John

Ings to Liverpool looks nailed on much like the Lambert to Liverpool was last summer. Money talks louder than playing and they will look to sign him so nobody else can with a view to him either doing well for them or making money for them when he is sold on in a year or two. I doubt we would currently match their wage offer to him and that would be likely to be a decisive factor. But if he is looking to play, understands it is no longer the 1970s (when they were the team they still think they are) and watches the FA Cup Semi Final he should know which choice would be the better one for him should we think he is good enough for us...

Peter Odemwingie is parked up at Villa Park overnight and he does not have a +6 booking history.

That misses the point, again, I think. With so few tickets, there will always be more people who can't go. The line/criteria depends on movable things. Plenty of Arsenal season ticket holders won't be able to go, for example. The point that the allocations are too low, is an FA thing, and the FA's decisions penalise match day fans at the expense of FA folk and guests etc. Many fans may have just one chance of ever seeing their team at Wembley in the FA cup final. Then the FA give loads of tickets to the same people every year. Yes it's been like that for ages. Yes it's wrong. Yes the Fans organisations and individuals complain. and No nothing changes. Out of interest and not to change the subject but how are Arsenal deciding allocation? ST holders plus FA Cup games attended? Or away games too? Or years as a ST holder? From their official site: The allocation will be based on three basic principles: Members of the Away Scheme (away season ticket subscription) will be guaranteed a ticket, provided they are registered members during the relevant season of the particular FA Cup semi-final or final. Platinum and Gold Members who have attended a certain number of away fixtures will be guaranteed a ticket as long as they purchase in their priority period. This will be based on the past two consecutive seasons relevant to the particular FA Cup semi-final or final. The majority (percentage to be determined) of tickets will be allocated to the balance of Platinum and Gold Members. Successful applicants will be determined by a random ballot.

There does look like more by way of choice today and I would have liked seats in the lower tier/behind the goal. But I have my tickets and am very happy about that. To have waited another day in the hope of getting slightly better tickets would have been a risk too far to be taken for me. Good luck to those who are still seeking tickets and I look forward to the coming search for tickets for the Community Shield.

I think Strauss has took a huge risk on his own future by turning Graves comments about the prospects of KP coming back on their head so soon into his new job and with very tough tests to come this summer that may well put that decision into question again and again. I am also sure that he loved the opportunity to get one over KP in such circumstances so soon. The ECB would have been aware that the decision to appoint Strauss would be likely to end KP's test playing days for England but still made it. The decision made by Strauss with such relish and so quickly is all about his own long standing problem with KP and his inability to get over it.

I would hope that a new owner or our current one would see the wisdom of doing everything possible to keep Benteke for another season at least and we will not get a like for like replacement for £32m. I doubt he would want to miss out on a third Wembley appearance in 2015 in the Community Shield or our run to the Champions League in 16/17 via the Europa Cup next season. Nice to see those comments on Westy.

I have been fortunate to have seen us win the European Cup, the European Super Cup and the League Cup (4 times), I have seen us become champions of both Divisions 3 & 1 and I was told my pram was pushed in front of the television set so that I could see us win the FA Cup (but my memory of that is more than a bit hazy ), I have also seen us pick up the Intertoto Cup as did my son alongside me. But he like many other younger fans has not seen us win a major trophy. I want him along with other young fans to feel the pride and joy that watching us lift a big trophy gives Villa fans and I would also like to see us lift the FA Cup for a second time (but this time in person). Arsenal have had more than their fair share of FA Cup wins since 1957. Lets do this for the 57 team and for Sammy Morgan!

529 @ Wembley here we come! "Over the moon Brian".

Given what Keane said about him attending our matches could it be that he is now after the Swindon job?

Well done to the club for providing an update on the ticket situation today. Looking forward to securing tickets for my son and myself on Tuesday but will only believe it when the job is done! Best of luck to everyone looking for tickets on Tuesday, Weds & beyond that.

Source: Player Match Ratings: Villa win the Prime Minister’s derby!

