Heretic

If you look at the way CH played at Barnsley, I don't think he had anything to prove in terms of ability. If anything, he proved Bruce wrong - not picking him, and when picking him he was played wrongly. It should be said that Davis helped massively today. He gave the Nowrich defenders plenty to think about which helped CH find the space he can use so effectively. He got a lot of space today which is why he did so well. He won't always get that space. As our most gifted creative midfielder, he'll have to work some magic when the space is closed down much more than it was today. Norwich were poor for much of that game. Villa could've had six easily, perhaps more. They got back into it due to some poor Villa play (resting on laurels). Won't always be like that. Then CH will have to really show what he's made of if we're to get to where want in this league.

I don't know if any of you listened to 5 Live today. They covered the Liverpool game. I swear, just as I connected to the station, Mark Lawrenson and the commentator (don't know the name) mentioned a Villa goal. They both intimated that the pressure SB was under at Villa was ridiculous and both said SB was absolutely the man for the job here. Lawrenson was adamant. I think it's unfair that they seem to think it's a case of usual Villa fans, can't wait to throw the manager out. I think generally, we're better than that. We have given SB time, and we've watched him make totally obvious mistakes. That said, they were both very pro SB. Just thought I'd mention it, FWIW.

True. Bruce is the bigger puzzle, having had experience of promotions this division and yet somehow looking lost.

He makes Wilshere look like oak. He's had very serious injuries. He's more a Hargreaves or Ashton than a good signing.

The one parallel between Bruce and Lambert that sticks out is how cautious they became in tactical terms. McLeish did, but he knew it was the only way to grind out a point a game to keep the club in the PL. Lambert was a swashbuckler with Norwich. We saw some of it at Villa, but not enough. It's as if the goal is to get the job and then keep it, not actually do anything with it. It's true that Bruce has never been as adventurous, but you can't get out of this division without scoring goals. The table tells you that every year. Forget the defence for a second - our scoring record is too poor to get out of here. Without Kodjia, the team looks lost. I can't see SB setting up in a more proactive manner. I can't see him changing his perceptions about how football is played. I can't see any plan that he has about how to play and then select the correct personnel for the task. I think it's already a lost cause. He must go.

I think he's currently in Charlottesville.

This guy has had a bunch of promotions from this division. It's amazing how poor he's looked here.

Love to see Big Sam, but I don't think he's available. Not Mellberg. I think that totally underestimates the job to be done.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Surely his time is up.

Why do they keep crossing the ball in? We don't have the height. We made better chances early in the half with threaded balls through. Crossing it from wide isn't doing Hogan much good. He needs a ball he can run on to.

Would like to see Hourihane on for Bacuna. Hull are there for the taking.

bacuna off, please. you don't even need to replace him.

yellow for whelan? madness.

Hull look all over the place.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/feb/10/scott-hogan-angry-young-man-jamie-vardy-aston-villa Link to an article about him. More in link.

Thanks Eastie. I'm thinking about the great man today. I hope we can all spare him a thought today considering all he did for AV.

If he can't get past a gate, how is he going to find his way in a forest?

When he met Trump, he should've stood up for decent values. Instead, he supplicated and kowtowed. His advice in the 'Relationships' thread has destroyed families. He deserves all he gets.

I like this guy so much I feel I'm cheating on Kodjia. Ah, I'll just double-date.

Best signing of the window. In a parallel universe, Westwood is this guy and villa fans are cheering signing Westwood to replace the crab Hourihane. But not this universe. Welcome Conor! Please put the ball in that rectangle-thing I hope you'll spend most of the game facing.

Your post was going so well too!

Welcome! I too hope SB can turn it around with him. He's an expensive asset that is now devalued, but perhaps only temporarily. He's proven he has goals in him in this division. You never know - with new midfielders, it might just give him a second chance to thrive.

More than likely. Just PM one. Good to have you aboard!

Good stuff. We've been looking forward to getting a new striker around here.

With his contract, he's going nowhere! Sorry, Hoof!!!