GarryBarry

Sky's chief ginger bloke at Bodymoor Heath reckons it will be announced within the hour. Press conference this afternoon. Get in! Everyone loves a bit of ginge

I'll be really, genuinely sorry to see him go. I reckon all he needs is a goal and he'll be a different player. Houllier's main criticism is that there's a difference in what he sees from training to matchday and that seems like it can only really be a question of confidence. Having said that, I'm not sure how likely he is to get that back quickly, especially in a team battling relegation so it may be the best thing for him. But can't help feeling he'll thrive at another club and we'll regret letting him go.

Not me I don't think Upper Tier centre, directly behind the goal. Row F I think. There are a few Villa Fans around in Shef - usually see them wearing their shirts when out for a run. Awkward moments for me with all the 'I want to go home. . .' chants

Aiiiight Mr Bland - long time no see (I think probably the last Villa vs Shef U game with the '82 team in attendance?) Hope you and yours are all well. I may have got a tad carried away with Walker's 9 but he looked very composed compared to many in our team. A more adept watcher of the game (he gets paid for it) than me reckons he switches off defensively from time to time and is a bit of a risk on that basis.

Means papers cover it tomorrow. That way we get two days worth of coerage at least (tomorrow and Sat) probably the Sundays if there's a press conference tomorrow.

:oops: In four years of him being here I think I've always written it with a single l!

Loving this. Hope the porno dwarf is watching closely! Great work Kevin Mac. Big call to play Milner and has got the team on fire

The pre-season round ups, Soccer Saturday debates and, most of all, the Milner-Ireland transfer have highlighted the stark differences between Man City and Villa. While City are touted in some quarters as potential title-chasers or at least fair bets for top-four Villa have hardly been mentioned other than as a club in crisis. This last week has polarised fans and brought back the debate as to how far we can push on given current finances and the lack of a multi-billionaire owner (or two) to compete with City, Chelsea and so on. But if you offered me the chance to change history, to switch owners with Man City so that we were the club bankrolled by oil billions while City had Lerner in charge would I do it? What matters more? Success at literally any cost or the style that a club operates in? For me, while I may be envious of the team City are assembling and frustrated at seeing some of our best players lured there, I couldn't stand to see Villa operate with such a fundamental lack of class, or becoming as hated as City are starting to be. The last four years have seen some immense feel-good factors around Villa Park: The Acorns sponsorship, improving the training faciliites, the European Cup celebration night and game against Sheffield United the next day (the hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and my older brother literally had tears in his eyes when Morley and all did the lap of honour). At the same time, the attitude of many of my friends towards the Villa changed noticaably. From writing us off as a tired, whinging set of has-beens I was stunned at the number of people who had us down as their second team, or who just enjoyed seeing us play. There was a genuine respect from other fans for what we were doing with a strong spine of young English players. Everton fans, after our 3-2 victory at Goodison, were talking excitedly about the game rather than complaining about being robbed. In Young, Gabby and latterly Milner we have some genuinly exciting players and while the football has become a little more predictable there are still periods in many games that are just thrilling. Add to that two Wembley appearances and a regular return to Europe and it just feels like a different club. The media also seem to have warmed towards us. Yet for all of this, we remained a 'nearly club'. Semi finals and finals rather than 3rd round, true. But no winners medals. Three top -6 finishes in the last three years but frustratingly falling short of a champs league spot. This was accompaied by a growing awareness that any window of opportunity might be closing, as City embarked on their own version of fantasy football and Tottenham's steady investment over the previous decade started to pay off. This season will be tough. Spurs, City Everton and Liverpool look stronger than last while we look set to lose the PFA young player of the year, without strengthening significantly. We've also lost our manager. I liked O'Neil. I like the team he's built and think in terms of a first 11 he has left us in a strong position. However, I'm also glad that the salary gold-rush has been stopped. I would have preferred for Lerner and O'Neil to have been able to make the necessary changes jointly and I'm angry that O'Neil left when he did. For what it's worth I don't think O'Neil was protecting his own reputation or 'spat his dummy out'. More likely he had doubts for a long time (since the end of last season by the sounds of it) but wanted to continue. He likely dwelt on the problems throughout the summer, constantly running things through in his mind (just think what he's like with transfers) until it was clear he just didn't think he could do the job with the new approach that was rquired. So hugely frustrating and undoubtedly one of O'Neil's character flaws (procrastination, over-thinking things) but it doesn't change my opinion of him as a principled man who contributed enormously to the club over the past four years. I also believe that it is the salary position that prevented further signings coming in, not a lack of willingness to spend on transfer fees. As such, an incoming manager should be able to strengthen in January if they can trim the wage bill. Crisis doesn't feel like a label that will stick. But back to my question. Looking at City now, with £100 million plus of players joining over the summer and a genuine chance of competing at the highest level, would I swap our position for theirs? No. I'm proud about the way our club operates. Whatever you think about the Lerner/O'Neil partnership of the past four years, it has left us with a strong team (if not squad), with promising youngsters coming through. Most importantly it has given us some pride back. Something I suspect rings a little hollow at the City of Manchester. Any success that comes this season will surely feel a little tarnished, a little undeserved? And what sense of team for the group of mercenaries in the dressing room there? While I'm not naive enough to believe that players play out of love or loyalty, Villa have built a reputation over the past four years as a place to develop, as a place to build your national team chances (at one point we contributed joint-top number of players to the England team). We can attract players because of what we offer other than £s alone (the wage bill is surely reflective of highly-paid benchwarmers rather than overpaying across the board). I also suspect that City are storing up some major problems for themselves. The disquiet from Robinho, Bellamy and Ireland and the demand that their contracts are honoured when moving on to other teams on lower wages is a sign of things to come. If Mancini isn't successful and another manager replaces him what scope to change the team or bring in new players when you've spent £20 million odd on individuals the season before. City's transformation has been a corrupting one. Ours a redemptive one. If you told me now we would remain outside the top 4 for the next five years unless we 'did a City' I'd shrug. I'd much rather push on gradually from where we are and maintain our soul and our style. A cup win, a sustained run in Europe and cementing our place in the top six. If you'd offered me that in the Taylor or O'Leary years I'd have snapped your hand off. And with the debt facing some of the biggest clubs I wouldn't be surprised to see the landscape shift again. The decision on the new Manager is going to be critical. Jol would be fantastic but any manager who can build on what we already have and continue to build the pride in the club will get my backing. Form (and wealth) is temporary, class is permanent. UTV

