markdraper

General, Happy Birthday. Is the club's current ambition still to finish in the top 4 and be successful (i.e. win trophies)? If so would you mind asking Randy to tell the manager that this is the case as he seems to think our purpose is to simply exist and survive in the Premier League. If it is no longer the case and survival is our only objective then would you mind asking Randy to TELL THE FANS what has changed? Why should our objectives change SO MUCH in the space of 1 year? These are objectives which have changed despite having largely the same squad of players at the manager's disposal as last year. We used to be a big club General. Could you please let Gerard Houllier know.

**** off is it.

Row 4 :shock:

Nope! Best bet is drink in town with mates if anywhere is serving or get a few cans. Drinking near the Villa ground is also a decent option before walking over to the Sty.

I **** hope not, that's asking for trouble after what happened a few years ago when they did the same. Add into the mix the dark of night as a hiding place for the Small Heath scum and its a recipe for disaster. Where have you heard this???

What do you mean - for drinking ahead of the match? or for watching on sky? Surely the police are going to force any city centre pubs to stop serving leading up to the match as isn't this what they do for the Sunday games?

Great post. Would you not be tempted to wack this in the General's thread for him to view as I get the feeling he doesn't quite grasp the issue. The more he says 'you were warned by us' the more i sense that our board might not be one of the unique ones that actually relate to the fans as I had first hoped.

Well I just hope for the council's sake that this doesn't come back to bite them too... reducing the allocation just to be petty is stupid on their part, especially for such an in demand and potentially volatile match. If demand exceeds supply i can envisage a fair few Villa boys opting to try for the home ends. Thanks for the response on club's ticketing policy General, unfortunately it gives me no confidence that the club does or will fairly recognise the loyal support of everyone fairly. Why on earth the club can't use the loyalty system which would recognise loyalty across numbers of seasons is beyond me! To base a decision on TWO GAMES (at reduced prices i'll add) is ridiculous. So 2 further questions if you have time General: 1. Can the club challenge the decision by the council? Surely it's in the best interests of both clubs, the council, all fans and the police to have more Villa fans safely policed within the away end rather than scattered through home ends etc? Do the police have a view on the council's decision? 2. Could you please explain why the club doesn't use a loyalty points system?

Still pretty slim I'm afraid mate think of the free-for-all that will happen on that date. Would be much easier if on November 9th/11th they open up to regular ST holders with 5 aways, 3 aways, 1 away etc as then the people who go away but had to miss the Carling Cup can still get some sort of priority.

The only difference there is nov 11th switching to all ST holders rather than All suporters isnt it? I rang Villa earlier to complain and they mentioned there was a slightly amended version, still doesn't solve the problem of regular away-goers missing out though. Villa also confirmed on the phone that there will be no compulsory travel, and no official travel whatsover so it's a case of make your own way there. Hopefully that might but a few more people off going!!

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Agree mate but I still can't see this getting down to the core away support who may have happened to miss 1/2 CC games. This will be snapped up completely by the Tues 9th and I imagine there'll be a lot of 16-18 year lads that qualify who will happily go to the Sty. Not wishing to generalise but these are also the age group who'll be more inclinded to cause some trouble so hope Villa are prepared to deal with the repercussions. Wouldn't it be a safer bet for Villa if they knew the bulk of their tickets were going to regular away go-ers rather than some pissed up lads who will only be interested in going to cause a row?

Hi General, Would you mind informing us as to how the decsion of sales allocation windows is made for important games and who makes them? I've followed Villa around the country for a number of years now. I've forked out for a season ticket again this year and go to 10-15 away games a season yet because I couldn't make it to the previous Carling Cup fixtures at Villa Park I'm now not entitled for a ticket to Birmingham away?? I'm sorry but Villa have got this horribly wrong. At the end of the day this is an away fixture, shouldn't some priority at least go to those who actually go to away games? I realise that you must acknowledge those fans that have been to the Carling Cup home fixtures but to completely disregard a large proportion of our regular away following is an absolute discgrace!! This game is the pinnacle of going away with the Villa for me but now it looks like myself and others in my situation are going to miss out. I'd be interested to hear what the thought process is behind this decision as I'm completely baffled by it! Thanks, Matt

Pathetic from Villa. Absolutely pathetic. Doubt I will get a ticket now despite thinking before that I'd be a certainty. Like others above I have forked out for a season ticket again this year and go to 10-15 away games a season yet they'd rather give a ticket away to someone who jollied along to VP due to the cheap tickets or because of half-term week. I'm sorry but Villa have got this horribly wrong. At the end of the day this is an away fixture, priority should go to those who actually go to away games.

Hi guys, I'm a bit of a neutral observer of this topic having previously not owned either platform (However I have today just ordered an iPhone 8) ) Anyway bit of an odd post from me but what do you guys make of Android's name? :notsure: I work in marketing and am obviously well aware of the importance of branding and personally I really do hate the name and on the face of it I think alot of younger people would also feel the same. Obviously for those who have brought into the platform it won't be a problem because you will be seeing first hand it's benefits but do you feel it could be a barrier to certain consumers? Just interested in your thoughts as its purely a hunch that I have - does anyone know the reasoning behind the choice of Android's name, and what are your own personal thoughts on it?

Apologies maybe my choice of wording wasn't so great with the 'glaring omissions' comment. Yep basically I meant things like the mms, and copy&paste issues of the past...I take it there are no more shocks like this any more then now that it's the 4th generation? Knew the android thing would crop up haha...did some reading up on them beforehand and on first glance they're not for me. I primarily want a phone that looks good and is easy to use as the N97 got on my nerves previously. Can't really be arsed with the fact if you opt for Android you then have to shop around and choose which handset is right for you... It does sound a good platform though at first glance but right now I thought I might as well find out what all the iphone fuss is about...if i don't like it I can always send it back or better still sell for some £££'s.

Hi guys, Just upgraded to an iPhone 4 with vodafone and currently waiting on back order. I'm switiching from a Nokia N97 and am completely new to iPhones having never even used one before... can anyone advise any handy tips/info for me to be aware of ahead of it arriving? i.e. Any really usefull free apps I should get hold of? Any essential paid apps you'd advise? Any tips on how to get things working such as personalised ringtones, wallpapers etc etc? Plus any cool villa items such as apps/wallpapers available for the phone? And also are there any glaring ommisions features wise I should be aware of so that I'm not in for a shock? I know previous iPhones had obvious things missing so would be good to know if there is anything still not included in the latest model.

^ agreed re: Transport police - absolute rocket polishers the lot of them. Has anyone else got a ticket from Moor Street for Sunday morning? As the latest timetable on the Chiltern website says that there are no trains stopping at Moor Street early that morning, it appears they are only going from Snow Hill and not stopping at MS according to the timetable. Anyone aware of this? Would I be able to hop on at Snow Hill instead with my ticket? Chiltern website also states that no alcohol will be allowed on the trains :cry:

For **** sake, can't believe they are able to ban people from drinking on the trains. This will be the reason why half our fans opted for the train and now at the last minute they announce this.

Rumours that Tesco have now slashed it to £24.97 :shock: Apparantly this was advertised on ITV4 at half time of fulham game tonight... Picture is linked for proof: http://tinyurl.com/yetnf59 Also full topic discussion here: http://tinyurl.com/yeqtewc

quality, it scans well. Shame it includes Heskey's name but suppose I could sing it it tongue in cheek.

:notworthy: Definitely potential Can someone with a bit of creativity come up with a verse??

what do they start singing with martin o'neiil? When I was young, I had a dream... To watch the greatest football team. So here I am, the dream is real... With Randy Lerner & Martin O'Neill! Martin O'Neill, Martin O'Neill, Martin O'Neill...

That's quality, obviously some of your lines dont fit perfectly... but with a a bit of rework that could be class. Would only ever catch on at away's though.

'Sit down you ugly word removed!' And with everyone pointing towards Jamie Redknapp in the sky box by the Holte: 'You're a rocket polisher you're a rocket polisher you're a rocket polisher like your dad you're a rocket polisher like your dad!' "Ugly word removed my lord, ugly word removed..." "Cockney tw*t my lord, cockney tw*t..." "Took a bung my lord, took a bung..." anyone think of some more to this tune lol?