Greenfly

I hate it when other teams do it because it's frustrating as hell. But then again, that's the point. The fact that so much extra time is added as a result suggests it's not necessarily meant to waste time exactly, rather to get under the other team's skin and wind them up. I'd say most of the time when the opponent is riled up they're less likely to be effective. If that's the case, then I'm all for it as a tactic. It's not great to watch, but damned if it isn't effective.

Someone should tell the manure fans that the silence was only supposed to last a minute.

To be fair to Jack, we all know he's taking this situation on the chin and laughing at himself. It won't be long before he mentions it in some way.

I have to say Messi simply because I can't go by players who were around before my time. I never really had much more than a passing interest in football when I was younger. I never understood why people called it "the beautiful game" until I saw clips of Messi playing. He was utterly mesmerising. Because of him I started to actually pay attention to the game, partially to put into context just how good this guy actually was. Since then I've never seen anyone do the things that he does. You get the odd game here and there where players turn into wizards and pull off outrageous feats of brilliance, but not a single other player around today has the consistency of prime Messi. He's an absolute freak of nature.

Given how preposterous some of their decisions can be even with the help of VAR, I can absolutely believe they've been half-arsing this the entire time.

Perhaps this is why he was the one player who didn't look revitalised when he came on against Brentford. Also, the fact that Emery came in and immediately left him out could mean he realised something was clearly wrong that Gerrard's team overlooked. Our medical team isn't known for making the best decisions just lately, let's put it that way. I still have faith. Call it blind optimism, but until Emery has written him off I'm not going to either.

Great players don't suddenly become crap. He has always been quality, he's shown here had it in him a times since he's been here, and I'd still love to see him get back into form and start killing it for us. If anyone can do that for him, it's Unai Emery. Bottom line: every player who plays in a Villa shirt has my backing 100%, no exceptions.

I couldn't see the game, but I've been hearing from Man U fans that he's a total shithouse and they hate him. What did I miss?

I'm buzzing. Emery would've been my second choice after Poch, who I knew was a pipe dream anyway. Tbh I'm surprised we managed to convince Emery. Impressed even. A good ebening to be a Villa fan for sure. Welcome aboard!

I saw the post Norwich made about his loan move away a few days ago, and by the replies it looks like he had already played for Galatasaray before they remembered to announce it. It's like they totally forgot about him immediately after he left.

Bangs on about how great a fan he is, doesn't recognise a guy who played for them literally last season. Either he's crap or the fella is telling porkies. Or both.

Football is a weird game and every match takes place in isolation. We beat Liverpool 7-2 a couple of season ago, by that logic we should be capable of beating Bournemouth 16-0 but everyone knows that's ridiculous.

It's mad how just a few weeks ago I'd be thrilled with this signing, but right now it just seems so unnecessary. It doesn't do anything to solve the blatant issue that's causing us so many problems. I just don't get the logic.

No.

Unless there was a one off I'm forgetting about, Grealish wasn't made captain until his return from injury under Smith.

I saw a graphic once that showed there's more Villa fans in Birmingham city center than there are bluenoses, because honestly why wouldn't there be?

Between Mings chucking him about like a ragdoll and Carlos' all-round threatening aura, I predict Bamford will be "mysteriously ill" before each of our games this season.

Ludwig is such a great name. For that reason alone I welcome this signing.

Yeah, I can't imagine what Jack could've said to him that's more persuasive than that.

Given that the comments are mostly Liverpool fans posting pics and videos of Coutinho, you might be right.

I wouldn't listen to what the Facebook fans have to say. Facebook is essentially the dumping ground for our more smooth-brained fans.

I always liked him, but if we're planning on rising we need players willing to fight for their place in the team. He seems to want a place set in stone and that simply won't do. I'm not sure whether the fact he believes he has no chance of unseating Digne and taking his spot says more about Digne, or Targett.

Indifference, mostly. Every club needs rivals, but as it is they don't provide any level of rivalry and I can't see how they will again for many years, and that's assuming they have plenty of good fortune. All they are at the moment are pantomime villains. It's fun to chuckle at their misfortune mostly due to how they responded when we were circling the drain, but ultimately it doesn't matter what happens to them.

Does it? Most of them are married and they still tried to tap up a model. It says waaaay more about them than her.

Yet another win for our Phil.