Tubby

Good hearty display today General, I hope the fact that we gave away two goals late on does not make the heads drop as we had them on the bubble. Well done the Villa boys and well done Gabby, much improved.

That would be Stilyan Petrov then General

Clarkson for Prime Minister or some other high brow political position. You can't knock a man who just tells it as he see's it.

I too would be interested to know how ST sales are going General. I have renewed without a second thought

General, Can I just add another angle to this discussion. I am often the most positive Villa fan I know. I believe 100% in MO'N and have never felt so much confidence in the direction the club is going. I also have no qualms should we finish outside of the top 4 as long as another season in Europe is on the cards, which I have no doubt will be the case. Whilst I don't agree with any booing of the team and individual players, I do believe that as a paying supporter I have the right to make my concerns known about the standard of play. I pay a minimum of £400 just to attend home games, add in my spending on away games, food, merchandise etc. I probably would think I pump somewhere in the region of £1,000 per season into the club. There are many who put more in, much more in fact so it disgruntles me to think that some players just don't appreciate what we go through to be there every week. For me it's the cost plus a 2 hour plus drive each way. Now, like I said, I don't agree with the booing and never do boo. But I am frustrated by the performances of some players who are taking away from others players what they so rightly deserve. I know it is not for you to relay player decisions to MO'N and his staff, but some of our boys, particularly one who had a negative reception yesterday, has of late let the team down greatly and in my opinion should be taking a long look at himself. On a final note, Stan Petrov has been superb this season, player of the season in many peoples eyes in fact. He deserves to be playing alongside players who give as much as he does. How did he get here - he was dropped last season after underperforming. There is hope for some yet. Kindest regards Jon

Sounds incredible. Band of Brothers is one of my all time favourites, I could watch it back to back on repeat.

Couldn't agree more General. Albrighton and Bannan should be very pleased with their performances as should MON and the coaches. I hope that leads to a few more appearances off the bench over the remainder of the season. Unlucky result but such is life. Well done to the Villa fans who made the trip. EDIT: Also I though Bradley Guzan had an outstanding game and looks very much as though he has a great future in front of him.

As long as you also told him that not everyone is cold General. Hope Randy has a good time anyway.

General, For what it's worth I am in support of what MON has done. I'm surprised there is so much negativity over the decision from people who are just gutted. The only people who could possibly complain in my opinion are those who are travelling to Moscow because I was similarly disappointed when I went to Hamburg. Ultimately, MON is putting the push for top four as a priority and I applaud him for that as it is a sign of where we now are. If it doesn't come to fruition come the end of the season then I won't complain because as I look at it, we are beyond expectations anyway. The reward is greater than the risk in my opinion as the minimum I think we will get is fifth and every man and his dog would have been happy with that at the start of the season. I will support the boys in Moscow and you never know they may just pull it out of the bag. Plus it is a great development opportunity for some of our boys and like you have previously said, when they are called on in the future, that will prove to be genius. Jon

jonny_villa Anyone play Pro Evo?

Villa win. We have to be confident, we can't be scared.

General Sir, I think you might have missed my question previously.

General, An honest answer.... Is this season above expectations re: The 5 year plan etc. Thanks Jon

General; Given the adverse weather conditions do you expect the FA Cup replay to be affected? I ask as I will be travelling from South Wales so obviously want to avoid a wasted trip. Many thanks

General, I have been following the recent management hirings made by Randy for the Browns. I must say that it is great to hear both Eric Mangini and George Kokinis talking so positively about the influence of Randy in exactly the same way we hear from Villa staff over here. It was a shame to hear that a selection of fans were disgruntled by Randy's leadership, but I realise that the fact the Browns organisation has been in the doldrums for so long would have instigated this. As is an example of our own great club that has been sleeping (or should that be lying in wait?) for so long, that Randy's leadership can turn it all around and I'm sure the majority of the Browns fans realise that. Mangini will be a great coach and Kokinis' player selection is arguably up there with the best in the league, and I have no doubt that the pair will prove a great success at the helm of the Browns. Here's to the 2009 season and hopefully some post season football in 2010 Please pass on my congratulations to Randy for achieving a great management team and wish him and all the Browns well for 2009. Cheers Jon

I would like to see the return of Ian Taylor in 'Tayl End' if possible. Although Stan Collymore is an ex player he doesn't carry much respect in my eyes and often writes his column as if he is jabbering on Talk Sport. Can I ask why Ian Taylor no longer writes for the 'News and Record' and where I can go to complain/ask for his return? Cheers Jon I understand there is bad blood with this issue re: the Barry situation, so I don't expect you to go out of your way to respond. Thanks Jon

I would like to see the return of Ian Taylor in 'Tayl End' if possible. Although Stan Collymore is an ex player he doesn't carry much respect in my eyes and often writes his column as if he is jabbering on Talk Sport. Can I ask why Ian Taylor no longer writes for the 'News and Record' and where I can go to complain/ask for his return? Cheers Jon

Welcome back General. No question from me, I just hope that you are fit and well and your family have stayed strong following the recent loss of your Father. Here's to the Villa rewarding 'The Brute' in 2009. Up the Villa Jon

General, Given the poor season that the Browns have had and local news suggesting Randy is to wield the axe on backroom staff and do anything to get it right there, will this impact on our progress. I ask because our success, our turnaround has been noted in the Browns community, i just hope that it doesn't become perceived that we are content and attentions can be prioritised back in Cleveland. Am gutted they went 4-12 its a real shame after last year. Thanks Gen, Happy New Year, here's to January. Jon

Owen in a heart beat. We need a fox in the box who can play off both Gabby and Carew and Owen is that man. Similarly Defoe would be useful and probably more available.

Hi General, I think you may have missed this question I posted on your recent visits. Hope you don't mind me bringing it your attention again. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family (especially your father), Randy and everyone else at Villa Park. Up the Villa, here's to three points to top Christmas off on Friday. Jon

General, Please thank the genius who organised the coach trip to Hamburg. Whilst it was hard work to sit there for 17 hours, I still had a great experience and couldn't beat supporting my team away in Europe. On the back of today's Round of 32 draw, I am extremely interested in trying to get to Moscow, the issue with Moscow though is that it is in Russia - a country that is not easy or cheap to get to. This brings me to my point. On the back of the success from the coaches, will the club be looking at offering fans a reduced price travel package that aids the supporter and means we will likely get a better crowd in Moscow than we could expect. Now I'm not thinking that we should coach it there - I would be the last person willing to do that - but I would hope that there is a lower cost alternative to the "travel with the team and stay in 4 star luxury" that is normally offered as that will likely be as expensive as it can get for this trip. I would happily stay in someone's shed if it meant I was there! I have had a quick look at pricing it up to get there and we are already looking at £200+ for flights which obviously doesn't include your visa and accomodation costs. My thoughts are that if the interest is there, the club can organise a trip at reduced costs for everyone and the team can be roared on to victory with it. Looking forward to your response. Up the Villa, pat Nathan Delfouneso on the back for me. Jon

I agree General, MON did do the right thing and John responded suitably well at Wigan. Hopefully our kit sponsors benefited equally well from this occurence also....?

Phenomenal piece of writing there, thank you. That alone puts the NOTW's trash to shame.

General, Just to say that I think the UEFA Cup home game prices are spot on. Obviously the Club haven't yet made clear stand alone Ajax game ticket prices, but £35 for both games in the Holte End is bargain that cannot be missed if you ask me. If the strategy is to get a full Holte End scaring the crap out of the advancing Dutch and Slovaks, then I think you will get it. Good on the Club, thanks.