TheMelvillan

much more robust physically than I thought - in my head he had an ashley cole type of physique but he looks much more solid.

Maybe not the worst suggestion on a 1-year deal. Just not sure if he's too similar to Westwood and whether we need someone more attacking/box-to-box. oh here, I quite like this suggestion. Surely he would offer pretty much what Cambiasso can but he knows the club inside out. For a year, or at a stretch two, he would be a good signing. However, I can already predict the uproar from the more sensitive Villa fans if it were to happen...

Not saying that most if not all of the above is true, but unfortunately his private life and his personality completely destabilise his exceptional talent. Most don't dispute his footballing ability, but he is up there with Balotelli when it comes to being a precious/fragile snowflake. Or at least that's how it seems as outsiders. Surely if he was anywhere near what he could be he would play week in week out, instead of a few games a season. Sherwood clearly could potentially get the best out of him, he's done it once. But he is a huge risk. I would rather we looked at all other options from home and abroad before we go down this road, unless its a season long loan and Spurs pay some of his wages. I think he would have played more if it wasnt for the freakishly good season Harry Kane had last year. Everything that boy touched went into the back of the net, and in a lone striker system even Benteke would have struggled to start ahead of him last year. He was simply undroppable. And DDID makes a valid point - I also dont think the other players will care about what he is getting paid - it isnt their employer who gave him the contract so it isnt comparable. I say take the risk - I wouldnt be dull whatever happens

allow me to dare to be different here and focus on the positives but I think Adebayour is a fantastic player. He is a monster of a guy, strong and tall, graceful technique and a real eye for goal. Yes, his body language looks a bit lazy sometimes but he comes alive in the box and his goalscoring record at top teams is very good. People seem to be obsessed with his private life but Sherwood will only sign him if he feels it isnt a factor and quite frankly from what I have read his family are utter dirtbags who treat him fairly appallingly. He is the kind of player who needs to feel wanted and I think if Villa create the right, stable environment and support he could be a massive asset to us. So what if he earns a lot of money - his ability imho warrants it and i'll stick my neck out and say I hope we sign him. I've always enjoyed watching him play and I think his presence in the dressing room would be massive for the younger players

Not speculation or anything but i'd like to see us sign Ashley Cole for a year. Yes he's 34 but but the best left back ever in the premier imo. Plus I like the symmetry of two ex-England internationals who flopped in Italy playing on either side of our defence. A lot of people think he is a nob but from what I have read he is really passionate about football and im sure would have something to prove.

I'm leaving the Irish open golf early just so I can get home to watch the match in exactly the same manner that I have watched the last two cup ties. Me and my 4 yo on the sofa in our shirts, her with her Villa Monkey, me with my Hercules teddy. Poor wee mite kept wanting to leave the room in the semi but i wouldnt let her! - needed to bribe her with sweets and cartoons on the ipad. My da suggested just going to the pub near the golf - pffffft dont think so dad

what won last year out of interest?

Exactly. Trying to think of other examples off the top of my head. Maybe: Mean Girls Pitch Perfect 10 things I hate about you Friends with Benefits 500 Days of Summer Knocked Up ???

Domhnall Gleeson is a Villa fan, also starring in Ex Machina if you get a chance you should watch his film "About Time". Bit of a chick flick but I thought it was great. Definitely had a few moments that saw my allergies playing up *sniff sniff*

England? Ireland? Just split the difference Jacky boy and come over here and play for Northern Ireland!! We could probably find a squad place for ya. GAWA!!

Despite the inevitable sailor boy grief we would get I absolutely adore this design!

New song! To the tune of "Local Boy in the Photograph" by Stereophonics: He's got silly hair, and a cheeky grin, He's gonna help the Villa win, He's from England but he's Irish, Local Boy, Jack Grealiiiiiiiiisssssssshhhhhhhh Local Boy, Jack Grealiiiiiiiiisssssssshhhhhhhh Repeat last line ad nauseum til he scores a belter. then start again!

