Borgs

You're describing a board with no gumption. I'm sorry, but why should it matter what the fans think when assessing and appointing a manager? Why should the board do anything other than proceed with their due diligence, weighing up the candidates with their only consideration being what is best for the football team? I'm not endorsing McClaren, by the way, but, as I've just said, it doesn't matter if I am.

Fed up with the speculation I thought I'd put an end to it and head down to the local clairvoyant late last night for a tarot reading on Villa's future manager. It'd been so long since I'd last pursued this avenue of future investigation that I was only mildly shocked by the changed methods at this particular establishment. Above all else their new work attire was interesting, but I can report I was very well catered for by an exceptionally friendly lady. A couple of hundred pounds later and I'm still not sure whether 583 tugs means Jol or Martinez.

Quoting the first person to list him. Ancelotti is overrated. Particularly here, it seems. A likeable personality, but tends to manage only ready-built teams and not especially successfully. Hughes' football does not enthrall, though I do like his demeanour. Moyes has done a fantastic job with the Everton budget and would suit, but I'd be more content with the guy whom took an underdog to the Champs final and restored Marseille to the pinnacle of French football in his first season as manager. He'd be well connected, too. Although this club's ultimate success starts domestically Didier has thrived on the continent and it might be argued targeting him would be even more ambitious than Carlo.

Given the club's policy of hiring managers unfit, literally, to do the job: is Bobby Robson available?

I think he will. Let's face it - this season is effectively written off as mediocre. We're not going down and we're probably not landing a spot in the meaningless Europa League. So, for Houllier, it's about trying things before using the upcoming offseason to execute the necessary decisions based on the current trial period. Regardless of his ability, every manager needs at least one offseason before judgement.

Friedel, on the day he became the oldest Villan, showed there's plenty left in his tank. It would've been an undeserved scoreboard battering but for his occasional brilliance. There were plenty of other excellent performers, but he gets the nod for the poll.

We've been, at the very least, good. I've enjoyed watching our brand of football. We've dominated possession, and not just by passing along the back four. We may not be sixth, or headed for it, but this football is a far cry from the bash-it-forward-and-run days of O'Neill. And, Houllier has (seemingly, so far) bought wisely. Man U simply took their chances, but this has been an otherwise impressive display.

Think I'll take the draw after that, thanks.

He could've slid it to the one-on-one developing to his right, but, sheez it could've burnt a hole.

Outstanding! Unlucky!

Amen to that. Sell him for a bag of footballs.

Didn't bother with the match because it's the Europa League. Thanks, I've been a great help.

It can be saved. Can't see us potting four, though. What a story an Ireland-led recovery would be. I can only hope.

Carew and Heskey are outmoded oafs. I thought we were 25% to go ahead one-nil when I saw big John lining it up. And he's (presumably) the club's highest paid striker. The fact we don't have a forward (apart from perhaps Delfouneso) who looks like they could dribble quickly through traffic cones without being disposessed is hurting us still. Who's fault's that? Not MacDonald's.

We've made some shocking defensive mistakes, but our guys look lost going forward, and there have been no discernable tactical (or, a rapid-fire 3-0 down, personnel) changes. Maybe we're seeing the classic "career asst/coach with no philosophy" case rearing its head with MacDonald today. I'm curious to see what he implements at the half.

I should've commended the Villa support, also. The voices of those in attendance came bursting through the TV speakers like I haven't heard since.... maybe the last time I heard Villa supporters make such noise. Well done if you were there.

No, sir, I am not. Those guys are a cut above even the world-class players. What I mean is that Milner can be a significant contributor on a world-class team. For example, does anyone doubt he's a potential match-winner for England in RSA? Bouts of inconsistency are a problem at his age, but he is the one and only true gem at this club, a player whom can realistically aim for the most lofty heights, and he's being wasted. Ironically, by the man for whom he has historically played his best football. It depresses me to the point where I can sometimes overreach, I guess. He's a world-class player in the making, if not right now. That's where I'm coming from.

Exactly, good player YES, hard worker YES. world class NO. A world Class player can lift the whole team when the chips are down. Think, Gerrard, Fabregas, Beckham, Messi.... and Lampard : -( Am I supposed to accept that anyone with a Gabby avatar can identify a world-class player? I think you'll find that most world-class players, in particular those you've nominated, are surrounded by significantly stronger colleagues than what young James must work with at this club. How are you supposed to lift a team when you're passing the ball to Carew et al? This match demonstrated perfectly the glaring ineptitude of everybody but Milner, and that includes the manager. Perhaps context has skewed by view.

Milner by a mile. He's the only truly world-class player going around for us at the moment. When it comes to the summer window the rest are expendable. Unfortunately, if recent speculation is anything to go by, his sale will provide the funding for another batch of mediocre British "talents". Martene knows.

Terry was right... of course we tire as the match wears on; we only make one sub with ten minutes remaining and are content to chase a ball passed between four central midfielders with our two.

Bah... didn't deserve it. Relieving to lose by two after Webb bottled the early penalty.

I couldn't bring myself to vote for any of the outfielders because their contributions were largely insignificant almost to a man. Freidel got my vote because he did nothing wrong and saved us in two instances; tipping over Gerrard's shot and rushing on to Cuellar's dodgy headed backpass. Too bad it was all for naught. Nobody else inspired, though NRC worked hard and Gabby's hold up play was of a reasonable standard. Our passing was poor to ordinary for the greater portion. Luke Young was mostly dreadful. Perhaps the conditions were a mitigating factor but that was a shocking advertisement for Premier League football given the lofty position of the two clubs involved. It capped off 2009 as possibly the worst game I've seen this year, and I've attended the A-League! Nobody "deserved" to win. Downing's volley, Milner's deft, left touchline drag back and turn and Torres' finish were rare instances of high quality. I didn't know how to react when the goal went in because, even as a staunch Villa fan, the football fan in me was thankful for the moment of brilliance.