brummie

That money is the club's money, not Mike Ashley's.

Orange manfat. How vile.

Well he is in Hull having talks right now so I hear. Press tittle tattle disclaimers, obv, but the Express and Star get it right on matters down here a lot more than the other local papers. http://www.expressandstar.com/2009/08/07/villa-to-beat-off-hull-for-beye/

Beye apparently due at our training ground today, they're hoping to seal it by end of play today.

Nice one Villa! A good solid club for Beye to go to. Should make up a bit for the lumbering them with James Milner. Thank God he isn't going to Hull. You say lumbering, but that is unfair. He was very good indeed for most of the season, after settling slowly. Overpriced, yes, that's fair, but lumbering implies he's not up to much, which conflicts with what we've seen this year. I know, I know ... Just not a fan of the guy. I know he was productive for you last season, doesn't mean I have to admit it though. I'm like that. Wait till FatArse Barry starts playing for Citeh

Nice one Villa! A good solid club for Beye to go to. Should make up a bit for the lumbering them with James Milner. Thank God he isn't going to Hull. You say lumbering, but that is unfair. He was very good indeed for most of the season, after settling slowly. Overpriced, yes, that's fair, but lumbering implies he's not up to much, which conflicts with what we've seen this year.

I'd be amazed if we were. He's too foreign league based for Martin. Our scouts don't have passports. Any more on Beye going to Villa? Hoping to seal it tomorrow, apparently.

I'd be amazed if we were. He's too foreign league based for Martin. Our scouts don't have passports. In fact, the one who "scouted" Marlon Harewood clearly doesn't have eyes, either.

We've done what we have under MON despite his transfer policy, rather than because of it. Moyes, for example, is far more adept in the transfer market than O'Neill is. However, having said that, life with him and Lerner hasn't been boring for a second (unlike the unremitting torpor of the last years of Ellis) Cuellar I think will come good this season, though, and possibly Davies too (who, lest we forget, was on the fringes of the England squad earlier this season). Luke Young, Ashley Young and Carew have all been good signings. As has Petrov (well, one excellent season, two gash ones). He gets it wrong far too often for my liking, though. Still, f*** it, he's got us back to 6th, which I believe is about our average position since the inception of the premiership. What he needs to do now is show his mettle and move us on. That'll be the challenge. it cant be surely Sixth in the all time PL table. 8th is our average position, though. Well, 8.1, if you will, so not far off. It annoys me a bit that people think we'd been as we were in the last few years of Ellis for a long time, which is bollocks. From 1996 - 2002 our finishes were 4th, 5th, 7th, 6th, 6th, 8th and 8th, then 2 years later, even Pugnose O'Leary managed a 6th. Our highest PL finish is 2nd. Obviously, all the above assumes we buy into that "football was invented in 1992 bullshit", which of course, it wasn't.

We've done what we have under MON despite his transfer policy, rather than because of it. Moyes, for example, is far more adept in the transfer market than O'Neill is. However, having said that, life with him and Lerner hasn't been boring for a second (unlike the unremitting torpor of the last years of Ellis) Cuellar I think will come good this season, though, and possibly Davies too (who, lest we forget, was on the fringes of the England squad earlier this season). Luke Young, Ashley Young and Carew have all been good signings. As has Petrov (well, one excellent season, two gash ones). He gets it wrong far too often for my liking, though. Still, fuck it, he's got us back to 6th, which I believe is about our average position since the inception of the premiership. What he needs to do now is show his mettle and move us on. That'll be the challenge.

Why? They're about the most boring team in the league. Season after season all they ever do is float about but never actually do anything of note. Like 16 of the 20 teams in the top flight, you mean?

It doesn't inspire confidence if potential buyers are waiting for the wage bill to come down a bit before committing. Firstly, it suggests they're possibly not that bothered about buying the club. Secondly, it suggests they're not "money no object" people. That thing about MA maybe deciding he's the best person to run the club is just incredible. This is the same man who was saying "just give me the 100 mill, first to show it gets the club" a couple of months ago, isn't it? What a wanker.

Senderos to Everton? Thank god for that.

Ain't that the truth. If you ever have to live through a MON transfer summer, think back to this post. Mind you, if i ever have to live through your current summer, I'll throw myself off a fecking bridge.

From leedsunited.com, their official site. Bit weird. I tihnk they may be pissed off with wonky faced Harry. However - Ken Bates / "principles" conundrum.

Gazzetta Dello Sport this morning are linking Milan with, errrm, Gareth Bale.

Not heard.

"Back on" is the word. As is Delph again, apparently.

Coming to us, according to errm, ITKs.

Villa win on pens. Not bad at all, seeing as we finished (and played most of) the game with such stars as Guzan, Lichaj, Herd, Bannan, Albrighton, and Lowry on the pitch. Great experience for the kids if nothing else. They look really fearless. Good on them.

Just watching the Peace Cup final. Again, Marc Albrighton looks quality, as does Eric Lichaj.

I'd be extremely jealous if he went there but can't see it. Surely most of the top clubs will want him even if Madrid don't, he's fantastic. It has been in the papers down here, but no fucking chance. Martin's fucking this window up big style. Oh, and we've been linked with Senderos, too. I feel your pain.

Wish I could have seen the punch-up. To be fair though, "playing largely the kids" is a bit of a fact-massage - only Lichaj and Albrighton in the starting lineup could be called kids. Well, I make it Guzan Lichaj Albrighton Ciaran Clark (after 20 mins) Hardly seasoned campaigners. Apparently MON's sending off the other day was due to transfers for Delph (Man City money) and Martins (thank fuck for that) falling through that very day after being very close.

He was fine until that Croatia match, then he disintegrated His speciality was to always dive the right direction, and the right distance, but two seconds after the ball had hit the back of the net. And he looks like a thin Chris Moyles.

Into the final of the Peace Cup tomorrow against either Real Madrid or Juventus, having beaten Porto 2-1 tonight (playing largely the kids, and the last 20 mins with 10 men). Just for once I can put aside our chronic lack of transfer activity and impending doom for the season ahead, and reiterate that Marc Albrighton (academy kid) has been absolutely superb this pre-season, playing way beyond his years. Further to that, Barry Bannan and Andreas Weimann have also looked excellent, as has Guzan in goal.