Re Villa. Don't think it's disingenuous to say Emery has done an amazing job there. Yes they've spent big and Gerrard under-perfomed, but it can be hard to make a real difference coming into a team at any point In the season. Both RDZ AND Emery should be praised for that.
Most of it is clearly clickbait- we are a big draw now that out recruitment is so lauded. Possibly agent stuff too.
I do think we will want at least one CM who comes in as a first team squad member.
Lots of people point to Moder or the players on loan filling the gap, but none of those players...