How Aston Villa could line up in 2024/25

[@jonnylew529]

19:30 glad didn’t have a mouthful of fluid when laughing at McGinn being pulled off!😊

[@ClaretBluePod]

😂😂

[@tamkissbrown8779]

Exciting times 2 players for every position, Unai will defo improve on last seasons points[ total so get your cash on more than 61pts on the spread markets

[@Sarco86]

What is John on about? In both finals England were outplayed and out managed. It wasn’t England’s to lose whatsoever, they had about 35 minutes of ‘control’ across two finals totalling 210 minutes.

[@stephenbell8349]

Our "2nd side" could be pretty cracking too- Gauchi, Digne, Mings, Carlos, Nedeljkovic, Barrenechea, Barkley, Illing, Philogene, Buendia and Rogers up front

[@joebees21]

I actually think that Rogers and Nedeljkovic get in our starting 11. Hopefully Buendía too.

[@simonforde7695]

Martinez played for Independiente - that's the team we should play against in Buenos Aires. 50,000 capacity stadium. One of the traditional big five clubs in the country (along with Boca Juniors, River Plate, Racing and San Lorenzo) and has the third biggest fanbase.

[@jaredlee6602]

Looking good for the upcoming season

[@hotdiggityd]

Morgan Rogers is your Diaby replacement. We’ve signed 2 wingers this summer, 3 if you count Dobbin, all of whom can play on the left.

[@sambrookes8001]

Dobbin will most likely go out on loan I reckon. I do not want to sell Diaby at all

[@sejm84]

I don’t think we need a right back now. If you see the training footage of Cash recently, he looks extremely physically fit. I suspect he has had a big conversation with Unai and he has been leaning into that over the summer, capitalising on recovery given his injury ruling him out of international duty. Would not be surprised to see a Digne style elevation of performance this season.

[@stephenbell8349]

When Rogers got injured, we had to bring Cash on in midfield, because we were depleted through injury, those days are gone!

[@jonhayes7322]

I think what the Luiz sale shows us, is that not only were the club clued up & one step ahead, but we all knew what was needed & why

[@AllanSmith-rl9rs]

we've signed a right back Xmas and he's training with the squad

[@marksturch3162]

Yes, but don't forget he is only 18.

[@joebees21]

​@@marksturch3162 Remember that he's already played in the Champions League though.

[@marksturch3162]

@joebees21 yes, I get that. Well we will see if Emery thinks he is ready.

[@Chatters156]

Defo paint it light blue as you use a claret framing/background when displaying multiple participants - so would compliment and the white shelving then would pop and look the biz.

[@stephenalliband2401]

What you are missing in your discussion and it amazes me you don't seem to it, is that there will be injuries and there will be squad rotation. Players were knackered from Feb onwards last year. Players even Mcginn will not play every match. That's wht Emery has built a squad like this.

[@Nomad55]

get philogene in regardless of diaby’s status, he will be a breakout player this season whether he’s with us or Ipswich serious talent

[@MrRichardC88]

“Pulling McGinn off” 😂

[@ClaretBluePod]

I shouldn’t laugh but come on

[@darrenwoolley8433]

Great podcast lads really enjoyed it I'm looking forward to pre season. UTV

[@lms_steve6693]

Forget England roll on 17th August for some proper football!

[@tomasmarshall9697]

Can’t decide if McGinn has played his last game for Villa or if this will be his last season - the way this squad is being built, you struggle to see how he gets game time with everyone available

[@ethanol35]

11:32 I would think Philogene would get lots of game time since he would probably be coming on for bailey and sometimes starting before/after CL games

[@realvilla]

Great video as per chaps but my highlight was the edit to cover the smirk because I too am a child, Dan. Please tell John that "bringing him off" is no better. Thanks 😂

[@ClaretBluePod]

He told me to grow up basically and we laughed so I had to edit round it 😂

[@jonhayes7322]

I don’t buy the kit usually, but Mrs H will be getting it for me on my birthday in September 😂😂😂😂😂

[@stephenbell8349]

I still think we'll sell at least 5 more players. Hause, Digne/Moreno, Dendonker, Diaby and possibly Cash and or Carlos

[@joebees21]

Can't sell Cash unless we go for another proper right back.

