Villa Signings and General Rumours Thread

Villain

Well now that we have a billionaire owner and a top class manager I think its time Villa had one of these threads.

So to get the ball rolling:

Villa are meant to be in for Petrov from Celtic, Gravesen from Real and Emerton from blackburn.

I'm sure there will be a lot more players linked now too.

Up the Villa

p.pete

Good luck with the thread

Magic Pips

I cant wait to hear the chants...

RANDY RANDY BASTARD....

(somebody more inventive take over here)

As for signings, i'd like to see us get 3 players, a CB, CMid and stiker.

My team at the mo:

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Sorenson

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-Cruz

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Mellberg

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Laursen

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Bouma---

---

McCann

---

---

Davis

---

Hendrie

---

Barry

---

---

Baros

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Moore

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I'd like to see Petrov come in, and graveson. Not sure about emerton...

I'd like to see us get rid of the wages of berger, Philips and Baros - when we have a replacement.

V1llianous

Magic Pips wrote:

My team at the mo:

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Sorenson

---

-Cruz

---

Mellberg

---

Laursen

---

Bouma---

---

McCann

---

---

Davis

---

Hendrie

---

Barry

---

---

Baros

---

Moore

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I'd like to see Petrov come in, and graveson. Not sure about emerton...

I'd like to see us get rid of the wages of berger, Philips and Baros - when we have a replacement.

Slight problem with the Line Up as De La Cruz is no longer a Villa player as he left when his contract expired in the summer. There was an offer from O'Leary for him to stay on at his current conditions but he declined, he reckoned he would have a host of clubs after him after the World Cup.

Saying that we need another decent playmaker (along with Davis) so Petrov yes, we also need a right midfielder / winger - not sure who, initially thought Malbranque but he's a bit moody and won't even have the op to fix his injury. Also another top striker would be great.

Magic Pips

damn it... i thought he'd leave, but he had a good WC

Big Nelly

Magic Pips wrote:

damn it... i thought he'd leave, but he had a good WC

Who??

p.pete

Big Nelly wrote:

Who??

De La Cruz

wynters

De La Cruz is still a Villa player. He's not good enough though....

If O'Neill is going to play his preferred 3-5-2, then we definitely need a central midfielder or two to help Davis, a right winger, and a new keeper wouldn't go astray either. Sorensen is a good shot-stopper, but he's very indecisive. His instincts are good, but his decision making is terrible.

Villain

Gravesen seems to favour Newcastle, if the quotes in the media are to be believed.

Perhaps Hargreaves is still a target, he would be a nice signing.

shoutman

Hargreaves would be an excellent signing, do you really think he would choose villa park above some of his other prospective suitors.

I would say that if he were to move, villa would only be one of the many english clubs after his signature.

He did have a very good world cup.

wynters

Apparently O'Neill will sign a new contract with the new owners.

O'Neill only signed the 12 month rolling contract as a precautionary measure for as long as Ellis was in charge, but O'Neill had already met and agreed a long term contract with Lerner prior to taking charge under Ellis.

JPA

Magic Pips wrote:

I cant wait to hear the chants...

RANDY RANDY BASTARD....

(somebody more inventive take over here)

As for signings, i'd like to see us get 3 players, a CB, CMid and stiker.

My team at the mo:

---

Sorenson

---

-Cruz

---

Mellberg

---

Laursen

---

Bouma---

---

McCann

---

---

Davis

---

Hendrie

---

Barry

---

---

Baros

---

Moore

---

I'd like to see Petrov come in, and graveson. Not sure about emerton...

I'd like to see us get rid of the wages of berger, Philips and Baros - when we have a replacement.

We're not poor anymore remember. Phillips and Berger I agree, but Baros can be a good player for us.

shoutman

Well it looks like philips will be easily offloaded to Sunderland.
I can't see Martin having a place for him.

Sundy

wynters wrote:

De La Cruz is still a Villa player. He's not good enough though....
If O'Neill is going to play his preferred 3-5-2, then we definitely need a central midfielder or two to help Davis, a right winger, and a new keeper wouldn't go astray either. Sorensen is a good shot-stopper, but he's very indecisive. His instincts are good, but his decision making is terrible.

stop talking nonsense de la cruz left on a free, signed for someone else now too, cant remember who..

Why do u think he didnt feature in any of the pre-season games??

Lemlin

Hopefully Villa give Blackburn a few quid for Emerton. He's been linked with 'Boro already this Summer. He's been largely a waste of space at Blackburn, apart form the odd half decent game.

cournioni

I expect Villa to sign a few new quarterbacks...

Villain

Well it looks like Lerner may not have a done deal yet, another consortium AV06 led by a QC is set to launch a new bid of 70 million for the club and apparently once the bid is 5% higher than the last one approved the board have to consider it. AV06 have always believed they had the most money to bring to the Villa Park, this could get interesting yet.

p.pete

PORNAPSTER wrote:

I expect Villa to sign a few new quarterbacks...

What's the problem with quarterbacks anyway? they're generally the most skillful players on a football team

Sundy

irish1 wrote:

Well it looks like Lerner may not have a done deal yet, another consortium AV06 led by a QC is set to launch a new bid of 70 million for the club and apparently once the bid is 5% higher than the last one approved the board have to consider it. AV06 have always believed they had the most money to bring to the Villa Park, this could get interesting yet.

it could alrite but to be honest id prefer it to be a wrap as quickly as possible. hopefully the rest of the share holders (other than petchy and ellis) will sell to lerner within the 21 days. The club needs the satbility and more so the cash to bring in a few players before the window ends.

therecklessone

Magic Pips wrote:

My team at the mo:

---

Sorenson

---

-Cruz

---

Mellberg

---

Laursen

---

Bouma---

---

McCann

---

---

Davis

---

Hendrie

---

Barry

---

---

Baros

---

Moore

---

That midfield needs serious stengthening! I was impressed by what little I saw of Emerton at the WC, he's not done much at Blackburn but O'Neill might be the man to get something decent out of him. Wouldn't pay stupid money for him though, around the £1.5m mark.

Petrov and Gravesen would be great signings.

Villain

Warning for Lerner over Villa battle
The race to take over Aston Villa has taken a new twist after the man fronting a rival consortium vowed to continue to battle Randy Lerner.
Nicholas Padfield QC, a deputy high court judge, heads the AV06 group which is believed to be putting together a £70million offer - £7million more than the American billionaire's package which has already been recommended as the preferred option.

"This is by no means over," Padfield told The Independent.

""We are indefatigable in our efforts to secure the club because we have the club's interests at heart. We are not American, and want to fly the flag."

Padfield refused to name the people behind his consortium but stressed the money was on place, saying: "I'm not prepared to go into details but certainly we have billionaires."

The possibility remains Padfield's group could join forces with one of the two other interested parties - local businessman Michael Neville and a group of foreign investors represented by former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's agent Athole Still - to scupper Lerner's takeover.

Padfield said that "irrevocable undertakings" given to Lerner will become void if another bid of five per cent or more above Lerner's is made, meaning any offer over £66million will be given consideration.

A formal offer could be made next week and it is believed Padfield's group would guarantee an instant transfer kitty of £30million to Martin O'Neill during the August transfer window.

Taken from Teamtalk

Bounty Hunter

feels strange saying this buti didnt like hearing that the other consortium hadnt given up, that suggests villa may not be active in the Transfer market until January as takeover negotiations continue to slowley move along at Villa Park. this would leave us competing with are already tiny squad. However i expect a huge January from the Villans

also do Villa actually have a natural right winger since milner left? as a villa fan im finding it quite worrying that i cant find one within the squad

Villain

Martin O'Neill has stated yesterday that he won't have money from the new owner during this transfer window. He has money to spend under the PLC which is still in place but not a whole lot.

We badly need a right winger, hendrie is the only right sided midfielder we have. I would like to see Gabby out there, worth a shot or Luke.

Bounty Hunter

now reports claim that he (MON) has been making enquiries about players and may have only up to 3million to spend so is finding it hard to get talks for the quality he would like. onesuch report

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New Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill would like to take the Magpies winger James Milner back to the Midlands after last season’s loan spell and could tempt Newcastle with a £3million bid.

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we never did quite replace milner which is a sad state of affairs seing as he was a loan player and for 3million i think he would be a good young addition before the big cash injection and hopefully a Nice January after MON has got is players defending there way thru well

wynters

Birmingam papers and radio are reporting that we've made approaches for Gravesen and Anelka.

Scottish newspapers are reporting that Petrov has played his last game for Celtic. He was left out of the Celtic squad today over an alleged calf-injury. Milan Mandaric confirmed on local radio that Portsmouth are talking to Celtic about Petrov too.

Kevin Phillips will be sold to Sunderland on Tuesday aswell apparently.

mirwillbeback

wynters wrote:

Birmingam papers and radio are reporting that we've made approaches for Gravesen and Anelka.

