As FIFA’s World Cup reaches its climax, we have been treated to the latest round of interference with the rules of the competition. This time, Trump didn’t like his USA team being weakened by the suspension of striker Balogun and so placed a call to Infantino with a view to getting the decision overturned. Surprise, surprise, the suspension was removed and the Belgium team left to suffer the consequences whilst the rest of the world expressed outrage. Statements poured in from all and sundry about being unable to understand what the rules meant any more and how they are being applied differently. Just the latest in football’s loss of integrity I’m afraid.
Infantino’s predecessor Sepp Blatter lost his job due to some dubious payments made to Michel Platini even though he was eventually cleared of the corruption charges. The position of President of FIFA is so lucrative that no incumbent is going to fall on his sword. Instead, they pay large sums of money to the developing countries football associations thus ensuring they receive the necessary number of votes to get re-elected when the time comes. He’s even hinting at 64 countries in the next World Cup.
So I don’t think Infantino is going anywhere soon despite his Trump aberration. He is only interested in making mega bucks to keep feeding his MO. Hence the “club world cup” with its prize money paid for by Saudi Arabia. And to hell with the players’ welfare. All he had to do was ensure the 2034 World Cup was given to them and it was job done. It’s another form of corruption openly carried out.
Then we come to Manchester City. Over three years have passed since the EPL announced it was charging Citeh with some 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations. Some of them serious, which if found to be true, certainly gave them a sporting advantage. And still we wait. With each passing day, the integrity of the EPL slides further down the gutter.
The EPL have encountered no problem dishing out heavy points deductions to other member clubs. There are even legal challenges now under way by some clubs adversely affected by such EPL decisions against other clubs who benefited from them. Millions of pounds are at stake. The Scottish Football League had no problem demoting Rangers down 3 divisions for entering administration. UEFA have no problem expelling member teams from their competitions for transgressing financial regulations. Just ask Juventus among others. Yet a decision on Citeh remains outstanding. Why, is the question everyone is asking. The silence is deafening from the EPL whilst everyone outside the “entitled six” continues to be constrained by anti competitive regulations. I know the Premier League is a membership of 20 clubs and they voted to bring in these financial rules. But once installed, they must be adhered to or clubs must face the punishment. Fear of one club’s legal clout is no defence for non application.
Citeh continue to act without hindrance as though everything is normal. They’ve just splashed out £116 million for Anderson and £10 million for the kid Monga. Meanwhile, Newcastle United have had to sell Isak, Gordon, Anderson and Tonali. Looks like Guimaraes will be next. This course of action is because the Saudi Arabian Sovereign Wealth Fund are unable to do what the “entitled six” did some years back. The playing field is certainly not level. The EPL really must now declare its decision one way or the other concerning Citeh’s alleged breaches. The can must not be kicked any further down the road. Otherwise remove all constraints from everyone.
All of which makes the progress made at Aston Villa nothing short of stunning. Based entirely on Unai Emery’s efforts at pushing Villa into European competitions year on year to increase the revenue stream whilst holding relatively little purchasing power to make the difference. Over time, sponsorship deals will increase as Villa become established European giants and income from around the world will become significantly more after this happens. Until then, Villa must ensure they keep qualifying for Europe each season to promote the brand.
And I can’t sign off without saying congratulations to England on reaching the World Cup semifinals. Villa have five players still competing. Emery will have his fingers crossed that he doesn’t lose any more players to injury.
(Editor’s note: I was traveling and tardy getting this up…England, of course, did bomb out to Argentina, but the semifinals is still no mean feat)
I guess that those who predicted that transfer action would await the end of the World Cup were basically correct. We will have a different midfield next year, with Onana and Tielemans out and Gomes and Monzambi in. But I suspect there will be more moves. Emery will have his hands full getting the new lads to play together and with those returning. Could be a rocky first month (as it was last year) with all the changes and the lost training-together time due to the WC. Remembering how long it took Tielemans to blend in, it might be January before we really know how good we are, or can be.
Fully agree PDX. The engine room is going to look very different. I hope that when Kamara returns, his level remains as high as ever. As you say, the first few weeks could be ordinary until Unai gets the new players drilled into his system.
