Villa Fanzine: Heroes and Villains

[Nocky]

The Manager finally speaks out!

It has been a long and quiet off season coming out of Villa Park with the manager refusing to speak to the media since the final game of the season. This came after the club had been six points clear with four games to play in the league but had then managed to not win one of their final four games - picking up one solitary point - to see them pipped by a point by both Bournemouth and Arsenal on the final day. That 1-0 defeat at home to Derby County was probably the lowest moment but during the run in they were also knocked out of the Club World Cup at home to Inter Miami. As the final nail in the coffin the U23s - who enjoyed a phenomanal season winning the U23 div 1 at a canter - also fell off and lost a cup final to Bournemouth for the second season running.

This all meant that a season that had promised so much delivered just the U23 league title as the only achievement. On a personal level for the manager he also gained promotion with Wolves - who he had agreed to look after for the season - but they too missed an opportunity to go up with the title.

There was speculation that the gaffer was ready to walk away from football after this catastrophic end to the season and his media silence only added to that. But now finally he has sat down with the Fanzine to open up on that troubling period.

"Obviously it was not the end to the season we wanted. We were full of optimism going into those games but we couldn't buy a win during the run in. Neither the seniors or U23s could score a goal and we were just desperately trying to get over the line. It is a miracle we stayed as close as we were with our form but that is credit to the football we played in the earlier part of the season.

Obviously this lead to a huge period of self reflection for me and I won't say that I didn't consider walking away but that would have been defeatist. So I have spent some time licking my wounds and now we're back to give it another go.

We have to recognise what we have accomplished over the last few seasons. We won a title and have become only the third side to finish in the top three for four seasons in a row. We are hot on the heels of Everton as the most successful academy setup going and we're joint with Liverpool for a record 5th consecutive top 3 finish there.

If anyone thought winning back to back league titles would be easy then it was shown that it isn't. There were five clubs in that run in who could have won it and we had to play four of them in our final five games. It is a tough league and maybe the fact we had that run in made our league position a little false round that 18 game mark. We knew it would be tough from there and so it proved.

The boss was then asked to give his views and objectives on the coming season...


We want to be competing in that top group once again. We can't make winning the league the be all and end all as there are so many good clubs and managers in there that we would be setting ourselves up for failure. I would like to think we can have a good go at it though and equal that record for consecutive top three finishes. We were also nowhere near good enough in the cups last season and we haven't been at the races in the continental ones for years - it's time we were competing in the latter stages of that once again. This club should be challenging for honours at every turn

In the U23s we are looking to keep the squad competitive again. We have lost a few players who have become too good for the standard but we work hard at it and all other teams are in the same boat. We are confident we can do it again and we spend a lot of money keeping that side as good as it is.



So positive noises coming out of the manager's office. Hopefully he is now back and motivated - has learned from istakes - and the club are ready to give it a good go once again!

[Nocky]

Pre season Transfers -four in, four out as the youth rebuild begins

As alluded to in his interview, the improvement of players lead to some just not being eligible for the standard having not made the senior grade and so it becomes time to move them on. Importantly for them and the success of the academy some of them have been able to stay in football and have secured lucrative deals with other clubs.

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K_Dembele     21 eng  1  3 20 18 22 300 833 659 255

- sold to Brentofrd for £60,000,000
A signing from Arsenal during season 22 as part of a swap deal that also brought Marin pongracic to the club, Karamoko Dembele was absolutely key to our U23 title success last season. He had 23 goal involvements with 17 scored and six assists meaning he lead the way on both metrics in the youth side last season. Unfortunately so many players became too good for the level and he was seen as one that could be moved on for a decent fee. And so it proved with Brentford coming in with a very good offer of £60m. A cult hero round Villa Park and i'm sure he will be given a rousing welcome when he returns with the Bees during the season

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H_Souttar     24 sco  2 21 16  2 24 300 498  18 99

- sold to Man City for £50,000,000
Another player who will be returning to Villa Park with a Premiership club during the season, Harry Souttar was originally brought in from Brighton in a player plus cash deal in season 18. A mainstay of the U23 defence he has won two league titles and an U23 Cup with the club plus a couple of runner up league finishes. He was in and around the first team squad at the end of last season but could never quite make the grade. He has continued to work hard on his development and will no doubt have a good go at making that starting side at City.

