Aston Villa Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Savman

I never paid attention in History class so the innuendo is lost on me there bud

Bounty Hunter

Savman wrote: »

I never paid attention in History class so the innuendo is lost on me there bud

Germany underestimated how tough it would be away in Russia and decided to have a two front war and invaded france also. They lost the war in Russia

invincibleirish

I'm sorry Savman i liked history:D

Neil3030

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

Germany underestimated how tough it would be away in Russia and decided to have a two front war and invaded france also. They lost the war in Russia

Too bad we didn't draw Marseille...

wynters

Hahahaha!

matrim

in fairness, our main problem for this match is the midfield. Sidwell is good but off form and osborne isn't good enough to marshall the midfield as a dm should, and gardner isn't a dm. If we take a chance with a couple of the younger players like bannon (sp?) we might just make it through.

Neil3030

Gardner is probably the closest thing we'd have to a commanding DM going to moscow. Maybe him and Sidwell in the middle, with Bannon and Salifou on the flanks?

One Cold Hand

Update on Bouma (apologies if it's been already posted):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/7906243.stm

Bouma closes in on Villa comeback

Aston Villa defender Wilfred Bouma is close to making a return for the club after a six-month lay-off.

The 30-year-old has pencilled in a reserve-team clash with Chelsea on 2 March to make his comeback.

He had originally planned to turn out for the second string against Arsenal on 16 February, but withdrew on the morning of the game with a sore leg.

The Netherlands international dislocated his ankle in July's 1-0 Intertoto Cup win over Odense.

Manager Martin O'Neill confirmed that Bouma will miss out on Thursday's Uefa Cup second leg against CSKA Moscow as he eases back into action.

In Bouma's absence, Nicky Shorey, Luke Young and Carlos Cuellar have deputised in the left-back slot as Villa have launched a sustained challenge for a Champions League spot.

There will be more reorganisation to be done ahead of Thursday's visit to Luzhniki Stadium, as Cuellar and Nigel Reo-Coker are both ruled out for with hamstring problems.

The tie is finely poised after John Carew's header cancelled out Wagner Love's solo effort at Villa Park to level the scores at 1-1 heading into the second match.

JPA

MON is like Hitler, but smarter.

matrim

Neil3030 wrote: »

Gardner is probably the closest thing we'd have to a commanding DM going to moscow. Maybe him and Sidwell in the middle, with Bannon and Salifou on the flanks?

Gardner and Sidwell, isn't a bad midfield but maybe a bit lightweight.

Samurai

very poor midfield imo, id really like to get a look at this bannan kid, all ive seen of him was in that group game earlier and he didnt put a foot wrong and looked to have a lovely touch, he does seem very lightweight and fragile though but so fabregas!

MementoMori

Not to get too far ahead of things but that squad list for the CSKA match did set me thinking along the lines of what will happen in the summer regarding building/developing the squad assuming Villa get fourth spot?

There's not much point in qualifying for the Champions League if you can't at least put out a fairly strong team, but I also can't see there being much benefit in putting out a team that jepordises your position in the league. The format of the UEFA Cup has made things slightly easier for MON this season with the whole 3 for 5 qualifiying from the group thing.

Although MON did well this summer in the transfer market, I would be of the opinion that if Villa want to push on and legitamately make the big four into the big five that there would have to be an equivalent or greater effort made in terms of increasing the squad in terms of quality and quantity. So with that in mind how many players (net) do people think will be added to the squad in the summer? Where are the areas that you feel that additions should be made and are there any players in particular you'd like to see in?

Also how do you think this change in the nature of the squad how do you think that will effect things? i.e. will MON suddenly become a Tinkerman rotating his team every week or what?

At the moment it looks like midfield would be the focus but in general trading up in all areas would be a positive. Also the defence is looking a bit aged, Davies aside, so might not be a bad idea to start doing some forward planning there. In general a fair few of the better quality players are pushing on, with all the problems that brings - ie in two years and a half years how many of Friedel, Laursen, Bouma, Young, Shorey, Knight, Barry, Petrov, Carew and Heskey will be there? That's nearly a full eleven there. Some of them will still be there but you'd have to expect the majority will not. Might be a bit early bit but surely something to be considered when looking ahead.

I've bolded the players who are imo decent enough to remain in the squad for next year - probably been a bit generous with one or two e.g. Knight, Shorey, Gardner and I don't know very much about the fringe/younger players so I don't know if there are any worth keeping around Delfounso aside. However very few of them have made more than cameo-type appearances and I can't see them jumping straight into competion for a first-team place.

