Villa Signings and General Rumours Thread

eirebhoy

invincibleirish wrote: »

he has shown nothing at villa.

Not the opinion I've been getting from other Villa fans.

invincibleirish wrote:

he is working with the manager who was in charge when he played well at celtic.

No he's not...

All this talk about only playing well against crap opposition is bullshít. I've been a Celtic fan for long enough to know that it is as easy to judge a player playing for Celtic as it is for Villa or Barcelona.

eirebhoy

Villain wrote: »

His performances have proved he is not a "class" PL player, so eirebhoy I hope he goes back to Celtic and your love affair can live on because tbh its getting a little sad that every time he is mentioned in this thread you jump to proclaim Maloney is class when he obviously isn't.

When someone says that Maloney is not good enough for Villa it's pretty hard not to reply when you rate him as highly as me. One thing I'm confident of is you'll be proved wrong eventually so I'll always stick up for him.

Finally, have you not noticed that I'm not backing Petrov who was more of a success at Celtic than Maloney? At least that should give me a bit of credibility when you talk about the standard of opposition in SPL.

DSB

Helix wrote: »

quaresma from porto linked today

cant see it happening but itd be nice

Wow, that would be amazing. Would be very surprised myself though.

Villain

You keep saying Maloney will prove himself but its taken too long and he will be shipped off, I liked Maoney and I was happy when he signed but you can only wait so long for a player to prove his worth. Compared Ashley Young he is far from class.

eirebhoy

In fairness, I said he'll prove himself if given the chance. He hasn't got the chance. He has 1 league start this season.

You don't really know if he's as good or better than Young. At least I don't as I haven't seen enough of Young and I presume the same goes for yourself with Maloney. Young has has had 17 straight starts for Villa. I'd expect Maloney to be really making a name for himself in the premiership if he got that chance.

And there's no denying he hasn't got the chance. O'Neill was more than fair with Petrov.

It's also interesting to not that Young has been fouled 48 times this season compared to Maloney's 3. His game is much more about passing than taking players on like Young so isn't likely to set the world alight when coming off the bench.

Savman

Whoah, calm down calm down. Nobody could or should be doubting Maloney's ability. FWIW I agree with eirebhoy in that a side like Villa wont attract any big name superstars until we're in the CL, or failing that UEFA cup at the very least.

Let's get one thing straight, Shaun Maloney has the potential to be really something special. However so far all we've seen is glimpses, and nothing more than the one thing he possess in abundance, potential. I can't say I blame MON for not playing him in his preferred position, he just hasn't really convinced he's worthy of a regular run in the side. You'll forgive us if we get tired with the same old excuse of him being homseick, ffs it's been a year already and it's not like he's a million miles from home. Petrov got absolutely slated for his below par performances while he struggled to adapt and settle in. I think the Villa fans have been very fair, patient and supportive of wee Shaun. But that only gets you so far, sometimes you have to cut your losses and accept that your greatest hidden talent may never truly find his feet at your beloved club. That's as frustrating for us as it is for eirebhoy to read criticisms of Maloney.

Maloney is a class act, no question, but he's never consistently produced it at a high level. Paradox?

I'll ****ing jump off a cliff if he moves on and turns into the player we all know he could be. Would love to see him find his form, but with the performances of Ashley Young on the left Maloney is no nearer the first 11 than he was 11 months ago. Hate to say it, but the best thing to happen now for Maloney would be for Young to get injured. Then the pressure would really be on because he'd have no excuses left. Obviously eirebhoy is confident Maloney would rise to such a challenge, I have to admit I'm not so sure.

Anyway, thanks for the input eirebhoy, nice to get and outside view because this thread can get a bit like groundhog day sometimes.

eirebhoy

No bother. I get a bit wound up when it comes to Maloney.

I just don't think there's any other position for Maloney but left midfield. Right midfield certainly doesn't suit at all. He scores plenty of goals. How does a right footer score 30 yard goals coming in from the right? Pretty tough. Most of the goals he sets up are through balls. Again, drifting in from the right the only way to play a top through ball with your right foot would be with the outside of your foot. Also playing on the left gives him much more options in terms of passes. If he's on the right and turns to face the play, the natural pass for him would be backwards. On the left the natural pass for him would be towards the forward.

