it will depend on who the next signing is... but I think 5th is there for the taking and who knows above that.. Anything is possible!! Its certainly a more realistic prediction that sky sport's 8th place. UTV

we should make it in the top 4
UTV ;D

Your right about the right side for me it does hinge on who he get to play right wing. Im glad L young is in as seeing Coker playing right midfield is hard work. I would say 5th if we get a right sided player. However I would try the following for Saturday.

Friedal

L Young Davis Laursen Shory

Routledge Coker Barry A Young


Gabby Carew

Pretty much spot on I think Damo, good work!

In other totally unrelated news, I work at Sky and the carpark thingy for soccer am has a european cup theme and features our very own Dennis Mortimer in cardboard cut out form!

Damien - I think that your synopsis of where we stand is pretty spot on.
We are in a pack of teams who are fighting for fifth and potentially forth - providing Liverpool or maybe even Arsenal mess up big-style. These teams are Everton, Spurs, Pompey, ourselves and potentially Man City. So I can see us finishing anywhere between 5th and 9th.
Like you I believe that the rest of the transfer window is crucial - we are crying out for a quality RW as we effectively can only attack down one wing!
And despite all the signings - we only have added one extra number to the squad so we are hugely reliant on luck when it comes to injuries. Imagine if just Carew and Young were injured - we would be royally screwed.
I think a better time to do this prediction would be after the transfer window closes. But for now - I am going to say 7th.

Prash - Can you explain to me what Reo-Joker has done in a Villa shirt to warrant a place in the team?

alternative line up

Friedal

L young Davis Laursen Shory

A young Coker Sidwell Barry

Gabby Carew

I am going to go for 6th. I agree that it is between us, spurs, pompey and everton - although I think everton my slip this year.

And with out a doubt we need a RW - we should be out there bidding on every top notch winger there is. I also think a striker is needed as gabby and Harewood aren't up to it.

The team I would go for against City;

Friedal
Young(L) Davis Laursen Shorey
Sidwel Coker Barry
Gabby Young (attacing wingers)
Carew

Oh and where was maloney last night? Does that mean he is off??? I really rate him and feel gutted for him he doesn't get a game!

I agree with Prash's team selection for the Man City game, although if MoN wants a more 'solid' midfield I would hope Gardner would come in for Routledge instead of Petrov.

I think it's fairly clear that Maloney isn't going to fit into a Villa team playing 4-4-2, unless it's as an emergency forward. I could see him playing behind a front two if we were to play a Christmas Tree style formation, but he would still only be cover for Ashley. I think if were to offload him and Petrov, and bring in a striker, right winger, another right back and DLR, we would have a very healthy looking squad - and if the new signings are of sufficient quality, a first XI that would strongly compete with anyone in the league.

Friedel

Young/Quality RB; Laursen; Cuellar; Shorey/Bouma

Quality RW; De la Red Barry; Young

Carew; Quality Striker

I think a striker with pace, skill and vision - and an ability to score a good number of goals of course! - would complement Carew fantastically. Milner would be a very good choice as a RW, though someone like Joaquin (if he's a realistic target) would be an even better short-term option. Signing De la Red would see our central midfield operating in a double-pivot fashion (a bit like Vieira and Petit; less solid, but much more attacking flair). An RB better than Young would be the icing on top, though having paid £6m for Young, a young prospect might be more likely (though even he would likely cost good money).

If we were to offload Petrov and Maloney for a combined total of £6m or £7m, then we would need to spend a further £30m. This would take our net spending above £60m (if we're including Davies). We would then be left with a second XI of:

Guzan

A Right Back; Davies; Knight; Bouma/Shorey

Routledge; Sidwell; Coker; Ummm...

Agbonlahor; Harewood

Not mentioned are Gardner, Osbourne, Salifou, Baker, O'Halloran, Delfouneso, and anyone else who might step up from the reserves/academy. The glut of central midfielders we have would suggest that De la Red wouldn't be a priority, even if we sold Petrov - though if we signed him, he'd be a great bonus. MoN may feel that Gardner provides enough cover at RB - though I'm not convinced. Having said that, where else is Gardner going to get playing time? Which means that MoN may only be in the market for the RW and the Striker. He could bring in real quality, and still end up with a net spend of less than £50m. It will be interesting to see who comes in to the club, and who goes out, before the end of the month.

