[RobB]

In the Birmingham Evening Mail:

Doug Ellis has revealed that Villa's shopping list is complete and it is more ambitious than David O'Leary is letting on.

O'Leary has pleaded poverty for months while insisting he was about to dip into the bargain bin for replacements to his depleted squad.

But Ellis says Villa's targets are already agreed on and they will make exciting reading.

The 80-year-old chairman dismisses O'Leary's notion that a lot of rebuilding work needs to be done in the summer. He wants three summer additions to the playing squad, although he admits it could rise to five which is what O'Leary has been calling for.

He said: "There's not a major rebuild to do. Not at all. It's very simple. We know exactly who we want.

"He knows the budget. He likes to say he doesn't, but he knows it. And it's a lot more than what he is letting on. We know who we are bringing in.

Mmm, we know who we`re bringing in. Sounds promising, but then, it`s this time of year people renew their season tickets (or not), Doug Ellis may just be raising hopes of some decent transfer activity. So I`ll believe it when I see it.

[sendorange]

Who do you reckon these 3 or 5 are??

Villa youth system has been very strong for a while, so I can't imagine he needs that many players, just top drawer experienced ones who will walk into the first XI.

I heard Van Bommel was still on the cards, Tottenham and Shalke have both pulled out, so the way is clear. Apart from that who else.. a pacey left winger? A centre back to replace Ronny J? I heard O'Leary was keen on Dawson of Forest, who is back fit and playing again.

[RobB]

Originally Posted by sendorange

Who do you reckon these 3 or 5 are??

Villa youth system has been very strong for a while, so I can't imagine he needs that many players, just top drawer experienced ones who will walk into the first XI.

Liam Ridgewell has been terrific in our last two games and I`d count six young players, including Ridgewell, who are first team or squad players. So I`d agree that players of some experience would be preferable.

Originally Posted by sendorange

I heard Van Bommel was still on the cards, Tottenham and Shalke have both pulled out, so the way is clear. Apart from that who else.. a pacey left winger? A centre back to replace Ronny J? I heard O'Leary was keen on Dawson of Forest, who is back fit and playing again.

MvB does appear to be a likely signing. Being a holding midfielder he could both play alongside and cover for McCann, so if we could get him for £2m he would be a good addition, espcially if we`re in the UEFA cup.

Dawson may prove too expensive at the touted £5m, Tal Ben Haim, a 22 y/o Israeli central defender is on a weeks trial, but we`d need another if we did sign him. Hofland keeps getting mentioned but his injury problems could scupper that.

Then there`s the strikers. If Allback and Crouch leave we`d still need two in since the Moore brothers need one more season of playing bit-part roles. Santos of Sochaux was mentioned 3 or 4 months ago, but I don`t know much about him. Kanoute is a player I`d like to see us sign, I can see spurs letting him go for £2m.

[sendorange]

Saw some gossip today that O'Leary had targetted Robert Huth of Chelsea on a season long loan.

I'd be wary of Kanoute... great to start with, then he gets lazy and falls apart. Was the same at West Ham.

Luke Moore is a great prospect, but have you heard of a kid called Shane Paul? He's only 17 but is meant to be a very good young player in the Villa youth system, a real pacey goalscorer.

[RobB]

No I haven`t heard of Shane Paul, I`ll listen out for him.

Agbonlahor is a young striker who sometimes plays alongside Luke Moore in the youth team and I`d expect to see him close to the sub`s bench next year, especially in league cup matches.

The one player who hasn`t seemed to get into contention is Cooke. He made is first team debut 3/4 years ago when 17, but despite playing well on the right-wing for the reserves he`s not been given a run in the team like Whittingham has.

[sendorange]

Cooke has very good skill. Only problem is that physically he's quite slight, needs to be built up a bit more.

[Nepal Footy]

As long as Deadly is on top, don't expect much. I'm thinking a few 2nd rate players at smaller clubs is the best we will do this summer. Look for DOL to move to Liverpool.

[RobB]

Originally Posted by Nepal Footy

As long as Deadly is on top, don't expect much. I'm thinking a few 2nd rate players at smaller clubs is the best we will do this summer. Look for DOL to move to Liverpool.

Liverpool won`t take him, he hasn`t won anything yet and they think they should be winning the league and European cup. If O`Leary can win us the FA cup and get us to the Q/F`s of the Champions league during the next three seasons the he`ll be on Liverpools shortlist.

I`m not sure about us getting 2nd rate players, I think the scouting is fairly good and DO`L is a good judge. Hopefully they`ll be first rate bargains because we won`t be breaking the bank.

[steveb1980]

shane paul is definately one for the future, he's been bangin em in for england u17's. has scored 3 goals from 3 games in the group stages of the uefa u17's championship's
said to be in the yorke/vassell mould. let's hope he can make the step up to the first team.
no shortage of young strikers at the villa, do we get a proven striker and ease the young lads in gradually or take a chance on some of the kids now and use our money for a top class CB and midfielder?

[RobB]

Originally Posted by steveb1980

no shortage of young strikers at the villa, do we get a proven striker and ease the young lads in gradually?

We definately need a striker in the summer. Vassell will never be prolific and Crouch, Allback and Angel like to play off a quick striker. The Moore brothers need another season of subs appearances and occasional starts. Hassalbaink on loan for a season could be worth a try, if Chelsea don`t want him. With at least one of Allback or Crouch leaving.