There is never a dull moment at Villa Park these days. Here’s the latest news, transfers and rumour;
Jack Grealish. Caught out having a nap in a Tenerife resort after one too many sherbets. Well, what can you say? He’s a victim of his own naivety, rising fame and one hopes he is a quick learner. It’s easy to take the moral high ground, tut and disapprove, but that’s the easy stance.
What’s more important is that Villa deal with it quickly and proportionately. We do not want our in house talent to be hanging around with a bunch of wasters. Equally we don’t want any of our players to come to avoidable harm. If the pictures are accurate, Grealish might count himself lucky only his pride will take a battering.
But, let’s get some perspective. He’s a young guy, making the same mistakes most 19 year olds do. It’s not great, but it could be a whole lot worse. Have a word, draw a line and let’s move on.
Villa have quietly signed up defender Niall Mason on a permanent deal. The 18 year old, having been released by Southampton, has been part of the under 21 set up at the tail end of the season and has impressed enough to earn a permanent deal.
Enda Stevens, released just a few days ago by Villa, has been snapped up by League Two side Portsmouth.
Lukas Hradecky was scouted by Villa at the weekend as he kept goal for Finland in their international against Hungary. The 25 year old keeper is attracting lots of interest across Europe, but Villa are certainly in the hunt for someone to lay claim to the number 1 shirt. Guzan was very indifferent last season, showing rare glimpses of his previous form. Shay Given, now a genuine veteran, has lots of class, but looks every day of his 39 years at times. In short, a change in goal is merited.
Another defender has been linked, this time 27 year old Frenchman Claude Dielna. Currently plying his trade at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. A brief check of Wednesday forums doesn’t inspire great confidence & this one would be marked down as a surprise purchase should it occur.