Chewie

Score: Aston Villa 3-0 Leyton Orient Attendance: 21,342

It seems as almost everyone is in the same camp, happy with 4 points, at our wits end with Gabby and Andi starting. I know many don't rate Bent, but with the balls we were putting in then he has every chance to nick a goal. I say start him in place of Gabby next week and see what happens. Full game can be found - here - for any who are interested.

I 100% agree. I posted in the post Stoke match thread that we should switch out Gabby for Bent. The way we are playing today, and the way Gabby is playing today, affirms this.

I've just joined, should be slotting in at the top* on 78 points when the league updates *I certainly won't be staying there for long, I'm sure.

Whilst I do agree with you, I am one of those getting carried away (Top 10 finish here we come!). The reason being, and why I am replying in particular, is because the two first games were completely different. We looked like a much more complete unit today (one that can go on without absolutely falling apart) than we did this time last year.

Robinson? I have absolutely no idea how I typed Robinson instead of Richardson. I used to go to school with a girl with the surname of Robinson, perhaps it was a weird Freudian slip? :/ Did you love her? Not as much as I love reading your posts, Troon

Keep an eye out on http://www.reddit.com/r/footballhighlights/ as they usually post full games without the need to download torrents. There is already a highlights thread for this game at http://www.reddit.com/r/footballhighlights/comments/2dqhjl/stoke_city_vs_aston_villa_premier_league_16aug2014/ but its limited and in Spanish.

Robinson? I have absolutely no idea how I typed Robinson instead of Richardson. I used to go to school with a girl with the surname of Robinson, perhaps it was a weird Freudian slip? :/

Really happy with today's result, I did have a positive feeling about this game but deep down felt that Stoke would probably win it 2-1. My Main points... Back four. Oh my, how long have we been waiting to watch a Villa back four that look solid? A back four where you're not constantly biting your nails when the opposition is attacking, fantastic. Midfield looked solid, Westy and Richardson* looked calm, and got themselves all over the pitch. Attack: Gabby (in my opinion) simply can't start the next game. He was poor towards the end of last season, and he just looks like a shadow of the Gabby we loved. I'd like to see a slight formation change with Bent playing the role Andi did today, and switching Andi to where Gabby was 'supposed' to be today for the next game. I know Bent doesn't knock them in like he used to, but get the ball in the six yard box and he'll still put them in the onion bag as far as I am concerned. Managerial: Looked like there was a lot more passion from the players which has to be passed down by management, if Lambert truly was the mastermind behind getting Roy in then all is forgiven for his past misgivings. I like this feeling, I haven't had this feeling for a number of years, I actually have some (misguided?) feeling that we can finish top half... yes, even after just one game *Edit: See this - http://www.villatalk.com/index.php/topic/11825-ratings-and-reactions-stoke-0-1-villa/page-6#entry1419003

Not aimed at you Daniel, but just a general WTF thought. Why on earth would any person with £200 Mil+ be friends with this Chris Barnes guy on Twitter and then tell him things after he has posted 'confidential' business dealing information for all to see. The blokes an attention seeking fool for all I think.

I know that Arison's name has been spoken many times in this thread, but I just stumbled upon this article on a (seemingly credible) cruise line site - http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2014/06/articles/worst-cruise-line-in-the-world/in-last-week-micky-arison-sells-over-78000000-of-carnival-stock-hes-sold-over-473000000-of-carnival-stock-in-3-months/index.html - I have been trying to read every post in this thread so apologies if this has been posted before. I am aware that people have posted that he sold X amount of shares on X day, but the figures that I'm sure I recall in this thread were no where near the amount that this article has put forward. Also seems like he sold a bunch of shares yesterday (June 16th). With Miami going out the finals (as others have joked) could there be any credibility to his buying of Aston Villa? Pure speculation, and it looks like Abdul has the real lead on a legitimate buyer, but figured this was worth posting for scrutiny if nothing else. Edit: He's pulled out $473 Million over 3 months according to the article above.

If you are serious, I will place a bet on us staying up next season. I won't match your £1,000, but I will go £250 if you wish to accept? Charity of choice is Acorns, or NSPCC. PM me for an online handshake, and I'll stand by my word.

Well that is unfortunate, since you seem very eager to comment when you have some sort of non reputable speculation. Everyone has been making a joke of your posts, do you not think you should lend some sort of credibility to what you are saying? Anything at all?

Since you are active, Mendi. Care to respond to my earlier post asking you a couple of questions? - http://www.villatalk.com/index.php/topic/11199-£200-milion-us-takeover/page-405#entry1341964

Any particular reason why they performed so bad? If this (admittedly almost baseless) speculation were to be correct, would we want someone like this owning Villa?

I hope I'm not treading old ground, as I did seemingly miss a bunch of posts. But if we are going to go in this direction of speculation (and why not, if not a repeat?), can you think of any well run NFL teams that have under achieved recently? Ignore me, if all this has been covered before.

Good point. My gut feeling is NFL owner, surely there's some American sports fans who can give us a list of well run teams who have under performed. Quick Google search gives me this from Nov last year - http://www.punditarena.com/uncategorized/pohalloran/seasons-five-underperforming-nfl-teams/ Not knowing anything about NFL doesn't make it particularly useful for me :/ Although the Houstan Texans are listed first, and our pre-season friendlies are in that region, as I'm sure every man and his dog is aware.

Cool, thanks for the update.

I have two questions, which are by no means any sorts of personal attacks on people, I'm just hoping for a little bit of clarification. Mendi: People who have access to information on multi million dollar corporate deals generally have a some sort of business schooling, usually from a very highly regarded University. If you are passing information on that you genuinely believe is true, what makes you qualified to 'receive' this information? I realise you wouldn't want to give away a 'source', but why do you personally seemingly have access to top secret business dealings? Kwan: I know you are a highly respected poster, and I have zero doubts about your credibility. I have been following this thread since page one, and have even tried to provide factual information where I have seen fit (a hundred pages or so back now), but I must have missed a few pages where you made some sort of reveal. Would you, or someone else mind letting me know what information you made available? I saw a couple of posts back that you ruled out certain people, but did you ever hint at a particular person being in the running to take over? I realise I do not have a high post count (I have been a long time lurker), and I do not want to come across as rude, as it sincerely is not my intention. Like I said, I was just hoping for clarification on the above two questions.

His latest Tweet explains it all... https://twitter.com/dermotkeller/status/465212036784586752/photo/1

Food News with Melinda Lee Hahaha That bloke tweeted a while ago so it's possible he was listening to a different programme. Melinda does have some good advice concerning quiches.

I'm not sure about that Dermot tweet, he's just made another one which states "Basically Larry Ellison (worth $50billion) is to become the new owner of Aston Villa. Just announced on the radio #avfc #Premier League #ellison". I can't currently find any other Tweets which backs up what he is saying, just retweets. I believe the radio station in question is http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/category/watch-listen/heard-on-radio/, there is a "Listen Live" link on the right. Unsure if it is restricted by country though. Edit: Birmingham Mail just picked up the Taylor story - http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/graham-taylor-aston-villa-been-7101432

Randy and the boardroom 1hour before he makes his statement on Monday... For the record, I personally think Randy will come out and say that he is at an advanced negotiation stage with a potential buyer and more information will be made available in the coming weeks.

Time to bring on Tonev?

Someone asked earlier, but seriously, can Bent be recalled? With Albrighton smashing balls into the box, surely someone like Bent has a decent shout at getting on the end of one?