Amen, things are starting to warm up after a very slow start to the window (at least from an Aston Villa point of view), where I was really hoping that Paul Lambert might have already had some hidden gems lined up as very early signings, ready to throw straight into the fray.
I suspect that he hasn’t, which worries me slightly, in that perhaps the club thought things were fine up until the disaster that was the festive season; but regardless, I’m sure many fans will be hoping this one is true.
James Nursey, of the Daily Mirror, suggests that we might be in for Joleon Lescott.
I personally think it’s a load of rubbish, for the following reasons:
a) He’s too old.
b) What money is he currently on? Would we even be willing to pay half of his wages?
c) Can anyone really see us signing him on a contract of any length, given the clear path we’re going down?
Whatever, it’s a tasty rumour.
We always like us being associated with quality, after all.
It’s what we deserve, isn’t it?
In the same article, Mr Nursey also claims that we’re after an experienced centre half, a ball winning midfielder and a new left back.
Hardly imaginative stuff, but who knows?, it’s probably correct.
Where the article really falls down for me, is the statement that Shay Given is available, along with Darren Bent.
The latter, the whole world and his dog knows about, even if it’s been denied and I can see a couple of clubs that might be willing to take a punt.
But Given?
How much of a loss is that going to involve?
Who would come anywhere near approaching his wages at his age, even with a fifty per cent subsidy? (another massive loss for the club, even though I quite rate him and would be happy to see him step in).
Remind me, which genius signed him for the Villa, on a five year contract, in the first place?
Or did he?
Get joleon in, 3 good years left in him.
I just can’t see us getting Lescott. He would have to take a substantial pay cut and even then you do wonder if City would let him go as the Toure’s have gone to the African Cup of Nations. Would love to be proven wrong though as he would give us the experience we so desperately need at the back.
There’s 2 ways to look at this.
1, Lescott could say “I’m not prepared to play for a club that are fighting to stay in the prem when it was only 8 months ago I was collecting a league champions winners medal, I’m at a club who WILL win trophies and pay me a silly amount of money each week even if I’m not going to be playing etc etc” or he could say…….
2, “Apart from winning a trophy, every school boys dream is to play for the club they supported as a boy, I’ve made a lot of money and I’m more than set up for the rest of my life, I could go to my boyhood club, be looked upon as an instant hero and become instantly adored by the fans as well as being able to play every week and more than likely be more than just a name in the team sheet etc etc”.
Hand on heart, if I was ever given the chance to play for villa, the club I’ve supported for 27 years, I’d walk to the ground, I’d walk to training everyday and I wouldn’t want paying….because the highest personal honour, in my opinion, apart from winning a trophy whilst playing for your boyhood club is surely to say I play for the team I’ve always supported.
Lambert has a salary budget of £65m a season. Currently he has £200k a week to play with to add further £200k a week.
I have been told (I mentioned Brnteke in the summer = my mate works in the Villa finance) that Warnock & Hutton can go and there wages combined will b offered to Lescot who has already told us he’ll join.
Expect in a forward from st. Etiene
and they are the only two dealings happening at the moment
I will keep u updated on true transfers. Watch this space… I’m genuine a don’t see why people make gossip up!!!
Will wait and see if that happens mate…
It’s going to be busy was what I was told, o & expect a midfielder from Dortmund too!
I guess we will soon find out mate. If it is true then its a step in the right direction but first we gotta find some1 willing to take them players and not just on loan. I still can’t see lescott going anywhere either but lets hope I’m proven wrong. Still think need centre midfielder as well
Lambert isn’t interested in loan players, his attitude is your with us or don’t bother coming.
Lescot’s brother (Aaron – who is dealing as his agent) has already spoken to Paul Faulkner.
Flair and creativty will come from abroad Germany & France
Well like I said believe it wen I see it. We need a balance across the team so need creative and densive midfielder. Admittedly there r some top foreign players out there just like there is here. Still think Livermore wodnt be a bad shout for the right price of corse. Plus wodnt need time to settle coz already is accustomed to premier league. It’s gonna be an interesting next few days but either way something gotta give. Once get settled maybe go for another keeper as well.
Pat Murphy from the bbc is reporting we aren’t interested in Lescott..
Totally going against your version…..
We will see, I was told that about Benteke in the summer & previous to that Darren Bent!
The press will always knock us… Watch this space
.
Lescott has always been on – stated this a couple of weeks ago – a backup to him is Douglas from FC Twente
Also after a left back from Toulouse (French u21 left back) can’t spell his name lol
Only those at the moment