cicottrell

i knew those 2 pen decisions in the 1st leg would cost us....

Guzan looks well nervous!

Guzan was probably nervous... its the first time he's played back to back games and he would have known he was starting.... he will learn and get better. Ash needs to play with a smile on his face... at times he lets his frustration affect his game. This is the first time I've not used the words Donkey and Heskey in the same sentence... his best game for me Jimmy is great The Ref had a shocker. Benni was lucky not to get a red.... 2-1 would have been better than 1-0 but another clean sheet and we're at WEMBLEY!!!!

can anyone clear up the gabby booking? I thought the carling cup was a Football League competition, not an FA competition, therefore bookings don't count...

I think he's a decent player, but he's not a good enough defender when your up against it.. and unfortunately the way we've played the last 6 months we've up against it more often than not When we are comfortable he's a good option because he offers a lot going forward Anyone else think he would make a better winger? Squad player obviously, but I decent bet, at least until Downing is fit...

I thought petrov looked well out of his depth - he desparately needed Reo-coker alongside him. Heskey was a complete waste of space. Give me Harewood any day.

Great summary, but I think you've slightly overlooked one thing - we need to qualify for the champions league THIS season because: a) Barry will be off as might Young and maybe a couple more c) Arsenal won't be this bad next year d) Man City (and maybe Spurs) will be a lot better next year e) Momentum - we don't want to fail at the last minute (like spurs a couple of years ago) because that won't do confidence much good. f) New signings - once we get into the CL, new signings might be easier to get! I firmly believe this is our best shot so we must take advantage - even if its at the expense of a cup run.

Please General, find me one Villa fan who thinks this is fair....

I'm not arguing with you at all, but from the radio commentary, Gabby hardly seemed to be in the game at all! Funny how everyone see's it differently!

sorry, three!!!! I forgot NRC was new!! It seems like he's been here for ages!!!!

I agree with your best XI but it only contains 2 new signings, which is a disappointment, both of which are currently on loan!!

Hi Just a small matter you may be interested in: I was at the game on Saturday, having brought a ticket on the phone for the Doug Ellis Stand. I picked it up in the Holte Car Park just before, went to my seat and there was already someone sitting there! We compared tickets and both had exactly the same one! There was a spare seat next to his, so I sat there. Do you think it was just a ticketing cock up or did he have a fake? He didn't turn up in the second half so I wonder if he thought I'd rumbled him? I was sat with my brother and Dad, he was alone.

I was afraid this might happen. MON has spent the entire week trying to buy players and has probably done very little training himself. It will be the same for the next 2 or 3 weeks I guess. I know the assistants and coaches are very able, but its not the same.

I don't get why more people aren't upset we appear to be missing out on Scott Parker... Surely we can out attract West Ham? I think he's a quality player, and I would have him over Barton and NRC. And thank God the Bellamey rumour is dying down... Bent would be a much better bid...

:oops: Thats right...end of comparison. So he might be very good for Villa because we have shortage in that area. Aye I intended Ferreira to replace Hughes not Bouma! Bouma's awesome! ------------------Gorden------------------- ------------------(Tommy)--------------- Ferreira --- Ollie --- Laursen--- Bouma (Hughes)--- Cahill --- (Ridge)--- (Taylor) Young ---- Sneijder --- Petrov --- Barry (Maloney) -- (Gardener) -- (Berger)-- (Davis) ------------Bent ------ Carew---------- ----------(Gabby)----- (Moore)-----------

Ok, so my 2p's worth on Bellamy: I think Bent, Owen, Ashton, Gabby and Moore are better or just as good and all potentially gettable. In terms of Midfield, I think NRC isn't excellent, but could be, and given his age would be worth a gamble. However, add Gabby, Moore, Ridge, Cahill, Davis and Gardener, plus Young and Maloney, thats a lot of inexperience so I think MON would be tempted to splash the cash elsewhere. Wesley Sneijder would be my number one signing, with Matty Taylor to cover left wing and left back. I've gone off Barton slightly, but I think Bentley has a massive future. Scott Parker is an excellent midfielder as well. At the back, I'm not aware of anyone mentioning this, but Paulo Ferreira is leaving Chelski and would add a lot of quality at right back, certainly more than Hughes or Luke Young. My 5 summer signings would therefore be: Darren Bent (£14m) Paulo Ferreira (£3m) Wesley Sneijder (no idea how much he'll be... any ideas??) Matty Taylor (£6m) Craig Gorden (8m) With Samual, Hendrie, Sutton, Djemba-Djemba, Taylor and McCann leaving.

I love it! and to think 18 months ago we were talking about whether to sign Erik Bakke permanently!

I remember around about 1997, everyone was talking about the 4 English midfielders who would go on to be the next generation of stars. Two were Scholes and Lampard. The other two were Jody Morris and Lee Hendrie. If YTS lads need to learn anything from Sid and Co, its that talent alone only gets you half way in modern football. 10, maybe 20 years ago he would have got away with it. Not anymore.

Goodbye Juan! I love you! Probably my all time fave player in the prem! I'll miss you!

Now we're being linked with some PSV and Ivory Coast Striker.... Never heard of him personally, but would rather him than Bellamy! Clicky

I thought about filling in the corner, but as the Trinity and the Witton Lane Stand are different sizes, it would make that corner of the stadium look a bit uneven, like Stamford Bridge or St James' Park. If one corner is filled in, the other should be too. That way the ground would look like a 'U' with the trinity, north and witton lane stands being a bowl and the Holte standing separate. The would look wicked, with the advantage that the air can still get in to aid the pitch. My new Villa Park. The current ground

This is what the New North Stand should look like: clicky This is a massive opportunity to bring the tradition back to Villa Park. Bring back the brick!

I love articles like this... I sit in the North Stand quite often, as its often the cheapest, and the best thing about it is the view. 3 other massive stands all around you. Whenever I take someone to Villa Park for the first time, I always sit them in the North Stand. That way they don't actually see the "worse' stand at Villa Park! Get there early and see the empty holte gradually fill up... brilliant!

I love the guy - its always sweeter when angel scores somehow. I think he'll have 2 options - stay at the villa and be a bit part player, or take the opportunity of first team football elsewhere. I'll love him to stay but I'll respect him if he wishes to leave. If he stays, I think he could still do a job as part of a forward 3. His best spell this year was sitting in the middle and letting Gabby and Moore do all the running round. And yes, he is the perfect Gentleman.

Agreed. I think 3 major signings will completely turn Villa around: ------------------------Tommy-------------------- Bardsley --- Mellberg ---- Laursen---- Bouma SWP -------- Barton ------ Petrov ------- Barry -----------------Bent---------- Moore ------------ Which leaves: ------------------- Taylor ----------------------- Hughes --- Cahill --------- Ridge ---- Samual Gabby ---- Davis -------- McCann --- NEW PLAYER --------------- Angel ---- Baros -------------------- as our backups. Ozzy and Gardener to stay of course, I think we've seen the last of Delaney, Hendrie and maybe even Sutton. If we can get SWP, Barton and Bent now, then a backup left winger, keeper and 2 strikers in the summer, things will be looking up!