John

Townsend would be an outstanding signing but his wage demands and fee would sadly be way beyond us at the moment. Spurs would surely not be willing to sell him in any case. However, if they want him to get some games under his belt and would pay a fair chunk of his wages we could take him on loan just to help them out... I really cannot see this happening as either a buy or a loan.

If we had the money they would want for Deeney I would rather it be spent elsewhere. We tend to sign international players these days rather than players from the lower leagues particularly those who long for the bright lights, wit, wisdom and glamour of Small Heath!

I had expected them both to be given 45 minutes yesterday or for Bennett to have had the lion's share of the game. I can see that the jury may be still out as far as which of these two options would be the most reliable when looking to use one of them as cover for our new signing. It seems the manager may have either made his mind up or have wanted to have a proper look at Stevens yesterday before deciding which of the two to go for should that be a decision he has to make this weekend or later in the season. I myself had thought Bennett would have been more likely to have got the nod yesterday and more often than not when a choice between these two options in isolation is required.

Source: Player Match Ratings: More players than thrills against Parma!

Parma arrived at Villa Park with their season due to begin in three weeks time so we should have had a fitness edge over them although the pace at which the game was played did nothing to help demonstrate that. They finished last season sixth and we ended our season fifteenth but we are alike in one area we both have faced recent financial challenges. In their case this keeps them out of Europe this season and in our case our lack of financial support for the playing side threatens our place in the league. There was little to see yesterday for those who were at Villa Park because neither team really got out of first gear and each seemed content to go through the motions. The game ended in a predictable stalemate with both camps seemingly happy enough about that. Very little happened in a tame first half and although we might have pinched a win in stoppage time the second half will be remembered for the incredibly high number of home substitutions (10) and for how one of these illuminated proceedings. My player ratings from a game that too often resembled a training session are: Brad Guzan – 7 – Not a particularly busy day at the office but what he needed to do he did well enough. Gathered a scuffed shot from Palladino easily on 9 minutes and kept out a 26th minute Biabiany effort at his near post. Brad also took the ball from the feet of Palladino on 56 minutes when he looked odds on to poke the ball home. Alan Hutton – 7 – I had not expected to be giving him another rating in a Villa shirt but this may prove to be the first of many this season. He appears to have approached his departure from the bomb squad in which he had been languishing for so long with a surprisingly positive attitude. He showed determination and professionalism yesterday alongside an ability to get forward which if consistently matched with solid defending can make him an asset for us during this season rather than a drain on our balance sheet. Alan even found time to play a cheeky one-two off the corner flag on 70 minutes. Nathan Baker – 5 – Not as frequently tested as he would be had he been playing 45 minutes next rather than this weekend. But he still took the opportunity to gain a customary booking on 17 minutes following another wild and late challenge that upended another opponent. He did however time a 42nd minute tackle well on the edge of the box before being replaced at half time. Philippe Senderos – 5 – Headed a free kick in on 16 minutes when unmarked because he was well offside. He can play the ball out of defence well enough unchallenged and can be a threat in the opponent’s box from dead balls but can he be solid enough in his own box and read the game well enough to compensate for his pace issues when the season begins for real? Enda Stevens – 5 – Seemed to be keeping the shirt warm for our latest signing yesterday. A little surprising that he started and played most of this game but he did all that could have been reasonably anticipated of him and gave of his best as we have grown accustomed to from him. Charles N’Zogbia – 6 – Had a 41st minute shot from the edge of the box deflected over the bar. Looked reasonably effective on the wing on his return to the fold but will need further games to get up to speed and to see out games. Fabian Delph - 7 – Keeps things ticking in the middle and his game got better as the game progressed. Ashley Westwood – 6 – A solid enough display but can be better than this. Kieran Richardson – 6 – Worked well enough in the middle and will become involved more often and with more end product as he settles in. Andreas Weimann – 5 – Misses Benteke more than most as they had a good understanding together. He works hard when it matters but needs to show more than he did yesterday now that the battle is due to commence for real. Andi needs to reproduce the goal threat that he demonstrated in our last home game of the season which guaranteed our safety in order to put what was a disappointing season behind him. He was fed by Gabby on 12 minutes and hit a decent shot which Mirante pushed out for a corner. Gabriel Agbonlahor – 5 – Made a couple of runs that ended with him taking a tumble and earning a free kick. He still has his pace to burn but his touch and finishing is lacking and we will need goals from him during the early months. Gabby will need to show he is prepared to work and to become involved throughout games rather than to drift into and out of them at will. Another who can do better. Substitutes: Ron Vlaar – 7 – Replaced Baker for the second half and showed just what we fear we might soon be missing after this transfer window. He leads by example and we look a far better team with him than without him as was again the case yesterday. Jores Okore – 6 - Replaced Weimann on 64 minutes. He looks in need of games to blow the cobwebs away and to get him fully up to speed following his long injury. I would start him alongside our captain and another if necessary to secure a solid centre to our defence. Darren Bent – 6 - Replaced Senderos on 64 minutes and might have done what he does best namely score on the 91st minute when Grealish fed him inside the box and he rattled the crossbar with his shot. Needs to start for me to continue his rehabilitation. Jack Grealish – 7 – MOTM - Replaced Richardson on 64 minutes. Has a sweet touch and plays in a way that shows he is having fun and wants the ball to play with and to make things happen. Jack went on a mazy run inside the box on 78 minutes that led to a corner and played a sweet back heel for Bennett 3 minutes later before almost claiming an assist in stoppage time. Jack shows signs of real promise and of a player that can get the crowd on their feet on a regular basis in this and in coming seasons. Leandro Bacuna – Replaced N’Zogbia on 74 minutes. I had expected he might have got a full outing in this one. Did well enough in what time he had but did not do enough to collect a rating from this one. Joe Bennett - Replaced Stevens on 74 minutes and was another to not earn a rating. Gary Gardner – Replaced Delph on 82 minutes. Was unfortunately not given sufficient game time to merit a rating but I trust he will get his opportunities this season. Karim El Ahmadi – Replaced Westwood on 82 minutes. Was not on long enough to earn a rating but did hit a shot wide of the post from the edge of the box on 89 minutes. Chris Herd - Replaced Gabby on 82 minutes. A welcome return to the playing side but Chris was also not on long enough to earn a rating. Matthew Lowton – Replaced Hutton on 82 minutes and did not have time to earn a rating or to stake a claim for a shirt. Given we are not overflowing with players I would not be looking to farm him out just yet. Up the Villa! John Lewis

