villanwesty88

Agree that the academy isn't as good as it is made out to be. I think it has to be improved. I was mainly trying to get at prolonging keeping players on the books so they have more chances to prove themselves on loan spells and spend time around (hopefully) good players at Bodymoor. Then they either get to the first team or we sell, instead of releasing and they turn out to be a player that is worth something - I'm thinking Graham probably worth a couple of million based on his performances this season at least and Albrighton probably £10m.

Let's say a new owner came in at the start of the summer (perhaps wishful thinking). What things would you like to be done differently? For me, I'd like to see; An emphasis on getting the right people into the right roles who have a proven track record. Focus on developing our youth players and hanging on to them until there is absolutely no chance of them making it at our club. For instance with Jordan Graham he should've been sent out on loan this season IMO and not released on a free. How much would he be worth after the season he has had at Wolves and how good would it be to recall him for next season in the Championship? We have let far too many good prospects go for either pennies or free over the years. It has to stop. Communication with fans from the top. Simple - an owner who cares, attends games and will speak to the fans how it is. I'm fed up with hearing from Lerner's puppets spinning everything. A brand of football that will excite fans and is consistent with our youth teams all the way through to the 1st team. When we do need to recruit players, do it wisely and not just rely on statistics. We need some proven players in the side but ones whos careers (and legs) are not finished *cough, Lescott*. A culture to win but more importantly a culture of togetherness. Win, lose or draw I want to see the team at least try - Leicester and Bournemouth are great examples of what can be achieved. In defeat I'd like the players to show respect to the fans who pay so much to support them - I love how all the players come to the fans after a match regardless of the result in Germany. Also players who think it is acceptable to post pictures of cars, or make comments that elude to "sod you lot, we've lost but I've got a £3m mansion etc" should be out of the club. A vision. Instead of existing the club has to aim for something. For the last 5 years there have been no real aspirations and look what is happened. If we have no aims then we're very likely to end up where we don't want to be and if this continues it could be a slippery slope down to League 1 or worse. Fan involvement. I think there ought to be some fan representation on the board that is "one of us". It would keep things honest and open and give us a voice. What would you like to see happen if/when a new owner comes in? We will get our club back one day and I just hope it happens sooner rather than later.

Gutted. We definitely cannot reach the Champions League places now with Man City 31 ahead, with just 10 games remaining.

Lescott is SO bloody slow compared to other PL players. Lukaku is barely breaking a sweat and beating Lescott to balls. Dreadful player now and only cares about his cars. Miles away from Lennon for the 2nd goal, no leadership for the first goal. The defence is a mess. Lescott knows he is shit and his career is finished at this level. Good riddance to him the utter rocket polisher!

I work in animation/video production. Didn't set out to do that but got involved in loads of projects at uni and a 2012 Olympics build up programme. Gave me a good chance to practice and I actually found something I really liked doing and people who I enjoyed working with. I've gone from never considering this area as a career in 2008 to working on JLR TV ads by 2015 (sorry if that sounds like I'm being smug*). I had a general interest in broadcast/media but by trying the different areas (newspapers/radio/tv for example) it gave me a good sense of what I definitely didn't want to do. Do you have any general areas you'd like to work in? Take money out of the equation and what would you love to be doing? *definitely being smug

I always hear "don't buy French" but they can't be that bad. Maybe that is why the price is more reasonable and could play into your favour. I would highly recommend SEAT. I've had an Ibiza for 3 years and no issues (touch wood). I personally can't wait till this new Alteca SEAT comes out, looks pretty good! (and more affordable than usual SUVs)

Cold calling is also my nightmare job! Like shooting fish in a barrel. Although that at least sounds kind of fun.

I don't know your line of work or what you'd like to get into so this might not be relevant. I use Lynda.com and other similar sites which allow you to learn new skills or brush up on areas. Particularly good for software use or creation. Some of these areas are in demand if you can become skilled in them and this might be a good way to test out different areas before diving into a college course. It is always better to test - it took me a while to find something I liked doing.

