Eastie

boldly predicting our first clean sheet of 2013 if vlaar and clark can put it together

I can't see it happening tonight, Crewe are not a bad side and i reckon they will score - i fancy a 2-2 draw , would be nice to see helenius and a couple of the other lads who have been injured.

The result doesn't really matter but we do need to start playing better - this is the 6th game now and the other 5 we have looked pretty average at best.

Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of Astonvilla's Darren Bent on a season long loan deal. The Aston Villa forward claimed yesterday that a move was imminent as long as the Toons agree with the wage structure.

 

Wtf? why would we agree a loan move?

No way we should be loaning him out- either pay the fee and buy him or we should keep him in our squad - to loan him out would be a joke.

Going to get banned and possibly all of the players banned from twitter shortly if he is not careful.

I've noticed that recently, not sure if his english is good enough to tell who is taking the piss or not .

Another embarrassing gaffe .

If he gets confirmed as signing for them it will be like a new signing. For us.

Indeed, bottle of bubbly in the fridge ready to celebrate when confirmed.

Great news - nowhere near good enough for villa but might do an average job at blackburn.

Sadly it IS TRUE. Took the nephew up regardless of rumours this morning only to be met by a security man at the gate turning us way

 

The reason given ... YOUTUBE videos. PATHETIC!

 

Well tell the players not to discuss personal shit with the public. JOB DONE

 

One extremely unhappy child grumbling all the way home. And from what i was 'told', Lambert's orders

 

Sort it out Paul. They're GROWN MEN, if they can't tell the difference between signing a few kids books and a video interview ... FFS

How sad that a couple of people have spoilt it for the rest .

Just seen the Chelsea game has been braught forward to the 21st of August to cater their Super Cup fixture.

Awful opening 3 games unless we click straight away!

Yes 3 tough games in the opening 8 days and then no game for 3 weeks , i hope we can get some points on the board as we don't want to be adrift at the bottom early on - i think if we can beat Liverpool it will be decent as not many will take points at arsenal or Chelsea.

Although , sometimes it can be of benefit to play sides like that early on before they hit form - anything from those 2 games will be a bonus in my opinion .

I remember how direct he was when he came on against Liverpool under Mcleish - looked a really exciting prospect but never got a look in last season .

I think Carruthers is a useful option to have from the bench.

Where has all this ashley young talk come from - just speculating or a link somewhere?

I would love to have him back but I really can't see it happening.

Just one of lots of similar tales from those days around the place, it was a great place to be in the summer.

 

You could get away with so much.

Agreed, both Taylor and Atkinson were very open regarding fans attending bodymoor and i never saw anyone turned away , I suppose there could be something in the mobile phone clips and ebay stuff though.

I saw a sign on tv at Chelsea's cobham training ground saying players would not sign autographs , a shame in many ways as it was a great way for fans to get to meet players.

Had many happy times at bodymoor in the days of graham Taylor and big ron - seems a shame if fans are banned from there long term.

Another player who may have talent but lacks the attitude and hard work ethic - too often ambles around looking lethargic and runs into blind alleys too often losing possession - on his day he may be a decent player but his day is very rare and a passenger too many times in my opinion.

Against west ham he looked the business but i can count on one hand the number of games he has delivered.

Giving him the 42 shirt really is quite a statement by Lambert.

Hopefully we won't ever see him him wear it though.

I notice the mirror are reporting stephen Ireland could be hoining shay given on loan at donny.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-transfer-news-stephen-2086709

By Darren Lewis | 24/07/13

Stephen Ireland is poised to follow Shay Given to Doncaster.

Rovers boss Paul Dickov is poised to benefit from a big cash injection which will enable him to land the two Premier League stars from Aston Villa.

Like Given, 26-year-old midfielder Ireland has been frozen out by Paul Lambert at Villa Park and is looking to revive his career in the Championship.

Given has been left out of Lambert’s pre-season plans. The Ireland keeper, 37, has made over 400 appearances in the top flight, but has lost his place at Villa to Brad Guzan. Given has agreed to join Rovers on a season-long loan.

I'm surprised Grealish didn't get given a squad number.

Good point - i hadn't realised that , he has looked one of our better players so far in pre season and could have a part to play from the bench.

Weren't there some weird rumours about her wearing a claret and blue garter or something on their wedding night?

 

I like this idea. Can't get it out of my head, in fact.

Indeed, a very exciting thought

From the official site

Villa have released squad numbers for the upcoming season - so now is the perfect time to get shirty!

Take a look at the list below and use our new, interactive online app called 'Kit Builder.'

Using this state-of-the-art shop technology, you can create your new 2013-14 shirt with the name of your hero and their number.

