paulanddonya

AVFC- come on, be real. Even if Lerner turned round now and said "Go on, I will bankroll you so you can spend 200m on your own squad. Who the hell of any salt is going to join a club who could be bottom of the league on Sunday ! Sorry AVFC - but its an old saying "buy from a position of strength" I had this arguament with Krulak and got called disrespectful. Our chance has GONE. We had two chances at this- we needed a top class goalscorer which would have cost about 15m to put us champions league - we bought Heskey I said then - that decision cost us at lesat 5 yrs ! Then, somehow, against all odds after selling our best player - we managed to stay in the top 6 (mainly down to crap seasons by Liverpool and Everton - but we did it none-the less) - and we STILL didn't invest. Not only that - but we AGAIN sold our best player. Thats it - Finished , Finite , gone, disappeared ! We have had our time, Lerner did what Ellis did time after time, got so far, and then wouldn't go that little bit more to finish it. 10yrs ago - John Gregory put the Villa top of the league, he wanted juninho - we didn't get him. It took us 7 yrs to get anywhere near that position again (having nearly been relegated twice) and we did EXACTLY the same thing again. He has missed the boat , and he will have to spend another 140m just to get us back into Top 6 contention - and he won't even do half of that. If you think otherwise - you are niave !

I started this topic and I have purposely left my opinion until now to judge what others thought. I personally voted for Lerner / the board. Over the past six months the Villa, on and off the pitch has been a catastrophe - whether that be shirts / team / manager walking / Krulak being in press having public slanging matches / lack of investment / selling best players / pulling out of Olympic bid for next year quaoting ground improvements (where are they then - they would have to take place in 6 months to have affected the olympics ?) and many more that other people could bring up. Now, go back three or four years and remember what Browns fans were saying "He did the same to us - came in , blaze o glory, then shut up shop, bought the Villa and now spends all his money on them" And guess what has happened in the last 6 months - the Browns have started to spend - and we haven't ! The guy clearly cannot afford to run both , or give his time to both. You saw what happened with Gillett and Hicks when they tried to run both. All I will say, can you imagine what the hell would have been going on down Villa Park now if Ellis was in charge over this - the mind boggles. I HATED O'Neill - even when he was manager, I never warmed to him. But for him, and ALL his backroom team to walk out 5 days before the season - there HAS to be a reason no matter what spin Mr Krulak wants to put on it. Me 1. Lerner 2. Players - I just think they won't give their all for GH 3. MON - Even Mourinho would have struggled with the chaos he left behind 4. GH - strage decisions yes - but as said, I don't think even the best ever could have sorted this, that quickly

Well we all knew it didn't we ! Luckily, when I got up at 9am - my head ruled my heart and that feeling of "shall I go" never got the better of me, Therefore, can't say who played well, however , from hearing it - it seems no-one. Lets face it, if Man City had wanted it - that could have been 7 or 8. Utter disgrace the Villa are - I get slagged o something rotten on here for telling the truth. and the truth is - WE WILL GET RELEGATED !!! - this is 1986 being relived. So all those who give this "you are not a good supporter" just realise it - we are being taken for a sodding ride ! Chelsea here we come - expect a bigger defeat !

Easy really - the title says it all. How do you put a poll up. The options Martin O'Neill - he left us in it, with a aging and expensive squad Randy Lerner - has he done a Doug, got us so far, then cut all spending The players - could they do better but are refusing to do so as they love Martin Gerard Houllier - is he just killing us I will not put my view until later - MODS Can you add a poll - I ain't gotta clue. "Please" would be nice

Go boil your f-in balls mate ! - In fact I just wrote a load, then deleted it as I dont want it as a "I'm a better fan than you" Do you know, I've NEVER been so pessimistic as a Villa fan. I was there in 86 I was there before the recovery began , Sept. 1987 languishing 17th in Div 2 I was there at Plough Lane in pouring rain watching us go out the FA Cup in the last minute of extra time to an own goal. I was there all through the DOL years But I had one thought "AS SOON AS ELLIS GOES - WE WILLBE WHERE WE BELONG AGAIN" Sorry kid, but I've realised - NOTHING , and I mean NOTHING has changed ! Always 2 players short - and always will be. I've now realised Lerner is Ellis with a PR consultant !. AND THATS WHY I AINT GOING TO MAN CITY - COZ I'VE HAD THE OPTIMISM SUCKED OUT OF ME !!!!!!!!!!! So, I have a decision, waste 100 quid on a club that don't give a shit - and giving the well publicised problems, I think we can safely say a lot of players don't give a shit Or I can spend the money on my wifes 40th birthday in London on 3rd January ! Yeah - I'm a SHIT supporter Have a great 8th birthday ! EDIT What a f-in cheek - sorry, I missed the last bit "I will support them no matter what on the TV "

