A'Villan

Great post. It's always a pleasure to read the perspectives of fellow supporters when the content is so articulate and thoughtful. Thanks for your post. What concerns you gives me hope. You have to strip the garden back and rid of the weeds before you can build the foundations for a new one to grow. Likewise, there has to be a culture and environment worth maintaining in order to have any concerns about its continuation. Xia was a publicity stunt. A PR campaign. What was proposed in the Villa Engine was opposed to what transpired. The plan was severely lacking any pragmatic quality in the pursuit of achieving the vision that was suggested. It became apparent that our aspirations were resting on an approach that could not endure the challenges faced. Not to mention that senior members of the board became conflicted and the relationship untenable, an indicator of commitment levels and belief in any plans for the club, and each other. Without wanting to speculate and make assumptions that I can't verify, I think the handling of the takeover might be the first of a number of astute displays from our new owners. "It's the quiet ones you have to watch out for". They have quietly gone about their business so far, a head down approach. I would suggest that the disruptions are a necessary part of a process whereby we are rebuilt on solid foundations, something not present at the club previously. What will hopefully follow is a team of professionals competent in their respective roles and working complementary to each other. We are not privy to interview processes or what discussions are being had behind the scenes but I am optimistic about the future from what is apparent. I think we are going to be more astute in all aspects of what makes up a football club.

If we appoint Rui Faria I will be pleased and optimistic of a resurgence to form and winning ways. Also would be fine with the appointment of Jesus Garcia Pitarch and that would add to my optimism.

From what I have read in the last few hours Faria is quite humble and respectful in his dealings and only really gets himself into trouble with adversaries. What I like about Faria is that he has a fitness background and was also video analyst. The former because he understands the discipline of structure and planning to obtain a desired goal, as well as understanding the practicalities of being an elite athlete. The latter because he will value the assessment of our opponents and that will presumably mean we are better organised and prepared for each fixture.

Some insight on Faria.. http://www.espn.com.au/football/club/manchester-united/360/blog/post/2881198/rui-faria-jose-mourinhos-loyal-assistant-fitness-guru-and-attack-dog The phrases in bold are the reasons I think we could be on to a winner.

Faria would be a welcome appointment in my mind. I assume the standards he works to, given the clubs he's worked at, are far beyond anything we saw under Bruce. Assistant at Chelsea, Inter, Real, Manchester United. Will we find someone more acquainted with big clubs at this level? Fitness coach at Porto so hopefully that discipline becomes an aspect of his approach. I'm extremely intrigued by Rui Faria and without wanting to jump to premature conclusions I think he will bring structure that Bruce couldn't. Terry is a leader and winner, already familiar with and having established some rapport at the club, so his inclusion in some capacity would also be welcome.

It depends. It wouldn't be the first time Edens has opted for a rookie coach, as I've said elsewhere. If the applicant has had the sort of exposure to success and its methodologies that someone like Henry, Terry or Faria have, then it's possible that the vision and plans they have are a recipe for success despite their lack of managerial experience. This could be partially identified and determined by how it weighs up against other candidates presentations for why they should hold the position. It will be imperative to any success we achieve that we have tailored targets and goals appropriate to our competition that we execute on. If there's a clear and articulated formula for their implementation, I don't see why hiring a newcomer to the managerial world should be frowned upon.

Won La Liga and a Uefa Cup with Valencia. Won the Europa League and European Super Cup with Atletico. Someone who has worked as part of a setup that achieves that sort of success must have some know-how. I haven't come across any negativity surrounding him, except for his disagreement with De Gea.

What insights do you have that enable you to discern that our owners selecting a suitable candidate is 'slim at best'? Or, that NSWE will have the whims of the supporters 'ridiculous concept of style' being met, as a priority in any presentation made by an applicant? We do need a modern, or to rephrase, contemporary manager. Someone who understands the challenges at present and can adjust accordingly. The greatest flaw of any intelligent person, Michael, is to think they are smarter than the others in the room. You are undoubtedly a smart cookie, but I think your dismissal or dislike of certain ways of thinking has you limiting what's possible and even probable.

Edens definitely went with the former in his first appointment of a head coach with the Milwaukee Bucks. And he got it spot on. Kidd had one season of coaching behind him before being appointed, took the Bucks from a club history low to playoffs within a season. We're a completely different ball game literally, so I don't think Kidd's experience will be indicative of our next managers necessarily. Hopefully the part about it being an apt appointment will be.

Laurent Blanc wants to return to management with a 'big club'. In all seriousness I don't think I can handle two weeks of speculation.

This must be said in jest? I don't think the board will have sacked Bruce to bring in someone to achieve similar. While I don't think we'll get someone like Rodgers, Blanc, Benitez or Hasenhuttl. There are a number of managers within our grasp that should fire us up and out of this league. Not to ruin the credibility of my post, but I wonder if Gus Poyet has been considered?

When do we think an appointment is likely to be finalised and announced?

Ralph Hassenhutl would really be a sign of intent.

I imagine this thread will pick up again. Two points out of the top six. Hardly out of the conversation yet.

There are a number of managers I'd be happy to see appointed. Can't really express how excited I am to see who this board have in mind and why.

Jack did okay this morning in the second half. Had one move where he nearly danced through three defenders within reach of the ball at his feet for another one of his runs but it didn't quite come off. He's obviously a bright lad from that interview. Welcome to the big league, Jack. You are no longer here for your potential but what you deliver, and you know it. All the very best.

Perhaps this is said in a way that has gone over my head. I wonder had RDM managed a few more wins than all those draws, should we have fared better under his leadership than what we have under Bruce. Speculation though, and I don't want to go there anymore than I just did. Call Ranieri and see if he has any interest in the job.

Fall on your sword already. There's enough cushion there to make it painless. I'm not referring to his belly either, I'm talking remuneration he has received.

It was only impulse that saw me sad smiley like this. I won't miss him. Without doubt one of the more peculiar men I have known to be associated with Aston Villa.

Have been pleasantly impressed with Abraham. Has a bit of spark about him and the skill to go with it. With him Kodjia, Grealish and any one of our wingers in the starting lineup we should be outscoring teams more often than not.

That is probably the amount of time we spent actually creating any sequences that were effective in exposing Bristol. The quality of football, even in those 12 minutes, is indicative of the chances we create. None were good enough to score from open play. Not good enough.

I thought we had some decent spells in the second half and for the most part nullified Bristol. I understand the disappointment and need for Bruce to go but second half wasn't that bad at all. That said, I'm not sure how I feel about spending my Saturday morning from 5-7am watching us draw 1-1 to Bristol. I'll be back next week, but it's just so uninspired under Bruce.

Miserable first half. Decent 2nd half. Should have scored. Had all the play. Not good enough.

You watching the second half? We've had the better of it. Some nice play and looking okay when we've not been on the ball.

Grealish getting some foul treatment. Kodjia just flopped there.