The truth behind Ismaila Sarr Aston Villa transfer collapse and Johan Lange frustration
Latest Aston Villa news via BirminghamLive brings you the transcript from this week's Q&A with Ashley Preece who sits down with AVFC fans to chew the fat with Bolton up next this evening
Aston Villa head to Bolton later hoping to book their place in the third round of a competition Steven Gerrard is looking to win. It's been a busy few days off the back of the Palace defeat with a £25 million transfer for Watford's Ismaila Sarr breaking down at the 11th hour. Here, Ashley Preece sits down with supporters to talk through transfers, what happens next and the issues the manager needs to resolve if Villa are to find some form.
Johnus1964: So the Sarr deal is off... is that completely dead now?! Another shocking performance Saturday, it's getting too often us saying that now, not acceptable, everyone needs to stand up and be counted starting with Bolton, need to put a shift in, we need passionate players or the fans will start turning. Any updates on CB or midfielder, go and get Conor Gallagher, need some energy and spark in midfield... any other names been mentioned? We don’t have an identity and things need to change quickly, talk about wanting to challenge for Europe is a million miles away at the moment UTV...
Ashley says: Need some real quality in the door as well. Gallagher, could become available as window ticks down; interesting that Gerrard picked him out for focus re last year's pre-match meeting before beating Palace last November, clearly likes him. Yep, a million miles off all that European talk!
AVFCRegan: Was a tough one to take at the weekend wasn’t it mate, it could have been more. What’s going on at the moment mate... it’s a shambles on and off the pitch. What’s the latest on Sarr, Bolton, transfers, Archer, Dougie's new deal? I'm not Gerrard out at all but how much time do you think the owners will give him to turn things around? Has he got 6 games until the first international break to save his job or is he safe?
Ashley says: Sky Sports reporting that Steven Gerrard and the recruitment team had reservations about the Sarr deal and decided to walk away. I really feel for Archer... told he was staying, then could be loaned out, and could be staying again now given Sarr deal is off... As for Gerrard's future, his job is safe. We're just three games into the season. It's all too early for any of that nonsense. A big month coming up, though.
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AaronT77: The whole Sarr saga feels unusual to me - normally Villa work quietly and it only breaks when everything has been agreed - something must have happened very late in the deal as respected journalists on Twitter were all saying it was close - any insight into what happened? Does this focus suggest a change in formation and tactics and trying to get pacier wide players into the squad to play with wingers or was it more to get different options but sticking with the preferred narrow formation with attacking full-backs? What does all this mean for the rest of the window and our recruitment strategy?
Ashley says: Yes, all very strange isn't it. Lange always prefers his work to go under the radar. This is the last thing he would have wanted. Villa couldn't agree structure of deal with Hause/Archer plus Sarr's personal terms... I believe the player requested an eye-watering salary. Villa have decided to walk away. I'd love to know if the focus has shifted. Gerrard used to prefer a narrow system with either two No.10s or a No.10 behind two No.9s in a diamond shape. Bailey's performances have put a spanner in the works, he's playing well and is obviously an out-and-out winger... Full-backs were totally exposed at the weekend; Digne and Cash had bad games, no protection. Recruitment strategy? We'll see what plays out for the remainder of the window.
Breslin: Something is very wrong in that dressing room, there is no passion or confidence or mental strength. We can't pass, don't have movement off the ball, holes in the midfield and the defence is a shambles. Most of them don't look like they want to be out there. Has he lost the dressing room? Can't see how they could become so poor unless the coaching isn't good or they just can't be bothered and, if that's the case, that to me is the worst crime of all.
Ashley says: There will always be an unhappy dressing room after losing 2/3. Saturday was worrying. Yes, the handball went against us but Villa were bullied yet again; lacking leaders and characters to grind it out and dish a bit back. It'd be totally unfair to suggest 'manager has lost dressing room'. I don't believe that's the case at all. Feels like a big week vs Bolton and West Ham.
mattbrown: I must say this is a great way to voice our views but it does feel like I'm a stuck record! Do we even watch the opposition? Gerrard says its on me... too right it is. We will probably get abuse from the media and other fans but is it 4 wins in 13 games now? Patrick Vieira has made some astute signings and has a clear plan and a team that executes that plan perfectly. We look like we don't have a clue what the plan is even if there is one.
Ashley says: I know, I know... There's a clear identity to how Palace go about it; it's far less clear with Villa... is it Ings and Watkins... Just Watkins? Bailey? Coutinho or Buendia? Archer's future? It does feel like a big week... could really do with back-to-back wins vs Bolton and West Ham.
IamGibbo: How long has Gerrard got? How much longer will the owners put up with this There's no improvement and we're basically playing the same team as last year bar Kamara. Something doen't seem right. Also where's all the money gone? Net spend of zero??
Ashley says: Gerrard will be given plenty of time; he's got the full support of Purslow and the board. Results do need to improve, bang on. Something does feel a bit off, with you, but it's no surprise given the manner of the two defeats. Money? NSWE continue to pump money in; cannot question them. £45m spent this window so far... It was always about complementing last season's squad. Diego Carlos injury a massive blow. It's going to be a busy end to the window, Gibbo. Villa need to get it right and not panic buy.
JoyDivision: With the Sarr deal falling through and the failure to sign anyone in the last month, is this a sign players think Gerrard is in trouble or has lost the dressing room?
Ashley says: He hasn't lost the dressing room, JoyDivision, but on Saturday failed to get a response out of his players on the pitch. There's pressure on every manager... Three wins in 14 isn't good enough. We need to see improvements. It's still really early in the season though; big week... Two wins for me.
