USA_Villa

Honestly, I can't believe you're blaming the players. We scored one goal, and probably had six shots on target, in three games. That's not down to players, that's down to coaching and system. These players were some of the highest paid in the division selected by the manager who coached them. Enough. Time to go. Refresh. Steve you tried, but it wasn't good enough.

I hope he can't 1 Goal in three games in the playoffs says it all.

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ESPN+ $5 per month for championship games that are screened on Sky

Villa top Championship spending table with a squad that cost $67 Million, Cardiff spent $18 Million. That doesn't look like a good ROI just yet, does it? Let's see what happens in the next two weeks. I would love to eat some humble pie.

Let me reply to your observations: Inherited a team in 22nd place, as of writing in 4th place - But with one of, if not the, largest payrolls and transfer funds in the division. Should be better than 4th Demonstrable track record of winning promotion from this division - Really, are we still playing that old tune. It all comes down to the next two weeks. Best season we've had in many years in terms of points gained, games won and goals scored - We are in the Championship with one of the most expensive squads every built for this division. Whoop De Du Has the ability and network to bring in players like Terry, Snodgrass, Grabban etc - No, Money does that Has worked to a relatively tight budget, particularly in the past 12 months - No he hasn't, plus he's spent a lot of money on average ageing players Has installed an excellent team spirit (seemingly so, at least) - Don't care about team spirit. I want promotion. We actually win games screened live on TV now - I can't believe you even included this one Unbeaten vs the shite - A good one Shown immense professionalism through truly difficult personal circumstances - Tough times, responded well. However, continually has a go at the fans when we pass judgement on losses or performances. Where's his immense professionalism then? The next two to three games will define his tenure at Aston Villa. If we don't go up he has to go.

If you're Dean Smith and the Albion offer you the job on Monday morning, do you (A) Sat yes immediately, or (B) wait until Wednesday morning after old Stevie has messed things up and the Villa come knocking?

Nice to win, but my word we were lucky. Johnstone MOM.

Dean Smith ............. Brentford lost their three best players two weeks in to the season, then lost their leading goal scorer in the January window (Plus Hogan the year before) and are still only 5 points off the playoffs.

Dean Smith, but they better act fast otherwise the baggies will get him.

Let's all agree that he has to go at the end of the season, promotion or not. The problem we run in to is that the Albion will have a 2-week head start in talking to Dean Smith and will have offered him the job. So there's a real possibility that we won't get promotion through the playoffs, and we will miss out on one of the best managers in the championship. Oh dear.

Just watched Brentford vs Sheffield Utd which finished 1-1. We don't want to be playing united in the play-offs. They work really hard and are a decent team. They have pace up front and are not afraid to run at defenders.

So, Dean Smith has played against Bruce and the Villa three times. Won 2 and drew 1. In the two wins Brentford outplayed the Villa both times, and in the draw Johnstone was the MOM. The Villa have spent 80 million in the last two years, plus all the expensive loans and John Terry, which is more than Brentford have spent in their history. Therefore, with a limited budget, and less talented players he has battered Bruce on every occasion he's come up against him. That's why we should look at Dean Smith. If we don't get him, West Brom will. With their premiership money and him in charge, they would be one of the favorites to go up next season.

Here's my worry - I'm confident we will make it to the playoffs. However, I'm not confident we mill make it through. Then, we have no option but to sack Steve Bruce. No argument, he had one job and he will have failed. However, West Brom had been relegated two weeks previously and Dean Smith will have been confirmed as their new manager. In essence we will have missed out on both accounts

A big thank you to Dean Smith

Forest give the ball away so easily. This should be a walk in the park. They have created nothing.

If Forest could play a decent final ball we would be in real trouble.

We are the slowest team in the world. Our build up play is at a snails pace.

Not Me

About three weeks I posted that I would be devastated if Bruce was still here and we hit the 1,500 page mark. Well, it looks like my worst fears are coming true and we will pass the 1,500 page milestone with us continuing to play boring negative football, and having little to no confidence in our manager. However, I can look forward knowing that one of two scenarios will likely come to fruition. Either: Somehow we manage to scrape a play-off place and win promotion to the Premier League in a scrappy 1-0 encounter at Wembley. OR He is fired the day after we get promotion and the Villa immediately appoint Dean Smith Obviously, I'd prefer to go up this season, but I'll happily take option 2 if we don't. There you have it, either one will do.

I live in hope that Stoke are stupid enough to offer this man a job. It would be a perfect fit. Lump it up to Crouchy and see what happens. Just what Brucie ordered, a big lad up front..

I will be very surprised if Bruce gets us promoted this season, and my preference would be to replace him with Dean Smith tomorrow. However there's a chance my replacement won't be available. To the Villa board, don't let Sheffield Wednesday take him from under our noses.

I would love to see that banner

Steve Bruce on his high horse after 1 win in December. Plus, he actually said he was going to play Whelan rather than Elphick, And, he dropped Grealish who came on and was excellent. I really dislike our manager.

Agree. plus, Boro may be an average team, but they were awful today. Never looked like scoring.