PeteStan

I did read your post srsmithusa, don't worry. A very insightful and interesting analysis for those of us back in the UK who haven't seen the match (although I did watch the highlights on AVTV -great goal Gabby!). Good stuff!

No evidence of this style at Burton yesterday. It was definitely all pass and pass and move with a bit of zip (particularly in the 2nd half). Hardly any long ball at all. Hard to see how Carroll would have fitted in yesterday any better than the disappointing Darren Bent and Gabby.

Just this minute rang ticket office. There are both seating & standing tickets available again & they can be collected at Pirelli also for us exiles. Great news. Get down there if you can.

Rang the ticket office about 10 minutes ago and they are saying it's sold out. I guess it's AVTV or nothing now! Not sure what the chances are in the home areas.

So that's it then. Now we can relax. Play expansive football, win both our remaining matches?

One thing we can't doubt, whatever the motivation, Richard does care about our current predicament and wants to do something about it. Of course he is trying to impress Trappatoni, but I don't believe Villa is irrelevant in his eyes. He is one natural leader we seem to have and if his focus is switched on to be 'pro-villa' now (unlike last season's off the field antics) it can only assist in our current fight.

Phew, I'm glad you've cleared that up, phew, it was close though ! I'm off to put some beers in the fridge, kick back and watch the eastenders omnibus safe in the knowledge we are playing PL football again next season Thanks again for clearing this up It's a pleasure. I'm right don't worry. Mark my words!

I am not totally convinced that the Club has decided McCleish will go come what may, although Matt Kendrick who obviously often has some inside infomation, seems to think so. If we go down (and we won't) his positon will be untenable with the inevitable backlash that will follow. If we stay up, it's going to depend on fan reaction, season ticket sales and what plans there are for the summer. If, as reported, all future planning has been put on hold then it does seem to suggest that another change in manager is at least a contemplated option for an owner and board who will be desperate not to spend more money on manager compensation and manager aquisition compensation.

We are not going down. If Blackburn and QPR lose today we are all but safe. Blackburn would then be unable to overhaul us given our advantage in goal difference and QPR would have to beat Stoke at home and get something from the Etihad on the last day of the season. And that's without even considering Bolton and Wigan. One thing that won't happen, even if we don't gain another point, is that we lose our two remaining games so heavily as to erode our key goal difference advantage over the others. No we are not going down!

I think people should get off Richard Dunne's back. Whether you doubt his sincerity or not, the rallying cry he has given (yes I know it's all PR), after all the negatives; is just what we need. Senior, experienced players returning and giving out a positive message. I don't think we will go down, but things are serious. Well though the kids have done, the only way we will survive is by utilising whatever experience is available

I won't celebrate. We want him to be succesful, not gone. Anyone who thinks changing managers every summer is the answer to long term success is deluded. This Club needs a proper managerial strategy if it is going to change, yet again. And that is the problem. Cries for Moyes et al to be recruited are 'pie in the sky', even Martinez wouldn't talk to us and I do think he might have been a good long term option. This Club are unlikely to take a punt on an up and coming young manager from the lower leagues. They would see it as too much of a gamble given the impact of losing Premier League status. And by the way I don't think there is any chance he will be gone, even if the unthinkable happens.

Sorry Villanous I have only just read this. Congratulations on a sensible, intelligent appraisal of the situation and Alex McLeish's position and performance. Well done Sir, my feelings entirely. If only a few more could be a bit more objective.

I'm going to say it again. No one here will agree. But I don't care. I care about our great Club:- For goodness sake - Get behind the team and yes get behind this, our manager. Things are potentailly too serious. Making ridiculous, knee jerk, far too late decisions to get rid of a manager at this stage of the season are just too much of a risk (look at Wolves!). And the insults do no one any credit. Get behind him! Then when we are safe and at the end of the season make an objective decision. And maybe all of you are right. But all our focus should now be towards making sure this Club achieves Premier League status for 2012/13. And then have your way.......................! I may just not agree with you even then!

Due to illness I wouldn't have normally been able to go but I just had to go today to show support for Stan and the Club. Total respect to the guy and his family for being there today as well. And boy has he got a battle ahead of him. The fans were fantastic today. Come on guys let's stick together. At least for Stan.

I don't care what anyone else says, I am very proud of the effort put in by this young, very inexperienced team who had to battle against a slick and quick passing, very experienced Chelsea team and the REFEREE! Of course a team like this will always lack overall quality; but pride in the shirt and effort they certainly didn't lack. An emotional day for the Club, Stan Petrov, supporters and me personally. The media are now trying to drag us into the mix, given the recent resurgance for some of the bottom 5 strugglers. Don't believe it, get behind the team like you did today. With this spirit we'll be alright. And give the manager a break like he was given today. Recriminations, if any are needed, must come at the end of the season.

