Ashley Westwood £5m bid accepted

Shore claret · Post by **Shore claret** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 9:32 pm

Juan Tanamera wrote:I don't know any Villa fans.

I don't know any either, I feel I'm missing out.

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 9:35 pm

When we were chasing Westwood last summer, I always had him down as more of an upgrade on Barton than Marney - he's always struck me as a player who reads the game well, does the simple things well, protects his back four and gets the ball moving. I don't know if he's as well regarded for going box to box and being really dynamic in the way Marney does.

But in a sense, that's fine. We're going to need a replacement for Barton in the summer realistically, and we can afford to buy someone like Westwood now and look to the medium term. Even if he's not the ideal replacement for Marney, then he still adds depth to the squad in that department (as will Brady, if he signs, because he can also do a job centrally).

In a sense, I suppose we're all missing the fact that the long term heir to Marney as a first choice player - the athletic, box to box midfielder - arrived in the summer. Hendrick's the modern version of a Marney.

Bruce and Dyche have a good relationship, incidentally. That will help get this done.

jedi_master · Post by **jedi_master** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 9:35 pm

Never rated him and said as much in the summer when linked. I compared his style of play to James O'Connor which got me some pelters on here (perhaps rightly, as he is obviously better than JOC, but the similarities to me are there).

If he signs I will back him 100%, Dyche knows far more than me, anyone on here or any Aston Villa fans as to what our team needs and if he feels this signing is what we need that will do for me. He has more than earned my trust.

gwills18 · Post by **gwills18** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 9:36 pm

The same Villa fans who think Ashley Barnes is tosh? Think I will back Dyche on this one.

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 9:39 pm

jedi_master wrote:Never rated him and said as much in the summer when linked. I compared his style of play to James O'Connor which got me some pelters on here (perhaps rightly, as he is obviously better than JOC, but the similarities to me are there).

If he signs I will back him 100%, Dyche knows far more than me, anyone on here or any Aston Villa fans as to what our team needs and if he feels this signing is what we need that will do for me. He has more than earned my trust.

I'm not sure that is right though. I think Westwood is more about sitting deep and keeping the ball moving simply and effectively, reading the game well and playing the holding role.

O'Connor was a lightweight version of Marney, who is in turn a lightweight version of the modern box-to-box athlete. That's how far we've come.

AGENT_CLARET · Post by **AGENT_CLARET** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 9:55 pm

Loan deal until the end of the season then possible deal in the summer, but will have to take a a pay cut.

Right_winger · Post by **Right_winger** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 9:57 pm

Westwood is utter garbage. Jones Mk2.

gawthorpe_view · Post by **gawthorpe_view** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 9:58 pm

Saxoman wrote:You could have had the entire squad, the ground and Brockall for that

You had a couple of typos in there, I've fixed them for you.

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:00 pm

Why has David Jones suddenly become an object of derision? Thought he did well for you?

Pearcey · Post by **Pearcey** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:01 pm

Saxoman wrote:Why has David Jones suddenly become an object of derision? Thought he did well for you?

He did. I don't understand it either.

gawthorpe_view · Post by **gawthorpe_view** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:01 pm

He was ok till Joey outshined him.

ksrclaret · Post by **ksrclaret** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:02 pm

Saxoman wrote:Why has David Jones suddenly become an object of derision? Thought he did well for you?

It's how we distinguish those who know about football, because they invariably recognised how much of an important player Jones was for us, and those who're utterly clueless.

martin_p · Post by **martin_p** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:03 pm

gawthorpe_view wrote:He was ok till Joey outshined him.

He was a crucial part of our championship winning team.

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:05 pm

Pearcey wrote:Villa fans didn't rate Lowton either and he's doing ok.

Add in Boyd, Arfield, Barnes and to a lesser extent Heaton..

I can't remember too many going overboard about these signings at the time. When we signed Tom, Bristol City had just been relegated from the Championship conceding 84 goals, and he'd come to the end of a one-year deal ... Dyche, and his team seem to be able to spot good players of character, who are being disregarded or undervalued by their present employers. Dyche was an apprentice at Forest under Brian Clough.