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E_Nketiah     23 eng  2  2  4 19 19 300 728 525 625

- sold for £23,000,000
Only brought in from Leeds last season and he bagged himself 10 goals across his two clubs. But he is close to being both overrated and over age for the 23s and is not of first team standard so he moves on with the club receiving £23m in compensation

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R_Sanchez     26 spa 23  3  2  1 25 305 320 300 300

- sold for £20,000,000
A mainstay of the first team squads, Sanchez was an auction signing for just £21.6m back in season 17. He enjoyed some time as the Villa number one before being replaced by first Christensen and then Garofani. He has been on the bench since then and played just 8 minutes last year - not conceding during that spell. But youth graduation means he is down the pecking order now and that £20m that Villa receive was key to the window plans


With players moving out the club moved into the world market to look to replace them. This is not a cheap place to shop but it had to be done to comply with league regulations...

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D_Atherton    22 sco 23  3  2  2 23  29 300 300 300

- signed for £40,000,000
With incumbent U23 GK sam Lewis now above the ratings for the league, Dan Atherton has been brought in from FC United of Manchester as the next stopper for the U23s. It will be an interesting integration for him as he will start his career as backup to Garofani with the first teams squad (after current backup Robert sanchez was moved on for £20m in another deal). Meanwhile Lewis will play as one of three overrated players in the U23s. When someone else rates up, the two will swap with Lewis providing first team cover and Atherton taking the gloves with the youth. A good bit of succession planning by the club here.

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C_Patino      21 eng  1  2 19 12 22 300 459 232 277

- signed for £47,000,000
Replacing Dembele was always going to be a big ask and that role has fallen to Charlie Patino who is the most expensive of these signings coming in for £47m from Deportivo la Coruna. A very solid AM but nowhere near as good a finisher as the outgoing Dembele the youngster knows he has a job to do to replace the popular superstar. He has already been working very hard on his shooting and has upped the level there and the club will be hoping he can help to replace some of those goals in the side this season

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J_Splatt      21 egy  1  3  6 19 20 300 617  95 324 

- signed for £42,000,000
With Eddie Nketiah and Rory Wilson both on the way to being overqualified for the U23s re-enforcements up front were needed and they arrive in the form of Javaun Splatt who comes in from Whitstable town. Of a standard of shooting with the rest of the FW line and as a marginally better distributer of the football, this looks to be a good piece of business for the club as they maintain a competitive forward line.

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R_Fortes      17 por  1 17 14  5 22 300 900 300 300

- scouted for £45,000,000
The pick of the pre season additions is Rodrigo Fortes who comes in having been discovered in Portugal for a fee of £45m. The scouts originally and, more recently, the club coaches have been really impressed with this lad's attitude and professionalism in training. It is thought that his tackling is already showing signs of improvement and also rumours that he may be named as captain of the U23s at just 17 years of age. If so the confidence that will give him should help make him a great replacement for Souttar and one for the future!


A good initial spell of business for the club keeping the youths within the regulations and competitive. It is always sad to see academy prospects leave but being able to get good fees for them is important. Ultimately, with £152m incoming and then £174m out, it has cost the club £22m to stay within those regs but that is possibly a small price to pay to stay competitive and hopefully be challenging for U23 honours once again.

[Nocky]

Pre Season transfers - A major exit!

The next piece of business for the club was to see a top first team midfielder leave!

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S_Ingelsson   26 swe  1 14 23 14 29 300 581 792 581

- sold to Leicester in a deal worth £166,500,000
A £145m signing from Liverpool on 2021 Svante Ingelsson turned out to be a key member of the season 22 league winning side and the one that went so close last year. However, in the last season he played fewer minutes than all but Jumeau in the first team midfield and, whilst it was thought that this latter player would be the one to move on, the fee the club could command for Ingelsson proved much greater. It is also thought that his contribution of just 7 key tackles, 3 goals and 1 assist was not seen as good enough for an all round midfielder and so, when Leicester came in, the offer was too good to turn down. Svante went for £140m cash up front with Danny Ings being sold and the funds going to Villa to take the total income to be £166.5m. It slipped under the radar but Cristiano Ronaldo moved the other way as part of the deal.

So a £21.5m profit for Villa on a player that had two third placed finishes and a Title win during his time at the club. a very successful bit of business. We have also sold on to a club that won't be in our league next year at least - so it may be a while before he comes back to haunt us. A good deal all round.

[Nocky]

Pre-Season Transfers - Big deal with Forest protects the Youth Team future!

Despite the early ins and outs, the club found ourselves still struggling to comply with numbers both in terms of ratings and the minimum squad size that these challenges would bring. And so a deal was struck with newly promoted Notts Forest that seems mutually beneficial. The Forest U23s needed some top quality whilst we needed squad depth and players to develop. And so a four for three deal was struck with us enhancing numbers. First the outgoings...