Do you know what - I am so non plused about the Villa nowadays that my wife has been trying to talk me into going to this - unsuccessfully ! I always have an away ticket for Xmas , last year I went to Arsenal, the year before, SUnderland. This year I said I wanted a Man City ticket, then two weeks ago I said forget it - it's just a waste of money. I could still get a ticket and my wife has been saying all day "Why don't you get one, you know what you will be like tomorrow" - but I just can't be bothered. £40 for ticket , £25 for travel, £30 on beer and food. Nah, sorry, I ain't gonna blow 100 quid on watching us get stuffed. Me and the wife will go for a nice meal when we go to London next week. Prediction - lose 5-0 - Man City need to start winning at home, and who better than the Villa to start it against !

Sorry mate but if he did - hes a sodding fool. We have three games, and "on paper" you'd say - Spurs = Best chance of winning Man City - Little chance of winning Chelsea - no chance of winning. So , if he is playing rotation - he should have played his best 11 against Spurs and tried to get three points on the board. Maybe, with a but of luck - we'd have come out of those 3 games with 4 points. Now, it is Zero and quite possibly, January 3rd and we will be in the bottom 3 !. I don't b;ame Houllier for everything, and ceryainly don't want him sacked - but unless NRC was ill r something, that was just utter stupid ! Oh I said Lichaj - forget Motm - to me, he was the only one wh played ! Collins - an utter disgrace. At one point he had Delph - a 20yr old kid tellin him where he should be standing, Captain ? more like captain Caveman !

three little letters say so much. There must be a resson as, if not, its mystifying. N.R.C ???

Bought a bottle of Smirnoff Apple for tomorrow and plan to have a good old tme with it !

Shapp gives me the hots !!!! And wierdly, I find Millican kind of sexy in an ugly kind of way !

This one GETS MY GOAT EVERY BLOODY YEAR And I bet your bottom dollar everyone does it in here as well. Everyone becomes Pogues fans ! - and everyone sings the wrong sodding lyrics ! You hear it every day - "Came in at 10 to 1" NO IT BLOODY ISN'T !!! Its "came in EIGHTEEN TO ONE" !!!!!!!! - aarggggggghhhhh ! Get Rum Sodemy and the Lash and check the cover !!!! (oh and by the way - its also Rare Old Mountain Dew - whilst you're at it !!! NOW SING IT BLOODY CORRECTLY !!!!!

I know he is ony 19 and all that - but am I the only one here who has seen this kid a few times, and just can't see anything in him ?. To me, he doesn't even look in the same league as the likes of Darren Byfield and Stefan Moore, never mind the likes of Vassell , Agbonlahor - and not even in the same cosmos as someone like Yorke ! I wouldn't mind betting he'll be at some German Div 2 club like Rostock within 2 yrs.

Lets face it - nothing matters apart from the result. Get three points here, and a bit of luck elsewhere and we could be right back up there. Bugger it up, and with some bad results and our upcoming fixtures, it could be squeeky bum time. Think we will win it though, and I think we will do it comfortably - 2 or 3 nil NRC having another week , Heskey the same, and hopefully Gabby back will make a HUGE difference to our side

Not a joke as such , but this made me laugh earlier not very nice but bloody funny. I was clicking on the AOL news stories and on one (unfortunately I can't find it now) said the following:-- 'Allelujah or Alopetia - is Alexandra Burke losing her hair ? Fecking bloody funny headline that

This bloody tickled me about an hour ago - not very nice but bloody funny. I was clicking on the AOL news stories and on one (unfortunately I can't find it now) said the following:-- 'Allelujah or Alopetia - is Alexandra Burke losing her hair ? Fecking bloody funny headline that

Lets face it, it wasn't great - but at this moment in time - a win is a win. 1st half we were alwful, and could have easily been 4 down. The defence were trying their "Bobby Moore" impressions (yes, including Cueller) and we were making so many mistakes. The marking was non-existent, they nearly scored from about 4 set pieces that we failed to mark. Then half time come, and I think one of the players must have had the bottle to tell Houllier what they feel a defender should be - ie: if in doubt kick it out, and we improved 200%. Cueller looked commanding, Collins was winning challenges, and Lichaj, although sometimes caught out of position, was getting back and winning everything. Thus the midfield improved (Downing was the pick) and we looked very very comfortable - until that is, the weekly last minute goal concede. This is really miffing me now. Positives - 2nd half defensive display, Lichaj, return of NRC and Heskey (god, did I say that) and, most importantly for me - and I think it has gone under the radar. For all I have had a go at Houllier this week, at least he had the balls to drop his captain ! - how many games were we saying the same of MON / Petrov - at least he shows, you don't perform, you are out. Downing MOTM by a mile A Young - am I missing something, apart from winning 5 cheap free kicks from a guy whos head had gone, I thought he did absolutely sod all ! - and he got MOTM at the ground

Not confident at all. More importantly, nor is our side ! I think if we concede first it will totally wipe us out. 1-1 draw.

