QldVilla

We could have signed Messi years ago and the same would have happened. The problem was the management of the club. The players being signed didn't care about Villa, they were just hear for the pay check. Purslow and Smith said as much the other day, they have to be able to play Smith's style of football and the players have to have the right charachter. I'd rather support a champion team than a team of champions, and that is what the club is building, it will take several seasons, but we need to be patient and enjoy the ride.

Supporters forget that Tammy was out for a few weeks before the play offs injured, and I believe him and a couple of other players were playing injured through the play offs. It's been a long season in the Championship and he played nearly every game with no rotation, Tammy is a must signature, but we need another quality striker to rotate and freshen.

Agree. I made similar sentiments the other day, all the stars seem to have aligned for Mings to be a VIlla player, his obvious love for the club would put off other clubs, and Bournemouth have no reason to be unreasonable, 6 months ago they probably would have bitten someone's hand off if offered similar money, it's a good deal for all concerned.

Can't argue with any of those released, Jedinak and Whelan's experience and leadership will be a big loss behind the scenes, I thought maybe one of them might of been offered a coaching position, but obviously depends on their circumstances. Good luck to all of them.

Tomato... tomato....we finished 5th or we were the 3rd team to go up. We were the best of the rest 3rd.

No one said it was a done deal, I’ve already stated Villa may not match a silly transfer fee from another club. Bournemouth may decide to keep him, no one knows. But as I’ve stated I think the stars are aligned for him to become a Villa player, I’m a half glass full person, I know how things work, but I’m not going to look for impediments as to why the transfer won’t occur.

That works both ways. Other clubs will know that Mings wants to go to Villa, if Bournemouth play around Mings could refuse to go to another club, and they are caught with him. Mings is a professional, he won't sit around and sook, but as has been shown numerous times over many years, the players have just as much power, IMO Bournemouth will play this with a straight bat. They recoup their investment and maybe a little more on a player they'd probably written off 6 months ago, and the player is happy to go to a club that wants him. Yes it's a business and it's also swings and roundabouts, if Bournemouth play silly buggers, down the track They may want a Villa player and the serve can be returned.

Mings is an important signing for Villa, the best defender we have had since Laursen and is a leader on the pitch. I believe we'll sign him, yes another club may offer silly money, but I think he wants to be at Villa, Bournemouth will know that and should be reasonable in dealings with Villa. Purslow has already put it out there, we won't pay over for players we've improved. Where Mings wants to play his football will play a big part.

I'm quietly optimistic about our first year back in the PL. The players will get a pre-season under Smith which they didn't get last season, and we will have better quality players in the squad. We may have finished 3rd, but IMO we were the best team in the Championship, and those players will be a better team next season. Without knowing the final squad I think we can finish as high as 10-12th. It's not going to be easy but I have faith in the club, the players and coaching staff.

From the comments in the interview with Purslow and Smith, they already have a very good idea of which players they want to bring in. I’d suggest as others have that the loanee’s with options to buy will be the first set of business. Ming’s, El Ghazi and Hause. I also believe they’ll go hard on Tuenzebe and Abraham. Chelsea were ready to sell Abraham to Wolves in January so even with the possible transfer embargo and comments by the player, I think he will be a Villa player. If we can bed those five players down we will be in a good place. I think we will cherry pick some young talent from the championship who are ready for the premier league 2-3 players, then I think will go out to sign 1-2 very good players either with PL experience or from Europe. There’s a few young starlets in the Dutch and German leagues who want to play in the PL and if the right player would love to see them at Villa.

What a terrific day. I was always confident we would go up this season even through the tough Xmas/New Year period. One of the highlights of my life to be at the game today, outstanding. PS just saw Steve Nicholls on ESPN talking about Villa, what a prat. He obviously doesn't watch Championship games, was saying Villa only have championship players, none are proven in the PL. If your going to be paid to be a pundit at least don't be a lazy one.

Thanks mate, my friends think I'm crazy travelling halfway around the world for a football match. But it's Villa, a team I've supported since I was seven years old in the 70's, I feel a bit of history is about to be made. Go Villa!

Id be surprised if Terry left after one season as an assistant. He's on a learning curve and would still be forming his own coaching methodology. He doesn't come across to me as someone who throws himself into something without being ready, and if Villa are promoted another couple of seasons as an assistant will be a good base for him to start his management career.

I'm coming from Australia, was lucky to get a ticket from Club Wembley through a ballot. Looking forward to the game and a Villa win!

I was of the feeling that the team had a bit of stage fright against WBA. 2-1 win first leg, only need a draw, players not wanting to miss the final with cards etc... It's one game now, everything on the line, last game of the season. We may just see the best of Villa with the shackles, mentally, off.

And I don't think he remembers he spent his best years at Villa. In Australia all he talks about is his little time with Man U and Chelsea. Well done Jed,, a little shaky during the game, but huge in the penalty shoot out.

Fear the beard, can't fake experience in those moments.

We didn't play well, but through to the final. Now the hard part, trying to buy a ticket for the final from Australia and book flights, not going to miss a bit of Villa history.

It's too slow we need to be breaking quickly, no urgency.

WE know WBA game plan, batter anyone on the ball and see what we can get away with, and refs allowing it...

WBA likes other clubs in the Championship have gone out with the instruction to hack down Grealish, then they want to whinge when a penalty is awarded in a vital game? Talk about spitting the dummy...

I think the problem in the first half especially was we were moving the ball at too slow and allowing Albion to set defensively. When they are playing 5 across the midfield sometimes a quick ball behind them will create the space and break them up defensively. Thought Grealish was playing a bit too deep as he would have been able to create these opportunities more. At the end of the day they came to park the bus and counter, but if your good enough and maintain the pressure you'll get your chances and we took them. Great performance, 90 min to go.

Totally new competition starts now, all 4 teams have an equal chance and will come down to tactics and desire. I think we are a better team than 12 months ago and come into the play offs in the best form of any team and momentum behind us, hopefully this will be the special ingredient to see us promoted.

The main issue I have with FFP is that it is indescriminate. Villa played in every season of the PL before being relegated. They operated financially at a far higher level to nearly every other club in England, to the point were Villa were one of the Top 20 clubs in Europe for turnover. Then to say you have to get your books in order within 3 years after 30 years at the top level is not reasonable. Don't get me wrong, Villa have been run poorly for many years, but the financial implications of Villa being relegated are far greater than 95% of clubs in England, and something that FFP fails to recognise.

You don't set up a tactical and coaching methodology overnight. It was always going to take months and years to bed down across the club. We have started to see the benefits of this philosophy and it should only get better with time.