MarkLillis

Cant agree more. As a player (parks level lol) I loved it when we had a personality and player of McGinn's style in our side. Successful sides always need characters like this. McGinn comes with a massive plus to that as he is also a very good player.

Benteke was a big favorite of mine. In 2013.

It is a common term used on the continent for the coach. There is a book called "Mister" by Rory Smith which explains the origins of this term.It goes back English men who went to different countries and became coaches. Mister was used by the players to address them

I don't think there should even be a debate on the wording here. How can Rodri not be gaining an advantage from being in an offside position when from the moment the ball is kicked he is offside and thinking about moving towards Mings in anticipation of tackling him. He was offside the moment he started to move towards Mings,how could he be anything else?

Agreed

I've got a spread bet on them getting less than 50 points. At present that's looking good.....i think they will land around between 38/42

Leaves us with some great memories.As he will never play for a bigger club I would say that’s a good legacy. He will always be remembered fondly by Villians.

Sam can get them organised.He can also bring in some “real men” Looking at the teams in and around them it might just work.

Great player - one of Englands finest in my lifetime.

All other outbreaks at Premier League clubs have resulted in postponements. This will be no different

I cant argue. They had no need to change their plans and they didn't and as for sympathy he actually made his side stronger with his substitution at half time. Thiago is a world class player and arguably better than Henderson. There is no room for sympathy in football but its hard to see the decision to go so strong against such a weekend team in a good light is it?

Isn't it good that to think all of these clubs can resist the advances financially if they really want to. You know now that is anyone from the above clubs leaves it is (most likely) entirely their choice and they actually want to move (like Marhrez and Drinkwater) Nothing like competition to spice up the league. This season is not going to be a cakewalk from anyone.

I think we are now in the position where we can wait for the signings that we absolutely want. We will add to the squad much in the way Leicester and Southampton do. This may mean no activity in some windows and great signings in others depending on availability. The best bit is we can sit back and enjoy it as our squad is good already. Can believe I'm writing this really the progress is immense.

A striker to help out Ollie.If the right option becomes available then I think adding some experience to the squad in that area would be sensible.

I had this feeling also. We have good players but they are better in and around the penalty area. Just cleaner and more clinical. I think it will come though....wether we buy experience or gain it,I’m sure we are on our way back.

Next level The clubs that could have taken him a couple of seasons ago but didn’t (Levy???) must be kicking themselves. It is his destiny to take Villa with him on his journey to the very top level of football!

Great thread! Reading through these memories remind me that I have seen so many good Villa moments! Those of us who are old enough have been blessed with many good Villa sides and consequently have many many memories to choose from.I’m very happy that our younger generations finally look to have a team to be proud of again. So with that in mind I choose the play off final as my favourite memory. The day we regained our place in the top tier was an incredibly emotional day and a brilliant experience from start to finish. Villa will have to do something amazing to top that!

Agree with this.

Dele Ali? Not wanted by Jose..... Also Jack's mate.

Pretty sure that Ron was a well respected manager. Who had recently (unsuccessfully) been in charge of Man City in their early 70s pomp and taken Norwich City to a Cup final. Although I agree he made his name at the very highest level with us.

General feeling around my Baggies friends is: 1. That they are going down. 2.They are desperate not to get hammered by the Dingles as well. 3.That VAR is an excellent explanation for any bad result 4. They are beginning to realize that Diaganga, whilst having potential....isn't really as good as they thought. 5.Jack is a good player....but they wish he would stay on his feet more. Regarding number 5. I think this is excellent progress from Jack, who was until this season an overrated diver (That fcuking Mr. Tumble or cheating Vile B@stard)).He is starting to win them over:)

I think they are good to watch. The scores in their games could be literally anything. The media love this. I'm not sure their fans will the longer it carries on. I mean... watching them play their biggest rivals attacking at 4-0 down made me shudder. They were leaving massive gaps at back, it could have been really messy and reminded me of how we played against Chelsea in the 8-0 game..

Just 8 points has us in 2nd place this time last season. I wonder what it will do for us this year?

I'm on this page with you weedman. Its such a good feeling having the number one English player in the Premier as one of us. I am also very much enjoying fans of our local rivals (some who consider themselves rational and knowledgeable fans) trying to back track on their previously and now almost totally discredited stances on him....

The English player he has clear similarities with is Gazza. For me he has a better temperament and physique. Next level he really is I'm genuinely starting to doubt anyone's football knowledge when they try say he isn't all that now..... Gareth are you listening?