The more senior members on here will see a parallel, with what Clough did at both Derby and Forest all those years ago... John McGovern ( Hartlepool ), Larry Lloyd ( £60k from a skint Coventry ), Frank Clark ( Age 31 from Newcastle ), Ian Bowyer, John Robertson & Martin O'Neil were at Forest but were transformed under his management...

Whe was the last time a Burnley player was booked for Dissent or ungentlemany conduct ?? In Dyche we trust !!

Right_winger · Post by **Right_winger** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:06 pm

Saxoman wrote:Why has David Jones suddenly become an object of derision? Thought he did well for you?

He's not. Never rated him. The type of player who just offers nothing. Westwood is of a similar Mould. Weak player who looks to offload it usually sideways or backwards.

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:06 pm

So isit a loan or permanent deal? who is correct, has Boden flipped his coin yet? did it land on heads (permanent) or tails (loan)?

UpTheClaretsFCBK · Post by **UpTheClaretsFCBK** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:08 pm

Can't believe people are having a pop at a player who we may or may not sign. At least let the ink dry and wait until he's kicked a ball.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:09 pm

UpTheClaretsFCBK wrote:Can't believe people are having a pop at a player who we may or may not sign. At least let the ink dry and wait until he's kicked a ball.

agree 100%, far too many belmtards on here who think they know more than Dyche

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:10 pm

Brian clough- if football was meant to be played in the air, god would have put grass there..

John Johnson 1605 · Post by **John Johnson 1605** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:14 pm

Right_winger wrote:He's not. Never rated him. The type of player who just offers nothing. Westwood is of a similar Mould. Weak player who looks to offload it usually sideways or backwards.

Four promotions into the Premier League but just offers "nothing."

One of the most moronic remarks I've ever read.

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:15 pm

Right_winger wrote:He's not. Never rated him. The type of player who just offers nothing. Westwood is of a similar Mould. Weak player who looks to offload it usually sideways or backwards.

Thank f-uck you are not managing Burnley then eh.

Did you miss the bit when our midfield suddenly stopped giving the ball away when we signed Jones - pure coincidence do you think ?

I swear some of our fans are watching a different game

Vince Fontaine · Post by **Vince Fontaine** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:17 pm

Just like Huddersfield fans did with Arfield!!
UTC

John Johnson 1605 · Post by **John Johnson 1605** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:23 pm

claretspice wrote:When we were chasing Westwood last summer, I always had him down as more of an upgrade on Barton than Marney - he's always struck me as a player who reads the game well, does the simple things well, protects his back four and gets the ball moving. I don't know if he's as well regarded for going box to box and being really dynamic in the way Marney does.

But in a sense, that's fine. We're going to need a replacement for Barton in the summer realistically, and we can afford to buy someone like Westwood now and look to the medium term. Even if he's not the ideal replacement for Marney, then he still adds depth to the squad in that department (as will Brady, if he signs, because he can also do a job centrally).

In a sense, I suppose we're all missing the fact that the long term heir to Marney as a first choice player - the athletic, box to box midfielder - arrived in the summer. Hendrick's the modern version of a Marney.

Agreed I believe he is more of a sitting player ala Barton.

On transferring to Villa he likened his style of play to Michael Carrick.

Bruce and Dyche have a good relationship, incidentally. That will help get this done.

John Johnson 1605 · Post by **John Johnson 1605** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:23 pm

claretspice wrote:When we were chasing Westwood last summer, I always had him down as more of an upgrade on Barton than Marney - he's always struck me as a player who reads the game well, does the simple things well, protects his back four and gets the ball moving. I don't know if he's as well regarded for going box to box and being really dynamic in the way Marney does.

But in a sense, that's fine. We're going to need a replacement for Barton in the summer realistically, and we can afford to buy someone like Westwood now and look to the medium term. Even if he's not the ideal replacement for Marney, then he still adds depth to the squad in that department (as will Brady, if he signs, because he can also do a job centrally).

