Zhan_Zhuang

One cannot doubt Collins and his desire to block shots and make last ditch tackles however some ex-player noted that this usually meant a player was off the pace or slow considering a huge part of their game was reliant on last-gasp swashbuckling dives at the ball. I would also prefer to keep Dunne than Collins and the latter is a huge part of our defensive weakness. Saying that I'm sure he'll score against us if he does leave :shock:

I think this season is Clark's time to progress, looking at some footage in the games in the States he seems to have got a bit bulkier? I think the fact he's playing regularly in pre-season means he'll be in the first XI this season with Dunne or significant other CB. Much of the problem with our weak defence last season was due to both Dunne and Collins playing as I feel both players are too alike and often seem to get in each others way and of course Warnock who had a terrible season. Cresswell from the talk i've seen regarding him is a ball player and comfortable in possession. Lichaj too is a neat, tidy and rather quick player. Also and let's not forget KEA and his role to play as ball-winning, defensive and possession minded player and is the type Villa have lacked in quite some time. In a sense KEA could well signify a change in the defence and it's mentality as a result of his style. Hopefully :!: :idea:

Weird, I knew there were three installments of Maniac Cop ~

I'd also never heard of Ron Vlaar before this and it looks like Villa think there are better options? For the record Koeman is a cheat who should have got sent off in that game.

If we cannot afford £4-6 million for Ron Vlaar how does anyone expect us to sign Carroll? Yea he's be a decent acquisition for us but I think defence is a neccessity.

Yeah great finish by Delfouneso, he played well apparently. Richard Dunne confirming once again that he is overweight and slow; I hope PL has the mentality to pick players based on form rather than their name and reputation.

So, over 60 appearances aren't enough to form an opinion? Yeah 9 goals and 8 assists is rather a good return considering some performances may have been from the bench!

I like Marc as a player and I hope he can improve to find consistency to his game. In over 60 appearances he has 9 goals and 8 assists, some of those goals have been great finishes. Anyone remember his performance against Manure at Villa Park, albeit we drew 2-2 but Marc was fantastic that day. Give him some time you bunch of moaners :?

Arguably the very best of leagues. Marc Albrighton for example, and yes a player who divides opinion but look at his stats over 60 appearances 9 goals and 8 assists for a player still very inexperienced. Apart from Van Pervie how many Feyenoord players have those stats in the PL and furthermore at 22 years of age?

I'm glad somebody else noticed this. My point about the Villa players playing in one of the World's finest leagues I think was also conveniently missed. Many of those players from Feyenoord's academy are not playing regularly in the PL and indeed many still aren't achieving their potential; I guess you could say the same for Villa's academy graduates but at least some of them are playing in the PL. In many games last season Villa had five or six Academy/Youth players such as Albrighton, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Clark, Bannan, Gary Gardner, Johnson; then you can add in more recent acquisitions like Herd, Lichaj and Samir Carruthers.

Not to get in a heated argument or to baost one academy is indeed bigger than the other but allow me this question: how many Feyenoord academy graduates are currently playing in arguably one of the best leagues in the world? Barry, Cahill, Sturridge, Agbonlahor, Clark, Albrighton, Weimann, Bannan, Herd, Craig and Gary Gardner to name just a few.

This is the reasonable scenario. PL has had one week to assess the squad but he really needs to see them play and then he will conclude on what we need after a few matches have been played. It's crazy to suggest that after one week wth the team and still yet to see them play that PL should be signing his quota of players!

Justice prevails!

Good enough for Norwich but alas not for Aston Villa!

So when is smoking a shisha pipe an example of an individual having a bad attitude and questionable lifestyle? Everything in moderation is the key to balance... There are many footballers who smoke cigarettes i've known a few myself over the years; Joachim Löw permitted his Deutschland team to smoke during the tournament and it is rumoured that Mr. Rooney is quite partial to a smoke or two! *Please note I do not smoke but I just took issue with the aforesaid ludicrous statement!

Blue Square Premier more like!

So he sounds very much like Milner then? :winkold:

So three RB's competing for one position should give us the options needed rather than rely on a distinctly average player in Hutton. This is good news as Lichaj and Lowton will be hungry to win that RB place.

Not sure there's much for Silva to prove. Silva v GSP would be the match-up everyone would want to see but It's been spoken about for years though so who knows?

Apologies for the digress but in relation to our other RB Hutton (if you could call him that) I'm hoping Lambert won't let players he views as deadwood or surplus to merely sit around on the bench counting their money. Hopefully If we cannot sell them then they'll be on loan with any potential loanee club having to pay half their wages. Correct me if i'm wrong though?!

Wow, very emotional. Feel sorry for Stan seems such a lovely guy...incidentally who was that who patted him on the back with Collins at the end of the video?

Yeah that's what I was getting at...a shame.

Oh, i'm sure it will. The interest won't be quite so fervent without Rangers and attendances, sponsorship will all suffer (eventually). Celtic will secretly hope Rangers get back to the SPL quickly or else they too could well be in financial trouble.

Considering many of their 'fans' are Irish I'm hoping the irony won't be lost! I wonder if many of the Irish fans who follow Glaswegian teams actually followed their local teams maybe the Irish league would be on a par with the SPL?

You're kidding right? 24,000. Celtic count their season ticket holders regardless of them actually turning up and have generally being doing this to attendances for years. I have a vague recollection of a Q/F played at Celtic's ground (possibily against Aberdeen or Inverness) and the attendance was barely 30k. Hence they won't sell-out because they never do; there are forums discussing this amongst their own fans who think something fishy is happening.