Villa Fans: Bannan Going Nowhere

Barry Bannan is going absolutely nowhere, according to a group of Aston Villa supporters.

Following the Blackpool Gazette`s story that the Seasiders were lining up a £1m bid for the Scotland international, we asked Villa fans for their thoughts on potentially losing their young midfielder.

And the results were resoundingly negative from a Pool point of view, with almost all stating that there is no chance that Alex McLeish would let the player leave.

Although still only 21, Bannan is seen as a player for the present after a eye-catching cameo in the 3-1 win against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

There was other conjecture about whether the club will try to land Scott Parker and it was noted that Bannan is ahead of Jean Makoun in the pecking order at Villa Park.

Below are a collection of responses we received from Vital Villa. ‘Prepared’ said: ‘The only player available from the midfield is Makoun.. Possibly Ireland.

Bannan is the future here, especially after his cameo on Saturday when he showed how he can dictate the pace of a game and keep it flowing.’

‘DeanoVilla’:‘Seems like he’s very much in Big Eck’s plans, and currently ahead of Makoun and Ireland in the pecking order, so I doubt there is any legs in this rumour.

Then again, it depends how desperate McLeish is to sign Scott Parker. If he can’t offload Ireland or Makoun, and the offer for Bannan is good enough, who knows.

Very slim chance I’d say though.’

‘HH2’ said: ‘Bannan would not release enough wages off the payroll for it to make the Parker deal viable who I am sure will end up at Spurs anyway… Bannan is a work in progress and is certainly a player Villa like and is on low wages in football terms so no I don’t see him moving at all.’

‘TheFear’: ‘We don’t have a deep enough squad really to allow a young up and coming player to go UNLESS they don’t rate him/think his height is an issue.

The fact he played Saturday (as sub) suggests he is very much in the Clubs plans, unless we go for someone like Scott Parker or another centre mid, I can’t see us letting him go at all.

Hope not, want to see him get his chance.’

‘romanianvillain’ said: ‘There is no way we will sell him unless it’s a very good offer (which it probably won’t be). Big Eck is obviously planning on using him on a regular basis this season, and would much prefer to get rid of Makoun who seems to be less in his plans.’

‘Nimmo’: ‘I thought he looked good on Saturday and would have impressed the manager. When he was brought on, he gave us a little injection of attacking intent that was much needed after Blackburn had pulled a goal back.

As others have said above, he seems to be higher in the pecking order than Ireland and Makoun right now.’

One crumb of comfort for Blackpool supporters hoping for a permanent Bannan transfer came from ‘Saurat’, who said: ‘Don’t believe this for a minute BUT, were it to prove true, it would be the biggest indication so far that Randy has embarked on asset-stripping the club. Even if we were in for Parker (which I don’t think we are, alas) it would make more sense to find buyers for Ireland or Makoun rather than sell an up-and-coming player.

Of course it might be easier to sell Bannan, but he represents our future, were he to go it would send out a terrible message.’

The Blackpool Gazette stated that Ian Holloway could settle for a loan deal, but even that looks unlikely given Bannan’s role within the Villa squad at present.