ReasonforRevolution

Thanks for the info. Nothing shocks me about this club anymore. I think the board are out of order and besides Garde needs to be having the final say on who plays. The truth is the club agreed to his wages. We can't blame N'Zogbia for his wage. It is an agreement that Aston Villa F.C would of been happy with. These kind of actions are why we are where we are, it is not only depreciating the managers authority but also seeing a team mate hung out to dry would destroy team moral. Furthermore it could be detrimental on the pitch as (arguably) there are much worse players in the starting 11. Once again it seems the men upstairs are acting very naively. I am pretty sure this was the same scenario with Bent and Hutton.

Welcome Lord King of Lothbury. Hopefully we'll have someone fighting our corner in the board room. Coincidence his appointment is a few days after deadline day? Nah. We're fit for a king. We're fit for a king. We're Aston Villa. We're fit for a king.

I can't defend his actions as it was stupid and ultimately very very costly. Jordan will know that. He was provoked and played by Cresswell. You can clearly see that 'pinch'. Problem is he maybe a marked man as someone who can be easily provoked after last night. He needs to learn the best way to hurt the opposition is to hit them where it hurts; in the back of the net. He is obviously frustrated and I have to say he doesn't react like that if he has just scored a penalty. To be honest if Cresswell was pinching me a few minutes after witnessing another consecutive penalty decision go against us I wouldn't of been best pleased. Although I am not a professional footballer and they get paid to channel their frustrations. I can forgive him. You can't defend something so stupid and I am just as angry and disappointing in him as the next person. However I can understanding why he lost his temper. Understanding and defending are too different things. Let's try and not get too Beckham '98 on him.

I am still in shock and anger as to what has happened to this club. Remi has acted with dignity and honesty which must be difficult with knives in his back. I hoped for him long term but would totally understand his resignation. The problem with resignation is the pay off and if I was in his position I wouldn't give the board the satisfaction of saving money on that front too. They would love that. Catch 22 as you then have an unhappy camp. I mentioned this in the Transfer thread but I think the best thing we can do as fans is to get behind him and the team. Lerner banners won't make a difference I fear. He probably won't even see them. However strong 'Remi Gardes claret and blue army' chants will show a unity from us towards Remi. The fans and Garde have been and continue to be screwed over by the same people. A common foe. Showing a unified front with Garde will hurt the board as they have hid behind managers for far too long. I'm sure the media would pick up on our support too. It could be quite good fun. It might strike a nerve with the players and we may go down with a fight. What about to the tune of 'Achy Breaky Heart' "We love Remi Garde. Our Remi Remi Garde. I just don't think you understand. (Point at Witton) You didn't back Garde. Our Remi Remi Garde. Now you've got a riot on your hands." Lets kick up a fuss.

Whilst this window has been a new low can we try and get some 'Remi Gardes claret and blue army' chants and general support going at the games. This January, like us he has been stabbed in the back and we could do with showing our support wparticularly to him whilst stating which side we sit. The manager and to some extent players need to know our anger is mainly towards the clowns upstairs and this shambles of a transfer window. Let's not allow the media to lambast us and not allow the board to place the manager or players in the firing line. They've hid for too long.

Genuinely feel for him. He conducts himself well and understands the heritage of this once great football club. He has somewhat stabilised us in the league and there is a glimmer of hope there. He deserves backing for that alone. Hearing him speak about getting some quality in the final third I believe he was positive and with his guidance and players we may of had a shout at survival. He has been hung out to dry as have the fans. It is disgusting. I think he is a good manager and deserves better than the clowns he is working under. I would of liked him long term but as other people of mentioned I would not begrudge him walking. They are half hearted at the top. It has filtered down through the club and is sapping the life out the lot of us. For the record they did it to Sherwood too. We looked doomed in February. He came in and kept us up something I didn't think possible. To stop the rot and push on he wanted Begovic, Cambiasso, Townsend and Adebayour. The board: Thanks for keeping us Tim but nah have Bunn and co instead. Hollis, your job is to find where the issue is. Why don't you ask Garde he might give you a clue.

We've put the dead in deadline day.

Garde has a few knives in his back after this window. I fear he will walk. We were under the impression he would be backed so I can only presume he thought this also. For the last five years I have been thinking 'it cannot get worse'. Seemingly it does. This window has been quite upsetting. We were bottom in November when Fox was saying he would be getting in Gardes targets so he knew the challenge. How the board expect us as fans to go and support the team when they have clearly threw the towel in is disgusting. We are treated terrible. I do not buy the spin of players not wanting to come. Besides if Garde wants a player you back him and fight to get him. Of course some would not favour it but then you find players that do. I fear they can hide behind our position as an excuse. We can guarantee half a season of Premiership football and put some in the window with the Euros coming up. That is a big pull for some players. I read this morning on SSN. "Aston Villa have failed in a shock bid to sign flop Michu. The former Swansea striker is playing for Spanish fourth-tier outfit UP Langreo." When we have a board not able to budge a fourth-tier Spanish time I am starting to think like the board I might throw the towel in. Sad days.

