Wonderkid from Wolves coming to Aston Villa?
Wednesday, 31 December 08, 06:52 AM · Comments (67)
Back in June last year there was a rumour doing the rounds that we were interested in Michael Kightly from Wolves and low and behold, it's reappeared today.
Now, back then I couldn't really comment on his footballing abilities as I'd not recalled ever seeing him play but today, I can comment; I think he's an excellent player in the Championship.
The thing is, would he be able to make the step up? That really is the question which is very difficult to answer and some might say the only way to really find out is to play him in the league. Others might know, I don't.
The thing that might make it difficult for any club showing an interest is that Wolves are looking likely that they will be playing in the Premier League next season so we might all see sooner rather than later.
The positive side of any Premier League club showing an interest is that the player said last June that he would be interested if the right club showed interest and when you talk about players and stepping up the Premier League and surviving, every man and his dog knows that Mick McCarthy is a Championship manager so if we were to show interest, surely the lad would want the move.
Now, back in June, I did joke that it was very nice of him to show interest, considering Wolves probably wouldn't be playing Premier League football again, but if you read the post, there was a certain Wolves fan who said (the first comment actually) that we had as much chance of signing the player as playing in Europe, so maybe the chances are better than expected.
The player is a right sided winger and with Wayne Routledge likely off any day now, you've got to fancy that we'll be getting another in so the likelihood of this rumour happening has moved from 'about as likely as David O'Leary getting another job in football management' to 'about as likely as David O'Leary getting a job on the radio'.
Right, that is almost it for today. I'm off to get the house ready for an invasion of 20 people in about five hours and I think I'll start with a glass of wine. But if I don't write again today, which is possible (actually highly likely), have a great evening and happy new year for tomorrow, when I will be back, probably a little worse for starting so early in the day.
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67 Comments · Add yours
Happy New Year to all readers of the blog - even West Ham and Newcastle fans!
Up the Villa in 2009!
what about the Spurs and Liverpool fans?
I like the kid and think Martin could get him to the next level.
Cheers and Happy New Year!
UTV
I like Kightly a lot and think he could step up - although can never be sure
I also like Ebanks Blake and was desperate to sign him in summer when we are linked and can't help thinking we have missed the boat with him playing so well and Wolves top. Oh well, lets see what January brings
Damian, thanks for all the hard work this year I really enjoy the blog. Happy New Year to all
ive never seen him play but personally i dont think a player from the championship unless its like ebanks-blake would help us but thats my view.
we need to splash the cash if we are going to secure a champions league place. a striker and a defender to fill in when laursen and other players arent fit.
littlevillan....Do you think these expensive players you talk of will be happy to warm the bench waiting for Laursen and Co to be injured..?
I can't believe this is going to be Damians last entry on the blog with a sniff of a mention of how Milner is not worth the money...! Come on Damian, let's just have a mention just for the fun of it...
Happy New Year to you all.
UTV
* meant to say 'without a sniff of a mention of how Milner is not worth the money'
__AA__
I don't think I need to write about Milner any more ... he's doing a good enough job for me on the pitch
Well I for one would welcome this rumour. Kightly is a fantastic player. He is also an England under 21 international, two footed and I have been raving about him now for a while. He can play down the left and right and a bit of a set piece specialist.
He also scores goals. I am not so sure Wolves would sell him as he is one of their key players. Kightly was a late developer coming from non league I believe. But he would be fantastic cover for Ashley Young and James Milner commanding a fee of around £4 to £5 million. We might even be able to send Routledge in the other direction for a player plus cash swap. I like this rumour!
This would be a good addition - I think the lads got a lot to offer and seems good with both feet. Go on MON .... Still think we need to sort a proven sticker out - we showed again there is no plan B
Kightly is a good player and he scores a alot of goals for a winger i think about 7 at the min he could be a good sub 2 have
best thing about last night is we are now 6 points above everton with better gd and evertons next 4 games are
hull home
liverpool away
arsenal home
man u away
hope they can win the last 3
Reply to __AA__:
no i dont i meant spend money on strikers for that more umph if thats how you spell it and half decent defenders and i think thats the first serios comment youve wrote while on this website __AA__
You will be able to see him at Villa Park next season playing and scoring for Wolves,alongside Ebanks Blake and the rest of our talented young players.
young, english, hasn't quite reached his potential yet...sounds like a mon signing. a full-back and a striker and i'll be laughing (won't happen until the last hour of the transfer window though).
happy new year and utv!!!
