KMitch

Thank God Ayew is still a selfish prick and didn't pass into one of the two open players to his left.

Yes. They show all the games that are not on NBC/USA, so you'll watch a few every weekend for $5/month. If you're looking for value, though, ESPN+ has a ridiculous amount of content for the same price. They stream live games from a lot of leagues in Europe.

Even still, the Gerrard Out contingent is growing... Last season there were only 3-4 of us very vocal posters questioning his ability around February. Now it's looking like 1/3rd of the forum is starting to want him out. I don't think Smith had this many questioning his managerial chops even after 3 or 4 losses in a row last season, let alone after a win.

As much as I don't rate Gerrard, I don't agree with this sentiment at all. So far this summer, we've already bought 3 CL quality players, a very good international keeper as a backup, and flipped Targett for a profit for a profit and bought in a quality backup for a nominal loan fee and a low price to buy. Our spending seems to be looking at good deals and upgrades more so than just splashing the cash.

This... We will only buy players who will upgrade the squad in quality and the price is right. Every single purchase recently has followed this philosophy. We won't just spend money because it's available... That's how Everton are in the mess they're currently in.

Steve Sidwell... Was a meme for an entire season.

Premier League wages are handcuffing us from shifting these players... The only clubs which can offer these players a similar salary or a raise are other Prem clubs and a handful of other top top clubs around Europe (PSG, Bayern, Barca, the Madrid clubs, & maybe a few in Italy). If someone isn't good enough for us, chances are the ~10 clubs below us which can afford him will deem he isn't good enough for them either. Rarely, you'll have a Targett situation, but none of those players are good enough to be regular starters in a Premier League team not battling relegation. This is why we're taking huge losses and or doing loans with options to buy. Going forward, we need to buy smart and only buy players who will rise in value or buy veterans knowing full well we won't be able to sell for much if it doesn't work out.

He was excellent today... Both our goals came from McGinn tackles and quick passes up to Watkins in the right channel (first goal) and Buendia in the hole (second goal)... ...but let's just focus on the passes that didn't go through and call him shit.

"When the Villa supporters are back at their best and looks me in the eyes and shows that they're ready to support me, maybe Buendia will get some opportunities"

TBH, I was most concerned by the shortlist of managers Purslow apparently interviewed before extending an offer to Gerrard. None of them are better than Smith. Martinez Lampard Gerrard Doesn't exactly fill me full of confidence that if we were to replace him Purslow would get the next one right either... As for the dressing room bust ups, where there is smoke there is fire. Smith never had a reported fall out with the squad, even in our worst runs of form. If they don't want to play for Gerrard anymore, he is done and his days are numbered. McGrath help us if Everton score an early goal on Saturday. Villa Park will turn on Gerrard in front of NSWE and he'll be on thin ice going forward.

Anyone watch Hard Knocks this week? Best hour of Lions football in my lifetime. I'm all in on this coaching staff. Not expecting us to win anything more than 5-6 games this season, but for the first time in my lifetime, I'm confident that we have the right GM/Coaching team combo to build us into something special.

I'm done. I'll be back when Gerrard gets the sack.

Best team we've had in 20 years on paper playing some of the worst football I've ever seen us play. Gerrard out immediately. This guy is a clown.

This... At least we had Grealish and we were in the Championship when we had to endure Bruceball.

Has Coutinho made a forward pass or dribble yet? FFS...

Same problems as last season. Not sure Beale is the mastermind of this braintrust...

I love how we just keep blindly hitting high crosses into the box and hoping Ings can beat out 3 defenders to it... Didn't work last season, so I'm so glad to see the tactics changing after a full preseason...

What's the point when we wait until after 75 minutes to make them?

Getting ripped to shreds by flippin' Bournemouth of all teams... It's going to be a long season. Hopefully Gerrard gets the sack before the World Cup.

Poor Mings? Poor Mings? What about us? He's getting paid to sit there and watch this shite... We actually paid to watch it...

Smith... The majority of Villa fans still rate him, regardless of what some on VT will tell you.

It won't matter with Konsa behind him.

Jesus... What is this defending? Pathetic all around...

Ings at least looks lively today. We actually look like we have a goal in us.