UTV

I thought everton would slip this last season too but they didn't. I think in moyes they've got an excellent manager who will continue to bring them to a good standard. It's hard to predict how spurs will do, but based on who they've brought in and pre-season form, they could even be a tip for 4th.

Depending on who we sign between now and the end of the window and if we keep barry, I could see us finishing anywhere between 4th and 7th as Damo predicted. A lot depends on so much and that's so hard to predict.

Yeah i think we will finish 5th or 6th but will defo be there or thereabouts! As you pointed out, we do need a new right winger and a 20goals a season striker. Although i think Big John may surprise a few people with his goals tally this year!

I hope you are right. I hope I am wrong.

My prediction, 8th with the team suffering from injuries as a result of the law of averages and lack of bedding in time.

I disagree about the right side. Very few teams can afford to play with two out and out wingers. I can see us playing Barry out left and having Young on the right.

My team allowing for fitness would be: -

Friedel, Young, Davies, Laursen, Shorey, Barry, Petrov/NRC, Sidwell, Young, Carew, Gabby.

i really hope the rumours of kevin doyle arent true 8m for a player who in my opinion is no better than harewood please please no get in dean ashton he is a superb player villa to finish 5th and a very good run in the uefa cup to boot


villa 4 life

spot on Damien but I think that Portsmouth will also pose a threat to us, just as we pose a threat to them. This is going to be a really exciting season as we could fall anywhere between 4th and 8th place. got a feeling we're going to win one of the three cups that we're in as well. that would be nice. UTV.

I think that your about right. Although I sometimes prefer to underestimate my team so that I don't get disappointed. I fear that Spurs could do very well indeed, although they often have similar pre-seasons where they are expected to break the top 4. We should be able to comfortbaly finish in Europe so long as we aren't hit too badly by injuries, we don't get faitigued by Europe too much, the defence gel reasonably and we have a better option on the right side.

Have been on here a few times last season saying how lucky Villa were. I stated at the time MON needed to sign about 10 players. Well, fair play to him!! Not only has he bulked out a thin squad but he's added quality as well. 2 wingers and a striker and you're well positioned for a good season. Think it will be Spurs, Arsenal, Villa and Portsmouth fighting for 4th-7th. Anyway best of luck for the new season and COYS!!!!

Spot on Damian.
All our threat last year was from the left. As you say teams tried to snuff Young out and we had a problem. Particularly at home where certain teams came for a point (and who can blame them). Last season we had no threat from the full back positions. Good defenders but Freddie and Ollie looked awkward on the ball as soon as they reached the half way line.

The new backs may not be so solid in defence but they will give us so many more options going forward.

Right midfield and de la Red... I have not given up hope......

I am absolutely convinced that a top four spot is there for the taking. Whilst Man U and Chelsea remain out of reach, Arsenal and Liverpool are not the force they once were, Liverpool especially. Yes they have Keane, Torres and Gareth's boyfriend, but with the exception of those who would make our team? They have no money to spend, Alonso cup-tied and so has little sale value and the fat waiter does not have the backing of the board.
Spurs have seemingly bought well but they will probably have lost Berbatov as well as Keane so a lack of goals could be their problem.
With two or three quality signings we have a real chance and my prediction is:-
1 Chelsea, 2 Man Utd, 3 Arsenal, 4 ASTON VILLA, 5 Liverpool, 6 Spurs, 7 Portsmouth.

I wouldn't be disappointed with 6th because it shows that we have become a consistent top league club, hence giving us a better platform to attract sponsors and players for that push for the Champs league. Look at the difference to our steady progression and build up compared to teams who have just thrown money at an attempt to be lucky. Who are spending now and who can't afford to without selling first?

i will take 7th as long as we beat livsrpool and man utd at least once each, to me that would show we have taken another step forward.if we can beat them,then its only consistency which would be needed, as it would show we have the talent. ( it has also been too long since weve beaten the pair, far too long ).

Good shout in my opinion. Spurs look massively strong on paper, but will they gel? Who really knows, but if they do they will be challenging liverpool all the way. Were stronger than Everton now though, they have been weak in the transfer market.

