PhilGibson

Bolton probably deserve the win.

We got away with one against Everton, but since the West Ham game we have looked distinctly average, so very very frustrating, please Houiller sort this shit out, Dam you O'Neill for walking out when you did!

So now we have 3 wingers in a midfield of 4!

This has been a truly rubbish game to watch, we look lost out there at times, please prove me wrong and win!!

It's only 1 player different to last year. Maybe the Manager makes a difference ? Milner had that bite though, so maybe this could be contributing, at the moment I cannot see past a Milner shaped hole in the centre of the park.

We have a very weak midfield, skillful but no bite. I dread to think what the likes of Essien, Lampard, Malouda and Mikel will do to us in a few weeks, they will absolutely hammer us if we have no protection.

We make it so hard for ourselves, why for once can we not just make it easy and simple for gods sake! We are such a hard club to support!

Good evening General, I do not think fans are meaning to question Randy for what he has done in the last four years the facts are there for all to see. Villa fans are a very sceptical bunch and have seen many a false dawn over the years, my friends who support other teams cannot understand how we can be so melancholic at times. The problem we have at present is a lack of clarity in an age when the 24 hour news media, internet social networking lifestyle needs feeding all the time. The media churns out stories 10 to the dozen and fans are posting opinions whether knee jerk or considered all day every day on this and many other message boards. This means that with yourself posting across all fan sites that as you have said you are getting the good, the bad and the ugly of peoples opinions. Everyone on these boards is passionate about our club including your good self. We all articulate our passion in different ways. Sunday was an abomination we all know this fans, owner, players, manager and yourself. This has only served to accentuate the passionate opinions of the internet fan base, the opinions have been somewhat more feisty than normal during the last few days especially given the end of August fast approaching and no permanent manager being in place. What I can say is I feel that we all ultimately want the same thing a manager who can take us forward with the backing of the owner and some succesful winning football. I trust that Randy will make a considered strategic decision not a simple tactical one. The decision could alter our planning for the next 5 - 10 years so it is not one to take lightly, good luck in the search for a new boss.

hmmmm....... where do we go from here? Martin ONeill walks out on the club 5 days before the start of the season, we beat West Ham 3-0, get a very creditable away draw in Europe with an under strength team and now we have 9 days left of the transfer window, no permanent manager in place, losing 5-0 away to a newly promoted team. Players lacking fight and passion, strange tactics and substitutions. Its been a very mad few weeks at our beloved club.

Funny really because the journalists defending Martin Oneill last week said we only won because it was his team, this week we get hammered wonder if they will say the same thing. This is still Martin Oneill's team with Martins players and tactics bar Milner. Need a new manager and get ready for a season of transition.

This is really very bad. Cannot believe how poor we look. Oh well only Everton next.

Just as we are not world beaters as we seemed last week, we are not as bad as this score line suggests, newly promoted team really up for the first home game of the season, we have mad some very poor mistakes this half. Carew scores the pen and thinks probably would have been very different. Need to show some pride in the 2nd half and at least win that. As jubilant as I was last week I am equally as disappointed by this performance. Inconsistency is the name of the game. Probably should have started with Reo Coker.

Embarrassing!!

Bloody hell. Had to be Barton didnt it! What was Carew thinking.

This ref has been bloody awful! Giving free kicks for everything to them.

Albrighton has played a part in all three goals, what a performance by the young lad, very very impressed.

These are preferences but who do you think we will end up with? Based on your inside track of hearing the inner workings. Do you think this Bob Bradley rumours are true?

Maybe the new UEFA rules on finance are starting to kick in early for some clubs, if you look at Villa's balance sheet for the last financial year it does not make a pretty picture in terms of sustainability. - Clubs must break even over a rolling three year period if they want to be involved in the Champions league or Europa league. Our wages to turnover ratio for the last financial year was 85%, with a loss of £46 million. If we want to be in Europe then we must get this in line, maybe other clubs are doing the same to comply with these rules. UEFA Finance Rules It is understood that clubs must not return losses of more then €45m (£38m) for the 2012-15 period. After 2015 clubs are given a leeway of €30m (£26m) for three-year losses after which the figure will be reduced still further. Clubs that breach the rules will not be granted a Uefa club licence to take part in Europe. As this is the case and with the current situation with our wages then do we really have a choice but to trim the wage bill and increase income streams by the likes of the FX Pro and Fiat deals which have just been announced, in simple terms to fund future transfer activity and wages the club needs to stand on its own two feet by making more money than it loses, this can come in many forms, sponsors, increased ticket prices, corporate match day revenue, increased ground capacity, TV money etc. Aston Villa under the new UEFA rules would not be eligible to participate in Europe, is it any wonder why we have a sell to buy policy?

Not worried to be honest, I just believe perception is a big thing. In the eyes of potential signings, sponsors, prospective fans etc. We do not want to be seen as a club in decline, the media will write fantastical stories of disharmony at the drop of a hat. This has been brewing for some time, ever since the 7-1 drubbing by Chelsea and Martin not overly committing himself to the job, the media agenda has been negative since then. We need to take back the initiative at some point and start painting ourselves in a positive light, either through a signing to capture the imagination or some positive messages coming from the club. The Milner situation needs to be resolved, I am getting fed up of summers with the main story being about our best player leaving, three summers now with the same story. Change the script and move on!

I know its utter nonsense and factually incorrect given Ashley's recent comments, but the below article is really depressing to read!! (*Disclaimer this comes from Sport.co.uk which is probably just a blog and someones made up opinion*) Redknapp and Hodgson tipped to make audacious Young swoop Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp and Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has been tipped to make a move for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young after being cut dramatically in the race to sign the 25-year-old attacking midfielder. Redknapp is a confirmed admirer of Young and according to the Daily Mail could offer David Bentley, Robbie Keane and Jermaine Jenas in exchange for the talented winger. Young is reportedly upset at the lack of ambition at Villa Park and has already voiced his unhappiness that teammate James Milner could be sold to Premier League rivals Manchester City. Martin O’Neill has given Young a pay rise to £65 000 a week while slapping a £30 million price tag on the player’s head in a bid to warn off potential suitors Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester City. However Redknapp can offer Young Champions League football as well as a legitimate challenge to the Premier League crown, while Villa have yet to strengthen their squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign. Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has also been cut by sports bookmakers in the race to sign Young; however it is unlikely the cash-strapped club will be able to afford the Villa winger, unless a potential takeover by Kenneth Huang is confirmed during the transfer window. The Chinese businessman has promised transfer funds if he takes control of the Anfield club. SKY BET ODDS ON ASHLEY YOUNG’S NEXT CLUB: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – 3/1 LIVERPOOL – 7/2 MANCHESTER CITY – 10/1 MANCHESTER UNITED – 16/1 ARSENAL – 20/1 We need some positive vibes before long because the vultures in the media are circling!

Has a penalty shoot ever meant less than this one? Its really pointless but good fun all the same.

Talk about going out with a whimper! The players have decided to pack their bags already.

Spurs and hope they do what Everton did and get knocked out before reaching the actual champions league.

I am sure there was an amnesty at the end of March for bookings. There normally is.

Is it? Have the rules changed I thought we got one point for a draw? :winkold: