Adam2003

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.

Just don't really understand it. It annoyed me when MON did it at Moscow but at least we were chasing something else. As far as I'm concerned we're safe in the league with nothing to play for and not a hectic schedule. It just makes no sense. I'm not angry about it as much as confused.

Oh, I didn't realise it was a decision he took to get sent off. I thought it was a mistimed tackle. Apologies.

I dont care if hes adapting from the french league or the sunday boys league on Saturn, there is no excuse for sheer stupidity and if it had been Petrov, it would have cost us 3 points. I don't understand any of that. Do you mean if it was Petrov I would be saying he cost us three points? You're right, I would. I think Makoun getting sent off cost us the three points too. Confident we would have won that with 11 men. I also think making a mistimed tackle in a game played at a much faster pace than you are used to is exactly what adapting is all about.

I think he'll be our most important player next season. The man who'll make it all tick. Very happy with his start. Silly red card but that was always going to happen as he adapted. What a tackle he put in in our box a bit before it.

He's definitely going to need time to settle, but I saw enough last night to underline my belief he's a class above Reo-Coker and Petrov (I'm not saying that to knock them, I think he'll be quality player for us).

I posted this in the other thread but it got locked. Just an idea for a song not using an existing tune we have or stolen from another team but still a tune everyone knows. If people can come up with better lyrics then great!

I would love to lose Emile's link-up play. Because for all that he has been better than his normal this season, and I know many don't agree, and I know all the arguments, I think he is shite. So for me this deal is getting better and better.

Because football is a business is exactly why he will worry about his wellbeing. The last thing anyone wants is him to be out for longer. None of us know how Delph is doing other than what we hear - we'll have to just trust the manager/staff's experience and Delph's own feeling.

But, jonno_2004, politicians don't go on things like that just for fun. They do it to up their popularity in order to gain votes. Nothing wrong with it, but you should at least bear it in mind. I'm not criticising Cameron at all (this made me smile, actually), but it's naive to say it's just a bit of fun. That's like assuming an actor goes on Jonathan Ross' show just for a nice chat.

It can say what it likes. There's no way he's 5'7.

We love you Barry, because you're five foot six We love you Barry, because you've got neat tricks We love you Barry, because you're Villa through and through

Hi General, hope your trip is going well. I just wondered - a lot of media attention will be on Prince William around the world in the coming months. Why not use that to capitalise on his allegiance to Aston Villa and get the club attention in the media? I'm not sure what to suggest - permanent seats in the director's box as a wedding present to him and his bride? That would encourage him to come, given his role as FA President, and get the club attention around the world.

No, nor do you expect him to be a Premier League player straight away. The 'useful work experience' you dismiss is actually a massive part of it for a teenager in my opinion. Playing kids will often cost you points short term but hopefully gain you them long term. As I said in my last post it was people sitting next to me at Fulham who wound me up, but his performance has certainly (and incorrectly, in my opinion) been described as "terrible" on this thread and I've seen plenty of people saying things like "it's now or never for him" with regards to the next few weeks both around Villatalk and in real life. My point is that "it's now... or possibly next season or the season after," is more likely the case, even though I think he'll do well in the next couple of games.

Also I would add that his performance on Saturday had everything except a goal. His hold up play was fantastic and he skinned a few people very nicely indeed.

I agree, but remember he's two years younger than all of them. Don't get me wrong, I think he'll do pretty well this season, but to see/hear some people writing him off if he doesn't start knocking in goals in the next couple of weeks is embarrassing.

I'd say 5'6. He's class though. Albrighton called it a couple of weeks ago when he said he was our best player technically.

It sometimes astounds me that some people who watch (or profess to watch) so much football understand so little. Everyone's entitled to their opinion but sometimes they're simply talking balls. Especially the person sat next to me at Fulham cursing Delfouneso for having 'a poor game'. Delfouneso can finish. We know that because he always has, at every level, and has a few senior goals already. What you might expect, in a 19-year-old making his full debut, is that he wouldn't find the space/angles/runs/chances. But he did. Three or four good ones. I don't know anything about the kid's commitment in training or anything, although he worked his arse off on Saturday. But if he's smart enough to find space for chances against good Premier League defenders already, and we know he can finish, it's a fairly good bet the goals will follow.

Won the league both years, didn't he? I know that's like winning the league in Scotland with Celtic but still, not like he messed it up. In your post directly before this you've said 'the league never lies' after all.