Also does anyone else think the recent slump in form might be down to fatigue? There are a core of players who have played a lot of football with very little/or no rotation being practised by MON. Pretty much the only changes MON makes are as a result of injuries - Only 18 players used in the league to date and of these it seems a lot of the players with the most game time are among the older players apart from Gabby, Ashley Young, Milner, and NRC.

Current Villa Squad - Ages after

1 GK Brad Friedel
22 GK Brad Guzan
13 GK Stuart Taylor

5 DF Martin Laursen (captain) 31
3 DF Wilfred Bouma 30
2 DF Luke Young 29
15 DF Curtis Davies 23
21 DF Nicky Shorey 28
24 DF Carlos Cuéllar 27
16 DF Zat Knight 28
29 DF Stephen O'Halloran
47 DF Ciaran Clark
48 DF Nathan Baker

4 MF Steve Sidwell 26
6 MF Gareth Barry (vice-captain) 28
7 MF Ashley Young 23
8 MF James Milner 23
19 MF Stiliyan Petrov 29
20 MF Nigel Reo-Coker (vice-captain) 24
26 MF Craig Gardner 22
17 MF Moustapha Salifou 25
27 MF Isaiah Osbourne
45 MF Marc Albrighton
46 MF Barry Bannan
49 MF Chris Herd
51 MF Shane Lowry


10 FW John Carew 29
11 FW Gabriel Agbonlahor 22
14 FW Nathan Delfouneso 18
18 FW Emile Heskey 31
9 FW Marlon Harewood 29

Savman

IF we make CL, expect to see MON go back for some of his old targets with his great big cherry picker.

JPA

Whatever you think, MON knows more.
He knows what we lack, he knows what we need, he plays to our strengths.
I have to say I have almost 100% faith in O'Neill.

wynters

Where we finish will have a massive impact on the type of player we can attract. If we're CL next season, I think we'll need improving in all areas of the team - from back to front - and knowing O'Neill's fondness for domestic players who can cope with the PL from the off, then I think realistically you're talking about the best players from other non-CL Premiership teams i.e. Micah Richards, Lescott, Arteta, Tim Cahill, etc. that sort... or players from the 'Big-4' sides who aren't regulars - Chelsea/United/Arsenal squad players. Maybe Alex or an Anderson or someone like that...

If we're UEFA Cup again then Barry will buy himself out of his contract and leave. In that case then attracting top players will be more difficult and we might have to buy from the continent to get value for money.

Savman

JPA wrote: »

Whatever you think, MON knows more.
He knows what we lack, he knows what we need, he plays to our strengths.
I have to say I have almost 100% faith in O'Neill.

Good to have you on Boards, General.

villains77

the villa gmae is on live in murrays (frazers) on oconnell st if anybody can make it. usually show the villa pl games aswell.

shoutman

Its on Setanta so will be on in a nicer place then Murrays. I'll probably watch it in the duke or somewhere closer to the liffey.

DSB

DSB wrote: »

I think its a disgrace that Villa have left those players at home. Having said that at 5/1 I think Villa are excellent value

Guzan
Young
Shorey
Davies
Knight
Gardner
Sidwell
Osbourne
Salifou
Carew
Delfouneso

Do I view that team to be as far out as 5/1 to beat CSKA Moscow? Hell no. Do I fancy CSKA Moscow to win, probably, but at those odds Villa are too good for a bet. Sticking a 100 euro double on them and Bayern.

Part 1, sorted, cmon the Villa.

Savman

lol @ MON's interview from Moscow, looks like a wee elf :D

In other news, some fairly complimentary words from the opposition manager:

Zico wrote:

"Sometimes you have to choose, to make the right choice, and the priority for Aston Villa is the chance to play in the Champions League.
"It is happening this season for them, so this is the season that must be respected.
"He [O'Neill] is with his players every day, so he'll know whether they are tired, fatigued, and this is very important.
"But for us, the most important thing is that we are playing Aston Villa, not the names, and they must be respected because they are a great team.
"Just because their best players are at home, that does not make it any easier for us, not at all. There is no easy game, especially in the Uefa Cup.
"If a player is at Aston Villa it is because he has a lot of talent and ability.

I always like Brazilians :pac:

Neil3030

Savman wrote: »

lol @ MON's interview from Moscow, looks like a wee elf :D

LOL alright. I was listening to Chinese Democracy watching it so it was made all the more amusing by having a wanky guitar solo fire away in the background!

jesus_thats_gre

JPA wrote: »

Whatever you think, MON knows more.
He knows what we lack, he knows what we need, he plays to our strengths.
I have to say I have almost 100% faith in O'Neill.

