John

Yes, he's top quality. We clearly were right about him back then. I'm sure as was said at the time some other clubs might not have been blocked quite so readily by the work permit rules. Was it Nigel Farage who advised them on the decision?

I'd prefer Leicester's...champions within two years of going up would be rather nice.

That is £60-£80m that we can put to far better use then.

Gary Cahill might also be worth considering...

The knuckle draggers arrive once again on Sunday week and they have lost their last two league visits to Villa Park. They last won at Villa Park 14 years ago and that like every defeat against them was a bitter pill to swallow. Overall we have won 47 and drawn 31 of the 114 league meetings between the two clubs. The two clubs both have a history. We have a proud one and they have an embarrassing one. They will try to bring us down to their level and will attempt to kick players like Jack and John out of the game. It will be a battle and we will need to be up for it. We were last season when we beat them 2-0 and I'm confident we will be again. A third successive league win, a third successive clean sheet and a third successive home win against Small Heath is what we want. A repeat of the 5-1 win 10 years ago that we all remember so fondly and that they have tried so hard to forget but can't would be very nice. A local derby win win would probably take us into the top ten and send them towards the foot of the table where they are more comfortable. Make it so Villa!

Yes. One swallow does not a summer make. Given that, I'd really love it if he could put together a run of good confident performances now.

A superb win that will make the rest of the EFL teams sit up and take notice. Above the knuckle draggers as well which is as it should be and out of the bottom half as well. The promotion run is starting to gather steam!!

Not for me. He's there because he wasn't doing it for us. I doubt he would be any better than he was for us previously if we called him back now. He's not a young prospect getting games at another club with a view to returning to us. He's a player who is playing at another club with a view to getting a permanent deal there or somewhere else. Bournemouth had the best out of him and he wasn't the same player following his move to us. Let's look elsewhere to resolve our issues at the centre of our defence. ?

Once yes, but I suspect that whilst our wages will be higher than Ipswich would pay they will no longer be "silly money" as such. I suspect we will now pay what we consider a player is worth to us to seal a deal (I hope).

Had an offer to sign for Ipswich I heard but the lure of wearing a Villa shirt again was too great for him to resist. Could do a decent enough job if required at this level for me and we are not exactly spoilt for choice should our first choice central defenders get an injury or a suspension.

Manchester City run them close. Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal are not too far behind those two either. They bring in all of the young talent they can in the hope that one will develop into a first team player and they can profit from selling on one of two others to the likes of us. The problem is the young player's do not look beyond signing for one of these big clubs and the status and high wages that will initially bring them. Far better they sign for a club where if they are good enough they will get first team opportunities and develop as a player rather than be loaned out season after season or be left to rot outside of the first team squad.

Henry out! Glad he chose them rather than us. Bet he isn't.

5th plays 14th. There are more places than points (7) between the two teams at the moment and it could be down to 4 on Saturday! It is a game that involves two of Chelsea's finest in Frank Lampard and John Terry. We lost at Pride Park 2-0 last season and have not won there since 2008 when we kept a clean sheet and had it not been for the 6 goals that we scored, so would have they. Overall we have 61 wins to their 38 in the 122 league meetings between the two clubs. Prior to The First World War we scored 6 goals against them four times and 7 twice. Another 6 or 7 goal win would be nice, it would also be highly unlikely. East Midlands meets West again on Saturday and a win for us would give us such confidence at the start of a difficult run of fixtures and would close the gap between the two teams nicely. I have to admit that I would be happy to get a point from this one though.

I think that is understating it. He's a brilliant signing! ?

Those next six games aren't all tough. Our next home game is against the knuckle draggers! We need to stay in touch with sixth place during what is left of this year and then kick on in 2019 when we have been able to strengthen areas of weakness. To stay in touch I think we will need 10 points from our next six games and I think we will get them. As far as automatic is concerned obviously that is our preferred option but at this stage we need to aim first for the play off places and then go for the highest possible placing. The positive thing for us is that teams like Leeds, WBA, Derby and Boro that have hit the front have not yet been able to pull clear of us. I back us to come up on their shoulder as the bell for the last lap sounds and to have them eating our dust as we power past them in the home straight with our sprint finish to the line.

