I have to say I am delighted with the signing of Wayne Routledge, which at £1.25m for a young English talent bears all the hallmarks of Martin O'Neill's intelligent and value-seeking approach to the transfer market.

I saw Routledge play several times for Crystal Palace and a couple of times for Fulham: he has great pace, good feet and the confidence to attack full backs.

He never looked like the finished article, especially in terms of the quality of his crossing, but why should he at such a young age? His career stalled because of injury and Martin Jol's preference for Aaron Lennon - but he still has enormous potential.

Those Villa fans who wonder why we should pick up the cheap cast-offs of other clubs competing with Villa need to think again. Newcastle United, Manchester City, Spurs and West Ham have all invested heavily in expensive big-name players - and yet the Premier League table would suggest that Villa's approach has paid greater dividends. I think Martin O'Neill has got this absolutely right.

Routledge is a development opportunity, and to that extent a gamble. But a gamble with £1.25m is not a great risk, even if it doesn't pay off. However, I believe it will.

Villa need pace and attacking flair on both flanks: this signing will not only give the side more attacking options and greater balance, but also make Ashley Young a less predictable and therefore more dangerous attacking option as opposing defences are stretched across the width of the pitch.

Also, there is more than a hint of the influence of John Roberston in the signing. One of the best wingers of his generation, Roberston is known to be a great wing-play coach and if anyone can bring the best out of Routledge, it is him.

What's more, I see a lot of sense in O'Neill's drive to recruit from the England U21 camp: not only do I like the recruitment of English players anyway, but it seems to me a good idea from both a training ground and a dressing room perspective to reunite players who have played together and been successful together before.

If we needed any further grounds for confidence, even in the relatively short time O'Neill has been at the helm, we have seen transformation of players whose careers were languishing. The injury which plagued Martin Laursen is ancient history, it seems, and we now have the best centre back in the League on form.

An unfit, overweight left back - lacking in confidence and unable even to displace Jllold Samuel - has been transformed into a worthy Dutch international left back and on of the first names on the Villa teamsheet. Gabby Agbonlahor, who eighteen months ago could run very fast, now adds skill, composure and Premier League-level deadliness to his armoury.

No, this signing ticks all the boxes for me. I think it will be right up there as one of the best buys of the season.

Comments (38)

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Vija said:

It seems youre happy with mediocrity

January 31, 2008

Juan pablo Angel said:

Finally i sensible analyse of the situation! This is a clever little buy from o'neill and if it comes off, maybe one of the buys of the season. We desperately needed an out and out right winger and in routledge we have this, he may not be a 'world class player' a phrase im sick to death of hearing by the way, however he might, along with a couple more signings be the final push into europe. Once we're in europe then we can sign 'world class players' as well as still having a worthy back up in routledge.

January 31, 2008

SoarHighest said:

I agree totally with you - MON is a clever tactition and I have complete faith in his ability to see potential and develop it. As I mentioned in a post on the AVFCForum.com yesterday, he is buying for the future to build ansd strengthen the club, not paying massive sums of money for greedy so called "talented" footballers. He is putting the message out here - if you want to play for this great club, then you are going to work damn hard for it. I like his style.

January 31, 2008

davida said:

"Happy with mediocrity"? Get a grip. If you haven't enjoyed the football we've played in the last 12 months, then you just shouldn't be watching football fullstop. I'm with the Doc on this one - he'll give the team great balance, stretch defences further, and allow Young and Gabby to flourish even more.

January 31, 2008

Northstandholteender said:

Well said, ive been tryin to put positive spin on this to my mates. The reason people feel let down though is because we are expecting (rightly or wrongly) world class players?!?! We are told we have unlimited funds but as i write this i dont think we have spent a penny over what we have brought back in through sales of the academy lads? What about all the TV money?! Diarra wanted 65k a wick and we would not pay that? A french international who could of played right back?!?! I wonder if we will buy a player or two today for a joint total 5m? Spend some money Randy!!!! P.s on the villa! Up The Villa

January 31, 2008

Blitz said:

The only reason people go on about worldclass players, is because that was what was promised to be honest- maybe not worldclass but quality players all the same.

