downing was fit. Then, lo and behold, come the January transfer window, Villa will accept a bid from Man Ure for Ashley. I accept that clubs are being run as businesses these days, but such a scenario does not augur well (O'Neill taught me that phrase) for the future of Aston Villa. It sounds like a deal to line Lerner's already bulging pockets.

Comment 27, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.30 am

donnyvillan said:

... I can't imagine any manager getting this far into the transfer market and not having players that he is 100% certain he'll get. But like january if he'd strenghened properly then we would be getting ready to watch champs league next season. I'm well fed up of getting players who could make it or has beens. We need proven players like J cole who said last season he wanted to play a more central role and he would'nt be happy playing wide and then we need hageland,and as far as letting Young go no chance we saw what happened with Barry Mon would just price him out of the market.This season will be defining we'll see if were gonna push forward or if the best we can hope for is uefa cup.

Comment 28, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.32 am

oldnick said:

... i think it is likely that ashley young will playing his trade elsewhere next season.

Comment 29, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.34 am

ak_27 said:

... Do we really need Downing? Do we not have Bannan to come into the team as a LW. If we get Bentley i would say that is enough wingers. There are far more pressing issues down the centre of this team to sort out first. If money is an issue surely 12m on another winger is stupid money. That is unless Young is on the way to Utd.

Comment 30, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.35 am

ronrabbit said:

... I think there are often some pretty unrealistic views from people on here. Some people seem to think the sun shines out of O'Neill's arse, some are calling for his head. What ever you think about him, he deserves another season. He has took us back where we can start to think about champions league football rather than relegation. For us to move on from here and for villa fans to not start to question his position come next year we need to keep moving forwards this season. For us to move forwards we need investment, not only investment but for that money to be spent wisely, and i am concerned that it wont be. Some people say we should bit the bullet and spend 15million on hangeland, What i want to know is why cant we pick up a hangeland for 5million or so like fulham did. Why cant we find an antonio valencia for 3 million pound. We need to take a risk on players who may not come good, we cant play silly money for players like man city do, so we need to try and find them before they become the 15 million pound players. Wenger has been doing this for years and this is the only way we will ever compete with the big spending teams. Im not sure O'neill will take that risk, he prefers safe buys from england and scotland, and these safe buys will keep us in the tp half of the table, but they are not going to move us on. Bentley for example is a prem player, but he is not a champions league player, and this sort of buy wont move us onto the next level, it will only keep us standing still.

Comment 31, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.36 am

Keith said:

... odysseynumberfive According to this site he should be back playing in October and so does Middlesbourgh's website. http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_5422369,00.html

Comment 32, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.37 am

JohnnyMcLeod said:

... Can't understand the comparisons between Ash and Downing, seems to me that Downing is a ready made replacement for Barry, can't remember any Barry v Ash comparisons. Other than his injury which looks like its healing well, Downing looks great business for 12 million, don't forget we bought Milner for the same amount without any full England caps. Damian you can go on all you like about why we went in to free fall in the second half of the season, seems fairly straightforward to me and its nothing to do with formations or small squads. 1. We bought a donkey in January and continued to play him despite the fact that he was an utter embarrasment. 2. Our previously hard working and productive goalscorer of the first half of the season got sloppy and lazy and looked a shadow of his former self. 3. We played our new centre half and 2 central midfield players at right back 4. We played our excellent right back at left back despite the fact that we had a perfectly capable left back doing nothing. 5. We suddenly realised in March that our talismanic centre forward was more effective on his own than with either Mr Laurel or Mr Hardy playing alongside him. Finaly an equation for you.: Relegation form + selling our best player + losing our best defender + no signings yet = Not difficult is it ? GET YOUR BLOODY FINGER OUT MON !!!!!!

Comment 33, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.39 am

RockSteady said:

... With regards Downing not being back until October/November, please don't be so short sighted. If he's back to full fitness after Xmas then we will have very good cover/rotation player for Ashley during the busniess part of the season.

Comment 34, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.40 am

Andy Young said:

... keefvilla, Cheers for that, but there's always the possibility he'll have a 'setback'. And it'll take him a while to regain his fitness. I think what would gall me the most is if Ashley ended up at Spuds. What kind of a message would that send out? Man Ure are by far the best team in the country, so I could understand him wanting to go there. But if he ended up with Redknapp, it would mean that he thinks they are a club with more direction and potential.