I’m sure it was David Cameron that I passed as he was buying a half Villa/West Ham scarf ten minutes before kick-off on Witton Lane! But joking aside we deservedly claimed all three points yesterday from a must not lose game that had turned into a must win game following Sunderland’s shock earlier win at Everton. This vital win was only our fifth league win at Villa Park this season. But three of these wins have come since our new manager took charge of what was then a fast sinking ship. Yesterday’s winner was also our 18th league goal since Tim took over for a team that had only managed 12 league goals up until then. The impact he has had is there for all to see as is the upturn in our playing style. Everton had been undone by a fine first half display at Villa Park last Saturday and West Ham found themselves in a similar situation following another impressive first half Villa display yesterday. Neither of those clubs could be accused of already being on the beach (at least when they played against us) and the six points we have taken from them has seen us reach 38 points with 2 games to go. The introduction of Song at half time played a significant part in levelling the game out during the second half. But a strong and solid defensive display gave us the clean sheet that we needed to claim all of the points despite our opponents occasional second half threats to our goal and the reduction of our threats upon their own. Burnley who we entertain on the last day of the season have now been relegated. QPR cannot finish above us and Hull are 4 points behind us with games against Spurs (a) and Manchester United (h) to come. Sunderland and Newcastle trail us by 2 points with Leicester sitting a point behind us. We might be safe already. But if it turns out we are not next weekend’s game at Southampton could well make it mathematically so whether or not our opponent’s recent decline in form continues. Respect is also due to the West Ham fans that joined in to add their applause to our own at half time to mark the passing of members of the Villa family during the season. My player ratings from a game that left Villa fans everywhere feeling very much more confident about this season’s league outcome as well as wondering why none of the match officials apparently were able to see Amalfitano’s petulant knee go into the rear of Cleverley are: Shay Given – 6 – Obstructed by Nolan at corners on a couple of occasions. Not often tested but looked solid enough when he was. Shay did well to tip over a Collins header from a corner on 59 minutes but did less well when he fumbled the ball out for a corner on 37 minutes due to what appeared to be a momentary lapse in concentration. Leandro Bacuna – 7 – Posed a threat when getting forward and did a nice covering job on 23 minutes when Downing had otherwise looked likely to get clear on the edge of the box. Hit a free kick just over on 6 minutes. Jores Okore – 7 – A very solid defensive display yesterday. Ron Vlaar – 7 – Formed an impenetrable concrete wall to stifle what West Ham attacking play they were faced with. Kieran Richardson – 6 – Has clearly done some work on his defensive game and did well enough in this one at the back. Tom Cleverley – 9 – MOTM – If he does leave us and I really hope he does not then he deserves a lot of credit for the major role he has played of late in helping us to stay in the top flight and reach the FA Cup Final. Tom is really enjoying his football with us now and he scored his third goal in three games when he hit our 31st minute winner. Grealish had made a splendid run into the box before he pulled the ball back to Tom who had made a good run into the 6 yard box where he applied the required finish. Tom had earlier had a 12th minute volley from a Delph cross which he did well to keep down beaten out by Adrian. He also hit a swerving shot from the edge of the box that Adrian kept out with some difficulty in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Tom kept working tirelessly throughout and will play for England again if he can maintain this top class level of performance. Ashley Westwood - 7 – Had a 40th minute shot from outside of the area gathered by Adrian and hit another from a similar position just wide of the post on 85 minutes. Has shown he is well worth a starting place in the team with this and his other performances since his return to the team. Fabian Delph – 7 – His 27th minute shot from outside the box was held by Adrian having had the pace taken off it by a deflection off Collins.Another good display from Fab. Jack Grealish – 8 – Teased defenders throughout and is quickly building a big reputation in football. Jack claimed a big assist for our winner and might have claimed another when his inch perfect 50 yard pass presented Gabby with a clear goal scoring opportunity during the first minute of stoppage time Charles N’Zogbia – 6 – Made a nice run into the box on 54 minutes but his shot under challenge from former Villa target Cresswell hit the side netting. Not quite as involved as he has been in recent games. Christian Benteke – 7 – It was a bit of a surprise that he failed to add to his goal tally yesterday but he found Collins tough to beat in the air and uncompromising on the floor. Okore headed the ball onto him inside the box on 15 minutes but he was unable to quite turn the ball towards goal from close range and it drifted harmlessly past the post. He struck that same post 3 minutes later but did so having rightly been adjudged marginally offside when the ball was hit into him. Substitutes: Gabby Agbonlahor – 5 – Replaced N’Zogbia on 71 minutes and looked ring rusty on his return from injury. Really should have settled our nerves on 91 minutes when he was put clear by a superb ball from Grealish. But having taken the ball and ran into the box he then fluffed his lines badly by tamely touching the ball well wide of the post under pressure from Cresswell without forcing any sort of save from Adrian. Alan Hutton – 6 - Replaced Bacuna on 77 minutes no doubt with a view to helping us to hold onto our slender lead in the last few minutes and he did help achieve that objective. Carlos Sánchez – Replaced Grealish on 92 minutes but did not have enough time to merit a rating. Staying up the Villa! John Lewis

He himself agreed to spend £20m on players as part of his deal to buy the club so I see where that idea has come from but it does suggest that neither seller was/is sure that the playing side would be improved following a sale.

