steell

I think we could get some interesteing players because of him though. Players like Bosingwa, Zhirkov and Ferreira who wouldn't have looked at Villa might be more than gettable and it's these kind of players that we've always failed to attract and are generally much better value for money than the Warnocks of this world.

Probrably end up with Benitez..

Would you consider Deuchamps?

Just back from the beach where a guy in speedos and Villa tattoo told me it's going to be Martinez. So there you have it.

I'm surprised that Southgate's name has failed to be mentioned at all. I'm not saying he's a possibility, just thought he'd be on a bookies list somewhere.

I'd rather have Curbishley than McClaren.

Get your money on Deschamps lol...I got 80/1..

He is still at a decent price I think..

Are you mental?

Rafa?

Love him or hate him, he's a good manager.

Hate him. And no.

Some of the posts in here are embarassing to say the least.

1) Hughes isn't a certainty yet.

2) Ancelotti might not want to come here.

3) Hughes playsattractive football and has been appreciated at every club he's been at apart from City.

4) Hughes doesn't mean mid table mediocrity.

5) Why has the vibe changed just because Ancelotti was linked. Amazing how people can have their emotions swayed by the media.

Could not agree more.

I'm happy if it's Hughes to us but I'm surprised that nobody has linked him with the Chelsea job.

I did Fanzone once and met Ray Wilkins, I have to say he was an absolute gent, there were some right bell ends there (Charlie Nicholas, Merson, Spackman, Le Tiss) and Wilkins stood out as an intelligent and quality bloke. Not surprised he's turned in to such a respected coach.

It's gonna be Hughes isn't it. He'll get players back on side and playing to the best of their ability, the tactics will fit the squad and there will be no revolution to continental football.

This,

Appointing Hughes will be the second biggest disappointment I've suffered as a villa fan , Signing Heskey being the first

You've either just started supporting villa in the last few years, or you've got a very bad memory!

If Hughes is the best Lerner can come up with we can forget about ever challenging for a CL place. What a thoroughly uninspiring appointment.

I don't get this. I think Hughes is a well respected managers who IMO is as good as Villa can attract at this moment. Being realistic, we are not the most attractive prospect right now, especially if our two most influential playmakers are leaving and we don't have the financial backing of certain other clubs. Hughes could be a great fit here, he's a players manager and passionate. I'd rather have had Carlo but back in the real world Hughes is as good a man as we could have hoped for.

If he comes that is. If it turns out to be McClaren, then I'll agree with you!

Pat Murphy is generally reliable isn't he?! McClaren?? Oh crap. I'd genuinely rather let GMac take over, and that's saying something.

Just wanted to say NOT MCCLAREN,!!!! That is all.

There's only a couple of managers who I would be really desperate to avoid and that's McClaren and Allardyce - I'd be gutted if either of those muppets arrived.

No chance it'll be Moyes, surprised so many think it will be. I think RL will be desperate to avoid compensation to another club which leaves Ancelloti as a possibility or BiG Sam.

Ive had a change of heart - if only Gerard could do the same - but I think we should keep GH and GMac.

I think we all get too caught up in the dream of what we would hope to see Villa doing (Champions League) and what the reality is (5-7th being a good season). When you start to set your heart on an unreachable goal you only set yourself up for disappointment and therefore end up making stupid knee-jerk decisions to try and fix something that cannot be fixed. So the question changes from which manager do I think can take us to that 5th spot, as a realistic next step, and I actually think GH can do it - stability within a club is a very positive thing and its something we havent had a Villa for a long time (in fact I dont think we have ever had it in the modern era), now this could be an argument for getting rid of GH now, if physically hes not capable of giving us 5 or 6 years then maybe he should go. But I think we should give GH the chance, Im intrigued as to who he brings in this close-season, Im much more excited by the transfer possibilities that GH has lined up than I ever was under MON, I think he actually has a plan. More controversially I also think we are beginning to see a much more entertaining style of football being played - yes there have been patches where we looked clueless but I reckon we have been slowly transitioning towards a better stuff, our passing has certainly improved and we have the nucleus of a decent team already.

I've met him a few times, seen him training his squad and watched his team play and I have to say, Gus Poyet is going to be a very good manager. I'd be very happy to see him at Villa. None of the established managers thrill me at all, I think we need a different approach and Gus would give us that.

I know there's some on here who seem to think that Makoun is world class and anyone who questions that 'just doesn't know football', but sorry guys, he clearly isn't.

In fact I'd go as far as saying that he has been very poor. I haven't looked at the stats but I don't think we've won a game with him in the team. He flatters to deceive, he doesn't currently suit our game and I think we're better of without him during the run in. He may yet turn it around but he was so frustrating today, he doesn't do loads wrong, but he just doesn't get influence the game. Bradley is clearly off the pace so anyone from Delph, Petrov or even Downing alongside Reo would be more effective IMO.

We did OK today, but how we've fallen from solid at the back to decidedly dodgy is worrying.

This would be my team for the run in.

Friedel

Walker Dunne Cuellar Young

Albrighton Reo-Coker Delph Downing

Young

Bent

His corners have been crap, his delivery is awful and he can't take a decent penalty - so why does he take ALL of them?!!

A good half of football, Villa playing well in midfield, unlucky to be drawing.

Second half we need to get two up front IMO, and for flips sake, can Young please stop taking every set piece, he hasn't delivered a decent dead ball for about 6 months now!!!!

Great stuff. There was a lovely bonus today as well - Delph is back and looking better than he ever has for us before. He's no left back but he just looked so composed and classy today.

Defence did most things right, very unlucky with the goal. Midfield was excellent.

Getting what we deserve. Great stuff.

Great half from us, considering we've a few injuries to key players, we've dictated this game and I'd be gutted if we don't kick on and get three points.

We've played some lovely football at times, Blackburn look awful!