Scottish newspapers are reporting that Petrov has played his last game for Celtic. He was left out of the Celtic squad today over an alleged calf-injury. Milan Mandaric confirmed on local radio that Portsmouth are talking to Celtic about Petrov too.

Kevin Phillips will be sold to Sunderland on Tuesday aswell apparently.

Gravesen yes, Anelka please no. Dont need another unsettling infuence at Villa. Petrov would be ok, but hopefully this time next year we can be attracting bigger players than we have been.

As for Phillips, he is old and tender now, but he always strikes me as someone who tried all the time, unlike about 7 i could mention from last season. And the signing of Berger was a joke at the time and what has happened since only re-enforces that. He was injury prone when he was 23!

wynters

Talks with Madrid to sign Gravesen are at an advanced stage apparently.

Todays Daily Express reports same.

Villain

Former Celtic player Didier Agathe will be training with the Villa squad this week with a view to a free transfer!

We have apparently accepted bids from West Brom and Sunderland for Phillips.

observer

wynters wrote:

Talks with Madrid to sign Gravesen are at an advanced stage apparently.

Todays Daily Express reports same.

i watched the game on saturday with a constant smile on my face as a new look villa showed that even without funds they are going to be a very hard team to take points off! gabby was great on the right. luke moore was poor but what i wonder is that although graveson will be a good signing. we have quite a few center midfielders already with mcgann and davis!

would love petrov, i think the scotish league makes players look way better than they are but this guy is good!

anelka is a good joke!

milner is a must buy if newcastle are willing to sell! he was Villa's player of the season last year and wants to play for the club! that was with DOL in charge! now we have MON!!!!

wynters

We're back in for Milner too by the looks of things....

Birmingham Express & Star

O'Neill puts Milner top of list

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has targeted a dramatic return for James Milner after being forced to wait for Stilian Petrov until January.

Celtic midfielder Petrov remains O'Neill's No 1 target, but reports north of the border indicate they are prepared to hold on to him after raising the asking price to £7m.

O'Neill has £5m-£7m to spend before the takeover money materialises after the transfer window closes.

Villa currently have no natural wide right player and O'Neill wants pace down both flanks. He is now keen to transfer his interest to recruiting wide players, and Newcastle winger Milner fits the bill.

O'Neill, who plans to play him wide left, can sign Milner for £3m and will still have money to bring in Blackburn's £1.5m-rated Brett Emerton to play down the right.

Milner, 20, spent last season on loan at Villa and forged friendships with Steven Davis and Liam Ridgewell. The England under-21 international was believed to favour a move to Villa Park in the summer before he was given a fresh chance under new Magpies boss Glenn Roeder.

But it now appears he could be available again and could become the first signing for O'Neill, who looks like having to wait until January to land Petrov.

Villa have joined a three-way race with Celtic and Newcastle to sign Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen. Danish sources have confirmed Villa are one of three clubs with a strong interest in the former Everton star. But although Celtic's Champions' League qualification makes them favourites, no-one has yet spoken to the Bernabeu giants, who want £2m for him.

V1llianous

Phillips has gone to the Baggies.
Dont fancy Niall Quinns chances of getting anyone now after their five losses if he cant even get his friends to come.

wynters

Apparently we're looking to sign Gravesen on loan for the time being with a view to a permanent deal in January when Villa's new owners are in place and we're in a better position to meet his wage demands.

Our interest in Malbranque is picking up aswell. Lots of talk of a £2.5m bid being lodged for him.

I hope something happens soon. The clock is ticking!!!

V1llianous

Berson has moved to Spanish club Levante - source Beeb

Magic Pips

really not sure about malbraque... unless we get him cheap enough and sell him on. he's got no loyalty!

I'd love to see a decent striker come in - afraid i cant see baros being +20 goals a season

Bounty Hunter

Lerner is to find out if his bid is the winning bid 2moro according to itvs teletext

wynters

Looks like we may get some of the big bucks before the deadline closes!!

Express & Star

Lerner nears Villa takeover

Randy Lerner should discover in the next 24 hours if the path is clear for him to become the new unopposed owner of Aston Villa.

American billionaire Lerner had his £62.6million offer accepted by Villa on August 14 and it was recommended for acceptance by shareholders.

Any rival consortium had to make an offer 5% higher than the Lerner bid by midnight on Thursday to disrupt the plans of the owner of NFL side Cleveland Browns.

But it is looking increasingly unlikely that any alternative offer will be put to Villa chairman Doug Ellis.

The consortia led by lifelong Villa fan Michael Neville and deputy judge Nicholas Padfield respectively had hopes of rivalling Lerner but there has been little sign of any movement from the two parties.