Comment 35, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.44 am

vijay said:

... im just so tired.......

Comment 36, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.44 am

Keith said:

... JohnnyMcLeod Ashley Young plays wide left for Villa. Downing plays wide left for Boro. Barry played central midfield for Villa and will do so for Man City. That is why Downing is compared to Young. Nicky Shorey was taking a hell of a lot of stick for his performances at the start of the season, you should have read comments on this site alone. That is why Luke Young was used there, Shorey was not perfectly capable at the time.

Comment 37, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.45 am

Keith said:

... odysseynumberfive The Spuds rumours are just Redknapp sounding off. Spuds couldn't afford him and it will surely take more than 2 or 3 of his unwanted player to persuade MON to sell.

Comment 38, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.48 am

villadownunder said:

... hey first post today i have read this blog for a while now and have enjoyed the banter. But i wanted to voice a concern i now live in Sydney and used to be a regular in the holte end. How have the villa fans become so disillusioned, remember how good last season was how close we were to beating Man utd, it could have been so different but luck was not on our side. Remember as we become a threat to the top 4 the more they will attempt to unsettle our top players. MON will not sell his top players keep the faith.

Comment 39, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.53 am

JSINGH said:

... I would love for miguel Veloso to join us.

Comment 40, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.54 am

Mike Carter said:

... We haven't sold our best player, in fact we still have our best 4 players from last season (exclusing Laursen). Will people ever realise that Barry wasn't that good?

Comment 41, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.54 am

Tom said:

... Will people ever realise that Barry wasn't that good? What he said.

Comment 42, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.57 am

kieran84 said:

... Unintelliegent rubbish,If you think through all the things you are bitching about you might one day write a decent article which actually supports your own club.

Comment 43, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.57 am

Scrumpy said:

... One factor that is impossible to calculate, is that last season it was, until the last few months, a five horse race (then Everton made it six). This season it "should" be a seven or even eight horse race for those four top spots. Arsenal had a bad season, but may come good this year, but the factor that is impossible to predict is what happens with a greater number of strong sides and what happens when they all start taking more points of each other. This may even mean things are even closer for the next wave of teams (the Hammers, Wigan, Fulhams etc) and they may start to have an influence on the top 8 or even top 4, if not actually make a push for those spots. If one of the existing top four has a poor start it won't just be one team putting pressure on them it could be three or four. There was a small period last year where Villa (if they had maintained their form) could have put pressure not just on fourth but also third and even possibily second (chelsea were rescued by the new manager effect and hadn't been looking too smart up until that point, even Liverpool until their CL performances gave them confidence and found some form were looking less than convincing, and even ManUtd wobbled at one point - more pressure from more teams and it could be different this season). I wouldn't bet that if the second four, have good seasons, then that top four has more than one new member this season. Add two good replacements and hope that some of the existing team/squad members come good (Sidwell, Reo, Heskey etc) and avoid injury (Sidwell's injury coincided with our switch from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2) and we could be round about the same place as last year (but a later start may mean we sustain it). Or add five players (two great players and another three good team/squad members) to the tune of £30M + Barry's money, and we could even push on, which given circumstances may see an improvement, may mean we stand still or mean we just keep pace with the second four (top ....Its hard to predict whats going to happen..... Ow! Sitting on that fence is hurting!!!

Comment 44, made on July 13, 2009 at 11.59 am

Mowgs said:

... Scrumpy - I fully agree, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that more teams are capable of taking points off the big boys. Hopefully the Prem is more competitive next season.

Comment 45, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.05 pm

Freelancelot said:

... How we do next season has got a lot more to do with the current squad than it does with who we get in. The assumption seems to be that the current players are as good as they are going to get, so the only way to get better is to get more in. I think we'll have learnt a lot from last season and I also think the players will be better. The point of having a young squad is that they improve. O'Neill's regular comments about having a small squad aren't in my view so much about pure numbers but about the size of the pool of players he thinks are ready to play a part. If it was just numbers, why not play all the fringe players? The fact that some of these players haven't played much but aren't being offloaded suggests they may be getting better. We could easily have a bigger playable squad next season just by converting some of this potential into delivery. Yes we need some numbers now but not the large numbers that some say. The biggest test for me this season is whether the players and coaches have worked out how to maintain consistent form. More than whether we spend £15m or £30m in the next few weeks, I think it's this that is likely to determine how the season is going to work out.