January 31, 2008 | url

Vija said:

thats right Blitz mate, we were told that we would get top class players, in my view we havent any top class players at all, Young was not top class when he signed for us, he was an expensive prospect in my opinion, today he is the best! we havent spent big money, we've recouped most of what we've spent, its as if we dont have it, if we qualify for europe then i look forward to the next set of excuses as to why we cannot sign big players!

January 31, 2008

Donut said:

I agree, Routledge could turn out to be a great purchase, people whining that we should be buying world class big name players, well no end of teams have tried that and failed miserably. Take a look at Arsenal, the amount of world class players Wenger has bought you could count on 1 finger (Gallas) the amount of world class players he has sold on or he has in the squad now you would need your toes and fingers. Its all about patience, not every purchase will turn out as wanted, id rather buy ten, one million pound players than some ten million pound duffer out of desperation who everybody think is a different gravy. How quickly we all forget the position this club was in two and half years ago.

January 31, 2008

mcgurt12345 said:

Doc, i personally think you been sniffing a bag of glue before you wrote that post, for if he is so good, why didnt spurs use him, furthermore, why didnt fulham or Portsmotuh want him?? All 3 of these teams are in a worse position than us!!!!!!!!!!

January 31, 2008

Damian said:

hi mcgurt12345 factor in that martin o'neill is renowned for making average players good and good players great he'll also add balance to the team and give another option for the money - it's a great deal - but it does represent 2% of what randy lerner has

January 31, 2008 | url

JonnyW said:

Spot on Doc, well supported donut. £1.25 Million for a 23 year old right winger, who everybody raved about. Bargain. By the time MON and Robertson have finished with Wayne, the blues will be scratching their heads as to why they paid £5M plus for Mcfadden to get them relegated. Great stuff MON, looking forward to today to see what develops, remember Maloney's transfer went through at 00.15!

January 31, 2008

mossiewalsh said:

young wasnt the finished article wen he signed last year now look at him, i think wayne routledge will be as good as young some piece of business at £1.25m

January 31, 2008

Elskidis said:

Interesting comments. MartinO is a great manager, and I am sure that he has a much deeper insight into the quality and potential of players than any of us. Let's wait and see. I remember myself moaning many years ago when Villa appointed Ron Saunders as manager. He only went and won the League. Keep the faith keep the fans.

January 31, 2008

paddyfish said:

where's our right fullback ?

January 31, 2008

villadad said:

Good analysis Doc, and an exciting buy. If MON & team do with Routledge what they have achieved with Young, Villa will light up the premiership.

January 31, 2008 | url

NickC said:

Very happy with this signing although I'm not really sure how his time at Tottenham has been spent for the last few seasons. I've seen him go out on loan a couple of times and a couple of clubs have shown interest in taking him but as far as I understood, Spurs have been reluctant to sell him previously. A new manager at the club has obviously stirred things up and he's getting rid of surplus players ready for his own. When you factor in the fact that he's been competing for a place in the team against one of the most exciting young British prospects in Aaron Lennon, I think its unfair to knock him for that. My one worry is that we might follow up this piece of business with Kevin Prince Boateng who, I think, from the little I've seen of him is absolute s***e. I talked at home about him last night and one of my sons told me he was "quality" but on further questioning, this assessment is made on the fact he has big arm muscles and great looking tattoos!!!!!! The youth of today........ Anyway, I'm expecting a few shocks today and expect Giles Barnes to go somewhere and I dont rule out Chimbonda leaving (although I think he wants to stay for their final) and I would not be entirely surprised if Jermaine Defoe moves today unless someone can say for definite that he's signed a new contract (I know he was captain for a day recently but I dont think he played any part again last night at Everton). I think we may lose Luke Moore today also. Let's look forward to what the day might bring........

January 31, 2008

gazza said:

Maybe the day will come when you have to field a majority of english players. There has lots of speculation on this. The sooner the better.

January 31, 2008

ozavfc21 said:

just think how were doing and how were scoring with young on the left whipping the balls in now think how much better its gonna be with balls being crossed in from the right. a good bit of business for 1.25m i think, plus petrov will have to buck his ideas up if he wants to stay in the side so it works all around for me.

