praisedmambo

Does anyone remember the barcode battler? I think Con played that instead of real games.

Forget the context why don't you. Champions of Europe? Top 4 side with players worth 40 million? We had a man sent off too? What about all the other points lost from winning positions? We've improved though, haven't we. So we're better now than when we did that? Yes? Good.

Agree about Clark. But overall whoever the defenders are need to be better drilled on the training ground. I worry if Lambo is the man to provide a tight(ish) defence...........the signs don't look good. I'm with Kwan. Nail on the head for me. It's been massively down to personnel. That doesn't count for everything, but coupling it with an attacking mindset, and for our wonky part of the season---an inexperienced team---there is no reason to think a) he won't strengthen and b.) we won't be better defensively anyway from experience. Just see how we've improved since Sylla came. If we carried that form on next season, improvement done.

The world would be a better place without this thread. Good thing it won't be here next season.

Only if we beat Wigan 12-0

We could also still finish 11th.

Tottenham vs. Sunderland Arsenal vs. Wigan Wigan vs. Us All these have to happen the wrong way. Wigan need two wins, nothing else.

I don't think these games are at all freakish. You'd probably have had a fair chance with Norwich, Newcastle anyway. People saying we were safe included all the games that still have to happen. Newcastle GK sent off.

Two games.

Hey, imagine if you were a Wigan fan.

100% this Welcome to the world.

You seem positive recently? It's been exciting for me, with a bleakness over christmas, but since then I'm impressed. Good to see the young team turning around. As long as we stay up I think we'll be much improved next season now the time for stability has arrived. Slightly ot, but things will be exactly the same next season if we keep the same back 4. I don't doubt that this youthful side can beat anyone on there day but we are so naive when it comes to closing out games from point scoring positions its ridiculous. Just 2 of those dropped points we would be top half going into this weekend. Why would you EVER presume we won't sign players to help in defence? Lambert said he was trying to get a CB in January, it just never happened. It's almost as stupid as saying if we sell all our players and replace them with girls we'll get relegated. Lambert has been here for one summer window (the only one where you can trade sensibly) and began a total turnaround of the team. There will be all sorts off the wage bill this summer. Besides, the awful defence have improved over the season so it would be different regardless.

You seem positive recently? It's been exciting for me, with a bleakness over christmas, but since then I'm impressed. Good to see the young team turning around. As long as we stay up I think we'll be much improved next season now the time for stability has arrived.

I think Con should find a new hobby because this one is silly.

Perhaps I'd put Bent in for Benteke, at least then we'd be replacing him with a goalscorer. Today Villa played great as a team—our midfield was impressive. Benteke is important to us but we've still got other players performing at the moment. Can't believe people haven't learned yet: we're not a bad team at all. We lost, shit happens. We'll be ok and there is no way Wigan are guaranteed to walk over us!

Would you rather buy Bannan or Delph? I'm not saying Bannan is bad but on today's performance Delph's all round game might be more appealing for some teams. We'd only sell Delph if we were trading up for an experienced player, like Siem De Jong.

Great signing. Very impressed. I had my doubts the first few times I saw him but he is improving every game now.

I did cry a bit

Er, last time he played we got nailed 8-0

0-0

For me he isn't quick enough to make up for his stature, so where he is lacking most is the way opposition players pass him so easily. I know he's not meant to be a defensive player but these things make a difference to the team. He can't get past a player offensively too, and I'm pretty sure all the good shorter players have that ability. I do think he will go in the summer—I'd hope we'd strengthen in midfield and he does seem to be way down the list...Westwood, Delph, Sylla, KEA, Bannan. He's the obvious one to go out of that lot.

Villa fans in the very thread said we wouldn't win a game, or score a goal again this season and finish bottom, that was only in January. They also said that because QPR signed Remy they would stay up, just like that. I hope if we do indeed stay up that this season has given a few fans a lesson in patience, if doesnt always end up right but its worth waiting just that little bit longer to see what will happen.

Bit cynical. I hate to point out that at times this season he has done as you request, whilst blooding a very young team, no less. Also, we have had awful defensive injuries this season. Basically, I think we have a great manager. 100% behind him, as I was from the start. I'm glad he's showing the promise he is at the moment because what he did at Norwich was hugely impressive and no fluke. I respect your right to holding reservations about him but to me Lambert is the perfect fit for this club. I hope I'm right, of course...

I really don't understand this. Lichaj always comes in and does a good job but then is dropped for no real reason. I cant remember a bad match from Lichaj. The fact that Bennett consistently starts while Lichaj sits on the bench is beyond me. Bennett has one good match every four. Dunno hes had a couple of stinkers. - to be fair he did ok when he came on Saturday. In general our dithering waiting to see if young players are good enough, has held us back in recent years. We need to make up our minds quicker and grab any offers that come in. All of these won't make it in my opinion Herd, Clark, Lichaj, Albrighton, Delfonso, Bannan. Obviously some will need to remain as squad players - but I would be listening to offers for all of those I genuinely think we held on to the young players because otherwise we wouldn't have been able to put out a full team. It's been the threadbare state of our squad that led to this. Hopefully now Lambert can instill some wage balance and get some strength in depth where everyone is earning their wages.

This isn't your first rodeo, is it? Not with Lerner at the helm. Basing your judgement on Villa transfer activity, seemingly, from ONE JANUARY transfer window is short sighted. We signed 8 players (?) last summer ffs. It's hard to buy players in January. Yadda yadda, use yer brain goddammit.