Comment 46, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.05 pm

Christian said:

... Firstly, Barry was very, very good and anyone who doubts it will appreciate our loss next season. He's an England central midfielder and quite sought after by Liverpool (bigger club than us), Man City (can have anyone they likew within reason) and Spurs. Secondly, and more what I wanted to post about. This Veloso rumour. The guy is an outstanding defensive midfielder, a ball winner who distributes nicely. That's all very good, but what the hell does that mean for Petrov in the team?? Is he dropped?? Is he our attacking midfielder?? I hope not...

Comment 47, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.06 pm

clarkamus said:

... im sorry but everyone seems fixated that if we bring a player in we have to sell one and that i just not the case if i was ashley young i would welcome the downing arrival because it would make me improve as a player as i would be pushed for my starting place we need competition for places so why not have 2 of the top 3 best english left midfielders fighting it out and if we got bentley aswell we would have a even more flourishing attack then i would say all we need is cover for right back a central defender a midfielder and a creative striker how does that sound?

Comment 48, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.09 pm

Tim Wood said:

... For £25million let Ash go! Yeah he was probably our most attacking player last year but by the second half of the season he was so easy to defend against because of his inability to cross with his left foot and prem defenders always knwew he was going to cut back in on his right foot. When we did the poll at the start of the summer on Villa's net spend I suggested it would be £0 (zero) and I got laughed at. Players out Barry £12million Young £25million Reo Joker £5million Zat Knight £3million That gives MON £45million to spend. Now I don't want to see Ash go but £25million+ would be very good buisness and after all that is what it is, a business.

Comment 49, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.10 pm

Mike Carter said:

... Christian I'm going to offer you a challenge. Watch or even think back to all the Villa games you saw last season and list the ones where Barry stood out as a very, very good player. I can think of 3 games off the top of my head where I left the match and Barry put in a MotM performance. I can think of a hell of a lot more where Petrov, Milner or Carew had a much bigger impact and probably more where Gabby and Young did the same. Barry had a great 07/08 campaign, I'm not doubting that. It was his best in a Villa shirt. But it's fooled a lot of people into thinking he's always been that good. He hasn't. In 08/09 he was bang average. Uninspiring. Easily Replaceable. In the majority of games, Petrov made him look like a Championship footballer.

Comment 50, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.11 pm

ak_27 said:

... vivavilla i agree with you up to a point. But we have nobody else in the club at the moment that comes near him. Sidwell and NRC are not nearly as good so as long as MON knows that and has quality replacements coming in then fine. Spurs rejects like Jenas and Huddlestone are not quality replacements though.

Comment 51, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.14 pm

True villa said:

... Like I keep saying all is not well with mon and Lerner!!! Mon out now!!!! Only 2loan players are coming in!!!!

Comment 52, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.17 pm

Villa4life said:

... im not too sure in Downing..... but like the idea of Veloso..... if we get a good Defender and a striker all we need is to get two or three players in various positions to push for places........ and this talk of Young is stupid.....why sell..... not for 25 mil.....try 80mil

Comment 53, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.18 pm

villa64 said:

... I dont want to see young go and dont think he will this season lets not forget the world cup next year if he goes to chelsea or man u and does not cement a first team place he can kiss that goodbye also capello seems to favour Downing or has picked him more times so if you can get Downing and Bentley this year at a reasonable price and Young does go next year it will cushion the blow, lets not kid ourselves if man u cant keep their best player what chance have we got, all players have a price, Ronaldo finally proved that to me, what i am trying to say is it wont be the end of the world if he goes it just makes it harder to progress

Comment 54, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.18 pm

confusedvillafan said:

... truevilla

Comment 55, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.24 pm

Christian said:

... Vivavilla, Barry's not a stand-out footballer. He does the simple things, he reads the game, he's composed, he passes accurately, he picks the right pass. I do understand what you're saying though, but I challenge you back to think of all the games you saw last season where the only player in a claret and blue shirt who had ANY intention of keeping the ball on the deck was Gareth Barry. Without him, we needn't have bothered with a midfield because EVERYTHING is 50 foot in the air over the top or down the flanks.

