Lambert continues to do everything right
The good feelings are continuing aplenty this preseason, and since our opening victory against Burton on Saturday, the good news keeps coming.
The first concerns the possible new signing of Feyenoord central defender Ron Vlaar, news that first broke yesterday but is becoming more wide spread now. Indeed according to goal.com, Feyenoord’s sporting director Martin van Geel has stated that Vlaar does indeed want to move to us, and that the Dutch side took two team photos today, one with, and one without Vlaar should he move on.
Here are a few quotes from the piece:
“Ron visited Birmingham yesterday and wants to continue his career at Aston Villa,”
“We met with him last week to discuss a contract extension, but that was not an option. It’s true that he has a buy-out clause. I won’t reveal how much exactly we’re talking about, but we’re obviously talking about millions here.”
A buy-out clause had started to be talked about, with some mentioning a figure of around £3 million. Van Geel’s quotes maybe suggest it might be a bit more, but either way it looks like he won’t cost the earth.
Anyway back to Lambert, and I’m loving everything that he continues to do at our club. Saturday was a positive start, and as mentioned I enjoyed seeing him prowl the touchline and interact with the fans. Initial indications are he’s already brought well, with Lowton looking solid and El Ahmadi looking very much the part on the weekend. Right back and defensive midfield were definitely areas we needed to strengthen, and now with the targeting of Vlaar it seems Lambert is keen to address another one in central defence.
Have written many a time that I’d have no issue with getting rid of the favoured back four from last season (Hutton, Collins, Dunne, Warnock) and with the signing of Lowton and possible signing of Vlaar, it seems Lambert is perhaps of the same thinking.
The future for Hutton at Villa is looking particularly bleak at the moment after he was left out of the squad that today travels to the States for our preseason tour. It looks like he’ll be off sooner rather than later, especially when taking into account the arrival of Lowton. I’d be happy with Lowton and Lichaj in the position next season, and the chance to get rid of a player who was hardly a fans favourite is a welcome bonus. Add to this he was a classic McLeish player, and it just adds to the new start feeling we’re all enjoying at the moment.
Of course Lambert won’t continue to get everything right, (I’d happily be proven wrong!) but this is a great start to his tenure as Villa boss. He’s targeting areas of real need, areas we’ve all earmarked previously and he’s signing quality players for good value.
We have the lookings of a decent side, and Lambert looks like he wants to make us better.
Long may it continue.
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Very impressed with the signings so far, especially the el hadimi. Vlaar is just what we need. I know many would disagree but I am a fan of Collins and he looking very physically fit, I am sure he will be a good player for us again. On the fence with warnock.
Agree with you mate. Was really impressed with El Ahmadi on Saturday. Even against lower league opposition he just looked the part, and exactly the type of player we’ve needed.
I prefer Collins to Dunne, and I do like his commitment on the field, still wouldn’t be too bothered if they both left. Warnock be a good squad player, due to the fact he can play left back, left mid (at a push) and centre mid if we have any more injury crises.
Stevens looked good on the weekend, so it be interesting to see who starts the season left back.
Cannot say how pleased I am to see Hutton seemingly on his way out. Hopefully Dunne & Collins will be gone soon too.
Come on we played a practise match against lowly opposition. I have watched Stevens since he arrived and him looking good says it all about the opposition! He will not make it. The outstanding player on Saturday was wee Barry Bannan, he controlled the second half. Yes the newcomers were satisfactory, and the football they played was acceptable. Gabby was rubbish, so no change there then, Carruthers did nothing and Hutton played well enough hopefully to get another club.
So, sorry I do have hopes for the new season, but I will need far more convincing other than a run out I saw last Saturday
I stressed many times that it was ‘just’ against Burton, but still a number of positives I felt. Wrote on our round up on Saturday, how Bannan was up there for MOTM for me. Was wonderful to see him spray the ball around and dictate play. He has the talent, we just need to see it more, and I hope he’s sorted his off the field issue out.
Agree on Holman, have a really good feeling about him. Could be one of the only things McLeish got right. Haha true, and it was noticable to see how often Marshall threw the ball out rather than go for the hoof, let’s see how long this lasts!
I forgot the Aussie Holman, now he did impress me, picked up good positions on the blindside, works very hard, can play a bit and knows where the net is, reminded me of David Platt. Oh yes seems like Collins is hoping to stay, he played the ball to his own side, now that really is a change! Carroll for Bent, far more mobile.