The_Steve

The Memorial Stadium is a horrible a ground.

I'll remember the win over United, and the cup runs, but I won't forget the absurd transfer policy, utter surrender of 4th place, European football and his refusal to sign an out and out striker. I reckon had he had the desire to spend £20 million on Bent, we would have finished closer to 4th in 2009-2010. In my opinion of course.

I cant get over how he signed Richard Dunne, a player nearing 30 years old for £5 million on a 4-year deal, James Collins at 26 on a similar time frame, we signed Habib Beye aged 31 to a lucrative 3 year deal, Emile Heskey aged 31 on a three-and-a-half year deal. Long contracts for ageing players with little or no re-sell value for the club.

£7.8 million for Carlos Cuellar who was played out of position too often at right back, the millions wasted on Curtis Davies, along with 8.5 million on Reo-Coker (who left on a free) who was regularly played out position. O'Neill spent £120million on transfers during his tenure here and yes we got good money for Downing, Young and Milner but when you add on wages it's an incredible sum for what was achieved. We had some very good signings in Petrov, both Young's, Milner, Friedel, Carew (for the most part).

Yes, we were struggling when he arrived, he brought a feel good factor, it all quickly soured though, when you question the gospel as read by Martin O'Neill. Say what you will about the conduct of Nigel Reo-Coker but to get reportedly in a fight with one of your staff is truly pathetic, he was a manager wholly committed to 4-4-2.

Fitness was a key problem and we conceded a lot of late goals under O'Neill our players would often look dead on their feet, remember what John Terry said after they destroyed us 7-1: "We knew Villa would tire after 55-60 minutes and that if we kept passing the ball, spaces would appear and chances would come."

At least Houllier was trying to address the fitness concerns during his short time here and get the overall fitness levels to a better standard. MON ruled that dressing room with an iron fist, look at the off the field discipline problems we had after he left.

I don't care how many fans he had, you don't resign 5 days before the start of the season. It ruined the first half of the season and left us to really on an inexperienced number of youth until the next transfer window. It was pretty obvious if you're one to believe what Barry Bannan said at the time was that he was secretly pining for the Liverpool job.

I'm amazed he signed a three year deal with Sunderland, he must have been promised a lot of spending power.

We couldn't even convince Martinez to come for a chat and MoN is better than the current clown in charge.

No, Martinez simply chose to stay with Wigan out of loyalty, nothing what so ever to do with Villa.

MON is a certainty surely? After all, he's a boyhood fan of the team. Let them have plenty more average players on inflated length contracts.

Would have been a different game if the referee had awarded us the penalty from Williams handball in the first half. It was right in front of him.

I will say though, now Jenas is looking closer to match fitness and Bannan over his suspension, you'd think now there will be less chance of Heskey playing in the hole.

We're 8th in the league which isn't so bad given the streams of knee jerk moaning.

We certainly won't be in a months time after all these difficult fixtures.

Oh of course, I don't expect any points in December either, but we could be in worse position in terms of league position.

Heard a RUMOUR that his wife was cheating on him and it was going to be made public.

Suicide is a complex issue and I think it's a little unfair to be speculating like this. Let the family have their privacy.

We're 8th in the league which isn't so bad given the streams of knee jerk moaning.

**** off McCleish, the Villa is ours.

Boring, anti-football bollocks.

Laughable. We pretty much controlled the last 20 minutes or so. Swansea offered very little in attack today. We pressed very well and played some nice one touch passing. Of course don't let get in the way of fact.

WOW, were you watching a different game?

We played Swansea, you know Swansea, not Man Yoo or Tottingham, Swansea.

Posession, 60% Swansea!!

Stats are misleading. Like how Swansea only managed 2 shots on target and it took them 70 minutes to achieve it. We created the better chances and should of had a penalty in the first half.

We are far from relegation material.

Well Alex's brother, at least he has you convinced.

For the rest of us, we shall see in a months time. I cannot see how that level of performance is acceptable from supposed international players. How that formation is in any way justified or how that melee constituted any form of game plan.

How Warnock, Hutton, Collins, and Heskey are given any sort of gametime is beyond me.

Swansea have one of the best defensive records in the league next to Chelsea so they were going to prove a test today. I felt we can take positives from it.

I love how a differing opinion makes me McLeish's brother I'll criticise the manager when I feel it's warranted. However, today we turned it around in the second half, positive changes and we can count ourselves a little unlucky. I just hope we stop getting stupid bookings from tackles from behind.

**** off McCleish, the Villa is ours.

Boring, anti-football bollocks.

Laughable. We pretty much controlled the last 20 minutes or so. Swansea offered very little in attack today. We pressed very well and played some nice one touch passing. Of course don't let get in the way of fact.

WOW, were you watching a different game?

We played Swansea, you know Swansea, not Man Yoo or Tottingham, Swansea.

Posession, 60% Swansea!!

Stats are misleading. Like how Swansea only managed 2 shots on target and it took them 70 minutes to achieve it. We created the better chances and should of had a penalty in the first half.

We are far from relegation material.

I am sorry but McLeish doesnt know how to win.

This 7 men behind the ball bollocks is tiresome, dull and pandemic of a manager with no **** idea of how to play a decent brand of football.

Just get this ginger git away from AVFCV!!

I disagree. Swansea were the form team and known for their attacking play, we haven't won away from home. We played much better late on the in game.

**** off McCleish, the Villa is ours.

Boring, anti-football bollocks.

Laughable. We pretty much controlled the last 20 minutes or so. Swansea offered very little in attack today. We pressed very well and played some nice one touch passing. Of course don't let get in the way of fact.

Unlucky not to win, much improved in the second half. Should of had a penalty in the first half for Williams handball. Swansea aren't very good at opening teams up, we looked pretty comfortable for the most part. Jenas and Bannan played well when they came on. Gabby was brilliant again and terribly unlucky not to score, huge piece of luck for Vorm.

Anti football

Gabby MOTM surely

Lovely cross Gabby.

Unlucky Bent - never offside.

Better second half from Delph to be fair

Thought Warnock got some of the ball though?

Another shot off target for Swansea.

Without Gabby's 2 we wouldn't have any either. One man team.

We've had 3 shots on target though. Hardly a one man team.

Just a matter of time until Swansae get the goal they deserve.

Deserve? They haven't managed a shot on goal yet.

Another shot off target for Swansea.

Heskey off, Jenas on.

Still no shots on target from Swansea.