Comment 56, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.24 pm

vijay said:

... I agree that it would not be the end of the world but it would be good for the manager if the owner would say, listen mate we're going to sell Young for 25 million and you can have it to spend but im going to double it so you now have 50 million, progress with that money!!

Comment 57, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.27 pm

vogra said:

... we haven't the financial clout or a chairman with balls for us to be backed and challenge for the top 4

Comment 58, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.29 pm

Christian said:

... Timmyrara, if MON would spend the £25m wisely then I'd be able to live with the loss of our only exciting player, but he wouldn't spend it wisely so we must keep him. He did look shot at the end of the season and he had been somewhat 'sussed'. But that's what happens when you carry a team single-handedly every game. He lost his confidence and the opposition knew he was our only credible outlet. If we can bring in somebody else with a bit of magic, he'll find more space and his fantastic form will return. Class is permanent...

Comment 59, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.30 pm

Keith said:

... vivavilla "think back to all the Villa games you saw last season and list the ones where Barry stood out as a very, very good player". now think back to the 2 seasons before when Barry was outstanding in virtually every match.

Comment 60, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.32 pm

Christian said:

... Just seen this on newsnow (probably nonsense). It's nothing new, the Tuncay rumour but it's from Boro's local paper, and the fans comments about his ability have cheered me up for if we do sign him. http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/b...-24140227/

Comment 61, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.34 pm

FatKevs said:

... Totally agree Damian great to have your posts back I think we also need a striker because we cannot continue when we go tothless in front of goal we have to be able to change it. Bringing on Heskey will not give is that super sub fix

Comment 62, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.36 pm

Christian said:

... Anybody else seen that Delfouneso is available for loan allegedly?? I think it'd do him good.

Comment 63, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.38 pm

jk92923 said:

... Christian1983: it put me in a good mood too until i read this part of the article "...and is resigned to lose pacy wideman, Ashley Young"...now its depressed mode again....!

Comment 64, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.38 pm

Christian said:

... jk92923, I have selective eyesight, I chose to overlook that bit

Comment 65, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.39 pm

Dublin Villian said:

... Good post Damian, Imo we have a real good chance of retaining sixth or improving if we dont sell our top players and bring in 2 quality and 3 squad players. Dont forget most of the other top teams have or are likly to lose some of there best players eg. Ronaldo and Teves - Man U(done), JT - Chelsea ( good chance),Alonso and Mashcarano - Liverpool(hopefully).to name but a few. A lot of these changes are going to weaken the top teams, most of the players mentioned cannot be replaced like for like.So all said it is going to be a Interesting season. So keep the Faith and believe

Comment 66, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.39 pm

Rich said:

... If we play a 5 man midfield there is room for both Petrov and Veloso in deeper roles and still have a creative midfielder. Having these two more defensively minded midfield players may just help protect our vulnerable defence.

Comment 67, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.42 pm

Adey Stuttard said:

... Now I may start something here, and I truly don't want it to happen, but I get the impression Spurs need to sell before they can buy (hence why their Downing rumours have gone quiet), therefore, according to rumours: Young - Spurs (swap) Carew - Spurs (swap) Bentley - Villa (swap) Huddlestone - Villa (swap) Bent - Villa (swap) Downing and Tuncay - Villa, £18-20M Distin and/or Campbell - Villa, Free Veloso - Villa, £13M Knight - out £3M Harewood - out £3m would leave us nett spending of £15M and an overall plus 1 to the squad, and to me a stronger squad overall. As I say I would be pretty gutted if AY and JC went, but if the squad improved overall I would be happy - I will always be a Villa fan, those mentioned won't always be Villa players.

Comment 68, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.45 pm

Stuart said:

... I think a lot of what your saying is true Damien but i still try not to believe in the negatives around my club. If im honest with you im happy we are in europe for the second season on the trot. Yes i do want to push on but so do another 7 or 8 clubs in the league so it was never going to be something done overnight. Its been a proven fact that all successful clubs needs stabability so shouldnt we stand by MON?

