Villa blogger Dave Bytheway talks the transfer window, the new boy Milner and bemoans England coach Fabio Capello ahead of the international break.

After being glued to the ever updating screens watching the last day of the controversial transfer window, I am still confused as to how I feel about our squad.

Ever the optimist, I look at the quality of players that have been bought in, compared to the ones they have replaced. There is no question we have a stronger squad than last season.

To be able to field the team we did in Europe made up mainly of reserves showed we have greater strength in depth.

The latest addition, James Milner, is the pick of the bunch for me, as he will give the mich needed balance on the right flank.

If I were a pessimist, the first enquiry I would make is the quantity, not quality of our strikers. We have been left with John Carew and Gabby Agbonlahor as our first choice duo, with only Marlon “I’m only good for ten mintues” Harewood as back up.

As worring as that may be, there are now options to change the formation from the standard 4-4-2, to a diamond or even the 4-5-1 used in an attacking way, so its not too much of a concern.

The news that Gareth Barry is staying is the best of the summer. Having gone from captain, to exiled from training, fans hero to acclaimed big melon face by some quarters, he has finally stated he is going to give 100% for Villa.

Many feel this is still only short term and his performances so far really don’t justify the quoted £18m price tag, thats for sure!

Against Liverpool, Milner had to be content for a place on the bench, and the game was flat until his introduction. As soon as he came on, the space seemed to appear around Ashley Young, and it was then that we started to create.

In a pretty drab game, the majority feeling is we maybe edged the game as a whole, and if anyone deserved the three points it was us.

We also have a kind draw against Litex Lovech in the first round of the UEFA Cup, one that should see us through to a group of Deportivo La Coruna, Austria Vienna, Heerenveen and Schalke.

Some good away trips in that group, and hopefully some good games to look forward to.

The international break is here now, so a break for MOST of our squad. With Barry away with England, many eyebrows were raised when Ashley Young and Agbonlahor were omitted from Capello’s squad.

How Young cannot be considered is beyond belief! To pick Jimmy Bullard ahead of him is bizarre. Maybe Ashley is a bit skinny already and if the food of Fabio is as rationed as reported, then this must be due to his fear of him not returning due to malnutrition!

Good luck England for the weekend enjoy the game, the real test is on the Wednesday!