Garcia has left on loan, Digne may go permanently so we need cover/replacements at both FB positions. And for me, I’m still waiting for the arrival of a speedy, tricky winger. All of this whilst being put in a straight jacket by UEFA. Working out that conundrum is impossible for your average Joe with it being based on the calendar year. The fine was for 2025 breaches. This calendar year is still running and during it we’ve bought so far Tammy (£18m), and possibly Gomes + Manzambi. We’ve sold Malen (£21m), Barrenechea (£11m), Tielemans (£35m) and Dobbin (£9m). Have I missed anyone? How the money pans out given amortisation costs over 5 years, I don’t know. Trust the money guys down VP are on top of matters.
Yeah, Youri hurts, I really liked him. Calm, cultured. But having picked him up on a free, it’s (I’d think) pure profit. Been quite a few through the doors since we made £35m on a player. As noted, Kamara will be vital, Maatsen will have to step up, etc.
Interesting when you think about it, Digne ending up France’s no 1 LB.
Landing that strong, quick, two-way winger we just can’t seem to find…that would be nice.
Welcome to Villa Park, Johan Manzambi. Looking forward to seeing you in a Villa shirt.
A record signing for us at £51m. But at 20 years of age he has a great future. A much needed signing.
Agree. And it’s going to be quite intimidating to opponents having a Man-Zombie in our midfield!
Gutted with the news about Rogers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c0ej1jyy8yyo
£117m ain’t £130m that Sawiris was taking about. Can only assume that Unai has OK’d this move to Chelsea so that we can rebuild our team. Fuck UEFA and SCR’s.
FKFKFKFKFKFKFKFKFKFK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seems like the band really is breaking up. Can’t help feeling that next season is going to be a majorally transitional season. Wonder if Emery will be positively intrigued by the situation.
I really do get the idea of T’mans and Digne going but Rogers going is ripping up our identity and future. Echo “Fuck UEFA and SCR’s” You accept that your team isn’t top 3 yet but you hope that with a bit of tweaking you hope they can make progress climbing that greasy pole. Instead those rules get you 2 steps forward and 3 back.
Suspect sky just want a league of 6 playing each 4 times each. Also suspect that the genteel, plastic, prawn sandwich brigade might also expect the same. Starting to wonder why I bother any more. It’s only about providing a vehicle for advertising. How long before we get quarter time and three quarter time.
This move means we will have collected around £200m in the last few months from personnel sales. That sum should get UEFA off our back whilst providing some £££ for younger reinforcements. Always assuming Rogers £117m is not paying for the North Stand redevelopment…..
I get the logic. Just hope Emery sees it that way and doesn’t give up in frustration. Wonder what our owners think about Tuchel.
I had accepted that everyone is for sale at the right price, so I’m not too devastated. But £117m is hardly the right price, as you allude to. Middlesbrough get £20.2m which leaves us with £96.8m. We’ve already spent £59.5m on Manzambi, not including agent fees/player transfer bonuses. It just always feels like we are leaving money on the table and not covering the costs of doing business. For me £150m was the “too good to refuse price” and £130m was the absolute minimum.
Welcome to Villa Park Joao Gomes. We need a combatant in the engine room so looking forward to seeing your football skills in a Villa shirt.
So far in midfield, it looks like Youri, Rogers and Onana out with Manzambi and Gomes in so far plus a returning Kamara.
Every player has his price eh Henry? I’d say they have 2 prices. One the market will pay and another that represents his value to the club which in Rogers’ case is higher. He will be a big loss because he was never injured. Always available for selection. Didn’t always get a performance from him but at other times he has been sublime for us.
Yeah, too right mate, on both counts. Reassuring that all three of Manzambi, Gomes and Paulinha seem to have good availability, tho not as bulletproof as Morgan.
Been feeling quite grumpy about things just recently but I quite like this take:
https://myoldmansaid.com/five-reasons-to-be-cheerful-as-aston-villa-preseason-begins/
It’s the hope that……………………………..
I have to trust Unai on the rebuild. Don’t think anyone leaves who he really wants. Which leaves a question mark over Rogers departure. Was he used to create the revenue needed for new faces? We still need a winger, LB if Digne goes, RB cover for Cash if Ned goes. And for me, we can never have enough options in midfield.
I’m reading rumors about Garnacho. Hard no from me! I’m never seen anything from him except selfish play and petulance. I can’t imagine him fitting into an Emery team.
A hard no from me too. For the same reasons. It suggests our options for a winger are dwindling. Summerville now off to Saudi for £60m.
Me three. Absolutely no to Sky 6 rejects, even more so the ones with bleach blonde hair and tattoos on their neck.