Thanks General. My boy will be delighted. He already shouts 'Aston Villa' whenever he sees anyone playing football in the park (I don't think it's a comparison on our playing style) Fingers crossed for the weekend

General, Shameless plea. My three-year-old son broke his upper leg at the weekend and is going to be stuck in plaster for up to six weeks. Is there anyone at the club I can contact to request a get well soon card. It doesn't have to be genuinely signed by any of the players (though Stephen Ireland's signature would be great!) - something with Hercules or just from the club would be great. Many thanks, David PS - Good luck with the search for a new manager. I trust you Randy and Paul to find the right long-term leader for the club and Kevin Mac to carry his great work with the reserves into the first team in the short term

General, Last year James Milner was involved in our campaign to encourage young people not to drink underage. The next round of the campaign is set to launch soon and it would be great to see him (and Aston Villa) involved in it again. Have PM'd you with details.

General, Just a quick note to say thank you for all that's been achieved since you, Randy and MON came to the club. The number 1 ranking in the 'stewardship' league is well deserved and, I think, reflects the approach being taken by the board and senior management. The despair and downright misery I felt sitting in the stands week in and week out under the previous regime is still fresh in my mind and I was one of the fans who emailed Randy via the Browns website pleading with him to come in and buy the club. The last few years have been fantastic - a particular highlight was the game at Villa Park vs Sheffield United with the '82 team in the stands (after they had been snubbed for years). My older brother had tears in his eyes as they walked round the pitch as it brought back memories. And I was particularly thirlled at the guest of honour (Mr Jim Brown himself). MON drives me mad in his tranfer market dealings - from a distance it looks like he overthinks things and wants to be 100% sure before he makes a signing. As a result if things don't come off we're left with little option for plan B. However, some of the signings he has pulled off (Young, Carew, Cuellar, Delph and Downing) have shown we can fight off other clubs (including Man City, Spurs and Everton) when he has made up his mind. I've not posted on this site for quite some time (mainly because I haven't had much to add) but the hysteria and the myopia of some of the recent comments have really annoyed me. Yes we have one of the smallest squads in the premier league (including a number of largely unproven youth or reserve players) Yes the spine of the team looks weak since Barry and Laursen departed Yes I'm worried about tomorrow's game with Lowry potentially having to mark Torres (probably the starkest illustration of our frailties) And yes it is frustrating that these issues haven't been addressed earlier in the summer But I'll judge the club on the past three years rather than the first two games of the season. And I also don't imagine that these problems have gone unnoticed by MON you or Randy. Good luck for tomorrow, good luck in the transfer dealings and thank you for all that's been achieved to date

God is in his heaven and all is right with the world - CV is sharing his thoughts with the masses once more! I've missed you C-dog

But because it is such a pile of shite you're going to stick with it? Or is it the tits chris? How the devil are you anyway?

