u/Splendid2259

I didn’t want to lose any of our lads, and of course this post is half copium. BUT if you look at our record, we are AMAZING at selling. Players do worse when they leave Villa. We all know the list:

• Jack won the UCL and treble, but he was never the same at Citeh. He went from the future of English football to a benchwarmer.
• Ings fell off a cliff at West Ham (not that there was much left in the tank)
• I thought Juve robbed us with 42 mil for Luiz, and look where he is now.
• Aaron Ramsey, Kellyman, Carney and the like were supposed to be the future, but none have cut it in the. PL.
• Diaby has been mediocre in Saudi
• Duran has flopped everywhere since Villa

Who if any of our departing players will actually be a success after they leave? In my mind, Tielemans will do great at ManU, but the others… I’m not so sure.

What‘s your favorite transfer where we were linked with one player but got an alternate instead and things turned out for the better?

I’ll start: In 2022, we were heavily linked with Bissouma and I remember being disappointed when he went to Spurs. We got Kamara instead, and we clearly came out ahead there.

All of us hate Danny Murphy, and I’ll never forget Martin Keown giving MOTM to Odegaard instead of Buendia, but who are you favorite pundits who discuss Villa knowledgeably or ex Villa player pundits?

I don’t mind Warnock, and I don’t really consider Richards one of ours even though he’s hilarious. Gabby is a total knobhead, but at least he’s OUR knobhead. Bent makes my ears bleed.

We all know the big stories so far: Morgan to Chelsea, Youri’s release clause, Gomes’ arrival, Manzambi’s announcement video… But what are the smaller scale silly transfer moments you’ve heard this summer? A top one for me is Villa laughing as Juventus valued Martinez as a league one goalkeeper rather than the World Cup winner he is (reported by Tanswell I believe).

I saw all of the posts from my fellow Americans and decided it’s time to come out of the closet. I’ve been thinking about following Villa for the last 15 years because Tom Hanks is my favorite actor. Before I commit, I have some questions I really need answered.

Is the club really going to have a future with Vlaar leaving? I hear we’re being linked with Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott, so I guess it could be good to get an experienced professional in.

Will we ever have a manager as good as MON again? Houllier didn’t cut it. I don’t like these links with McLeish. I’m worried that he can’t engineer compelling play and results that will instill a sense of confidence. Why would we choose a manager who just got Blues relegated?

We need a new owner Where should we be looking for someone? I hear there‘s lots of money in China these days

What are other questions I should be thinking about?

EDIT: I am actually an American. Welcome to all my fellow Americans. You’re in for one hell of a ride. UTV

We beat them in the Europa league final while breaking UEFA financial rules, and then we take their best player away. I hope that the DFB Pokal goes their way next year!

At what point in the series did you fall in love with the books? I’m curious to know when the series grabs people.

For me, it was during Royal Assassin. Seeing Fitz experience the tragedies of youth: finally finding a father figure to trust (Verity) who then has to leave him, falling in love with Molly and then losing that pure relationship, etc.

I finished the first book a few weeks ago, and I thought it was moderately enjoyable but had some weaknesses that really brought it down. I hear a lot of people say that the series improves dramatically after the first book. when did the series really get going for you? How do things change compared to the first book to make it so much better?

(please no spoilers since I’ve only read Red Rising!!)