Rumours and gossip

[Imy]

Aston Villa have swooped for £14m beanpole marksman Onyur Edsson. The Icelandic hitman will arrive from Malmo on a four year deal.

Surely Man City will want to add him to their roster of strikers

[dww]

£14m for Malmo - bloody hell.

[Pablo]

£14m for Malmo - bloody hell.

Nice one Shaggy, Dave you mght want to read his name back, he's apparently absolutely lethal in the air

[Shaggy]

£14m for Malmo - bloody hell.

Nice one Shaggy, Dave you mght want to read his name back, he's apparently absolutely lethal in the air

Next they will be turning their attention to Trabzonspor hitman Bakar Danet.

[Rich]

naughty shaggy (again)

[dww]

Fair Cop.

[Shaggy]

Gooch has signed for Milan on a free.

In other news, Gower has signed for Lazio for a nominal sum, Lamb has gone to Udinese and Gatting has joined Juventus on a pay-as-you-eat deal.

[MrMichael]

SSN Breaking - Downing to Villa for £12m

[Reece]

I wonder where that leaves Ashley Young then (other than potentially being sold), unless they are planning on moving him to the right next season.

[wavydavy]

What's the extent of Downing's recovery from what was quite a serious injury? Bit of a gamble, no?

[dww]

I wonder where that leaves Ashley Young then (other than potentially being sold), unless they are planning on moving him to the right next season.

That or off the main striker.

I could also imagine Downing left of a central three in a 4-3-3/4-1-2-2-1 type formation

[Reece]

That or off the main striker.

I could also imagine Downing left of a central three in a 4-3-3/4-1-2-2-1 type formation

When I saw you had replied I wondered if you were going to suggest he would be played at left back

But yes I could see him behind the striker.

I suppose if we don't end up getting Silva then I wouldn't mind Young. English for a start which seems to be important these days. I wonder what sort of fee he would command.

[Imy]

If you had to choose a player which would you prefer Rafa to sign Silva or Ashley Young?

For me Ashley Young - pace, skill and application - Premiership proven also.

I have sneaky feeling he's going to end up at the Mancs though.

[dww]

If you had to choose a player which would you prefer Rafa to sign Silva or Ashley Young?

For me Ashley Young - pace, skill and application - Premiership proven also.

I have sneaky feeling he's going to end up at the Mancs though.

It's a tough choice - the way I see it Young is very likely to add to the team with pace, goal threat and skill. However he is less creative than Silva is at his best. I worry about Silva settling and I'm not convinced he is as good as some make out. However a bit like Torres if he came and made the most of his assets he would make a huge impact. I see Young as the safe gamble but Silva as the one with the bigger potential pay off.

[dww]

When I saw you had replied I wondered if you were going to suggest he would be played at left back

But yes I could see him behind the striker.

I suppose if we don't end up getting Silva then I wouldn't mind Young. English for a start which seems to be important these days. I wonder what sort of fee he would command.

Downing genuinely could play left back (certainly left wingback) I would think though. Did Villa every really sort out their fullback positions last year?