Been watching Villa’s first warm up game against Walsall tonight. Basically, one set of kids first half and another set of kids for the second half. Walsall 0-5 Villa. Goals from Madjo (2), Hemmings, Lynch and Borland. Walsall might struggle this season.
First half team contained Buendia, Bogey, Maatson and Bailey. Second half team contained Tyro, Cash and Gomes. It was a good work out from our boys.
Oh, and Ned played the 1st half. He was impressive. Quick and crossed a great ball in with his left foot for Madjo to muscle past his CB and score. Wonder if Unai will retain him if he thinks he’s ready to put pressure on Cash. Also must say that Magjo is a unit and he’s only 17 years old.
Best wishes for the future Morgan and thanks for some fantastic memories. Gutted you’ve joined Chelsea. Living down the smoke is not my preferred choice but for an immense salary I might be able to stomach it. We will miss you.
Has Madjo been cleared to play or is he ok just for friendlies?
Believe we’re still awaiting the outcome of our appeal against his non-registration. So only available for friendlies at the moment.
Sorry to be late to the party…Yeah, losing Morgan was not preferred, but I think becoming the record British transfer is worth letting him go. He may go on to great things, he’s had a lot of great moments, but I just don’t think you can turn down that sort of money for a player plucked from Boro out of nowhere. At least not given SCR, etc. Different profile, but Jack was better, imo.
Same with Youri. I really hate to see him go, classy player. But a £35m profit (on fees). Had the clause, we’ll see about United, but that’s how we’re going to have to box.
The other half of boxing clever is finding players in the €20-30mil range before Brighton and Bournemouth snaffle them up. We can’t really yet afford to sell Youri, then spend 100% of the money on the replacement – ala Gomes. Hopefully Olabe has been doing some good work during the season
100%
It very much looks like we have Garnacho incoming on loan with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. I will have to trust Unai on this one. A flying winger has been a problem for us for some years. Bailey gave us 1 superb season. Diaby was excellent but sold on probably because of UEFA SCR regs. Rashford was excellent but only for the half season we had him. Sancho less than impressive over the season. Guessand deployed out wide but he’s not a natural winger. Here’s hoping Nacho cracks it.
So, yeah, Garnacho. I would’ve been a hard no, as well. Definitely a roll of the dice. If Emery can get his head right, kid has a lot to offer. I wouldn’t want to take on that kind of project as he needs coaching as well.
But…Might be the biggest potential impact player we can get in the door for free. I’d think nacho has had someone tell him about one Harvey Elliott.
The wild man of Borneo looks set to join Chelsea as their set piece coach. Obviously his star has risen in the eyes of the football world and he’s going to cash in. Believe his contract with Villa contains a dreaded release fee. So we get some money for him but lose his set piece goals unless Unai can find someone else equally as good.
I’d have to think it’s not too hard…He’s been great and inventive, and we’re developing a weird relationship with Chelsea, but I’m thinking he can be replaced.
Watched the Porto game. It finished Porto 2-1 Villa. Good workout for the kids again. Nice goal from Lynch. If I had one take away from it, it’s our great struggle to escape a press. Porto deployed it aggressively and Bizot, Cash, Cisse, Tyro and Maatsen couldn’t het a grip at the back. Why the keeper plays a short ball to the edge of the box (often Bogey) where the receiver has 3 men jump on him immediately, has me beat.
No Pau tonight. Rumours he’s done his ACL. FFS that’s all we need.
I know nothing about Cisse. Dimly aware we bought him 12 months ago and let him back on immediate loan. Is he Konsa replacement material? Fast, good in the air?
He’s competent. Probably not quite ready yet. He’s young and still learning the trade. But he’s started both games so far. He’s quicker than Tyro I’d say. My thoughts across both games, Lynch knows where the goal is. Ned is looking ready to challenge for RB with Cash. He’s faster than Cash and can cross the ball.
Buendia dismissing the rumours about Pau’s injury. It’s a calf problem apparently, two weeks away from training. That’s a relief.
Like the info. Good news about the speed, Tyro is deceptively fast. Intrigued about Ned. Thought he was out of Emery plans. Thought he had something on first sight then seemed to fade. Young players – eh.
So the friendly tonight finished Villa 2-4 Real Sociedad. No complaints about the result, Sociedad were the better team and it was a learning curve for our kids. Hemmings and Madjo with the goals. The 2nd and 3rd goals we conceded was down to a wide open defence. The 3rd may have been offside. The 4th goal was down to Wright in goal who made a simple mistake.
