I'm more than happy with Di Matteo, we could do a lot worse and it'll be nice to finally have a football manager that's actually managed more than one team. 

Who knows how it will pan out, there's no guarantees and there's always the odd anomaly out there. That's the same with any manager. 

Onwards and upwards I say, let's get him signed and see what he can do with some money behind him. 

7 minutes ago, Shropshire Lad said:

I always found the old Buck's Head to be a charming ground, before they revamped it. I saw them play Spartak Moscow in a midweek December friendly in the late 90's. Great stuff.

Yeah it was a decent little place, I always remember the FA cup game against Notts County. The MOTD cameras were there and me and my mate were on TV, stood on the terrace against the yellow rails, camera panned past for about 3 seconds but it felt great back then 

I'm sure he'll secure a move to a Swansea or Watford when City release him 

I'm Villa through and through but I do hold soft spots for my (old) local teams, AFC Telford and Shrewsbury Town. If you're from either town you might find it strange to support both, well I don't support Shrewsbury but I do look out for their results. It's good to see the local teams do well, sometimes. I used to watch Telford quite a bit when they were in the old conference, cheap tickets and I could walk home. 

Since I moved to South Yorkshire, I've really struggled to find a local team that I feel any connection with. I have tried, I've thought it a good idea to go and watch some championship games. But I just can't bring myself to watch anyone else but Villa. It feels like cheating. But with an ugly munter.

One of my neighbours (Barnsley fan) asked if I'd be doing to Oakwell if they go up. I said as I'm not a season ticket holder, sadly not. He said I'll get you a ticket in the home support.... I nearly threw up! The thought of sitting with opposition fans watching Villa, no way! That would be impossible for me.

assuming this goes through (it's 1/10 on skybet this morning) I will be pretty happy with Di Matteo. While its true I wanted Moyes, I quite like the fact that Roberto is still quite young in management terms. He's hopefully coming to Villa full of energy and ideas, excited by the prospect of building a new team for a new era. I'm interested to see what influence he holds for players coming in, and players that could be persuaded to stay. He's won the Champions League and while its easy to rubbish that by saying it wasn't his team etc... He still has that on his CV, and people remember that. In fact from what I've been seeing online, a lot of people gave him huge credit for it. 

He has experience in our top three divisions and in Europe, won promotion with WBA so will understand what the lower leagues are about. He comes across well in interviews and he's multilingual which should help when bringing new foreign players in. 

So for me, I'm happy with this appointment. We've waited long enough so it's time to unite and give him a chance. It won't be easy and there's no guarantees.

Maybe he'll sponsor the mascots instead? 

31 minutes ago, Gary Thomas said:

I know what you mean.  After the manager it will be transfers - not good for productivity at work!

Too true, at the moment for me, "would anyone like a drink?" Is code for "I need to disappear and check Villa news" 

I can't stand this any longer! every 5 mins I'm checking the Internet for news on a new manager, it's becoming an addiction, an obsession! I'm seriously considering a total ban on Villa related Internet news, for a whole week. 

.

5 minutes ago, John said:

Small Heath have never and will never win the FA Cup so I guess McLeish won it in his dreams as did the knuckle-draggers.  

The only thing the inbreds will win again is the fu-ckup

14 minutes ago, Dr_Pangloss said:

Lescott is about as useful as a chocolate teacup.

He looks like a chocolate teacup.... that's been used. 

Sorry, that's not nice. I'm only joking. 

5 minutes ago, calcifer said:

Well at least this bloke has not been mentioned....

Looks like he needs a new bra! 

http://www.themag.co.uk/2016/05/john-carver-misses-aston-villa-job-newcastle-united/

News

John Carver misses out on Aston Villa job

Aston Villa are down to a short list of two for the manager's job but John Carver has somehow missed out after applying for the post.

John Carver has been out of the management game since his disastrous spell at Newcastle United in the second half of last season and that looks still to be the case after he missed out on the Aston Villa job.

David Moyes had been installed as favourite after reports that he had had talks with Villa, only for the media in the West Midlands to confirm today that Moyes had decided the job wasn’t for him.

That is now said to have reduced the three man shortlist to two but John Carver isn’t one of those two names.

Instead the job is said to rest between Roberto di Matteo and Nigel Pearson, with the former Leicester Manager and Newcastle assistant boss the new clear favourite.

Appearing on Radio 5 Live last month, John Carver revealed that he had applied for the vacancy left by Remi Garde at Villa Park.

Plus, and I know this isn't Joey's fault, I always remember what his brother did to that poor kid in Liverpool. That's kind of put me off the Barton's tbh. Like I say nothing to do with Joey himself but still grim.

19 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Weren't all these incidents yonks ago? Practically everywhere he has played since then, he has been an integral/star player.

Yeah they were, and you're probably right. I'm just not a fan. It's all academic anyway now as he's gone to Rangers. 

I didn't realise they were playing today! What's the score? 

Also just found this little video...

2 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

True, it has taken us this far, we need a nice bunch of "honest" lads like Jordan Bowery, Heskey, Westwood, Guzan, etc.

 

All very nice guys.

I'm not saying we need nice boys but there's tough guys and then there's idiots. Joey for me is an idiot. Whether he's learnt his lesson and behaves differently now, maybe, but I still remember the violent assaults he committed and would rather steer clear. 

1 minute ago, Dr_Pangloss said:

Pep would have the team on PED's, putting in superhuman performances, bring him in.

And just when the fans were united.... 

2 minutes ago, TrinityRoadSteps said:

Has there been any actual quotes from Moyes or is it all "we understand" type reporting 

I haven't seen any and have been wondering the same. I'm always suspicious of news articles with no direct quotes. 'News' gets regurgitated so much that within a day everyone is reporting the same thing, and with no real evidence.

8 hours ago, SeanO said:

I hope he gets in one of his cars and keeps driving away from VP....far far away never ever to return.

I'd like to see a Thelma and Louise style ending where Bacuna and Lescott driving Lescotts Merc (with gabby stuffed in the boot) sale off into the huge void below. 

I don't know about you lot but after a chicken chow mein, sweet and sour chicken, egg fried rice, prawn toast and crackers. I am well and truly stuffed! 

10 minutes ago, It's Your Round said:

I'm not even sure Guardiola could unite Villa fans. 

Well lads, seems I was wrong! 

Thats settled, we agree. No one wants Guardiola here.

1 minute ago, dubbs said:

 

Still haven't heard any other names linked though. 

The pond we seem to be fishing in seems to be very lacking in fish! 

I wonder who Tony's first choice really is?

Exactly. And the championship is no place for those fancy-dan Spanish players that he'd likely want to bring in.

Still wouldn't want Barton at Villa, not knocking him as a player. I just don't like his character.