I think that is a touch harsh on Shay particularly as he has spent a lot of his time at Newcastle. For me he has been one of the most consistent keepers in the top flight over the past 15 years or so and has done a fine job for Ireland having won well over 100 caps. Height wise Banks was 6 foot one as was Shilton and Sepp Maier whilst Jimmy Rimmer was half an inch shorter. So although I accept that most keepers today are taller than Shay and AgostoI I would not hesitate to sign any of these past keepers on grounds of height alone although I admit age is a bit against them now.

Let him go to Watford or Brentford then! I get so fed up of players who say they want to move to London. They need to realise they are moving to a football club to play football not looking to book a weekend break with their family!

I doubt bringing in Guzan for Given after just one game will be the way that Tim will go. Such a big game for us although I would guess given their board members they be told that taking points from us is worth a bit of a bonus for them. A must not lose game but I think we are good enough to win this and our final home game.

I think until we hear something from Randy himself that suggests he may now want to continue as our custodian it is reasonable to conclude that he still wants to sell as soon as he possibly can as long as it is at the right price for him.

Milner will go where the money is and that will not be to us. I enjoyed his time with us as I'm sure did Leeds fans before us. But he is unlikely to return to Villa Park unless he does so near the twilight of his playing days in the way Barry was linked with possibly doing before he signed for Everton.

Source: Player Match Ratings: Is it safe?

No, we are probably not quite safe yet. But, it seems highly unlikely that the bottom two will be able to catch us now. We might have enough points on the board already. Another point or three would probably do it for us. But with the sort of results we have seen recently nothing can quite be taken for granted yet. Our objective is now to stay ahead of a minimum of one of the four teams that are immediately below us. I think given our recent terrific form we are more than capable of doing that. Everton came into this game unbeaten in their previous 6 league games, having won 5 of these and also having not tasted defeat against us since 2010. They were below their best in the first half but we never quite finished them off. Our opponents refused to accept defeat in the meek way that other teams have done of late to teams who are embroiled in the relegation battle with us. We twice stretched our lead to two goals yesterday but our opponents came back twice to bring themselves within a goal of us and to threaten to take a point against the run of play. Everton in the 200th league game between the two teams were a clear threat to us when they pushed forward in the second half to pressurise a defence that has let other teams back into games all too often this season. So our win was not as comfortable as it might have been and the final whistle could not come soon enough against tenacious opponents who were aided and abetted by some very debatable decisions by yesterday’s referee. Quite how we ended up with two players booked and Everton with just one does beggar belief. But Clattenburg who was born in Consett, Co Durham and now lives in Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne was for some inexplicable reason very reluctant to react to strong challenges on both Delph and Grealish. He also ignored Given’s appeal for a free kick when their late second was scored to the extent that our keeper was given a booking and showed not the slightest of hesitation when awarding them their penalty. But our resilient team were not to be denied the three points we so desperately needed and so very much deserved yesterday. I have to add that I enjoyed the humour of the Everton fans early on when they turned and applauded us as we sung of going to Wembley having beaten their local neighbours to get there! My player ratings from a game that left us still 2 points clear of Sunderland who occupy the third of the relegation places and moved us up to 14th spot having leapfrogged Leicester, Hull and Newcastle in doing so are: Shay Given – 7 – Provided something of a calming influence on a defence that can be prone to fretfulness when put under pressure. Shay’s distribution of the ball was solid other than once in the first half when he dwelt on the ball a little too long and ran the risk of losing it on the edge of his box. Shay was not frequently tested on his return to league action. But he touched a Lukaku shot wide of the post after a strong run from inside his own half from the striker on 47 minutes and almost got a hand to Lukaku’s 59th minute penalty that went in just inside the post. Reached up to claim an effort from the same player on 63 minutes and was very unfortunate to concede a second when being impeded on the line by Coleman as he tried to reach Jagielka’s 92nd minute header that went in off the crossbar. Leandro Bacuna – 7 – Hit a sublime inch perfect pass to claim a big assist for our third and hit a free kick from 30 yards on 15 minutes that Howard needed to push away at the foot of his post. Jores Okore – 7 – Had a decent game yesterday alongside Ron. Ron Vlaar – 6 – Had a free header from a 29th minute Grealish corner but put the ball well wide of the far post. Touched Naismith’s heel inside the box and the Evertonian gleefully hit the deck to claim the penalty that brought them back into the game on 59 minutes. There is a lot of responsibility on our two central defenders at the moment in holding this defence together as a unit. Kieran Richardson – 6 – Another decent performance from Kieran. Tom Cleverley – 9 – His best game in our shirt and he has been a revelation of late. He needs to stay with us next season and win his England place back with us. Tom worked tirelessly throughout and also claimed a second goal in two matches. Bacuna played a perfect ball through to him that Barry was unable to intercept on 64 minutes. His run in the space between two defenders was perfectly timed and his finish was so sweet. That third was so necessary and so timely coming so soon after their first which lifted them and would have deflated us earlier in this season. Ashley Westwood - 8 – Worked very hard and again played an important role in securing another win. He undoubtedly has a big future with us for me. Fabian Delph – 9 – Another fabulous all round midfield performance from Fab. Jack Grealish – 8 – Jack was always available to receive the ball and had an effort from inside the box deflected wide for a corner. His confidence is growing with each game and he is a real headache for defenders. Charles N’Zogbia – 7 – Another very encouraging performance. He left the field to a standing ovation when substituted and who would have predicted that happening earlier in the season? Christian Benteke – 9 – MOTM – He now has 11 goals from his last 9 matches and is unplayable in this sort of form and with his current level of confidence. Headed our opener on 10 minutes when Delph aimed a perfect ball to him and he hung in the air between two defenders before powering his header past Howard. Added a second on 45 minutes when a Grealish corner took the slightest of touches off Vlaar’s head that put it past the defenders behind him and found Christian unmarked at the far post to put the ball in. He has done so much to keep us in the top flight and we really cannot afford to see him leave in the summer as he is simply irreplaceable. Substitutes: Carlos Sánchez – 6 – Replaced Westwood on 75 minutes. Did a decent job in the short time he had on the field. Alan Hutton – Replaced Bacuna on 81 minutes making a welcome return from injury but Alan was not on long enough to gather a rating. Joe Cole – Replaced N’Zogbia on 90 minutes. Joe did not have enough time to merit a rating. Stay up the Villa! John Lewis

