Philipwall

Great Article. It's all well and good getting on GH's back but he didn't bugger off at the start of August and leave us with no manager and no chance of buying anyone in the transfer window MON did. Lets put the blame for this where it lies, whilst we finished 6th for the last 3 seasons we had little chance of improving on this position without spending big. Obviously Randy Lerner took the same view that Doug had for many years if we haven't got the money we can't spend it, after all he didn't waste 10 million on Curtis Davies etc etc. I think we have to give GH a chance, the style of football has changed but he is trying to do it with MON's players, the 2 styles are completely different. Wait until after the January transfer window then start to criticise if by bringing his own players in results don't improve. Villa forever

Football has and always will be a matter of opinions. Phil Brown felt his side deserved to win, I rest my case.

Great Report. I made this observation at work today to a few Villa colleagues. At the start of the season we would have sttled for: 60 points 6th place 71 goals scored relegation for the noses. I don't think life could be much better at this moment. We all know MON has to spend not only to improve the quality but to give us a larger squad of players However we all wanted an improvement this season and we have got it. Well done to everyone at VP and here's to next season.

I wish i could locate some of the posts made on VT at the start of the season but I can remember some of the comments made. Any improvement on last season will be a bonus. We are going in the right direction. thses are just 2 and o.k we have let ourselves down at crucial times but let's not forget the improvements we have made. We have played attractive football scored more goals than we have since Champtionship winning days and have generally improved all round. This season for the first time in years I have had Manc, Scousers and Gooners complementing me on how well my team has done instead of just taking the piss. I accept we have a long way to go, I wonder if we are ready for European football yet but I do know this we have improved since last season which really was what we wanted, is it however that people want too much too quickly? One thing is for certain to ever challenge the big boys we have got to get rid of performances like today.

What a great article. I can go back to the late 50's early 60's to the days of Derek Dougan, Gerry hitchens and Peter Macparland. Through to Bruce Rioch and Andy Gray. What you say is true we haven't had heroes for a while but the reaction of the players after each goal made me see that they care as much as we do, I don't think that has happened for a few years.

Good read Blandy as always.

Great report as always.. Up the Villa

Great article John. I'll be honest when I first saw GB i thought he'd only ever be a centre half and and an average one at that. I love being wrong, I think he is a terrific player and if we had any other thing than useless clearings in the woods running the England set up he would have many more caps but they obviously think that Phil Neville is a better prospect!!. Keep these fascinating artilces coming .

After the 8 points from the past 4 games perhaps the doom and gloom mongers will now accept that whilst things have a long way to go all this rubbish abouT relegation was unfounded, as I said 2 months ago. MON knows what he is doing and where he is going we just have to accept that it will take time to put it right. Remember 'KEEP THE FAITH'

Malc I was there too. What a fantastic performance by a third division side to be denied so cruelly. My wife (girlfriend then) said that when I got off the train at New street all i said was "we was robbed". I still feel the same today about that match but i also beleive that was the day the Phoenix rose from the ashes. great post.

great read, agree entirely

Great Post and i thoroughly agree with your comments about people being impatient. I put an article on here in October 2005 about the state of the team,the squad,the manager, the then Chairman etc etc and was told not to be negative and to get behind the team. One cheeky bastard even suggested that I wasn't a Villa fan for having the temerity to write such an article, as I have been a supporter since 1959 you can imagine that wrankled me a great deal. History proved me right, the team arent or never were good enough. We are now however in a completely different ball game, yes the team are still poor but there are a lot of kids in there that have to be given time and with the right experienced players alongside them I am sure we can again achieve our aims. I was particularly impatient with DOL however MON is a completely different kettle of fish and has to be given time and the opportunity to mould his own team, from previous experience he does this very well,he will not pay 'over the odds' for players but will eventually get it right. Please be patient.