Tubby

I voted 08/09 but would still consider Bouma our LB however good I think Shorey is and will be for us.

Wouldn't want to undermine Mellberg as our RB last season, he did the job required, but as we "have" a RB now I think we are in a better position this season already.

General were you fined for unauthorised comments? We know what you mean't so don't worry about it. Randy will back MON

Perhaps a donation to ACORNS General?

Let's hope that you didn't receive too much flack from the club, would not want your position on the forums to be jeopardised.

General,

I for one am with you all the way.

Maybe we jumped the gun with a top 6 finish last year and that is why such a level of anxiety has occured this time round, but you are the professionals and we must trust you. If it doesn't happen over this next month many a fan will come down on you as a representative of the clubin the line opf fire, but there are some of us out there who are willing to wait, knowing that things have never been better.

A realistic eye can acknowledge that we are not the only club struggling, Everton have yet to sign anyone - I do believe - and they finished 5th! and Man Utd have still got the same squad as last year. Much like we have no need to sell our players, we also have no need to buy everyone elses cast offs. We are building for the future and that involves getting the right players through the door who want to play for us, not buying the quick fixes or acting as a growth hormone for "big 4" talent. A pure example of our position was the Gareth Barry saga. An unfortunate end to what has been a truely forthright and honest approach from our club - It's just sad that a head can be turned so quickly through no fault of our own, but in my opinion we are better without the prima-donna attitudes regardless.

I bought a season ticket this year for the first time. I didn't do it because of our success on the pitch - admittedly it is entertainment and I would like to be entertained for my hard earned money - but I did it because this club is now healthy and will continue to be so for at least the time we have with Randy, MON and yourself. I would still have my season ticket in League 2 as long as you guys were in charge and that is not a joke. We have come a long way and we have a long way still to go. That is the reality and a lot of fans know it, more than the number who have verbally shit themselves on here at least.

General, sincerely many thanks for your continued efforts on here as an unpaid liason to the heart of the club. I would not begrudge you to go awol until the new year but I just know that is not your character. Stick it out and know that one day, when you are smiling prouder than anyone else, that you were true to yours and Randy's intentions.

All my best to Martin, Randy, yourself and everyone working hard at Aston Villa Football Club. Keep up the good work...

Up the Villa

Jon

(I think my signature says it all)

To the tune of "Nelly the Elephant"

Rafa and Steve came to the Villa to tap up Gareth Barry,

They got sent home by MON...

****, Right, Off!

The fat waiter tried real hard but he had no money,

Until he bought Robbie Keane...

****, Right, Off!

Gareth Barry stayed at the Villa and shit on Steven Gerrard,

One nil to Aston Villa...

****, Right, Off!

The scousers tried and tried again but got nowhere close,

There's only one thing left to say...

****, Right, Off!

General Krulak here:

Randy gives him whatever support ($$$$) he needs...MON has the charge to make it happen.

The exchange rate on the dollar is shocking coming this way General, clearly bad planning

2. I will be off the site until Saturday....I am on my way to Omaha for a Board meeting then on to Cleveland for a meeting with Randy.

Please say hello to Randy from Villa Talk and remind him how much we still appreciate his input. Can I ask whether Randy intends to be here for the first game against Man City?

Freddie will leave a big gap not only at left back but his consistency and commitment to his play. I hope MON is on the case, I think we all know we now have major defensive issues to sort out before kick off.

Please wish Freddie all the best for a speedy recovery General, I can't wait to see him back and fit.

sidwell:

To the tune of noahs ark 'the animals go marching 2 by 2'

He gets the ball from the back 4

Sidwell, Sidwell

He slips it to agbonlahor

Sidwell, Sidwell

He's on the left, he's on the right

He makes Barry look **** shite,

Cos Steevie Sidwell's villas no.4

Nice work, a second verse:

He's here, he's there, he's everywhere

Sidwell, Sidwell

He's going to feed the Hare to score,

Sidwell, Sidwell

He's on the left, he's on the right

He came to Villa from the London shite,

Cos Steevie Sidwell's villas no.4

General,

Would just like to add to the things people have been saying about MON's stance. I believe it shows that no player is bigger that the club and if you step out of line you will be punished for it. I should hope that the players respect MON even more so on their return to training tomorrow and realise what he has done was so not to 'upset the apple cart'.

Maybe we should have taken this stance with that pesky Spaniard a few weeks ago...?

General,

Many thanks for your post. Can I just say that if you continue to post with such detail, many of the frustrations will be relieved. It is the lack of noise coming directly from the club that fuels anticipation and angst amongst the fans as we scrap and scrape through "Red Top" nonsense. The note on the OS today was perfect to update us on the Barry situation, but all I ask is that you can deliver these kind of reassurances on a much more frequent basis.

Thanks again, I feel very informed now.

Jon

General, can you please confirm the clubs stance on Gareth Barry, now it's rumoured that the club have made an official statement?

Would second a comment on this report from Sky quoting an official statement from Villa about Gareth Barry.

