Milton_Monkfish

This is the bit where it still makes no sense, 'cause McLeish was neither the cheapest nor the safest reasonable option. If it was pure cost-cutting and just trying to find a manager to tide us over until a sale, then there were free agents like McClaren and Curbishley who would have surely made more sense. Would have needed no compensation and they would have jumped at the job, whatever wages or long-term prospects were. Even though it defies belief, I think the most logical reasoning is that Lerner/Faulkner genuinely thought they were making a good choice with McLeish and intended it to be long-term. It doesn't make financial sense otherwise. You're right that it doesn't make sense that McLeish was appointed. He's terrible. I think that they thought we would get him for free if he resigned from Birmingham first but it backfired. I thought all the compensation to them was for their backroom staff the McLeish wanted anyway? They probably didn't go for Curbishley cause he's been out of the game for a while (like Houllier and they didn't want all that again). They didn't go for McLaren cause the fans didn't want him. This of course contradicts the appointment of our current manager but by that point I think that they were honestly sick of looking for someone and that no one else was available PLUS Randy thought 'I'm going in a year anyway'. AND they didn't want a pre-season without a manager two years in a row. So they panicked. Trying to make sense of illogical decision making is really difficult I grant you but at some point during our opinions we have to put somethings down to the fact that the board are incompetent at some level.

I don't think a new owner would want Aston Villa in the Championship and Randy must be starting to think that with McLeish in charge a potential sale is in serious jeopardy. Now I'm not saying that all these QIA feb/march rumours are true but I strongly believe that logically SOMETHING is on the table. Most likely at the end of the season and not necessarily to a mega rich tycoon, but someone else who actually WANTS us. So now Randy has to fork out a few more million to fix our current situation and make sure we don't go down. And let's face it he has shown in the past that he would do whatever it takes to guarantee our safety. Darren Bent.

I'm not saying anything that hasn't already been said but let's summarise and compact everything logically for a moment. Lerner is setting up for a sale. Looking at all the pieces, this makes FAR more sense than the idea that we are cutting costs purely for the new european financial rulings. There has to be more to it. He had a crack at the top 4 and we didn't make it. Fair play to him and I thank him for it. He made me dream again when football was a it's most greedy. Obviously owning an ambitious Premiership club isn't cheap. Owning an NFL franchise with it is nye on impossible. So cutting costs etc and bringing on someone to steady the ship (McLeish) until a sale is his plan. Everyone knew McLeish's appointment would cause the uproar it did but what's the harm if you're leaving soon right? Plus whoever takes over would just replace him anyway. He would be somebody else's problem. But now it's not quite going to plan is it Randy? We're actually in serious danger of going down. Also, I don't think the board accounted for the depression that all this has created amongst the fans. There have been worse managers statically at Villa in the past yes, but combine the current appointment with our style of play and 'no end in sight' outlook from the fans and you've got yourself a pretty **** up scenario. I hope McLeish leaves either by resignation, termination of contract or some kind agreement in between. I have no sympathy for the board because it is their fault we are in this position. Randy will have to fork out a few more mil to fix this.

Yet again Alex McLeish has cost my club points. I detest his style of management. What's he gonna come out with in his interview I wonder?

lol Weimann on in the 91st minute. AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!

I'm not even upset. I don't care. This man has numbed me.

Justice.

Flashbacks of the Arsenal second half.

what a chip from ireland lol zog should have squared it....... CAPTAIN HINDSIIGGGHHTTTTTT!

Or maybe its because the best players in certain positions are actually playing in said positions and in the starting 11? 8) And the fact that Ireland and Zog are playing.

Did Zog kiss the badge????

**** great goal.

Has anyone eaten a venkeys?

Loads of possession and a sense of urgency. Come on Villa.

Getting forward.

Lovely tackle and through ball on the floor by Collins led to that chance???!!!?

Come on guys. How many times do we look at the team sheet and say "great selection!" only for us to perform like shit. It's a good team put out there but I'm not holding my breath.

Seeing as they haven't kept a clean sheet all season, I predict they will keep a clean sheet. I hate that Alex McLeish is our manager.

Utter shit. AGAIN. Can't wait for his interview.

I am not enjoying football for the first time in my career.

Game over.

But a win for McLeish. Alex McLeish couldn't win a raffle. It's really really difficult to win a raffle.

No we aren't. We are just better away than at home. Which isn't hard as we are utter shit at home. Fair enough. But oddly I'd I'm glad we're away today than at home. God that's depressing.

The fact is, we're good away and they're shit at home. Come on Villa.

Unlucky Warnock. Lovely ball by Barry.