Keef looking from the outside in I think it's a bit of wishful thinking on your part. Man for man Villa are not as good Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham or Portsmouth. What you have on your side is a good all round team with excelent team spirit and a good manager. As a Spurs fan the only player I would take is Barry and maybe A. Young if I was to move around the Spurs team. Gomes(Friedel), Hutton(L. Young), King(Laursen), Woodgate(Davies),Gilberto(Shorey) Bentley(NRC), Jenas(Barry), Modric(Sidwell), Bale(A.Young), Bent(Agbonlathor), Berbatov(Carew). You can't argue with that surely?

Damien,

A balanced summary, with a strong consensus from most. It's not only a matter of who we buy between now and 1st September but also who we keep ;) The cost of replacing Barry won't be affected by him being cup-tied though so I suspect nothing will go through. A benefit of the window system... GB can put his head down for a few months and see where we are at by Christmas.

An Everton friend and I pretty much agreed about 6 months back that we were a season behind them and Spurs in development but actually we're probably all on a par. They've not brought a great deal in yet which will affect them and Spurs have changed enough to possible put them back a little. Even if it takes a while to settle, Spurs will pick up many more points and the 'mini-league matches' between the clubs between 3rd and 8th will be major. I include 3rd (who I think will be Arsenal) because although I think they'll finish their fairly comfortably, they'll drop points to the chasing pack.

Everton's plus factor is Moyes. You rightly recognise the value of MON but then also reference the part of the team too and Moyes can only do so much and there are some good managers at the other clubs so I think they'll slide a little.

Pompey also in the mix... we probably benefited from them being in the FA Cup in terms of our final position. So we were probably a "6th Minus". I can't see them doing so well on the road but equally can do better at home. I think there drop in away points will be greater than their home gain on balance.

I'm going to say 6th for us then behind Liverpool and Spurs in 4th/5th but in no particular order. I think we'll be within 5 points of 4th though. That, with a strong showing in 2 cups (particularly UEFA) will have been a big test on the squad and should be a positive. That's dropping back from 5th at Christmas by the way, reflecting a slight dip in the post-GB era, though I'd love him to stay, and a bit of fatigue as the affects of 50 games hit the squad.

7th Everton / 8th Portsmouth and too close to call between the top 2... though a 3 horse race next year obviously ;)!

I like a lot of these team formations, but I do think it's ironic that all of them include Barry in the line-up. What happened to all the anti-Barry sentiment that was all over this blog just a month ago??? We are so fickle as fans. ;)

Agreed with the sentiment of the post, although it sounds like the mid afternoon beers were kicking in towards the end!!

Definitely the right man in O 'Neill, definitely need a right sided midfielder and I'm in two minds about the extra striker. I think Carew will get 20 or thereabouts this year, Gabby should step up a gear and Delfouneso should step into Gabby's boots as the up-and-coming kid. young is a given as a wizard and will only get better until either Chelsea or Man U are after him.

As for places, I don't think Spurs are going to be the threat to us that you believe. I know what you mean - I had them to break the top 4 last year - but I just can't see it when they've just lost £45m worth of strike force. Anyone fancy Blackburn for relegation scrap?

Stick my neck out here, I think the gap will appear belo us and Everton in 5th & 6th place, as opposed to below liverpool in 4th. We will finish 5th or 6th but with a hefty points gap to the 7th placed teams.

Villa 3 - 0 Man City

Come on you Villa Boys.

PS: Portsmouth will disappear into mid-table obscurity this year and pave the way for 'arry to retire by the sea.

Bang on, Damian.

Damian- Is this fantasy league game going be sorted out before kick off tomorrow!?

Apologies if it is already on the site and i've missed it.

Ron

Yes it is, even if tomorrow I have to announce it prior to launch and it not working 'in the site'.

The thing worth remembering also is that no team will have been entered so everyone will be equal and the prizes will be as good.

Villa 4th spot, I have £20 on Villa to finish 4th or higher. Odds; Villa 5 to 1, Tottenham 7-4, Everton 11-2, WBA 125-1, Stoke 300-1; have faith. ;D

my team for next year

friedel

l.young cuellar m.laursen(c) shorey


sidwell reo coker
de la red


gabby carew a.young

this could change if we get dean ashton and milner although i would be more than happy with this team i just feel we need a right winger and then were sorted

Thats sound Damian, i look forward to it!

Good article damian, totally agree that 4th & 5th are there for the taking.

Spurs wont do as well as people think-berbatov and keane were real class. they will be hard to replace. Modric & dos santos are too light weight and will get bullied.