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J_Branthwaite 22 eng  1 19 12  6 30 300 607 388 597

A signing in the same deal that brought Eddie Nketiah over from Leeds last season, Jarred was a key part of the defence clocking up 20 key tackles and 17 key passes. He was closing in on the rating up but still had room so not a necessary sale but the management thought they would use him to make it happen - especially as they were keen to keep hold of Wilson and Boulegcha.

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K_Quinn       17 eng  1  2 20 14 20 300 413 209 564

Absolutely one of our own a product of the youth setup at the club who graduated to the U23s in season 22. The club has worked hard with Keilan to get him to the level he is today and, still at only 17 years old, this is a tough one to let go. But the development with him has been a case of too much too soon perhaps and he has graduated before he is close enough to the first team. One we are sorry to see go but he will thrive in forest youth as one of the leaders

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R_Wilson      19 sco  1  2  5 19 22 300 371 595 921

Rory Wilson is the final outgoing here and one who funnily enough came through the same intake as Quinn. And what a season Rory had last year with 15 goals in his 32 appearances putting him second on the U23 scorers list for the club last season. But again the first team attack is too much for him to graduate to and he wouldn't get a game whilst his impending promotion would have left the youth short. We look forward to seeing how he progresses under Mason at forest


Three players we were gutted to see go but we had four coming the other way!

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J_Sinclair    19 eng  1 17 11  5 23 300 300 300 300

A strange one here with Jimmy Sinclair coming in as the replacement for Branthwaite but not quite fitting in. He did work hard and the club improved his tackling in his short time with us but his passing wasn't what it may have been and we ended up moving him on in a deal we will cover later in this update

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A_Berry       19 eng  1  3 18 11 22 300 300 300 300
C_Daly        18 sco  1  2 18 11 22 300 300 300 300

We'll group these two together as they are the extra player we got within this deal and come in as the joint replacement for Quinn. Adam Berry and Cormac Daly both arrive at the club at a good age and are ready for the challenges of U23 top flight football. Both have immediately come in and improved their passing and shooting with the latter likely to be the focus moving forwards to add those vital goals we lost from Dembele and Quinn

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L_Sillah      19 gam  1  2  5 18 21 300 300 300 300

With Splatt already added to replace Nketiah Lamin Sillah will come in as the backup to the forward line this season. The Gambian has time on his side with his age and will likely feature in every matchday squad with the odd start but mainly as backup to Splatt and George. With all the FWs of a similar level last year there is now a clear hierarchy and all are of a good age and rating to leave it settled for the season.


With these changes a youth side we were very worried about being compliant now looks comfortable and ready to go for the season.

[Nocky]

Pre-Season Transfers - Frimpong signs - and then leaves!!!

The pre season auction is the most exciting time of year for the club and this one was no exception. With the manager expected to want to strengthen the defence, speculation was over who they would go for and what they would have to pay.

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J_Frimpong    24 hol  1 24 16  9 21 300 700 700 70

The answer was Dutch right back Jerome Frimpong who the gaffer made our number one target in the auction of available players and, despite strong interest from elsewhere were able to pick him up. A relatively good deal as well at a fee of £152,250,000

BUT...

We knew Liverpool were interested as well and so we took the opportunity to enter negotiations with them where we were able to come to terms on a major four for four swap. Frimpong was the first key part of that and we'll do every part of the deal in the swapped players for comparison.

Part 1
In -

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J_Quansah     23 eng  1 23 19  4 25 300  23 368 372

Out -

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J_Frimpong    24 hol  1 24 16  9 21 300 700 700 70

We know Frimpong was coming in as one of the best tacklers in the game and Jarell Quansah is nowhere near on that front but what he does possess is a unique ability to pass the football. This enables the manager to use him as a very good defensive midfield option if the need arises. We saw with Dembele in the U23s last year how valuable these dual rated players can be. If this was a straight swap you would say Liverpool got the better of it and we agree with that but it wasn't a million miles between the two and we definitely find Quansah an interesting prospect

Part 2
In -

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Ruben_Dias    27 por  1 24 15  7 28 300 327 656 774

Out -

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M_Guehi       24 eng  1 24 14  7 28 300  69 534 682

Again, a solid upgrade on passing here with Dias a superior distributor to Guehi and this time we also took a step forward with a marginally better tackler as well. We lost a bit on age by taking an older player here but Dias is in his prime at 27 years old and his ability on the ball compliments those around him in what should be a very exciting defence with their ability to play out next season

Part 3
In -

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Gerson        26 bra  1 15 23 14 25 300 639 755 594

