The Fun Factory

Might have been better if Lambert hadnt said anything? Just adds fuel to the fire. Really the club should keep quiet, wait til the international are over and then have a serious chat with Benteke and his agent about what is/isn't going on.

I think I will wait for something a bit more concrete before I panic over Benteke leaving. On a wider issue its a bit annoying that when Spurs sell their top players the media say ' that Levy drives a hard bargain, arent they a big team?' and when Villa sell their top players its ' west midlands side is a selling club'

Great vid. Shows we have played some great stuff this year and makes you think how we finished only 15. Then you remember the defence! When we have been good, we have been very, very good. When we have been bad, we have been horrid!

Well this is going to be fun. We have 3 months of this shit. I think he will be staying- the club will know they will look small time if they cant keep him for another year. After 2014 it might be difficult, but we have been good to him, and he has been good for us. Mind you if some club wants to pay him £100,000 a week then he will be off as I cant see Villa giving him more than 'only' 60,000.

Bit of a shame if its true. He is not the most talented of players, but I dont think he has ever let Villa down. He would have been a decent back up for next season but perhaps he wants first team footy?

Given wasn't a bad buy on paper. He was 'only' 35, which is can be more like 30-32 for a goalkeeper these days. Had loads of experience and on his day a good shop stopper. However giving him a 5 year day on monster wages wasn't clever when you consider the amount of injuries he has had. The reason why Friedel is still a half decent keeper at 41 is that he is super fit and has hardly any injuries. Given has had loads, and if the Euros tell a story, he is past it. He is also poor on commanding his defence. Its going to be hard to shift him with 3 years left on his deal, but maybe we can persuade someone to take a punt on him.

Lovely news. Postive things just keep on coming from Villa Park these days. Given time I think Petrov will be a top coach.

Yeah- and I remember some people thought we got the better of the deal. I think we shoulda have taken the 25 mil rather than Steveo. D'oh!

Argee with very much of all this. In fact how often at the Villa the 'big' money signings have been a disappointment, whereas the relative cheap unkowns turn out to be the classic buys? I am thinking Collymore, Curcic, Baros, Ireland, Nzgobia, the list goes on. Bargain buys- Platt, Wright, Taylor, Delaney, and now the likes of Lowton and Westwood can turn out to be great signings and get a real connection to the fans. It is a gamble doing this policy for the long term but I have faith that Lambert and his scouting team know what they are doing.

Who would be mad enough to buy Ireland from us? 1 good season in the last 5.

I subjected myself to a long and annoying survey before the chelsea game regarding Villa's sponsors. I bascially told them I dont give a monkeys about any of the many, many, sponsors at Villa who we have for 2 years before they f**k off.As none of them stay for long I dont think they can expect any brand loyalty to it from the customers. I dont think it has made loads of villa fans think 'gosh I better gamble at Genting does it?!' Not me being cynical but within a year of Genting sponsoring us, they got planning permission to build a casnio by the NEC, they thought 'job done'?! The only sponsor that really did it for me was the acorns partnership, and that was for good reasons, rather than cold hard cash. Still I am sure some company we have never heard off with give Villa millions for next seasons kit, and then we have to wear their logo for 2 seasons.

I wouldn't say it's been terminated his contract has just run it's course and expired. Well you could say that but thats up with Mourinho 'agreeing to part' with madrid, rather than being sacked!

So just to confirm, his contract has been terminated. Another great O'Neill signing- paid about 5 mil for him, going on a free. Brought to you by the same man who sold Cahill and bought Zak Knightmare. Dunney was half decent on his day but waaay past his best. I will be suprised if he ever plays again, but wish him well to get another club.

Like Kingfisher says, it's to early to make predictions, but I would see as Villa's main targets are to try and get close to 50 points, aim for midtable at least, and concede at least 10 less goals than this season. I would be happy with that.

WOW- a 3pm Saturday Kick Off. A rare sight, Malaga isnt really a massive draw though is it?- I doubt we will get more than 20,000 in.

Its only a little thing but I still cant't find the attendance for this anywhere! Looked at the BBC, Telegraph, Guardian, Mail, and both club websites. Did Wigan sell us a few extra tickets on the qt, and not bother to report it?!

Its funny from where I was seated I missed the flight of the ball and didnt really see it go in. Looking back on MOTD what a cracker! I think we will see the best of Vlaar next year now he has had a year to settle into English Football.

Was a entertaining end of season game. Credit to both sides to make it interesting. Both cant defend so goals were expected really.Like everyone says defence again rubbish today but Vlaar dug us out of a hole. Guzan was not a happy camper at all with them. I was right at the front of the stand and I didnt really see the goal ! Draw probably a fair result. Credit to wigan for clapping Petrov's 19th minute, and fair play to them winning the cup. I really didnt expect Petrov to come out at the end,what a moment.Its always one of the best away days so they will be missed in that respect. Does anyone know what the attendance was- cant mind it anywhere in the media?

Baker's Half Dozen-Villa win League Cup for 6th time Make mine a double- Lambert's Lions now FA Cup winners Bring on Bayern- Villa to meet Munich in next year Champions League We will bounce back say Clarke as West Brom are relegated etc, etc. Nice to dream eh!

According to Wikipedia (so not sure how true it is) he has scored only 7 goals for Blackpool this year? I cant see him making it at Villa now. I believe he has a year left on his contract, so time to sell. If we can get a million for him, it will help pay towards the youth set.I would wish him well for the future, but I cant see his future at Villa.

A game with nothing riding on it, and we sell nearly extra 1,000 tickets within 48 hours. Great support as always.UTV.

Its just tittle-tattle. Andi will be at Villa Park next season I am sure. Its agents jobs to sprout bo***cks to try and get more money for their players. Next.

Whelan claims its just such harmless (spare) ribbing. I know its a bit weak, its not a crackling pun.

If Pulis ignores this, then he will sure be seen as pig-headed. You reap what you sow.

Thought maybe they would have a villa-celtic game this summer to raise money for Stan's charity? Perhaps they have decided to wait for another year to get the ball rolling first. I am sure it would get 2 sell outs.