4th can be ours if we put £20m in for Owen and Milner. exactly what we need.

Milner yes, but you can forget Owen!! Might as well shoot him, the amount of times he's injured.

Doesn't lookm lik we will get Milner, Keegan has said he doesn't want to sell. >:(

Shteve McClaren here. I feel you will appreciate a professhional opinion, ladsh.

Ashton Villa will do well but not well enough to get in the top 4, however ash I'm a twat and couldn't tell my arshe from my elbow, I shushpect they will get in the top 4.

There, I shaid it. Good luck with your asshault to the Premiership. Shhhhhhhh. Sh. *cough*

Cheers for that Damien.

I can understand fans getting carried away with transfers but when you haven't seen somebody play at least have a blanced view.
Pete with regard to your comments re Modric and GDS, who hit double figures for assists and goals for Villa last year? Yep the 7ft winger Ashley Young!!! Take off the blinkers.

I think that Liverpool will slip up this season. I'm not just saying that because of the Barry farce but simply because they're in a mess at the moment. If they don't resolve their internal issues soon it will impact the players on the field. Gerrard must be getting mightily fed up and without him on form they are gonna find it a struggle. The point is, I think fourth is up for grabs.

I think Everton will find it even harder to continue their decent run but still think they'll be 7/8. I can't see anyone else other than ourselves and spurs making a real challenge. Given the signings we have made I think we stand a real chance of being the ones pushing for fourth. We can score goals, even though we don't have a 20 goal a season man. Our problem was letting them in at the other end. With a much more vocal and confident goalkeeper another rock solid centre back and a couple of full backs I think we've gone a long way in addressing that.

The players that really need to shine more this season than last is Gabby and Routledge (unless we got a top quality RM). Both look to be on the edge of turning into something special but just haven't made the same step AY has done. If that happens then it really is ours for the taking.

As for Spurs, I think that losing Robbie was a big and unexpected blow and I'm not wholly convinced that the players they have signed are going to slot straight in so I don't think they're going to find it as easy as some are maybe predicting. Bent has been doing well pre-season but if he doesn't get on the scoresheet early in the campaign it's going to start to eat at him. With Robbie leaving this is his chance to shine and that's a lot of pressure and I'm not sure he'll be up to it.

Here's hoping anyway :)

The stupid factor is picking Spurs for 5th before the start same as last year. Why does everyone keep doing it. Great midfield, ropey defence(Woodgate will be out if a bee sneezes on him), ropey attack when/not if Berbatov leaves...

Where is DLR??????

N - We have MON though! Spurs have expensive players which have potential, but because you always pay over the top for a player you now find yourself in a position where every team expects you to cough up the extra mil here or there. My point is, Spurs look great on paper but when in the last few seasons have they come together and gelled as a team? They havnt. Except Berbatov, when can you say that Spurs got a steal in the transfer window? Maybe Ramos is good but he doesnt have the team he wants yet. But he will in a season or two, as Spurs spend 50 - 60 mil again and again. Until then, sit back and watch how a class manager (MON ofcourse) gets the most out of a squad.He has created belief in our squad and there is definate momentum now at VP.

By the way 2 - 0 Villa!!!!

Damian - I haven't heard a single thing about De La Red and I think it's ballocks.

to the spurs fan berbatov wont be there this time next week he will be at old trafford if spurs are better than us why cant you finish higher than us or beet us

No chance again of a top 4 finish, we are far too weak upfront. I doubt any of our strikers would get a game for the top 6 clubs (4 Spurs and Pompey). Top striker and right winger might put us close but god help us if it's Kevin Doyle. If it goes great we could be fifth but if it goes bad we could be 12th. Come on MON give us a top player!

If u do times fanstasy league and you r a villa fan and u r lookin for a mini league to join, then join mine,

league name - Villa Fans
league pin - 8001357

we have almost 2 decent teams.
1st team
Friedal

L Young Cueller Laursen Bouma

? petrov Barry A Young

Gabby Carew

2nd team
Guzan

? Davies night Shorey

routledge Coker Sidwell maloney

harewood ?

