icouldtelltheworld

but will be helpful to inexperienced travellers visiting for the first time, especially when curzon opens in the next ten years, 4 major railway stations in the city centre and several smaller ones dotted about the city, it needed to be something that said it was the main one Granted, but then "Birmingham Central Station" gets the job done just as well as plagiarising the name of another city's attraction. Plus the actual station is still called New Street. Just don't think copying the names of already well known places is going to do anything for Birmingham's reputation, or help it become a 'global city.' Agree with the comment above about it looking very nice but still being a complete arse to use. Style over substance for sure.

Looks a nice building, definitely needed improving. I've not been able to see any seats at all on any of the platforms the entire time this work has been going on, not surprised that an early criticism has been that there aren't enough seats. I hate the name Grand Central, so so so cringey to just copy something iconic from New York. So many famous Brummie thinkers, musicians, sportsman etc that we could've named it after. Even significant events from Midlands history. Will look incredibly small time to any experienced travellers visiting Birmingham IMO.

Just seen Libor by the job centre in Sutton. What do we reckon, 12 month contract with Jaguar Land Rover? Would be a shame, as he still has much to give at this level IMO

Not good enough to be our first choice RB, alright back up. I still don't think he's ever going to be good enough to play in midfield at this level, but would like to be proved wrong - he's certainly capable of pulling off some great things in attacking play from time to time, and is quick and strong. Needs to be more composed and technically aware.

How about this for a Veretout chant, it might even help Tim perfect his substitutions... (To the tune of the annoyingly catchy Vanarama advert that's on telly ATM) "When the tactics on the pitch just aren't working Tim what have you got to do? If Sanchez starts to get tired You should bring on Veretout! Veretout, Vertetout, Jordan Veretout, I heard he's good Veretout, Veretout, Come on Tim you know you should!" Today we could've even had a second verse of "if Leandro's having a shocker, you could bring on Hutton too!"

If we're playing with one up front, then at least until Ayew/Gestede can displace him, Gabby absolutely has to be first choice. He wasn't great today, but was a nuisance for the Leicester defence, an outlet forward ball when we were boxed in at the start of the game, gets an assist, inches away from another assist. He held the ball up decently, not amazing but he did a good job of bringing the likes of Grealish, Gil and Sinclair into the game. I thought there were encouraging signs from the first half that Sinclair and Gabby could well up top together, that's a lot of pace for opposition defences to worry about, and with tricky attacking midfielders behind them as well. We were switching up our attacks and looked really dangerous when our front four players congregated around the Leicester box for the first hour today. Some seem to be saying Gabby had a terrible game today, and they don't want to ever see him start for us again, but he looks miles more useful than any of the other options ATM, and had a hand in some of best forward play. 6.5/10 performance, whether you think he's good enough or not, Gabby will play an important part for us this year, it's clear to see that he is a leader in the squad.

Was gonna say this, one of the first Villa games I went to

Incredible that he lasted the whole game today, I'm a fan generally but that performance was as bad as Tonev's debut, hopeless

Thought he was excellent first half, looks good playing a bit further forward

These last few years we've seemed to really struggle getting deals over the line, or managing to complete deals for our more exciting targets. It doesn't sound much, but the thought of a player choosing us when there are other PL clubs sniffing around would've seemed highly unlikely just one or two years into the past. Brilliant that we're attracting a higher calibre of player, most of whom seemingly really want to be a part of the club. Seems that things are a lot more, stable, organised and convincing behind the scenes now because teams like Stoke etc shouldn't be able to out muscle us in the transfer market. The club feels like it's back on the up, and not before time. If this team can gel, and we add a few more players next summer, we could be looking at the strongest Villa squad in my lifetime. UTV!

"When the ball hits the net, like a flying rocket... that's Traore!"

Should still be a Villa player for me, only thing I really remember of the 2013-14 season is a few games against West Brom, some flukey wins against big teams and Marc Albrighton being the only player trying to do anything at all for the second half of the season, but still not getting much game time. Pretty obvious Lambert just didn't fancy him, stubborn mumbling git.

He is 6 Wonderkid "The Aston Villa, Intertoto and Peace Cup winners!? Get me to the medical!"

When Villa last won a major trophy, this lad hadn't yet been alive for a whole year

Or they are paying £5k a week more and bunging him £500k signing on fee. Or, ya know, he decided that was the best move for his career. Hardly surprising with the amount of young Barca players Stoke are signing. When was the last time we finished above them anyway? Yep, we're the bigger club but anyone who can't fathom how Stoke might be a more attractive proposition than ourselves right at this moment in time is being extremely blinkered in their vision IMO. Hope this goes through, but not really expecting it to.

What an absolute hero, top top man!

"He's better than Delph, he's better than Delph, Jordan Veretout, he's better than Delph!"

Think he may have been being facetious for comedic effect mate...

Can't believe that in under 48 hours we might be celebrating winning the FA Cup. So scared

I find it hard to remember anything at all about the 2013-2014 season, save for two games against the Baggies and a win against Arsenal. If we don't win the final next week, my memories of this season will be largely the same but without an impressive win over Arsenal... If we win next week, this will have been the best season in my time consciously following the club (since 1997/98). Strange game, football.

1st choice: Bacuna Okore Clark New LB 2nd choice: Hutton Baker New CB Bennett ? I'd get rid of Lowton, even though I like him I just can't see him breaking into the team past Bacuna and Hutton. I'd keep Richardson because he's a useful back up for a few positions. I wouldn't offer Vlaar a new contract. I'd be tempted to go with Hutton as first choice when were likely to have our backs against the wall, and Bacuna for games where we'll be on the front foot, and I think Okore and Clark have shown enough this year to be our first choice pairing going forward. And I completely forgot about Senderos! Keep as back-up, I guess.

Clark and Grealish. I really hope Clark wins, he fully deserves to, although I'm fairly certain Benteke will edge it.

Gabby hat trick, lump on

Sherwood out

I'd love to see us have a proper go in the Europa League, I'll never see us winning the league nor qualifying for the CL, let alone winning it. Therefore, after we've won the FA Cup () the next thing on my list would be the Europa League. However, I don't think our squad is anywhere near ready for the demands and it could really be detrimental to us next season. I certainly don't agree with some of the scathing hatred for the competition that gets posted on here, to be regularly competing (and competitive) in the EL would be brilliant for the club, and should be the aim for the next few years. Next season is probably just a wee bit soon for us, though.