deaceydeaceyaggro

that's cultural stuff I guess. I'd consider myself an Atheist, but I wouldn't be aghast if my future wife wanted her day in a white dress in a church. Again, whilst I wouldn't want to christen my kids, if the future mrs me decided she wanted to, Id probably give in, or at least use it to get off housework for a year or something, test her resolve etc. Not bothered about funerals really as I won't be there to 'enjoy it'.

Also I really don't think it's a massive contradiction celebrating certain festivities, either. I enjoy the xmas holidays, as there's families together, the odd good film on telly and the exchanging of gifts, so fadging what if it's done nominally in the name of some dead guy?

I think that is classic contradiction to be honest. If you were a true Atheist you wouldn't go near a Church nor celebrate any of their festivals.

You can't have your cake and eat it you know.

I've noticed there's a lot of Atheists on here, but I wonder how many of these have Church weddings, Funerals, Christen their kids etc, but still claim to be an Atheist.

I reckon a fair few of them contradict themselves with this issue.

Catholic.

he would be joining, just as soon as we agreed a fee.

Surely we need to agree a fee before talking to him, or it is deemed 'tapping up'

I don't think West Ham would be too bothered. They granted his transfer request after all.

Reo Coker' agent was on Rado WM tonight, and when asked if his player was interested in joining Villa, he claimed he was not only interested in joining us, he would be joining, just as soon as we agreed a fee.

He claimed that Reo Coker couldn't wait to join a club as massive as the Villa and work for a manager as great as O'Neill. 8)

Finnan would be an awesome signing but i think there is very little in this

If we sign Bramble i will be very embarrased

Finnan's too old. Bramble is complete garbage. If we sign the latter then maybe we don't have as much money as we thought we had.

I think both stories are rubbish anyway (he's says in hope)

General, do you know when these tickets wil be available?

Obviously I'm not the General but I'm sure i read somewhere they go on sale the start of July.

According to Express and Star, Davis has been told he can leave:

E&S

That's a shame. I always thought he might make it at the Villa.

I hope we get a decent fee for him. We always seem to practically give away our decent young players for nothing.

Can't see the attraction of Kewell, we've got Barry, Berger and Maloney (and even Ashley Young) who can play wide left. If we're after a left sided player I'd rather it was Taylor who can play either left midfield or defence.

And we've got Patrik Berger and Mark Delaney ready and willing to be our token injury nightmares, so there's definitely no room for another.

Well for today's first proper rumours, the Liverpool Echo says that we're going to sign both Bellamy and Kewell.

Surely the Kewell story is garbage?

I won't be a happy chappy if we sign the walking disaster area that is Harry Kewell.

I can't see us being interested in Wright Phillips anymore. Not since we signed Shaun Maloney.

This thread is for questions and answers to and from the General NOT chat between posters. Please respect the fact that the General has a lot of posts to trawl though and don't make him work harder to keep us informed and listen to our concerns, thanks. blandy

My bet is Distan

No definately DeFoe

Inside knowledge or just an educated guess??

I think most of us like to see us on par with SPuds, after next season ....

the way glaston has posted makes me wonder if he and many people think we are on par with them now ....

some are getting worried at the 'new' villa ....

Without doubt Ian, without doubt.

The thing is with Spurs in particular, they are just another club in London, who live in the shadow of their neighbours, quite an awful situation to be honest.

There will always be at least 2 teams from London better than them.

We are the undisputed dominant force, not only in the Country's second City, but the Midlands region. When this ride that Randy has got us on hits its peak we will be supernova, I have no doubts. None at all.

This, I believe, has a lot of people worried. Almost any of the big 4 would give for our location, dominance of a region and potential fan-base.

Awaken the sleeping giant that is Aston Villa and a lot of things will change in this league. No doubts.

Whilst I agree in principle I hate to go off topic, and hate to say it but we are not the biggest supported club in the Midlands. Not even close....

Manchester United are.

I don't think so. They may have fans all over the Midlands (gloryhunters) but to claim they're the biggest supported club in these parts is pushing it a bit.

I would like us to try and get Viduka ...

Too old.

You're worryingly very defensive about Spurs here!! Rolling Eyes , and you're not making sense, they wanted Young and was even said to be ready to "hijack" our deal, if they couldn't afford to pay the going rate then WE BEAT THEM, it's as simple as that, although no doubt you'll try and dress it up another way to suit your feeble argument,

As i said some members here love Spurs.

Jesus wept, you need to take off your claret and blue tinted glasses

do you honestly think at this moment in time we can beat Spurs for players? even though they have a much much stronger team and are in europe? If it wasn't for them getting to the quarter final of the UEFA cup they wopuld have probably broke the top 4 this season

i can't believe i have to argue this, maybe in a year or two we will be at their level, but at this moment we are far off from them.

i heard that they wasn't willing to pay the transfer fee as they didn't believe it was value for money, which i agree with, or Boothroyd has had a whisper in his ear to come here instead, which is fair enough but without that whisper in his ear i'd be very suprised to see him in birmingham.

But back to the original point, Darren Bent, i think any neutral can tell you where he would go if he had a straight choice between a team in europe with a great chance of winning the UEFA cup in contrast to a team who's solely competing in the premiership.

I couldn't give 2 shit's if you think i support Spurs, the winding up games you like to play doesn't bother me

I'm just able to realise that the whole world doesn't revolve around Aston Villa, and other teams do actually progress and become very good teams as well.

We have a good basis to build a great club, but its about slow progression, we haven't even got into the UEFA cup yet and had the league struggles which accompany it

Spurs have got a talented squad, but we're hardly years behind them - just a couple of wins. And yes I do think we could beat them for players right now.

There's not much (if anything) between our two club's at all.

Defoe is quality, he'd bring even more pace to our attack, and he's a superb finisher as well.

Spot on.

And if he signs I'd bet my last penny that he'd be our top goalscorer next season ahead of Gabby, Carew and Moore as well.

I'd be absolutely delighted if we got Distin, for me him and Laursen would be brilliant together in the middle of our defence and it would be nicely balanced, Distin loves to bring the ball out and pass it so he could gel with Laursen very well,

Could he be thinking of Olly as RB like he plays Internationally?

I really hope not. Mellberg's distribution is woeful at the best of times, and I actually think his best days are behind him anyway. I'd sign Distin as his replacement. He's a quality centreback. Man City's defense is very good, and has been for a number of seasons since Distin arrived.

Maybe Mellberg could be cover for the injury prone Laursen?

They'll go straight back down. The standard of football in the Championship was diabolical this season and everytime I saw them play they were absolutely awful, and they fluked their way to winning games.

When they came up 5 years ago I was worried because of the state the Villa were in, but this time I haven't a worry in the world. I'm gonna enjoy next season, and enjoy the on-going comedy of another relegation year at the Sty.

By the way, Premiership-Premiership loans should banned.

Spot on. Why should smaller club's help out the bigger club's by giving their younger players first team experience and help with their development?

By the way it was in fact Small Heath who put forward the Premiership 'to Premiership loan thing to the League when they first got promoted. So it's all their bloody fault of course.