Everything about his game just isn't suited to right midfield and the few glimpses I've seen of him this season have been in that position.

Savman

See this is the problem, MON has Agbonlahor who can play wide right or up front. He also has Young having a great season on the Left, but he can also play on the right or up front as needed. There's Gardner who's played CM, RW, RB and Petrov who has been RW & CM and at one stage even Reo Coker got sent out to RW. Accommodating Maloney doesn't seem to be on O Neill's agenda and he seems to be leaning toward players who can basically multitask. Maybe he didnt need to manage that way in SPL and it could be true the demands of the Premiership means every player should make themselves indispensable.

Ironic thing is, if Maloney could play RW effectively, he would be the unchallenged first choice.

Raekwon

I think Maloney is a great little player and was an absolute snip at £1m. He hasn't had the best of times at Villa Park so far and the Scottish media haven't really helped the situation by constantly linking him with a move back to Scotland. I personally think that he is an important player for Villa and we would be very foolish to let him leave after only one year at the club. He is one of our most creative players and he will add vital goals from midfield which we have severely lacked this season. Plus he seems to be abit of a deadball specialist and we haven't had one of them since Solano left

Anyway, the game tomorrow is a cruncher and one that we really have to win if we are to get some momentum going again after a short sticky patch. Man City haven't been good on the road this season but they are one of Villa's (many) bogey teams and they have won on their last three visits to Villa Park. The good news is that Petrov is back in contention after recovering from a hamstring injury so we should have a more solid look about us in the middle of the park. Curtis Davis is also pushing for a first team start (according to some reports) and I wouldn't mind to finally have a look at him at the expense of Zat Knight.

I'm going for an ambitious 3-1 win to Villa. I'm usually wrong but as long as we get all 3 points then I don't care about the score line.

Villain

Eirebhoy you know enough about soccer to know that you don't get to prove yourself on a saturday of sunday unless you have proved yourself in training. I think MON brought Maloney to Villa to play him but obviously he hasn't been impressing enough in training to warrant starting him in games.

Villa have what a lot of modern top class footballers want: Cash. One of the biggest problems at Villa for years has been the wage structure, we have been unwilling to pay the big wages for top class players, this won't change overnight but it should be moving in the right direction. I certainly think Villa should be able to compete with Man City, Everton, Spurs etc for signings, we have the money, the facilities and a top class manager, I think MON is building a team for a 5 year plan and won't risk splashing huge cash on seasoned pro's so he is going for potential like Young, NRC and Davies, all young players who aren't a huge risk in that they aren't on 100,000 a week and cost 20 million to buy.

We just need to be patient.

One Cold Hand

I'd to see MON try (for a full game), a midfield of Maloney on the left, Young on the right, and Barry and Petrov/NRC in the middle. We really need a second outlet on the wings. Young is definately more effective on the left, but I'm sure he could still produce on the right.

shoutman

1-1 at half time, Carew cancelling out Man City's opener, also there was some controversy as gabby may of had a good goal not given.

I'm following the updates here http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/premier-league/2007-2008/aston-villa-man-city-195663.html

Villain

NRC makes a mess up of 2 v 1 and Gabby misses one on one, ffs!

shoutman

It finishes 1-1. Bah humbug. That's two points in four games.

Villain

Well its sounds like we were all over them for the last 20 minutes but couldn't score, the club needs a 20+ goal striker Carew is good and Gabby is improving but need someone to kill off games like this.

shoutman

Agree totally, definately looks like MON is after a striker so hopefully by the end of january he will have got the right man.

Time Magazine

Super Shaun puts us 1-0 against Chelski.

Petrov not even in the squad?

Time Magazine

Get In! 2-0

Villain

2-1 Knight off for a PUSH!!!

Savman

Seems very harsh but if them's the rules so be it...

_blank_

Savman wrote: »

Seems very harsh but if them's the rules so be it...

Nah, rules are there to be discussed and debated, especially by players while they are on the pitch.

