paulanddonya

100% agreement - Taylor was a true footballer and gentleman. Deserves anything and everything we can do for him (and a job at the club wouldn't be a bad idea !!!!)

General 1stly about the comment about parking when trying to buy tickets. This happened to me (admittedly under the old regime) when trying to buy tickets for my mum and dad. I had my 2 yr old daughter and my 1 yr old son in the car and they stated I could not go into the car park to buy tickets - they suggested I parked in a side street and walked (to which I told them I wouldn't bother - I saved the money and bought them Riverdance tickets instead !!!) - shame to see this is still going on. 2ndly - and I am trtuly sorry to ask this , honestly I am. We are extremely close to the relegation zone and from what I can see, no one seems to care, there does seem an attitude from the players of "we will get to the end on the season and then see what happens" - is this just a front because in the words of alcoholics anonymous "you can't recover unless you realise you have a problem !!"

For a no nonsence CB or even LB - can't go wrong with Gabrielle Heinze , available and top quality !!!!. A true leader as well !!!

Looking at the games today - I think Vassell would be the perfect foil for Carew, I think we should do everything to get him back. IT'S A JOKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If a player has been linked to Arsenal and Man U - but they decided NOT to sign him then I think that tells you all you need to know... Personally I am gettign a littel tired of being linked to ex-Celtic players. I just cannot understand why we would spend near on 10m on Bellamy...if he isn't good enough to play for Liverpool, why should we want him... Don't know anything about this Kone but again - surely to god, if you have the money you have gotta be looking at the likes of bent, Ashton (or even yakubu - think he may even be out of contract soon). Carew was different, no money and lets face it John Inman nevr mind John carew would have been an improvement on Baros, spending hard earned cash on someone unproven in the prem. - i just can't see why we would do it..

You haven't included the rest of my post !!! what I said was it was one of them that you can see both sides, if it was Villa Park and we were attacking - would you shout hand ball... If we were defending and it was given - would you go berzerk- Probbaly yes to both I reckon.... In my opinion - he gave it to make up for the Rooney one that was clear. But fairplay to Southgate -who took it with far more dignity than Unlucky George, who called the ref a cheat basically !!!

I said no to this.. I know the ball hit his hand but i don't think it was a) deliberate denied a goalscoring op (as he it hadn't hit his hand - it would of hit his face) and c) I just thought it was an involentary action - but saying that, I can understand why the ref. gave it. Can't blame the ref at all - it was a similar one to Boros' goal against us earlier in season - you could see both sides to why it should/shouldn't have been allowed. Anyway, The interesting thing was did anyone hear GTs' comment on the radio about "unlucky George" - after beating 3-1 last game of the season, all the players were in the dressing room congratualting each other, when Boateng stood up in front of everyone and said "boss, I am giving you this" - he then shoved a "tranfer request" in his hand... GT has never forgiven him from the sound of it !!! And, even though it didn't work out 2nd time - I trust GTs' word on everything !!! (remember his thoughts on Alpay, Angel, Crouch, Ginola and Lampard) - could have been a whole different story if Ellis had listened to him !!!

One quickie Gen, most people want to know this one, what is the plan with Little Lee Hendrie - he was promised a testimonial lst year (10 yrs at club) but n one - including himself - seems to know if it is going to happen - any news ??

Scarves a massive yes - again one lost in generations.... scarves used to be just claret and blue - claret and blue means Villa - now they are cheap and nasty with all sorts on them, England flags at either end etc.... I went one further one round each wrist and one round the neck - still have a piccie on the comp of me like that with Des Bremner !!!

I know it is, the point I was making is I am not saying Hendrie will get a low turn out because I don't like him, and the Mccann point is to re-iterate that. I just think he will get a low turn out. By the way, I have asked the General about the possibility of giving God a "proper" honouring, not the 12000 he got - can someone remind me why the turn out was low - I remember it was the end of the sesaon and I seem to think it was before a final and no one could afford it ????

General, Feels like I am bombarding you with thoughts but I have 36 yrs bottled up that I could never release until now... I don't know how much you are up with player histories but I am sure you know the Legend that is Paul McGrath... (or God as he is known) The best player to ever play for this club and we have had some greats !!!. Unfortunately 1 thing sours Gods' tenure at Villa and that is that when he left he was given a fairwell testimonial. Unfortunately for many reasons (I think the main one is it was sandwiched in the middle of a cup final and a FA cup semi final if I remember correctly) the attendance was appalling - 12000 and every Villa fan is still totally embarrassed of the fact. Is there any way we can honour God properly, I am not saying for his financial benefit (but this maybe an idea as I understand he is on hard times - but this may have been sorted) but maybe a charity game in his homour He really deserves better than he got and I guess, no - I know, you will get every villa fan agreeing with me on this one !!!