Out -

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T_Iroegbunam  21 eng  1 15 22 15 25 300 283 972 447

It is always sad when we move on a former member of the clubs academy and so it iis on this occasion with Tim Iroegbunam departing the club. First identified by our scouts in season 19 he came through the youth and then made it to the first team last season playing 32 games and notching four goals with five assists as well as managing more key tackles than any of our other mids. It is with sadness we let him leave. But coming in we have highly rated Brazilian Gerson who, despite being older is a better passer of the football which is key for our midfield. With iroegbunam being used as a DM a lot last year gerson can match him for tackling and is only a slighty worse shooter. Despite the sentimentality and age we look at this as an upgrade

Part 4
In -

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Javier_Casas  21 usa  1 14 22 14 26 300 620 555 602

Out -

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D_Nascimento  22 por  1 15 22 14 26 300 731   1 537

Like Iroegbunam, Diogo Nascimiento has been a star of our youth academy. Also one of our longest serving players he was scouted back in season 15 and has been with the club ever since. A former youth captain he broke into the first team and last year captained the senior side making 34 appearences. It is a really sad day to see him go after nine seasons as a Villain. But again, we have been able to upgrade to American Javier Casas who comes in as a slightly worse tackler but a better passer and also younger.

Whilst this was an upgrade initially on Casas he subsequently moved on again - and that move got us an even better upgrade with the return of a familiar face! But more on that later.

So overall, as 4v4 deals go, we feel we got the better of this. A shame to lose the players we did with Frimpong and the youth academy products but we feel we have benefitted overall three of the four players we got back upgrades and one being an intriguing prospect as a defender or defensive midfielder. A deal that we complete with a heavy heart but for the good of the squad.

[Nocky]

Pre Season Transfers: Strange deal with Arsenal, the Scouts find a solid defender and a youth player signs professionally!

This one feels like almost an interim post on the goings on at Villa Park as all the players mentioned here have been moved on without playing a game for the club! But they are needed to keep track of what was going on in a whirlwind period.

First up was an odd deal with Arsenal:

In

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Y_Bisseck     22 ger  1 21 16  2 23 300 834 431 762
T_Tessmann    23 usa  1  3 19 11 23 300 538  38 734

Out

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N_Abbey       22 eng  1 22 15  4 28 300 703 579 320
T_O'Reilly    22 eng  1  2 12  8 20 300 309 917 407

Firstly Tommy O'Reilly was a player who had always been on the fringe of the youth squad but never really made it so he was seen as dispensable. Likewise Tanner Tessman originally brought in to play in the U23s but he was surplus to requirements and moved on for extra coaching resource. This left Nelson Abbey who had a solid season at Villa last year making 24 appearences in defence. He was trading in for Yann Bisseck who is a better passer but much worse tackler. Definitely a deal that raised a few eyebrows. Fortunately, this wasn't the end of it.

But meanwhile the scouts were out doing their job and they located an extra defensive option in...

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M_Simakan     25 fra  1 23 14  5 24 300 300 300 300

- signed for £137,000,000
The scouts were tasked with looking for a new defender with better tackling ability than what we had and they came up with Mohamed Simakan who was playing for Al-Nassr in the pro league. It is thought the manager recognised the potential in him and so was prepared to pay the release clause he had with the Saudi club. But, that turned out just to be a tactic of spending money to accumulate. The player didn't remain at Villa very long...

But, again, before we get to that there was more great news as an academy prospect signed a new contract.

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K_Taylor      20 eng  1 15 22 15 23 300 125 269 322

Kane Taylor joined Villa's U23s in season 22 having been identified by the youth scouts. Since then, every resource has been thrown at him to help him reach first team standard and it was therefore a fantastic moment for all involved when he was able to sign his first professional contract. Sadly, as it turned out, he was never to kick a ball for the first team...

[Nocky]

Pre Season transfers: Back to Arsenal for a mega deal!

I've alluded to some bigger dealings incoming. Well, a 5v5 with the Gunenrs is about as big as it gets! Again we'll look at the elements as they break down.