General,

I have tried to keep myself from commenting on the Gareth Barry saga, but it has got to the stage where regardless of yours and Randy's very sincere principles, the club is starting to look like mugs over the whole thing. Now, I am not demanding that you suddenly change your stance, but with GB's agent now in the press, the bandwagon is clearly shifting and the media are forcing the issue.

You can see that Man Utd have lost no credibility in reporting Real Madrid to Fifa, quite the opposite in my opinion, they have probably earned more respect for standing up against the machine. We need to show a hand general, whatever size, shape or form that is - unless of course we are resigned to him going that is!!! Liverpool have broken the rules and if they aren't there to be abided by then what is the point at all?

Please General, for our future say something. If not to the media then to us! I am resigned to the fact that he is probably going, but to lose him like this shouts small fry to me!

Jon

General, Anything to add about whether a percentage of merchandise sales goes to the charity? I would love to buy my shirt knowing that both the club and Acorns will benefit.

Jon

Gernal:

I have always wanted to run the London Marathon and have been rejected in the ballot process for the last 3 years.

Now that it has been confirmed Acorns will sponsor us next year, I for one am overjoyed. I would like to take this possibility to raise the profile further by:

a) Running the London Marathon in a Villa Shirt

Raise money for the Acorns Hospice

Can you or anybody else from the wider management team be able to help me get a guaranteed place (I am in the ballot again this year) but moreover, give some ideas with regards to fund raising ?

I am far from a stick insect so it might be more real life story than the film "Run Fat Boy Run" - and that was such a success.

Thanks

I know this isn't a discussion thread, but have you considered entering through the charity themselves? I am running the Great North Run in October for the British Heart Foundation. I missed out in the ballot, but quite quickly got a place running for the charity. There is a huge list of charities who have designated positions, I'd expect Acorns to be one of them.

General,

A very proud day to be a Villa fan indeed. This is another great example of the humility of Randy, yourself and all associated with the club. Please pass on my kindest regards to everyone who has been associated with this deal and wish them great success for this venture. I truely hope it brings Acorn's the exposure they so deserve.

I am looking forward to reading your official statement in the near future but can I ask, does the buying of an official shirt, other products or match/season tickets contribute to the charity in any way?

Many thanks

Jon

Kudos BOF, that is some serious dedication

General, are there any future plans for launching the clubs own TV channel?.

As youve proberly noticed, the top 4 clubs do have their own. I reckon it would be an ideal medium in making the club a world wide brand. It would also bring with it, the promise of further commercial revenue.

If there are plans to go down this route, how far advanced are they, and what timescale are we looking at?

I know it's been discussed before General, but I would second this. I live about 100 miles from Villa Park and although I am keen to purchase a Season Ticket for next year and onwards, our own TV channel would allow the broadcast of live reserve and youth games which would be a great way to keep in touch with the future and squad players we have.

General,

Any news on when GB will say something? If you can't clarify that, could you at least let on as to whether more talks have happened since last week? People are getting nervous...!

Cheers

General Krulak here:

* We currently have over 1300 on waiting list.

General,

I was told 1,800 when I phoned the ticket office earlier and that the club were restricting season ticket sales to 27k. Can you confirm if either comments are correct?

It worries me that I won't get a look in because of the number of ST's sold last season was 25k + and because of the need to keep seats open for general sale. Do we really need 15,000 seats to go on general sale each game? Surely a figure nearer 30,000 ST's (13k general) would ensure sell out's at even the quietest games.

Cheers

Jon

*hoping not to be one of the unlucky ones that missed out*

General, a few have commented on the refreshments in the Trinity Road; I too queued for beer for over twenty minutes thus missing around five or six minutes of the game.

I propose a plan; recently I visited the Allianz Arena to watch Bayern Munich. Before entering the ground visitors can buy a card which has various values, this is necessary to buy any type of refreshment and thus saves time in finding change, making the transaction and so forth. A card reader deducts the value from the card and at the end of the day you are reimbursed the difference of the card from the booth.

Secondly, at the Allianz there are specific outlets which cater for certain products whether that is beer, snacks or something more substantial. In essence it might be best to have a few outlets providing only beer. This would be prudent especially considering the fact that Villa Park should become much busier over the next years if we are to become a consistent football team.

General,

To add to what Yuen_Biao has suggested, the idea of the card is a great idea, my proposal would be to make it like an Oyster card that is used on London transport. For 25,000 ST holders this could be their ST card which they top up before hand, say £20 and this could last a few games. They are never going to turn up at a game without it and will always be able to buy a drink etc. if they have funds on there of course. This could be extended to the shop and all sorts of other revenue inlets associated with Villa Park (i.e. programmes) and the Club (City Centre Store).

The second point he makes is also a good one. I have been to the new Wembley a couple of times and they have this sort of system working a treat. It is also fair to say that if you want a good case study for beer dispensers, go to the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, they have pumps which run off 30 beers a minute or something daft like that.

Hope this is useful

Tubster

Genaral,

Glad to see the ST prices have been released. I will be purchasing for the first time this year and I am happy with the prices, progression on the pitch needs to be compensated by something and as we are all riding the train together... etc. Anyway my question is, from when can we purchase season tickets? A date isn't indicated on the OS.