In effect it means that Ellis and Jack Petchey will be able to transfer their combined shareholding of 57% to Lerner by the weekend barring any late developments.

Significantly, Lerner has been closely liaising with new Villa manger Martin O'Neill, who throughout was the first choice of the American to succeed David O'Leary.

Funds will be in place to bring in new signings although O'Neill will have to work fast to strengthen his squad with the transfer window closing on August 31.

Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov has been the main target although Celtic has been reluctant to sell despite the Bulgaria international intimating that he wants a new challenge.

Another ex-Parkhead player, defender Didier Agathe, is currently on trial at Villa.

The necessity to bring in new faces has increased with the sale of midfielder Mathieu Berson and striker Kevin Phillips in the past 24 hours.

V1llianous

No other bid came in so Lerner now has an official majority in Villa.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/5284528.stm

Even though it is great to have him on board, I hope he doesn't take the club private - I would have to sell my share.

JPA

Bye Bye Ellis. Good Riddance.

kinaldo

Can't wait to see Duff and Martins tear into Villa on Sunday, should be a cracking game with O'Neill turning things around for u guys. Hands off Milner! Ok with Luque, Duff, Solano and N'Zogbia we probably have enough wingers to cope without him and he'll find it difficult to get into the team anyway, but I really rate the guy and would hate to see him go. He was unlucky last night not to score - struck an almighty free kick which smashed the underside of the crossbar. If you're gonna poach Milner from us again at least let us have Gravesson.

Nalz

Villa fans - Im delighted for you lot. You now have money and a manager that will spend it wisely.

best of luck to you lot...hopefully you'll be back in the top 6 where you belong.

Milner and Grav would be good signings, but another striker is needed.

JPA

kinaldo wrote:

Can't wait to see Duff and Martins tear into Villa on Sunday, should be a cracking game with O'Neill turning things around for u guys. Hands off Milner! Ok with Luque, Duff, Solano and N'Zogbia we probably have enough wingers to cope without him and he'll find it difficult to get into the team anyway, but I really rate the guy and would hate to see him go. He was unlucky last night not to score - struck an almighty free kick which smashed the underside of the crossbar. If you're gonna poach Milner from us again at least let us have Gravesson.

Aside from Duff I'd say Milner is your second best winger. I don't know why he doesn't get his game. We'll take him back in a second.

kinaldo

JPA wrote:

Aside from Duff I'd say Milner is your second best winger.

Hmmm... no. We do have quality wingers though.

JPA

kinaldo wrote:

Hmmm... no. We do have quality wingers though.

Solano: Too old
Luque: Just crap
N'Zogbia: Good but I'd have Milner ahead of him.

kinaldo

JPA wrote:

Solano: Too old
Luque: Just crap
N'Zogbia: Good but I'd have Milner ahead of him.

Solano: Still class.

Luque: Injured most of last season and has only played a handful of games since he joined, often out of position, but has looked good. Unfairly treated by Roeder and the press. When he's good he's world class.

N'Zogbia: Each time I see him he just gets better and better. HAs everything u could want in a winger and still only a teenager.

Edit: Zoggy turned 20 about 3 months ago

Villain

Umm did someone change the title and put Newcastle in instead of Villa?

Milner wants to come AFAIK so hopefully he'll sign. Lerner has almost 60% of shares now so things are moving along nicely but we won't have huge funds available until January.

IMO we need a first choice CB, Creative CM, Right Winger, Left Winger and Striker. Then we need backup RB, RM, LM and CM oh a new Keeper would be nice.

kinaldo

irish1 wrote:

Umm did someone change the title and put Newcastle in instead of Villa?

You're right, there should be a Villa vs Ncastle thread!

V1llianous

It will be interesting to see if Milner plays in this game. He started in the week in the European match but didn't start in their only Premiership game so far.

Necronomicon

V1llianous wrote:

It will be interesting to see if Milner plays in this game. He started in the week in the European match but didn't start in their only Premiership game so far.

He can't start, he's still a Newcastle player right?

Töpher

Necromomicon wrote:

He can't start, he's still a Newcastle player right?

Yes, and he's playing FOR Newcastle...

V1llianous

Einst&#252 wrote: »

Yes, and he's playing FOR Newcastle...

my point was that if he plays it prob means he will be staying whereas if he doesnt some movement towards his transfer is probably happening.

Töpher

I was referring to Necromomicon's post, where the impression was given that he thought Milner was still at Villa on loan.