Still got gardner, salifou, taylor(am i missing anyone?) and the youngsters as extras,i really rate petrov (entitled to my opinion), but i've got a feeling maloney will be leaving us, as much as i think this will be his season. Gardner to come to his own as his passing is getting better.
so 2 or 3 more players please MON. UTV

Like jinksy I do worry about Coker. I rate O’Neill so highly that I think it must be me – I can’t see Coker’s true value. But his passing game is average, very little goal threat and he gets caught dwelling on the ball, having a look round, way too often. At the moment I live too far away to attend the games so perhaps I don’t get the full picture watching on TV. He’s still young and perhaps he’s going to improve.

I’ve not seen him criticised on this board so maybe it’s just you and me jinksy. What am I missing?

Two wingers? Bit of a luxury I think, Damian.

Finish in the top 4? On Betfair the Villa are 8.2 (rightsofway, you can do better than 5-1); I’ve felt obliged to take a little of that. You’re right keef, we could finish fourth. Or better.

Are these good times to be a villan?

Brothers and sisters, I am here today to tell you, these are good times to be a villan. It’s good in the mountains and the valleys and in the mornings and at the setting of the sun. It’s good in industrial quantities. Heavy-duty good.

It’s good for us and bad for them. The big four. One of them has to surrender its place to us. The natural order is changing. The tectonic plates under the Premier League have begun to shift and the earthquake shudders into life. Ambition is fashionable again. We’re the gunslingers now.

The sun shines on the righteous and it’s good to be a villan.

does anyone know anything on the de la red link its gone all so quiet i really do hope we do sign him and then play 3 in midfield

jus(t imagine if we had a defence lst year we were the top scorers away from home i think
so with a better defence and more depth i think liverpool and arsenal will not be as far in front
liverpool will be a keegan type team you score 3 we will try to score 4
arsenal have lost some key players and the emerites is still alien to them they struggle no atmosphere
so villa for me 3rd or 4th

The scousers have given up....woooo....Benitez says it is not his fault that theyhave NOT signed Barry

keeping the faith!

Damian, that was good to read. I think that we can improve our points tally from last year. We will need to rely on other teams to take more points off the 3rd and 4th placed teams for us to break into the top 4. In plotting our course through the season MoN will be hoping for ManU & Chels to win games against our closest rivals and us to nick points when we play those two. It's just a matter of staying injury free, keeping together as a team, maintaining concentration up to the final whistle in all games, and above all - not getting distracted by Europe. First prize is the Premiership, that's what leagues are all about.

With two weeks left to get players in I would echo others' hopes that we will get a quality striker, and possibly a right winger. Routledge looked very promising on Thursday night, and JC and Gabby lead the line well, but I would like to see reinforcements there eventually

UTV SOTC YMCA B&Q

Would love Villa to finish 4th but come on guys what happens if one of our strikers gets injured bringing on the donkey Harewood is hardly going to bring us glory come on MoN buy a 20 goal man and a good right midfielder and we will push the top 4 close.

i know that MON must bring in a right sided player before the window closes and some of you might laugh at this but i feel routledge should get a run out this weekend and until that new right sided player is added. i feel he has some potential and would be a little more creative than reo-coker was yesterday. also petrov should not see the pitch like he has against our last few european opponets, he has made little impact

has evry1 4gotten? wats going on with the milner bid?

I would also like to see Routledge given a chance, he looked fresh and ready to go last night, good preseason by all accounts. My team would be friedel, young, cuellar, laursen, shorey, routledge, sidwell, barry, young, gabby, carew.

has anyone seen crucial christo on youtube

id give maloney a real chance at right side much better than routledge.has maloney ever started 3 or 4 in a row dont think he has.I still hope oneil brings in another striker we need a fox in the box type striker,As much as i want to see carlos c start i dont think we can drop davies can we?

I agree with Ghostunter, in terms of ability I feel that Liverpool were not too far away from the Villa last season, and with this maybe the gap has closed even further but lets wait until the window closes - Barry is key as this weeks developments have lifted everyone, within the space of 5 minutes he closed the door on his move to Liverpool by playing and redeemed himself with the Villa supporters with a goal!

what whould you say Gerrard is worth ? say 20mil ? think he will want out of there soon with all the shite with thier board, we should put in a £14 mil offer and take the piss :)

