juanpablo

I keep on trying to be positive about this signing but I just wanna cry.

Just came across this Adrian Durham column from April last year. Don't have much time for him myself, but I think it sums up how a lot of people (fans and pundits alike) felt about Villa towards the end of last season (12/13) when we were widely seen as a team that tried to play football and one full of players who would really push on the season just gone.
 

 

We should all stand up and applaud what Paul Lambert is trying to achieve at Aston Villa. He has a team made up mainly of young players – eight of the starting XI at Stoke on Saturday are 23 years old or under, and six of those eight are English.

 

If you haven’t seen Villa this season, that’s a shame because this is a team that tries to play football.  

They keep the ball on the floor and pass it around. Unless it’s a clearance, they rarely hoof the ball aimlessly.

These young players have technique. Matthew Lowton scored one of the goals of the season with a beautiful chest and volley from 25 yards with Stoke’s hardest hatchet men charging at him. 

They’re brave. Nathan Baker took the ball full in the face from a fierce Kenwyne Jones blast. And carried on no problem.

And they’ve got character. Jordan Bowery started only his second Premier League game for Villa in that big relegation clash at Stoke.
 

All of these young players look calm and composed on the ball and, even better, they kept their heads up on Saturday. They had been by far the better side at Stoke, so when the home team equalised, heads might have dropped. But they didn’t and Villa hit back to win 3-1 with two late goals.
 

Heavy beatings at Chelsea and Man City have proved that it’s a project that has some way to go. Indeed, Aston Villa are still heavily involved in the relegation picture. Individual mistakes will happen with a young, growing team and those errors have cost Villa dear this season.
 

It would be a travesty if Villa were to go down, given the quality of the football they play. Aston Villa fans should feel proud of their club – it’s a model that every other club should try to emulate.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2306172/Adrian-Durham-Joey-Barton-Manchester-United-haters-Paul-Lambert-Aston-Villa.html#ixzz36MT2irMG 
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What a difference a year makes eh? Players I thought would really push on, just seem to go backwards and as a team we played some of the worst 'football' I can remember in years.

But if a few of them players find some form again I don't think we've got too badder squad. I think/hope Cole will surprise a few people and bring something we've been missing. Grealish almost feels like a new signing too, he's an exciting talent that will try and play football the right way. 


 

I'd take Cole over Hoolahan

Totally forgot about Harewood to be fair!

Hey everyone. Been reading VT for years now, only really felt compelled to throw my two bobs worth in after the Senderos signing.

I can't remember ever being so discouraged by a Villa signing over the past 10-15 years or so. Don't get me wrong, I'll back him fully and I really hope he proves me wrong but I've always thought he's been a very poor player.

Alright, he's experienced. He's played for a top 4 club in the Champions League, but then again so hasn't Tal Ben Haim? The clubs Senderos has played for doesn't make him a good player. Arsenal haven't exactly been known in recent years for having the meanest defence, whilst AC Milan and Valencia have both being going downhill for a good few years.

Whenever I've seen his name on a team sheet I've considered him to be a weak link and more often than not, he's proved me right. Ask nearly any Fulham fan and they'll tell you what a distinctly average (at best), error prone player he is. Ok, he might just have been signed as 3rd or 4th choice but who really knows what Lambert's thinking. I for one would be surprised if he doesn't start first game of the season.

Prove me wrong anyway Phil. UTV

My name's Craig and I've been a Villa fan for as long as I can remember. Remember being about 2 or 3 and getting the old navy away AST kit that was 4 or 5 sizes too big. Been reading the site for years but what with the current situation, felt it was time to get involved.