[Dingle-Dingle]

Could have been worse, could have been playing Spuds. Oh wait we still have to.

DD

[Stairs]

It is understood that Diallo, 25, will head to The Hawthorns on an initial season-long loan but Albion will be obliged to sign him permanently for a fee beginning at £18.1million.

[Slick_Footwork]

It seems Gallagher and Billic may have had a falling out, fast forward to 1min 50, Billic says he wasn't ready, really, then sates yesterday Gallagher said he felt weak!!!!

https://twitter.com/sportbbcwm/status/13...70176?s=09

Unless he was a positive coronavirus test and the club don't want to release the info for some reason?

There were 10 positive tests this week and I think Mane was the only one named.

But it did sound pretty ominous.

It is a possibility, of course he may just be he is not match fit and they do not want to tip off other clubs when he will be fit, he would not be the first player we have brought in who is a few weeks away from being fit. I must say though watching his interview he did seem to have dilutions of grandeur. still happy to give him the benefit of the doubt though

True, but he looked fit against Brentford in the cup, played full 90 and seemed mobile. And he's had another 1 and a half weeks since then.

But who knows. Hopefully we see a much different line up after the International break.

[wba13]

We desperately need all the new boys to be put into the team. Soundly beaten but for Johnstone it could have been a cricket score. Ivanovic for Bartley. Gallagher for Sawyers and Krovinovic for Edwards. As well as any new strikers whoever they may be.

[baggietrousers]

Villa show a bit of ambition by pulling out the stops to get Watkins and Barkley, and get the reward.
We pull out the stops to get a top striker, oh wait a minute, well at least we played our on loan midfielder, oh !!!

[Slick_Footwork]

Villa show a bit of ambition by pulling out the stops to get Watkins and Barkley,  and get the reward.
We pull out the stops to get a top striker, oh wait a minute, well at least we played our on loan midfielder,  oh !!!

Villa are in the fortunate position of having a bottomless pit of cash to spend.

Spent £100m last summer on reinforcements in all positions and still only stayed up due to a tragic goal line technology failure.

But the key learning about their survival was the change in philosophy post lockdown. That change kept them up. Pre lockdown, they were a soft touch, far too open and weak defensively. Lost 6-1 at home to City and looked like a joke of a side. Post lockdown, Smith decided to adopt a safety first approach. Added extra steel at the back, introducing a centre half at right back, extra man in midfield sacrificing a winger and they ground out results.

This year they have kept the steel of 3 midfield players but added quality to it. Their whole team look fast and athletic.

Watkins is a real handful who is fast, strong and can make something out of nothing. They have bought a quick right back, so that's no longer a problem area. Added Barkley who is genuine quality.

Fair play to them.

Obviously we'll not compete with them money wise. But we should learn from how they had to adopt to life in the Premier League. Villa spent a lot more money last season than we will and were a soft touch. So if we think we're going to outplay teams with our budget, it shows the naivety of the 'football people' at the club. It took Smith until lockdown to learn that Villa had to change the way they play to be competitive at this level. Let's hope Slav doesn't take so long to learn.

[valpayne]

If you have villa fans at work tmoro I’d call in sick ?wtaf

[drewks]

Things could be worse....
Do you support Man Utd? Liverpool?

Nuff said

[wba1978]

Poor performance.
Next three games are crucial.
Got to settle on a formation and a back line.  
Some are saying Ivanovic in, but personally I believe his legs were gone years ago, and is not fast enough to play in a two.
Experience and positioning and all that... I'll wait to be convinced...

[Slick_Footwork]

Poor performance.
Next three games are crucial.
Got to settle on a formation and a back line.  
Some are saying Ivanovic in, but personally I believe his legs were gone years ago, and is not fast enough to play in a two.
Experience and positioning and all that... I'll wait to be convinced...

Could stick him a wheelchair and he'd probably match Bartley for pace though. And he's absolutely guaranteed to be able to mark and close down shots better!