[@sambrookes8001]

I think Emery rates Cash, he often makes an impact when he comes on. I also can't see him selling Diaby, only bought him last summer and I think he'll come good

[@amlmorris]

Max Beier is someone I like the look of & believe he could play with or without Ollie Watkins,I'm hoping we go in for him with a lot going for him being young & can improve under Unai & co.... up the mighty Villa!!! 😊

[@jonhayes7322]

McGinn v Spurs at home is a worry given the % of high pressured games to come…

[@joshuaskelton8737]

Anyone know anything about the villa tv pre season match pass? Not seen it on Villa TV yet

[@Javo_AV]

Completely agree with John about Konsa as our 1st choice RB - people still foolishly view our RB as the more traditional RB of bombing forward like they are Cafu, Emery doesn't want that in this system - we effectively have a back 3. Last season, when Cash, an attacking full back was in the side, Kamara had to drop into the back 3, and McGinn and to drop in to fill Kamara's space. It affects the whole system when we don't have a defensive RB like Konsa. Carlos isn't good enough for where we want to be either, but the team as a whole was much better with him at RCB and Konsa at RB last year. So yeah, we have a bigger need for an elite RCB to help us take the next step i.e. aerially dominant, pace for the highline and recoveries, as well as the ability to progress the ball through passing and carrying - especially so the last point about ball progression, if Onana is our new starting CM/DM. And Todibo would be class. A new RB also pushes Nedeljkovic, who has only just joined, and Kesler, who just signed a new deal further down the line too. A new RB only comes in if Cash is sold and he has to be sold first and I can't see anyone signing him for what we want. Watkins McGinn Ramsey Bailey Tielemans Onana Maatsen Torres Todibo* Konsa Martinez With Rodgers, Philogene, Barkley, Enzo, Cash, Buendia all options from the bench and to rotate in Duran/Archer Buendia Rodgers Philogene Barkley Enzo/Kamara Moreno/Digne Mings Carlos Cash/Kosta/Kesler Gauci

[@sambrookes8001]

It's interesting hearing other peoples opinions because I think that Rogers will start over Ramsey, they are very similar in how they like to play and right now Rogers has proved his worth

[@darpanmalkan]

was jacob ramsey discussed ?

[@jonhayes7322]

“Big club problems” - John Townley, 15.7.24

[@pauloreilly2342]

Come on Dan. We all saw the snigger about pulling McGinn off😂.

[@petes8280]

We have to stop this small club fan base mentality whereby we discuss starting 11’s and who will start with who… Unai wants to win every competition we enter, and to do that we need a deep squad of quality players. So having REAL depth in multiple areas is exactly what we need. We saw last season when we tried to play some of our so called ‘second string’ in games in Conf. League, and we lost to Legia away etc. we need to rotate, we need to have a squad so we can bring in different players Wed/Sat, and potentially even change things game to game tactically when Unai wants a specific player to do a specific job against a specific team/opposite number.

[@paulmalyon9577]

Where do you see philgene playing also how much game time will buendia get

[@jonhayes7322]

I think it’s sad that the club v country Issue has elevated to indifference towards the national side; and it’s also gone granular - I bet we were bragging it was Ollie in the SF. It mirrors the country. Seeing differences not similarities… shame

[@jonhayes7322]

The Copa America final was played 37 miles from Inter Miami/Messi stadium…

[@kevinprice1611]

At least we won't see 3 keepers on the bench again or Emery's son !! Building a strong squad to rotate between Champions League and Premier League

[@markwhite7908]

Love it, England lose the Euros but ah well, Villa play Walsall in a friendly on Wednesday. Bang on UTV

[@PDX-Villan]

Emery would not be as good managing a national team. His success is in training his team to play with his tactics. It would be very hard to do that with a national team that only trains together occasionally for a couple of weeks. Keep him where he is best!

[@stephenbell8349]

Nedeljkovic has played Champions League.

[@amlmorris]

If Diaby moves we don't need a replacement as we're stacked out with wingers & some who can play on either side,but if Duran goes we will need a replacement,any money for selling Diaby can be invested in other areas. 😊

[@ClaretBluePod]

I suppose it already has, in Onana

[@denis1114]

Watching from a beach in Mexico UTV

[@ClaretBluePod]

Very nice indeed!

[@Davies2710]

Mcginn should become a squad player. Not a regular starter for me. If we really want to keep this progression going

[@mattbowles4073]

Diaby and Duran go, I think we'll sign 1 player to replace both. So someone who can play instead of Watkins and with Watkins as a 2nd striker.

[@CabbagePatch42]

Reckon McGinn could easily play left back

[@EoghanCa]

Any chance dendoncker starts playing as a CB option?

[@ClaretBluePod]

I’d be shocked if he didn’t leave this window

[@Chatters156]

No way!

[@hotdiggityd]

When the question is "what is our best XI/midfield" etc the answer in 2024 should be "who are we playing?"

[@ClaretBluePod]

Good point

[@chrisb18741]

If Diaby goes we defo need a replacement. Too many people don’t rate Diaby and I don’t get it. Have we not learnt from Bailey?