Raekwon

Shaun Maloney has been replaced by Curtis Davis.

Unearthly

Time to shut the shop

nervous 2nd half ahead

Unearthly

Well that worked :rolleyes:

Villain

2-2 Ffs

Raekwon

DSB

On the bright side Knight will be suspended now and someone else will get a chance.

Raekwon

Damn!

Chelsea 3 - 2 Villa (Alex 66)

Raekwon

3-3!

Laursen 72

What a game!

Raekwon

Ricardo Carvalho off! 10 vs 10 with 10 minutes to go!!

Come on Villa!!!

Raekwon

4-3

Ballack 88

Time Magazine

4-4!!

DSB

That is a result to be proud of. Such battlers Villa have.

Raekwon

4 - 4

Barry peno 92!

Raekwon

Ashley Cole got sent off for a deliberate handball in the box to hand Villa the lifeline.

Great result! Villa really seem to be Chelsea's bogey team over the years

A Dub in Glasgo

Can all the Maloney haters put a word in MON's ear to ship the young lad back up the M6 & M74?

Helix

i dont think ive ever seen a single maloney hater on here?

are you making things up to fit in with the usual "everyone on internets hates us poor celts"?

its eirebhoys constantly calling maloney the best player in the universe, ever that is generally met with derision

personally i think he NEEDS to be starting instead of petrov, every single match

Villain

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

Can all the Maloney haters put a word in MON's ear to ship the young lad back up the M6 & M74?

Can you put a word in Moloney's ear and let him know that Eirebhoy has a crush on him, oh and also tell him to grow up stop being homesick and start training and playing well and then the MON you love so much will play him

Savman

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

Can all the Maloney haters put a word in MON's ear to ship the young lad back up the M6 & M74?

Oh come on, nobody "hates" Maloney but he's quite obviously been struggling in the Premiership, we should know we do watch Villa every week :rolleyes:
2 goals today should do wonders for the guy, I was disappointed for him to be taken off at HT but I'd be fairly sure he'll be starting the next few games.

Trust me, we're all routing for him.

DSB

I think he needed to be taken off to be fair though. We couldn't afford the luxury of 2 attacking midfielders and he was never gonna be ahead of Young. Damn you Knight. This could be just the confidence boost he needs though yeah. 3 goals in about 75 minutes.

Time Magazine

Next up is a trip to Wigan so hopefully we can rest a few players (we'll be playing Spurs a few days later) and take the three points. I'd like to see Davies partnering Laursen at the back, Maloney on the wing, Petrov giving either NRC or Barry a rest and maybe a substitute appearance for Salifou.

Raekwon

I don't think that we can really afford to rest any players against Wigan on Saturday. Wigan are in abit of a purple patch at the moment and haven't lost at the JJB since the start of November. I think if MON uses his subs wisely then we will still be in good shape for the visit of Spurs and hopefully we can pick up maximum points against both teams.

eirebhoy

Did Maloney play up front yesterday?

Raekwon

Yes. He was playing up front alongside Carew while Agbonlahor dropped back to the right wing.

It also seems like he is finally settled at Villa

Clicky!

shoutman

Can anyone tell me has the Vila Pool match scheduled for the 19th of January definately been moved to Monday the 21st?

V1llianous

Yes it has - http://www.setanta.com/en/UK/Our-Sports/Football/Barclays-Premier-League/Fixtures-Barclays-Premier/

Seems from a Villa forum that the Monday night match was meant to be Chelsea but due to the Carling Cup semi on Wednesday it ain't gonna happen.

Quite a lot of Villa fans upset over it - heard of a group of lads travelling from Amsterdam for it - they will get a refund for the match tickets but nothing else.

One Cold Hand

ffs.
Titus Bramble of all people.

V1llianous

Davies equalises from a Barry corner - deflected in.

Bout time he did something useful has not been too solid in defence.

V1llianous

Gabby gets a second for Villa following a quick counter attack by Villa with Young getting the assist

One Cold Hand

V1llianous wrote: »

Gabby gets a second for Villa following a quick counter attack by Villa with Young getting the assist

Ahh thats better!
We're still conceeding a ridiculous number of early goals.