"Kinda hope he isn't expected to bomb forward" - We have the bomb squad available to do that now smetrov.

"Why all the closures?" I guess the club thought that closing a few sections of stands would save them having to pay turnstile/other stadium staff today samjp26 albeit that it also led to fans not being able to sit in their usual seats. Every penny counts these days after all...

We were 15th in the U-21 PL so did not qualify for the new PL European competition and were in fact relegated to the 2nd Division. We did not qualify for the UEFA Youth Cup as our first team did not qualify for the CL.

As Czechlad said I hope we have a buy back clause or if not a sell on clause because as Karl Darlow for example has shown players who leave us can be worth decent money in the future. I doubt we have got much in for him and I would have liked to have seen him given some appearances this season and last given we are a tad short of talent but I guess we are desperate to get the wage bill down and to get some money back from out transfer spending so far during this window....

I would guess Roy Keane may have played a big part in suggesting Brian Lenihan and his being here would have a big influence in the player's decision on joinig us. I would guess the price and wages would also be right. Worth a punt in that case I would suggest.

Garry Jacob writes in "The Times" today that our "transfer targets include bringing in at least a centre back. midfielder and winger". That would be difficult to do with "as much as £10m to spend on transfers" so I guess we would also need to be looking at loans. Sinclair seems to me to have had his mind on things other than football for too long to risk what money we may have on buying him. Wages would be an issue for anyone we try to pay £3m + for and I guess we would hope other clubs (such as Chelsea, Manchester City/United or Arsenal for example) would pay some of the wages for anyone that signs from them on loan. So many first team squad places to fill and so little money to do it with...

Thanks Midian. Gary Jacobs also writes in The Times today that our custodian is to "free up as much as £10m to spend on transfers" and "is expected to meet his manager today to discuss transfer targets".

Good news.

Given the above £10m would still be more than I had expected to see us spend and the proof is in the pudding.

I cannot see that on their site midian. Could this £10m be being made available to cover new contracts for Ron & Delph for example? But in any case if it is for transfer fees alone we need to find more than this to try to ensure our safety when other clubs use that sort of money or more to bring in just one player.

Ron could get more than £45k a week at other clubs and although he might be willing to stay here there are other clubs at home and abroad that might see an opportunity to tempt him away from a relegation battle with us. It seems we may want him but not enough to seal a deal that would take his wages a £ above what our current custodian is comfortable with paying players as a weekly maximum now.

"I can just see Mark Ansell making a return !! That's a serious comment BTW." I think if he was prepared to come back short term it might possibly happen andyh. But I doubt he would see what might be put on the table worth it for him in the current curcumstances.

"We're going to win the league" Chant of the season so far by those at the game!

Its just like watching Brazil!

Not providing much of a test for the opposition are we?

It appears 5% of a Northern football club is to be sold for £88.7m on the New York stock exchange and that is considered to be value for money but we cannot attract a bid of double or just above/below that for 100% of our football club from anyone. We should have appointed Max Bialystock to bring some money into the club because we currently seem a very hard sell that needs a costly upgrade that everyone ignores as they hurry past the estate agent's window. We really need something to start to happen without further delay. We would like to think that something is happening behind closed doors that neither we nor the press are aware of but I guess that we have heard nothing because that is what is currently happening sale wise.

I would have expected Wolves to have kept their thoughts private on this type of speculation but it seems they have gone public Batth on this one which suggests we might yet be prepared to cause a ripple in the transfer market. £5m would be a lot for us to splash out from our very limited resources but if he turns out to be another Lescott then we might have the L'Oreal thing on our hands and he could well be worth it...

I think if Ron is offered a new contract but is not happy to sign it because of the contract itself or other clubs sounding him out we will let him go rather than lose him for nothing in 12 months. Given he has only a year left the fee will reflect that and I would guess the club would find any bid of £5m+ one they would be reluctant to turn down. We cannot afford to lose him but there are a lot of things at Villa Park these days that we cannot afford.

Duncan Castles writes today in The Sunday Times "Ki rejected a £6m+ move to Aston Villa last week amid interest from Champions League outfits in Italy and Spain." I cannot see us going up to let alone beyonf £6m given money is too tight to mention at Villa Park but it seems that the player and his agent may well be hoping someone else comes in for him.

Are we any closer to being taken over? 10 days closer AshVilla. But there has been nothing to suggest anything positive has happened new owner wise since you left.