James Chester was back to his best last night firstly preventing a Bolton equalizer and then scoring our decisive second goal to send us temporarily to the top of the bottom half of the table and just 4 points behind the top six. We had the perfect start last night with a 4th minute goal that it might have been hoped would lead to a confidence inspiring goal glut against a Bolton side that are currently on the crest of a slump. The visitors instead threatened to draw level and we sat nervously and uncomfortably in our seats until Chester added a second to give us a two-goal cushion and what then became a comfortable win. We played better and lost against QPR, but it was vital that we won this battle between two teams that had both lost their previous two matches. We now need to put a decent run of results together which will not be easy looking at our forthcoming fixtures. A second home win and a second clean sheet at Villa Park for our new management team gives us something to work on. Winning our home games as a minimum will keep us ticking along until the next transfer window when we can look to strengthen where necessary. My player ratings from a game that we deserved to win and did are: Orjan Nyland – 4 – He continues to make Pierluigi Gollini look like Dino Zoff! Comfortably collected a mishit 21st minute shot from Oztumer but then embarrassingly dropped a cross 4 minutes later which he then gratefully gathered when it fell at his feet. Seemed to have lost his bearings when he fumbled a harmless 41st minute Oztumer free-kick out for a corner that he should have left to go out. A schoolboy would have been unhappy with doing that under no sort of pressure. Did well to get his right foot to a 47th minute Buckley cross from the edge of the six-yard box which was otherwise bound for Donaldson to tap in at close range for an equalizer, but the negatives outweigh this one positive for me. Although he was not often called upon he continues to look to have an error in him waiting to happen. He needs to be doing a lot of work with Neil Cutler in the coming days to address his weaknesses. Is Moreira still not another option? Alan Hutton – 6 – Looks like he can still remember how to give an effective display in his rightful full back role. James Chester - 8 – MOTM – Back to his best and this game will do no harm to his confidence. Did incredibly well to hook a 24th minute Hobbs header off the line with Nyland beaten. Was flagged offside when he headed home a 32nd minute Hourihane free-kick but was given the benefit of the doubt on 57 minutes when he headed a Grealish free-kick in between Alnwick and the post to settle the game. Axel Tuanzebe – 7 – Will get increasingly more comfortable with more games alongside our captain in the centre of our defence. Did well to use his pace to get back and win an 84th minute challenge with Doidge inside of the box which along with the substitute’s heavy touch on the ball denied him a scoring opportunity. Neil Taylor – 6 – Faced little to really test him last night but generally looked competent enough. Conor Hourihane – 6 – Played in an unfamiliar deep midfield role in the absence of Thor. Did well enough given that and he rarely fails to do a decent job for us. Could he fill this role again? Albert Adomah - 6 – Hit a 14th minute shot wide of the far post from the edge of the box and a bicycle kick (as allegedly invented by a late Villa chairman) onto the roof of the netting behind the crossbar. Substituted on 73 minutes. John McGinn – 7 – Subject to the sort of rough treatment normally reserved just for Jack last night and the referee was as lenient with challenges on him as they usually are when Jack receives the same uncompromising treatment. Won the ball well from Donaldson on 43 minutes before running forward and hitting a cross towards the far post that was played back across the face of the goal by Kodjia only for Alnwick to get a hand to prevent Abraham getting his head on it. John then stooped to head the loose ball into the side netting having continued his run. He is quality and has an obvious tenacity and will to win. Jack Grealish – 7 – Made a nice 4th minute run into the box which was spotted by Abraham who having turned to leave a defender for dead then played a perfect pass to Jack who took the ball past Alnwick and tucked it inside the near post. Had a 28th minute shot from outside of the area pushed wide by Alnwick. Jonathan Kodjia – 6 – McGinn played a one-two with Hutton before hitting a 30th minute cross to the far post which Kodjia could only hook well over the bar. Flashed a 69th minute shot wide of the near post having ran into the area after being found by a nice ball from within his own half by Tuanzebe. Not at his powerful and defence threatening best yet. Tammy Abraham – 7 – Maintained a good work rate last night. McGinn found Kodjia who ran into the box and squared the ball to Tammy on 46 minutes, but it was hit a little too firmly and bounced off his right leg to safety as he tried to take a touch when a goal had looked likely. He won’t fail to score too often in games at Villa Park this season. Substitutes: Yannick Bolasie – Replaced Adomah on 73 minutes. Not on quite long enough to gather a rating this time. I had expected him to start this one. Scott Hogan – Replaced Abraham on 81 minutes. Not on long enough to earn a rating. Glenn Whelan – Replaced Jack on 90 minutes. Not on long enough to gather a rating. Up the Villa! John Lewis