Oh dear. Should of kept Senderos and played him up top. He scored in the World Cup finals can't say that about many of our strikers. I am off to find some rumours so I can grasp at some straws.

Amazing shout. We have been crying out for a player of his ilk for years. The MLS doesn't start until March so we could have struck some kind of deal IF we had a competent board.

We've signed Steve Hollis. What more do we want? Seriously though I keep checking in hope but the frustration just grows. We are a joke and is actually quite depressing. We should of had things in place as soon as the window opened. Whilst we aren't mathematically down we should be fighting. If anything the window came at a good time for us to push. We are fed rubbish all the time. Hollis says it isn't about money. What is his solution? I can see why the AVST meeting with Fox and Hollis weren't organised after the window closes because we'd want answers. Fox and Hollis have maneuvered out of that one.

Probably, the worse game of football I've ever attended. Not only the score line but the whole experience. Saying it was similar to a pre-season friendly doesn't do pre-season friendlies justice. Man City fans are like spoiled rich kids and were poor. They could do with remembering their history and have a bit of class. Although I imagine not many of them would know who Nicky Weaver is. I'm not sure if they had another gear but I was far from mesmerized by their talent on show and strangely feel 4 flattered them. The FA Cup is a ghost of its former self and is depreciating before our very eyes. As is Aston Villa FC. 23,000 is a sorry state of affairs but I can totally understand why people would want to save £15. There was nothing to get anyone off their seats. It sapped the life out of me and the majority of people there. After the game there wasn't even people moaning it was purely silent. Lifeless. They need to do more to get the fans on side. We are gutless and an easy touch. A soft penalty which wouldn't of been given our way. 2 minutes in Delph goes in late on Veretout. A probable booking. We take it. We need to engage in the dark arts. There should be players questioning why it isn't a booking. Similar to the West Brom penalty simply put pressure on the ref. Every team does it except us and we don't get the decisions. If we could learn how to complete a 5 yard pass it would help our cause too. I'm more confident with Bunn. Richards is poor and we are stronger without him. Iddy Gana is going backwards. No physicality in midfield what so ever. We've been screaming out for a 'Barton' esque player for a while now. There is nothing in the final third. Sagna playing centre back please someone run behind him. Sinclair is permanently on cruise control. He is a made man and looks it. Why not try Sellars? He really cannot do worse and we might see a bit of passion. We didn't look bothered and perhaps we wanted out. I really hope this is the case and we see a different performance Tuesday because we are going to need more to inspire.

He deserves to get more game time purely for this. Hahahahaha. Top bloke! "Kirsten, 24, a Villa Park season ticket holder, sent an angry tweet to N’Zogbia after being annoyed by a story about him. The French winger, who has been banished to train with the under-21s after falling out of favour, responded with the offer of a free meal." http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-charles-nzogbia-10810694

This is exactly how I feel. Unfortunately, I fear it will only end in one way. He has given us something to build on so that is exactly what we should be doing. It seems this window is a towel thrown in the ring. I suppose we will never know what he has signed up for. I can't imagine he took the job of a rock bottom club with £0 budget in January though. Optimism is certainly fading on my behalf too. I'd take Sylla at this rate. Off topic but massive kudos on the Levon Been avatar.

Does any feel for Garde a bit here? He seems to be working with his hands tied. For months leading up to this window he has said he wants to bring more quality in yet the men upstairs are sitting on their hands. Whatever way you look at it it is quite disturbing especially considering we are fed the rhetoric of an effective scouting system. If players don't want to come then the amazing system should find someone who does.

Arsenal booed Wenger for substituting Giroud after Mertersackers a sending off. Everton booed at half and full time against Swansea. West Brom booed whilst we applauded an away draw. Rock bottom of the table no sign of improvement then we draw away at League Two opposition. Admittedly and perhaps rightfully there is a proportion of discontent. I think we get a rough deal of it in the media. It is becoming a joke. A volatile player like N'Zogbia on £65k per week and furthermore a 5 year contract I could argue this is way more delusional and Grant was part of that managerial team.

Shocking..... It isn't delusional to believe Aston Villa F.C should win the odd game.