Pau came on at HT, he looked rusty. Bizot in the first half continued to pass the ball to the edge of the box in front of goal. Their press put us under great pressure but he continued to do it. He also punched away (not very convincingly) a simple ball that was easily caught.
I also spent some time studying Cisse. For every ball he passed to Cash at RB he passed 9 to Mings or Maatsen on his left. The press was able to read him every time, too predictable. Cash must have thought he was a leper.
The 3 games to date have been mostly the kids. The opposition in each game has deployed an aggressive press. I’d say this is where the coaching needs to focus. And despite the 2 goals it was the second game where we haven’t created much up front.
Thanks for the Cisse info. Sounds very right footed. The centre halves are, for me, the bedrock of the team. Get them right and the confidence of the whole team goes up. You aren’t absolutely slating Cisse so sounds like Emery has got something to work with.
There is still a pre-pre-season feel atm. McGinn is back this week. I guess the rest of the World Cup gang will be back before the Gladbach game in 2 weeks, so we might arrive at Brighton a bit undercooked. You never know with this window but we might be waiting until 1st September to know what hand we will actually be going into the season with.
Was pleased with Luka Lynch but then found out that he’s 19 already. We have to quicken up the amount of time it takes for them to appear on the pitch for the first 11.
The player that has impressed me most is the one we can’t register…yet. If we do register him, buying Tammy was almost pointless (Sunderland and Leeds points aside!)
Gomes has looked fit and motivated so far which is a plus. And good to see Pau is fit too
I wonder if they knew tammy had a dodgy shoulder when they got him. I know he has been underwhelming so far but he was there just in case something happened to Ollie. Might have been a small part of the reason why Ollie’s form took off. Suppose we might see Tammy out with a Jackson type forward comingin.
I know I keep banging on about it but I hope Emery isn’t getting fed up with all these unplanned for enforced changes.
Yea good question. You’d like to think a medical would find all that, but there was a clamour to get Tammy back, once the ball started rolling. Malen had already gone too…
And Unai is the key really. He’s obviously too good to be sacrificing a freshly polished arm in order to finance buying a properly fit for purpose leg, every single window. None of us could blame him of he does get fed up. You can bet the PL & Sky 6 would be laughing themselves silly as they toast to ‘another annoying contender being swatted away’
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
The entitled 6 have been doing their best to weaken Villa who they now believe represents a serious threat to their cosy closed shop. Taking our players and set piece coaches whilst over paying for players from other clubs are all part of the plan to keep us out. Before it’s too late.
We’ve got news for them. Villa are already above Spurs, Chelsea and Manure in UEFA’s coefficient table. Given a reasonable run in the UCL, next season we’ll move above the dippers and Citeh also. Our prize money from UEFA’s Value Pillar is about to significantly increase. If Calvo can use this standing to increase sponsorship money, not to mention what the Warehouse and a 50K+ seater stadium will do to the following financial year’s revenue, our income will blast through the £400m ceiling and make UEFA’s SCR regs a non issue.
Thanks to Compass and Unai, we are about to reach the tipping point beyond which the entitled 6 will have to accept a new reality of 7 teams vying for the spoils. Unai knows this, he can smell the coming change. I certainly can. I think the entitled 6 can too.
Team selection for friendly against Indonesian All Stars:
Villa starting XI: Wright; Nedeljkovic, Cisse, Torres, Rowe; Lindelof, Barkley; McGinn, Buendia, Garnacho; Guessand.
Subs: Bizot, Asemota, Cash, Mings, Maatsen, Bogarde, Gomes, Madjo, Alysson, Burrowes, Hemmings, Carroll, Lynch.
And it ended All Stars 1-3 Villa. Buendia, Barks and Madjo with the goals. Couldn’t really take anything much from the game as the opposition were very limited. Bit of a stroll in the humidity. Madjo again with a goal. He’s going to be some CF. We have a bargain for £10m.
“Madjo again with a goal. He’s going to be some CF. We have a bargain for £10m.”
You forgot the next clause: “whom we will sell to Chelsea in two years for 150m.”
Ha ha. Very true PDX. The lad is 6’5″ tall and has a wonderful shot with either foot. Once FIFA let us register him to play….let the good times roll.