Crackpot Theory C: Before he came here, we and the media were saying that Gil may just have been the signing to keep us up. A signing that Lambert only recently made. Then Tim Sherwood comes into the club. Now I like Sherwood but he has an enormous ego and he both a) wants to keep us in the league, and wants to do it in a way that has everyone in no doubt that it was down entirely to him. Now, if he were to keep with the same team as Lambert had been playing but get an extra 10% out of them and we stay up -it was largely to do with the team Lambert left for him, new manager bounce, and Gil the saviour. However, if he mixes it up, brings new players into the fold then it is Tim Sherwood the saviour. Who did it his way. Thats why I think Gil isnt getting a look in. Told you it was crackpot

That's the spirit! It's true though, in fairness. I'd rather we went out in the semis than the final itself. Not being cheeky but could someone please explain this logic to me?

Starting to look up and release the ball earlier now. Very effective the last few games. Nice one charlie

I like the fact that he lost the ball a bunch of times but didn't hide and he tried again. I can live with that

Great Scott!

I think that tackle was just opportunistic. Who amongst us here can honestly say that if they found themselves with a wee Berahinho at the end of their foot could resist having a wee kick? Must have been just too hard to resist. But I love Huttons approach to the game, though if he played for the opposition I would take great delight in hating him. But he is probably the only proper "hard man" in our squad and if I was one of the Villa boys I would rather be standing shoulder to shoulder with him that opposite him

You do realise the reason he's not playing on Saturday is because of that incident, the one you're happy with? Personally I'd rather see Villa progress in the cup and get Premiership survival than see a opposing player get kicked. Huttons kick has made those two things that little bit harder to achieve. Of course I realise it.....I was there AND I am talking in general and NOT about one isolated incident. His main offence was getting caught! No, his main offence was doing something so stupid in the first place. Something that wasn't in any way helpful to the game last night and is now detrimental to two extremely important games coming up. We need to build confidence. To do that we need to have a run of good results. That is easier with our best players on the pitch playing football. It isn't helped by kicking an opponent for no reason and it isn't helped by having one of this seasons better players sitting in the stands because he's been suspended for ten yellow cards. You can play hard & with passion without being a thug. 'For no reason'......you know that for a fact do you?.....impossible mate. Were you there? Did you hear every word spoken between the two?......did you see all the off the ball incidents that I saw. I am guessing that you watched it on the box, in which case you cant really comment on the incident! TV viewers NEVER get a true picture of what goes on....your probably an armchair fan that takes every word spouted by tv pundits as gospel......its just NOT that simple! We can't all be amazing fans like you. Buying a ticket makes your views better, I agree. I bow down to you. Oh and if you cant tell Marge, Im being sarcastic

I cant remember who it was but big thanks to whoever recommended 'What we do in the Shadows'. It is glorious. Written and starring one of the guys from Flight of the Conchords, its a mockumentary about flat sharing Vampires in New Zealand and uses the same sort of humour as Flight of the conchords (minus the singing). if you can source it anywhere I highly recommend it. i was in bits watching it. but nobody I know has even heard of it let alone seen it

I could watch him all day Just oozes quality i've watched that vid 3 times now. it is genuinely weird seeing such natural ability in a Villa shirt. I thought Delph was good in tight situations with the ball at his feet but this guy is on a whole different level!

Thank you. Such an under-rated player!. Never gets a mention by the media no matter how well he plays. Really gets my goat that does. Mind you i'm norn irish so maybe I take it a bit too personally

He really is quite tiny isn't he? Short and slight Hope he knows how to handle himself in the big bad premier league Or mebbe his buddy Carlos will look out for him

Yep. Cleverley was supposed to be an attacking player too, but he's caught the crab fever too it seems... ugh. I had a case of that back in the late 90's. very itchy.

Paddypower are offering new customers 12/1 on a Villa win and your stake back in free bets if they dont win! Max bet is only a tenner but still, could be a nice £120 for xmas at zero risk Seasoned gamblers please explain to me what catch I am missing FWIW I thing Villa are going to beat them anyway, especially with Anichebe, Olsson and Brunt out