PittsburghVillaFan

Hello,

I'm a returning Villa Talk member. Used to have an account awhile back and forgot my old information after not posting for awhile, so creating a new account now connected to my Twitter.

Honestly, the main reasons I'm returning are 1) the Sherwood era has me newly enthused about Villa and 2) I wanted to see if any members who would have access to FA Cup Final tickets could help me out.

You see, I'm an American Villa fan -- originally from Pittsburgh but living in Chicago now. I've been to Villa Park twice (Spurs 2-1 loss for a Boxing Day match in 2010, Swansea 1-1 draw in 2013) and was in the Villa away end for the 3-3 draw at Chelsea in January 2011.

And since I became a Villa fan about eight years ago, I told myself that if Villa ever made the FA Cup Final and I had the finances, I would do my utmost to try and get there. So if anyone knows if this would even be a possibility for me, any help would be appreciated.

Also, I write for SB Nation's Villa blog, and you can follow me on Twitter @RJSepich.

Cheers. UTV.

If he can score goals like this and continue controlling midfield the way he has I don't care if he's 4 feet tall, he's gonna be spectacular.

I think with him and Reo (or another strong partner) the future of our midfield looks very bright

I'm going for a Downing away kit when the prices drop. I really like the away kit this year although we haven't done too well in it. Black is always classy and the claret and blue checkers are brilliant.

Yeah for sure thanks paris. I'm looking for the best combination of view and atmosphere and if the upper starts the chants and can see the whole pitch that's probably where I'll end up.

What makes the lower better than upper or vice versa? Is there a difference besides view?

Hey guys,

I'm an American with plans to come over for the Spurs home match on Boxing Day and I was just wondering where everyone thought was the best place to sit considering I'm 20 years old and I'm looking for a combination of view and atmosphere.

I'm leaning towards the Holte, but if anyone has any other suggestions that'd be great. And what's better - upper or lower Holte??

Thanks. UTV

Friedel - 7 - Solid, mistake free. All you can ask from a day like today.

L. Young - 6.5 - Showed he's better than Beye and made some good runs

Collins - 6 - Nothing to write home about

Dunne - 5.5 - Jerome really dominated him late and was lucky not to be at fault for possible goal.

Warnock - 6 - Okay defending, no forward runs

Clark - 6 - Basically did Petrov's job as good as Petrov could. Just backwards and sideways passes (just like Petrov) and should've scored...

Sidwell - 5.5 - Really average

NRC - 6.5 - Strong, determined, and won a lot of balls. Needs to control himself more, but our best midfielder now

Ashley - 6 - Too much "watch my footwork" then nothing coming from it, but still has all the talent in the world. Very predictable

Downing - 5 - Didn't do anything and looked lost, but I don't really blame him. Never played right wing.

Heskey - 6 - Did alright I thought. ZERO support in first half. Strong, but still not a finisher

Bannan - 7 - Actually did really well. Loads of effort and some quality too. MOTM if anyone gets it.

Carew - 5.5 - Bad passes, did have a good header that Clark should've finished

Houllier - 5 - This is tough. There's so many injuries and everything I don't know what to make of him. I like the fact he is trying to implement passing and whatnot, but I don't get the feeling he'll lead us anywhere great. Hopefully he's given money to sign people.

I think Heskey's doing alright, he just has NO support. Downing never even makes a run and Ash is only looking to make room for himself. We need....well we need a lot

We'll be lucky to draw if the second half is like that....Shots 5-0 to them.

I hate to saw it but this is even worse long ball than MON played. We won't finish in top half playing like this.

A player like dempsey is really needed in sidwell's spot

To the Who Let The Dogs Out hit by Baha Men:

Houllier let Emile out!

Hou Hou Hou Hou

Houllier let Emile out!

Hou Hou Hou Hou

I think there are a lot of positives to take from this match. We attacked a team of Spurs caliber and took it to them for about 30 minutes before they even got into the game. The passing and play was great and I think as the Houllier era goes on we'll be able to play like that for entire matches. And there's something to be said for the fact that we didnt go there hoping for a draw like we did last year under MON, instead we played to win and even though we lost I can accept that. Im someone who believes you go for the three points because one isnt much different than zero. Under the MON era we had far too many draws, but hopefully thatll change now. UTV and onward and upwards!!!