I think we may be kidding ourselves with talk of cracking the top 4.
If Cuellar is all he is cracked up to be then MON has done a pretty good job in bolstering numbers at the back.
We still need another rightback as Gardner has clearly demonstrated he is not a viable option there.
More than anything though I feel we need a bit of magic in the team.
What we have now is a lot of effort and a fair amount of pace.What we are crying out for is guile and craft.
Please don't buy Milner !!!!!!.Not when Lennon or Joaquin are available.
Don't consider Doyle when Santa Cuz could be prized from Blackburn.
I'd be deligted with De La Red but why not really push the boat out and go for Diego at Werder Bremen aswell ?
I honestly think a squad like that could break Liverpools hold on 4th with the only realistic threat coming from Tottenham.
I know it's probably an urban myth but we all know the Fable of Ron Atkinson wanting to buy Keane and Klinnsman but having his hands tied and having to go for Townsend and Whittingham.
We are now at a point where at would be criminal to repeat that kind of error

What was wrong with Townsend?
according to the rumours today on the continent

"Marca - Mallorca reject West Bromwich bid for Nunes



It is claimed that the Balearic islanders have rejected a €6 million bid from the Premiership newcomers for the services of Portuguese defender Jose Carlos de Araujo Nunes. The 31 year old central defender, who has also attracted interest from Aston Villa, has a release clause in his contract set at €10 million.

Keane and Townshend's careers didn't overlap, surely? But point taken, now is the time to step ahead. I don't want us to overload though... the team dynamic will change if it has too many newcomers straight away. One more 1st teamer we could manage, 2 tops, I reckon.

I echo Chicago_Villan in wanting to see Routledge out there. I think he will play against Man City, but MON just didn't want to risk him on Thursday with no specialist cover, other than perhaps dropping Gabby back. I've always liked Milner and wouldn't grumble if we had him for now but my dream signing would be Joaquin for that role if he brings someone in.

Up front, agree we need cover. Disagree that Ashton should be in that, too great an injury risk. If an auction starts on Santa Cruz I'd butt out. If he stays at Blackburn and shows he can follow up a great 1st year, move for him in January, albeit at a higher cost. I'd be OK with Doyle for now... I can see a signing like that for someone who will eventually phase out Marlon but themselves give way to a more full on choice in January/next summer. I can't see a major first team striker signing this window, don't see the logic of risking the team balance or unsettling JC. We just need to share Ashely's load and provide cover for him.

Some very interesting comments all round really, thought provoking stuff. I think in summary there's a consensus to say that actually the EPL may not be as competitive as last year for the lower Euro spots, but there might just be a little more interest in the higher ones - hopefully with us playing a part.

Man City's troubles could take them out of play over the season which from a selfish perspective is a bonus, given that Hughes is a good manager. I'm with TT77 on a Blackburn struggle, which is a shame, as I'd like to see Ince do well but not as much as I want an easier run for Villa!

I do think we'll get started with a win but not comfortable by any means. It is Man City!

Man UTD, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool will finish 1st-4th this season, the only team who may upset that is Spurs, they have brought QUALITY, PROVEN QUALITY, Modric is class, 16m?? Barry 18m? I'd have Modric every time, cant wait to watch them on MOD. Villa (my only love) have added nicely,just what we need but at the moment I don't think we will touch the top 5, OH, how I hope I am wrong!!! The reason for this is I don't believe we will buy any more players who will start, but 6th is there for us, depending on injuries, fatigue ETC. Like alot have said we need RW, CF, AND DE LA RED!!!!!! like i said, i dont think it will happen YET. I think Routledge will be a big player for us this season, I think he was a snip, and he will prove it i hope. Roll on Sunday, love it!!!! and a song to finish.........we're all going on a european tour, a european tour, a european tour, we're all going on a european tour a european tour a european tour...WITH ASHLEY YOUNG AND JOHN CAREW, REO COKER AND SALIFOU.... WE'RE ALL GOING ON A EUROPEAN TOUR..... ETC ETC ETC

With another player for the right, another striker, and no more conceding late goals will see us finish higher this year.

I think the [b]spuds[/b] will finish around 8th-10th, yes they have bought a number of attacking midfielders but no strikers, defenders of defensive midfielders. They still have 3 defenders with glass limbs (woody, bale & king), while [b]Everton[/b] have weakened and could be in for a tough season.

[b]Pompey[/b], while buying a strike force, have lost their best player from last year Muntari and not replaced him.