£10 Million or stop talking tripe, if Mick had been given as much cash and back up at Sunderland as O Neil has been given he could then be judged, not until.
Stand up if you're British owned..............sit down Villa!
Graywolf pipe down and go back to your own lil world in the championship
wayne bridge and crouch/bent is all we need
Long Time Reader, First Time Poster:
Villa Dave: Everton winning those 3 assumes we win our next 3??
I'm sure we will. That would put us in an AMAZING position.
Kightly...yes
Santa Cruz...if he doesn't go to Man City and would be happy in a rotation/bide his time until John Carew retires.
Heskey...workhorse to assist Gabby up-front
Cuellar & Laursen in Centre Back, Bouma back fit, Young to Right Back, Give NRC a run in midfield as reward for sterling work out of position and to pressure Sidwell. We need JC back to provide that Plan B.
If we're going to spend big money, I would rather it be on an experienced solid, versatile defender (Olaf...where are you?? :-) )
Anyone got any thoughts on the Fulham lad Brede Hangeland...I reckon he'd fit the Villa back 4 mould well.
UTV and a Happy New Year to Villans around the world!!
Roll on 2009
Petrov = Man of 2008 for me.
Reply to AVFCBlog:
I like what you did there Damian. Now that feels much better Damain and back in our comfort zone...It would not be the same without a mention of JM.
Have a good evening Damian. All the best pal.
Why would kites want to sign for a small club from aston when there are much bigger and better clubs after him, he might as well stay with the Wolves.
All being well you can watch him and the others you would like next season and drool at what could have been.
Reply to johnwolf:
a small club i would just like to remind you your in the championship and were in the premier league
HUGE difference
British owned.....
, how many english players are in your first team ? plus where is your owner based? tax exile in......? Hope you come up next year though will make for some cracking west midlands derbies.UTV
Since when did setting the Championship on fire qualify ANY TEAM to think they can survive in the Premiership?
Baggies, Stoke are current case in point. Arguably the poorer Championship side (Hull) are better in the Premiership.
Who gives a toss about being British-owned these days when you've got a Chairman who just let's your Manager get on with the job. And add to that he has sacrificed sponsorship money for the good of a local charity. No English owner would even contemplate that. For me Randy Lerner & the Glazers (even if they did buy Utd) have been perfect owners and we should learn a lot from US Sports. Add to that Randy hasn't done what most other clubs Premiership & Championship alike have done and that's wallop up ticket prices.
Villa...The People's Team!!
Also, it's worth noting that Wolves have a Liverpool fan as owner.
well said Jozinho
apparently tony cascerino believes villa is the right move for defoe...15m i have my doubts,yes hes a good player but he needs 3 or 4 chances in order to score
lets go for bent
Wolves have n need and no desire to sell Kightly, Ebanks Blake or anybody else, particularly to a local rival.
Why should he warm the bench at Villa?
There are plenty of tales of your players never maturing as they get little exposure in the premier league.
Hw ill be at Vuilla Park next year, popping one in froma free kick for the Wolves
isnt knightly slightly similar to routledge personally i dont think he would cut it as a villa player
WestglamWolf wrote: ..."no exposure"
If they're not good enough, they're not good enough. But I think the number of Villa players we've moved on and what they've done since is testament the the great judge of character managers have had of these players.
Name a young Villa player we've let go that has gone on to achieve ANYTHING anywhere else (exposed or not!!).
I look forward to next year when we thump you with 5 like we did City (scum). Shame you'll go straight back down...the 6 points would be welcome when we're chasing for the title (ahh...dreams & ambition for 2010)
Wonderkid??? Don't think he's that good personally!
i hope he does not come to us especially blake over rated wolves shit if were goin 2 break the top 4 then kightly and ebanks blake are not the solution.get defoe or darren bent in.
avfc
He obviously fits the Villa mould, young, english and talented! always a good thing!
but for us to really make top four this season, as much as Villa should sign him for the future, they need to sign seasoned and experienced players that can instantly come in and play at premier league tempo!