[@Davies2710]

Truth is not every player can turn it around like Bailey did. Even Bailey needs to prove next season he can continue with how he was last. Philogene will be the Diaby replacement and I can see that working fine. Diaby is a bench player with everyone fit anyway

[@chrisb18741]

@@Davies2710 Philogene is nowhere near Diaby’s level.

[@Tom_Harding]

I have something which could be a bad take but i’m certain of. Kamara 100% would have gone instead of Luiz if he was fit and even if he fit right now he wouldn’t start. People forgot how poorly he started last season and got hooked by Emery. He makes too many errors and has been responsible for more errors leading to goals than anyone else under Emery. I reckon he’ll be gone soon anyway even though I do think he can become great.

[@nathaniel525]

Martinez, Maatsen, Konsa, Pau, Illing Junior, Onana, Teilemans, McGinn, Bailey, Roger’s, Watkins Or Martinez, Maatsen, Konsa, Pau, Illing Junior, Bailey, Onana, Enzo, Barkley, Roger’s, Watkins

[@Omi_xo]

Junior?

[@nathaniel525]

@@Omi_xo Illing

[@Davies2710]

Surely you've not got Maatsen or Illing Jr at right back?

[@Omi_xo]

@@Davies2710 I was thinking the same thing.. I don't think Illing JR can play there or defend

[@nathaniel525]

@@Davies2710 not sure mate, apparently Junior has been at left wing back for Juve but also can play in midfield

[@Stevie-V]

Does John feel nervous when recording these podcasts? He seems to be always jumping about in his seat? It seems even more noticable when you have your live podcasts/shows? Just asking as this is not a criticism just an observation!

[@ClaretBluePod]

I think he’s just a fidget rather than any nerves

[@fauxreal3D]

I'd like to ask a question as it's summer....in the sun does he? John, tanswell?

[@ClaretBluePod]

No considering this is John Townley

[@lemmingsftw2480]

mcginn has always struggled in a 2 man midfield, it would be a crisis

[@PlayerAyte]

Trusting Rogers, Ramsey and Philogene would save the club millions.

[@michellemaynard6808]

UTV 💜💙💜

[@uk-critz579]

I`m 60yrs old brit living in the USA supported Villa for 53yrs can you send me a new Villa shirt when they release 3xl is my size, its so hard to get them where i live (in the middle of nowhere lol).

[@johnniejukes1796]

I feel like Jayden is diabys replacement

[@MatthewAras]

So based on John saying we cant sign anybody else because of numbers….is he saying Baena, Hermoso and a new RB are not gonna happen?

[@imbonkers3629]

Depends if f we can unload players

[@ClaretBluePod]

Can’t exceed squad limits so yeah players will have to leave

[@MatthewAras]

@@ClaretBluePodtime to show Hause the door then asap. 😂

[@PaulWolfenden]

We have 33 players listed on villa site as squad members. That's before onana and philogene come in. Champions league squad is 25 and prem squad is 17 players + upto 25 "homegrown" players.

[@MatthewAras]

@@PaulWolfendenyeah i just had a look and i think with the ones we will keep it will be 25 as of now. We deffo need to sell a left back asap.

[@Omi_xo]

I think Diaby is going 🤔 because Unai wants a spainsh playmaker or ESR.. they will be more beneficial than having Diaby...

[@stephenbell8349]

Get Todibo!

[@jonhayes7322]

Nobody should ask for preseason refunds this year!!!!!!!

[@ChrisWillis-ih7ij]

Enjoy the pod lads but John is miles off the mark with England should’ve won against Spain. Southgate cost them against Italy but they shouldn’t have even been in the final this time. The luckiest manager ever.

[@ricclark8162]

re fans being treated like shit , this is how billionaires get to be billionaires customers are there to be rinsed , like a nasty rich guys (there are nice rich guys of course) girlfriend (or boyfriend) we are loving the lifestyle but shouldn't see this as anything more than a transactional relationship, thanks for the pod :)

[@AlexBTexas]

Bad take of the week - Matt is more optimistic than John these days

[@davidham5230]

Pull McGinn off lol

[@Paul.swanseavilla]

I'd say wait two weeks 2 or three BIG SIGNINGS TO COME. AND DIABEY TO DEFINITELY LEAVE

[@jonhayes7322]

Young buck Townley aaaaaaah - he is aware that we didn’t qualify for WCs in 74, 78 & 94, & a euro in 08; obviously Southgate took over the Iceland 2016 debacle - you don’t know you’re born!!! It’s not about tactics at international level. It’s about culture, environment, and the players. JT, you’ve seen 4 tournaments?!?!

[@BlackRuum]

The assessment of Spain vs England is delusional... Spain were MUCH better than England... This is the problem with England fans...

[@paulitm1]

Dumb and dumber reunited. Do I get to enter the draw?

[@ClaretBluePod]

🤪