Heretic

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/aston-villa-clai... Aston Villa enjoyed many years of glory in the 1970s and 80s, but successes have been thin on the ground for the Midlands side of late. But that's not stopped Villa from claiming the coup every club in the country wanted: the football loyalty of the newest member of the royal family. Within hours of the birth of Will and Kate's son, the club apparently sent a delightful mini-Villa strip to the happy couple and their brand new puking, pooing, noise-and-sleepless-night machine. (Yes, that army of nannies and wet nurses will have its work cut out looking after the little one.) Anyway, it's apparently not a random act but due to the fact that the club claims HRH is a supporter of the club. "The Duke is a huge Villa fan and it is hoped that his new son will be brought up in the claret and blue tradition," the club's statement read. "As a birthday present, Villa chiefs have sent the 8lbs 6oz baby a new kit with the appropriate letters 'HRH' and the number '1' on the back. "Let's hope he dribbles for Villa in the coming weeks and months ahead."

It won't be long until Lambert has the players digging wells for clean water around the Sty.

I think we've missed a bit of height in our attack. Carew was a great bully up front. I remember him causing Cahill lots of problems. Heskey was a bully too and a real handful, but of course he was in a Leicester shirt at the time. He's a great option for Lambert to have depending on the circumstances. Defenders will always be wary of a big guy which can open up some space for the other striker to operate in.

The end of the second sentence contradicts the first a bit, methinks. I think it's already clear this guy has the talent to be a fine player for this great club. I look forward to some crucial goals from him in the future.

This might end up being the most important signing of the summer. Very happy at this.

We're Aston Villa. That's the sweetest revenge you can get, 24-7, 365 days a year.

Lambert's brought Wiz over as part of his backroom staff.

It's clear it's dawned on PF and RL what a disaster last season was. Very impressed with PL. Totally businesslike. Looked like a man who wanted to get out of the press conference and start managing the team. I though the suit was going to be whipped off as a one-piece revealing his snazzy new Villa tracksuit.

I'm so rotten you've said that to me twice. The happiness wore off quick :winkold:

£24m then.

£6m PLUS the compensation, I imagine.

Yes please! PL has achieved a great deal in a short space of time. Always struck me as being ambitious and tough. An excellent choice for us.

Whelan and Martinez are a comedy duo. Look closely, you'll see a real Burns and Smithers thing going on between them.

I found a picture of Martinez taking Whelan home. http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs21/f/2007/253/0/e/Mr__Burns_and_Smithers__by_BUBBLE89.jpg

Martinez and OGS spoke to us whilst still in their jobs. They would only dip a toe in the water knowing they had a job to go back to. PL is prepared to burn bridges, such is his ambition. I'd be delighted if he arrived here.

I didn't make anything out. Stop overreacting. I was simply wondering how far down we were down the pecking order of European vacancies.

Right now this feels like having asked your three questions on Blind Date, you're standing behind the sliding door and wondering what simpering orange bag is waiting for you.

Can anyone enlighten me as to the vacant jobs in football across Europe that are bigger than the Villa job?

Superb piece. Love it.

I'm more towards this, TBH. Wenger had a very good track record at Monaco. There was far less of a gamble there than is generally supposed. The problem I have with a gamble in our situation is this - this club is an inch over the trapdoor right now. This has the potential to completely blow up in our faces. I suspect Lambert would be a much safer appointment. OGS is a roll of the dice we don't need to take. Small clubs do because they find it hard to attract a manager. We don't.

I'm very lukewarm on this. It's a gigantic gamble. Not one that Villa should be taking when we are in such a poor state.

It's much worse than you think. I suspect the board were trying their best.

He always says he was the crap one in the Dortmund team. Yet when they beat Juventus in the Champs semi it was Lambert who kept the lid on a certain Zidane. He seems brutally honest to the point of underrating himself. He might find a few characters at the Villa who are quite the opposite.

I think he called us a 'once-famous' club or something like that. He might have managerial nous, but the interview might trip him up.

...so basically, your level is somewhere there.