LancsVillan

Well I like to dring it but hey that's can we keep this one on track please

I grew up with no shield, just the lion on the shirts in 74-? and then I don't remember anything until 81 and the round badge, still got my original little round pin badge too. The two shields from the 90s to present day just seem to me to be a half hearted measure to get the copyright and then market, which we failed miserably. I have no leaning towards any of them so long as the brand is marketed properly and it does seem like this will happen

thanks for the update Allan Semper paratus

We have Claret and Blue but you really struggle to get hold of it, I used to buy it loads when I was younger and while I know they sell it at the club shop now you never see it in WH Smith or anywhere like you used to. And as for seeing anywhere outside of the Midlands I see more rocking horse .......

Risso - there may well be holes in this, however I do not read it as the latter. There are relevant points in this post and am not prepared to see it be dragged down because of the poster and not the content. Malcolm is on record, within the article too, as wanting MO'N to succeed, I cannot think of any Villa fan who wants differently.

Where's the option for Jack Sparrow

by blandy All teams lose games. It’s the norm rather than the exception, and so Villa returned to the realms of normality this afternoon. Deservedly so, too - Liverpool were the better side today, by a distance. The monkey of the last unbeaten record has gone. Truth be told this was always going to be a tough, tough fixture - Liverpool having been easily beaten last week by Man Utd were always likely, I felt, to be wanting to make up to their supporters. Added to that their manager, unlike ours, has also been given a fair old bit of grief of late in order to fill up some newspaper columns and the the irrefutable fact that they have a squad packed with a lot more talent in depth than we do and all the signs were there. It’s probably also worth pointing out that Villa, over the previous 2 or 3 games have started to look slightly less invincible than we were all beginning to believe in our new found moods of joy and optimism. None of all that really matters when it comes to 22 blokes kicking a ball about on the pitch. All that really matters is that the skill, organisation, effort, commitment and endeavour of the two teams is put to the test and the best usually comes out on top unless the ref does something daft, as they sometimes can do. Villa started still missing Gav in midfield, so young Ozzy kept his place from his debut at Leicester. Steven Davis was resting (rightly) on the bench. Freddie Bouma was at left back, with Gareth in midfield and Tommy returned in the goal. For Liverpool, Peter Crouch and that very blond Dutch bloke played up front, and their side looked to have a real advantage in quality in midfield. This was to be proved throughout the game. Kick off time arrived (fortunately not until after some very amenable scoops had been had in town, with JC, Bicks and Co. - the Cains IPA in Dr D’s was excellent), the Scousers waved their scarves about and sung along dutifully to YNWA, and the 3000 in the away corner shouted for our boys in, er, White and Light Blue. Kicking towards us in the first half Liverpool looked to be first to every ball, and their midfield was running the game. Sissoko had a really good game for them, picking up all the lose balls, tackling, passing and running, and allowing Alonso to stroke the passes around. We didn’t really get near them for half an hour, but kept the score to nil nil due to the defense clearing away most of the danger. But we created absolutely nothing. Angel and Baros got no service, just some clearances to chase after. The ball kept coming back for more pressure. After 30 minutes the dam broke. That blond Dutch feller scored from a good finish after a spot of pinball. The 5 minutes later or so the ref gave a soft fee-kick to liverpool and harshly booked Mellberg into the bargain. With too much time and space allowed for their midfield, a reverse pass out wide, a cross and Crouch with a slight mis-hit maybe scored on the half turn. JC said Olly missed the ball and he was probably right. It got worse though just before half time when Gerrard passed nicely for Garcia to score from about 8 yards. 45 minutes and we’d had one shot (off-target) and got a chasing. Ominous. We just weren’t in it at all. The second half saw some changes for Villa - both Baros and Angel were taken off, and shortly afterwards Ozzy was replaced by Steven Davis. The Two ex-celtic players, Sutton and Agathe replaced the two invisible forwards. Sutton did pretty well, giving their defenders more trouble than either JPA or Milan had done. He linked up well with Gabby, now playing through the middle and one two put Gabby through on goal. Only one outcome was possible, you just knew he’d score, but it was a good finish and we had got back at least touch of pride. Even so Liverpool continued to make chances, particularly down our right, where Aaron Hughes didn’t have the best of games. Sutton brought a cracking save out of Reina, leaping to get to a header from a free kick that was surely going to go into the corner of the net. We kept up the effort and the heads never once dropped, which was pleasing, but we were still not really “in” the game seriously, in terms of looking like getting level for more than a few minutes of pressure. It’s often been like this at Anfield (and other away games) in recent years, but what was different was the fans - we recognise that before the season started and before the changes at the top we were looking at a relegation struggle, with our small squad and consequent lack of quality once a few players drop out. So at 3-1 down we were singing the manager’s name, accepting, I believe, that things are on the up, but there’s only so much that can be done without the opportunity to bring in more quality. It’ll take time. The game ended, a walk back to the station, a chat and a beer with a couple of familiar, friendly faces, a moan about the trains - they’re always a problem in the north west - engineering works never cease, it seems and then a mad dash as I realised I’d lingered slightly too long in the bar, but I (just) caught my train hoping that Villa can get back on track to our ultimate destination, too. Some marks, to make up for the pitiful description of the match action Tommy - 7. Blameless. Aaron Hughes 3 - not at his best just now, too much seems to “happen” down his side. Freddie Bouma - 5. OK on his first full game back Olly - 5 Ridge 5 Gabby - 7 MoTM for Villa. As Drummond pointed out, he’s looking more like a footballer all the time, not just a sprinter. Stan Petrov - 5 Ozzy - 3 - he was up against Sissoko who was the overall, excellent, MoTM and will have learnt a lot, I’d guess. He could be a good ‘un, but not quite yet at this level. (Steven Davis 6) Gareth Barry - 5 JPA - 4 (Chris Sutton 6.5) Milan Baros - 2 (Didier Agathe 6). Is it lack of matches and fitness, or is it disinterest? Hard to tell. Oh and the ref was a bit crap, but didn’t affect the result.

