VillaAndLoyal

I think you'll find I said as much in my post. My point still stands about being puzzled by the number of MOTM votes for him though considering it was us who was on the front foot more often than not, and Guzan didn't have an awful lot to do. He did the basics (handling) very well and pulled off two very good saves.

Congratulations, on posting the most utterly bizarre comment I have ever read on this site. :? How on EARTH would you know such a thing? It's past my comprehension that another human being would actually type the above and then press 'submit'. People have always got pissed at away games, and always will. It is part of the reason why our support away from home is so good/vocal.

Great view of the city of Newcastle from our end though Hogso...

Very good performance today and he could be a big player for us as he continues to improve and settle into the team and squad.

This. Also at the game and that was certainly his best game for us in a Villa shirt. He looked lively in midweek but today was another class. Completely controlled the midfield and helped put together some immaculate passing moves which had Newcastle literally chasing shadows. A goal is all he needs now, and his confidence will soar. He was even winning the ball back for us - remarkable!

Back from Newcastle and thoroughly chuffed at finally seeing a good performance again in the Premier League, it has been far too long. The number one shirt is now Guzan's to lose after a fine performance between the sticks, including two very good saves and some great handling in the area. Not quite sure why he has clocked up so many MOTM votes however, as that would suggest we were under pressure for large parts of the game when, in actual fact, that wasn't the case. He didn't actually have an awful lot to do. MOTM for me was definitely Ireland who easily had his best game in a Villa shirt. He completely bossed the game and, along with his midfield counterparts, put together a string of fine passing movements which had Newcastle chasing shadows and us singing: "We're Aston Villa, we're passing the ball". Ireland was even getting stuck in and winning possession for us and a goal (which he should have got) will see his confidence rocket. The difference today, compared to the previous two games, is that we passed AND moved. Whereas against West Ham and Everton we were still trying to play the airy fairy passing game we were playing under Houllier, with zero movement. Special mention also to two other players who have, for some reason, been criticised on this thread: Bent and Holman. Darren looked far livelier today, and more involved in the game, and that ultimately will lead to more goals. Far too many times Bent is anonymous throughout the match but today his hunger was back which was pleasing to see and the goals will come. Holman was superb and linked up really well with the rest of the midfield - also running his socks off for the Claret & Blue which is exactly what we need. I hope Wiemann doesn't get cast aside now that Benteke has signed as I rate him and think he deserves a run in the side. Gabby coming back is also a massive plus. The opening two games we were appallingly bad but, as they just said on MOTD, the green shoots of recovery were there for all to see. Disappointing to see such a small away following especially at £25 a ticket but those who went were a credit to the Club. Our gallows humour was on fine form with my two favourites being: "Geordie Shore, Geordie Shore, Geordie Shore is fu*king shit..." and "Let's all have a spray tan, let's all have a spray tan la la la la..." UTV! Onwards and upwards!

Interesting that he went out to 26-1 and is suddenly bein backed down to 14-1 Someone is still chucking money on him A post from Gazton, a similar tweet from @Fourth_Official and 10 people to jump on BetFair = odds come shooting in. Personally, I wouldnt read too much into it... However, if you want conspiracy theories answer this... how the hell did Matt Kendrick know what was happening inside a house in a part of the world which he has never set foot in before anyone else in Norway knew??? hmmmmmmm........ Someone said on here earlier that Kendrick was probably more ITK than people give him credit for. He's a great journalist, simple as that. Everyone moaned at him for not bowing to fans' pressure during the McLeish reign and writing what everyone wanted him to, without failing to realise that as a reporter from a local newspaper, he has to keep the club on side. Why? Because then he can break exclusives like he has done tonight. Swings and roundabouts. Weren't really exclusive since Tim Abraham broke the news a good 20mins before Mat on here. Whether it was Mat or Tim, my point still stands and actually goes for both of them.

Interesting that he went out to 26-1 and is suddenly bein backed down to 14-1 Someone is still chucking money on him A post from Gazton, a similar tweet from @Fourth_Official and 10 people to jump on BetFair = odds come shooting in. Personally, I wouldnt read too much into it... However, if you want conspiracy theories answer this... how the hell did Matt Kendrick know what was happening inside a house in a part of the world which he has never set foot in before anyone else in Norway knew??? hmmmmmmm........ Someone said on here earlier that Kendrick was probably more ITK than people give him credit for. He's a great journalist, simple as that. Everyone moaned at him for not bowing to fans' pressure during the McLeish reign and writing what everyone wanted him to, without failing to realise that as a reporter from a local newspaper, he has to keep the club on side. Why? Because then he can break exclusives like he has done tonight. Swings and roundabouts.

OLE OLE, OLE OLE!

21.15 UK time. Molde owner Røkke to hold a press conference. Interesting...

Very generous that mate!

A United fan posted this beneath a Youtube video about him. It pretty much sums up how I always viewed him from a far. Adbeck82: "Often overlooked as a utd legend with people remembering Cantona, Schmeichel,Beckham and Ronaldo but he never stabbed utd in the back,he played for love of football and never got greedy with wages and was never in the headlines for the wrong reasons. He never complained about being a sub. He was a true football legend what the young kids of today should look up to instead of players like Balotelli."