Full support from me! Stoke match will be so interesting now.

Keegan would be good as long as we supported him...

With KMac, people are saying it would be a huge gamble, but in all seriousness why not take a gamble?! Lets be realistic, our team is not bad enough to get relegated under any conditions yet we need something big to happen to get into the top four - so why not take the risk and maybe KMac will learn on the job and surprise a lot of people and have us in the battle for fourth by the end of the year? And even if he fails and we finish 10th-12th, it's only one year lost and we can get a new manager next year...

Just consider it. UTV

ESPN just confirms Bob Bradley has signed 4 year extension with US so that scratches him off the list.

Bad thing about Moyes is even if he did well here, I bet Man Utd would take him as soon as SAF leaves and we'd be back to square one

I live in America so I dont think we have that law that you posted earlier. We have to live with the warranty PS3 gives us.

This just happened to me I looked on youtube and there is a fix which involves a heat gun and taking the whole PS3 apart (which Im guessing is what you paid the guy 30 quid for) but Ive heard that is only a temporary solution. Im leaning towards buying a slim PS3...Does anyone have any suggestions to what I should do??

This just happened to me I looked on youtube and there is a fix which involves a heat gun and taking the whole PS3 apart (which Im guessing is what you paid the guy 30 quid for) but Ive heard that is only a temporary solution. Im leaning towards buying a slim PS3...Does anyone have any suggestions to what I should do??

How does Koeman know he is on the shortlist if he hasnt had contact??

I REALLY hope it isnt him. 5 jobs in 10 years... :/

Does someone have to cure cancer during the game to get higher than an rating?? Cmon Albrighton should be at least a 9. Cant remember him doing anything wrong! Also I thought Ash should be at least an 8. Everyone was excited by Marc, but Webcam was all over the pitch in the attacking half and really lead our attack in all fashions even if he didnt set up any goals. His presence is what created the room for Albrighton.

Id give:

Friedel - 7. Like you said not tested, but was his solid self.

Luke Young - 7.5. Proved what a good right back can do. Broke up a lot of West Ham passes and even got in the attacking half a bit!

Clark - 6.5. Didnt mess up, but needs to work on his positioning a bit. Cleared well when needed.

Dunne- 7. Cole made him look slow, but was composed in winning balls a lot.

Warnock - 6. Didnt do bad by any means, but got beat a couple times and looked silly when he missed the one header in his own box.

Petrov - 8. Incredible first half controlling the midfield and his goal capped it off. Did slow a little as usual, but still played very well.

Milner - 8. Not as much hustle as usual, but with the 4-5-1 he didnt need to. Took his goal very well, great technique.

Downing - 7. Good freekick and did pretty good, but still needs crossing work. Still one of our best XI players. Lucky to score.

Albrighton - 9.5. Set up two goals even if one was offside, and always cutting in and out made it a long day for West Ham's fullbacks.

Young- 8.5. Played great in the free role behind Carew and was constantly moving and creating space for other. Cheeky chip lob attempt too.

Carew - 7. Even though his headers were poor, his strength was enough for Tomkins/Upson combined and really was unlucky not to score off the post.

Magath hasnt stayed at a club for more than 4 years. Not a very stable guy, but he has been successful. Dont think he would leave Schalke anyways

I was just about to post that NibblyPig! He sounded like he knew what he was talking about to and said he talked to a club rep as well as Brad.

Hope he's right! Guzan is playing very well in this second hell too

Sven is listed as the number 46 manager of ALL TIME by this one site I just looked up. And we have people complaining about this...I will admit he has been great in this decade but would it be that terrible having a manager who has won the Swedish, Portugese, and Italian leagues?? I would like someone foreign and younger with experience though if we cant afford Sven or whatever. That leaves Bilic, Klinnsmann, Zola...

Whoever it is, I'll give them a season to see how it goes. We have a better squad than people give us credit for MON just ran some of the players into the ground and we always tailed off towards the end. I wasnt keen on Curbishley but after looking up his wiki page Im starting to think he might be a good, safe man for the job. But preferrably Jol or Bilic

I think if Bob Bradley wants the job it's his... My choice would be 1. Klinsmann 2. Bilic 3. Give Mac Donald a chance for a little 4. Bradley 5. Coyle