If thought that we'd been linked with every player to have kicked a ball in the last 5 years then think again.

Today has bought a few more player links: Nicky Shorey, Richard Dunne and AGF Aarhus youngster Michael Lumb.

The first two are self-explanatory and I think they would both be good squad players. Dunne might even do alright with a run alongside Martin Laursen. Hopefully he can replace Zat Knight who, while isn't bound to a transfer anywhere, I wish someone would want to buy. Who we may never know...

Michael Lumb is a 20-year-old Danish under-21 international left-back who is rumoured to be on the radar of Blackburn, Hamburg, Udinese and Ajax. Wikipedia doesn't give much more away other than he's quite a promising young player in his homeland and has 1 goal for his 66 appearances.

Meanwhile, William Hill have made us 100-1 to win the league. Get betting lads! The only other teams with shorter odds than us are the top 4 teams and, surprisingly, Spurs at 66-1.

Villa are looking for a big pre-season friendly and are rumoured to have Portguese champions Porto lined up. Last year we trounced Inter 3-0 at home and hopefully this will be a better test.

And to round things up Shane Lowry has helped Republic of Ireland under-21 to an Intercontinetal Tournament Semi-Final against his country-of-birth Australia. Whoever said the close season was boring!

Comments (35)

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theprimeminister said:

125/1 with totesport, 150/1 with VCbet, Bluesquare, Paddy Power, 888 and Ladbrokes. Skybet have us 100/1 on the League, 25/1 FA cup, 20/1 Carling cup and 10/1 top 4 finish.

May 22, 2008

NorthStandHotteEnder said:

Its Porto in the friendly. Just had email regarding Farfan to Villa in an 8 mil deal. Is he a 20 goals a season man? not yet, but in time. Could do job on right wing whilst his raw? Takes a mean Free Kick. Also linked to another watford youth player. O'neill must watch em quite a bit livin down south!!!) Has Barry Gareth gone yet!? Were getting some great press at the min regarding the acorns sponsorship. Good to see. Club have been tight lipped but I have it on goog account that an official announcement will come next week when we unveil a player or two and the new top/s. Happy days and fourth place are coming. Up The Villa!

May 22, 2008

K4AVFC said:

Any link for the Richard Dunne ermm .. link ??

May 22, 2008

Jonesy 08 said:

I dont know much, well anything about that Micheal Lumb, but i would take Shorey and Dunne anyday. They are great players in my eyes and with MON wanting to rotate a bit more next season they will fantastic for Villa. Shorey could even keep Bouma on the bench he can play that good, and i think everyone would love to see Laursen and Dunne as our 1st choice centre backs.

May 22, 2008

VWO said:

I think you are a bit harsh on Knight on the whole he has been very good for us he had a little bad patch when he came back from injury but so did Barry

May 22, 2008

theprimeminister said:

http://www.expressandstar.com/...for-dunne/ http://www.eatsleepsport.com/articles/736181.html

May 22, 2008

K4AVFC said:

He is strong and suprisingly rapid! ... Dunne and Laursen would be a great partnership!

May 22, 2008

keef said:

Hossam Ghaly has claimed that Blackburn Rovers are trying to sign him. As he is a right winger, could this possibly mean Bentley being available? Please, please please !!!!!

May 22, 2008

villa_tommy said:

theprimeminister, did u see the odds on us winning the uefa cup? i know its a bit premature because we're not even in the competition yet but i do fancy us doing the business.

May 22, 2008

Peter said:

Dunne is excellent - has been Man City player of the year last 4 seasons. I have been told that Bentley is going to Liverpool

May 22, 2008

Villa_Rules said:

Most the players we are linked with have been relegated ohh great news NOT How about signing some fresh young spanish pourtugese brazilan lads Shame we wont be able to compete with the top 4 next season especialy if the rumoured players is true

May 22, 2008

theprimeminister said:

villa_tommy, no odds on UEFA available yet.

May 22, 2008

Joe the local villain said:

K4AVFC are u ben cus my m8 ben says it is him. not on the subject tho. Up The Villa

May 22, 2008 | url

irishvillain 100 said:

Dunne is an excellent defender and quite frankly I am shocked he is only on 28,000 a week. he is very highly thought of but the Arsenal have been sniffing around him of late and he would prob fancy a move there also. He's worth the money, no doubting that and with his extra strength and bulk in defense, we could easily replace Mellberg and have a very positive season next year.

May 22, 2008

Pezza said:

Shorey, while not being world class, would be a good signing. English too. Dunne is an excellent player - sign him up MON!

May 22, 2008

Luke said:

Villa_Rules, if we don't increase our squad with players we won't be able to compete in all the competitions. Some of these players would do the business in the UEFA Cup, League Cup and FA Cup (as long as we don't get Man Yoo again...) They aren't necessarily needed for the week-in week-out league fixtures.

May 22, 2008

DPK1985 said:

Get Richard Dunne, perfect signing for Villa, would be a great start to the summer activity. Laursen and Dunne and Curtis Davies, with Zat knight hopefully not being needed too much. A top class right back and top class keeper and possibly a winger are next essentials on the list. Get those positions right and then start buffering the squad.

May 22, 2008

avfcfan1 said:

we could try nd sign...... dunne henry barnes oshea chimbonda bullard alex swp d.bent lumby lahm d.nugent sagnol sidwell guzan jussi jaiskalianan ben foster ^^^ asking neva hurt any1 did it???? nd let go...... berger mellberg routledge l.moore carson sorenson KEEP BARRY!!!!!!! wb to that sum1??!!