January 31, 2008

Spec said:

Routledge is a great signing, he is pure class, just needs a few games and he will easily get into the swing of things.

January 31, 2008

Mark Taylor said:

Spec Routledge is not "pure class" if he was Pompey and Fulham would have signed him on a permanent deal. We have yet again picked the scraps from another team.

January 31, 2008

bublee said:

I remember a lot of poo pooing on here just as we signed Carew. Who'd give him up now! No one can really dismiss a player MON might sign, he's gonna get the best out of them.

January 31, 2008

gazza said:

He's on a short term contract for very little fee. We can't go wrong, he may only be back up for a bigger signing now or in the summer. Whats not to like about this situation.

January 31, 2008

Andrew J said:

And portsmouth have signed baros, who i seem to recall was our scraps. its all swings and round-abouts. have faith in the manager, support the lads and enjoy the best football at villa park in years.

January 31, 2008

Arrlui said:

Right again Doc. You know what else will attract the big names of the future? When they play England for their respective national teams, get beat and see half the line up stems from our beloved AVFC. Like Man Utd of the 90's anyone? Smart buys in my mind. I'll be happy with a 5th spot finish, even if we miss out on the Champions League on goal difference.

January 31, 2008

Damian said:

bublee - i'd get shot of carew for crouch any day of the week. i might even get rid of carew for gabby as the sole striker with two wide men and three in the middle carew is a good player - but like i've said about barry - we wont the leageu with him - although carew i suspect would be quite decent in the uefa cup next season, what with his experience in most leagues throughout europe

January 31, 2008 | url

Dizzy Mugs said:

If we qualify for for European competitions, we're not going to struggle at registering Homegrown players for the group stage/knockout stage

January 31, 2008 | url

Juan pablo Angel said:

Andrew j: Exactly mate, hate this idea that because someone hasnt made it at one club means they wont make it at another. Every clubs squad, chairman, manager, ambition etc is different, theres no reason why someones reject cant be our star. Hopefully the MON factor, ambition of the club, other young english players and a fresh start will kick routledge back into his palace form. We needed a right winger, MON delivered! Hopefully more to come!!!

January 31, 2008

Leroy said:

I think everyone is just ready to get on with it. Routledge is not world class, we all know. But our way has to be develop and nurture class players. Maybe Routledge isnt in that mould, if hes not, goodbye after 18 months, well probably get 1mil back for him anyway. But we all know MON's strength is challenging players and drawing the best out of them, its worked so far. Luke Moore, he'll be gone because MON couldnt get the best out of him, despite chances. In with the next. Id love to get Barnes, him along with Ash,Gab and yes Routledge, could make certain other teams look like their playing underwater. Lets see what we land today........

January 31, 2008

Damian said:

what i've written above doesn't sound right i think carew has been excellent for us and i think he'll end up been more important during the rest of this season - especailly if he keeps scoring at the current ratio of 1 in 3 .. what i mean is, long term - we need someone just like carew, i.e. crouch or we move to a different formation and have a very quick player in teh middle i.e. gabby thought i shoudl set the record straight about that

January 31, 2008 | url

NickC said:

So many of us on here have got a degree in hindsight!! We're all so wise after the fact..... One of the worst things ever done at Villa in recent times was to let Crouch go. To my memory, he did brilliantly well when given a chance to have a run of games (scoring twice at Boro in a great away day victory) and Juan Pablo who was going to be out for quite a long spell with a dodgy knee seemed to make a miraculous recovery from injury once IMO he felt he had some real competition for his place and Crouch was dropped again and the rest is history. MON's profile seems to be for predominantly young quick black English players and I'm happy with his philosophy so far as its reaping some excellent results. Keep the faith, I'm sure he has more up his sleeves.

