Villarevolution2007

General, I am intrigued to see the letter that Randy has sent to Season Ticket Holders and it certainly has done the rounds with Villa supporters. A number of things, the terminology, within the letter do contradict Randy's statements when he first became the steward of Aston Villa. I say steward as the club is and always will be owned by its supporters who finance it through rough times and good times. I also mention it as a stewardship because what you are neglecting, or how it is perceived to be as neglecting is the fans of this Football Club. It is the fact that the fans have no definitive idea of what the ambitions are for the Football Club- in the letter there was no mention of Premier League Table ambitions but rather we will look at another table- the Doilette Football Money Table. I highly doubt your revenue will increase on ticket sales this season when you have given fans, who are struggling themselves within difficult economic times, who may only spurge with some encouragement, the opinion that their hard-earned money will not be invested nor given them definitive idea and ACTION that will justify spending hard earned money and making sacrifices to accommodate it. I assure you as a fan I am not in the least bit interested in the Doilette Table. Yes, I want Aston Villa Football Club to compete, I want it to live within its means. But what I want is for the Board to be clear on what the ambitions are. Between 4th and 9th is an unrealistic ambition with the personnel we have. I want an admission that aims have changed, Randy is actually concerned about money and that has changed our ambitions. We have lots of quotes, articles, now letters from the board/Randy, as well as messages on this board from yourself- you are aware that keeping the supporters motivated, hopeful and the potential for signings or a prosperous league campaign are all ways of keeping revenue up. But being truthful rather than keeping us sweet would save the hassle of justifying contradictive PR. Thanks for the ride. VR07

I have a real feeling Bannan, Clark and Albrighton are gonna make it. I hope Bannan can make it with us (have even got his name on my home shirt), but I'm almost sure from previous performances that Clark and Albrighton will make it at VP. Our youth squads have been successful in the past- with the right blooding and fans understanding there should be no reason why they aren't given a fair opportunity.

General, What is your take on Premier League spending reaching the £250 million mark? How do you foresee future transfer windows shaping with the introduction of the fair-play rule? Do you see us competing in transfer windows once the rule comes into effect? Thanks. VR07

SPOILERS I watched it last night and thought it had glimpses of a good concept- the start to the film up to the murder was good and well paced in my opinion. The narration to the film became too overbearing for me, constantly ruining what could have been emotionally developing the parent's grief and her siblings dealing with the loss of their sister. Instead it was jumping wildly from her sister's first kiss, her father smashing his ships in bottles and her crush and the girl who could sense her seemed to be hinted at but I never felt anything for any of them. The over emphasis on CGI- where the after-life was just so blatantly computer generated, it was meant to be an in-between worlds, and yet it was frustrating why they were so determined to make it seem other-worldly, at times I was grimacing when it switched back there because it got to a point where it was just Peter Jackson's ego trip that seemed to try to be flashy and showy with his effects. If anything it just interrupts the story and, to be perfectly honest, it was nothing new and lacklustre CGI anyway. The film did have depressing tone you would expect, but then at the end of the film [MAJOR SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE FILM] I just came out angry and bemused. Such a poor ending, an icicle dropping on his shoulder that makes him fall off a cliff? What satisfaction does anyone get from that? The girl who could sense her, doesn't prevent her body from being kept inside a safe in the ground when her family could have given her a proper burial. The best part of the film was the basic STORY, shock horror something Peter Jackson couldn't ruin. It was a really daring idea for a story, but I really hope Jackson stops with making gimicky CGI, it doesn't enhance the film at all, its not showy, its not good film making. King Kong and The Lovely Bones both had gimicky moments; the bugs and dinosoars in King Kong and the boats and the crumbling gazebo-thing in The Lovely Bones. Don't rate him as a director at all.

"We're trying to sign another one, and trying to replace the players who have left with players who are at the club," he said. (Quote from Sky Sports News Article) General, We are £35 Million-worth of players worse off than last season in which we were in a relegation dog-fight all year round. Yet as we hear from direct quotes (many fans- question articles without direct quotes) that what we are replacing them with are either fringe players or youth players. My question is on a scale of 1-10 (10 being very confident): How confident are you that these players will be able to step up and be able to play against the likes of Rooney, Nasri, A Young and the Yaya Toure's of the league?