Alternatively you can select your own name and preferred number - the choice is yours!

You will then see the finished product in the Villa dressing room alongside the tops of Gabby Agbonlahor and Ron Vlaar.

You can also download your 'Kit Builder' creation and use it as your Facebook cover photo too.

You'll stand out from the crowd on the social media site and also be able to show your support for the claret and blues.

It's a fun experience so log-on now to get started.

You can, of course, also snap up your selected shirt name and number in our Villa Stores at Villa Park and New Street.

In squad news, Brad Guzan has been handed the No.1 jersey for the upcoming term.

Guzan, after a sterling campaign which saw him earn player of the year awards, will take the iconic goalkeeping top, previously worn by Nigel Spink, Brad Friedel, David James and Jimmy Rimmer.

Christian Benteke and Matt Lowton have asked to wear No.20 and No.34 respectively once again, after starring with them in the previous campaign.

Jores Okore is No.5, Nathan Baker is No.2 while Antonio Luna is No.14.

Joe Bennett is No.3, Jed Steer is No.13 and Aleksandar Tonev is No.24. Andreas Weimann takes No.10 while Nicklas Helenius is No.9. New midfield ace Leandro Bacuna will take No.7.

The No.19 has been retired for one season as a mark of respect for former skipper Stan Petrov, who was forced to quit the game through illness.

Samir Carruthers is now No.25, after previously wearing No.40, while Chris Herd is No.17 after being No.31.

Gary Gardner takes Brad Guzan's former top No.22.

Squad List

1 Brad Guzan

2 Nathan Baker

3 Joe Bennett

4 Ron Vlaar

5 Jores Okore

6 Ciaran Clark

7 Leandro Bacuna

8 Karim El Ahmadi

9 Nicklas Helenius

10 Andreas Weimann

11 Gabby Agbonlahor

12 Marc Albrighton

13 Jed Steer

14 Antonio Luna

15 Ashley Westwood

16 Fabian Delph

17 Chris Herd

18 Yacouba Sylla

19 Not Available

20 Christian Benteke

21 Jordan Bowery

22 Gary Gardner

24 Aleksandar Tonev

25 Samir Carruthers

34 Matt Lowton

35 Shay Given

36 Charles N'Zogbia

37 Enda Stevens

38 Nathan Delfouneso

39 Darren Bent

40 Stephen Ireland

41 Alan Hutton

42 Barry Bannan

BOF : Added O/S link

Two years ago i was really excited at the future of both Clark and albrighton but both have really slipped away in the last 2 seasons and need to improve this season and get back some kind of form or be passed by other up and coming youngsters.

OT but the Albrighton situation is slightly different as Albrighton has had injury problems coinciding with a loss of form, which was excellent at one point. Clark has had a good old run at it but has never been any good and that isn't changing.

I wouldn't say he's never been any good , under houllier he had a good season and looked a future captain but since then his game has gone to pot - really needs to get things back on track.

As folski says at one time he was being strongly linked with fergie.

Albrighton granted has had injuries but when fit in the last 2 years has looked a shadow of the player he was under houllier .

These players need to stand and deliver this season .

Maybe we should make a petition for an overhaul?

I've tried to contact departments about putting a proposal forward but to no avail.

Maybe, I've twice complained and been given a free extra month but they are missing the point that the site is poor quality and they need to sort that out - what good is a free month if you have no intention of using it .

Get a good quality site with reliability and a decent presenter and people might sign up but as it is people will just drift away from subscribing - we want value for money.

I paid to watch a game at the weekend not to hear Woodward droning on about a golf sale in the club shop , last night the clock size and score size were ridiculous - and again the coverage was lost for several minutes - sort it out avtv!

Shawcross is thoroughly imbedded at Stoke, their fans consider him one of the club's all time greats already - he wouldn't leave them to come to us. Would be like Gabby going the other way i reckon - will never happen.

I think he would leave stoke for villa , but I doubt we would pay the asking fee - although he would be a decent signing i can't really see it happening - i believe we could do with another defender with premier experience but i don't expect lambert to sign one.

I think he will go with the current 4 which is worrying.

Reports in the mirror that Fulham have lost interest and dropped out after finding bent was on £80000 a week at villa , newcastle are thought to still be interested but only on vastly reduced wages - although of course the mirror do get a lot wrong so i wouldn't take it as gospel.

Two years ago i was really excited at the future of both Clark and albrighton but both have really slipped away in the last 2 seasons and need to improve this season and get back some kind of form or be passed by other up and coming youngsters.

I noticed James nursey is reporting that west brom are preparing a bid for Craig Gardner .

Promising player and another exciting academy prospect.