Zhan_Zhuang

I honestly have never seen Brahimi play but a quick look at his stats tell us he's been capped at every level for the French except the full squad yet he's still only 22 years old. In his two seasons and 68 games playing in Ligue 1 he's scored 14 goals which is a good return for midfield. At 2.5million this could be a steal.

Good news! I honestly don't think there's much between Guzan and Given; both great shot-stoppers. Guzan just needs consistent games and hopefully will get this in pre-season; if Given still has injury concerns we may have to look after him more this season than last?

Newco dropping into Division 1 is letting them off lightly and if the rules also change to allow more promotion places then it is indeed a farce. The SPL and SFA are merely bending the rules to accomodate the swift return of Rangers and it basically proves the whole league system thinks they are lost without them...such a shame. Rangers will get promotion and be back challenging within a season and most likely the'll get their name back. I was hoping Rangers in Division 3 would quickly have repercussions on Celtic and also put them out of business!

"Invest in Africa" what the..., isn't that an oxymoron?

Looks an exciting acquisition based on those videos and the fact he plays for a decent team. El Ahmadi looks to be quick, good with or without the ball and can play a simple pass and a forward one.

I'd be inclined to agree with you; what right have they to walk into the PL?

Yep Struve is a top fighter and contender due to his skill at all ranges be that striking or submissions. Hardy v. Sadollah is a good match-up and i'ts tough to call that one, Sadolla can take a puch and Hardy has seemed a little punch-drunk recently.

I like Roy Hodgson and the players too seem to like him; this was likely part of the problem in having a foreign coach previously. Against Ukraine the England players seemed to exude a passion for the game I have not see for quite a while. Parker took a couple of point blank strikes to the face and Gerrard was pumped up. It's about time we had a bit of luck and hopefully at last we might have a manager who truly understands both the modern game and the nature of the British/English game. We can beat the Italians and winning two games from the group is a big confidence boost. Chiellini out is also good for us and we've got to make that pay!

Because a one year rolling contract always has 12 months left to run, otherwise its not a rolling contract. Ad infinitum?

As Lambert was on a one year rolling contract that was due to expire why is compensation necessary?

I just hope we don't listen to that horrible man Alec Ferguson because we may end up with Willie Miller; it makes you wonder how Ferguson has existed this long with his backing of McLeish?! In all seriousness I hope we get Andre Villas-Boas as he has a great deal to prove; you never know? Failing that Moyes i'm not taken with Lambert but what do I know?

I'm not watching this shit no more, toothless performance. Likely 5 or 6 to Arse!

Great article and well thought out as to why we are currently sitting where we are, and it is not because of McLeish. Unfortunately I'm not sure the McLeish haters would let the actual facts get in the way of their belief that he is the devil reincarnated! Is this really a "great article"? I may have misunderstood it but it seems to be arguing that MON wasn't the man to take Villa to Cup and top 4 success but Mcleish is the man to do it. This is completely deluded nonsense. While I don't go along with much of the anti-McLeish stuff that gets posted on here these days, there is very little evidence so far that he will do anything other than steady the ship and keep us safe in mid table. After last season's relegation scare I welcome that but I can't really see McLeish as the new Messiah who will lead us out of the trophy wilderness. Considering McLeish won a trophy with vastly inferior funds at his disposal with Blues it surely is evidence enough that he can be a success at Aston Villa. I for one think that is a tall order but we have to have faith; maybe signing players driven by more than money is a start such as the Holman's of world?

You can remind us now if you like, just for future reference. My name of course will not be included as once a manager is employed by Aston Villa they have my full support. Especially considering Villa have amassed five points in three games with one goal conceded; I like to look on the positive side and say things are slowly improving.

Great article and well thought out as to why we are currently sitting where we are, and it is not because of McLeish. Unfortunately I'm not sure the McLeish haters would let the actual facts get in the way of their belief that he is the devil reincarnated!

You are talking absolute nonsense! Villa dominated against Fulham and really could have won the match by two or three. We had 8 shots on target to their 1, ONE SHOT ON TARGET FOR FULHAM! Villa had 55% possession and played rather well particularly in the first half against one of the form teams of late.

What about Rasmus Elm, hmm? Adam Maher's looking quite the talent. Pontus Wernbloom got snapped up by CSKA Moscow. Even Beerens and Moisander could probably do a decent job at a higher level. Going back further, let's see; you've got Stijn Schaars, he got snapped up by Sporting Libson. Sigthórsson won himself a move to Ajax. Héctor Moreno moved to Espanyol where's he's doing a decent job. Romero, the Argentine national #1 was at AZ last year. Further back still there was Jeremain Lens (now at PSV), Dembélé at Fulham and El Hamdaoui who also went to Ajax. Joris Mathijsen made a name for himself at AZ, they were Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's second ever club, oh but my favourite one (and you'll like this); one Phillip Cocu came through the youth ranks at AZ. They were his first professional club. In summary; stop talking pork. Then you've also got players such as Gregory van der Wiel and Jan Vertonghen at Ajax who are two hot properties at the moment. Holman was also named Australian Writers Player of the Year for 2011 which is quite an accolade considering they've done very well of late as an International team.

Well said and you've got to the root of the real issue with that comment. Facts are Holman looks a decent player who has experience of International football, CL and is currently playing for a team who has a very good chance of winning their domestic league trophy. This could very well be quite an astute signing indeed.

Odd that some are criticising Gabby's vision and saying he is aone trick pony, that is just incorrect. Did they not see his vision for the pass to Hutton in the build-up to our goal against Fulham? He receives the ball with his back to goal and turns to play in Hutton on the overlap...

Welcome to the Villa Brett Holman! On paper this seems a good signing to add experience to our current team; 53 caps is good and currently AZ are within a shout of winning the league and are playing in Europe. Holman's stats this season are very, very good for a creative player and at his current age he seems to be making the step up the PL at the right time. It's a shame people are criticising this chap already and are using this thread to also slate McLeish and Albrighton. Marc I thought played ok against Fulham, could've scored but unfortunately hit the bar and he made several good crosses which on another day may have resulted in two assists for him...what more do people want considering he is still regarded as a young player?!

Just listening to this at my work on MP3 via my phone -

Interesting that their last two albums might be the one's which are held in the highest regard, it's usually the other way around with band's or at least they hit a pinnacle in the middle somewhere! So I should add 'Spirit of Eden' and 'Laughing Stock' to the listening list also then...cheers!

One step ahead of you... So I presume 'It's My Life' and 'The Colour of Spring' are the albums to give a listen too? Interesting to note that Colin Thurston an engineer who had worked with David Bowie played a key role in shaping their direction; as a big Bowie fan myself this is indeed promising!

Interesting, i've never heard Talk Talk; I always thought them to be rather mainstream?

Possibly one of the most important records in the last fifty years! Inspired by Gustav Mahler, Frédéric Chopin, Johannes Brahms and Franz Liszt infused with soundtrack elements from 1950's Science Fiction movies...what a combination!