[b]Liverpool[/b] look like they will lose alonso or he won't be happy, they have no left winger, and nothing past torres and keane (if one of them gets injured). For the right they have benayoun or pennant, but most probably kuyt, who only plays there because he is not good enough up front. Yes they have a stronger squad than us and should finish 4th, a few injuries and rotations, and if they go a bit further in the champions league, they league form could well be affected (as normal).

Therefore, I believe, with the addition of a top class winger and striker in the weeks to come, w[b]e could be in prime position to push for fourth[/b], and then hopefully come this time next year we won't get one of the top teams in the qualifiers (as there is no seeding next year!)

sunderland to beat poole today and a 3 nil win for us we will be top of the prem tomorrow then lets stay there

Alonso in talks with Arsenal as he has asked to leave Liverpool over the Barry saga. Wonder what affect this will have on wether or not Barry will leave?

Leroy, my point exactly. The big thing Villa have is MON. He's done a great job there especially this summer. Decent buys and bulking out a thin squad. Read my earlier posts, I wasn't slagging you. Expect big things from Tottenham this year. We've improved for the last 3 years (04-05 UEFA Cup place, 05-06 UEFA Cup place with 3 good cup runs, 06-07 UEFA Cup place and won Carling Cup).
It amazes me when people believe their own new players will gel immediately but those of other clubs won't??? Villa will have 3 possibly 4 out of a new defensive 5 yet they are expected to gel straight away. I agree Spurs pay big money for players but that's because they go for the best they can buy. Dos Santos was 5 million, Modric 15, Bentley 15 but we have recouped about 40 and Berbatov's departure will be another 30 million. However Spurs will not let him go until a replacement is found, that's how it's been since Daniel Levy arrived.
Last point about Woodgate's injuries. He's proved his fitness in 3 years since coming back to England. King is also fit now and the last time he played a season we only just missed out on 4th having held the position for the whole season. That's how good deadly Ledley is. Last time he was fully fit he kept Terry out of the England Team. You seem to forget Laursen was out for years, so a full recovery is possible. Then there's Paul Mcgrath.
As I said I wsn't slating Villa I was saying well done this summer and good luck for Sunday and the season!!! :P

de la red won't come because 1.arsenal are in for him. 2. wesley sniejder, or however you spell it is injured 3. he wants to stay at madrid

hey guys dont forget that sidwell is injured!

UTV ;D

N - I don't think you came across as slagging Villa at all, I like to see decent posts from other fans... good to get other views on here - although we've had a few unwelcome ones from Merseyside recently ;)

You make a good point about our defensive unit needing to knit but they have experience of the PL, whereas some of your quality purchases in Modric and Dos Santos don't. I don't say that to bash, just as potential rivals for those key places I feel we might make a slightly better start.

I know it could go the other way and the unknown factor could work in your favour - and in my earlier post I have you overtaking us in the second part of the year. For those of us aspiring to a top 4 spot, if our own team doesn't make it, our preferred outcome must be for someone else to break in - otherwise the income of the usual suspects just grows at a faster pace. Obviously Spurs have been very, very close recently albeit under a different regime and, like last year, I can't see many people feeling short-changed watching either of our clubs.

Good luck for the season... obviously I want us to finish above you but if we don't I'd like to see you crack a CL place.

N - Fair play. Just used to these pool fans coming in here on the attack and perhaps bit a little too quickly. Just on your player for player comparison on your earlier post, i really dont think Spurs have that much of an advantage. Last year your team looked great on paper, and the year before. Where did that get you? That is the point im trying to make. Spurs are totally unstable. You never know when a player is to be sold or a coach to be fired. I have to say, for a team "worth" that much money and has spent millions repeatedly, for you to finish mid table is ridiculous. Maybe things are to turn around though under Ramos, but i dont think it will be immediate. I think the gap between Arsenal/Liverpool and the rest of the field has lessened and there might well be a new team featuring in the top four this year. Atleast that is the hope, and id much rather see Spurs there than Pool if that makes you feel any better!!

two more additions would do me nicely! then my team would look like this.
friedel
l.young cuellar laursen shorey


swp sidwell barry young


gudjohnson
carew
subs
guzan
davies
gabby
maloney
coker

sounds like a good side to me, and i feel we need a forward like gudjohnson to give us some imagination , technical ability at the moment we lack that up front thats why we play it long or down the chanles so much. he or someone like that could make us look a different side i feel. all the top four have a player like this who drops off ie . rooney , kean , van persie they link the team and make the play.

