AJ

I usually play career mode on FIFA. This looks great! What the hell have I been missing out on?

What motivates a manager? I don't believe its money, because if they were savvy enough during their playing days, they should not have to do a days work ever again. To become a manager, its another bite at the cherry for glory, to extend their career within football after their body says no more. Considering their dispensability and becoming a pariah if things are not going well, or totally forgotten about if the team is doing well, I believe the primal motivation is reputation. RDM came to Villa with a reasonably sound reputation. If Villa keep on not living up to expectations, his stock lowers and his reputation takes a hit. However, if he does a Fergie, finds the right switches and turns Villa around, then generally everyone will ignore him and focus back on the players, but at least he knows his reputation is protected. I hope he does turn it around soon. Maybe he is timing it. Against Forest, it was very much attack. We saw a totally different game against Ipswich. It was very boring, but at least we didn't concede in the last 5 minutes, so you could say it was an exercise in defence. Hopefully for the Newcastle game, they can put the two together. I hope he is able to turn it around very soon. If he manages to do what it takes and makes everybody happy, I will be happy for him that he can sleep better at night, with a contented smile that a manager with a good reputation has before going ny nyes.

The weather seemed nice.

That was like watching a game from last season.

Small consolation, at least Richards isn't captain.

It really socks. we cant seem to find our feet after I thought we were a shoe in for promotion.

Thinking of positives, at least he has learnt never to let Richards back on the pitch.

English newspapers are so shit. But then again, so are ours.

There is no doubt that Villa is chock full of talent, and can beat any team in the championship anywhere. However, it must be made known to teams coming to Villa Park that this is their turf, and show them that they are not welcome to any points at all there, that when you come to Villa Park, you are in for a nightmare. You will be tested, probed, pushed then crushed for 90 minutes. You will fear Villa Park. When you shake the Villa players hands prior to the match, you will see it in their eyes, that they are determined and will never let you off easy. For 90 minutes, they forget about their new cars, their families, and whatever anyone thinks of them, and stop being lovely guys, because all they want or care about is defeating you in a game of football, and they wont accept anything less. Over to you, RDM.

He tried, but he ran out of characters when he tried to write F*** 100 times in capital letters. He was only able to get up to the 37th one, but decided not to send it in case the meaning of it all was lost.

Personally, I hope he considers Hiddink.

1 nil up, need to strengthen it up and not concede yet another late goal, so he sends on...Gardner. My boss is totally clueless, and has absolutely no idea about my job. Sorry, but either thinking about work or RDM at the moment, my mind tends to automatically track to the other.

He didn't. He brought on Gardner, the human turnstile.

Wasn't that the whole concept of Facebook? To see what other kids are doing for fun? Glad I don't have it. I am exposed to enough psychopaths at work.

Last season, he was the only player that seemed to give a damn, and therefore I rate him highly. I couldn't care less if he is channelling Kanye, as long as he plays good football, like he usually does.

A beautiful goal, and great footwork! I have been quite critical of him too, as he seemed to resemble a narcoleptic Ent more than a striker, but I am very much warming to him. He is doing very well, and good luck to him.

We need to counter the fact that teams are going to lift when they play against us. Their goalie played like a man on fire for most of the match, and their goals came due to momentary acts of determination. We played well, but we were tissue thin in midfield, and Gardner and Westwood are just not up to it. The talent is there, I just think we need to improve the mind game, then hopefully the wins will start rolling in.

A dressing room with Mile, Elf like, and R Mac. Petulance would be a bug swatted with an elephant's knob. Gotta love it.

Last season, it was frustrating watching him. We would have had the same effect if we just replaced him with a 6 foot pole and tried to rebound off that. However, I believe there is a good player in there somewhere, its just a matter of breaking him out. While he is out, I could lend him an anatomy and physiology textbook, so he can read up on feet and how to use them. Wish him the best, and a good recovery.

Wasn't born in Birmingham, or England for that matter, so I am not a pureblood. However, Villa has been my only club for the past 20 or so years in which I have been loving football. My first Villa game at Villa Park is second on my bucket list, after marrying my girlfriend of seven years.

I haven't met them, and I am sure they are a lovely couple, but for the sake of it, put me down for 50 bucks on 5 years.

My job requires me to move around the country every 2 to 3 years, and my moves are all organised for me. Sometimes its good being a government flunky.

I think the worst injury he has had in his career was a cramp in his beard.

Felt tips only. No biros!

Going to the Australia VS Japan game next month in Melbourne. It is my mission to absolutely try to bust a nut to see if I can get him to sign my Villa shirt. If on the extremely slight chance I am successful, I will post pictures. ( Not pictures of me busting my nuts, that would be off topic. Of him signing I mean.)