thejoker

Very poor away from home again - hard to judge Houllier though with so many players out..

Superb performance from our youth team vs United first team. Gutted to throw it away in last 10 mins, but I would have taken a point at the start of the day. Thought Bannan in particular was exceptional - puts some of our "first team" performances against United in the past to shame. Hogg looked comfortable too, despite giving the ball away a few times.

Poor again, but it's hard to judge because we've got so many injuries. At least we didn't lose. Not looking forward to the cup game, think they will do us, we're feckless away from home at the moment.

Lack of goals is getting very worrying now - only 9 goals scored so far, and 5 of them came in 2 games (West Ham and Wolves). We've always had a goalscoring problem since Yorke left. It's about time it was addressed. Overall good performance, but performances don't get points, goals do!

Lack of cutting edge, as usual. I suspect it will take Houllier a long time to get us playing how he wants, probably after 2 transfer windows.

Nothing has changed in our play IMO. Still looking for breaks, still getting it out to isolated wide men with no one in the box.

I suppose it's tough to change the style of play with the same players. I don't think we we know how Houllier wants to play until this time next year, when he has had 2 windows to mold the squad.

Same old, same old....will we ever learn??

or "General in animal torture shock"!!! Very amusing General

I liked his comment "beating Liverpool at home this season is a top priority". Let's hope he can deliver it - it's long overdue!

I feel drained...welcome Gerrard!

Birmingham Mail reporter Matt Kendrick saying there will be an official announcement before 21:00.

I guess we'll find out if the Mail does actually know anything about Villa afterall then

He will sign in the next hour.

Keep saying it, and it will be true eventually

Well 2 year deal hardly suggests long term does it?

I still maintain it will be GH for this season then we'll go for either Jol or Moyes next summer.

Cool with that.

3 year deal according to Neil Moxley on twitter, says Sky have got this wrong..

Are people STILL banging on about jol. Nice chap, decent manager

but whats he done in his career to warrant such acclaim

He was successful at Spurs, Hamburg and is doing well at Ajax. So basically he's a successful manager. Trophies are not simply the measure of how good a manager is. For me league placement is the real proof of the pudding, cup runs require luck, a full league season requires consistency.

So would you rather we finished 5th this season without a cup, or 10th with winning a cup? I know which I would prefer...

Are people STILL banging on about jol. Nice chap, decent manager

but whats he done in his career to warrant such acclaim

Totally agree...Houllier's trophy cabinet is bulging compared to Jol's, but seemingly many wanted Jol and Houllier is about 50/50....

What would the appointment of Steve Staunton in any capacity say about this club and our ambitions?

It's more Staunton isn't getting it and is gutted not to be involved sorry for misleading people . This bit hasn't come from Villa but I hear Stan is gutted thought he was nailed on .

Well according to Mystery Man of yesterday Staunton wasn't getting it.

I presume Thompson changing his mind might have something to do with it.

Stop worrying about Staunton, it's not like he's going to be making decisions like tactics and signings - he's coming as a coach (and will do what Houllier tells him)

I think Thompson is great on Soccer Saturday, and I can't really see why everyone hates him, so what he supports Liverpool....Ashley Young supports Arsenal, Downing supports Middlesbrough, etc. Our fans are a right bunch of moaners and will never be happy (thats my conclusion from the whole managerial change)....everyone just grow up and support whoever Randy puts in charge!!

MM, have you heard if Phil Thompson will be joining as assistant too? And what is Kevin McDonald's role going to be?

Mysteryman - any news as when it will be "officially" announced ??

2 days I believe

There will be a press conference called on Wednesday then??

I heard the board are still interviewing???!!!!

Heard from who?? Must be someone new if true, because the interview process had finished last week according to all the papers.

Duno why anyone is advocating Curbishley!

Not great football, something levelled at MON. Has a horrible second half of season record, same as MON, something MON was constantly criticised for. His signings were overpriced and outrageous wage wise, Boa Morte, Dyer, Upson all for big money all with a questionable injury history and all served to totally **** up West Hams finances with their huge wages and lack of impact. How much was Freddie Llungberg on for god sake.

He is basically an Aldi's version of O'Neill without the character and enthusiasm. No thank you. In fact, **** right off.

Are you undecided on Curbs then?

The mysterious Villa_insider twitter has said there was an interview today and another one tomorrow.

Interesting if true, once again a bit if!

Which suggests, if true, that we are only looking at 'out of work' managers because you can't really interview someone without agreeing compo with current club (which I'm sure would have been leaked somewhere).

Alan Curbishley would do a job and keep us in the top 10, but we would never push on. We have to go for someone who is maybe a little more of a risk (Klinsmann), but could potentially get us top 4, signing some bargain basement european players.

Talkshite saying that KM will get the job

Talkshite know absolutely nothing about what goes on outside of London.

Or inside London (if the truth be told!!)