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1. Buyer’s Remorse

Dr X did a Q&A at Twitter’s London HQ then hightailed it up the M1 to Luton to see his new team begin the League Cup campaign. It didn’t go well.

Luton 3 Aston Villa 1

It started well enough, Jordan Ayew slotting home early on, but the home side equalised about 10 minutes before the break and it was a familiar story of confidence evaporating from there.

Two more goals for the hosts in the second half finished off a worrying performance. Out the cup early, we’ve been here before, it’s just even earlier this time on account of not being Billy Big Time right now.

But wait. Just as Dr X might have been wondering whether he bought something beyond repair everything was awesome again…

Aston Villa 3 Rotherham 0

A first half brace from Rudy Gestede and a late solo-effort (sort of) from Jack Grealish in front of the Holte End had Villa Park rocking and believing again. Hold on everyone, everything might just be OK.

It was the third game of the new season, the first at Villa Park under the new ownership, and though “must win” is over-egging it (it usually is), a win was very much needed. They delivered and anyone with a penchant for cliches will be talking about something to build upon.

The rest of us know a very long season lies ahead, but not getting a shitty start is of paramount importance. Three points, a few goals, Gestede and Grealish delivering, a clean sheet, new ownership, 33k turning out. There’s plenty to feel good about.

But no time for that; on to the next one. That’s how it goes in this league, get used to it.

2. Chester Signs

We signed James Chester from West Brom for what seems to be £6m, rising to £8m. It varies depending on where to look, but I’ve gone for £6m on the Transfers Page for now.

Chester was signed just in time to get clearance to play the following day against Rotherham and was surprisingly (in my opinion anyway) thrown straight into the starting line up. We went into this important game with a keeper & centre back trio with zero minutes playing together and it didn’t backfire. In fact, it went really well. That feels a bit weird, I really don’t know what to make of it.

Whisper it quietly, but we may well have signed a very decent centre back pairing in Chester and Elphick. Don’t get carried away just yet, this is Villa after all, but there are encouraging signs there for sure.

3. Other Possible Ins and Outs

Not one for rumours, but it’s apparent that Gabby Agbonlahor’s been told he’s not in plans this year and he’s got other ideas. With two years left on his contract and no interest in leaving he’s clearly working on regaining his fitness. The increasingly chatty Dr X has disclosed discussion of a loan. We’ll see how that goes.

Joleon Lescott seems to have been given similar hints, but there’s far less chance of a happy ending. A shame under the circumstances, it shouldn’t have panned out this way.

Joe Bennett was almost a Wednesday player having been given the green light to go on a free and even completed a medical. Someone changed their minds and the plug was pulled. Something tells me Bennett wasn’t exactly over the moon.

Mile Jedinak seems to very much be on the cards. That definitely gets two thumbs up round here. The Daily Mirror reckons Ashley Westwood will be sold to finance it. That gets no thumbs up round here. None.

4. Sanchez Departs

There won’t be many with me, I know, and I don’t care, but I’m pouring one out for Carlos Sanchez. He’s headed out on the old “season loan with an option to buy” at Fiorentina and that means he’s gone.

Maybe he never quite lived up to his nickname of The Rock in Claret and Blue, but anyone who’s seen him play a bit for Colombia knows he’s a decent player.

Puedo oler lo que la roca está cocinando.

5. Upcoming Games

August 16th: Huddersfield (H)
August 20th: Derby (A)