Max the Silent

Anything less than an emphatically comfortable win should result in the sack. For Mick McCarthy.

"Swansea forum"?? I didn't know they had the internet in Wales...

It's nice to be looking forward to a game, but I think it will be pretty tight. I couldn't pick a team because I'd want to keep Sinclair, n'zogbia, agbonlahor and benteke in, which might be a bit gung ho for an away game of this magnitude. I also want to see more of Gil. Despite the recent cause for optimism I'll hang onto the default pessimistic mode for a little longer and say we'll be 2-0 down to two Defoe goals in the first 10 mins and an uphill struggle from then on. But we'll end up 2-2 because it seems we've remembered it's ok to score twice in a game from time to time. Does anyone know if brown or o'shea are suspended?

Bribe for the ref and the following formation: Given - Goose - Steer Hutton - Okore - Clark - Cissokho Bacuna - Sanchez - Westwood - Delph Cleverley - Gil - Weimann Benteke - Me - Gabby Still think we'll lose 6-3 despite my hat-trick. At least I'd be our top scorer though.

I had today down as one of the 5-6 must win games for survival,and I can't see where they'll come from now. I won't lose hope though until we inevitably throw in the towel against Burnley. For me, I'd rather stay in the prem than win the fa cup, as bad as that may sound. I'd prefer last week's win to have come today instead. As exciting as it is to think we might have a chance of some silverware, there's 7 better teams than us still in it too. Anyway, I don't want us to become another Birmingham, Wigan or Portsmouth. We now have a mini league of 4 teams to come top of. That is the sum total of Tim's job, and what he will be judged on come the end.

TV coverage... What could possibly go wrong? I'd play the 'first team' as they need the practice more than they need a rest.

I woke up when Fab came on, thought he played with more energy than the rest of the England team combined. The only time he lost possession he made sure he won it back with a great tackle on the edge of the box. Thought he was getting in some pretty dangerous/advanced positions with Henderson sitting deep - could be a sign of things to come with Villa and Sanchez.

There's only one thing I want to see more than Benteke back in the starting 11 immediately... and that's Benteke back in the starting 11 when he's fully recovered, fully effective, and not at risk of a setback due to being brought back too early. I'm just a fan though - I'm sure the club's medical team knows what it's doing.

No thanks. Very much doubt he's rejected any offers from anywhere at all.

So impressed with the professionalism in the last 10 minutes especially. This performance gives me hope

@Vive_La_Villa (post# 1325)- That's the spirit... I was starting to get concerned about the overwhelming sense of positivity on here, it's not right you know

I don't know much about him at all, but reading some of the messages on here it seems he can at least defend... if Richardson can attack, that gives us the most balanced left side we've had in a long time.

If they offered £50m it wouldn't be enough, as relegation would cost us more. Regardless of that, I'm a Villa fan - I want to see Villa competing and playing well. Selling the best players from a weak squad is the antithesis of this. Money in Randy Lerner's pocket does not interest me one bit, as it won't be reinvested in its entirety.

Thanks for that Andy, much appreciated.

Ummm, Bertrand was on Loan, Richardson is not. Whether that's weaker on the field or not is debatable. But it's not weaker from a business perspective. If nothing else, Richardson can play against Fulham.... Sounds like you're planning for the Championship next year as well... I'm happy with all the signings so far. We need bodies with experience, and we're not going to sign any world beaters in our current situation. I'm surprised we're even adding to our wage bill at all. Hope we retain Concrete Ron and we'll be ok, at least biding our time until a takeover can be agreed. It's the very best we can hope for right now, sadly.