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Follow us on Twitter @claretandview // Words by Mitchell Grimes (@mitchell_grimes)
With the shutting of the transfer window we’ve decided to try and rank all 7 signings from best to, well, not best. Overall I think villas transfer business this window has been quite good although it is early days. Beware this is based on my opinion so inevitably it’s going to be completely wrong. I used a scale ranking each signing from 1-10 on the following attributes, squad necessity, price and ability with all loan signings getting a 5 for price.
1. John Terry: 24/30
A lot of people haven’t been too impressed with Terry’s first few performances with Villa, I admit he hasn’t been spectacular but I think he’s been fairly solid. I gave Terry an 8 for squad necessity, taking the selling of Baker into account I think another centre back was definitely needed with Elphick and Samba being our only real other options apart from the youngsters and Jedinak on occasion. In terms of value I gave terry a 10, to get a player of his calibre for free is a great deal in my opinion, even though he is 36. Ability wise I gave him a 6, again not the player he used to be but still quite solid, especially at this level.
2. Glenn Whelan 22/30
Whelan is an experienced premier league defensive midfielder, giving us extra cover for that position with the only other player good in that role for us being Jedinak, giving him a squad necessity score of 7. Picking up Glenn Whelan for around 1 million pounds was another great bit of business by villa, giving him a value rating of 8. Whelan made 338 appearances for Stoke over 9 years, playing basically all of those in the top flight. He’s been capped 81 times by his country, and I’ve given him an ability rating of 7.
3. Sam Johnstone 21/30
After a rocky start to life at villa after his initial loan spell, Johnstone showed the villa faithful why he’s so highly rated by Bruce, putting in solid performance after solid performance. With Gollini still on loan Villa were desperate for a new keeper with Jed Steer relatively unproven and Mark Bunn not really good enough for the first team, giving Johnstone a squad necessity score of 9. Being a loan deal Johnstone gets a 5 for value, but here’s hoping villa do eventually get him in permanently. Bar his first few games Johnstone hasn’t really put a foot wrong and has made numerous great saves, giving him an ability rating of 7.
4. Josh Onomah 20/30
Joining on loan from Spurs after winning the U21 world cup signing of Onomah albeit on a loan is again some very good business by Dr Tony. With a great deal of our midfield underperforming of late, getting a young and exciting box to box midfielder in has been refreshing. At times Onomahhas looked a class above the rest of the league and has shown glimpses of brilliance which we’re hoping we’ll see more of throughout the season. I’ve given Onomah a necessity rating of 7, value 5 and ability 8.
5. Ahmed Elmohamady 19/30
Another experienced premier league/championship player, Elmohamady played under Bruce in Hull’s Championship promotion seasons 2012-13 and 2015-16. I’ve given Elmohamady a necessity rating of 5 as we already have numerous options at right back and right midfield. Like the Glenn Whelan deal, getting an experienced player in for 1 Mil is another great deal done especially with financial fair play restrictions looming over villa, giving him a value rating of 7. In his first month or so for villa Elmohamady has put in some solid performances, without anything too spectacular, ability wise I’ve given him a 7.
6. Snodgrass 18/30
I for one was quite excited to see Snodgrass arrived at villa on loan, on his day he is a fantastic player, especially at Championship level. Although Villa do have quite a number of options to ply behind the striker and on the wings, Snodgrass will hopefully provide that spark when required, giving Villa strength in depth. Necessity and value wise I rated Snodgrass a 5 but an 8 in ability, he had quite a disappointing spell at West Ham but if he can play himself into form, he’ll be a very handy player.
7. Samba 16/30
Chis Samba wasn’t the most exciting signing of the transfer window although it does provide Villa with some depth at the back especially if injury strikes, giving him a 5 for necessity. In terms of value I’ve given him a 6, being a free agent it could be a decent pick up. Samba is well past his prime but still may be able to do a job at this level and has been decent on his few appearances so far, giving him a 5 in ability.
