Villarocker

The big fella is actually Billy George. He was the goalkeeper for 14 years and also played cricket for Warwickshire, apparently.

I found this "coloured" up pic of one of our old FA Cup winning teams on tweeter today. A replica of the beast of a man who is far right of the back row might be enough to fulfil the big unit the likes of TRO are looking for in midfield... By the way, it is a cracking photograph. Edit: Just read on tweeter that the player second from the left in the middle row (Garraty) is Jack Grealish's great, great grandfather.

They need defenders. Maybe we should offer Bjorn Engels plus £16m for Rashica. Gets Engels off the wage bill at the same time.

Just out of interest Rigo, how soon is soon? I mean, did you expect it to be done by now or are will still on target for the original "soon"?

That last post by Villa mole is hilarious. That's typical Villa fan stuff righ there

Perfect point to raise mate . They will leave him alone at their peril because the pace alone means they have to mark him closely even if he does nothing at the end. It is one less player to mark Grealish when we attack.

I think that is a sign and I think he will join. I think that the coaching staff want a more fluid forward four with Rashica, Traore, Grealish and Watkins being comfortable in any forward position they find themselves in.

His pace alone will add something to the team that we have been missing.

It's not just Villatalk though. I'm referring to fans in general so those on Facebook, twitter, Instagram etc. The good thing is that there are none in the stadia to groan everytime he over-hits a cross or runs into a crowd of opposition players etc.

But, Rashica was at Vitesse at the same time.

Same here. Engels started off promisingly but then showed that the pace of the league was way too fast for him. I think Hause is the better of the two because he can also play left back and right centre back so offers more. I'd prefer to but a new starting centre back who can play either side.

I fear for Traore, I really do. There are so many doubters and the guy hasn't even kicked a ball for us yet. There's no way he's going to come here and hit the ground running but there's no doubt in my mind there will be loads ready to write him off after the first game he plays if he does anything wrong. Let's please give the lad a chance and time to settle before we start judging him.

I think that there's more to Engel's situation than meets the eye. I just think that the club want rid for more reasons than is ability.

It's noticeable that Bertrand Traore was at Vitesse Arnhem together with Marvellous Nakamba and Milot Rashica. Are Chelsea the parent club of Vitesse? I noticed a few Chelsea loanees at Vitesse in the past.

Weird that the likes of Guilbert, Engels, Hourihane and Samatta didn't play. Maybe they are on their way? Engels seems to have taken a trip through the Bermuda Triangle.

What a goal.

El Ghazi, Taylor, Lansbury all been what we have come to expect although, Taylor did put in a decent ball for the goal. Mings looks rusty. Hause the same as usual and Elmo whipped some good crosses in. Watkins scored a predatory goal and missed a sitter from a similar situation. But, he finds space and for a striker that is so valuable and a natural gift. Nakamba has looked very decent as DM and will be more than good enough cover for Dougie this season playing like this. Ramsey looked accomplished and not out of place at all. Give him a season and he'll be fighting for a regular place if he develops at the same rate. Grealish has been next level. If you signed him for £50m you'd be saying he is worth double with his skill and influence.

So so sad to have to read that mate I'm sure I'm not the only person on here that wishes you all the very best and a full and speedy recovery

He apparently got injured in January and was out for 3 months so maybe his stats don't look as bad for last season as first thought?

Over the last day or so I have seen Chris Mepham's name mentioned as someone we are looking at. Guess who he used to play for and work with? Yep, Brentford and Dean Smith, who gave him his first team debut. Lazy guesses from twitter journo wannabes or some truth?

Shit for THEM. Benteke was a hero at Villa, do you think Liverpool and Palace fans would hold him in the same regard? Just because a player does no good at one club it doesn't mean he cannot be good for another. Look at Salah's career at Chelsea and Liverpool for evidence of how a player can do better when moving on.

I think this is a crucial season for McGinn. If he keeps giving the ball away in vital areas of the pitch he may find himself out of the team and replaced with some on ne who can hold and distribute the ball better from further back in the midfield.

I agree with both Kiwivillan and TRO. I think it all comes down to the opposition. When we play against the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd I think we would be better having a big DM playing alongside Luiz. Someone physical and in the face of the opposition. But, against the rest, I think Luiz together with an energetic, fit, McGinn is good enough protection for the back four.

What if the press just say that because they have no idea what is going on so have to say something to get Villa fans looking at their media outlet?

I don't think we really gave up in any games last season. There were games where we were outclassed but that can be expected.