blunther

Wouldn't be surprised if Lambert gives Bowery a game in his proper position instead of Bent. He's more in the mould of Benteke than Bent is (style-wise, not ability-wise obviously), and it'd be good to give him a chance in his rightful position in a no pressure game. Fair play to Bent though for not being a stroppy git. Best for all parties if he leaves, and hopefully no hard feelings.

I called for his head in the bleak midwinter. I lost all hope. I was wrong. We saw it through, and will come out much stronger. So different to the end of McLeish's season where there the only way was down. Villa are on the up again. I'm fully behind Lambert now, whoever he buys, from whatever leagues, for however little, I'll keep the faith this time.

Thank **** for that. Months of worrying now over. Onwards and upwards. UTV.

Went to a boozer right by the train station last year. Double vodka red bull, two alcoholic ginger beer things and a bottle of corona gave change from a tenner. God bless the north! Thought the red robin was a bit crap. Mostly a family restaurant. The away bit outside the ground was better, and offered pies.

You don't need to be pacey to cover lots of ground.

I like him. Seems to get better week by week, which is very positive, and he's stepped up well from playing in front of a couple of thousand to the big time. However, he looks a bit slow. I'm not sure if his overall pace is that bad, as it's difficult to tell from behind the goal, but his legs seem to move in slow motion. Lambert (or one of his cronies) can spot a player.

That's a much more positive way of thinking about it. All those things would be odds on, but its a bloody funny old game.

I stand to make £350 from £10 if we go down. I still can't see Wigan staying up but it's good to have insurance. Will £350 make you one of these fans who will be happy with relegation I keep hearing about? would be about 1k up in all with my insurance bets while we were long odds for the drop, but I'd much rather have premier league than the money. Wigans odds just plummeted from 10/1 to 17/2 before I could confirm. Looks like I ain't the only villa fan doing it!

now I'm shitting myself. Won 45 quid on a treble today which is all going on a Wigan win. If we are gonna go down then might as well make a few quid out if it. Jeez.

I like em. Don't see what's particularly dangerous about them and would love to see a load of them at the top of the holte on a night match.

Extra time would be lovely thanks.

Never thought of it like that before. That's mental.

Definitely this. If he goes and smashes his car into a lampost the next few days, he's got a note from you admitting crashing into him.

Paedo's eh? Bloody hell.

I don't get this. Are you saying the number matters more than the significance? Anyway I say no 19 next year, but I wouldn't retire it, I know it seems a daft thing to say, but with 1-11 having been used since time immemorial and for the distant future, it's quite a loss, if you know what I mean. 19 isn't a 'core' number so easier to 'dispose' of. I know it's illogical, hence me voting for the 'unsure' option

If his number was 1-11 I'd be saying no, but as it's 19, and with the 19th minute applause becoming a part of the club recently, I think it would be a nice gesture.

Choinks

Makelele made a career out of that. Indeed, and I've no problem with keeping the ball (unlike some who shout 'forwards', or 'this way' every time we playing it sideways to keep possession...grrr...), but you can see he wants to go forwards, but lacked a bit of confidence in the first half, which is understandable with the jump he made in the middle of the season. Once we were more comfortable though, he really shone. Lambert certainly has an eye for potential.

It makes you wonder how much the crowd matters. It's easy to say that the players should give 100% every week regardless of the atmosphere, but they're only human and I know that thousands of people cheering me on would give me an adrenaline boost, while thousands getting on my back would make me nervous. It's good to see our attendances have picked up over the last four games when we have needed the support, and it's notable that we've been loud twice (QPR and Sunderland) and had good performances, and had two fairly flat atmospheres (Plop and Fulham) which gave fairly flat performances. It seems we really are the 12th man. Let's keep up the 37k+ attendances, and keep the place rocking. Last night was the best atmosphere since we thumped the noses. Cracking stuff.

I think he's looked nervous so far, usually passing backwards rather than taking a risk as he didn't want to lose the ball. He also ducked out of the way of a cross in the first half which I don't like to see. However, when the confidence kicked in in the second half, I thought he was excellent, and his one-touch passing is great to watch. Hopefully that second half will give him (and the others) the confidence going forward to really kick on.

What a geezer.

If we signed that rocket polisher Taarabt I'd send my season ticket back.

Already done this when I was emailed about it. Would be an excellent start. £45 for Norwich indeed...

Got the train from New Street at 08.45, and an open return back so I can get any train back. Currently about £30 for that. Not too bad.

Fancied it, but not at £45.