It is a great feeling alright...

just wait until countless bitter ****ers try to rain on your parade all day every day

Doodee

I have to goto Milano's for dinner tonight so won't get to watch this game (Unless we get a table facing Fitzsimons).

Whatever happens, I hope that it gives these youngsters experience and a hunger for the competitive game

L'prof

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

It is a great feeling alright...

just wait until countless bitter ****ers try to rain on your parade all day every day

He's not Rafa!!!

mirwillbeback

Doodee wrote: »

I have to goto Milano's for dinner tonight so won't get to watch this game (Unless we get a table facing Fitzsimons).

Whatever happens, I hope that it gives these youngsters experience and a hunger for the competitive game

I hear yer man who owns Milano's is a Birmingham nut and he pisses in the beer of all Villa fans.

Enjoy your night.

Bounty Hunter

jasonorr wrote: »

He's not Rafa!!!

He's Better!

L'prof

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

He's Better!

Post that in the Liverpool thread! Go on, for the craic :P

Don't really though!

Bounty Hunter

jasonorr wrote: »

Post that in the Liverpool thread! Go on, for the craic :P

Don't really though!

lol, knew someone would have to respond to that, dont think I will (im welcome in there atm) though :pac:

L'prof

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

lol, knew someone would have to respond to that, dont think I will (im welcome in there atm) though :pac:

I wouldn't advise it, it's a very hostile thread!

Villa kick off at 5 this evening?

Savman

Last time I ventured into the Liverpool thread I came out missing socks, they just can't help themselves them Scousers.

5pm KO today, Come on you Villa reserves :D

Bounty Hunter

yeah early kick off toight and cos of a mix up in negotiations it cant be seen on UK tv although Setanta are showing it everywhere else

L'prof

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

yeah early kick off toight and cos of a mix up in negotiations it cant be seen on UK tv although Setanta are showing it everywhere else

Setanta Ireland so?

Bounty Hunter

probably, Im in London atm so will be watching via a stream of Setanta, if anyone else is doing the same later and posts one itd be much appreciated of course

L'prof

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

probably, Im in London atm so will be watching via a stream of Setanta, if anyone else is doing the same later and posts one itd be much appreciated of course

Should be one here and here's the link to the main page, it might have more links later. Links are usually good quality and usually in English!

invincibleirish

http://www.iraqgoals.com/en/ should have it also

Savman

invincibleirish wrote: »

http://www.iraqgoals.com/en/ should have it also

:eek: Infidel!

invincibleirish

No Carew in in the Squad how very interesting

Guzan; Young, Davies, Knight, Shorey; Sidwell, Salifou, Gardner, Albrighton, Bannan; Delfouneso

Taylor, Harewood, Osbourne, Lichaj, Clark, Lowry

invincibleirish

Savman wrote: »

:eek: Infidel!

Can't afford Setanta or illegal box to hack it!

Helix

im pretty happy with that team considering what we brough

Helix

invincibleirish wrote: »

Can't afford Setanta or illegal box to hack it!

http://www.atdhe.net/

Bounty Hunter

invincibleirish wrote: »

No Carew in in the Squad how very interesting

Guzan; Young, Davies, Knight, Shorey; Sidwell, Salifou, Gardner, Albrighton, Bannan; Delfouneso

Taylor, Harewood, Osbourne, Lichaj, Clark, Lowry

that defense will have to be at theivery very best if they are to stand a chance out their as midfield and upfront doesent inspire huge amounts of confidence although it does include players that i really wanna see play and hopefully surprise me with their quality.

Will be great to see Bannon, Delfouneso & Albrighton tested against such good opposition for example.

Gotta assume Carew isnt 100% injury/fitness wise too cos otherwise why
travel, altho id still be happy that they atleast had such an experienced player to talk to on this trip.

Helix

id assume carew took a knock in training over there, since we only named 6 subs

V1llianous

Big ask for The Fonz to lead the line.

Helix

carew is out with a back injury

nah_biy!

Helix wrote: »

carew is out with a back injury

ah bollix

Savman

HUGE game for the young fellers, show what they made of. Sidwell, don't let me down...

Helix

dunno really if its that big, nobodys expecting them to do anything

Savman

Helix wrote: »

dunno really if its that big, nobodys expecting them to do anything

Aye but without doubt the biggest fixture some of them have played in so I'd hope to see some real hunger from the unknowns.

Should be no fear for them.

Bounty Hunter

fairly positive so far, i could imagine this crowd getting anxious and maybe turning a bit on the home side despite the away goal if they dont score for ages.

I really like the Fonz the more i see of em

Helix

no support for fonz up top at the minute, but i think as the game goes on bannan and albrighton will start advancing a bit