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Welcome Aly. UTV.

I agree, I still love going, I've been since I was young and it's always had a bit of a 'wow' factor. Looking forward to seeing the Vlaar-Okore partnership, hopefully they can get some consistency and understanding as a central pair. As for Parma, they finished 6th in Serie A I think, I don't really watch Italian footie, but that sounds like they're a decent enough side.

I think we'll see pretty much the first 11 lining up here, probably the side that's likely to start against Stoke. I think something like: Guzan Hutton Vlaar Okore Bennett Delph Westy CNZ Richardson Gabby Bent Although it'll likely be more of a 433 shape. Bennett might not play if we sign cissokho today... But even then doubt it'd be made in time for Parma, but maybe stoke. Got my ticket and I'm taking the missus too, I'm pretty excited, first VP trip of the season.

It's frustrating because he seemed quite a promising playing at the start, he was good going forward, and reasonably decent at the back. Some players lose form, but in this case it does seem like he lost ambition and drive. That Stoke goal was a belter though!

But I thought a move to La Liga was blocked?... If you believe what you read, which is never advisable, so it might well be a load of crap.

It is very confusing, I'm pretty sure it was either end of last year or start of this that it was reported that Lambert him told that he'd never play for us again.

I think he'll probably get half today against Walsall, then maybe more against Parma. He could be an important player his season, I think he sort of thrives when he's the main outlet of a midfield, and we haven't got a lot else so fingers crossed.

Great times. I've forgotten what it feels like to have some passion about Aston Villa I'm still passionate, just gutted most of the time!

I think we'll probably go with something like... Guzan Hutton Okore Baker Bennett Westwood Grealish Delph CNZ Bent Gabby I think Vlaar is probably still to be rested, or might get 10 mins, Richardson will probably come on for Bennett at half time with senderos. And the midfield will be changed about a bit. Hmm, score line I think 1-0 down at half time, 1-2 win for us.

A chap I work with is a Wolves fan and says Batth played really well for them last season, but he did qualify it by saying that it was his first proper season for the club and that it was against league 1 opposition. Sounds like a decent deal if it was the good old days where we could spend 5m on a prospect for the future, or a back up, but as a replacement for Vlaar, I doubt he'd be good enough to be honest. Can't think of a good bath related pun... Something about showering him with praise? That'll do.

I'm fairly pessimistic about our chances of a new owner before the season, or even any time soon, but that is based on virtually no factual information, and some vicarious experience from other clubs, and the past of our club. Does that mean I'm more realistic, or just a misery guts?

It must be a sign... Ahem.

Probably not. Richardson will play left back or left wing back. I personally think we will play 3 centre backs with Senderos on the left side and Okore on the right. The middle cb depends on whether Vlaar stays. I think Richardson and Bacuna will be the wingbacks with a midfield 3 of Delph, a new holding midfielder and Cole playing off the striker. That leaves 2 places and I think they will be filled by Gabby and Weimann to begin with. But, when the beast returns, I think Gabby will be out. I think the starting line up if today was first day of PL, pending no new arrivals/injuries would likely be; Guzan Lowton/Hutton Vlaar Okore Richardson Bacuna Westwood delph Cole/N'zog Gabby Bent/benteke (if fit) But who knows what might happen before then, could buy a few quality players... Perhaps.

Wouldn't have predicted this to be honest, but I can't really see a down side. We should have signed him 3 years ago, but other than that very minimal outlay because of reduced wages (in football terms) and if he plays well and teaches the youngsters a bit all to the good, if not he's gone in a year and we can sign someone better with the new owners money (fingers crossed!).

Sky Sports reporting we've signed an Austrian 15 year old: click "Aston Villa have signed young midfielder Anes Omerovic from Austrian side AKA Vorarlberg. The 15-year-old has penned a three-year deal at Villa Park and will initially become a part of the club's youth set-up. Omerovic is an Austria Under-16s international despite having Bosnian roots and he can operate in a defensive midfield role. The youngster says that playing English football will meet one of his all-time ambitions as he prepares for the move to the Midlands. "It was always my dream to play in England," he told Laola1.at. "The fact that I'm now going there is just sensational and gorgeous of course."" I wish him all the best, UTV!

Blimey, I've not been online for a couple of days and there's an additional 100 pages. From reading the last 10 or so I gather that we've not been sold yet, and no one knows who is interested, but there's been speculation about quite a few people. Is it genuine that Lambert flew to new york for a meeting with Lerner? It's all go on VT!

You should be able to see these... By gawd they're nice. I think they're the nicest I've seen for a few years, really impressed with the design. I think the home shirt last year wasn't great (although I bought it) and the away was better. This year looks as though they're both good. I like how the sleeves are ribbed for her enjoyment.

Do you mean aeroplanes?

I hadn't really thought about it until you mentioned it, but purely in footballing terms, I wouldn't mind a Russian owner. If they stump up the money, I don't think I'd mind who it was. Unless they brought the club in to disrepute, I'd hate to see the AV name dragged through the mud because of an owner, like the SHA owner banged up in jail. Morally speaking, I suppose it would be harsh to label all Russian owners with the same brush; I don't like a lot of things the UK government have done in the past, so I wouldn't like someone to imply that I am part of those decisions when I'm not. Interesting question.I agree with you that not all russians should be judged by what's going on. At the same time russian billionaires are either pals of, or at the very least accepted by, Putin or in jail. I wouldn't want our team or name be tarnished in any way because of some connection to global politics like this. Meh, I'd suggest that any individual (russian or otherwise) who has amassed vast swathes of personal wealth has probably had to make some moral compromises along the way. but haters gon hate To be clear I'm not saying we should absolutely not have a russian owner. But I think it's a relevant issue in this time. My own feeling is that I would rather have for example an American owner. Totally agree it's a relevant issue. Like JuanPablo said; most individuals rich enough to buy a premier league football team have probably had to make questionable moral choices in the past (I'm sure with some exceptions). Having a Russian oligarch owner doesn't seem to bother Chelsea fans too much though, or damaged the name of the club. Not suggesting any owner would put that much money in, but success would certainly help fans warm to them. Interesting what villa-rev is saying re: two owners lined up, I assume it's fairly imminent then?

I hadn't really thought about it until you mentioned it, but purely in footballing terms, I wouldn't mind a Russian owner. If they stump up the money, I don't think I'd mind who it was. Unless they brought the club in to disrepute, I'd hate to see the AV name dragged through the mud because of an owner, like the SHA owner banged up in jail. Morally speaking, I suppose it would be harsh to label all Russian owners with the same brush; I don't like a lot of things the UK government have done in the past, so I wouldn't like someone to imply that I am part of those decisions when I'm not. Interesting question.

I think we'll put up a decent fight actually, generally this season we've been better when the pressure is off; man city, Chelsea, etc., but I've got my optimistic hat on today so I think we'll win this. 2-1. I'll say... Bacuna and Holt to get the goals. UTV!

I think I'd settle for a pinstripe halfway between this and the impression we've seen above. So far I really like what I've heard of the new kit. I must say I do like a good round-neck shirt though. I'm a bit too young to have been certain but turns out it's 1994: http://shop.avfc.co.uk/shop/aston-villa-retro-1994-league-cup-final-shirt/index.html yours for £35 (sorry to go slightly off-topic).

Cannot find it anywhere. I'm convinced it was never actually sold. Look at that beaut of a kit. Just did a quick google and found the bluish goalie kit with AST on, reebok turtleneck, perhaps you can track that down?

Ha ha, I was miles away! Oh well, cheers mate.

Edit: deleted double post.