Bit annoyed Boro have got Hoyte.

Why are you annoyed at not getting Hoyte, he's unproven and unexperienced. L.Young is perfect for what we need!

Leroy after that performance Spurs won't be anywhere near the top 4 more like top half.

No young in the england squad - i guess there is no point in having the best english left sided player.

Brilliant article. It is really interesting and I enjoyed reading it, I will recommend this blog to my friends!

nikk0..where can i see the England squad mate? Can't believe Ashley Young would be ignored ! Is cappello blind???

Churchill...great post, i'm not sure about NRC either

fitzy...i saw Crucial on you tube too. It's a little disturbing isn't it?

BillyVILLA4EVER....i agree

Damo...i still got faith in the De La Red thing and we really do need someone like that in midfield.

What happened on Thursday was great on paper, but a little disappointing on many levels. We need a right sided player big time IMO. Routledge looked decent for a little while the other day but then you just knew he wouldn't have the guile that we were missing. Gabby scored a marvellous goal but for the rest of the game was head down and run with no end product. Harewood was poor but probably very frustrated by lack of service.
However, i thought that both Salifou and Delfuenso chased men down and put pressure on the opposition when they came on...something Petrov or Gabby didn't offer.

Diego played for Brazil at the Olympics tonight so i'm gonna try and catch a bit of that after Match of the Day.

2-1 Villa for tomorrow, but only because Citeh are in dire straights. They can be bogey like.

Right winger, Playmaker, Striker...coming soon to a Villa Park near you.

UP THE VILLA ;)

By the way, i ain't seen MOTD yet, it's just starting as my pizza burns.
Just to say i saw some of the liverpool game earlier and they were piss poor apart from the Torres goal. Alonso again was crap when he came on and they look a bit poor in general at the moment.
Can't wait for tomorrow's game

UP THE VILLA ;)

how the f**k is ashley young the best left midfielder in the prem not in the england squad

av33 yes it is very very disturbing ha but yet amusing

utv

Im quite happy that Ashley Young has been left out of the England squad for wednesday.
I would rather have him fit to play for us than risk getting injured in a pointless friendly.

please dont link me to crucial christo again i tried to watch 2 of them and they both had beds i think the first one was in his nans room and that worried me tbh, anyway our bogie team against man city about time we had a good result against them, and what a class act old gareth is southgate i mean i think he will become a good manager as he was a defender, mind you spuds was very poor at the back so lets hope our second young has a good game and hope big john is back. utv

It is only one match, but the landscape for Villa doesn't look too bad given the performances of Spurs, Everton and Liverpool today. You have to like what Blackburn did today, but does anyone really believe that they will be able to hang onto Santa Cruz or Stepen Warnock or some of these other players all season long. I don't think so. Three points tomorrow to put further doubt in Man. City's minds and get the season off to a flier.

Villa will take Man City today - there is surely no better time to play them. Maybe 2-0, with a bit of Ashley Young magic in the second half. There's momentum growing at Villa Park and a strong start may also help with us eeking out a little more from this transfer window.
Was happy Spurs lost, partly coz Bentley went there, and they continually attract players ahead of Villa. Please no Doyle, come on, I'd rather stick with what we've got and make a move for someone different in January.

Maybe jumping the gun but already looking forward to Liverpool... Beating them would be sweet after the summer... With Barry hitting a screamer to celebrate his spanking new contract...

Not only has Capello left Ashley out, he's recalled Heskey !!
Just when we thought things may be looking up for England. Mind you, he's got to be a better manager than McLaren so let's hope he knows what he's doing.
Good point from v8aml, if Ashley doesn't play in the pointless friendlies, he will stay fit for us...i like your thinking.
Just a side about McLaren, have you seen that interview where he puts on his fake dutch accent and waves his arms around? Seriously funny, look it up on you tube. What a mug !

2-1 to us today..can't wait.

UP THE VILLA ;)

Does anyone think with man u lookin like they'll get Berbatov, Saha will be even further down the peckin order and be looking for a move?

Whats the deal with his contract and don't you think MON could work wonders with him.

I think it will be very close points-wise from 3rd to 6th place this year.Maybe as few as six points seperating the teams.

Chelsea will take the top spot with Manchester United closely following in second.Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham will be the teams battling for the 4 positions behind them, with Portsmouth in 7th.

8th and some long injuries, no big signing either