Fot the guy who wanted the comments - a) read above As he walked down the steps he stroked the "this is Anfield" sign - which is supposed to be for Liverpool staff to do c) At the end of the game - he turned to the Kop and applauded - totally ignoring our own fans that were absolutely magnificent. d) Before the game, he took time to sign Liverpool programmes for their fans. This is only a week afer GK said that GH could not do this for Villa fans as he is too busy before the game. And thats ony the ones I can remember ! oh e) Having a public slanging match on the pitch with Stephen Warnock didn't help either

Now I know Jol is available - Yes , I want him gone. I wa shappy with his appointment in the circs - ie: I thought he was one of the best we could get in the situation we were in. The situation has changed, and to me, the manager needs to as well. No room for sentiment - last night was final straw.

Post to general - I am concious this should not be a debate. I am going to bring your attention to something that is hanging on my sons bedroom wall. Something I bet only about 10 people on here have seen, or have. Something I think people will be interested in and I think the sentiments are more important today than at anytime in the past 4 yrs. Letter written 5th May 2007 - author R Lerner 1982 European Champions To the Villa European Champions and those who supported them. I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate you collectively and express my respect (and jealousy!). Whilst I can't know, I do have the strong sense that this day is some time in coming and want to explain that credit must go entirely to the tireless Villa supporters that have guided this new management and group of directors. Since late last summer, we have had considerable contact with Villa supporters, former players, and even some managers. The consensus hsa been that to move forward we need to reconnect with our past to assure us that we achieve continuity as we face new challenges whether in England or to compete in Europe, as you have done. In my very short time with Aston Villa I have already begun to imagine the magnitude of winning the European Cup. With that, I can only say that it is a privelage to witness and help celebrate your achievement and finally give my assurance that we will maintain such an honour as among our few and most cherished goals. With my kindest regards R Lerner Very telling words. I hope, if you read this before going into your meeting you will print this out. You (The Board) discuss the situation, and in particular, last nights well documented events - and wonder whether Mr Houlliers actions are in context with what you truly believe to be in the best interests of our great club. May rant - but always be grateful for your time - and - look back - I never use bad language, or personal insult - I just care PASSIONATELY for this club !

People think I am out of order - for that I am sorry. But sorry, I am not. I just blame the board general and I don't mind saying it. All I have heard is "one man thought he was bigger than the club". Well two things, Since his departure, he may not have proved he was bigger, but he has certainly proved who knew best at the club. But it goes further to me, it started to smell bad long before August. And if it was just MON - then why did all his backroom team leave ?. Did Steve Walford think he was bigger than the club. I can't remember the exact now, but wasn't it about 10 backroom members that left in the same week. Now, I bet MON was on a pretty packet and can afford to relax on the golf course for many a year. I don't think the same could be said for some of the backroom crew - they presumably had mortgages, had kids, had loans - so for them to quit ? , and not just wait for what would have happened (new manager comes in, new manager wants his own team, old team get handsome pay offs) Sorry General and all that can't see it - something HUGE must have happened in August for all those to leave. And we are now seeing the return. ANd I didn't even like O'Neill ! General read the thread on 1986 - it is EXACT !. Manager told to sell players, manager quits, new young manager appointed who is out his depth, new manager sacked, experienced manager comes in with no passion, shows he only cares about one thing - and that is another club, Villa get relegated. Just substitute Ron Saunders , a combination of Tony Barton and Graham Turner and Billy McNeill for Martin O'Neill , Kev McDonald and Gerard Houllier !

