AndyClarke

I think his record at Tottenham and Derby tells us all we need to know.

Nicko reckons there might be something in the Heskey to Blackburn story, in that Villa want to move him on and he is happy to move. He does also think that they may have other targets.

Is this not a simple case of Villa directing the blame towards the player before he is sold for somewhere around the £25million mark (e.g less than we were supposedly holding out for) so that they can hold up their hands and say "what could we do" in the face of any backlash?

Expect this to be done in the next few days to be honest, clearly been ongoing for some time.

If Michael Johnson's back/hips are okay now, he'd be a decent signing from Citeh too.

From what ive heard, Johnson's taken the Georgie Best route through his football career.

Was just going to say, I'd be more worried about his drinking arm than any hip injury!

Assulin is not there yet, due on Monday but there are other clubs having a look. Seems he needs to prove his fitness.

I meant when Petrov etc speak out at Villa about a player it tends to be because the deal is pretty much done and they are preparing the fans as opposed to speaking out about an opposition player in an attempt to unsettle as our friends from Manchester do.

Think you may be looking through claret and blue glasses there. Not heard that a deal for McGeady is done. Most players if are asked a question about a player are just giving an answer.

I'm talking historically, over the last couple of years we've heard from one or two of the squad about a player and then they sign a short while later.

Something we have done consistently over the last few years as well, I think though that it is more to do with the fans than unsettling somebody.

I said the whole club too. If the player has his head turned, it unsettles other people too. Fans the worst cos they don't really have a clue whats going on.

I meant when Petrov etc speak out at Villa about a player it tends to be because the deal is pretty much done and they are preparing the fans as opposed to speaking out about an opposition player in an attempt to unsettle as our friends from Manchester do.

Something we have done consistently over the last few years as well, I think though that it is more to do with the fans than unsettling somebody.

Certainly an achievement and a very good sign that the club think they have a player on their hands. To be fair, a lot of youngsters play above their year at academy level, 2 years above themselves is not as common but not unknown. That said, it is certainly a very good start to a career, particularly being offered a scholarship which is a sure sign that he is well rated.

For the record, those hoping to see a new superstar in FM, he won't be in there for a while!!

John Carew wins that one for me, certainly in terms of pure strength.

Mascherano is probably overrated but he is a far better player than NRC in virtually every aspect.

A lot of the lads who don't make it either aren't physically up to the task of playing professional football or don't have the mentality. They don't lose their potential, some stand out at a young age for one reason or another, normally physically and are caught up by the other lads as they get older. Others just don't want it enough when it comes down to committing their life to being a footballer.

That's the way he takes them and always has done, watches to see where the 'keeper is going and then casually rolls it in the other side.

For the record, Jeffers has just been released by Sheffield Wednesday after a truly awful spell with them.

Good knowledge sgc!

Cheers, they were the names I was after.

They've normally made decisions on several by now, do you know who is part of the new intake?

Anybody have a list of the players who have been retained? Which of the players whose contracts expire in July have been offered a new deal etc?

Apparently the U15s doing well in the Nike Cup, can't find any info though.

I remember most of these pictures now I see them again! Like most kids I had a good amount of cards, all the Villa ones but nothing like the complete set

Pro Set

This wasn't a league game was it? Not listed on the Barclays Premier League website.

Joke, absolute joke. We are not good enough, that is not a reaction to being destroyed to day but in general over the last few months (unbeaten with a shit load of draws, so what?). Average players, one or two with a bit more in the locker which lifts them above the mediocrity of the rest of the team.

The worst thing about it all is not having to accept that our players aren't as good as we hope they are but todays result, Wednesdays result, last weekends result are largely the culmination of one mans lack of planning. The players have some serious bollocks and try all day but they have been out on their feet by 60 minutes week after week, moderate success has left us with 11 or 12 players who are completely knackered by Feb/March.

Handsome, do you know him?

I'm amazed people want Albrighton in the starting line up. As hard as it was for the kid to come on against Wolves he looked out of his depth and had very little influence, I can accept that it was tough to get into the game but the times he had the ball he really struggled.

Fair play, was it a header from a set piece?