Relegation for Villa

[Mikhail Chigorin]

If Villa were to be relegated at the end of this season - which is not beyond the bounds of possibility (although tonight's news about the potential signing of Darren Bent might cut across this) - there could be a clear-out of some of their players and, on that basis, the vultures (us included ??) might start circling.

If this were the case, are there any Villa players we might be in for and who might significantly enhance our squad (and before anyone suggests it, I'm not really thinking about Richard Dunne and Superman Ireland).

[Alioune DVToure]

No....

Ashley Young is an exciting player, Downing would be useful back-up on the left, Albrighton, Clark and Delfouneso have bags of potential. But not one of their players would be in my City 11.

[Crossie]

Maybe their keeper if Given leaves.

Ashley Young will be off to the rags, he hasnt really improved much in the last 2 years. Agbonglahor really isnt all that good. Petrov is useful but getting on abit.

How times have changed.

[Chinners]

We've already had their best two players in recent seasons. I'd take Young as a decent squad player, thats it

[mr_nool]

I think Albrighton is a quite exciting young player. If he could settle for being a bit part player and see training with our superstars as a chance to develop as a player, I would take him.

[Patrick]

They could deliver me a decent curry, that's about all that would make me feel better about the future

[brite blu sky]

Albrighton as a player to develop. thats about it.

[HeyMark]

albrighton and clarke would be worth a punt to see if they could make it

[london blue 2]

Ireland looks good

[Goaters 103]

Albrighton has had some good moments this year but it has to be said, he has a hell of a konk on him. Is he not a relative of Phil Thompson by any chance?

As for Villa's squad, Ashley Young is the only player I'd touch as someone correctly pointed out, we've already had their best 2 players.

As fo Ireland, his downward spiral continues. Porb Fulham for him next, with Hughes with his am around him telling him how wonderful he is every 20 seconds, as that might make him give a toss about the team results.

[john68]

Considering that last couple of seasons, they were considered to be in that top 6 grouping. I never expected them to melt down so badly. Relegation is a real danger for them.
It makes you think that similar could happen to Liverpool if King Kenny can't turn it round. Reminiscent of ourselves when we brought our messiah back and it all went tits up?
The rags seem to be holding up far better than I ever expected but I wonder at what point they could implode.

[paulmclaren]

Ireland looks good

[Kyle]

Albrighton has had some good moments this year but it has to be said, he has a hell of a konk on him. Is he not a relative of Phil Thompson by any chance?

As for Villa's squad, Ashley Young is the only player I'd touch as someone correctly pointed out, we've already had their best 2 players.

As fo Ireland, his downward spiral continues. Porb Fulham for him next, with Hughes with his am around him telling him how wonderful he is every 20 seconds, as that might make him give a toss about the team results.

Oh that is harsh about Ireland. He was a young lad and to develop properly you need a good run of games. He stopped getting a run of games before he left us for whatever reason, and just hasn't settled properly at Villa. If he went to a side like Fulham, Sunderland, even Liverpool at this point, and got a run of games, he would begin playing at a high level once again. It was just bad luck/bad timing during an important time in his development. Quite frankly, I hope Johnson continues to get games here and there so the exact same doesn't happen to him.

[john@staustell]

If Villa were to be relegated at the end of this season - which is not beyond the bounds of possibility (although tonight's news about the potential signing of Darren Bent might cut across this) - there could be a clear-out of some of their players and, on that basis, the vultures (us included ??) might start circling.

If this were the case, are there any Villa players we might be in for and who might significantly enhance our squad (and before anyone suggests it, I'm not really thinking about Richard Dunne and Superman Ireland).

No

[TonyM]

I'd have Ireland back. Still think as an understudy to Silva he'd develop into a super player.

Sick of saying it but I would have thought a lot more highly of Mancini if he developed Ireland and not cast him aside. I like to see us holding onto our academy players. Ireland was the best one we had. Be interesting to see if MJ can make it.....

I am the lonely distant voice crying for my long lost hero .... Hear me despair.

[Im_Spartacus]

Albrighton has had some good moments this year but it has to be said, he has a hell of a konk on him. Is he not a relative of Phil Thompson by any chance?

As for Villa's squad, Ashley Young is the only player I'd touch as someone correctly pointed out, we've already had their best 2 players.

As fo Ireland, his downward spiral continues. Porb Fulham for him next, with Hughes with his am around him telling him how wonderful he is every 20 seconds, as that might make him give a toss about the team results.

Oh that is harsh about Ireland. He was a young lad and to develop properly you need a good run of games. He stopped getting a run of games before he left us for whatever reason, and just hasn't settled properly at Villa. If he went to a side like Fulham, Sunderland, even Liverpool at this point, and got a run of games, he would begin playing at a high level once again. It was just bad luck/bad timing during an important time in his development. Quite frankly, I hope Johnson continues to get games here and there so the exact same doesn't happen to him.

He didn't get a good run of games for us, because in the good run of games he did get under Hughes, he played shit and whined about being played in a different role. As soon as Mancini came in he figured that out, but still gave him a chance which Ireland failed to take.

Fair play to Houllier for spotting Ireland as an imposter early doors. Why should he give him a run, they are in a relegation battle and cannot afford to carry passengers.

I thank him for his season of brilliance, but Steven Ireland is too mentally disturbed to ever make it as a top quality player in the Premier League - and it has zero to do with his ability, and everything to do with his attitude.

As for the OP - I would be scouting around to nab their youth players. I don't see that any of the senior squad would have an impact right now.

[Dameerto]

I think Albrighton is a quite exciting young player. If he could settle for being a bit part player and see training with our superstars as a chance to develop as a player, I would take him.

Albrighton for me too, with an eye on the future. He wouldn't get a lookin at the moment in our midfield but he's young with potential, and one or two of our players are somewhat 'mature'.

[dazby]

I'd have Ireland back. Still think as an understudy to Silva he'd develop into a super player.

Sick of saying it but I would have thought a lot more highly of Mancini if he developed Ireland and not cast him aside. I like to see us holding onto our academy players. Ireland was the best one we had. Be interesting to see if MJ can make it.....

I am the lonely distant voice crying for my long lost hero .... Hear me despair.

Amen brother.

[Tokyo Blue]

I think Albrighton is a quite exciting young player. If he could settle for being a bit part player and see training with our superstars as a chance to develop as a player, I would take him.

Albrighton for me too, with an eye on the future. He wouldn't get a lookin at the moment in our midfield but he's young with potential, and one or two of our players are somewhat 'mature'.

Aye, I have liked the look of him the three or four times I have seen him.

I don't think for a second that they'll go down though.

[ashton287]

No....

Ashley Young is an exciting player, Downing would be useful back-up on the left, Albrighton, Clark and Delfouneso have bags of potential. But not one of their players would be in my City 11.

They wouldnt be in our starting 11 but could be used in FA, carling and against some of the shitter teams when our first 11 have just got back from twatting barcelona 4-1 in the CL.

With shauny going/not good enough even if he wasnt. Ashley young or downing i'd take. Mancini not being a fanof wingers would probably be a no though.