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M_Simakan     25 fra  1 23 14  5 24 300 300 300 300 - out
N_Abbey       22 eng  1 22 15  4 28 300 703 579 320 - in

"We knew Arsenal wanted to improve their defence and weren't happy with the tackling quality of Nelseon when they signed him" the manager is quoted as saying. "Well we never wanted to let him go". And that is why, once Simakan was brought in, conversations began once again to bring Abbey back to Villa. No sooner had he unpacked his bags in North London then he was back up the M40 with the new French signing going the other way. Simakan is a better tackler than Abbey but the Englishman can pass better. The club probably wouldn't have done this swap as a 1v1 but both clubs were more than happy with the outcome of this part

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Javier_Casas  21 usa  1 14 22 14 26 300 620 555 602 - out
J_Nisic       26 ser  1 14 23 14 25 300 444  96 620 - in

As mentioned before, Casas came in from Liverpool in the last big deal - but he was quickly moved on and sent down to Arsenal for an upgrade on his passing ability. And that upgrade comes in the form of Jovan Nisic returning to Villa Park! The Serbian originally signed for Villa back in season 20 from Liverpool for £110m and enjoyed 2 seasons at the club before heading off to Arsenal as part of the deal that brought in Marin pongracic and Karamoko Dembele. Always a fan favourite and, despite giving away a bit of age on this part we have that excellent passing ability back in the middle that the fans will remember so well.

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K_Taylor      20 eng  1 15 22 15 23 300 125 269 322 - out
Z_Butterworth 22 sco  1 15 22 15 23 300 243 652 438 - in

A very bittersweet deal for Villa fans as the latest youth graduate leaves - but another one returns. No sooner was the ink dry on Kane Taylor's professional terms then he was off down to Arsenal. But returning is former youth hero Zac Butterworth who went the other way last season in the deal to get Marc Guehi. Originally picked up as a youth prospect in season 14 for just £12m, Butterworth broke into the first team in season 21 and played a great role playing 35 games that season. He was a first team regular until he left in that deal back at the start of last season. Never one the fans wanted to lose and his return will be well lauded - even if it is at the expense of the latest youth prospect. The rumour is he is coming back as captain as well.

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A_Gordon      24 eng  1 10 16 25 26 300 568 365 885 - out
A_Fati        22 spa  1  6 15 25 21 300 413 187 404 - in

signed from the pre-season auction in season 22 Anthony Gordon had a great first year but fell off a bit last season as he played second fiddle to Cunha. Just three goals and four assists is a terrible return for the FW and Cunha had to carry a lot on himself with his 23 goals. So the decision was made to cash in and it's a 4th returning face for Villa as back comes Ansu Fati. Another auction signing back in season 21 at just over £145m (Gordon was £153.5m) Fati had a stellar season that year scoring 20 goals. He was also moved on in that Guehi deal with Alvarez coming our way so the fans will again be delighted to see a hero return and a proven goalscorer to help Cunha.

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J_Sinclair    19 eng  1 17 11  5 23 300 300 300 300 - out
J_Sweet       21 wal  1 18 12  4 23 300 206  90 463 - in

The final part is a youth defender trade with Jimmy Sinclair - who came in from Forest but never really fit in - heading to the Gunners and James Sweet coming our way. Sweet is a bit older than Sinclair but a better passer of the ball and we know that works best in the teams style of play.

So all in all mega deal and benefits for both sides. But we will be delighted to see four former superstars return to the club - players we never wanted to let go. Overall business that has improved our midfield - and for those outgoing - a clear sign that the door is always open for a return down the line!

[Nocky]

Pre Season Transfers: The Final big deal!

The squad was almost ready but one final piece of the puzzle was needed - that one extra key defender. And so we were into the market once again. It took a lot to get this one done with two players outgoing.

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L_Shaw        27 eng  2 22 16  4 28 904 460 900 747
Y_Bisseck     22 ger  1 21 16  2 23 300 834 431 762

Bisseck we know had only recently joined from Arsenal but was never really part of the first team plans. Luke Shaw had come in for £135m from Liverpool last season and had been used both as defender and DM thanks to his excellent passing ability playing 28 games in total. But the arrival of Quansah meant his passing wasn't as important and with some older players having come in as well, more youth was needed. Villa also bagged £10m as part of this deal and also the final piece of the puzzle...

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L_Colwill     22 eng  1 23 15  8 27 300 437 131 695

Levi Colwill is a much better tackler than Shaw and younger as well as a decent passer in his own right. The signing will help to sure the club up at the back for the start of the season and hopefully help make us tough to break down. One of the goals was to sure up the defence and that has now been accomplished.

With that, the final deals have been done for this off season. For now at least.

[Nocky]

So, how does the squad shape up at this stage?