James Chester was back to his best last night firstly preventing a Bolton equalizer and then scoring our decisive second goal to send us temporarily to the top of the bottom half of the table and just 4 points behind the top six. We had the perfect start last night with a 4th minute goal that it might have been hoped would lead to a confidence inspiring goal glut against a Bolton side that are currently on the crest of a slump. The visitors instead threatened to draw level and we sat nervously and uncomfortably in our seats until Chester added a second to give us a two-goal cushion and what then became a comfortable win. We played better and lost against QPR, but it was vital that we won this battle between two teams that had both lost their previous two matches. We now need to put a decent run of results together which will not be easy looking at our forthcoming fixtures. A second home win and a second clean sheet at Villa Park for our new management team gives us something to work on. Winning our home games as a minimum will keep us ticking along until the next transfer window when we can look to strengthen where necessary. My player ratings from a game that we deserved to win and did are: Orjan Nyland – 4 – He continues to make Pierluigi Gollini look like Dino Zoff! Comfortably collected a mishit 21st minute shot from Oztumer but then embarrassingly dropped a cross 4 minutes later which he then gratefully gathered when it fell at his feet. Seemed to have lost his bearings when he fumbled a harmless 41st minute Oztumer free-kick out for a corner that he should have left to go out. A schoolboy would have been unhappy with doing that under no sort of pressure. Did well to get his right foot to a 47th minute Buckley cross from the edge of the six-yard box which was otherwise bound for Donaldson to tap in at close range for an equalizer, but the negatives outweigh this one positive for me. Although he was not often called upon he continues to look to have an error in him waiting to happen. He needs to be doing a lot of work with Neil Cutler in the coming days to address his weaknesses. Is Moreira still not another option? Alan Hutton – 6 – Looks like he can still remember how to give an effective display in his rightful full back role. James Chester - 8 – MOTM – Back to his best and this game will do no harm to his confidence. Did incredibly well to hook a 24th minute Hobbs header off the line with Nyland beaten. Was flagged offside when he headed home a 32nd minute Hourihane free-kick but was given the benefit of the doubt on 57 minutes when he headed a Grealish free-kick in between Alnwick and the post to settle the game. Axel Tuanzebe – 7 – Will get increasingly more comfortable with more games alongside our captain in the centre of our defence. Did well to use his pace to get back and win an 84th minute challenge with Doidge inside of the box which along with the substitute’s heavy touch on the ball denied him a scoring opportunity. Neil Taylor – 6 – Faced little to really test him last night but generally looked competent enough. Conor Hourihane – 6 – Played in an unfamiliar deep midfield role in the absence of Thor. Did well enough given that and he rarely fails to do a decent job for us. Could he fill this role again? Albert Adomah - 6 – Hit a 14th minute shot wide of the far post from the edge of the box and a bicycle kick (as allegedly invented by a late Villa chairman) onto the roof of the netting behind the crossbar. Substituted on 73 minutes. John McGinn – 7 – Subject to the sort of rough treatment normally reserved just for Jack last night and the referee was as lenient with challenges on him as they usually are when Jack receives the same uncompromising treatment. Won the ball well from Donaldson on 43 minutes before running forward and hitting a cross towards the far post that was played back across the face of the goal by Kodjia only for Alnwick to get a hand to prevent Abraham getting his head on it. John then stooped to head the loose ball into the side netting having continued his run. He is quality and has an obvious tenacity and will to win. Jack Grealish – 7 – Made a nice 4th minute run into the box which was spotted by Abraham who having turned to leave a defender for dead then played a perfect pass to Jack who took the ball past Alnwick and tucked it inside the near post. Had a 28th minute shot from outside of the area pushed wide by Alnwick. Jonathan Kodjia – 6 – McGinn played a one-two with Hutton before hitting a 30th minute cross to the far post which Kodjia could only hook well over the bar. Flashed a 69th minute shot wide of the near post having ran into the area after being found by a nice ball from within his own half by Tuanzebe. Not at his powerful and defence threatening best yet. Tammy Abraham – 7 – Maintained a good work rate last night. McGinn found Kodjia who ran into the box and squared the ball to Tammy on 46 minutes, but it was hit a little too firmly and bounced off his right leg to safety as he tried to take a touch when a goal had looked likely. He won’t fail to score too often in games at Villa Park this season. Substitutes: Yannick Bolasie – Replaced Adomah on 73 minutes. Not on quite long enough to gather a rating this time. I had expected him to start this one. Scott Hogan – Replaced Abraham on 81 minutes. Not on long enough to earn a rating. Glenn Whelan – Replaced Jack on 90 minutes. Not on long enough to gather a rating. Up the Villa! John Lewis