Reply to johnwolf:
i seem to remember when your small club was last in the premier we hammered you by 4 home and away so i cant wait for those 6 points next season we will need them to clinch the title.
and if this lad is so good why do your loyal supporters keep booing the lad??? sorry its well documented how fickle the wolves fans are
utv
Reply to johnwolf:
johnfox wot you on about.we were saying would he be a good sighing for us if he did not come and play i dont think there would be many tear shed do you. to all on the blogg happy new year. churchill find myself slowly getting educated ta
Reply to johnwolf:
This small club from Aston will be playing champions league football next year. uefa cup at very least. Whilst u might come up this year but know you'll be yo-yoing ur way back down again.
Just as important as new signings is the return of our injured players. There's been speculation about John Carew leaving us (never backed up with facts as far as I can remember)so I was pleased to see this quote from O'Neill today: ...O'Neill said reports that John Carew's back injury is more serious than initially suggested and could keep the Norwegian striker out until March were untrue.
"We are not sure exactly when it will be, we are taking it steadily at the moment, but he is making progress," he said.
Reply to DANCESWITHWOLVES:
Yeah your squad looks great - hope you make it up - if nothing else that means one less promotion spot for Small Heath.
I think we've missed chance to sign a couple of good ones there but c'est la vie. Good luck to Wolves
Reply to littlevillan:
Don't bite for gods sake or we'll have another "our clubs better than your club" debate to take us into 09. I for one can't be arsed
Reply to johnwolf:
a architect called archible leitch designed and built the trinity road stand at villa park, then the wolves board aproached the man and asked if he could build the same as villa but on four sides, when asked how much the wolves had it turned out to be less than villa had paid for the trinity stand so the architech came back and said he could build a stadium based on the villa idea but it would have to be made from wood.
a bit of wolves history for you, do you remember the taylor report and your stadium being half closed down???.
the morale of that story is not to copy people who are better!!!!
With the New Year almost upon us I tried to cast my mind back to my own hopes and expectations at the start of the season. Back then, if I'm honest I was probably expecting us to end up somewhere between 6th and 8th and hoping for 5th. At the half way point I'd say I'm now expecting 5th or 6th and hoping for 3rd or 4th. With all the gloom and doom about the economy etc it's great that our team are giving us something to be optimistic about...Thanks lads and Happy New Year!
Does anyone think martin o'neill will get manager of the month
4 wins aginst everton bolton west ham and hull
and a good drew with arsenal i think he should
off 2 get pissed now so happy new year 2 all villa fans
No thanks he's playing for a poxy club in a poxy league.7 goals WOW, i'd rather have Pennant.If we want to get into the top 4 we need players we know can do the business.
i think he will be a good player
ramsey at the arse has done well so i think that knightly will do well at villa
hope we sign him
He'll be excellent. I'd absolutely love to have him at VIlla!
Happy New Years
Happy new year Villa and other fans. As for this post, Kightly would be a fine addition to the squad and fit in with MON's philosophy. But I can't understand why Wolves will sell him when they will likely be in the Prem next season.
Happy opening of the transfer window for all!
Reply to George_Templeton:
Happy new year to you all...
He would love to sign for Villa as he has seen what has happended to a certain Young, Gabby, Milner. Basically there would be only one way for him thats up. If he stays at wolves then he would be involved in a relagation battle next season thats if they come up.
MON should be thinking of a Left Back...enquire about Wayne bridge...creative midfielder Steven Defour....and a striker defoe / Bent and Kightly.
If we made a offer for kightly there no way he would not want to come to us.
I also hope the Scum (Blues) also come up along with wolves that way were guranteed 12 points for next season at least.
Up the Villa.
OT
nice year for villa and enjoyed reading the banter all year on here,i read it pre oleole and was reggistered has walesavfc, but it wont let me post on that, nm ill use this name
hope we keep going till the summer and take 4th, and thank you to all the villa fans here for the wit/banter that makes our club/support great
All we need to get our Champions League spot is
Heskey $5mill
Kightly $6mill
Nzogbia $5 mill
And at least 1 defender , hopefully 2 . Have we been linked to any defenders ? does anyone know who is actually available ?