Great piece, but on the reasons why this story was written in the first place - I suspect nothing more than it's an easy story for a lazy, fact-dodging journalist to write. And that's speaking as a former journalist myself (maybe lazy but hopefully not fact-dodging). I'm sure the journalist was aware of at least some of the other details that have emerged but why let that ruin a 'good' story?

I'd said from the start I want him to stay. But have to admit I think a lot less of him for his approach over the last few months. If he does say I think he'll need to do something to re-commit himself to the club both in the eyes of the fans and in his own head. A new long-term deal with no opt-out next season? A commitment to finish his career here? Scoring the winner in the UEFA cup final? Whatever I think of him off the pitch he is still an absolutely pivotal player for us. His range of passing and the way he links the play will be really missed if he does go. Let's see

Hi General, Not been on this thread for a long time as I was starting to feel embaressed by the way some people were talking to you. Just wanted to drop by and say thank you for continuing to take the time to talk to us and I hope that the misguided passion (I think that's what it is) for club that leads to some posts doesn't put you off. While I'm biting my nails as much as anyone ahead of the new season I trust you, Randy and Martin to do what needs to be done and get us the players that we need. Semper Fidelis as you say GB

General, just wanted to say you and Sir Randy of Lerner are both pure class for the Acorns partnership. I've worked for charities for the past seven years and know how valuable the profile and the exposure alone will be for Acorns. Can't wait to see us playing with that logo on our chests next season, I'm extremely proud of the team. It would, of course, be even better to see Gareth Barry wearing that logo on his chest next season but whatever happens with that little saga I trust you, Randy and MON to ensure the club goes from strength to strength

General, I wondered whether you had read General Richard Dannatt's comments in the press today (Head of the British Army) . Essentially he was calling for the public to be more supportive of our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan - welcome home parties etc. One suggestion was to provide free tickets to football games. Now I know Villa have introduced a reduced rate for the armed forces which is excellent but I also wondered whether there was any scope for inviting some local squaddies returning home to be guests of honour at some of our games - with some formal way of thanking them from the fans. Hopefully this wouldn't be too political to organise. Personally I have been against the war in Iraq (less so Afghanistan) but that would not affect me wanting to thank those who've put their lives on the line for us, particularly as I've had friends on operations over there.

I think the results have been good, but the window has been awful (too much nailbiting and some truly dire rumours) If you look at the spine of our team now it looks excellent - Carson, Davies/Laursen, NRC/Barry, Carew/Gabby I also think the young, british focus will help with building a strong team ethic

General, Congrats to Martin on the team on the capture of Davies, Nigel Reo Coker and Carson. Three extremely talented, young English players and, as MON said, the players he wanted at the start of the summer. Can't wait to see the new team playing and getting the results on the pitch But as I said previously - maybe less of the nailbiting ending next time round. I'm sure the GDP in the Midlands took a significant hit with so many workers checking their radios or the web every five minutes for the final two weeks of the transfer window.

General, Really looking forward to this season and I firmly believe MON will have the players he wants by the end of transfer window. But Jesus, do you all have to make it such a nailbiter? I know the sterotype is that football needs more excitement if it's going to attract a large American Audience but I didn't think this included transfer dealings! Anyway, looking forward to the next few days - and the next generation of Villa fans was pleased with the performance against Newcastle. link

One for the future? Had a good under-21 tournement last year but seen nothing of him apart from that. I'd hope we're also looking for a first choice keeper

General, Just wanted to say a massive thank you for what's been the best weekend at Villa I've ever had. Managed to get a ticket to the Friday evening event which was excellent - great to hear from the 82 team again. Then the game itself and the atmosphere - just incredible. I though the scarves might be a bit gimmicky before the game but the thought that went into them made for a fantastic welcome onto the pitch for the team and looked great on the TV highlights. I wish I'd taken up the offer to visit Bodymoor Heath but had to get back to London. Even though I can't renew my season ticket next year (I'll have a new baby to help look after) I still intend to make as many away games in London/the south as possible, plus the occasional trip back to Villa Park. There is simply no way that this sort of event could have happened before you and Randy came to the club so thank you and here's to a bright future indeed.

Dunno Limpid - I traded my seat to get four together off to the right in K2 Probably just someone who phoned to book tickets after I'd traded