January 31, 2008

AV33 said:

I think the problem with most fans who are being a little negative is not that we've signed Wayne Routledge....it's that we've ONLY signed Wayne Routledge ! I was a little surprised with this move at first but now i've thought about it, could be a stroke of genius from MON. It seems that most of us really want to see just one really high quality player to take us forward and give us a real boost going into the close season and they're probably right. MON was at the Leicester v Palace game the other night apparently watching either Foxes' right back Richard Stearman or Palace's Dean Scannell (right winger ?) so either of these (or both of them) could be joining the fold before midnight. Apparently, there is a hearing being held today for the American goalie we're after and i've just read the was voted best in the MLS last year, could be a good investment. Last night's footy highlights gave us one or two "reasons to be cheerful". Firstly, Agent Ridgewell's delightful back header, Darius Vassels' inability to hit a cows arse with a banjo on several occasions...LMAO Hope we don't go for Chimbonda. He's obviously trouble seeing as a vast majority of the Spurs fans booed his every touch last night and he looks lazy too...waste of dough. Therefore, Im punting that we will have the Routledge, that US goalie, Stearman and Scannell in by tonight for a collective £8million-ish which we should get back from the sale of Luke Moore and Gary Cahill. Maybe if Luke does go, MON will grab us a lethal striker as well ! We live in hope...eh lads ! UP THE VILLA

January 31, 2008

MHeaven said:

here is an idea why don't we just get all of the unwanted spurs players on a team coach, get them smashed, thow a few strippers into the mixer and drive them straight to the training ground for a p**sed up mediacl...sign on the dotted line Mr Chimbonda

January 31, 2008

Jimmy Villain said:

Great signing, bags of pace and good on the ball, I can see Gabby moving into his preferred central striking position alongside Carew and us continuing to have blistering pace down that right wing. Let's not forget that system has probably garnered half our goals this season and pace has been one of the things that scares the sh* out of opposition defenders. Free kicks and set plays have contributed to probably half our goal tally this season… Not sure that Chimbonda is good idea and that seems to have a cooled a little although it seems the American keeper is a done deal and the rumours about Boateng seem to be getting stronger. Jermain Defoe anyone?

January 31, 2008

AK28 said:

The thing about Routledge is that maybe MON can turn him around and make him look like a good player but after playing very little 1st team football for the past 3yrs that won't happen over night. Can we afford to give him this time what with 4th spot up for grabs and every point worth its weight in gold. This is why im not happy with this signing. We needed to bring in a player that has been playing regular football this season and would hit the ground running. I would much prefer to see Barnes or Milner come in.

January 31, 2008

Topsy said:

A good bit of business I believe. yes we need a few others but they will come. He has the potential and MON will get the best out of him. I have faith so should everyone else. If he wasn't that good why would we be challenging for the Champions League spot now. I be annoyed if we would still be in the bottom half of the table but we having a great season so he must be doing something right.

January 31, 2008

Jimmy Villain said:

got to be honest after watching Milner play first team football at Newcastle I am glad we never got him, don't get me wrong he is all heart but that's about it and his delivery is often poor - MON has seen something in this 20 yr old and look what he's done for Ashley Young, arguably our best player of the season

January 31, 2008

kohoutek said:

Spot on. I think MON is going for youth, players acclimated to England and with a shared background as a squad backbone, and overall athleticism (speed, strength) as a counter to the African influence in the Premiership. This is why (athleticism) I think Cahill was behind Davies and Knight. (Also it seems MON likes to give extended runs to players.) I think this is also why MON isn't so worried about the depth. He wants to give all these youngsters games, and let the team grow together, so he's not looking to be making all sorts of moves week in, week out, even to the extent that he rarely uses all three subs. I saw on an interview where MON was saying, "If you ask the players, they want to be playing." So, he's not really bothered by the idea of fatigue in his young squad. Better they should gain experience, and I agree that 20-somethings should have no problems playing the number of games they have this season. They won't get better being rotated. This way, they're acclimated to the rigors of the league, and also get to experience the ebb and flow of form, getting back out there and finding it, rather than having one off game and finding themselves sitting down. I've never understood that "he had an off game, so he's out," approach. You pick an 11, let them play, then bring on subs to change things up, or because of injuries. MON wants to see what this 11 can do, week in, week out over a full season. I love his methodical patience. He wants to be proper manager, not just a guy with a big checkbook. As the season has unfolded, he's seeing just what his players can and can't do. If and when he does make any big signings, he'll know just exactly who, and why.

January 31, 2008

nhuggy said:

Decent squad player - can't go wrong for that kind of money. Hope we get some quality though. MON is great, but if he has a weakness it's his signings.

January 31, 2008

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