04 Aug 2021 18:43:26
Danny Ings :-) Now let's keep spending boys! going to be a fun few weeks!


1.) 04 Aug 2021
04 Aug 2021 18:52:17
That is one out of nowhere. No rumours, no pundit quoting “I’ve heard”, no “in the know”. Just straight in. Like a deadline day signing weeks before the deadline. Great signing.


2.) 04 Aug 2021
04 Aug 2021 19:00:53
Now for Lingard and Martial.


3.) 04 Aug 2021
04 Aug 2021 19:15:36
Best thing about it Trinity, no one had a clue! So professional from the top down now at Villa!


4.) 04 Aug 2021
04 Aug 2021 19:19:39
I have literally in the past 10 mins been told that Axel is on his way deffo, but accompanied by Daniel James, Axel loan, James bought, personally I think he’s a headless chicken so I hope my mate’s full of it lol 😂

UTV.

{Ed014's Note - Dan James from United is absolute pony so I’m hoping they keep him and it’s not true!


5.) 04 Aug 2021
04 Aug 2021 19:39:21
Chris, you’re spot on. A signing like they use to be. No leak, no fuss, just done. Great to see Sky and Talksport taken completely by surprise.
£30m? A bit steep or about right?


6.) 04 Aug 2021
04 Aug 2021 19:59:07
I’ve heard it’s 25 with 5 in add ons, so if it gets to 30 he will have done something significant to get the price to 30. I’d say it’s a good deal for both sides, we get the best goal scorer outside the top 6, they get decent money for a player they could potentially lose for free if he dug his heels in.


7.) 04 Aug 2021
04 Aug 2021 20:30:02
I wondered where he would end up going, great buy, good luck in the new season.


8.) 04 Aug 2021
04 Aug 2021 19:37:46
My thoughts too Ed, same guy told me Curtis Jones a few days ago too, not keen on that 1 either

UTV.

{Ed014's Note - Curtis Jones from Liverpool? I’d be surprised if they let him go.


9.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 18:14:42
Curtis Jones is a good shout. However, unless the scousers want the cash for their own target, I agree that he could be out of reach.

Fulham’s Zambo Anguissa’s name has cropped up again. I saw a report the club are reluctant to lose him, but have a £20M target in mind if forced to consider a release. Roma are also interested (also linked to El Ghazi) .

Now we have most of our additions, I wonder if there will be a few departures (e. g. AEG, Hourihane and big Wes)?


10.) 06 Aug 2021
06 Aug 2021 23:09:07
I am sure Smith and Lange are taking stock with how the squad is shaping up. You can be forgiven for applauding every new offensive player that may fill the void left by the floppy haired one. However, how our we stacking up in terms of team balance?

If we opt to accommodate Buendia, Bailey, Watkins and Ings, how do we field sufficient strength behind them? Is a combination of two from McGinn, Luiz, Sanson and Nakamba going to cut the mustard? If not, what can we do to address this? A tricky one.


11.) 07 Aug 2021
07 Aug 2021 07:01:13
AJ those players mentioned, with the exception of Bailey who's an unknown quantity, have one thing in common-workrate. As seems to be the new mantra- defend from the front. I think we'll be fine. We all know McGinn doesn't stop running and Nakamba can provide the defensive shield. Luiz can do the job too plus Sansom, when fit has similar attributes as McGinn. I believe Beundia will be the link between midfield and attack but with so many useful options up front I feel we'll retain the ball a lot better this season. Only time will tell and it may take a while for it all to come together but I'm optimistic for the season ahead.


12.) 07 Aug 2021
07 Aug 2021 08:25:36
I agree with you, Moose, in regard to Buendia’s likely role. The Nakamba/ McGinn combination fits the high energy philosophy better than one including Luiz, who has been disappointing, despite a promising start. Both Sanson and, I agree, Bailey are difficult performers to judge, at least at this stage. The latter looks to be the maverick in the pack potentially.

It wouldn’t be beyond the realms of Smith to plan to play something along the lines of a 4-2-1-3 with Buendia playing behind Watkins, Ings and Bailey. Perhaps not always the set up in the tougher games, but still as a frequent arrangement.


13.) 07 Aug 2021
07 Aug 2021 10:26:14
I'm hoping that those front 4 will be extremely interchangeable and offer us more flexibility with formations and also keep the opposition guessing.


14.) 07 Aug 2021
07 Aug 2021 21:27:50
I agree. Going to be a fluid front 3/ 4 with an exciting array of options to choose from.

We still need to replace Engels (probably going to be Axel returning), and I think we could do with a higher quality back up keeper than Jed.

Then we need something in midfield. A more complete defensive midfielder than Nakamba. Anguissa would be great (his performance metrics last season were superb), and maybe even be a better option than the more expensive Bissouma (odds on him coming have shortened dramatically) .

I think we still need a naturally left sided attacker too. To upgrade on Anwar. For me, he’s pretty much at his ceiling, and his game would be better suited to a slower paced league where he’s afforded more time and space. He’d do bits for Roma, if that move pans out. Cantwell seems less likely now, but he’d be a good option. or I’d definitely take Damsgaard.