Ian_Taylor

I work for a soccer company in the Midwest (I believe they had a meeting with AVFC officials in October about a possible link) and my job is to coach a lot of young kids at clubs and on summer camps. After working with a lot of 'travel teams' I believe there is a lot of potential in young kids and some great talent out there, unfortunately with the sports system being highly engineered towards 'high school' this is where 'soccer' hits the brickwall. It's the most popular sport played amongst young kids, but when they hit high school all the promising talent gets picked up by Football/Basketball and soccer is left by the way side. It's a shame because some of the facilities for the other sports can be second to none. If soccer was properly developed at the high school level, I think the USA could turn out some serious talent! Maybe we could take over Friedel's academy and turn it into an Aston Villa Soccer school!!

Did anyone noticed they played this in full about ten minutes before kick off? To be honest, I thought it sounded pretty weak, would be very complex for all the fans to learn every bit (and be tempted not to sing the anti-Blues bit) and it was just too slow.

Thought he was unlucky with the sending off, it was right in front of me. He went in hard, but there wasn't any malicious intent, or anything it was mistimed and unfortunate. Unlucky for him though that referees are in the spotlight and any over the top challenge is always gonna see red.

Makoun showed in glimpses that he can look dangerous and played some quick, intelligent passes that I think our midfield have lacked for some time. I think the best part of his performance is that he takes much less time to move the ball on than the rest of our squad who play there (Petrov/NRC/Downing) he was always looking to quickly help the ball on, whereas too many times our midfielders take too many touches and have to really think about their next pass. This has been my biggest criticism of Villa because it allows teams to comfortably organise themselves defensively against us. Case in point was Spurs at home where we were so slow in moving the ball they could defend comfortably and every time they had it the ball was moved around quickly and sharply. I think Makoun will certainly add this to our game.

Two absolutely awful teams.

Side note too, during the warm up he scored some amazing goals! Such a waste being on their bench but hey I guess that extra money softens a blow to your ambition. It's a shame because I always thought Milner was a player with pride and passion and wouldn't sell himself to the first buyer. Also with regards to the warm up, what the **** is a Jo? He was hitting the corner flag or row Z without fail.

Ok, went up last year... there was a weatherspoons just up from the station, quite a few Villa in there last time, anyone got any other suggestions, think that was good last time!

It's incredible. I kept rewinding the 3 seconds on Match of the day to see myself lol

I have heard on two 'loose' sources that Downing does want to leave Villa, misses the North East. He goes up there pretty much most weekends (my friend drinks in the same local and I get a text around once every 3 weeks saying 'I'm in with your mate Stewie!' lol. So I wouldn't be shocked if Downing does leave, but in my opinion we can get by without him, Young and Albrighton on the wings are more than capable.

Absolutely hilarious.

Don't have the ST anymore so no chance of being able to get hold of one, if your an ST and don't fancy the trip but would like the 'loyalty points' or booking history then get in touch!

Jut to add to that, I went to University in Sheffield and United would often do 'student prices' for the odd midweek game around £5-10. You could buy them at the Student Union box office as well as usual ticket outlets and would attract a few thousand (given there are two large uni's in the city). As well as the extra revenue there's the potential for newly gained fans also!

Definitely has to be deliberate. Plus he was pushed surely?

I AM THE WEMBLEY TRAVEL FAIRY GODMOTHER!!!! I booked a £1 MEGATRAIN from London to Birmingham (Euston to Newstreet) on the Monday at 12.03pm. HOWEVER I have to go the US Embassy to get a visa soon and guess what, they booked my interview for TUES 2nd March (typical), so theres no point getting train back then down then back again so I've just booked one on the Tues (for £3 this time). So if anyone wants a FREE travel seat from London to Birmingham on MONDAY 1st MARCH, let me know.

We have been allocated the West stand, according to Nicky Keye on Sky Sports News! That means the GREYHOUND IS OURS!