McGrath deserved a testimonial for one fact only, He was McGrath !!!!!!!!!!! enough said !!!!!!!!!! If it was up to me I would give him a "REAL" one again now !!!!!!!!!!!

Think the last message is a bit naive, don't get me wrong I am a Lee fan - I still think he is a better player than McCann and at 28 cannot understand why we are getting rid of him... but... I really cannot see many turning up (unless it is old-stars or basically, as we hope, a complete new Villa side turning out), Lee is not that popular and I couldn't see more than 10k there.. (by the way, his debut was QPR away - I was there and sums Lees' whole career up superbly, came on as sub, played superbly, got sent off in last minute for mouthing off, or was it kicking the ball away ......

I say yes as he has been a loyal player, forget the rest of debate whether he was good enough, he does love the Villa and I think it breaks his heart not being there when we finally look on the up... So, same as most, money to charity and I think it would be a done deal anyway, Stoke and I would probably play it at Britannia not Villa Park for a better attendance. Lets face it if god only got 12000 (which still makes me embarrassed) what is Lil Lee gonna get !!!

General, It was my request so I will elaborate. Villa used to have some "anthem" chants, like "The Bells are Ringing", "Holte enders in the sky" (this one still is sung), "Come on you lions", "my eyes have seen the glory of the Villa win the cup" and so on... Over the past ten years, for many reasons, apathy, seating stadiums, people like me growing old !! these have been lost and replaced by two offensive songs about Small Heath Alliance (pet name for our near neighbours) and Holte-enders (luckily kept that one. I posted it on here and all 66 replies agreed without question, with some suggestions of getting them back (and in the process improving the atmosphere). These included a few that the club itself could look at. (and as previously said here I don't know if they are good / bad ideas - just ideas !. 1. (this one has been done at Liverpool with very large success) Actually putting song sheets on the seats with words on one side , and an image on the other (when held up shows some kind of mosaic) the scousers did this a few years ago with the song "feilds of athenry" and it is now sung with amaxing effect. 2. Playing the "real" record over the tannoy (currently being done with Holte-enders and Hi Ho Silver lining) but could be done with all (the bells are ringing for (claret and blue) me and my girl 3. Again, adopted at Anfield, having a, hard to put it, singing section (ie: having all ring leaders in one section, purpose, if one starts on his own he is liable to get told to sit down you drunk, if a few hundred start, the rest of the ground follows. 4. Before the game showing old clips of Villa fans singing these songs on the screen - with so much TV coverage must be able to find these somewhere. There are others but I am aware I am waffling !!. They are not my ideas, these are on the post, who knows if they, if any would work but Villa park is at present a grave yard and it needs someone to awaken the pride.. Pleas help if you can Paul

General, I know you can't read every single thing on these sites but can I please draw your attention to a post I placed on the Villa Forum titled "Where have all our real songs gone"... The point is that Villa used to sing some of the best chants I have heard, but for many reasons these have dies out... we need to bring them back to get the atmosphere back again.... I won't bore you with it now, please take a look, every person who has replied is in agreement with me and there are some suggestions on there on how we can do it... Might be worth getting Mr Strides' thoughts on this before he goes - he can sing them to you !!!! Paul

General, Firstly as a relative new-comer to villa talk can I say how unbelievable this is - speaking to a board member - I speak to other teams fans who think it is a "wind-up" - I don't know if this is common in the US but it is (I would say) unique in the UK and long may it continue... My questions are (and sorry if these have been asked - I can't read all 167 old pages !!);- With Gillett buying the scousers and moving them to Stanley park, Arsenals move from Highbury and all the others - is it in any plans to move away from Villa Park (hopefully not !!) 2 - if the government actually keep a promise for once and look into the prospect of brinqing terraces back - would we bring back standing to the Holte End... 3. - When the Holte hotel is opened can this and the holte Suite plesae be free for ticket holders - I would love to drink in these places but do not drink in the Holte Suite on principle of already forking out £500 for tickets why should i pay to go in it !. Obviously it isn't your concern.. but our previous ermmm , owner (trying to remain polite !!) stated when the Holte was rebuilt "Our fans will have facilities that they will be proud of !!!" - but with everything he promised - it never materialised. Keep up the good work Oooh - one other ! , the flag poles on top of the "WITTON LANE STAND !!", can we have a hall of fame - a flag stating the name of a legend !!!