Hobsons Choice

Good. Hopefully nobody moves the rock.

Today’s presser: Aston Villa boss Dean Smith on the opening day defeat at Watford: "We didn’t play with enough intensity; the players know that, and I expect them to put that right tomorrow. "Matt Targett was disappointed [post-Watford]. He got injured against Chelsea last season and was in a boot for six weeks, so he missed the first few weeks of pre-season. He played the following day at Liverpool and did a lot better." On facing Newcastle: "We have to make sure that we are defensively sound and if we do that, we have attacking players who can score goals.” “Ollie Watkins, I don’t expect to play, he's not healed as quick as we would like so far. "Bertrand Traore suffered a hamstring injury last week so he will be out until just after the international break.”

Promotion/ more power for Shakey?

Nah it’s just the vacuum of information filling with the echoes of imagination. It’s what humans do. edit- I appreciate echoes can’t travel in a vacuum. I kind of got lost in the analogy.

I don’t think it’s so much him as the system when he plays. The fact that we have a DCM who defends in the side. I like Luiz, but he’s not exactly Kante when it comes to the defensive side of the game.

Was that link just the one in the Meaning Evil, or is there a more reputable source as well?

Nice recovery, there. You are right of course.

People seeming to suggest that JWP does not stand out because he plays it simply in midfield forget that we lost at Watford because we could not play the ball simply in midfield without giving it away.

They have history though, their third kit from last year looked like a petri dish filled with e-coli.

Just write ASTON VILLA in size 96 Font on an old T-shirt.

Wow, he looks totally different. I wouldn’t recognise him if he walked past me in the street, even with that shirt on.

I’ve been thinking about this. DS has been looking at ways of making us less reliable on one player, which is fair enough. Maybe we’ve done that. Are we a balanced side even after this though? I’m not so sure. Decent defence, decent attack, shite midfield. Overall strength to me seems down because of this imbalance.

Unfortunately I think we’re done. Again, as someone else has said, this season we’ll need to temper expectations while maintaining aspiration. As we were last season, we’re not a million miles away from something special. ‘Him’ leaving has knocked us back somewhat. Hopefully we can continue what we started.

Appreciated, but the point i’m making is that it is not purely an injection of 350million with no return. A substantial proportion of the injected money can be recouped on sale. Just hopefully not soon.

Also not taking into account club equity gives a false picture. NSWE bought a 55% stake in Villa for £60 M. Transfermarkt has our current value at £386 M. Yes they have invested, but it’s not all huge sums of money chucked into a big hole.

Monster? Meh, I’m a Relentless Ultra Black guy. All the debilitating heart cramps of a decade’s worth of caffeine crammed into a single dose, but none of the sugar, which let’s face it is the bad guy here.

Fair point, and let’s face it they are doing the best they can under the circumstances. It’s why I am struggling to wish Jack well really, because if he was actively trying to derail our season his departure could not have been better timed.

I’m not sure what you mean. Purslow specifically said that these 3 players had been identified to fill the void of jack. The only player we bought over and above the 3 players mentioned is Ashley Young. On this basis we have ‘recovered’ from losing jack, but have made otherwise no net investment in the playing squad. I’m not sure how anybody expects us to kick on this year, as we are no stronger, whilst our competitors have strengthened. Realistically we have to look at this year as consolidation. Mid table would be realistic based on investment.

Season has kicked off, people will want a premium to lose their best.

Yeah but they can’t spin the narrative both ways. They either spent money but haven’t replaced Grealish, or replaced Grealish and not spent any money. It seems to have been suggested that they have done both.

Think you are being disrespectful of Brighton there. They had an xG that was way higher than their finishing position. With a decent striker they would have been flying.

You are right in that we need a baller. Someone who can pick a pass and initiate attacks, but I do feel we need a bit more of an aerial presence in midfield. Particularly when we play McGinn. An all round ball winner.

I think with Jack leaving we may have been put onto this track by default.

I bought Camavinga in Fifa and we won the league. I am really good at Fifa though, so…..