There you go, everyone take my advice and get a return to London for less than a fiver.. Btw, we are on the same coach as you on the Saturday then, ours leaves at 2. Exactly! Can't go wrong with cheap as cheaps transport! In the ironic small world that we live in, your signature quote is one of my good mates! That can be the convo starter on the coach down!

Megabus - B'ham to London - Saturday 2pm - £3 MegaTRAIN!!! London to B'ham - Monday 12pm - £1 booking fee - 50p £4.50 return, thank you very much!

Surely they will do everything they can to make it go ahead given last weeks cancellations. I'm not gonna lose more money on advance train fares!!!!

Gutted about the cancellation, especially as I just boarded a train from worcester to B'ham as I got the texts through. Also with the trainline.com I can't get refunds on my Bham-Manchester tickets (£18) as they are advance tickets and the B'burn/Manchester return (£5.20) is subject to a £10 cancellation fee (what!?!?) so I'm gonna have to fork out more money for next week.

Need to get a warm beer jacket on tomorrow then!

General, slightly off topic, un-Villa related issue here. I am going over to the USA for the entire summer coaching at British soccer camps across the Midwest, spreading the word of Villa of course! When I am out there, I would love to catch a Browns pre-season game. Firstly do you know when the pre-season schedule gets announced and secondly what are the ticket availability usually like and ways to buy one. Do pre-season games usually sell out or could I buy one 'on the door'? As I'll be having to fly up from Kansas I don't fancy risking it without knowing! Many thanks and UTV

I am one who has already booked flights to Hamburg so will be checking the OS plenty of times for ticket info. It's going to be a fantastic occasion and can't wait. Full allocation is essential

I'm staying up tonight to catch the Browns game, just ordered a Browns vest and shorts also off the web. I love the fact that the Randy takeover coincided with my increasing interest in the NFL and gave me a team to support in the process. Keep up the fantastic work General, my hat is well and truely off for the work you and Randy (and the rest) have done for our club. UP THE VILLA (and Browns)

I think people should read the post above from the General and at least wait until the transfer window has closed and no more deals have been made before shooting him or MON or anyone else down. We need to step back and put things into perspective here. We have the GREATEST owner in the Premiership, a man who is kind, classy, respectful and good natured. We have ONE OF THE BEST managers in the country, that Man United/L'pool/England would love. We are also one of the only clubs to have DIRECT COMMUNICATION with a senior member of the board. Since the takeover there have been numerous great things going on at VP, we have jumped 11th to 6th, raised our profile nationally and worldwide and become a much better club in the very short place of time. MON has developed a squad of young, hungry and spirited group of players, with a great English core and he will continue to add to that to what he sees fit. We are in a very fortunate position and are the envy of many other fans of other clubs, lets not **** it up by kicking up fusses because "we haven't spent what Spurs have" boo hoo. Look where they finished last season after spunking a load of cash, same for West Ham, Newcastle etc. Have faith and get behind the lads and we will get to where we want to be! Finally General, after playing my first match today if we still need a RB come August 17th please tell MON I am available.

General, I for one recognise that the date today is the 2nd of August (Ok we've just tipped into the 3rd). I am also aware that the transfer window closes on the 31st of the month. That leaves us what, 28 odd days to buy players. Therefore everyone talking about 'crisis' 'frustration' and a whole host of other ridiculous ideas need to stop jumping the gun. Can we not reserve judgment until the final closure rather than prematurely venting spleens? I guess some people who support this club have an innate desire to kick up a fuss at the slightest moment, it can be forgiven after the previous ownership had it installed into us. All I can say is that in the two years that Mr. Lerner, yourself and MON have been working at the club the positives far outweigh any negatives that have surfaced. On a lighter note, today was the first time I played football since I broke my leg (March 10th), in the morning I went and purchased the new home shirt and wore it when I played. The best thing about my trust in MON is that whoever he signs in this window I know will have the same passion/desire/heart/pride that I feel when I pull on the shirt and not some twobit jumped up poser such as David Bentley who kissed the badge on his Spurs shirt after scoring even though he was at Arsenal through his youth. All the best and UTV!