Joey

This Probably coupled with the fact were selling our best players for yet another season in a row and the rumoured transfer kitty isn't meant to be big either. Lets face it, rightly or wrongly, Houlliers reputation is pretty much in tatters. Would another 'high profile' name be willing to come here and risk doing that to his own reputation? I doubt it. Get Billy Davies in. Houllier's reputation is not "in tatters". Outside of the Premier League he's still a respected European coach who lets not forget was working for the French Federation before joining us. Less than a season in charge of Villa over what, 20 years, is hardly going to kill his reputation. As to whether a high profile manager would "risk" coming to Villa? Of course they would. Any damage to Houllier's reputation was only a reflection of his own shortcomings, nothing to do with how Aston Villa fans treated him.

The problem a lot us are having with the "ITKs" is that they're not so much "in the know" as they have a source. It's quite possible for people to have sources and get completely different sets of information. There's nothing to say one ITK can't contradict another. If you just treat an ITK as someone who has a source feeding them info, rather than someone with an ear to the door of the board room, you'll sleep a lot better at night.

You'll have to excuse me for not going through the 330 page thread, but is there a reason Roy Keane isn't a consideration? Some Premier League experience, did reasonably at Sunderland, out of the job. Saw him on the ITV coverage last night and could be an outside bet?

The defensive issues are obvious and there for all to see. What really worries me is the attack. Downing, Young, Agbonlahor and Bent, yet somehow we've not forced a save all half? What's the point of two class wingers when you have two centre forwards who want to play on the shoulder of the last man?

5.30

Weird team. Wonder if GH is bringing back the 5-3-2 with wing backs from days gone by. Outdated formation if so, but one he used at Liverpool and one we had relative success with.

Suuuuuper, super Marc, suuuuper, super Marc, suuuuuuper, super Mac, super Marc Albrighton!

Fair play to Milner, been a credit to himself today. Also just found out I moved Albrighton into my fantasy first XI after the deadline. D'oh!

He is not on a free. Has atleast two more years on his contract with Lyon. Last I heard his 4 year contract ran out this year. Link to blog His contract ends on 30.06.2012: Link

But he's also lazy and temperamental.

For me, there's 0% chance Milner would go to City. He spent all last year saying this would be his first season where he started and ended with the same manager. After 8 years of strife with Leeds and Newcastle, he has finally found a settled club. There's just no way he'd move to a club like City where in 12 months time there could be a new manager and half a new squad. Chelsea I could understand from his point of view, I think however he would move to United. Not this year though, I think he sees himself at Villa Park for another year at least. He's only had one season in central midfield and if he finds himself at United so soon into that part of his career his learning may slow down.

Bit numb really. I actually thought the first half we were really good. Looked more likely to score even with all the possession City had. Warnock really needs to use longer studs though, he's always slipping at crucial times. That second goal is a by-product of our last-ditch defending that normally saves us so well. Everyone throwing their bodies on the line, but when 3 defenders go for it, you're left totally exposed. Second half, I only had one eye on the game. You could tell we'd never score. First half we could counter and we love that space. Second half was like a home game for us, where we're thin on ideas if the other team sits. Just numb that such a promising season ends in a lost cup final, lost cup semi final, and missing out on Champions League. Probably won't get another chance like this year again.

Certainly unsettling. MON stories, Lerner stories, Milner stories - not gearing up to be a great summer. Hope Spurs get 4th ahead of City, as I don't worry about Spurs nicking our players. Couldn't really begrudge him going to United, I think he'd flourish there, but City are just a horribly arrogant club at the moment.

Perfect game for Delph to come into. Petrov isn't being worked hard and we're showing very little from crosses. Delph could open something up through the middle.

Never believe a word Fergie says before games. I even expect Ferdinand to be fit. He's always doing this.

Goal for Reading too..

Defender has thrown this gane.

Haha, Neil Warnock won't like that

Giggs and Nani confirmed out of final then.

Is Nani playing? If he plays on the right and performs as he has done in the last few games, it could be a struggle for Luke Young at left back. Luke is versatile but someone going on the outside of him will always get a look in eventually.

Got a bar in Munich to open just so we can watch this game on the 52". Managed to somehow drum up a crowd of 12 even though none other than me are Villa fans!

Pedersen?

Can't argue with that team. Brad2 deserves this obviously, don't think MON ever doubted him for this game. Love seeing that midfield.

Thought we'd see Milner in CM ever since Downing signed. Interestingly, if he continues to play there, will it help or hinder his World Cup chances? Either he'll be seen as even more versatile than expected, or as a competitor to the other central midfielders. If the latter, might help Downing & Young's World Cup cases.

With Carew, Emile, Collins & Dunne all starting, I think we'll score a set piece to win 1-0 in a poor game.