DannoAVFC: Sarr deal is a strange one, I heard it was wage demands but just speculation at this point but I thought it was also a bit strange that Archer was included in a loan to them. Surely Sarr wasn't going to replace both Bertie and Cameron? Is there talk of another 9 coming in? Heard any names? UTV
Ashley says: Archer stuff was strange; I feel for him; told he's PL player, then loan on the table... A penny for his thoughts. Hope he starts vs Bolton. Gerrard said he, Lange and Purslow "analysing every department" re defence, midfield and attack. That's still ongoing. No names re No.9. 10 days left of the window; hold on tight, I've got the feeling it's going to be a wild one.
dan_does_stuff: Given the obvious need for more control in midfield, it is curious that a passer like Luiz isn’t starting in a formation which provides more cover (4231 for example). It this a result of his contract situation or Gerrard being wedded to a system? Perhaps the manager has made a rod for his own back by making a player in a position with a lot of competition captain?
Ashley says: Luiz immaculate with his passing which gives Villa more control, not rocket science. Control crucial away from home... I think Gerrard prefers JJ and McGinn next to Bouba as his three. A rod for his own back re McGinn skipper? I don't think so. Gerrard has stressed McGinn's place in the team wasn't a guarantee. Will he start on Sunday vs West Ham, probably...
argladol: Very disappointing start to the season. 2 poor away performances and an average home one. I can't see the current midfield setup stopping many teams slicing through us. McGinn is a shadow of the player he was 2 years ago, Ramsey is OK going forward but off the ball leaves a lot of space for the opposition. Kamara looks a decent player though. At the back the loss of Carlos is a big blow but Chambers should be playing rather than Konsa who looks (like McGinn) a shadow of the player who was being touted as an England squad man 2 years ago. So far I am not seeing the expected improvement we thought would happen post Dean Smith!
Ashley says: Spot on with your assessment of 3-game start. McGinn needs to find some form; Ramsey hasn't been disciplined enough out of possession which has really cost Villa at times. Kamara good signing... Yes, Konsa just isn't right at the moment and I'd throw Chambers in for sure, never let Villa down whenever he's stepped in. One thing is for sure; need to see improvements this week, starting vs Bolton.
theianmachine: Maybe this is wishful thinking but could the deal have collapsed because Gerrard is not getting backed anymore and could be on his way? The 'more time' argument is surely gone with what the likes of what Leeds and Newcastle achieved over the weekend with newer managers. Gerrard has actually made us worse than under Dean...
Ashley says: No, don't believe that was the case at all. Sarr increased his wage demands and, after Gerrard spoke with him, decided against the deal. He might not have liked the player's demeanor. A big week pal for SG and Villa... Need to beat Bolton and put in a strong performance against West Ham.
utv84: It all feels an absolute mess at the moment. After such a positive pre-season and early activity in the transfer window, I think the Sarr move smacked a bit of desperation, especially when SG doesn't really play with wingers too often. If SG had a change of heart and walked away (if that's to be believed) then maybe he felt the same? Is there another target perhaps? Is there any news on Bednarek? I read this morning that a loan offer for him may be on the cards? I think given the circumstances, that could be a good move for a proven Premier league CB who gives a fairly consistent performance each week.
Ashley says: All a bit strange, especially with SG preferring his 'wingers' to be more like No.10s either side of a front man. Another target, no new names in the frame. SG told me Villa analysing every department, defence, midfield and attack with 10 days remaining. Nothing new re Bednarek other than Villa have expressed an interest in Polish international as DC replacement. Yeah, clear to see Villa need another option back there. Really worried by Konsa's form.
avfccol73: I have heard many rumours and seen many stories but would really genuinely like to know what is the transfer policy at Villa. It’s obvious to me we need better players in there. The way we play is no different to last season. Where are the exciting new players we all know this squad desperately needs? We didn’t do enough last summer in transfer window and certainly haven’t done anywhere near what we should be done in this one. Squad with Kamara and Carlos added to it is still a mid-lower mid-table team to me, need a quality ball passer, centre back and forward quick, smartish in there...
Ashley says: It was deemed that Kamara and DC would be the two main signings this summer, others added for depth and Villa were going to assess their squad post-Palace for a final few tweaks before transfer deadline day... It suggests we'll be seeing a bit more than tweaks now with nine days remaining...
Eladio: What would be the doubts of Gerrard and the recruitment team about the signing of Sarr? Any truth about the problems between Gerrard and Lange? Somebody say they don't get along...
Ashley says: Sarr deal hit snag over personal terms; not privvy to what they were. No problems between Gerrard and Lange; they get on really well.
Steve7: Any idea why the Sarr deal has collapsed?
Ashley says: Believe it was down to personal terms; Sarr wanted more in wages AFTER initial salary was agreed. Something happened re Hause/Archer loans as well... Just not good, mate.
will roberts: What's your honest opinion on what's going wrong? SG seems well out of his depth...
Ashley says: Players didn't execute what SG told them to do at the weekend vs Palace with the big moment, handball, going against them at wrong time. Villa were woeful, though, let's not get around that. What's wrong at the moment... DC injury a huge blow, disrupted them... need a midfielder to complement Kamara... JJ and McGinn have both started really slowly. I don't think SG knows his best team just yet, said so himself with "horses for courses". Transfer window has been a bit odd off the back of Sarr stuff... Traore/Guilbert etc all frozen out.. Sanson told he can leave... Archer being given mixed messages... Just all a little murky to say the least. Losing 2/3 doesn't help either.
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