striker

Don’t know if Bamford is getting much game time at Boro but always thought he was a tidy link striker and would be ideal to give young Davis a rest if Bruce is staying until the end of the season. Not sure Boro would loan him to Villa though for obvious reasons?

Jedinak & Whelan again in midfield will equate to another loss. Any other pairing and Villa might just come away with a point as Pulis isn’t renowned for his teams playing progressive attacking football which will suit Bruce.

Can't see Hendrie coming out and slatting Bruce nor Taylor for that matter both of whom are currently employed by Sky. Would be denied access to team news.

Thing is though if you give it to Terry on a caretaker basis does that stop him from playing?

It’s like an alcoholic saying ‘aye had a wee slip’ over an over again to excuse the consumption. Surely Xia can’t stomach much more of this?

Should have gone for Wagner.

Called the pairing of Jedinak and Whelan before the team was released yesterday and stated in the summer that both players should never be paired together in the same team. Well Bruce did that yesterday with the expected result. Find it mind boggling that with the age of both players and up against youthful opponents Bruce thought this would be a good idea. I’d look over it if Villa hadn’t youthful midfielders of their own busting a gut to get a chance and they would be given that chance with someone like Smith in charge.

He needs to be sacked no doubt about that now and Villa will probably lose against Boro as well so the sooner the better the board take the relative action before the playoffs also become unattainable. Have seen Dean Smith being banded about as the preferred choice. I’d be on board with that but it’s assuming a lot he would even want to come to Villa with Brentford closing in on the playoffs with a young team that he has built. Would the Brentford chairman even allow an approach from Villa when you consider the current state of both clubs? Then there’s compensation to be considered if Bruce was sacked and Villa given permission to speak to Smith. Just can’t see it happening myself until at least the end of the season if Brentford aren’t promoted.

Very good well worked goal. Anomah doesn't look anywhere near 100% fit though.

Whelan again bloody hell.

Sunday League football at the moment.

Posted earlier asking whether he would play both Whelan and Jedi in midfield as i just knew he would. Two of the worst midfielders I've seen playing for Villa and he pairs them together. Interested to see how this works out?

This all day long.

I just wonder will he play both Jedi and Whelan in midfield?

Really looking at Villa over a number of years it been the wrong managers employed buying the wrong players using the wrong systems with not enough investment at the right times.

Happy Christmas to everyone on Villatalk and of course Brucey.

Collins implied on Football Focus that training under Billic was poor. No thanks.

Think that’s where most of the differences lie now on site TRO. There are some (me included) who feel there’s enough available to Bruce to be doing better than Villa currently are while others feel the players should take some of the responsibility as well. Irrespective of that maybe we could all agree that in most cases this is the current manager’s squad now and those players who are performing better are in the main the ones who were here before Bruce arrived with few exceptions?

Respect for that TRO. Sky post match interview Bruce said he may freshen it up a little for the next game. Beggars belief what he’s going to try next? Maybe put players in their best positions and then play to their strengths while having a wee look at how the U23s are progressing and actually giving more of those players a chance instead of going for safety first? Oh and never again playing two duffers like Jedinak and Whelan in the spine of your team?

Wasn’t Little part of the team that recommended Bruce? If Bruce does leave and I think he’ll resign then a major re-think will be needed on who appoints the next manager.

It won’t be humiliating as it’s now expected.

Didn’t think Grealish did much either other than fall over a lot and complain to the ref.

Jedinak and Whelan in the same team and supporters hope for decent football? I just wonder in seasons to come when fans recall that team tonight will they laugh or cry?

I actually thought Villa looked better with Davis on the pitch. At least you could see a system of play. When Gabby and Hogan came on Villa lost any type of cohesion they had. However again a very poor performance bereft of any movement or guile. It isn't one off poor performances either, it's happening every week and it is my belief that if Villa do not make a managerial change before the window opens then Villa won't be promoted.