[Football] Aston Villa

[AmexRuislip]

I've never had anything against Villa. Proper old club - second best in the entire country back in 1910. But they're lead by that **** Terry, have Grabban who was crap to us when we were looking to buy him, and Grealish and Elbows Jedinak. And they took Calderwood from us just before we played them. Add to that lot the obscene amount of money they've spent on trying to buy the league and it's great to see them fail.

It's nothing to do with what division we're in, I'd feel even stronger about it if we were in the Championship or lower. And comparing their financial state with what happened to us is ridiculous. Even if they don't have an owner willing to fund buying the league, they could easily sell their players to pay the bills if necessary.

They're one of those 'old guard' clubs, that think it's they're right to be in the PL.
You have to earn that right, as the Albion have done IMO.

 

[Triggaaar]

This is a staggering quote from that link from the Doc.

"For now I’m not focusing on anything else. I don’t think we’ll end up like Leeds or like other teams who’ve come down from the Premier League and struggled for years and years. Why? Because I know exactly what the financial situation is here and I’m ready to invest. And I have confidence in my management team that they know what they’re doing and I’m going to let them do it."

The headline wasn't bad either:

New Aston Villa owner Tony Xia plans to make club 'the biggest in the world'

 

[Triggaaar]

They're one of those 'old guard' clubs, that think it's they're right to be in the PL.
You have to earn that right, as the Albion have done IMO.

Indeed, we don't have franchises here.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Hasn't Bruce got form for getting out of clubs just before it all goes tits up ?

For leaving by mutual consent after his 'big' side has just been beaten by The Albion, more like

 

[BBassic]

Write up in the Guardian this morning

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/06/aston-villa-tony-xia-bleak-future

 

[Jim D]

Well, they've certainly come on a long way from when Paul Samrah christened them 'Luxury Villa' during the Gareth Barry row.

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

If any of us ever wish that TB would push the boat out a bit further on big-money signings, Villa's situation is a reminder that football clubs are businesses and need to be run prudently.

 

[Weststander]

The headline wasn't bad either:

New Aston Villa owner Tony Xia plans to make club 'the biggest in the world'

Laughable.

Owners are best staying in the background.

 

[Weststander]

They paid Micha Richards £2.6m to make ZERO appearances last season, and £2.6m to make 2 appearances the season before.

That is a career that has spectacularly failed to deliver.

Villa were also a cash cow for N’Zogbia, who recenly spent literally years not playing games for them, whilst on massive wages in a long contract and refusing to be sold on.

Lessons there for sensible clubs like the Albion.

 

[Official Old Man]

Well they didn't spend the money on the ground, last season's visit was a big disappointment for me expecting a lot more toilets that are functional at start of the game and maybe a place to buy a beer. Not a lot to ask for.

This
Ground was a mess and toilets unusable from arrival. No beer.
If the FA Cup semis weren't played at Wembley I wonder if they would still be played at Villa Park as was the norm?
Whilst I have no sympathy for the club, as ever the loyal fans will suffer as usual.

 

[studio150]

How many players will need to leave before the season starts, to raise funds and to reduce the wage bill.

It's a long road back once a fire sale starts.

 

[GT49er]

How many players will need to leave before the season starts, to raise funds and to reduce the wage bill.

It's a long road back once a fire sale starts.

Rather hope Tommy Elphick gets out as part of the fire sale. His career has stalled at Villa - it would be good to see him playing again; Championship - or even League 1. He should be financially secure by now, so he can afford to make decisions based on football - and he could do a decent job for a club somewhere.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Rather hope Tommy Elphick gets out as part of the fire sale. His career has stalled at Villa - it would be good to see him playing again; Championship - or even League 1. He should be financially secure by now, so he can afford to make decisions based on football - and he could do a decent job for a club somewhere.

He spent Jan - May this year at Reading on loan.

 

[GT49er]

He spent Jan - May this year at Reading on loan.

Cheers - didn't know that. Any idea how well that went?

 

[Giraffe]

Cheers - didn't know that. Any idea how well that went?

Nearly took them down...

I like Tommy, but I think League 1 is his level now. I thought at the time it was a naive signing by Villa.

 

[Dave the OAP]

Our colleagues up in Birmingham have a raffle going and the winner gets the two huge lions outside the ground!

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Rather hope Tommy Elphick gets out as part of the fire sale. His career has stalled at Villa - it would be good to see him playing again; Championship - or even League 1. He should be financially secure by now, so he can afford to make decisions based on football - and he could do a decent job for a club somewhere.

He spent Jan - May this year at Reading on loan.

He was injured.

Nearly took them down...

I like Tommy, but I think League 1 is his level now. I thought at the time it was a naive signing by Villa.

The same Tommy Elphick who captained Bournemouth to the Premier League? As above, he was injured so didn't play much for Reading on loan, so saying he nearly took them down, is disingenous to say the least.

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

Cheers - didn't know that. Any idea how well that went?

Nearly took them down...

I like Tommy, but I think League 1 is his level now. I thought at the time it was a naive signing by Villa.

He didn't nearly take them down, he barely played for them due to injury.

Played in 4 matches for them, he went off injured after 32 mins of Readings home defeat to Millwall at start of Feb. He required surgery to fix his knee. His next appearance was off the bench as Reading lost 4-0 at home to Ipswich at end of April. Reading are still keen by all accounts to get him in on a permanent deal I think there may have been a clause in the loan agreement that gives Reading first dibs.

 

[Giraffe]

He was injured.


The same Tommy Elphick who captained Bournemouth to the Premier League? As above, he was injured so didn't play much for Reading on loan, so saying he nearly took them down, is disingenous to say the least.

Fair enough. I was being slightly sarcastic on the relegation comment. He took Bournemouth up 3 years ago. That's a long time in football.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Rather hope Tommy Elphick gets out as part of the fire sale. His career has stalled at Villa - it would be good to see him playing again; Championship - or even League 1. He should be financially secure by now, so he can afford to make decisions based on football - and he could do a decent job for a club somewhere.

His career has come to a dead halt, never mind stalled! But yes l agree, you don't become a bad player overnight, and he did great things at Bournemouth. Weren't Reading or some other championship club allegedly interested in signing him? Less chance of that now thay have O'shea l guess.