Say Manchester United won the Europa League but finished 5th in the Premier League, would that mean that 4th place in the league loses their champions league spot to Man Utd? What if the above happened but then Chelsea won the Champions League would both Chelsea and Manchester United quality for the CL?

Adam Johnson sacked by Sunderland http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35546894

I think all the players you mention would provide the making of a decent squad in the PL if we somehow stay up!

Mason on the bench. Can't say I've heard of him before! Good to see youth in and around the first team!

I agree we have a better chance of a change of ownership in the Championship. However I don't want an owner who has no previous love for this club. These characters buy clubs and end up in a position of power with personal priorities over the clubs success. We need inspiring leaders who we can all believe in - a rich fan/a group of supporters buying the club for the right reasons! If we had someone to lead us that we all believed I think it would be hard to get tickets at Villa Park again. Remember when Lerner took over and at the time we all believed in him and his visions - the proud history bright future DVD really got me excited. We had a pretty average first season but I was excited about the journey we were going on and attended loads more games than the seasons before that. Imagine someone coming in but with a genuine long term aim for the club and 100% loyalty. Howard Hodgson we are counting on you if you're reading this!!

I'd like to see Howard Hodgson and some other wealthy fans join together to purchase the club. Also I'd like to see everyday fans become shareholders too. Lerner needs to be much more realistic with his price though. Imagine being able to have a voice in the future of our club and the togetherness that would bring. Exeter City are a great example of this kind of thing working excellently. We are lacking people with the right "why" they are involved (see this video to get what I mean) We all have this club far closer to our hearts than anyone who sees us an investment or PR opportunity for their businesses.

This kid who scored a hat trick today for City would be good on loan. He isn't going to play much there between now and May.

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID: Remi Garde (Aston Villa): "The game against Manchester City is a big opportunity for us. We are in a good moment. We lack a bit of confidence in front of goal, but I'm pleased we're not conceding too many goals. That's important." from http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35389138

Completely unfounded but would love us to try and get Axel Witsel on a loan till the end of the season

I was looking at last seasons table and after 29 games Leicester had 19 points on the board. They ended up finishing with 41 points. 22 points in 9 games from no where. It can be done!!!

Everton not beating Swansea is annoying! The gap to safety still hasn't gotten any bigger or closed in really so that shows we have improved a little...but of course wins are needed. There are still chances and we are definitely playing better - unbeaten in 3 in the league and 5 including cup must help with confidence surely. My mentality is that we have nothing to lose and the players increasing confidence could get us another win in our next game. I live in hope still

I'd line up like this; Bunn Bacuna Okore Lescott Cissokho Westwood Gana Veretout Ayew Gestede Kozak

I actually don't think there is much difference between WBA and Villa in terms of ability. I think we ought to have more points on the board than now ( a few games stand out as games we should've won or at least drawn) and as the team has played more together we've looked better. This game is there for the taking but we lack a bit of cutting edge so heart says win, head says draw. I'd be reasonably pleased with a draw.

I think our wage bill is in the region of £50m ... yet Bournemouth is something like £20m. Whilst we do have to spend we need to sort out cultural issues within the club IMO. We need a culture to fight and play at our best and one where there are chances for our youth players instead of releasing/selling them. Look what Bournemouth have achieved - we ought to be doing better than them based on just £ but we are not.

I'd rather we didn't go down the heavy spending route like Newcastle - look what happened in the summer with our spending. I think it is best to dip into the loan market as we might be able to get players who won't sign permanently and we protect ourselves financially should relegation happen.

9 points behind Newcastle. The way I look at it is we'd be 13 away if it wasn't for the last two results. Ultimately we need to get about 7 or 8 wins to give us a good chance - unlikely but possible!

Leicester are a team that have overachieved and are full of confidence as a result of their incredible run this season. Villa are a side that has underachieved massively and has confidence on the floor. However the win v Palace has lifted us a little and of late Leicester haven't been winning as frequently. As the home side and also with an extra day of rest in the bag could see this game being closer than you'd expect it to be given the difference between the sides in the table. We could sneak another win here because Leicester will go for it no doubt potentially leaving us some space. If we can show the same commitment levels as we did v Palace then we can do it. Come on lads!