Sam3773

Certainly have. Slight OT on the thread but I'll answer. Watch a lot of the PL2 and he's brilliant. Slotted in a couple of times last season in the Championship too. Got an assist I seem to recall for not a lot of game time. I think he's as close to a like for like replacement we've got currently and I have no concerns he'll hold his own in this league.

Cal.

Welcome (again), Lovre.

RIP Doug. Only met you once, but your love for the club and its fans was evident.

Great chance for him to build something here at the club he supports. Get this right and there's no telling where this adventure could end. We went for an Arsenal man, a Chelsea man and ended up with a Villa man. I'm happy.

I like Simon Jordan and have no intention of doubting what he's saying - we know the finances were screwed in the summer. The EFL tend to look favourably on new owners though, and there was a lot of talk of a deal being done based around FFP. I'm sure we will breach it, but by how much and the punishment, I'm not sure. Let's not forget Birmingham are in trouble for ignoring it completely. We certainly haven't done that. #VeryOffTopic

So to summarise some of VTs thoughts: Thierry Henry is exciting. Yes, we know he's never managed before but he's been assistant manager, he'll have learnt lots there and from his playing career to make Villa a success. Dean Smith. We're not sure. Yes he's been head coach at two clubs experiencing success above their means, but how much of that was him? He of course won't try and apply what he's learned at Villa. That would be crazy. I'm struggling to keep up with what VillaTalk want, let alone who's odds on anymore.

Colour me sold. I want him.

Well that was Rui. At this rate, Gabby will be in the dugout.

Looks like it's going to be Rui now with all the speculation. I hope to hell he plays a different style of football to his partner in crime. I doubt it. One thing's for sure, he's not going to want to be there or there abouts... I'll keep an open and accepting mind..

I think we'll see a lot more of Rodgers' name being floated tomorrow, and the odds on him shorten. Just another name in the mixer.

Jardim is the kind of coup we're working with Mendes for, surely. I mean, he's been immediately linked with Man United, but we're Aston bloody Villa. With former England International Micah Richards. He'll come.

Reports at the time claimed Jardim got the Monaco job due to his, wait for it, connections with one Jorge Mendes. Make it so.

In 5 years time, when Monaco have been relegated and you're battling for a mid to bottom table job, the Villa vacancy will come up and you'll come begging. Your CV will be going in the same pile as Martinez, Moyes and OGS.

Daily Mail are reporting that Jesus is helping us.

Buzzing for another KMac masterclass next weekend.

Nah, he's just rehashing Harry Redknapp like everyone else apparently is. ? Kristof obviously listens to TalkSport.

Except these reports are coming from the Henry camp. I know what you're saying about the owners not wanting stuff to get out and I agree, but let's not sit here with blinkers on. If a few places are reporting that Henry doesn't know if he wants it and might not take it, that's probably come from the Henry camp, not the owners. Usual press caveats, but this whole thing is a press report, right? I mean, it was the press who reported Henry and Terry in the first place. To believe that when it's positive and not believe it when it's negative is a bit naive.

What a kick in the nuts this would be. Rodgers, please.

Alan Nixon, in an obvious attempt to prove me wrong, just tweeted that he's expecting Henry to make his decision today, but he doesn't think he'll come to Villa.

Spent most of last night with Terry at an awards event. He's probably got as much of an idea as Terry has.. Which is probably more than John Percy or Alan Nixon.

From what I've read on the interwebs, Terry isn't Henry dependent and could come in under whoever we get, so Rodgers/Terry could be a possibility.

Henry or Rodgers - either would be a substantial improvement on what we've seen for the last few years. Rodgers was my top candidate. Good, attacking football with a bit of experience. Henry/Terry is the exciting option, although the more I think about why, its the potential for good, attacking football. They aren't a known quantity because they haven't done it before, but we know it'll be good football. So if the attacking styles are similar, why do we want the dynamic duo in the dugout rather than the experienced head? Maybe we are seeing the glamour of their names. Maybe the celebrity manager is having an impact on our decision. I dunno, but damn I'd be happy with either. Rodgers is the known, safe pair of hands to attack the league. Probably the sensible mans option. The Brothers Terry? Well that's the exciting risk. Could be brilliant, could be catastrophic. Whoever it is, let's just get on with it.