icouldtelltheworld

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.

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

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

Well if he's going to Stoke he's obviously got no ambition and he doesn't have any self belief. Who would you rather play for Tim Sherwood, the most talented young British manager in the league, or Sparky.

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!"

I'm not sure that view holds much merit, which goal scorers in the past have people not liked because they just score goals?  I can think of Bent last season but I could see why others didn't rate him much.  When he first joined he was loved while scoring goals for fun so I think you've made a comment to have a go at a made up group of people. And i'm not sure after scoring 4 goals in his villa career Kozak can be classed as a player who scores goal.

 

He's shown he was able to take a few chances but his overall play and contribution during the game wasn't much.  If he's scoring goals for fun then the other stuff doesn't become much of an issue but that's yet to be seen if he can score goals on a regular basis.

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.

Brummie Villans without tickets might be interested in this. It's a screening of the cup final at Boxxed warehouse in Digbeth. There's about 150 free tickets left and you can book up to 9 of them I think, there's just a 50p transaction fee to pay. After that it's £5 per ticket

Gil be back

No no no.

Bet he's gutted QPR got relegated

That's what it says...

When we play the final, my son will be (give or take a few months) the same age as I was when Villa last won a trophy (I was about 3 and a half in 1996). I'm taking this as definite proof that we will win, all will be well and the big bet I put on us winning will help me to celebrate all night long...