Johnnyp

Yes i hate to see a club ive followed for 30 years lose. It's exhilarating.

https://www.myoldmansaid.com/as-villa-search-for-another-gear-whats-dean-smiths-future-if-they-cant-find-it/?amp&__twitter_impression=true A very good read actually.

Just a shame we've played the 3 of those twice already eh.

Lamtey is good, shame Brighton won't have him in the off season though when he stars in the new season of different strokes.

I agree. The frustrating thing was Liverpool weren't even coming at us full pelt. It was casual. If they were at like they are most of the time, would of been messy for us. All that...and we still couldn't be a bit braver on the ball.

Absolutely. Compared say to a Burnley or Sheffield United. All in tune, blokes look they'd run through brick walls for each other.

Mate, dunno where u are going with this. I'm saying i think we should make a change for next season. Just my opinion.

Grealish returning from injury. He had the best striker in the division. We werent playing mind blowing football in a league where your weaknesses as a manager aren't nearly as exposed.

Does that mean then he gets a free pass when it comes to recruitment ? He gave the green light ( Purslow told us the final decision lies with Smith ) to sign these players. I definetely think hes been sold short by a deplorable sporting director who should without doubt be sacked but what worries me, especially going forward if we stick with Smith, is it's apparent he wanted this job so so bad and was willing to maybe be dictated to a little, his assistant manager picked for him ( just bizzare ) and an i pick one you pick one transfer policy relationship with the sporting director. I don't think Dean is strong enough to say " No sorry, im not having that "

Norwich haven't a hope in hell.

Makes you wonder also, does he actually have a very discernible coaching ethos, how he wants to play the game etc or was it all just bluff and bluster. I think Brentford had a philosophy that came from their 2 DOF'S and a well run proper scouting network, and Dean steered it. What's kind of apparent now is, he was never driving it. I mean take Hassenhutl for example. Their shape is fantastic, play good football, their work rate is phenomenal and they'll be even better next season you'd imagine. He improved them. Well coached. Dean just can't seem to make any imprint or improve this group. Would you trust him to go again next season ?

They've Norwich at home on Tuesday. They'll win that. Puts 4 points between them and us. That's clear water at the rate we are picking up points + our run in.

Norwich, Bournemouth, Villa. Chalk it down. Watford will pull away. West Ham have bits of quality here and there, are picking up points and will get a few more. All done folks.

" Oh but his hold up play " We've moved on from that beauty then yes ? Came to the realisation he is a striker who can't score.

Easah Suliman running the Guimares defence like a boss. Close to Europa league spots. Oh Villa. Dear oh dear.

Easah Suliman excellent ?

Back playing since with Wigan since so...dunno really

Villa should be absolutely all over trying to get Robinson at Wigan now that they will be flogging what assets they have pretty sharpish. Milan won't go back in for him after the mess the last time. How are we not in for this kid in their current financial mess.

I agree. The players we signed who did crap for us but went on to make moves and play well for bigger clubs is a moot point. Southampton didn't sign Schnederlin thinking " well he may flop for us but hey he could go on to have a good career elsewhere. No, he played his best football for them. We aren't a footballing creche. Getting players ready for big school. Recruitment, management - wise up.

Like Howe at Bournemouth, no disrespect, Burnley have their ceiling. Not arrogance but our potential and i place great emphasis on that word is far greater than those two clubs. I don't think Dyche would suffer fools easy. Talk of Poch ? Really people, wind your neck in. Dyche would be interested in villa. I've no doubt about that.

Pub team with 45 points. I'll have some of that.

Would you take a punt on Dyche ?

Dyche is a clever guy. He starts with defence, builds from there. No lame interviews either. I think Defour is probably the only dud he's signed. Mee and Tarkowski are solid.

But if Smith sat back and had his belly tickled when it came to recruitment, what's that say about him ?

Is pinnock better than konsa ? Frank struggled with that defence for a while last year too. Looks water tight too. The 2 Danish fellas in midfield are classy too.