Senior Goalkeepers

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G_Garofani    21 ita 27  1  1  1 20 276 300 300 300
D_Atherton    22 sco 23  3  2  2 23  29 300 300 300
O_Asemota     17 nig 17  1  1  1 19 620 300 300 300

Youth Goalkeepers

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S_Lewis       20 eng 24  1  1  1 20 206 300 300 300
S_Proctor     18 eng 19  2  1  1 21 620 316 300 300
T_Giradot     22 fra 14  3  2  2 23  94 300 300 300 

Giovanni Garofani will continue as the club's number one for the coming season with Sam Lewis starting the season in net for the U23s as an over rated player. Dan Atherton will gain some experience in the first team squad as backup for the first few games at least. When that over rated slot is needed elsewhere in the U23s, the two will swap with lewis making the step up to be Garofani's backup and Atherton filling his spot in the youths. Sam Proctor will provide backup to the U23s with Owen Asemota being the third choice for both teams. Tanguy Giradot is just extra cover and will run down his contract likely to leave at the end of the season


Senior Defenders

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J_Gvardiol    23 cro  1 24 14  8 30 300 429 968 401
Ruben_Dias    27 por  1 24 15  7 28 300 327 656 774
C_Lenglet     28 fra  1 23 15  3 25 300 381 373 422
M_Pongracic   26 cro  1 23 14  3 25 300 228 873 564 
L_Colwill     22 eng  1 23 15  8 27 300 437 131 695
J_Quansah     23 eng  1 23 19  4 25 300  23 368 372
N_Abbey       22 eng  1 22 15  4 28 300 703 579 320

This is the unit that will start the season compared to what finished season 23:

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J_Gvardiol    23 cro  1 24 14  8 30 300 329 963 399
M_Guehi       24 eng  1 23 14  7 28 300 969 529 680
C_Lenglet     28 fra  1 23 15  3 25 300 381 373 422
M_Pongracic   26 cro  1 23 14  3 25 300 128 868 562
N_Abbey       22 eng  1 22 15  4 28 300 603 574 318
L_Shaw        27 eng  2 22 16  4 28 904 460 900 747
H_Souttar     24 sco  2 20 16  2 24 300 997  13 989

A seven man defensive unit is maintained with three out and three in. Overall, the club are in a stronger place in terms of tackling with six rated 23 and up rather than four. Nelson Abbey is a really strong defender as a seventh pick. The unit is also slightly better overall at passing thanks to Quansah and as a combined age is three years younger.

Senior Midfielders

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C_Leemans     28 ned  1 14 24 15 32 300 324 334 426
B_Guimaraes   27 bra  1 14 24 15 31 300 912  44 362
Gerson        26 bra  1 15 23 14 25 300 639 755 594
J_Nisic       26 ser  1 14 23 14 25 300 444  96 620
T_Jumeau      22 eng  2 11 22 16 20 300 819 693 535
Z_Butterworth 22 sco  1 15 22 15 23 300 243 652 438

vs end of last season

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C_Leemans     28 ned  1 14 24 15 32 300 324 334 426
B_Guimaraes   27 bra  1 14 24 15 31 300 912  44 362 
S_Ingelsson   26 swe  1 14 23 14 29 300 576 692 579
T_Iroegbunam  21 eng  1 15 22 15 25 300 253 772 437
D_Nascimento  22 POR  1 15 22 14 26 300 726 400 535
T_Jumeau      22 eng  2 11 22 16 20 300 817 593 530

Six midfielder unit maintained again with three out and three in. Leemans and Guimaraes were never going anywhere but maybe the big surprise if that Tristan Jumeau remains having looked the most likely to be sold at the start of the offseason. The big news is an extra 23 rated passer in Nisic although that was likely to happen anyway as Iroegbunam was close to being there. Gerson is a slight upgrade on Svante Ingelsson but, all round, Nisic could be a slight downgrade on Iro. But that leaves Butterworth in comparison to Nascimiento and that's the big win - especially with the returning man likely to captain the side. Tackling and shooting have remained constant across the unit although we have gone a total of five years older

Senior Forwards

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M_Cunha       25 bra  1  7 16 26 23 300 373 640 548
A_Fati        22 spa  1  6 15 25 21 300 413 187 404
J_Alvarez     25 arg  1  9 15 23 21 300 616  89 668

vs

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M_Cunha       25 bra  1  7 16 26 23 300 371 635 448
A_Gordon      24 eng  1 10 16 25 26 300 566 360 785
J_Alvarez     25 arg  1  9 15 23 21 300 614  84 568

Minimal change here with just Fati in for Gordon. Cunha will continue to lead the line with Alvarez as backup. Fati is a downgrade on Gordon but may not waste as much time tackling and is a proven goalscorer. The one area of the team that may be slightly weakened but still looks pretty good.