I agree that our current situation is the better long term one. I do think that we would have used some of the SKY money to add to the squad but most likely not enough. I myself, would have kept Johnstone rather than Grabban but at best we would have faced a relegation battle rather than the late potential promotion run we now hope for.

I think that some of the criticism of Mile is a bit harsh. He was played out of position by our former manager and was willing to do the job he was asked to do for us although he probably felt uncomfortable in doing it. He should always have been an occasional emergency central defender rather than the first choice one that he became. He didn't become the new Bobby Moore in this role which no doubt was not a shock to either him or to too many of us. He's not going to become any faster around the pitch than he has been since his arrival at Villa Park and his ball distribution is also unlikely to dramatically improve but he still offers us something when he pulls on a Villa shirt. Both he and Whelan know their limitations as do we. They both give 100% and in Mile's case offers decent protection in front of our defence, an aerial presence up front and at the back along with a willingness to make some solid challenges in the middle. I think that at times in recent games we may have missed his tenacity and experience on the field. I still think that he can do an effective job for us in the future and if Dean starts him or brings him off the bench then he is entitled to and I'm sure he will get our full support.

Anyone know what the current situation is with James Collins? Is he still training with us with a view to earning a short term contract?

Every chance IMO.

Not if we go up he won't and not for the sort of cut price deal that Levy might offer to take him off our hands.

Hopefully we are. He could do a similar job to what John Terry did for us last season. Sometimes you need an older head to organise a defence and to lead it on the field. He is a quality defender and if Dean and JT think he could do a job for us then so be it.

He will have our support whilst he's wearing the shirt. I hope with some serious work with a goalkeeping coach he can improve his command of the area and his judgement on crosses but if we don't see a noticeable improvement in the near future I don't think that we can afford to "give him the season" as doing that may well cost us the season.

We would have had 12 points and would still need another 26 for safety . We would have had the players we were forced to let go and would have added to them with our SKY money. Having said that I still think that we have a better long term future now. I'd really love it if we somehow managed to change places with Fulham at the end of the season though.