Aston Villa Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours/Champions League Thread 2024/25

Very well for the first few months, which to be fair is all we’re signing him for here. If he can improve fortunes until May, while Gerrard has time to continue to bed in his project, then it’s no bad thing.

Lingard at West Ham didn’t go too badly last year and they’ve coped pretty well without him.

Id have similar concerns...but he seems to have a decent attitude from bits Ive read so if its a loan to begin with, im happy enough!

6 month loan to see how he does option to buy of good - seems a good deal.

Still pushes someone developing like Ramsey, Buendia, Carney or Bailey down the playing list

But if he can reclaim his Pool glory days, its still a win

If Phil is anywhere near his Liverpool days you lads are in for a treat,

Even if he not & your drawing a game against the lesser sides & have Phil he can win them games with moments of magic,

Gerrard won't take anyone not putting it & Phil will know that already, So he must be coming with the mindset to work hard and reignite his career

I can't see an down side to this ,

Looks like there is an option to buy at the end of the loan for €40m.

Most high profile player to join us since?

Really raises the profile of the club around the world.

Hope this works out

The Coutinho move is huge, as said it raises the profile of the club but even more important is if it works out. If Coutinho finds his form and club do well then Villa becomes a very attractive option for players of similar quality looking to revive their careers.

Bissouma has a sexual assault/rape case against him at the moment so I doubt any club will move for him until the matter has been dealt with.

I doubt Bissouma would be playing with charges hanging over him. Normally players don't play with those type of charges active.

He's innocent until proven guilty so his current club are right to play him.

Any interested club would err on the side of caution before paying the £50m rumoured asking price though in case he is found guilty.

He was probably the second best LB in the league two years ago behind Robertson. Was pretty poor for the last 18 months though.

The way ye play should suit him more so I'd imagine he'll reclaim some of his previous form.

Assuming it is Digne, himself and Coutinho would know each other from their Barcelona days.

Coutinho joined in January 2018 and Digne left in August 2018, played just under 30 times for the club.

It's in line with how Villa do business these days.

If they want someone, it seems it rarely gets dragged out.

Signed, sealed and delivered with impressive speed. No haggling over half a mill like we did with Robbie Keane or whatever the amount was with Juninho that time.

Is Couthino in tonight's squad are has the game come a little early ?

I think it’s a strategic move to increase our position in the market. Get what is needed to make it into top 8 and then you’re in a better position to sign the young players you want to keep you there for the medium to long term. You want to be thinking about the future but the present is important too.

Attacking line up from Villa. Ings, Watkins and Buendia all start.

Very young bench.

Free ball. To do what he liked there.

Vila are very passive here need to come out and ve a little more forceful and aggressive

We've been ok, but we have been sloppy at times in possession in midfield. We've had chances. I don't think we deserve to be behind. But Buendia and Luiz both look frustrated now. Stevie needs to get them into the dressing room.

Buendia is really a liability.

For every lovely moment on the ball, he will have given the ball away in dangerous positions 4 times.

Steve g needs to drop him ASAP, he is the biggest issue with this team.