Because our club is being run by idiots at the present time. We finally buy the goalscorer we've needed for about 10 years, and our next trick out of the hat is to deny him a quality supply line. It's a bit like when we sold our midfield engine (Milner) and tried to replace with ... er, well nobody. It's like a clown car. We buy one bit, and then another bit falls off and the car goes **** nowhere fast Well atleast we improved the mascot- he might be able to play on the wing?

When you're listening to music and you can swear the phone is going downstairs and you rush down only to find out it was in the music. Never learn either.

General, I very rarely post on this thread but feel I have to echo some of my fellow fans and vent my concerns with yourself. I would also like clarity over what can only be described as the precarious nature of AVFC. Our motto is 'Prepared' (one which you were part of having placed on our remodelled badge). Would you describe thinning the squad as preparation for the upcoming season? Any murmur about the club at the moment is negative. 'Actions speak louder than words'... But we have received three years of actions involving selling our BEST players, with the potential of losing our TWO BEST players in one window. It is the year before the financial fair play comes into effect, if you want to spend, NOW is the time. You won't because from here on out you will have the excuse of having to be sustainably investing. We receive no confirmation of the club's ambitions. Your actions speak volumes to fans. You sign Darren Bent, a big coup, yet it spoke of fear and desperation that we may be relegated. And now Young has gone, adding to the long list, we have no positive murmurs, just flatly we wont be investing much of the fee. What happened to the ambition we were sold on? General, you told us we had a shared vision to awaken the sleeping giant. The five year plan may not have worked but what was the contingency plan? ACTION and CLARITY is needed. WHAT IS THE LONG TERM AMBITION OF ASTON VILLA? CAN IT BE ACHIEVED, HOW? IS RANDY HERE LONG-TERM and HOW COMMITTED IS RANDY TO ACHIEVING HIS GOALS FOR VILLA? Is he the type of man who would cut his losses if Villa is not viable, success achievable? because some of his actions can be seen as an attempt to cut losses and head for the life rafts.

Just wondering if people were going to recommend a good horror movie, what would they suggest? Haven't seen a decent one in ages, The Ring and Fourth Kind possibly the two in years that have actually had any effect.

It would feel like it if you were a fan though. I've never seen my Arsenal supporting mates so despondent. Why would it? Ok yes they should have won the Carling Cup. But they were knocked out of the FA cup by arguably the best team in England. They were knocked out of the Champion's league by arguably the best team of all time. And they are 3 points off the top of the premier league with a game in hand, 10 games from the end of the season. If you'd offered them that at the start of the season they'd have taken it all day long. Plus, look how much they've improved since last season, as Wenger predicted they would. If they make that sort of improvement again next season, they'll be brilliant. In the space of two weeks they've been knocked out of three competitions, one they'd have expected to easily win, another they could have won given United's midfield and fair enough against Barca (although it is understandable to feel aggrieved in the circumstances with the poor referee). It's comparable to us because we'd love to be in that position of playing great football etc etc. Those Arse fans are used to it - and in some ways while it is attractive not all see it as successful football. Doesn't change the fact they had 0 shots on goal... In what mind can ANY team claim they were hard done to when they can't even test the opposition keeper? Personally, it makes no difference who they were playing if they had 0 shots on target, even with a refereeing clanger (which it was) then they have no right to claim they deserved it. If they had played Ipswich over 2 legs and Ipswich had won 2-1 or 1-0 first leg, then Arsenal won 2-0 in the return leg (with Ipswich having a player sent off, dubiously). They would claim that Ipswich's 0 shots on goal meant they deserved to win despite the decision. Its just a case of looking for a scapegoat. Other than acknowledging the blatant statistical facts that 0 shots on goal, home or away- against anyone- is atrocious, unacceptable and they deserved to walk away with nothing. Get over it, move on, they have the advantage in the title race; a game-in-hand and no distractions. Feel aggrieved about the decision but they can't escape the fact they were shocking at the Nou Camp and deserved to lose.

dont think he was a massive villa fan but i thought he did have a box at VP? anyway, yes geezer butler is a big fan. i mentioned it earlier in the thread that black sabbath would be appropriate for an anthem - more so than ghost riders. you need something to sing along to and ghost riders is just too wordy for that except for the vippie ay ohhhhh part. war pigs is a good choice IMO I agree. A Black Sabbath or Ozzy Osbourne song would be a good one to change for a villa anthem, just need to find one that can be changed for it. I'm in for the anthem idea, would love to hear it at the villa. Never gonna get a good agreement on a song though.

