cyrusr

I think the reason people keep mentioning him is: 1) We desperately need a new keeper this summer, without someone good in goal we will probably not get promoted. A good goalkeeper will earn you points. Simple as. As identified by I think EVERYONE this is the first target position. If we only got a goalkeeper this summer, it will still be OK. 2) Joe Hart is clearly unwanted at Man City. Given that the have just signed another keeper on top of Bravo and whilst Caberrello (sp?) has been released, this would still mean Hart is likely no 3, or no 2 at very best. He will be moving in the summer. 3) However, there does seem to be a lack of options for him. Liverpool seemed the ideal choice but they don't seem interested. Whilst there are a lot of clubs, when there appears to be a "come get me, anyone!" plea from him it does seem no others have been made. As such, he *may* be tempted to come. 4) He is clearly the best keeper on the market at the moment. All other targets we have been linked with are not as good as he is. Yes his England performances have raised questions (not watched so taking that from comments and opinions of others) but he would easily be the best option for Villa. He is therefore someone that Villa should be going for. 5) The difficultly is whilst he would get first team football, would he be willing to drop down a league? How much wages would he be willing to lose? Given he played for Torino last year, I don't think it's too far fetch to think he would play for Villa. However I can see the wages being a problem. 6) Even if he was willing to come to Villa, he would easily replace the first choice keeper at most premier league clubs. It only takes 1 of them to look to upgrade for him to be more tempted IMO. So yes, I think it's merited that Hart is mentioned, it is a transfer "speculation" thread and I can see a cheeky bid wouldn't harm would it? However it is wholly unrealistic to expect him to come here. His wages and a better offer will probably materialise. His move should remain of interest however, because wherever he goes may create a knock on. There is no team obviously looking for a keeper but he would take the no 1 shirt. This would mean current no 1 looking elsewhere and maybe a more obtainable target for Villa. Thats why Hart is suggested/a person of interest, even if he doesn't end up at Villa.

Was there too. Always a delight to see Devin! And yeah though they are damn expensive! Every ticket has the latest album with it which is incredibly annoying if you have already bought it....... Still probably going to get one though as I am a sucker.......

Similar to the Relegation one I just did: 6th Place for the last 10 years: 2015-6 – 74 points 2014-5 – 78 points 2013-4 – 72 points 2012-3 – 68 points 2011-2 – 75 points 2010-1 – 75 points 2009-10 – 70 points 2008-9 – 74 points 2007-8 – 70 points 2006-7 – 75 points Average: 73.1 points Realistically we would need to get 31/32 points out of 12 games – meaning we would need to win 10/11 games out of 12 and require a couple of the play-off teams to drop badly in form. The lowest points to reach the play offs since we were last here was that 68 points. That would still mean 26 points and us winning 8 games out of 12 (winning 7 games means we would need to draw the other 5 to get to 68 points) and that’s the lowest points total to reach the play-offs. We are not reaching the play offs this year. Let’s focus on getting use to the league, building some good form, tidy up the team and get ready to hit the ground running next season

Shall we put this thread to bed? 22nd Place for last 10 years: 2015-6 – 40 points 2014-5 – 41 points 2013-4 – 44 points 2012-3 – 54 points 2011-2 – 40 points 2010-1 – 42 points 2009-10 – 47 points 2008-9 – 46 points 2007-8 – 52 points 2006-7 – 42 points* Average: 44.8 points (*Leeds had a 10-points deduction due to entering administration so would have been on 46 points and relegated anyway - pushes the average to 45.2 points if you take that into account). A win on Saturday and we will be 45 points and then another 11 games against Blues, Brighton, Norwich, QPR, Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn, Burton, Fulham, Huddersfield and Wigan. The shame is that the home games are against tougher opponents and the away matches are teams in the bottom, but we *should* be able to scrape 10 more points which would put us at 55 points – more than anyone who has been relegated since we were last in the 2nd tier. Rotherham already look to have sown up 1 spot and I can’t see 2 of Ipswich, QPR, Forest, Burton, Wolves, Bristol, Blackburn and Wigan getting above us in any event (with both Bristol and Wolves below us in the form table). We have not been great, by any stretch of the imagination, however we surely are not being relegated? Time to lock this thread? For this season, anyway…

They are great band. Last album was fantastic. I'll be there too so I'm sure it will be good! Ah yes, the *ahem* "nuns"....! Oh and Anthrax the other night were great. Clearly though Amongst the Living is their best album by some distance! Going to the Hard Rock Hell Metal "festival" at the academy this weekend. Not sure how much will actually go to given Villa playing. However Sodom are playing on Sunday and they rarely play UK so good opportunity to catch them

Anthrax tonight. First headline tour in 10 years apparently. "Amongst the Living" in full too, which I am very happy at!