U23 Defenders

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R_Lewis       22 eng  1 20 14  7 25 300 124 816  55
R_Yilmaz      22 tur  1 19 17  2 23 300 624 459 768
M_Bondswell   23 eng  1 19 12  6 31 300 493 722 635
I_Bouleghcha  21 fra  1 19 15  4 24 300 602 449 945
J_Wilson      16 eng  1 19 13  3 22 300 785 970 425
J_Sweet       21 wal  1 18 12  4 23 300 206  90 463
R_Fortes      17 por  1 17 14  5 22 300 900 300 300
F_Munroe      19 eng  1 10  6  2 20 300 925 595 400

The U23s lineup with this vs

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R_Lewis       22 eng  1 20 14  7 25 300  24 811  53
R_Yilmaz      22 tur  1 19 17  2 23 300 524 454 766
M_Bondswell   23 eng  1 19 12  6 31 300 393 717 633
I_Bouleghcha  21 fra  1 19 15  4 24 300 402 419 935
J_Wilson      16 eng  1 19 13  3 22 300 465 920 405
J_Branthwaite 22 eng  1 19 12  6 30 300 507 383 595
F_Munroe      19 eng  1 10  6  2 20 300 605 545 380

Just the two changes in this lineup with Branhwaite making way for Fortes and Sweet being an addition meaning we actually have seven top defenders this year to allow more rotation. Munroe is in his final year and remains a backup. Wilson, Bondswell and Sweet have been urged to improve their passing with Fortes and Sweet working hard to make the tackling. It is thought all seven will start the season as 19rs with Bondswell and Sweet 19-13, Fortes 19-14 and Wilson close to a 19-15. That will be a gret defence as we look to retain the title.


U23 Midfielders

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H_McKirdy     23 eng  2 14 19  3 23 300 214 774 700
J_Doherty     22 irl  1 14 19  2 23 300 622 494 738
C_Patino      21 eng  1  2 19 12 22 300 459 232 277 
L_Bogarde     21 hol  1 13 18 10 22 300 384 832 314
A_Berry       19 eng  1  3 18 11 22 300 300 300 300 
C_Daly        18 sco  1  2 18 11 22 300 300 300 300 

If there is one are we feel it is less strong than before it is this one as it was

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K_Dembele     21 eng  1  3 20 18 22 300 823 459 225
H_McKirdy     23 eng  2 14 19  3 23 300 209 674 698
K_Quinn       17 eng  1  2 19 14 20 300 393 888 514
J_Doherty     22 irl  1 14 19  2 23 300 617 894 736 
K_Taylor      20 eng  1 15 19 15 23 300  95 469 312
L_Bogarde     21 hol  1 13 18 10 22 300 354 632 304

We will likely miss the all round ability of Taylor and the shooting of Dembele and, to a lesser degree, Quinn. It is thought Patino, Berry and Daly will all get to 19-13 by the start of the season so they may make up for the shooting of Quin but not Dembele. The DM unit remains unchanged but Lamar Bogarde has a big role this year to step into Taylor's boots.


U23 Forwards

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V_George      17 eng  1  3  5 20 20 300 382 598
J_Splatt      21 egy  1  3  6 19 20 300 617  95 324
L_Sillah      19 gam  1  2  5 18 21 300 300 300 300

from

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V_George      17 eng  1  3  5 19 20 300 362 548 721
E_Nketiah     23 eng  2  2  4 19 19 300 728 525 625
R_Wilson      19 sco  1  2  5 19 22 300 351 545 601

Young george is the only survivor and he will be supported by Splatt with Sillah as backup. The starting pair will be stronger with George rated up but the backup not as strong. Splatt's slightly improved passing helps.



Overall, in the seniors, we feel we have improved defence and midfield with an only slightly weakened attack so, having finished third last time we're in a strong position to go better this time. The youths were always going to be weaker but the defence will be strengthened by the start with the attack like for like. It is only the midfield that gives us a worry here but hopefully we will be competitive with other teams. A positive off season and the side is ready to go!

[Nocky]

Pre Season transfers: It's never over till it's over!!!

As previously announced here, it looked very much like Villa's pre season activity was done. However, niggling away in the background there was always that desire for an extra midfielder and a long standing interest existed in Chelsea midfielder Curtis Jones. That looked a non-starter when Villa manager Nock took over as caretaker at the start of the off season but was re-kindled when James Bucknall took the reigns at Stamford Bridge. Negotiations were at a semi advanced stage when Buckers mysteriously vanished and it looked for a long time that any deal was dead as Villa pursued other avenues. But, as soon as Arsenal manager Jamal Claxton took on a caretaker role at the Blues, the talks were re-ignited. However, it wasn't to be as Matt Collison at Bournemouth - a long time nemesis of our manager in the transfer market swooped in with a great offer and blew Villa out of the market.