Probably should piss me off but still... SSN and every other Sky channel having that fecking MTV advert with the trumpet and ends up saying WTF EVERY BREAK!!!! I'm not gonna watch MTV and if anything that advert is making me less likely to watch the bloody thing. Just irritating.

Early days and he did well last night. It was never gonna be easy for him to be slotted into a Premiership team and have an instant impact. He did well and had glimpses of quality and tried to get the ball forward quickly and accurately. No qualms- you can't judge on his first game how well he will adapt to Villa's style of play. Can't ask for more than getting 3 points.

I'm excited - for the first time since the takeover - this is the sort of signing we have been crying out for. On another note though I'm glad we haven't publicly been labelling Bent as our main target and spewing crap through the media about getting him in. I feel sorry for Sunderland fans that this is true, they would need his goals to keep them in the hunt for Europe and if they do what we did with Dwight Yorke then they may be struggling for numerous years till they realise they need a replacement. Time will tell if this is a good move for us and Bent, but for Sunderland, despite the money, I see this being a massive issue for a couple of seasons, 20+ goals a season strikers are ridiculously hard to come by- Don't see much positives in it for them. It's good to see we're trying to sign someone's best player, its a sign of intent of improvement. We've had this with Barry and Milner in the past and the feeling is awful, so if we pull off this signing its going to be a coop for us. Very happy Villan here.

I'm open to giving Houllier a transfer window and if he shows no distinct improvement then 1) He MUST go and 2) Our focus would be to get the hell out of a relegation dogfight. Now Randy, if he believes he is the right man, should and MUST back his manager THIS window. What the crucial thing for me is that Houllier needs to be stopped talking tripe about our own players, if he wants Gabby to lose weight, tell him not the papers. If he thinks we're not top 6 don't publicly say it, don't say it to the players- no benefit would ever come of that, think it, don't say it. It's basic psychology, basic management, you keep your cards close to your chest, your concerns private. THAT is the reason people think he is wrong for the club cus he is a tactless French prat who can't keep his gob shut. If he does that he can get the supporters back on side, if not then he will lose the fans who are willing to give him a chance.

Been very impressed with Downing. Would be crazy to change him from where he is at the minute, definitely him and super marc are the two stand-out performers so far this season. Hopefully he keeps up the good work. If we were to try Downing in the middle, personally, I'd try it in the cups, its a safer way to test it out. AY needs to improve, he' gone from one of the top performers to one of the weakest.

I'm finding it more and more increasingly difficult to defend GH, yes he's inherited a team that isn't his, yes he has had to deal with an enormous injury list... But even with the team we have you expect a point here or there. I don't expect the same back 4 under MON to leak dismal goals, look like we have 4 clowns in defence! I've voted NO, but he needs 3/4 more games to just see whether he is the right man, if he can't steady the ship and fill the cracks that are showing then he has to go. Defended him recently, but after the last few games it isn't possible. The fact we were losing 2-0 and he just sat there for me is inexcusable. I want to see a bit of passion, bit of fire in his belly that will pass over to the players. Borrowed time at the minute mister Houllier.

Voted Addidas. But Umbro and Puma wouldn't be bad shouts... Nike can piss off after the kerfuffle this year though.

He made his bed...

The player is worth what we say he's worth. If we accept a bid of £25 Million then he's worth that, if they are willing to pay £30 Million then he's worth that. Don't see what the debate is really, yes we value him ridiculously but Man Citeh have ridiculous money and we should squeeze as much juice out of the lemon as we can get. Would be happy to keep Milner if he signs a new 4-year deal, if not then he can leave if the bid is right. Just needs clarifying now though, staying or going, we need to focus on adding to the squad and until we know what we have to deal with and to replace then we can't really actively go out.

