Bomvilla7

we should be all over this one. we've been pretty quiet so far and I'm not sure what to make of it..

I miss TheTrees... and MysteryMan ... I'm sad now..

No no no, this is the masterplan! create a million chances over the course of a season so that our strikers can finally score 1!

I was wondering about this as well. Take everything I say here with a pinch of salt as I know nothing about their finances, but I'm guessing they have some debt to service with the new stand and they are probably being conservative with how much the impact of COVID will hit them (and everyone else). I think its unlikely any fans will be back in stadiums for the new season so the bigger the stadium, the bigger the hit you take. They have shown that when they want a key player they will splash the cash a la Van Djik and Alisson, but I don't seem them spending 80m on Grealish when he doesn't quite fit the system.

Of course I would, I just don't think we can get him is all. I'd love to be proved wrong!

I think I've said this somewhere before but there are only two other managers out there that I would want (and who I think we could actually get). One is Rafa and the other is Marcello Gallardo. Aside from them, Dean deserves to stay in the job. I think he has proven very capable and was up against very tough circumstances. Massive injuries to key players and a huge rebuilding job due to getting promoted ahead of schedule. The improvement since lockdown should be applauded too. Results aside we have tightened up at the back and we have become more competitive. Lacking firepower up top is obvious and just something that hasn't worked out in his favour.

In his head, he also might not want to play because he is the most likely to get a good move if they go down. I doubt he would ruin that having had an injury and the new season starting fairly quickly in Sept. He will want to recover properly. Clutching at straws I know, but I'm getting increasingly anxious about Sunday.

if stay up, he has to get a good loan move somewhere. I think he needs a full season under his belt and someone to give him the confidence that he will be their main man. Then we will know if he is good enough or not.

FWIW, I think he will go and I think its been on the cards for a while. BUT, and I can't stress this enough, as fans we should not be bitter or begrudge him the opportunity to play at a higher level and win trophies. He has been incredibly loyal, stuck with us through the hard times, and stepped up and done his best to pull us out of that. He has given us so so much more than modern players do. Incredible moments to remember. The excitement of a promising young player breaking into the team, a player who would get bums off seats every time he got the ball, a derby winner and literally embarrassing the entire club and fan base with how he reacted to 'that' punch incident, playoff celebrations. I know he has had some off field incidents too, I'm not excusing that. But he cares deeply about this club and that's obvious for all to see. We all know he should be in that England team and we all know he is good enough to win trophies. Could you imagine what a team who was organised at set pieces could do with that amount of frees he wins?! they would probably add 10 goals a season and create a tonne more of chances. That's huge for a team like United who are playing in Europe etc. I would not like to see a player like him not be successful. Of course I would like to see him be successful with the Villa but we are some way off of that yet. Now on the flip side (and I know I'm contradicting myself here!), I do also think there is a slim chance we can keep him. Being a boyhood villa fan with family connections to the club is not to be underrated. The manager is a villa fan and that will resonate with him too. The fans love him. He is captain. The team has hit a purple patch and will hopefully get through an incredibly tough patch and that is very promising and shows we can compete higher up the table. The club will need to show ambition and probably have a good discussion with him. I expect NSWE to sit down with him and outline plans etc. So all that could sway his mind, but as I said above, I wouldn't begrudge him anything. He has already given us so much.

LOVE that from Freddy!

wrong thread I know but Konsa has really impressed me the last few weeks and is fast becoming my favourite defender. I really hope we can keep him long term.

omg I can't believe it. that was a great strike

The commentator on the city watford game just said Villa stay up!! I don't care that he will change his mind in a few hours but its the first time I've heard that all season so I'm taking it as a sign to light a fire, do a dance, and sacrifice a bottle of whiskey to the relegation gods!!

RIGHT! I'm going to be positive and while I hoped for Davis to give Luiz a bit of a torrid time, I'm going say that Samatta will run the channels, stretch them a bit, and tire them out. This will allow some chances for Jack and Conor to get close to goal and have a few shots. Then bring Davis on when they are tired and begin an aerial bombardment until eventually one bounces of Trez's arse and goes in for the 1-nil win... right?? Anyone?

I know the swing in GD is great right now and is the positivity we needed as fans, but we have to win this evening. Its still all down to us and I'm praying that the team are motivated enough to have a real go now. If they can't get up for this game considering everything, then we really are not PL standard. I think they will be up for it, they have been playing better and I trust guys like Jack, McGinn and Mings to be making sure everyone gives their all. Come on lads we can do this!!

HOW?!?!

this is also so important when trying to see out games. someone who can hold it up and give the team a chance to organise themselves instead of the ball just coming straight back.

absolutely, we are so much better when he is in the team. Would keep him no matter what league we are in next year.

Get trez off at half time. El Ghazi or Davis on please.

And Mings has officially welcomed him to PL football!

Holgate off early. I guess that's a positive for us.

Are they wearing a different kit or have the nerves completely gotten to me and affected my eyesight?

This would be my worry also. I'd be more concerned about a team from abroad coming in rather than a PL team. There are probably plenty of teams in Spain that would take him, plus the language and style of play would suit him more, plus...yano... Spanish weather vs Birmingham weather. I honestly hope he doesn't go anywhere as I think he would be amazing in the championship, but i figure he has lofty ambitions and won't want to spend a season in the championship having played both La Liga and PL now.

I agree, if we go down he is more than adequate for a promotion push. He was signed for 5m and another year might be very good for him to get some consistency into his game.

I'm hoping that win against will give the team a big mental boost for the Everton game. Sometimes when teams play better/well and they still don't win that can get fairly demoralizing, the "no matter what we do we can't win" mentality. Win against Everton on Thursday and we are right in this thing. Lose and we are down for sure imho. I'm retaining hope until Thursday at least