Comment 69, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.45 pm

villa64 said:

... I really dont think any one will pay 25 million this season its still a lot of money and there must be a ? on if he was found out and whether he can raise his game to compensate their are loads of players that burst onto the scene have a couple of good years and then do nothing. Barry is the opposite he has been a good consistant player for us over the years but lets see how he does outside of his comfort zone where he is the new player and all eyes are on him and he has to justify a huge wage to new fans

Comment 70, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.46 pm

vijay said:

... i agree with you Vogra

Comment 71, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.48 pm

scott said:

... listen,not being pessimistic but i think we have got zero chance of making the top four.i think we need 2/3 players just to consolidate top six!dont forget when harry took over spurs they were bottom and he nearly took them into europe.imagine what hes gonna do in a full season.everton piiped us without havin arteta and a strikeforce for half a season and man city are buying well.i can see 8th place for us this season im afraid.i think last season was our big chance and mon blew it in the january transfer window!!

Comment 72, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.48 pm

Rich said:

... 1874 AVFC This would suit Spurs. The listed players are those Arry would like to offload ( Bent, Jenas, Bentley). Young and Carew are two MON would ideally like to keep. Also I'd hoped the Campbell rumours had gone away.

Comment 73, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.49 pm

Ciaranzo said:

... Sometimes the negativity on this site nearly kills me. Yes we haven't bought anybody. Yet! We all understand that we have to live within our means. It would be great if we could spend £30m on the England captain like other teams, but that's not going to happen. I would rather build a team than buy one and i think any proper football fan would agree with me. Yes, this summer has been so disappointing so far but for God's sake, it's only started. But if we let Ash go then all my optimism goes out the window, especially if it's Spurs. I have a lot of friends that are Celtic fans and they warned me how infuriating O'Neill can be during the transfer window so i was prepared for this to an extent. But sometimes it can be too much. But it's the difference between spending a clean fortune on players that have a reputation and you expect them to be good (Veron, Robinho etc...), and players who you can eventually build a team around. O'Neill has been trying to build the later and i think fans forget that. Where the f**k were we before he arrived? One place above relegation. We have turned around big time. Four years ago i was half embarassed to tell people who i supported. Now when i say it at least i can say 'but we beat you'. I know i've rambled on a bit but please people the glass is always fall full. That is until we sign Downing for £12m.

Comment 74, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.49 pm

Damian said:

... keefvilla I think you are looking back with rose tinted glasses on if you can say barry was excellent in virtually every match he has never truly had a season like that

Comment 75, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.50 pm

Damian said:

... Ciaranzo For one season were we close to relegation. Even O'Leary got us 6th place. It isn't negativity, it's a fact. O'Leary was a useless manager who during his entire career as a Premier League manager got worse every single season. I wish people would stop referring to this 'we were close to relegation' line because it was simply because we had a shit manager and nothing else and was a one off. Hell Moyes nearly got Everton relegated!

Comment 76, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.55 pm

Billy7 said:

... Timmyrara...... I understand with what you're saying regarding selling Young, but like i said earlier, i think he is irreplaceable, he is exciting to watch, 99% of kids have his name on their shirts, he puts bums on seats, and is our BEST player imo. Our best players the last season or 2...... laursen, Young, Carew, Barry Petrov and maybe Milner, now we've lost 2, we CANNONT afford to lose another, not for 30mil, if Laursen and Barry were still here then 30mil would maybe be sufficiant but not now as they've gone.

Comment 77, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.56 pm

Christian said:

... Damian, I have to agree with keefvilla (1st time ever Keef??!). Barry was oustanding, led by example and let's not forget he was 'helped' in midfield by the THEN atrocious Petrov. I think people overlook Barry because he's not a flamboyant, pacey midfielder. But he's like a Rolls Royce when he's got the ball at his feet. Man United fans rave about Carrick and his passing and composure, saying he's the unsung hero of their team, he couldn't lace Barry's boots. And McClaren and Capello must see that too.

Comment 78, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.57 pm

Keith said:

... Damian Come off it he was easily our best player 2 seasons ago and was excellent in most of the games the season after. His form dipped last season and that was probably due to him sulking that he couldn't get a move to Liverpool. Even you admitted that he played well last season in a 4-5-1 formation and I would point out that Petrov's form was also bad when we switched to 4-4-2, yet you don't criticise him.