In a sense, I suppose we're all missing the fact that the long term heir to Marney as a first choice player - the athletic, box to box midfielder - arrived in the summer. Hendrick's the modern version of a Marney.

Agreed I believe he is more of a sitting player ala Barton.

On transferring to Villa he likened his style of play to Michael Carrick.

Bruce and Dyche have a good relationship, incidentally. That will help get this done.

Vince Fontaine · Post by **Vince Fontaine** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:23 pm

Brian Clough - I want you to win the ball and pass it to him.
Player - why do I pass it to him?
Brian Clough - because he's a better player than you!
UTC

Juan Tanamera · Post by **Juan Tanamera** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:37 pm

joey13 wrote:Aren't you the lucky one

Yes!
But if it helps I know quite a few wannabe Manyoo fans who don't rate Ashley Westwood either.

Shore claret · Post by **Shore claret** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 10:43 pm

I know some bitter blues who also don't rate him, but they are morons

Den_Perry · Post by **Den_Perry** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 11:00 pm

Think he'll be a decent solid player for us once he gets Dyche-fit. Sean has a knack of identifying players at clubs who either haven't quite fulfilled their potential or have maybe fallen out of favour for one reason or another. If Sean thinks there's a good player somewhere in there, we should trust him to work his magic yet again.

Goody1975 · Post by **Goody1975** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 11:10 pm

Played most games for Villa since signing in 2012, rarely injured and out of his 124 Premier League appearances only 10 have come from the bench, even though they've had some poor managers in recent years all of them have had Westwood in their team.

He is 26 and going off current transfer market valuations we would be signing an experienced Premier League player approaching his prime years for around half of what WBA have paid for Livermore. Livermore is another player who people may turn their noses up at but signing for a manager who sees a specific role for a player, signs them to do it and is pretty successful at making it work.

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 11:27 pm

Clarets4me wrote:
When was the last time a Burnley player was booked for Dissent or ungentlemany conduct ?? In Dyche we trust !!

Your general point is correct. It hardly ever happens, but I think the answer is Boxing Day against Boro, when Gray got booked for stupidly kicking the ball away - in a not very subtle way!

starting_11 · Post by **starting_11** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 11:28 pm

Not exactly ecstatic about it but from my Villa lot I hear he's the only one who bothered to turn up for the last couple of years.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 11:33 pm

starting_11 wrote:Not exactly ecstatic about it but from my Villa lot I hear he's the only one who bothered to turn up for the last couple of years.

apologies, have we actually secured this lad?

if he is a determined type, so much the better. Dyche can make a lot from this .

maidenover · Post by **maidenover** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 11:52 pm

Loan according to Sky :

12:54
WESTWOOD TO LEAVE?

Ashley Westwood looks set to join Burnley after Aston Villa accepted a loan bid, according to the Birmingham Mail.

The deal would be a loan move with a view to a permanent move in the summer.

Goody1975 · Post by **Goody1975** » Mon Jan 30, 2017 11:55 pm

maidenover wrote:Loan according to Sky :

12:54
WESTWOOD TO LEAVE?

Ashley Westwood looks set to join Burnley after Aston Villa accepted a loan bid, according to the Birmingham Mail.

The deal would be a loan move with a view to a permanent move in the summer.

See further up the thread

RammyClaret61 · Post by **RammyClaret61** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 12:16 am

ClaretTony wrote:Only two players have started more league games for Villa this season and I think he'd be an outstanding signing, if only for the reason that an article was written last summer.

Now that's just lazy!!

paulus the woodgnome · Post by **paulus the woodgnome** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 12:16 am

[quote="Right_winger"]He's not. Never rated him. The type of player who just offers nothing. Westwood is of a similar Mould. Weak player who looks to offload it usually sideways or backwards.[/quote

Oh Christ. Another one.

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 12:39 am

nil_desperandum wrote:Your general point is correct. It hardly ever happens, but I think the answer is Boxing Day against Boro, when Gray got booked for stupidly kicking the ball away - in a not very subtle way!

I wasn't aware of that booking, I'm glad you appreciate the point I was making ...

