andycv

It is from Nicko so there might be more to it.

There's an easy way for Milner to show that he doesn't want to leave - sign a new deal when he gets back on Monday.

Didn't O'Neill suggest that Milner wasn't going to sign a new contract and said that he wanted to hear what City had said?

interesting view

Got to say I can't see any quotes here and until I do not buying it.

I think it was about £20 million over 3 years - MM confirmed it was close to this earlier in the thread? I'm also interested in other sponsors that we'll announce over the next few weeks - I notice Carlsberg and Seat Exchange are no longer "platinum partners".

Would have thought if Tata sponsored us they would advertise the Land Rover and Jaguar brands.....

Hi General - do you have any information on our plans for our shirt sponsor next season? Are we likely to have a new commercial partner or will Acorns remain for another season?

I didn't think he meant the players were tired either. I think he was expressing surprise and disapointment that they played like they were tired. A world of difference. Perhaps we should have a poll to see if 99% of posters thought that he meant the players were tired?

General, While the Acorns news is good, can you shed a little bit of light on the process the club went trough to make the decision? Did we talk to potential commercial partners about the shirt and decide that we were not willing to sell for the prices offered? Did we enter any serious negotiations, or was Acorns the first choice? Thanks

General, it's been reported that Villa have debts of £63 million, and I think that this was also shown in the most recently published accounts. I know Randy didn't use any debt to buy the club, so could you shed any light on where the debt came from (is it a legacy from the previous owners, taken out now to help fund the club, etc). I am not particularly worried, as every business runs with some level of debt - I am just interested. Thanks

If he signs a new contract then he can stay - but I don't think he will ever be the villa ledged he could have been.

General... Me again! I wondered if the club were closer to announcing any new commercial partnerships? I noticed that some space has been cleared on the official site. Also, can you let us know, generally, the impact the led advertising boards had on our sponsorship income? Was it up?

General, One of the aims of the Acorns deal was to attract other top quality commercial partners to the club. I've noticed on the official site that the list of 2008/2009 partners is to be added. Have we signed up with any new brands as platinum partners? Thanks Andy

Do you think we're wrong to hold out to get the value that we place on the player then? The answer to your question is simple - Barry's got to knuckle down and play.

General, I wanted to ask you about the website - apparently Villa have released a statement confirming Barry has asked the manager to leave the club but we are still declining the offer. This isn't reflected on the news section of the website. Is this because we haven't made a statement, or because the news section isn't up to date (it should be!) Thanks! Andy

General, Great news on the Acorns deal! Will the club be announcing any other new partners shortly? I know Acorns have our shirt sponsorship, is the club going to announce any other major new partnerships during the close season?

This is one for the ITK. I have been told by a friend who works with Barry's representatives that he is going to agree a new, long term deal at Villa in the next week. Apparently he was thinking of moving but MoN & Randy's ambitions along with his position at the club persuaded him the right thing to do was stay.

General, what's your personal feeling on Barry staying? 50/50? 75/25? Or are you not prepared to say?! Thanks Andy

General, grateful if you could let us know asap that Barry is with us! 8) :winkold:

Thanks for that, General. Any idea when they'll report back their recommendations/plans? Would Randy consider pulling down the Doug Ellis stand with the North Stand, or will it just be the North Stand going? Thanks I think the general answered the second part of your question in his initial response?

General, I wondered if you could expand a little on Villa's strategy with regard to corporate partners next season? Do you envisage (barring 32red) that we'll stay the same, or are there some significant (non shirt sponsoring) partners going to join the club? Also, can you give some indication about the impact the led pitch side ads have had on match sponsorship revenue? Has they had the impact that the club expected?

General, Can you give us any information about Villa's strategy and aims for the transfer window? As you can see for yourself there's already a lot of speculation on the amount of money available to the manager, possible salary caps at the club and the number of players that will come in. I know you don't know about individual transfers and can't comment on targets, but do you think our (the fans) experience of this window will be different to last summer? Do you think we will see more than 6 players being brought in? Finally, if you can't answer any of those (which you probably can't!), do you find it furstrating during the transfer window that you can't communicate with the fans on targets & plans, and do you think there is a way to do it better? (probably not!) Thanks

General, I wonder if you could tell us a little about the board's history and experience in negotiations, give everyone seems to be worried that we're just going to keel over and cave to Liverpool's first offer? Also, how do you react to being told you can't do something? I think Villa are taking the right approach, in a very grown up way, by saying that we are desperate to keep the player, but we won't keep an unhappy player. Finally, (and I understand if you don't want to answer this one, for fear of having it re-quoted at you after events play out) what's your feeling on the chances of Barry staying? 50-50? Better or worse?

General - I have a question about next season's shirt sponsor. Will the organisation that has their name on the shirt next year be paying Villa any money for that? Also, are they a commercial organisation, or in another sector? Thanks Andy