ViolaVillan

Gabby seems to struggle with the basics. His finishing is woeful, I'd imagine that Bent, Benteke, Kozak or Weimann would have put his chance away. It's a shame because there is a good player in there somewhere. Lambert should bench him. Maybe knowing he hasn't got a guaranteed starting place might give him a kick up the arse

It's odd how Villa fans are usually more pessimistic than football fans yet with this we seem far more optimistic than most other football fans, many of whom seem to think this is a terrible signing. Then again, a lot of football fans only know about English football.

Would be interesting to know how much Lambert has spent on LB's during his time here. I have a good feeling about this one though.

less than Sunderland have just spent on one semi decent midfielder

Even if we had the money I wouldn't want us to spending that much on someone like Rodwell.

I said a similar thing in another thread. If you look at some of the amounts being thrown around for half decent players, I'm almost pleased that we are restricted financially

Happy with this signing. Don't mind at all if he is better defensively than going forward. A positive signing for once that still gets criticism from some people on here!

 

Whilst I don't think our transfer activity this summer has been mind blowing, I look around at what other teams are doing and am glad we are being quite shrewd. West Ham have just spent £12m on a guy who had three good games at the World Cup. Leicester have blown £8m on a decent Championship striker. I'd rather not have money to spend and have to get frees/bargain buys than have loads of money to splurge on mediocrity

I'd rather keep him for another season and lose him on a free next season. We should be in a better position to find a replacement next summer. 

I like Bent. I can see the value of offloading him this summer but if that doesn't happen what's the harm of having him in the squad?

Because he's on the biggest salary and will contribute nothing on the pitch?

Because he won't score goals? Admittedly he isn't what we need to lead the line but if we are chasing the game he is a decent option

I like Bent. I can see the value of offloading him this summer but if that doesn't happen what's the harm of having him in the squad?

People calling out Keane for his managerial career but also people calling for Rene Meulensteen to be assistant manager. He's hardly got a sparkling record has he?

If people genuinely think that Vlaar isn't that good what hope does Senderos have of being accepted?

Know you're joking but this generation have produced a surprisingly decent Swiss side to be fair.

I suppose some people might argue that "produced" is the wrong word . . .

How long until we sign Shaun Wright Phillips

You have to have just been taken over to sign SWP. Them the rules

He's got undoubted ability and bags if experience. He's on a free and on a one year deal. Can't see how this is an awful signing. I remember Liverpool signing a 33 year old Gary McAllister on a free and him being very good for them. At least give Cole a chance

I asked a mate of mine, who is a Fulham season ticket holder, what he thought about him. Here is his reply:

Absolute garbage. In a bad team, he was one of our worst. Constantly caught out of position. And, without fail, one embarrassingly calamitous moment per game, guaranteed.

Yet for Switzerland, apparently Hitzfeld said he'd 'never' been disappointed with him. Pretty much sums up the fact that who you play for makes a real difference.

I'm pretty sure Hitzfeld could find another CB if Senderos was really that bad. I'd trust the judgment of one of the most respected and successful managers of all time over that of this forum

Why are fans on here so pessimistic? They spend all season demanding that Lerner sells the club. When he finally does put the wheels in motion every little development means that we are never getting taken over. I'm no expert on selling football clubs but I'm pretty sure it's quite a slow process. Just have a bit of patience and maybe stop slagging Lerner off at every opportunity?

If he was going to be first.choice CB this would be an awful signing. But as backup it makes a lot of sense. We are crying out for a bit of experience and we can't exactly be too choosy about who we can get in

He's watching this seasons DVD highlights first.

That can't be what's delaying it! Shorter than a Katie Price marriage

Collymore saying on Twitter that there will be no statement tonight but within the week

Can always rely on Stan to repeat what everybody already knows lol.

Bit obvious really. How many clubs release statements at 10pm?

Collymore saying on Twitter that there will be no statement tonight but within the week

In his post match interview when asked about what needs to be improved on for next season, he doesn't answer the questions and starts talking about the chairman and the statement he is going to release in the next 6/7 days. For me, that obviously shows that Lambert is not gonna be in charge next season.

I think you're right - I said a few posts back, even if Lerner stays - I think he would bin Lambert - he would need to be seen to be doing something.

I think Moyes or Laudrup will be our next manager.

If Lerner was staying and getting rid of Lambert then he may well of just done it on Sunday after we were safe. Keeping up for another week seems pointless.

Perhaps Lerner has a sense of decency and respect and wants to let Lambert see out the end of the season?

Barcelona have announced that former coach Tito Vilanova has passed away aged 45. Terribly sad news. Thoughts with his family at this awful time

As excited as I am at the thought of getting new owners and investment in the squad, I am a little wary of getting awful owners, like Pompey and Leeds, who would make Lerner seem amazing.

Hoping against hope for a win here to make us safe and allow us to relax as we wait for another sorry season to end. I would love to see Helenius involved in this one. None of our other strikers look able to score the important goals so he must be worth a go.

Mark Hughes is the man who should have replaced MON. I think it is safe to say that we would not have dropped out of the top ten under Sparky.

probably true yes, but the circumstances at the time allowed us to believe we needed a manager to get us in the top 4, not one too stop the drastic fall from top 6 too bottom 6 we have suffered.

I think Lerner gave up on our chances for the Top Four when it became apparent MON was leaving. Hughes would have been good enough to keep us in contention for the Europa League. He has a decent record in the transfer market too, and has also worked and flourished under a restricted budget at Fulham and Blackburn respectively. We missed an opportunity for real stability at the top end of the league.

Loved his quote about us too - "Aston Villa is a good job for any manager, I would suggest."

I may be mistaken but didn't we not go for Hughes because Lerner wasn't impressed by the way he had left Fulham?

I can easily see us losing here. I can also see us not winning another game for the rest of the season. Start Albrighton, Holt and Tonev up top. Hope KEA and Delph are back, might give us a fighting chance. Still going to say 2-0 Palace though