Five Ken McNaughts

On a slightly random note, it was interesting how Everton cynically blocked every quick free-kick (yet scythed down Trezeguet when he returned the favour) while Bournemouth endlessly hurled themselves to ground claiming non-existent off-the-ball shenanigans. I had forgotten what a den of cheats this division is.

"Wesley's on fire... Aston Villa's number nine... Wesley's on fire..." At times he looked like a lion with a pack of hyenas on his back (yet still found the right lay-off). Love how much the goal meant to him.

Looked as if a lot more stayed to the very end compared to Saturday. And boy were they rewarded (early leavers take note).

SO looking forward to not hearing "It was only pre-season" whenever I champion Guilbert and Jota down the right now. Thank you, Jota, you ice cool bearded beauty.

Whether his bursts forward came off or not, Everton had to constantly worry about this guy, with obvious implications in our favour elsewhere. Yep, I'm just gonna say that without even consulting Whoscored.com. I like him. I like him a lot.

Wish the official website would stop saying "Aston Villa IS delighted to announce...". Lets go back to good old "Aston Villa are...".

Had the exact same thing happen to me multiple times. Forced to give up in the end. The Claret Membership seemed to be recognised – the Buy option kicked in at 5pm as advertised – but every time I put a ticket in my basket I was told I had a maximum purchase of zero tickets. What a brilliant system.

Not seen this yet. Thank you. Quick question... If you arrived via Witton station (or walked the cut-through from Aston station) did you notice any kind of litter clean-up operation? For years it has amazed me that home and away fans are greeted by a mountain of crap. You can even spot the Hoffmeister cans and Wham bars from the 80s! "Love Villa. Hate Litter" – get that somewhere on the wall between the Ian Taylor and Tom Hanks quotes.

I was probably not far away from you in the Sartre-esque existential nightmare of the Upper Trinity queues. I don't want to be too harsh on the serving staff (it's not entirely their fault)... but where is the training? Where is the energy? Where is the leader in a red cap barking orders? I always say the same thing in that 20-minute queue: "How much would it cost to put the manager of a New York lunchtime eatery in charge of our whole catering team?". It would probably pay for itself in a single home game. Still, at least I was able to stare at beer throughout the whole torturous wait – the old stains and drips were all over the TV from last season (I'm guessing the Tuanzebe chant...). Apologies for rolling out the old cliché, but none of this is rocket science.

As the ball rolled comfortably towards him, it seemed to me that Heaton's brain got stuck in the wrong mode. It selected "Modern goalie" and started looking for the right pass to build from the back (hence the hesitant "Ali shuffle"). What he needed was "Old fashioned goalie" mode... Just flop on it. I remember Nigel Spink's brain selecting the wrong mode in the first season of the back pass law. As the ball looped lazily towards him off a striker, he steadied himself and headed it wide (before he and the Holte End shared a look of total confusion). I guess it happens to the best.

Just saw this and realised I expressed some similar views in the Ratings & Reactions thread. Quickly giving you a trophy by way of out-of-court settlement (and simply because I agree).

Strangely, I think defeat yesterday could turn out to be a blessing in disguise, inasmuch as it offers a clear way out of the full-back conundrum. Yes, Elmo and Taylor have performed creditably after being given the nod, and I sympathise with the argument that they don't "deserve" to be dropped. HOWEVER, after two straight losses a manager has liberty to make systemic changes. It absolves Deano of all these "loyalty" complications (if, indeed, they existed). The Everton game now strikes me as the perfect opportunity to bring in the new boys at full-back with the minimum of fuss. The next bit might be more controversial, but, for what it’s worth… As well as starting Targett and Guilbert to improve our delivery and dynamism accordingly, I would restore the Guilbert / Jota partnership down the right that looked so promising in pre-season. Yes, Jota has certain limitations (outright pace and left-foot) but these are minimised in that very specific role as a pivot for Guilbert to sling-shot past him. In that instance, his impressive close-quarter skills and ability to play with his head up come to the fore. I thought the two of them had something really good going on. On the left I would utilise Trezeguet’s versatility by bringing him across and playing him in front of Targett. That would also significantly strengthen our bench by adding El Ghazi to it (the traditional “pacey sub against tiring legs” role that is clearly not a good fit for Jota). Our crossing was poor against Bournemouth – Targett should improve that while also adding a left foot option at wide free-kicks to partially counter the loss of Hourihane. There. That is my rather specific wish list. Just have to see what Friday brings.

What a massive day for all those new signings. Walking out into a Villa Park packed to the rafters and thinking "So THIS is my new home". Just to put myself in their shoes for a moment sends a tingle down my spine.

I agree. Keinan has a rare ability to hold off a defender's attentions, bring a goal-kick / clearance under his spell and lay it off perfectly (remember how Benteke used to control a crazy number of hoofed clearances on his chest and do the same?). It is at that point – once he has laid it off to a team-mate – that I would love to see some real devil in him. Turn... make the run... get in the box... knock over anyone who gets in your way... tell yourself "I started this move and I'm gonna bloody well finish it." Hopefully that will come.

Thought £8m looked like a bargain at the time. Think it will look like an even bigger bargain by the end of the season. Effortlessly slots in to our spine of natural leaders, including Mings, Grealish and McGinn (with maybe Douglas Luiz to be added?). What a difference to our leaderless relegation season.

I really like the view from the Upper North. Not so keen on the leg room and narrow concourse (but if your prediction is right, no-one will care about that).

I'm going to stick my neck out... 6-0 Villa and everyone manages to get their pint & pie before the second half kicks off (sorry, went a bit crazy with that second prediction).

Talking of Gabby, I happened to see Toy Story 4 the other day and there was a doll called "Gabby Gabby". I'm sure I was the only one in the cinema with the rest of the chant going through their head (maybe Tom Hanks was giving us a little wink).

Wonder if he'll celebrate if he scores against Bournemouth? (I'll be happy to do so on his behalf – maybe something train based).

No way! So the guy who does all the cinema trailer voice-overs is a Villa fan? Love it! If the movie work ever dries up, there's surely a match day role for him at Villa Park Just imagine him reading the teams out! (You would end up thinking the entire fate of mankind depended on a Carabao Cup 3rd round tie).

"Fix the clock, my Lord, FIX THE CLOCK..."

This is not particularly relevant, but I have always been amazed by the relegation stats of Leicester City in the season Villa last won the title. On their way to finishing one off the bottom in 80-81, the Foxes chalked up no less than SIX away victories. Their home record was pretty creditable too (seven wins and five draws). One place above them, Norwich also suffered the drop, despite notching NINE home wins and four on their travels. A 42-game season, I know, but still seems darned unlucky.

Would love to see him start playing with some swagger at PNE. Too often he displays all the self-doubt of Jimmy Grimble after he lost his magic boots... "It's inside you, André! It was inside you all along!"... (cue "Right Here, Right Now" by Fatboy Slim).

I know the Will Grigg's On Fire melody is a couple of years past its sell-by date, but I wonder if it can't be dusted down, given a personal touch, and "re-imagined" for our new frontman... "Wesley's on fire... Aston Villa's number nine... Wesley's on fire..." etc. For what it's worth, I think this guy is going to do really well for us. He appears to have all the attributes and I have absolute trust in our coaching team right now. Such simple (but intangible) factors as confidence, a dash of luck, and feeling some Holte End love may prove to be all it takes.

Remembering that has just made me feel even better!