After having a £2M bid for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam rejected, Aston Villa have upped their offer to £3.5 million, hoping to beat out Birmingham City, Sunderland and Everton. Ian Holloway says the Tangerines will likely keep the Scot, noting that a top club would have to offer the "right amount of money" for his services. He's a sly one, Holloway--he knows that selling Adam would likely lead to relegation. And while Adam has been a beast this season, Villa and Blackpool don't exactly play the same type of football. Would he be a great fit at Villa Park? Does this mean Gerard Houllier is moving even further toward attacking football?
Might as well shift, Houllier. Why not a 3-4-3, now that the bid for Wayne Bridge has been rejected? Kick Stephen Warnock out altogether and put Cuellar, Collins and Dunne in the back. Let's flow, Villa! By the way, Bridge is almost certainly going to West Ham for the rest of the season, apparently not tempted by the allure of the Second City. Perhaps he needs to keep a closer eye on John Terry?
Aston Villa are not chasing Joey Barton (thank goodness) so put away those thoughts of Newcastle getting Nigel Reo-Coker while we take Barton. They are, however, still pursuing Lyon midfielder Jean Makoun. Finally, a move one can get behind--defensive midfielders. The Villa are haggling over the Cameroonian international's fee, apparently. Will they succeed?