I just had the misfortune of watching the post match Pulis interview. I cannot quite believe it. He said he is "delighted" with his team having played against a "£84 million team". Apparently he complained about the original appointed ref so the FA changed the official which will explain why he defended the stone wall penalty saying "Ayew went down easy". I have to laugh else I will cry. It is corrupt. Give me strength. At least some publications saw it for what it was: "Villa were left to rue what might have been had Madley done his duty." Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3413494/West-Brom-0-0-Aston-Villa-Jordan-Ayew-penalty-claims-turned-dull-midlands-derby-ends-goalless.html#ixzz3y61lGmwn

Totally agree with this and I am actually starting to believe some of the FFP conspiracies being branded about. When you look at the penalty today the ref is in a great position. I cannot understand his thought process not to give it. How has he come to the conclusion that it is not a penalty? There is no one obstructing his view and it didn't exactly happen at a high pace. Olsson clearly hasn't touched the ball and with his view he should of been able to identify that. Not only that even if he thinks he has had the slightest touch of the ball Olsson has gone through the back of Ayew. I struggle to justify his decision any way I look at it. I do think we are a soft touch though. A blatant penalty like that warrants more players around the official. Other teams do it and other teams would of got the decision. Garde has got us organised which is reassuring. We obviously need wins but I am not going say we are nailed on for the drop just yet. There is a tiny bit of hope there. Up the Villa.

Today I've seen a video of WBA fans in one of their pubs burning a Villa shirt and dancing around it. There really is no hope for some people. It will never be a rivalry like Blues and I think that annoys them. Seeing that makes me realise how much I dislike their following. Anyway, derby aside this is a massive game for us and one that I think we could win. A positive result restores confidence and the run in has a tiny, tiny glimmer of hope. Not to dissimilar to last season when the derby wins pushed us through the later part of the season. If WBA injuries are true that would be a positive but I fear Pulis mind games. That aside play with passion and a willingness to run the extra yard and I think we could get something. Don't get bossed and stay disciplined. A strong referee and organisation from set pieces would help. Come on Villa. Fight like lions.

Having let the dust settle a few points on yesterday : We are showing fight. Maybe a little too late or just in time. Ranieri saying Leicester deserved the win. What game was he watching? The referee! I really do fear the Premiership is corrupt. The handball is soft. His hands are down and making no movement towards the ball. Why the linesman is so adamant on giving that I will never know. If you really want to give it, be consistent with your involvement else you might look a little incompetent or dodgy. Kozak has to be awarded the penalty. I am watching it back in disbelief as to how that isn't given. Anywhere on the pitch I would be asking questions why he hasn't been sent off. Huth has got to see red. With him off the pitch he can't commit the second foul so I won't go into that one. Moyes!!!!! BBC are a disgrace and their views concern me. Of course they can't oppose every refereeing decision especially if it looks favorable on Villa. When the ball has ran out of play and Vardy kicks Bacuna, I could argue that is also a red. Perhaps if Bacuna had reacted similar to the challenge by Norwichs' Gary O'Neill against Stoke. But of course king Vardy cannot do wrong. Remi touched upon the media in one interview I listened to. He is so right. There is a lot of media outlets and personnel that do not like us and are willing us to go down. Talk Sport after the game were slating Villa. I think it was Sam Matterface who said the players are simply not good enough and in the same breath said we showed no fight or desire. It just screams of someone putting the boot and contradicting himself whilst doing so. If we are not good enough we must have shown some desire to pick up a point against top of the league. If Bournemouth are in that match the spiel is different. "Hard fought draw against league leaders". Leicester are organised and their success revolves around big boot and chasing down the channels and the second ball up top. Not knocking because it seems to have worked. We can get out of this. Come on Villa. Fight like lions.

The truth is our best defensive performances have come when he is not in the squad. I agree with doubts about him captaining the club too. A leader shouldn't be over Twitter bitching when he is criticized. I think we have a serious lack of leadership in this team. In his interviews he is quick to point fingers but correct me if I am wrong a captain should be taking the brunt of it and protecting the players as that is your job as a leader. Now more than ever we need a strong leader but I am not seeing one.

Great finish! Special mention for the ball from Kinsella. He has the knack of scoring. I know it is a different level but he can only finish the chances at the level he is played at.

After Garde's second game you would of thought the players would be doing all they can to impress which includes keeping a low profile and getting their heads down off the pitch. Surely... not that hard! I think a lot of us are purely frustrated with Jack. The lad is so talented. He was head and shoulders above others in the U21s and in fact a couple of games in the first team last year but that talent will only get you so far. It has to come alongside a work ethic and determination. A semi final performance doesn't make a career. He has put the wagon before the horse announcing himself for England and seems to be following a well trodden path more concerned with lifestyle than playing for Aston Villa. I believe in the lad and I like the him but he really needs to take this opportunity. He has been missing for a while and was once again against Everton was stood behind players asking for the ball when no one could of passed to him, he was hiding. We need him doing everything in his power to get on the ball and play direct with no fear. There is 1 year and 9 months between him and Barkley and it looks like a long amount of time. For what it is worth I always thought Joe Cole was one of the best things for Jack and could be a massive asset in this battle. Also, if he was out with his team mates I might of looked on this a little more positive somehow.

This is brilliant! The Sinclair Witch Project, 28 Games Later, American Werewolf in Birmingham, Randyman,