Comment 79, made on July 13, 2009 at 12.58 pm

PaulMcGrathsGoneAWOL said:

... The thing is, its not nessarcarily about spending the most money, spending a lot of money doesnt prove anything or even win anything. The most important aspect i who you buy. Sounds rather dumb to actually type that so I have to explain. Everton have spent reletively little but have bought the right players at the right time. There entire back 4 didnt cost more than 10mn did it? Yet they were the most frugle of any defence. This is was Man City are going to realise, unless you have proper structure and a decent manager all the money in the world wont be any good for you. I personally cant blame last seasons slump just to Laursens injury. The way I see it is like this, mid january we were comfortably ahead of Arsenal looking pretty much like favourites for fourth. I think far more costly was the stoke game. 3 points in that one would have put a diffrent perspective on things we would have been confident again and Moscow would have been forgotten. The second mistake was Heskey, Im not knocking him and I think he could do a job for us next season, but when we really needed something to kick us on, was Heskey the answer? No. Andre Arshavin was the answer. Imagine if we had brought him, ok it might seem unlikely now, but nobody seemed to want him, in mid Jan. Would 12-15mn been to much or would his wages have proved to expensive. Only Lerner can answer that but let me tell you, if we had got him we would have finished 4th.

Comment 80, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.03 pm

colm tarpey said:

... UTD in for Douglas Costa it appears....should'nt have to worry about Young if they get him...

Comment 81, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.10 pm

Tim Wood said:

... Billy 7 What everyone needs to try and remember is Ashley Young is a Villa player not a Villa fan/supporter. As with anyone in any job, and indeed life, the idea is to better yourself and keep imroving and striving to be the best. In the case of footballers this is to play at the highest level, ie Champions League. If Man Utd or Chelsea where to offer £25million for Young, he isn't going to want to stay, he should, if he has any ambition at all, bite there hands off to play for one of the top club sides in europe. MON then has a dilema say no and keep an unhappy payer at the club which is going to be bad for team moral or sell for over twice the amount we paid for him. Considering football is a business and RL is in it to make money not waste money there is only one realsitic option and that is to sell.

Comment 82, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.11 pm

Keith said:

... Christian1983 Wow mate I'm touched.

Comment 83, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.12 pm

Mike Carter said:

... Well, I for one am quite excited about the chance we have to replace Barry. I whole-heartedly believe that for a club with Champions League ambitions, Gareth Barry is not the calibre required. This is our opportunity to replace him with someone who can propel us because to be frank, he was ordinary in 8 out of 10 games.

Comment 84, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.12 pm

RayK said:

... Sorry guys but this is getting so dull. It really doesn't matter whether its 1 or 2 from Hangeland/Cahill/Distin/Campbell in defence , Bentley or Downing on the wing, Veloso/Delph or Jenas as a defensive midfielder and, Ozil or Defour as an attacking midfielder. The point is that all of those players would add to the squad and we need to get some of those players in ASAP. There really is nothing more to say.

Comment 85, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.13 pm

Damian said:

... vivavilla i agree about your barry view always have and always will. i can actually see a few man city fans a little disappointed with him next season

Comment 86, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.15 pm

ak_27 said:

... Can i just ask what games everybody is referring to when they say this 451 was really effective? I know both Arsenal games were excellent performances but our away wins at Everton, West Ham and Hull were extremley lucky and our midfield was well beaten (esp Everton and West Ham) even with the extra man in the centre. Now maybe im wrong blaming the midfield and perhaps the back line were equally to blame with their inability to keep possession of the ball but i honestly believe that the indictors of what happened after xmas were there all season. And personally i would put some of this blame at the feet of the CM. Be it with 2 or 3 in there they did not dominate enough for me even againest weak opposition.

Comment 87, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.16 pm

nath888 said:

... i would be gutted if Young goes, but like timmyrara says it comes down to business and if we can sell young for 25mil and get delph or the Mesut Ozil, who look like real gems for the future, sell them on for 20 - 25 mill in a few years. Then we're onto something. Carew on the other hand cannot go!!! His charcater and experience is what we need.

Comment 88, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.17 pm

Keith said:

... ak_27 It was effective because we were winning games.

Comment 89, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.17 pm

ak_27 said:

... Damien/Vivavilla I think City will play Barry in his best CM role which is the def mid role. I think they will get more from him as he will be surrounded by more technically gifted players and i can see Ireland being very effective with him going box to box.