Reply to _AP68_:
How may years ago are you talking about here AP68? Wasn't the Trinity Road originally made largely from wood...i remember the timbers shaking in the Euro Cup semi-final.
The Molineux stadium was designed by Cotterell partnership and was based on the Ibrox design...it's aging now, but won every award going for modern design and facilities at the time?
Villa didn't have a design for the latest Villa Park...it's the culmination of refurbishment of different stands from different eras...a series of individual piecemeal projects.
Why does MON not go for some players abroad that may be availible. Apparantly Adriano of Inter is availible at 12 million. Its defintaly a gamble worth taking as if he does perform for the Villa then he could be our Torres. Steven Defour as a another.
It just seems the English based players are going to be over priced for the January transfer window.
Regarding Kightly....there's no way on earth he'll be going to Villa or anywhere else this month.
It's crazy arrogant talk from some fans who are too young or too excited to remember that Villa had been a generational graveyard for top footballers until the last 18 months...you wouldn't pay and they wouldn't go anyway.
If Wolves blow up over the next 3 months..Kightly will be gone like a shot in the summertime to Villa or whoever else...until then it's a waste of a thought even considering it.
Reply to SidCowanslovechild:
Cheers Sid, of the teams in Birmingham, always preferred Villa to the other lot!
Hopefully we will see you next season, fingers crossed.
Reply to Chris:
archibald leitch also done ibrox goodison park white hart lane and many more to mention the crest on the roof of the stand was one of his trade marks. he may have worked for the cotterell partnership i dont know.
but the trinity road stand passed the taylor report with flying colours molineux was condemned.
please read carefully what i wrote i didnt say villa park i said trinity road stand which would mean a single side of the villa stadium.
if it helps you get the correct information about your football ground then i suggest you read FOOTBALL GROUNDS by simon inglis and then you may have the correct information next time you post
Reply to Chris:
Chris, you have good players, take it as a compliment other teams want them. It's not arrogant although a lot of our more enthustiastic members are convinced every player on the planet is waiing for a call from MON
Reply to _AP68_:
Righhhht...I understand now. Archibald Leitch who died in 1939 and designed his football grounds over 100 years ago?
Sorry...I thought you were referring to something relevant to people who are alive today !
Interesting though ;-)
Reply to _AP68_:
Incidentally....the old Molineux Waterloo Road stand was condemned after the Bradford fire, and mainly because of the tight design (by Leitch apparently) close to the back of footpath preventing sufficient exits to reach new safety standards.
The Taylor report was some years later and was to do with the removal of terracing, nothing to do with replacing old wooden stands.
But you knew that.
i did but had already posted so couldnt be arsed to resubmit so sorry for that.
and nice to see you have done a little homework of your own.
Wolves fans face facts we have a bigger & much better Stadium, we have a bigger & better squad, we have a better history of success, we have more fans, we have more money. Our City is something to be proud of, yours is shite pit, So now fuck off back in the hole you come from & leave us Villa fans to concentrate on helpong our team qualify for the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. Knob Heads.
The kid must have something if MON is looking at him. We need to focus on a more prominent striker at the moment though if we're going to sustain a push for the CL.
LINK
Here you go SidCowanslovechild....another teenager that Tim Brighouse failed
Reply to Jinksy:
haha, quality
Reply to Chris:
wisdom only comes with time
Get him in, hes a real proffesional! he could have moved to the premiership ages ago but came out and commited to Wolves for giving him his "chance".
I would love to see any player with that much quality and loyalty at Villa!
UTV
Last game we had 6 english players the rest were british, oh and Steve Morgan (our owner) lives in Cheshire which last time i went there is not a tax exile.
We ain't sellin you sh*t!
Reply to Jinksy:
No but come on! Your not surely telling me you are proud of Birmingham? Its a shitty little piss hole with two teams who's fans like to meet before a game and bum each other senseless in the park.
Pricks!
Reply to davesayers:
wat about them gays
Reply to Jinksy:
House prices in Aston are so high, is it due to the swimming pools, the motorway noise or the purple palace "I'll look after yer car mate" brigade just outside.
I,ve heard the BBC are filming springwatch there next year...