But our gaffer is not to be outdone and he was straight onto alternatives. And the most similar player to Jones that Nock and his team could identify was Enzo Fernandez - recently signed by Arsenal who were of course managed by Jamma. This gave the club a huge advantage as, having just been in negotiations, both parties new what would likely be required and so talks were under way. It was known that Arsenal were keen to add another defensive option and so a lot of things were examined to try and find the right deal for both clubs. After a few days of trying, things were finally thrashed out.

Firstly the outgoings...

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N_Abbey       22 eng  1 22 15  4 28 300 703 579 320
J_Nisic       26 ser  1 14 23 14 25 300 444  96 620
J_Alvarez     25 arg  1  9 15 23 21 300 616  89 668

R_Lewis       22 eng  1 20 14  7 25 300 124 816  55
F_Munroe      19 eng  1 10  6  2 20 300 925 595 400

We won't dwell too much on Nelson Abbey and Jovan Nisic. The two players have barely known if they are coming or going over this off season with Abbey going first to Arsenal, then coming back and now finally moving on. It is a credit to the value in which the club hold the player that they keep going back to him and hopefully he will be able to settle at Arsenal. Nisic on the other hand came in a few weeks back but has been sent back with an upgrade coming Villa's way.

Julian Alvarez - the player that nearly brought the deal crashing down. Signed from The Gunners last season he was only used as a bit part player with 26 of his 28 appearances coming off the bench. This probably contributed to the fact he never scored a goal for the club or indeed made an assist as he played less than a thousand minutes. But he possesses undoubted quality and it is understood that he was a player the manager did not want to let go.

Rico Lewis - A Christmas signing for Villa U23s back in season 16, Lewis grew into a star for the academy before moving on to Brentford in season 20 as part of the deal that brought Ismael Boulegcha to the academy. He was then re-signed last season in part of the deal that took Christansen to the Bees. A top quality defender in terms of distribution and tackling he was nearling the end of his U23 eligibility at Villa and there were doubts he would ever be able to step up with other players jumping ahead of him in the coaches focus. It is thought Arsenal will see him as a top development priority early and he is moving straight to their seniors - we wish him well.

Finley Monroe - another free Christmas signing he has been at the club since season 20 and has barely kicked a football. He has been there for numbers and has done a great job at maintaining squad size. In the final year of his contract he was gone next season anyway so it's no big deal.


So plenty out but what are we getting?

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J_Lopez       23 spa  2 22 16  5 21 300 133  14  16
E_Fernandez   24 arg  1 15 24 14 26 300 431  34  42
N_Rusyn       26 ukr  1  2  4 22 24 300 300 300 300

Emerson       28 bra  1 18 16  7 24 300 599  87 957
T_O'Reilly    22 eng  1  2 12  8 20 300 309 917 407

Javi Lopez - the defender is a year older than Abbey and, whilst he isn't as faar along in tackling, is a better passer of the ball. he will take Abbey's role as the fifth defender for when we play five at the back or to cover injury and suspension.

Enzo Fernandez - The Argentinian is the main reason this deal has happened. Villa were so keen to build a midfield that could compete with Bournemouth and Liverpool that Jones and then Fernandez were made high priority. His addition gives Villa one of the best midfields in FMFA with three rated at 24 and one not far off. Fernandez also adds the nice balance as a DM when needs be with him and Gerson DM options complimented by Leemans and Guimaraes as potential AMs. The balance of that midfield now looks very good indeed and has become a real area of strength

Nasariy Rusyn - pretty much a make weight in the deal, the Ukranian is probably going to feature even less than Alvarez did last season - if he stays. His poor distribution is vieewed as a huge negative by the coaching team and he's not much of a finisher either. Don't expect him to have a long career at Villa Park

Emerson - an interesting one this one as he joins to replace the gap left by Lewis in the U23s. He will be a senior player and leader in that group. Because of his age and ability he may be one for the dressing room more than the pitch but hopefully his presence will allow the other six to develop around him.

Tommy O'Reilly - only just gone to Arsenal and now he's back. Hs role will continue to be very much a bit part as he signs on a short term deal until the end of the season.



All in all, we have paid out a lot in this one but the key was to get that top midfielder. That has been achieved and you always have to overpay a bit for players of that quality. Hopefully the centre of that park can help us take that next step once again as we push for trophies next season...