General Now the next morning and my 40th birthday - and I am still on here as I am so upset. However, since my rant last night has come out the whole "Houllier loves Liverpool" debacle. So yes, I blame th eboard - to me, it is too easy to say injuries etc. If you watched us week in week out, read papers, heard comments - this was coming since February - and forget this "MON left us high and dry" there wer reports he had quit in May - so something was going on. However, IF and it is an IF the board did act the only way they could - they can rectify it now. The fans WANTED and WANT Martin Jol - there is now no excuse, apart from we would not be prepared to pay Houllier off. He would walk to the Villa - he loves the area, he knows the club, he loves English football AND - now this is the big thing - IF YOY ARE NOT SPIN - he will have money to spend, where as , Newcsatle haven't. So go and do the decent thing. I am intrigued to say you are off at a "Board meeting" - I only hope this is for doing the above !

General Krulak I did tell you the day after Arsneal game - you better get this sorted or else the fans will turn on the board / manager. You chose to ignore , in fact, you didn't ignore, you just bsaically made out I was not a Villa fan for not supporting the club. Well , General _ I've seen the signs before - I was watching the exact same thing happen in 1986 when Mr Lerner was presumably in College. This hurts me more than you can ever imagine. It's my 40th birthday tomorrow - a day that I am supposed to celebrate more than any other birthday in my life - well I am bloody as miserable as sin - and will be tomorrow - and still will be up until 2.59pm on Saturday. The thing that has hurt me the most is - I feel cheated. For 30 yrs we had Doug Ellis keeping us back. You all came in and I had hope that those days were over. Well you have shown me they are not, I've been hoodwinked, I have lost confidence in yourselves - and funnily enough, its nothing to do with the match. You told us "The club will only get the best possible" - every bloody person on here knew who we needed - he was at Ajax and we were led to believe, with comments from yourself as "Do you think Randy is just sitting on his hands" that we were trying to get the best. Well tonight proves you wasn't - you have been proved you were trying to find "the cheapest". We may pick up results wise, I bloody hope so, and we may have some good times, like we did under Ellis - but sorry Mr Krulak, as far as I am concerned, Mr Lerner is now just "Villa owner" in the way Ellis was - he isn't no better - just younger. he is certainly not the hope I thought he was. All I hear is Randy has spent, basically implying we should all be grateful - as we couldn't have dreamed of that in the past. Can I remind you Doug spent. in reality (ie: where record transfer fees were at the time) a lot more heavily. When the record was 2.9m - we spent 2.6m on Saunders, when it was 12m , we spent 9.5 on Angel - ie: we were usually around 75% of the record fee - thus - in todays terms - signing 20m players. Problem was - when it was REALLY needed - Ellis didn't support the manager - we were always two players short - and it seems to me, that is what Randy did - to me, the only difference is, Ellis was a nasty man, we don't know how randy is - he never talks - but the result is the same Ellis spent money to - in fact I think he gave JG nearly 80m - and that was 10 yrs ago thats the equivelant of about 300m now ! EDIT Oh - the other thing I said last week and got shot down. I DEFINATELY heard a round of "We want Martin back I said we want Martin back !" It's like that film American President - "sometimes you have to show them you are a winner". Well all this proves is , you have spoken on how the ex manager shat on us - he has said nothing, and is proving he was the person that was putting Villa where we were - and I don't even like the bloke - but surely you can see that !

I have never felt so low as a Villa fan. Even under the dark days of DOL I had hope that once Ellis was gone - we would be back where we belong. But this club is going where Newcastle went. It might not be this season - but we will - this MIRRORS the years after the Euro Cup. Managers told he needs to trim wages, manager walks, manager replaced with a lamb to the slaughter , Villa end up missing relegation by hairs breath , Villa are relegated !. The hope was at 5% , then with the announcement "Jol leaves Ajax" the rest went - coz that proves we were lied to. We didn't try to get "the best man" we went for "the cheapest man" And here we are - stuffed again, the manager playing ultra defensive until its too late, and every player looking bereft of idea, confidence, belief and the worst of all GUTS !. The Fonz and Downing are spared for at least trying - the rest (bar Freidal who was OK) were an utter disgrace ! Its as simple as that ! Oh - one other thing - I said to the general after Blues - I am gobsmacked that the Villa fans haven't chanted MON's name yet - well I am pretty sure it happened tonight - it definately said martin It was either We want Martin back , or , we want Martin Jol - but I think it was the first !

General - 8.16pm losing 2-0 Could have been worse Why ? Because as I pointed out 2 weeks ago - our manager is trying to make Two "old fashioned centre halves" play like Bobby Moore. Now sorry General - this is nothing to do with rocket science This is down to the guy you say is doing a remarkable job making a bloody pigs ear. Now sort it out before it's too late !! EDIT Oh - and by the way It seems like Newcastle wanted Ajax's manager a bit more than we did !!! Sorry General - with every passing week it is getting obvious what is going on at the Villa - and it is worrying !