May 22, 2008

Villa_Rules said:

Hopefully if we play porto quaresma will catch the eye of martin o neill and he will then put in a 20 Million bid for him in my eyes he would be worth every penny of 20 million Anyways being realistic it wont happen the day i see martin speand 15 Million on a player is the day i will start to belive we are really really aiming for the top 4 because at the moment im not convinced we are i just think its more villa typical talk and more lies and again another way of makeing us all go and buy a season ticket blag blag blag just like last time Dont be suprised if we only sing 4 players this comming transfer window

May 22, 2008

Villan4 life said:

oh ye of little faith.

May 22, 2008

Chrisodon said:

I Just think we're trying to make 5th ours then push for 4th or higher. Remember we've only had one good season and being honest i can't see us taking 4th for a good couple of years yet. so if we can establish ourselves as the 5th place team then we can edge on i'll be happy with that next year.

May 22, 2008

stavenfaa said:

dunne would be a great signing that could make barry consider staying. MON needs to be active before the euros cause thats when all the young players will go up in price.

May 22, 2008

RSamVillaFan said:

I am quite excited at the prospect of new signings, I am also, though, a Villa fan and know that what we want/need is not what we get. Though I have supported since 72 and have experienced great highs,and I have been scarred by the numerous lows. I don't mind admitting I am scared, scared that I will allow myself too much expectation only to have it cruelly dashed; again! I want to believe that MON will spend BIG money on quality players, but, that we will end up relying on players like Dunne as our big summer signings. It concerns me that once again we are going to lose one of our star players just when they can do a job for us, to a team that we could have turned over (twice). Please MON let me be wrong!!!!

May 22, 2008

Villa_Rules said:

RSamVillaFan dont get to excited i learnt that in the last 2 transfer windows

May 22, 2008

Arrlui said:

Luke, I don't understand your first sentence. "If thought that we'd been linked with every player to have kicked a ball in the last 5 years then think again." Wise words of wisdom?

May 23, 2008

theprimeminister said:

@Arrlui I think the word 'you' is missing and it should read "If you thought that we'd....." It's a hard code to crack I know, but I hope that helped you out.

May 23, 2008

Blitzballer said:

I understand not paying over the odds for players- or being linked with the likes of Sidwell, Shorey, Hoyte instead of bigger players. However if rumours are to be believed (such as on Goal) that we are offering Barry 70, 000 pounds a week to stay at Villa, it will be very surprising if bigger name players, than the ones weve been linked to in the Premiership, arent joining the club.

May 23, 2008

geeavfc said:

Ive just heard a rumour from a cockney friend of mine that MON was at Chelsea the other day discussing Sidwell and Anelka I think he would a good signing Anelka.like I said it was only a rumour,so I dont know how true it is.

May 23, 2008

lurman said:

keef - hoassm ghalys NOT a winger. villa_tommy - u seriously think we're gonna win the uefa cup? have you seen who's in it? valencia, sevilla, benfica, udinese and this little italian team called milan. we are NOT going to win the uefa cup, although obv i hope we give it a damn good shot

May 23, 2008

Fenlon avfc said:

play porto get Ricardo Quaresma and Lucho Gonzalez they are both class.... Quaresma better than Ronaldo!!

May 23, 2008

K4AVFC said:

Wonder what time Sidwell will sign today?? Cause we were guarenteed it by the papers earlier in the week, haha!

May 23, 2008

Matt H said:

Would like to see Robbo, Dunne, Sidwell and Anelka sign for Villa. Maybe even Shorey so he can challenge Bouma. Lurman - The teams you mentioned have not come up against our mighty pace. Those lazy Italians and Spanish wont know what hit them, with the likes of Young and Gabby

May 23, 2008

kohoutek said:

Dunne and Laursen would make a good pairing. Perhaps not the most exciting signing, but he's smart and very steady, nice and strong.

May 23, 2008

irishvillian said:

Oi oi lads first time writting and its mr. Dunne that has me typing . Most of you if not all you are seriously underating mr. dunne . Have you ever watched Ireland play he gets M.O.T.M every game he marks international class players out of the game while being helped by some twit like andy o'brien, if he was english we would'nt afford Dunne. BUY HIM MON he'l be player of the season next year.I love the villa and I love birmingham as a city and I love a birmingham girl, but english footie fans under -rate all Irish players, Robbie Keane would be england's number one striker if he had a english passport. Please give Dunne the respect he deserves . Living legend in my eyes UTV

May 24, 2008

Holmertz said:

I can give you a bit of information on Michael Lumb, as he plays for my team here in Denmark (where he's been a starter since he was 17), and is strongly rumored to be heading for Aston Villa (he's also linked with Ajax, Hamburger SV, Udinese and West Ham) for around 2,5 - 3 mio £. He's a 20-year old left back, with great technique (used to be a winger), and is widely regarded as the most talented left back in Denmark. He's mentally very strong and ambitious - he does extra training with an athletics coach to change his running style (he has been dubbed "The penguin" by fans due to his lack of arm movement) so he can become faster (and he is already pretty fast) - and i can honestly say he has not played a poor game all season despite his young age. In a recent match in the league he complettely shut down Libor Sionko, who's a starter for the Czech national team. He has just been voted "player of the year" by the club and is also mentioned in a couple of newspapers as a reserve on the "squad of the season", despite being part of a team battling relegation all season (and surviving). So a major talent IMO. Obviously he's not going to be an immediate reinforcement for you, but if he keeps developing as he has the last couple of seasons, he should emerge as one of the better left backs in the premiership within a season or two.

May 26, 2008

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