One thing (that has probably been a thing for a long time) that makes transfers less exciting than before is that super agents seem to have just as much control over who moves and where, as whether there is a viable seller-buyer-player combo. So now we don’t especially know if any of the players we’ve sold/signed actually wanted the moves they got, and the same for us as a club. Garnacho being a case in point, sine he’s suddenly available to us now
Brian Madjo appeal upheld. Great news. We can now register him.
Villa starting XI vs BG Pathum: Bizot; Cash, Carroll, Lindelof, Rowe; Bogarde, Gomes; Alysson, Buendia, Garnacho; Guessand.
Subs: Wright, Asemota, McGinn, Torres, Abraham, Maatsen, Nedeljkovic, Madjo, Kamara, Burrowes, Hemmings, Lynch.
KO delayed half hour due to thunderstorm.
It finished Pathum 1-3 Villa. Buendia, Lindelof and Kamara with the goals. Kamara had only been on the pitch about 1 minute before his goal. So good to see him on the pitch again.
First half, we were much more dangerous down our right with Cash and Alysson. Nothing down the left with Nacho. He took a deliberate shoulder to the chin just before HT. In the EPL, the guy would have been sent off. But haven’t seen much from Nacho so far to get excited.
SJM hurt his knee in a tackle. Hope that doesn’t turn into anything serious. He went off and he wasn’t replaced so we spent the last 15 minutes with 10 men, dunno why. HT subs were mainly kids. First half Gomes and Buendia caught the eye. The game seemed to pass Guessand by.
Team news for game against Bayern:
Starting XI: Bizot; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; Guessand, Buendia, Hemmings; Madjo.
Subs: Wright, Asemota, Mings, Abraham, Nedeljkovic, Bogarde, Rowe, Burrowes, Carroll, Lynch
SJM and Nacho injured.
And the game finished Bayern 2-1 Villa. Gomez with his first goal for Villa. Bayern were full value for the win. They had us under the cosh all game until we managed a late rally in the last 7 minutes or so. Never gave Neuer anything to save until he picked the ball out of the net with 5 minutes left.
Pitch surface was awful. Same for both teams of course but Villa struggled on it. They also struggled with Bayern’s man marking all over the pitch. Tammy might have scored an undeserved equalizer at the death when it seemed harder to miss with a header.
Best wishes for the future Lucas Digne. Thanks for all your efforts since joining from Everton. It’s much appreciated.
I’m assuming Ruggeri will be his incoming replacement, we’ll find out this week.
Yeah, seems to be the word.
And fyi, I’m finally getting a fresh piece put together and will have that up soon.
Team News for the Super Cup.
Villa starting XI vs PSG: Bizot; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; McGinn, Buendia, Hemmings; Madjo.
Subs: Wright, Asemota, Mings, Barkley, Abraham, Bogarde, Nedeljkovic, Alysson, Cisse, Rowe, Burrowes, Lynch.
Madjo starts ahead of Tammy. No Nacho. Hemmings starts ahead of Barks and Bogey. COYVB!!
Just seen Brian Madjo for the first time. Think I will be calling him BRICK Madjo from now on.
Gutted we lost that game. We had the better chances and more of them so should have won. The team gave an excellent account of themselves. Villa played some impressive football against the best on the planet.
Top performances from Madjo, Hemmings, Buendia, Gomes and Maatsen. The others were right there too so unfair to single some players out. Thought we deserved more from the game.
Unai has some thinking to do now about which kids to keep involved with the 1st team and which ones to let out on loan.
Madjo is going to be a huge CF. The £10m we paid for him can now be seen as peanuts. He’s going to cost someone a lot of money but I hope we get the benefit of years of service from him first. He’s 17 years old FFS.
Yeah lots to say about that game, a shame to lose but what an encouraging performance. Madjo’s movement is incredibly dangerous, he seems a very intelligent player at only 17.
And like you say, difficult choice on Hemmings because, he looks ready now.
Finally, it looks like we do need 1 more Paulinho-type CM, maybe we need to get rid of one more before the maths adds up.
Hard agree, Plug and HD…I was feeling a bit despondent about our chances this season, but that was extremely encouraging.
The morning after and I feel nothing but pride. It needed one brief moment of ill discipline to beat us. Cash’s toe playing Doue onside. Such is the reality of life at the highest level.
With perhaps the exception of WN1 in place of Bizot, did we see Unai’s starting 11 at Brighton begin this game? The absentees may have to wait until they get up to match fitness.