But attitude is so important in how the awful treatment period is borne both by patient and importantly how the patients family are able to transverse that path with them. Believe me I should know. So whether a positive attitude can influence the outcome is open to debate. But a positive attitude can only help that treatment journey and help the close love ones who have to share that journey, cope with it in the best possible way. There's one thing those medical professionals will be doing there damndest for him. Get well Stan, we care all rooting for you!

I am so desparately sorry to hear this the worst of news. The prognosis seems as yet unknown but I hope and pray that Stilliyan can overcome this. The guy is a genuine 'nice guy' and he and his wife always very approachable. He has made the West Midlands his second home and been happy to bring his kids up here and show loyalty to the Villa cause. He is one of us, everyone should pray for his swift and safe recovery and for the fortitide of his family and loving wife, in what will be the most difficult of times. As one who has unavoidably been away from VP since last October due to my own battle with a very serious illness it would be totally wrong to say I know what he and his family are feeling now; but I've got an idea. Hang in there Stan! We are all behind you. I pray you get well soon. Shocked and so sorry mate!

Guys, There is no way we are going down. Not this season anyway. It would take THREE of that 'famous' bottom five to overhaul us. Not just one or two. And have all got their own problems, despite an upturn in recent fortunes for Blackburn and latterly QPR. The next three games may test our resolve. Just hold onto the raft!

Thank goodness for some sense here at last. Spot on LancsVillan! Alex McLeish? Not my choice, but another change now will be totally counter productive. We are not going down this season. Give him a chance. See what he is allowed/able to do in the summer. Hold on to the raft! As to your other points LancsVillan. I totally agree also. Spot on.

This would be great news if a sensible deal can be negotiated. Carlos is potentially our best and most consistent defender. Because of his infectious and positive character he seems loved by fans and other players alike. He must be a positive influence on the dressing room. Whilst Villa desperately need to clear out the high earning 'dross' in the summer and rebuild, if the chance occurs to retain Carlos for another year or two, within a new more viable and sensible wage structure; they should take it.

Hold onto the raft! Change is not the answer, we need continuity. If this is a 'job too far' for McLeish that can be determined in the summer. We are not going down, believe me!

With all due respect, one excuse after another. He knew what the score was, knew what he had to work with, knew his budget. He has spent it, all 17 million of it and his signings have not really worked at all. I cannot help feeling he spent on luxury rather than looking what was needed. Losing young and downing was a perfect opportunity to change our playing style and invest in players that can play, we brought a winger. The only reason you make these excuses is because you have given up, the moment you say "we are a mid table team" you may as well not bother. I think a new manager in the summer would be the best thing that could happen. We might go somewhere, whereas under McLeish, I suspect we might be fighting for our lives whilst any talent we have is cherry picked. unless we get a stupdily rich owner like man city or move to london we will always be between 6th & 10th. dosent matter who the manager is that is where we are. if he can win a cup with blues and finish top half with themhe must be doing something right I disagree entirely with your post. Money is a shortcut to success, but not necesserily the only way. Tottenham are starting to see the fruits of a progressive transfer policy that focused on younger players initially supplemented by quality. Looks like they will buy Adebyor today for 8m. 8 million! Manchester United are not in London, Liverplop are not in London, Everton didnt move to London to get 4th place or throw silly money at it. Some people will always find excuses why we shouldnt reasonably expect a degree of success. I would prefer that as a club we say, we want to be top four, what do we need to do to get there. Just being realistic mate. I certainly haven't given up. I'd like nothing more than to see Villa back up the at the top. That's why I loved the 'O'Neil years', despite the aftermath at least then we seemed to be going somewhere!

This constantly blaming the manager for every upset this season is really counter-productive. He has this association with Birmingham City around his neck (I have said many times that this doesn't matter a jot to me, I started supporting Villa in the early 60's when Blues were nothing and they mean absolutely nothing to me). He is perceived to be a 'negative' and 'rubbish' manager on here; someone who we could easily have bettered when appointing yet another new manager, last summer. But think about it. He is clearly being hamstrung by our current financial policy, which may ultimately be beneficial to the Club. We will do no business today, despite a clear need for reinforcements. He has lost two of his best players plus the return to parent club of a dynamic full back who helped Houllier/MacAllister achieve some acceptable degree of final finish, after a pretty disastrous, depressing last season. Even a perceived up and coming dynamic young manager would not enter into discussions with the Club last summer when approached. Preferring yet another relegation battle. It may seem unpalatable to everyone on here and it's a good job we don't all agree, but continuity is the only way forward at the moment. Sadly, Villa are a middle table Premier League outfit at the moment and they need to fight to maintain that status. Any more upheaval at the moment or even in the summer could be disastrous.

With the greatest respect, your comparison is ridiculous. I didn't say respect him, particularly if you can't. All I said is support him in these circumstnces. Getting on his back will do nothing for the Club we love. And whilst you won't agree and he wasn't my choice either; he is not the worst candidiate we could have appointed.