Adam2003

lol Wow. You boys have actually hit the point where a Villa win and a good performance from one of our players doesn't bring you pleasure. Good luck to you. I hope if I ever get there I have the good sense to pack the whole thing in.

Yeah. Ashley Cole's currently in prison for shooting that kid and Joey Barton never came back into the game after stubbing his cigar out in a teammate's eye.

Ian Taylor just tweeted one word: "N'Zogbia."

I was listening to that, it wasn't Dave Whelan it was just a Wigan supporter. Thought so Ah was it? Appologies I was half asleep :oops: I think im just looking for bad news now I think a lot of people are. Whelan has said N'Zogbia is worth £20m. He's also flat out said he has to sell him this summer if he won't sign a new contract. I think we'll get him for about £12-13m.

I thought this was the last window in which he could? It doesn't work like that. It's amortisation. So money spent in the past still counts. For example, Darren Bent was (say for ease) £20m. He's on a five-year contract. That £20m counts as £4m on the books in each of the next five years. That's before we get to wages. You can't just spend a billion now and then live within your means from next year.

I think hes playing silly ****. Thinking about it, does anybody think that Whelan saying that is just an attempt to give Liverpool a kick up the arse? Basically making Liverpool think 'Downing or N'Zogbia for 20m? we'll take Downing thanks. Heres your 20m Mr Lerner' Then we go back to Wigan, give then 12m of the 20 we just got and everybodys happy? Or maybe not. Imagination is getting a little carried away He hasn't even said they want £20m. He's said he sees players going for that who he's better than. Then he admitted they need to sell him because of his contract. I do wish people (and I mean journalists not just fans) read more than the headline figure.

Having watched every training session and overheard every conversation they shared, clearly thats how it went down. Well said, that man. Now, I'm off to listen to Randy Lerner and Alex McLeish argue... :winkold:

That means nothing.. Pearce is useless anyway. Agreed. Playing Mancienne in DCM in front of Rodwell, and then playing Rodwell, Mancienne and Henderson in one team. That's not forgetting playing Danny Rose, above Scott Sinclair and putting Sturridge on the wing...! This is a man who once moved David James up front and left a striker on the bench...

If he comes to the first game of the season I'd be tempted to point to the executive box and shout "you don't know what you're doing" The day Randy Lerner gets booed at Villa Park will be an exceptionally sad day in the history of Aston Villa football club. However, if he turns up, it will happen, and in someways would be understandable (though I wouldnt partake). It would be entirely understandable - a lot of our fans are very, very stupid.

Personally think both McLeish and McClaren are better than Hughes. Five years ago we were heading for the Championship. I don't think we are now. This is the biggest piece of bollocks of all. Lerner stands to make a fortune if there's no NFL season. They still get the TV contracts, without having to pay players a penny. That's why the owners are playing hardball (I know there are different court rulings on this, but trust me, that's what will happen).

I think it's rather sad that even Wigan fans don't rate him. But what's even worse, totally embarassing, is that fans on here are getting excited by him. A lot of Wigan fans do rate him. Others don't rate him. Exactly the same as Villa fans with every manager we've had in the last 25 years.

Didn't he win the league with Swansea? I know it's a lower league, but you can only win the one you're in.

I'd actually quite like him except, as you say, the fans wouldn't give him a chance. There are quite a few in that category.

I hope Houllier comes back, personally. If not, I'd go for Moyes of the realistic options.

I like N'Zogbia. Would be a good signing. But if you went to Wigan now and offered a straight swap, Young for N'Zogbia, players both happy with the move, Dave Whelan and Roberto Martinez would have your arm off. Anyone who thinks otherwise is in cloud cuckoo land. And that tells you everything you need to know.

Guillem Balague knows **** all about anything. He's barely, if ever, accurate when he's talking about the spanish league nevermind the prem. Can't imagine he has any contacts inside Villa. Didn't he ghostwrite Benitez's autobiography? He might know nothing about anyone else, but he's supposedly fairly good mates with the FSW. Benitez would be a great manager for us.

I think it's more football myth, and it's basically rooted in the fact that's pretty much all he did a couple of years ago. He's stepped up his game. Still, the goals will always be his main thing and I'm happy with that.

Your absolutely spot on, - I always try to acknowledge that i havent been able to watch much football on tv this season (nevermind get to games), for work reasons However, i was at the Newcastle and didnt think he offered much. Not only did I think Gabby offered more effort, I actually think in that game he looked the more likely to score. but yes, my opinion of darren bent is far from conclusive That's fair enough. Definitely worth giving him some special focus next time you do go down. Not saying it'll 100% convince you he's brilliant, but see what you think. I also, as it happens, thought Gabby had a very good game v Newcastle.

Woodytom, don't take this as any sort of better-fan-than-you comment because I only get down to less than ten games a season myself so I'm in no position to talk. Just wondering if you've actually watched him much at games? You said with the West Ham game you'd only seen it on MotD. Obviously that's an away game but are you a Villa Park regular? I only ask because I find that when I watch Bent on TV I don't appreciate him nearly as much as when I see him live, and see his constant work-rate and the way he runs defences ragged by constantly being on their shoulder, peeling away, appearing again etc even when the ball isn't there. I certainly recommend at your next live game ignoring the ball at some point and just watching him - the first time I did it completely changed my opinion of him.

This is a must, along with all the quotes in the press about commitment and loving it at Villa, he is having a blinder this season. I actually thought he had a very quiet, below-par game against West Ham, but even so he created a few chances, including being part of the second goal. I think he's been class this season though. Love him.

Not saying he won't leave, but he obviously **** loves this club. Haven't seen many players show that passion for Villa. ...until he gets offered more money by another club. Think you've missed my point. He probably will leave to a better team for a lot more money and be very happy there. None of that will change how much he clearly loves this club and has loved his time here, if you ask me.

Not saying he won't leave, but he obviously **** loves this club. Haven't seen many players show that passion for Villa.

Thanks for this. All looks like hassle! Any particular tips for getting there from Kings Cross, or even getting to Stratford from there?

I always just thought they hated us for taking Dublin and Boateng, never really thought of it as a derby at all. I know the players did though - I remember David James writing in his Guardian column that it was great to relegate local rivals!

One goal was Walkers fault, the other Makoun's Dunne & Collins actually played OK tbh No, the first goal was Walkers initial fault but then Collins got caught more flat footed than a penguin on a rubber mat and was also at fault. Makoun at fault for the second? Whether he should or shouldnt be in that position to be looking to make a tackle the fact is he didnt and it was the ref that was at fault for the second. Have to say I like Collins but I was embarrassed by his defending there. Yes, Walker gave the ball away (stupidly - I'm not sticking up for him at all), but it was still 40 yards from goal. Osman ran 35 of those yards with Collins backpedalling like a man who'd never played CB in his life.