El_Hierro

Hopefully wrapped up already or first thing tomorrow morning as it will leave a whole day to work on two or three more signings Slightly overoptimistic I know, but where's the fun in being a pessimist (apart from being able to say I told you so. :winkold: ) Good player, good signing.

Easy this one, McLeish. When it was rumoured Houllier was a candidate last year I drew up a list of possible managers in my preferred order, Houllier was close to bottom, and nothing he did made me change that view. McLeish was higher up on my list last year (not anywhere near top mind), and so far has done little wrong in the conditions he has to work under.

Top post. Agree with all of it.

Makes sense this. Will be quite interesting to see how he fares.

I'd swap Beye for Lichaj. I really do think Beye is dogdirt. I actually think Beye is better than what people give him credit for. He's had one piss poor game for us, playing left back against Rapid Wien. Other than that he's done well, imo, the few times he's been called upon, hell against Liverpool he was many people's MOTM even.

I've just seen an off topic post in the Makoun topic that claims he disappeared after an hour as usual. Well he can keep disappearing after that hour as long as he keeps getting assists once he's disappeared. And blocking shots destined for the net in the 91st minute

Yes, love that team.

Was a good goal by Blackburn. Not easy being a central defender when a midfielder pops up like that with pace and a perfectly timed run, and I'm speaking from experience as a CB (I tend to blame the midfielders for not picking him up, but it's not as easy as that either as they on their hand will see our defenders outnumbering Gamst Pedersen and thinking (hoping...) they'll manage.) If anything the cross should never have been allowed in in the first place, but then again it was great play by Hoilett, both the build-up and the pinpoint cross.

Very industrious yesterday. Blocked shots in defence, kept the ball well, involved in all three goals, made a terrific run into the Blackburn box where a better cross from Clark would have seen him through on goal with a free header on target. Would have been an great goal as the build up play was very good. Really liked what I saw from Petrov yesterday. My MOTM. Adding to what Julie said, iirc I think Delph has praised Petrov since day one at the club, obviosuly a great mentor to have around.

Starting places for Beye, Clark, Bannan, Makoun, Ireland, Albrighton and Delfouneso for me.

General Sir, not often I comment in here, but can you please ask Randy to back McLeish with a couple more players before the window shuts, I think he really deserves that with the positive start he's made for us. We have a decent core, and despite what many say we're not that far off being very good imo, but the season is long, and injuries and suspensions will be upon us sooner rather than later.

Now I know this post is a joke. :winkold: Have you not watched the Villa for the last couple of seasons? :? Seems he hasn't. Worked hard for the team again today, good game, blocked a shot destined for the net in the 91st minute amongst other things, a period of the game where Petrov's usually stopped working or so I'm led to believe.

Ideally I'd like him to stay and come good, but if we're in a situation where Makoun's about the only player that's drawing an interest from other clubs, then perhaps we should let him leave in order to free up some much needed wages money and help us bring a bit of fresh blood to the club, we sure need it, and it can even help bring a bit of excitement back (depending on the player we get ofc). I think he's good, but he's not unique, and we have about four CM's on par or thereabouts.

You're right. Albrighton had an effort just wide and Bannan a decent attempt (although he probably should have played it to Bent) in and around that period as well.

Even better today than last week I thought. A few more of these games on the trot and his confidence will grow.

And no yellows for Blackburn? After that tackle from behind on Albrighton, Dunn's constant fouling and nagging all game long, I mean really? On a positive note, Bannan and N'Zogbia combining well on a couple of occasions, good to see.

Was quite funny looking at the game on Norwegian TV today, who had Ian Rush in the studio. Rush before the game: "This is a very attacking Villa team and I bet the Villa fans will look at that and really look forward to the game." Random Villatalker: Rubbish team, rubbish formation, negative tactics, etc etc Just on a side note.

Good first half, job done second. Room for improvement, but a solid first game for McLeish and the boys. Impressed with Petrov and Delph in the middle of the park. Heskey and Gabby did well first half. Zog promising in the second. Petrov MOTM for me. Steady performance and more attacking minded than before. Ending the game with Clark, Albrighton, Bannan and Delph on the pitch bodes well for the future, although Albrighton could do with a bit of confidence back. Happy camper tonight.

Can only beat what's put infront of you. Done well so far, certainly better than ok in my book. And I'm no McLeish apologist, just your regular realist.

Good, solid half from us. Petrov and Delph looking good in the middle. Delph strong in the tackle and precise with his short passing, Petrov with four adventurous forward passes inside the first 20 minutes, 3 of them hitting the target and 1 of them leading up to the 1-0 goal! Heskey and Gabby also playing well. Keep it up, Villa, looking very good so far.

This. Some people are just moaning for the sake of it. Wait and see how we line up ffs.

Positive first half, not so good second (but could have been much worse). Point at Fulham and clean sheet is decent enough I guess. Defence solid, couple of great blocks, headers and tackles from Warnock, Collins and Dunne (and Petrov), Young out of position a couple of times though. All in all feeling fairly optimistic ahead of the next two games at home. Here's hoping for 7 points after 3 games, which will be a very good start for us. Imagine Adam Johnson on one wing, (a fit) Zog on the other, an in-form Ireland in the hole and a strong defensive midfielder (ala Palacios) next to Petrov, Delph or Makoun in the middle. We're not that far off when you think about it. [/dream] Given MOTM of course. Bargain of the transfer window.

Strong bench though

Hoping for this, but as above I too think Heskey will be in there somewhere, probably on the left with Zog on the right. -----------------------Given------------------------ Young--------Dunne--------Clark-------Warnock --------------Makoun-------Petrov---------------- Albrighton-----------Ireland-------------N'Zogbia ------------------------Bent------------------------ 1-1. Bent and Riise.

We usually do quite well when I'm not expecting a result, which I don't, so I think we'll surprise a few and win. However as that means we might get a result we'll probably lose. 1-1.