One of the WORST film I've ever seen in the cinema, almost as bad as The Mommy. Predicatable, cliched rubbish with serious flaws in the plot 'twists' and some weak acting. Special effects were decent but by no means mind blowing, took a lot of the terrible fight scene duals from AVP. Wud rather have my chest waxed than see that crap again, wud be a more enjoyable experience.

The main decision he should be considering is his England future. Surely, he must have a taste for playing for his national team (if any of them do at all) and the fact he has forced his way into the national side with US should tell him to stay put, sign on the dotted line and give himself a greater opportunity to play. Shaun Wright-Phillips sat on a bench all season last year and wasn't on the pitch in South Africa. The only appeal that Citeh offer is the prospect of Champions League, in a few years, (bit of a hollow medal if you play 20 minutes, of course they wont win!) and the £££££. Regular football is what we offer, Europa League football like Citeh, the potential of breaking the top 4 with a bit of luck and the most important putting a sign over his head to the England manager saying "If you don't pick me you're an idiot". No brainer in my eyes, but then this is football and I expect another kick in the teeth.

IF Milner goes to Citeh for me it would be another nail in the farcical 'sport' we call football's coffin. Become more and more disillusioned with these 'stars' who have nothing but money in their heads, no love for the clubs who produced them, nurtured their talent and got them into the national team by sticking with them. If Milner leaves, which I don't want to happen (but probably will if he is gonna be an arse with the contract talks) then it is a simple fact that we have to accept, we are just a stepping stone for players to promote themselves, print a price tag on themselves then ship them off to the highest bidder. It's rubbish! What kind of progress have we made if this happen? **** all! It's just like selling Yorke, yeah nice sum of money but we're never gonna be a 'Big club' if our mentality is to sell off the talent we have. If Milner wants to leave then fair play, sell him to highest bidder. Who ever his replacement will be doing the same 2/3 years down the line. Wonder why England failed to perform in the World Cup. Narrow-minded, self-obsessed nature of the Premier League. Money, money, money. Fed up of it, the sport I love is just being ruined. Sorry, rant over.

Lots of Handbags flying about I gotta say. Personally, I wouldn't take Yakubu. He may have an impressive goalscoring record (most of which are for Middlesborough, being the focal point of the team) since moving to Everton he's had one good season (07-08) scoring 21 goals in 41 appearances. Admittedly 1 goal in 2 games or 0.5 goals a game is a good record but just don't see it being a worthwhile investment for a 27 year old coming on 28. Heskey doesn't work in our system effectively and at times is absent from the games so why buy the same mould every time- need a different type of striker. A Poacher. Rodallega is a gamble, and for a lot of money- personally, I don't think it's worth it. Robbie Keane would be my preference his record speaks for itself (exception of Liverpool), he might be getting old but for 7/8 mil would be a good stepping stone and that DIFFERENT type of striker we need. My call would be Keane from the links, but none of us are the manager and as you know we do get the odd surprise (like Collins and Dunne) that might happen. In dream land I would have Darren Bent in a heartbeat in our first XI.

Wow that's a shocking F.A.C.T. Fudging Awful Concocted Tripe. How is Delfouneso the most natural goalscorer? Luke Moore was a 'more natural' goalscorer than Gabby apparently but that means jack in the premiership. He should get a chance I agree with you there, but sorry Carew is a very good finisher, put him in the penalty area with the ball at his feet, the same with Delfouneso, and I would be far more confident that Carew would finish it than Delf. Well yeah I suppose apart from Carew. But then again do you think Carew could have scored the goal delfouneso scored against Pompey. That was a very instinctive finish. I agree he shows glimpses of being promising Delfouneso just I'm not going to get hyped up about him till he lives up to what people are saying- which will be very difficult. Was a good finish but has youth, sharpness and the eagerness that a regular 'guaranteed starter' of MON's set First-team seem to lack at times. Was a good finish just think with a bit of competition for Carew and Gabby they will be raring to go, perform and hopefully score goals. Personally, just my viewpoint, as it stand I don't feel Delfouneso offers viable competition other than the potential he has shown... would like to see him make the leap though.