How does he compare to Johnstone? If he is as good as then I would rather be playing a Villa player rather than a Man Utd one.

It was amazing! Best I've ever heard them and yeah best way to go out! So long Sabbath, it has always been an absolute pleasure!

I'm with @dAVe80 on this one. Whilst there was some ok riffs, instantly forgettable!

You definitely didn't miss much with Rival Sons - average rock band at best. You were better off going to the other bar! Sounds like your taxi driver was ace to be fair though with the parking, didn't end up paying as I wanted to pay by card at the end and the security couldn't be arsed to deal with it so just left me through!

Saw them at reading when they were on the main stage. Wasn't that impressed with them, came across as a couple of idiots with their egos massively inflated. However, festivals aren't always the best to judge live. I would probably say the flaming lips would be better (though I've not seen them live!).

Yeah I would. Sabbath were on 8.40 I think but definitely early!

Band were awesome! Tony and Geezer on form as ever. Ozzy sounded good too! Set list was the same as the rest of the tour though, so have to wait until Saturday to see if there are any "surprises". Queues though everywhere! Parking was a nightmare - ended up having to drive out of 1 to park in another, queue to pay for parking, queue to get in, massive queues at some bars (though found a much quieter one), queue for merch (where they have sold out of the £25 standard version of the "EP" they were selling, can only get the signed version for a "reasonable" £75.....). I hate arenas.... Ah well, back again on Saturday and going to go much earlier to avoid queues and try and get as close to the front as possible!

Not in Brentford team.....

SOLD Dammit... Beaten to it! But seriously wish him well. Didn't want him at Villa anymore, but there were A LOT of worse players who have worn the shirt and disgraced it more.

Why does the AVFC twitter account feel that today is the best day to update with stupid tweets about random stuff no one cares about! I get excited by the prospect of a signing only to be told that we won 5-0 this day in 2004..... Trolling b*stards....

A bit of variety would be good - though if they do the normal set for the first show and then a different one for the final show I would be quite happy

Dammit Tony! I was just about to answer your damn riddle and you update it! How dare you! Anyway what I was going to say.... From what's happened today: {(Ayew - (Taylor + cash) + 2 back up options at left back if it falls through) of which 1 is bought (and against the maths he does earlier - should have been a minus at the start and then a plus. How dare he not follow his own rules!} + (Tishbola out + Westwood out (!) + another out) + surprise signing + Bedeau (the bury centre back). You could swap the 2 in and 2 out potentials on % as no real idea how close; and as some have said Bedeau could not be in the equation (given Tony is not following him anymore). So potential surprise signing in: Rhodes Hogan Messi Ulloa Benteke Hernandez The mystery box! not got a clue who the likely other out though there's a few choices still... Tomorrow should be fun at least!

Considering where it was is a stone's throw from my house I am somewhat annoyed that it doesn't exist now.......

Talk? What talk? Would be pleased - seen the setlist and as good as it is, always like it when the mix it up. Particularly for the last show - would make a lot of sense!

Perhaps the words "acknowledge where he is coming from" maybe? I also see that Leicester disputed that he had gone to them which goes against what he says he did. When the allegations seem to be when he was a Leicester City scout. Indeed, you also see that Tony Brien never played for Villa. Indeed, the Villa connection is tenuous and only because Langford was a scout to us and we asked questions when it was raised. I am not sure why Villa would be saying to him about "comments from the terraces". Does raise questions which can be challenged, certainly much more to this than meets the eye. I think unfortunately because there are comments that Richardson at some point may have said he spoke with Tony Brien the programme has run the story against Villa as there is a response. If he did raise it with Leicester and they didn't do anything that to me raises more concerns. Again though, reiterate my previous point that I hope they f****** learn from it and make sure it doesn't happen in the future.

This. Don't mind Taylor coming - disappointed and confused why Ayew would go to Swansea - particularly as his brother left there in the summer....

Birmingham Mail reporting that Paul Clement has confirmed the Ayew/Taylor swap deal in his press conference... Link to news story...

I read it as (1 player at 95% coming in minus (one player at 95% leaving + "X" amount of cash) If it was Taylor plus cash for Ayew (which the press are suggesting) I think that would look like (-95% + (95% + X)) which he does do the minus at the start for the other players leaving. As I said - maybe that Ayew and Taylor are still going and coming - just not as the player swap as suggested. IMO that swap deal is us giving cash plus player to another team.