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 1:15 am

I think Goody nailed it

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 5:58 am

Villa fans say he can't play in a 2, looks too lightweight to me as well for a 2.

Cubanclaret · Post by **Cubanclaret** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 7:47 am

Is he surplus to requirements at villa?
Has he not been able to make the team ?

IndigoLake · Post by **IndigoLake** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 7:56 am

Cubanclaret wrote:Is he surplus to requirements at villa?
Has he not been able to make the team ?

He has been playing most games. However the signings of Lansbury and Hourihane may have changed things.

jlup1980 · Post by **jlup1980** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:04 am

starting_11 wrote:Not exactly ecstatic about it but from my Villa lot I hear he's the only one who bothered to turn up for the last couple of years.

Twitter is full of comments like this. Obviously you get the moronic "he can't kick a ball" type comment as well (I'd argue 120+ PL appearances probably means he can kick a ball") but there's a lot wishing him well, saying he was the only player who cared last season. That'll be something Dyche identified I'm sure. The attitude has to be right from the start and one thing we can say about Brady, Robertson and Westwood is none of them have rocked the boat at their current clubs to my knowledge. I think this could be a shrewd acquisition for £5 million.

Claretmatt4 · Post by **Claretmatt4** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:31 am

Almost unanimous hilarity from Villa fans as it was announced. Apparently they should be paying us for him.

The same fans who didn't rate Lowton.

£5m is a snip for a squad player with a lot of PL experience and 5+ years left at the top of his game.

I think this might be the first to be announced. Villa could do with offloading him as they have signed about 127 midfielders this month.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:34 am

I don't need to read over my cornflakes that David Jones was crap.

Especially from someone who claims to be a Burnley fan.

IndigoLake · Post by **IndigoLake** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:34 am

Claretmatt4 wrote:Almost unanimous hilarity from Villa fans as it was announced. Apparently they should be paying us for him.

The same fans who didn't rate Lowton.

£5m is a snip for a squad player with a lot of PL experience and 5+ years left at the top of his game.

I think this might be the first to be announced. Villa could do with offloading him as they have signed about 127 midfielders this month.

Yes, I also have a feeling it will be our first announced signing.

willsclarets · Post by **willsclarets** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:37 am

Absolutely slated by villa fans but I think he's a sound acquisition. Good replacement for Barton and good competiton in the here and now.

I think 5 million is a tad too much. Given Bruce has got Hourihane and Lansbury in for 6 million, I think he'll be ecstatic with a net loss of 1 million. 3-4 million sounds fairer to me.

WestMidsClaret · Post by **WestMidsClaret** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:41 am

I'm not sure about this guy. Not see much of him but when I have I've been meh! But I will judge him if/when he's played for us. Good thing is he's experiened for the prem and knows what it's like to wear the claret and blue even if it has been for a souless club who are fast becoming the modern day arrogant Leeds Utd.

joey13 · Post by **joey13** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:46 am

Claretmatt4 wrote:Almost unanimous hilarity from Villa fans as it was announced. Apparently they should be paying us for him.

The same fans who didn't rate Lowton.

£5m is a snip for a squad player with a lot of PL experience and 5+ years left at the top of his game.

I think this might be the first to be announced. Villa could do with offloading him as they have signed about 127 midfielders this month.

They have signed 3 !

Claretmatt4 · Post by **Claretmatt4** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:46 am

willsclarets wrote:Absolutely slated by villa fans but I think he's a sound acquisition. Good replacement for Barton and good competiton in the here and now.

I think 5 million is a tad too much. Given Bruce has got Hourihane and Lansbury in for 6 million, I think he'll be ecstatic with a net loss of 1 million. 3-4 million sounds fairer to me.

Angela only had 6 months left on her contract to be fair. Not sure about Hourihane

Right_winger · Post by **Right_winger** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 9:51 am

is he going to be a starter for us? The reported £5m is a lot for a player to be a back up.

He's nowhere near the ability of our current centre mids Barton included.

A loan as cover is meh to me. Would rather save the loan for someone decent.