Welcome Toffeenose. I have always found Evertonians to be tough opponents but fair and decent fans.I very much enjoyed the banter with many of them in pubs before our three LCFs in 1977. The humour was very evident then as it was when Everton fans turned and clapped when we sang of going to Wembley today - how sorry we both must be that your neighbours will not be making the same trip! Your boys kept coming back at us today and never knew when they were beaten which was a credit to them. I would have taken a point before the game but all three were needed in hindsight given so many teams around us seem to be getting unexpected results. 200 up and looking forward to the next 2 games in 2015/16.

There are positives at the club now such as Fox & Sherwood and with a FA Cup Final to look forward to as well as another season in the top flight (when that is secured) our stock is high. The delay in our sale may be due to our current ongoing threat of relegation or to Randy either looking for the right owner or the right price for us. I doubt he has had a change of heart about selling us but we appear to be in a better position now than when he made the decision to go and that should attract the right sort of buyers at the right price one day.

Liverpool clearly were in no mood to do us any favours tonight. 4 points will still see us stay up and we can get them. As Corporal Jones often said "Don't Panic".

Why? You can't magically get a season ticket or go to extra games. The only reason I can see the need to know this is to decide whether to attend the next 2 games. Even if they did supply the numbers it's futile because not 100% of people who are eligible will go. I expect once tickets are on sale the ticket office will keep us informed of any criteria changes as they did for the semi. I think they have done the criteria the way they have and have the cut off point at 7 at the minute as that will be virtually the allocation done. I can offer extra reasons dn1982. I would like to know whether my son who has a booking history of 12 has a hope of getting a ticket and if so, I will wait to buy my own (I qualify on day 1) so we can sit together. I'm sure others would like to know how likely it is that tickets will be available on the day that their booking history will click in. I hope you are right and that there will be tickets on 13/5. But a little more information which I hope will come out sooner rather than later would ease the concerns of a lot of Villa fans.

Neither? The myth that Randy is making money from Aston Villa continues He was not "making money" but he was taking money back that had previously been spent on these players and a bit more on top (it was once called "profitable player trading" at our club). This reduced the gap between overall spending on players and income from player sales at the cost of performance on the field but not to the extent that he has added to his wealth during his time as our custodian. So basically, nothing like you said first time around at all? Instead you meant to say "The money was used to help keep the club afloat financially". That Randy, what a heartless bastard! No that is not what I meant to say.I do not consider our current custodian to be a heartless B** either. He tried to spend in order to make us a CL club which would have made that money very well spent given the impact it would have had on the value of the club he had bought, When that did not work because Manchester City and to a lesser extent Spurs had deeper pockets he then took a very big risk in order to try to balance the books with a view to a sale and by balancing the books he will get a larger amount of his money back when selling than he would have done had he replaced like for like. But this is water under the bridge now. We are looking at the summer window now rather than at Randy (who may have left by then) and I like others would like to bring in players to add to a team that includes Benteke rather than to look for replacements for him if that proves to be possible.