goodymatt

Sounds logical. I’d never heard of this guy before. Little bit more experience than some of our recent signings. Hopefully he’s good enough.

I think his goal against Watford, where he placed it top bins, shows he can do it. However most of the time he doesn’t take his time and just smashes it full power in a straight line. Guy lacks composure and has no left foot whatsoever. His strengths are his power and ability to battle through. Shot power is great. Having started off as a CM earlier on in his career, his build up play is good, something Broja lacked entirely.

Looks like he’s a former Spain u21, now 24 years old. Played 34 times for Marseille last season (1G, 2A)

Apparently we don’t have enough fund to pay the €10m fee, so are discussing a loan. I’m hoping that’s just because we aren’t budgeting to buy a new RB this summer, rather than we’ve run out of money!

Much needed Tino cover, is he any good?

Immediately looks more solid. Wish Ralph would consider this formation. Prowsey banging them in from the edge of the box. Those 2 CDMs would be hard to get through. New main striker signed before the end of the window, ABK to take Bednarek’s place over time.

The Athletic have us going down in 18th.

I see Lyanco has now removed his story, so I’m guessing not an intentional leak!

Lyanco has just posted a reel which appears to include our new 3rd kit: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CgxLjplgQRW/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

For those that think Ings might be leaving Villa this summer, he’s just been given their number 9 shirt: https://www.instagram.com/p/CgmXADAMucu/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

The only player I thought looked poor in the first half was Redmond. He just kept giving the ball away. Good determination from him for our first goal though. Overall a very encouraging performance, much more like it.

I think that JWP, Hojbjerg, KWP and Ings all became notably better players under Ralph. I think they all reached levels that we didn’t expect. Salisu started last season really well and fell off a cliff second half of the season, not sure what happened there. I don’t think you can say players like Tino went backwards. He burst into the scene and just showed the inconsistencies of a young player. Perhaps that’s what we saw with Salisu too, to a degree. Broja would also be in that category for me too. Ralph isn’t perfect but he has shown he can develop players, he’s also not scared to play them which fits in well with our transfer model.

So the questions that come to mind are: 1. Are we going sign another CB? 2. If so, having had various links to this guy and Colwill, who was truly our first choice? Have Palace beaten us to this guy or has Colwill turned them down?

He played just 45 mins against RB Leipzig and I’m already feeling confident he’s going to be a big signing for us. Am I getting well ahead of myself?

Think we are trying to avoid another Broja situation where we loan and then can’t afford to buy, or the player then has his sights on a bigger team. Trouble for us now is that Broja and Delap look to have been our top 2 choices, and we look to be getting neither. I hope we do have other targets that can improve us! I’m starting to feel quite nervous about the attacking positions. We may have to wait until later in the window like we did with Mane and Toby to get a higher calibre of player? Trying to remain optimistic as the signings so far look to be decent. Lavia and Bazunu in particular have made strong first impressions in the pre season games.

That one didn’t last long…

He made a poor backpass which he underhit and lost possession in a dangerous area once but was solid the rest of the time. Looks strong and dominant. I guess as a young player he’s going to have areas to improve but not a bad first run out. He only played the first hour and the first half especially was quite slow paced and cagey due to players fitness and the heat.

His shots on target conceded are easily the worst of the PL keepers. He’s continued that today, don’t think he has made a single save. Absolutely woeful. I’m hoping that’s obvious and Bazunu will be our first choice keeper this season.

McCarthy on, immediately kicking straight into touch.

Early signs from Bazunu look good. Impressive save early on and commanded his box well. Also looked composed on the ball when pressed. Lavia looks a little raw but not scared to have the ball in dangerous areas and tenacious when looking to regain possession. Aribo has been very quiet, not really noticed him much during that first half.

Daily Mail linking us once again to Harry Winks and Dembele. Sun linking us with Delap and saying City are willing to sell, but really just a re hash on Fabrizio Romano ‘decision in a few days’. Colwill seems to have interest from Saints, Palace, Leicester, Brighton and Arsenal. Might be hard to secure him unless being from the area and our willingness to play youth sways it?

I’m going with Aribo Starmix for this season

I think an add free site is now a benefit of the £5 annual membership fee.