Who's On First for the Next Generation George: Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening? Condi: Sir, I have the report here about the new leader of China. George: Great. Lay it on me. Condi: Hu is the new leader of China. George: That's what I want to know. Condi: That's what I'm telling you. George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China? Condi: Yes. George: I mean the fellow's name. Condi: Hu. George: The guy in China. Condi: Hu. George: The new leader of China. Condi: Hu. George: The Chinaman! Condi: Hu is leading China. George: Now whaddya' asking me for? Condi: I'm telling you Hu is leading China. George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China? Condi: That's the man's name. George: That's who's name? Condi: Yes. George: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China? Condi: Yes, sir. George: Yassir? Yassir Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle East. Condi: That's correct. George: Then who is in China? Condi: Yes, sir. George: Yassir is in China? Condi: No, sir. George: Then who is? Condi: Yes, sir. George: Yassir? Condi: No, sir. George: Look, Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China. Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone. Condi: Kofi? George: No, thanks. Condi: You want Kofi? George: No. Condi: You don't want Kofi. George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And then get me the U.N. Condi: Yes, sir. George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N. Condi: Kofi? George: Milk! Will you please make the call? Condi: And call who? George: Who is the guy at the U.N? Condi: Hu is the guy in China. George: Will you stay out of China?! Condi: Yes, sir. George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N. Condi: Kofi. George: All right! With cream and two sugars. Now get on the phone.

Milner or SWP or Beckham for the right side of midfield And up front Klose

1-1 gabbi to score for us and crouch for them

Bobo Balde? If it is then what is with the ex-celtic players. Petrov is quality there is no doubt about it, but buying the restn of the Celtic old boys is going to far. agreed they may have played in Europe and won things, then again so has Jean Alain Boumsong and he was ace in the Prem - not!!

balde - no thanks, pure and simple

who would you prefer Barton or Nolan ? Neither

agree with the former and not the latter.

My opinion on this is that the rumour is journalism and possible leaks from the summer. I think it's based on Defoe and Jol obviously not getting on. Baros not being first choice so far - and that he as injured in WC and we needed a striker. MO'N's comments on Defoe not being selected for WC pointing out that he likes Defoe. We've got money that we've not had before. A rumour that we were to sign him in August but as the takeover hadn't gone far enough we missed out. But given all that I still don't want him as I personally think he is not good enough to displace any of our four front line forwards.

And you dont think he can persuade players to come? I think he can but not SWP or Klose, both would simply not want to come here. SWP I hear is loving life to the full in London (should that be living? Nope I know what I mean( whereas Klose is on record as wanting to play outside Germany and then mentioned Real and Barca, which shows exactly the type of club he will leave Germany for. In the same interview he referred to Bayern Munich as a big club but not big enough. So let's put that to bed.

Walcot went cheap didnt he? I dont really see how you can compare them. In any case, Arsenal paid stupid money for an unproven young player. He was/is highly regarded as potentially one of Europes future superstars (I think he's massively overrated) so I can understand the price being above the odds but I hardly think Micah Richards is similarly thought of. If Micah Richards is worth £10m then Gabby is worth £30m. re the bold bit Bosko and Savo ring any bells, the latter of course has been a success since leaving VP and was not too shabby whilst here....

or even ashton himself... let's sign Owen too then as he's out injured too....

Hmm those people who keep asking to sign SWP. Do you want him to take the place of the one youngster to have recently broken through who to me looks destined for a very bright future - Gabi. As there would be no other position for him in a 433. 442 with SWP on the right and JPA / Gabi up front - yes please but I cannot see it

Played in midfield as Fergie had one of his mad moments. He is young and was brilliant for Leeds, which wasn't that long ago. NOT as a target man he never that was Viduka!! He played off him and his goals to games ratio is not good enough to appease Villa fans ;-)

I keep seeing people say that Smith is a target man. That's the same Alan Smith who played last season in midfield. And to me I really don't see him as a target man at all

This thread does seem to show that people fully expect us to suddenly start to sign players in January. And some of the players I cannot see coming, nor would I want some of them..... Nolan or Klose for example

Galaxy for me I eat about a MILLION! a year yumyum

VH - FFS that's Bertie not Thomas