TheAuthority

Shame that.

Not usually a fan of his but nice move from Defoe.

So far he's played a nice one touch layoff, then he should of scored from a header but completely misjudged the ball.

As I type he had snap shot blocked.

15 mins gone and he looks lively and involved.

I'm going to have to watch the episode again because I was left completely disappointed.

After going down the badass gangster route all season all of a sudden Walt's conscience kicks in? It all felt like we are going to head toward a happy ending where everyone gets redeemed la la la la happily ever after.

This season has been absolutely epic until now - so am I the only one who this deflated by episode 8?

Lambert made some very interesting remarks at the fans forum.

He spoke to playing "men's football" compared to academy football. For young lads to come out of academy/reserve football into the Premier league and make an impression is very difficult. It is probably the most physically challenging league in the world.

We might be about to find out who Collins didn't like. There could be a red card in this one for him.

Delph and Collins to get into it?

Maybe thats why Lambert gave him the nod over Bannan.

Charlie Nicholas & Merson still banging on about how Mcleish wasn't given a chance.

Unbelievable

Don't like him, never have. Doubt it'll happen, thankfully.

This. Money & wages would be much better spent elsewhere or on Jordan Rhodes.

I Just met Gabby tonight in the Villa hotel in Portland Oregon USA.

He was a complete gent and brilliant a ambassador for Aston Villa.

I have to admit to being to a bit 'starstruck' and I didn't know what to say,but he was very kind and talkative and only too happy to have photos taken etc.

When I mentioned his injury he said "thats life" and that he would "only come back stronger."

I was so impressed by his attitude.

Fabian Delph was also extremely pleasant.

These guys are very privileged but they also understand their position.

Gabby = fantastic Villa pro. We should be proud that a young, talented lad from Erdington joins our great club and achieves all that he has

So I just got back from the open training session at the Portland stadium.

Dunne & Herd didn't train and of course neither did Bent or Gabby.

Holman and El Ahmadi look class and seem to be on each others wave-length. I'm hopeful for what they can add to the side.

N'zogbia didn't seem sharp and also low on confidence. Ireland worked hard and puts himself about but doesn't look like the flair player that a lot of us hope he could be - but you can't fault his effort.

What surprised me most was that Collins was heavily involved and looked very up for it. He looked like a leader out there tbh I'm not really a fan either of his play and because of the incident with Cowans.

Credit to him though he looked fit and sharp and got involved a lot - he even looked like one of the best players. Not sure what that means but there you go. Maybe Lambert wants him to be a big part of it.

The session went like this:

after warming up and doing some sprints they did some shooting and heading off crosses. There were 2 runners into the box - one going near post the other far post and we looked absolutely shit!! About every 1 in 5 crosses went near a player and about 1 in 15 ended up on target.

They finished with a very high tempo 2 touch game rotating 3 teams. This is when they seemed to get going and eventually you could see they had warmed up and the athleticism of being a Premier League player started to show through. I couldn't get any really good pics because I was facing the sun so thats about it.

Oh and Warnock is absolutely shit

He looked **** after about 5 mins of the game and couldn't control the ball most of the time.

Got to say a very professional job by the English team. I'm surprised but happy.

Mellberg playing like a man possessed against the French

Probably his last appearance for them.

Wonder if he'll buy all the Swedes in the crowd a farewell shirt?!

Mellberg playing like a man possessed against the French

Mellberg almost scores again!!!

Is the plan to knick it from a set piece?

Gerrard anonymous for me - put Milner in the middle and bring Theo on for Gerrard.

KING OLOF!!

i want olof back instead of collins and dunne

This

Poor first touch Ash. (I'm not bitter)

Surprise, surprise, Ashley fell over someone's leg

Ah Mellberg, a man who clearly believes that, if you're going to foul a guy, make it obvious.

You've gotta love him.

Milner having a mare

Can we please have subtitles for Carragher.

Seriously, it's easier to understand Viera and he's speaking his second language.

Hart should of saved that

oh Jimmy

"Agincourt, Waterloo & now Donetsk" :facepalm