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.

Just now, Bunnski said:

The big difference between Lambert and Bruces time at Villa is that Lambert had the life drained out of him by a shit owner who never loosened the purse and hung him out to dry whereas Bruce has had every chance to be successful but ultimately he is a bottler and a shit manager.

True.

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

33 minutes ago, Czechlad said:

Danny Ings would be an amazing signing, so it won't happen. 

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.

17 minutes ago, Villan_of_oz said:

I want Paulo Di Canio. Just for some fireworks. 

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.

Quote

As Scott Hogan would no doubt testify, it sometimes takes rejection to change the course of history. “We wanted to sign him, 100%,” says the Rochdale manager, Keith Hill, “but he just wasn’t ready.”

Almost six years before he completed his move from Brentford to Aston Villa for a fee that may eventually rise to £15m, Hogan’s career was already at a crossroads. The Salford-born teenager had just been released by Rochdale after failing to be offered a professional contract despite some impressive performances for the youth team.

“I was head of youth at the time under Keith and Scott was a young man who was quite aggressive and had a little bit of a chip on his shoulder,” says Chris Willcock, who now manages the Northern Premier League side Glossop North End. “It was difficult to contain his emotions during matches because he was a very passionate young man. His work ethic at the time wasn’t the best but he’s always had electric pace, just like Jamie Vardy.

“When Scott first came to us he was very raw but he developed quite nicely so I was really surprised when he didn’t get a pro contract at the end. Keith decided against it so he ended up going into non-league – at the time he saw something else in two other individuals and it was up to him to make the call.”

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?

3 hours ago, philgetaway said:

Do we have to slag off Westwood in every thread?

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.

1 hour ago, Johnnyp said:

Fella i work with a Leeds fan we were talking yesterday about hourihane coming in. Said to me he absolutely destroyed bridcutt at the weekend. Shook him up with a heavy but fair tackle and dominated thereafter knocking the stuffing out of Leeds. I'm around long enough as a villa fan to not get excited about incoming signings but as an irishman I can tell ye lads that cork sportsmen are as honest and hardworking as the days long. This lad won't be stealing a living, guarantee it. Welcome Connor.

Your post was going so well too!

4 hours ago, supermario said:

 

Thank for the welcome!

My thoughts exactly as regards discipline within the club.  

Even Bruce has mentioned it recently with the McCormack situation. It's a case of de ja vu again. I would love to see RMC pick up his dummy now and see what he is made of with these new signings behind him. I don't believe it to be too reactionary to sell him if he carries on with this attitude. Something has to change. Hopefully Bruce will instil some discipline. It's been an obvious problem for a while. Just look at last season.  I'm not a huge fan of Gabby tbh but RMC could take a leaf out of his book right now and attempt to try and turn things around otherwise he does needs to go.   

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.

1 minute ago, striker said:

Can't seem to change it mate. Maybe it's something the mods can only do?

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

45 minutes ago, striker said:

Yes mate followed both but have plumped for Villa as my number one team. Luv it on here.

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

Just now, Hoof hearted said:

Can we stop bumping this thread please, I get my lube, tissues/sock and Donald Trump pussy grabbers weekly at the ready just in case he's fakked 'orf, only to lose my semi when it's more debate on whether he's shit or not! He is, he really is shit. 

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