I'm genuinely excited about this potentially happening. It's exactly the right approach we need to take - and I hope a proper plan and scouting system is put in place for us to pick up some of the best emerging talent (like Newcastle have done) for the cheapest prices possible. We quite simply have nothing to lose by taking this calculated gamble with OGS. Any worse than this season just gone would see us relegated and that's pretty unlikely as we've just got rid of the worst manager to ever 'grace' our Club. It would be a massive job for Ole, and he would want to show the big boys (like Martinez has tried to) that he is an up and coming manager with passion, energy, finesse, and the right, creative ideas to be a top manager. I couldn't care less if he gets poached further down the line - as it will mean we have actually seen our stock rise once again and maybe have even won a trophy or two under him. That's what he would need to do to be even considered for the Man United job for example. I like the fact this is a leftfield appointment. And I always liked Ole when he was a player, and the fact he was so loyal to Man United. He has a lot to prove (a good thing), has learnt off the master himself in Sir Alex, and unlike someone like McRelegation, he wouldn't just be coming here for another pay day. Appointing a manager is only half the job. The strategy for taking the club forward under whatever manager is arguably even more important than getting the right man. But I do like this idea - I'm positive it would inject the excitement back into Villa Park - and I will actually be pretty disappointed if this fails to materialise now.

Bare with me while I grab a piece of A4.... 8)

Bit of a shit jet. I've seen better looking paper planes.

Money has to be spent, obviously. But giving another manager "lots of it" is the wrong way to go and would be a clear case of Lerner not learning from his previous mistakes. A large part of the reason why we've been on such a huge downward spiral is because Lerner was spending unsustainably under O'Neill - finally realised how bad our finances were, and withdrew, for a large part, that level of support. What we actually now need, and we've needed it for years, is a proper international scouting system which can pick out the best emerging talent before their price tag rockets. Think Newcastle, think Arsenal - forget wasting millions of pounds again, we need to learn from our mistakes and change our approach. Lerner simply hasn't got the financial clout to throw money at signings. So we need this scouting network in place - with the ability to actually purchase someone from outside the UK and Ireland - and a manager who is adept to taking calculated risks and spotting the best talent. If Pardew can do it, we can get a manager who can too. No excuses this time.

No, it's called gallows humour. Lighten up will you!

Fantastic scenes at the end of the game. Spine tingling. Walked off the pitch in a Claret & Blue afro - the bloke will not be forgotton that's for sure! Carlos Cuellar - Villa's centre half!!!

I was going to ask how the hell do you dress up as a trainee gynaecologist?.... but on second thoughts! Just glad to see the back of a a torturous season. I think it's a case of 'the less said the better'

What are you smoking? Can I have some?

I think it's fair to say McLeish knows exactly how much we don't want him after today Amazing level of abuse directed towards him.

It lasts for 30 seconds.

Amazing day. Our support was incredible again. Norwich fans all stood up and applauded us when the whole away end (well, practically) took their shoes off and belted out 'Shoes off, if you hate McLeish'! He really did get both barrels today and Carlos Cuellar at the end was a moment to remember for a long time. The only player on that pitch that gives a **** about Villa and we subbed him and we're now forcing him out of the club - says it all really. My favourite chant was definitely 'Lets pretend, lets pretend, lets pretend McLeish is sacked, lets pretend McLeish is sacked YEAAAHHHHHH!!!! Oh and the best fancy dress was definitely the 50-year-old bloke dressed as a trainee gynaecologist I echo the comment above - Norwich is a fantastic little city - and the fans are some of the most welcoming I've experienced.

When was the last time Gabby scored? 2004?

Just ridiculous to say that hes the best defender when the best part of 5 managers think otherwise. He doesnt deserve the send off Mellberg got - and neither did Mellberg. Both decent blokes, but both massively overated imo. Also, Big wow that he doesnt moan and has time for the fans! Big Wow. The mans on 40k a week. The absolute bare minimum behavior for a pro footballer imo. Its just made to look exceptional because 99% of other footballers are utter arseholes. How is it ridiculous to say that when the majority of our fans think that he is? That's why so many people are frankly perplexed at Villa's decision to get rid of another good player, and leave us with two carthorses. Who is better than him? I'd love to know. I watch Villa every week and it is my firm opinion that Carlos is head and shoulders our best defender, it's not even close. His tackling is first class and his distribution has improved massively, if only the same could be said for Collins etc. What is ridiculous is for you to call him "overrated" Eh? Isn't that why so many Villa fans feel aggrieved with how he's always been treated? As it’s a common opinion that he's always been hugely underrated, not the other way around. But that's by the by. I think you're clearly missing the point. You say "big wow" that he has such a love for the Club and respect for the fans, but then answer your own question by saying "99 per cent of other footballers are utter arseholes". And that is the point. So many footballers ARE greedy, self-centred, arrogant mercenaries these days that when you do get a player like Carlos, it's massively refreshing to see. You must be a pretty miserable person if players like Cuellar, Milner, Mellberg, Ian Taylor, and Dion Dublin etc don't lighten up your day. None of these are what you would call quality players, but they put a shift in for this club and appreciated the fans, hence why they are appreciated back. If you choose not to think that's a big deal then so be it, your choice. Just let the rest of us get on with giving him a great send-off without trying to make us feel guilty for doing so because of how "good" or "crap" you perceive him to be.