nick76

The benefit we have (looking for upsides) is the bottom 8 teams at least are much of a muchness so it’s not unrealistic to suggest a higher position than 17th but there is also a serious chance we could be in the bottom three for most of the season. I think confidence, our new players hitting the ground running, luck with injuries (and back luck for our competitors) is key and if we can sneak in a few more players then we’ll be in a stronger position.

Not sure, the PL has a massive pull compared to the other leagues

And being greedy.....Butland.

Goalkeeper shirt, looks nice in real life. https://shop.avfc.co.uk/stores/astonvilla/en/product/aston-villa-home-goalkeeper-shirt-2019-20/267086

Agree as well, quality post.

No I don’t believe it either because they seem to be a bit strapped for cash confirmed by Jansson’s leaving interview (could be bitterness though). But captain material, vastly experienced, 30 year old defender in today’s market and I think he looked solid yesterday in a group of central defenders who are all inexperienced at this level. Just doesn’t seem worth it.

No! https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/792710/Leeds-Aston-Villa-James-Chester-transfer-latest-update-news

I’m a big lad so I wouldn’t be able to get a small even over my fat head. Maybe I can use a small size as a hat

Had some spare time so I popped into the shop and I’m really disappointed in the away top. It just looks cheap and quickly knocked together design. Not keen either on the home kit, just looks dull coloured and is a major back step on last seasons home kit. Love the black top though, simple but striking.

I’ve just got back from the shop as I wanted a black top but they had none in my size left. Tried the home kit to gauge size and needed one size up from my usual daily size clothing.

Great performance, hope this continues

I agree about Kodja (with a caveat) especially if as some fans have said he has played well during AFCON (Havent seen any of it). Caveat - But is it me or is it that his style of play may suit being one of the wingers in our 433 system rather than the striker. That unpredictability and drive would be better suited in El Ghazi type role than an out and out striker.

Loved watching him 1st half, thought him and Jack can become something a bit special in our midfield. I almost thought he played even better slightly in field rather than the wing, with him and Jack just behind the striker. Not sure how this would work in the system because that would mean another right winger and if Luiz will be DM then McGinn would drop out. Thats scares me as McGinn has been fantastic but as usual, twists and turns will always happen throughout the season. Anyway it's looking good the options we are starting to have now and I enjoyed watching Jota.

Didnt DS say in his interview when we signed Wes that one of the things he loves about Wes is his personality and was exactly what he expected when he met him. Got to think DS knows his players and knows who will fit into that.

I think we have to despite what system we play. Our striker options are insufficient at the moment, so I think it's a case of needing another top striker because I'm assuming if Kodja, Davis, Hogan or RHM were going to have to start....lets say 5 matches on the trot because Wes is injured, we wont be confident going into a match would we. I also think DS will mix up the style of play this season occasionally based on the players he now has available and that may include 2 upfront. He'll at least have during some games two upfront, if we are looking for a goal in the final twenty minutes or if the system isnt working that game or if one of our key midfielders is injured during the game he might then punt for two upfront.

I also think the owners wouldve weighed up the consequences of another relegation vs breaking FFP. It’s a no brainer. i think we’ll be fine re FFP because I think we have the right people here who know what they are doing. we definitely still need another top quality striker as while last night was just 1st preseason game, I see nothing in Davis or Hogan that they are Premiership level and who knows with Kodja who hasn’t been the same since his injury. So we only have Wes who had a decent game but is very much unknown even if fit all season. If he gets injured we have serious problems.

Like the black kit but the home kit looks like it was stitched together when I was drunk and the away kit I’m not keen on at all. Guess I’m buying the black top then. Disappointing after a great kit last season.

Wonder if he’s here as part of the away kit release?

Yeah if this is dead I think it’s because one of our other targets is happening in the same position. We may have 2 or 3 options of who we want and who becomes the guy depends on the deal. Or we are playing hard ball. Or we weren’t that interested. Or it was too much just covering all my bases

Who knows what is going to happen but it would be nice to have some stability in the club and we ride through the thick and thins with a manager for a few years and build something. Football is all about what is happening now which is a problem of the modern age but I hope (unless a complete disaster) that we stick with Dean whatever this season.

Old article about it https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10502787/statsports-the-training-technology-used-by-arsenal-man-city-barcelona-and-more

Still very worried our striker options are weak past an unknown Wesley

Is this ITK or a guess? I thought Pitarchs would’ve been involved with all of them and Smith with the ones you say are Pitarchs. All players assessed home and abroad by Smith and Pitarch and then decisions made who to buy

This me! Given how much us Villa fans have had to suffer I’m still not believing we actually got promoted. Love the players and speed we’ve brought them in. I’m fearful it’s all going to go wrong, Ming’s injured for the season, Wes is a flop, Grealish has no impact in Premier League and McGinn just gets the run around by better players. Villa going well, run well and making good business decisions is against character, so I’m loving how great it is but waiting for somebody to say “punked” or once I’ve got truly comfortable it all goes wrong. i’m a complex person