Cheers

Jon

First, the game. I thought the lads never looked better. The pace was dramatic, the play in the center of the field was brilliant...Petrov looks like the man MON signed...NRC has an engine that will NOT stop...and our Captain, well, he was superb. His passes were spot on...all the time. The back line was tight and strong...defending well and pushing forward when needed. The picture of Mellberg coming off the Pitch and pumping his fists will last with me for years. John Carew was unstoppable. They mugged him and still couldn't stop him. Young and Gabby were absolutely too much for anyone to handle. EVERY player was magnificent...

Note to the above Gen, please do everything you can to retain GB's services. Regardless what some people may think about whether we should or shouldn't, his consistency is second to none and this football club needs him. As NRC said in the match programme, "he leads by example" and personally I think there would be a massive void without him.

On another thought... Hopefully, there will be some quality recruitments to play alongside those battle hardened heroes from the weekend. You say Randy want's to do the best for the fans, then I believe he knows that after Sunday's performance the right investment could potentially push us up there.

Gen, pass on my greatest thanks to Randy, I can feel it that we are so close. I was literally frightened by how good we were Sunday and can only dream of watching more of that in the years to come.

Jon

General Krulak here:

3. Neither Randy nor any other single owner has "veto power" over this issue. At the end of the day though, it will possibly come to a vote. Remember, all we were asked was a go-ahead to "explore"...NOT a decision. Randy will do what is right.

If this situation arises and Randy votes no citing his allegiance to the fans of Aston Villa as his reason then great news, but where would that leave us if he was the only 1 of 20 to do this? Would Villa then attempt to go against the league to accommodate the fans?

I know this is all if's and but's General and I hope that FIFA and the FA put an end to it before we have to, but this is an idea that fans may have no control over and that is worrying!

Cheers

Jon

General Krulak here:

1. Tubby: Browns at Villa Park....I do not see that happening. The expense of bringing the entire team over, setting up Bodymoor for training, etc. etc. would be too much. Something as simple as the weight room...NFL players utilize free weights...so we'd have to get those in. Team size is much larger than football so the facilities would need to be expanded...dressing rooms, physios, etc. Re. friend to the Blues game....my sense is that you will not need to do anything to enhance his experience.

Cheers for the response General. I thought it may have been a little far-fetched to get the Browns over for training, but the nonetheless it would have been an amazing experience. What about the possibility of bringing a few of the staff/players over to watch Villa play? Failing that I'm guessing it will be cheeper for me to visit Cleveland myself!

I knew it was a cheeky longshot for some treatment for my mate, maybe if he was coming over with another 20 people we would have got somewhere.... I've no doubt he will be in awe of the 3-0 Villa win regardless.

Cheers General,

Jon

General Krulak here:

3. Browns off-season: A good deal of the off-season is spent scouting, evaluating players, looking at film, preparing for the draft, building the play book, doing strength drills, endurance drills, etc. etc.

General,

If I may I'd like to move away from the oversea's games issue, from what I have read you and Randy would seem to have things nicely in control and with certain comments being passed to Randy directly that these do go on to assure him that the majority of us fans are not willing to back such a move by the Premier League. You say that we are the life-blood of the club, now is the time to stand up and be counted - at the appropriate time of course. We trust you!

Now General to my question re: your quote above. What would be the possiblity of inviting the Browns over to train at Bodymoor Heath in pre-season? An opportunity for them to visit Randy's other sporting interest - maybe catching a Villa game before our season ends - would also be a good opportunity to introduce them to their British fans at an open training session or even to have a meet and greet session staged somewhere like the Holte Hotel....? Please General could you review or comment on this as a possibility?

As always General, cheers for your ever valuable contribution to VillaTalk, I look forward to hearing your responses.

P.S. I am hoping to bring a mate of mine to the Blues game on April 20th. He is coming here from Belfast and has never seen a game at Villa Park although we have tried on many occasions to sort something out. Although I'm not totally comfortable asking, I'd like to know if there was anything that could be done to enhance his experience at his first Villa Park game? If you respond with a no that is fine by me, I understand you can't always go that extra mile, especially on derby day, but if there is some possibility of that extra something to enhance his day I can guarentee it would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks and kind regards. Keep up the good work, we all really do appreciate the lengths you go to provide this service to the fans.

Cheers

Jon

General,

Thanks for your responses, absolutely no need to be up at that ridiculous hour though!

1. With regards to Richard Fitzgerald, please wish him all the best. I don't think anyone was expecting intricate details as to why he left but if you say its personal reasons then so be it and good luck to him.

2. With regards to the transfer market, I like many are aware that you have no influence on the transfer dealings, but I do feel the club need to review their communications with the fans over the situation especially now with so many fans feeling we haven't achieved anything. Ultimately I'm talking post transfer market, a review of what happened, who we went for, what failed and why. I think it would signal a mark of respect and I believe that the majority of fans are mature enough to accept justified reasoning. I understand the stance on an ultimate silence so not to inflate the market, but in this case, no news is frustrating especially when we are constantly talking about investing and strengthing.

UTV