Keener window-cleaner

If Jack goes, at least his haircut will remain.

Warmly welcome! I love Norwegians, only thing that is better than a Norwegian is a Norwegian in a Villa shirt!

You think rationally and speak sense mate, but it crushes my dreams of him being the chosen one who will take us back to the top of the Premier League and bring balance to the force.

I cant remember any other player who has had so much affection and love from the fans. Playing away from home and the only thing you could hear between mins 80-85 were songs about Jack and how much we want him to stay. It's just amazing.

Perhaps you are right, but I didn't see that. If he knew he is leaving then it was probably difficult for him to make more of it and holding back tears would make sense. I hope I'm right and you wrong though ?

I very glad we stuck to the settled 4-1-4-1, well done Bruce! Compared to the first game away last season we pressed higher up and looked more comfortable. We still don't have much ideas going forward, mostly kicking it out wide and then long ball in the channel. Though I thought I noticed at times in the first half that we tried to pass the ball as well, too bad it was no movement in the middle. I think the players know this system and feel comfortable with it. With Green and perhaps RHM getting more game time we will be more energetic as well. I think what we need the most is a new CB to partner Chester when Elfie is injured.

The saved on the shot that then was off side was world class, and was quick out of his line on a couple of times to save us. Very good game imo.

I don't think (hope) he would have played if it was 100% that he is going. I didn't notice anything unusual with his reaction when he came off. I'd say it was a typical Jack performance, the only midfielder who wants the ball and keeps the ball, trying to go forward, drew numerous fouls while doing it. That Hendriksson should have been sent off for all his fouls on Jack. His corner for the first goal was first class as well. Now please stay!

I thought it was a comfortable win. Good to see that we continued with 4-1-4-1, could see that we had a settled formation compared to Hull.

The fans were absolutely fantastic, could hear them sing all game, and the Grealish songs towards the end were thrilling. Poor Hull, so many empty seats!! Green looked really bright, and good to see RHM get some time as well. Delighted for Hutton!!

It was fun to see Lichajs crab style running again!

It was an entertaining half at times, nice to see that we are pressing hugh, compared to the first away games last season. We still dont have much of a plan going forward, it's out wide to the full backs and a long ball in the channel.

I'd love to have Rafa, but if we want free flowing football I dont think he's the right man. Would be more of the keep tight at the back and nick a goal tactics, just on a higher level than Brucie.

Just some common sense perhaps!

Haha I'm sorry ? I meant in the seasons after McGrath, I don't remember who used to play alongside them after (Grayson? Scimeca?)

I remember him playing Hutton in right wing some match, but can't remember 3 at the back, could be that he did at times. It was difficult to tell what the formations were though. Was more like a 9-1-0 (Stephen Ireland being the 1).

With Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer jointly replacing Stephen Clemece as "dressing room" coach.

Fully agree, in principle I'm for taking chances on new managers with little experience/former players. It will be interesting to see how Gerrard and Lampard will do for example.

Henry to me is too much of a gamble. I wasn't impressed by him as a pundit, no idea how he would work as a manager. Being no 2 in Belgium is another thing than being a manager in the Championship. I also think Belgium messed up tactically in the semi final, even if Martinez called the shots, Henry gets part of the blame. To me his part in the France WC 2010 fiasco also leaves a bit of a sour taste. The only real positive for me with Henry is that he probably is quite well connected and could attract young gems from other countries, I guess he could also have a feel-good effect as many will probably want him as a manager because they liked him as a player. Regardless of the new owners coming in, I still regard us being in a state of crisis and think we need stability. Let's make sure we pay our bills, lift the securities on the car park etc, fill up the vacancies at the top and make sure we keep our key players first, then we can consider a new manager taking us forward.

The EFL. And then they give us a fine. It would be obvious that the urinals sponsorship would not be worth £100m, but a way of getting around FFP. But otherwise I agree with you, the FFP rules seems to be sweet music to creative lawyers and owners. And the fines don't seem to be very hefty nevertheless. Personally I'd be more for not trying to dodge the rules too much but try to be on a good foot with the EFL and try to do what's right. I would be ok with adding a sponsor name to Villa Park for a couple of years, some loan-to-buy/buy-back-deals, sell some of the players (except Jack and the kids) have a dialouge with the EFL regarding the situation and the rules, and then see what they say about the numbers in red come next march/may. (And if all that fails, perhaps Xia can give EFL a motivational speech, or they can be invited to sit next to him on a matchday/get free ticets to the theme park)

I'm obviously only guessing here. But I got the impression that Xia was running out of time, had to sell and therefore wasn't in the best bargaining position. The new owners seem to be shrewd businessmen. Why would they - who are the ones that are going to fund the club from now on - give the minority owner a free ride with their money and let him sell his shares at his own discretion. And why would the new owners let him have 45% of the shares and let him be one of the board members on unlimited time, letting him have a huge influence of what happens with the new owners money, especially after previously having run the club to rock bottom. My guess would be that the new owners have an option to buy Xia out in x amount of time with the price being set already with add ons if we are promoted.

Looks like it's a bit of third time lucky for Bruce with the 5-3-2, iirc he has tried it two times before and it failed big time. Now with a whole pre season and some youngsters and others who can be moulded in to this formation it might work. When was the last time we played 5-3-2 prior to Bruce? I have a vague memory of Southgate, Ehiogu and someone else, with Charles and Wright on the wings... was it under John Gregory? I'm not really a fan of it, I think it usually gets too packed in the middle, in attack the wing backs and the three midfielders often being stood in a line congesting the middle of the pitch restricting movement. I also like proper wingers or wide forwards when 3 in attack. But carried out the right way I guess it can be efficient.

I wonder if the new owners were the ones that Mandaric was in contact with.

I wonder if we now have money to loan players, if so I would love to have Snodgrass back. He seems to be with West Ham still and I guess Pellegrini wont have him as first choice.