Comment 90, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.19 pm

Peter Dragoonis said:

... "we will be going back a year" Im afraid i diasgree Damian. If we sell Young and replace him with Downing will regress much more than that on the playing field. But its the damaage it will do to the club. We will then have lost our 3 best players in one summer. One was unfortunate (Laursen), but the club will have sold the other two. I dont think the fans would believe anything the club says about ambition again.

Comment 91, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.19 pm

Keith said:

... Damian & vivavilla Martin O'Neill, Rafa Benitez, Mark Hughes, Harry Redknapp & Fabio Capello disagree with you.

Comment 92, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.19 pm

Mowgs said:

... Barry was a class above. He always seems to have an extra second on the ball. That's because he understands how to engineer space. That coupled with his composure and passing made him our best player over the past two seasons. Another thing that people always forget about the guy is his fitness. He will go on to surpass Gary Speed's Prem appearance record because he simply never misses games. That counts for a hell of a lot in my eyes.

Comment 93, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.20 pm

Keith said:

... Adebayor to Man City !!??

Comment 94, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.23 pm

ak_27 said:

... It was effective also because lady luck was majorly on our side for a few months there as well.

Comment 95, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.26 pm

RayK said:

... I should also add that I don't find the posts on here dull, just that I wish we could all talk with excitement about new signings, how that means we're likely to play next season and all of that good stuff rather than searching around for scraps of information about possible signings.

Comment 96, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.33 pm

Keith said:

... There were games we were very lucky and games we were unlucky, but do not confuse having far less possession than the opposition as being outplayed. When we got the ball we attacked very quickly and direct, and we got good results. The problems we had was no plan B at home when teams didn't attack as much and we couldn't break them down. That is why if we sign a "lock picker" for want of a better phrase then will be very happy.

Comment 97, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.35 pm

Billy7 said:

... Timmyrara, i agree about the business and Young's ambition, but we cannot afford to lose him after losing 2 other great players, he's under contract, he will still give his very best next season regardless of MON not letting him go as he'll want to get into the England squad. I wouldn't sell now for 30mil.

Comment 98, made on July 13, 2009 at 1.44 pm

ak_27 said:

... I agree that we were unlucky in a few home games but i would also like to think we would not have to put out a 5 man midfield at home to the likes of Wigan, Sunderland Stoke etc. But i still think that our inability to keep possession is the major obstacle in our progression up the league. Hopefully new players coming in will adress this but it has to be addressed. It is a major reason why we conceeded so many goals. If we give the oppossition the ball so much we have defend more. That is why Fulham have such a good defensive record. We wouldn't really sign any of their defenders other then Hangeland.

Comment 99, made on July 13, 2009 at 2.17 pm

Ciaranzo said:

... Damien, So O'leary got worse every year. Indeed he did, but by that simple reackoning then O'Neill has got better every year. Don't make things as simplistic as that, you know as well as everyone else the club's in a far better state and so is the team. I wasn't attacking you personally in my post, in fact i think most of your articles are very good. I was just trying to put a slightly optimisitc slant of things for a change. It's not too hard, go and try it for a change.

Comment 100, made on July 13, 2009 at 4.13 pm

Fingerscrossed said:

... With Ref to Billy 7, et al , its worth remembering that you need stars in your team, to fill seats, sell merchandise, get media attention etc, so people like ash who is an exciting player and a footballing galactico of the future, in fact he's the only one who you could say the team provides for the fans at the moment, these people are the selling points of the whole circus. Why do you think Real are paying the money for their Stars, because they know and they have actually said this will make money for them not cost them money. How about a bit of that for us then !

Comment 101, made on July 13, 2009 at 8.58 pm

David Tyler said:

... Damian, this is a quality post. I know you bracket slightly more under the PR banner than I do but like the first poster says (not you, Jason!) this is what most balanced fans see.

Comment 102, made on July 13, 2009 at 9.15 pm

ruffy said:

... Right thats it. Focus on the league. Cant read anymore. WHAT ABOUT GET ENOUGH PLAYERS SO YOU DONT HAVE TO FIELD WEAK TEAMS IN THE CUPS? Eh? The only competitions we can expect to win are the League Cup and the Uefa Cup (Europa League) Might as well throw the FA CUP if anything as realistically we aren't going to win it. Cant believe its July and even fans think its a good idea to chuck in the towel on our only chance of silverware.

Comment 103, made on July 14, 2009 at 9.49 am

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