NIVillan

In the list of Frenchmen at the club you forgot Houllier.

Luke1977 claims to be a villa fan and takes away the blue arms! The homekit also reminds me of the NTL thing worn during the JPA and Ginola Days. They look cheap and for another reference from 80s Kits, like the Henson kit. They look like the cheap Generic Football tops you would buy in bulk for a boys or pub team. As others said seen far superior designs here on VillaTalk.

I did and still looked cheap, might be better in real life.

I dont like the home and when I zoomed in it looked cheap. Not sure on the away.

I thought Samba had been released

Was Allan Evans in the Scotland Squad as well in 1982, from memory. Kept out of team by Allen Hanson I think. Withe was in the squad but not used during the World Cup. Tony Morley was in the running for the squad but was cut at the last minute. Cowans really was the biggest mistake. Robson and Coppell were part of that midfield, cant remember if Wilkins was as well. They did take an injured Trevor Brooking who came on for Ten mins against Spain with Keegan. Keegan was recovering from a bad back and just to try and make the World Cup if stuffed a tube up his arse and shot water up to treat it Still can see that headed miss from Keegan right at the end.

Then get off. I have taken less interest over the past few years but I still enjoy saying I am a Villa fan. No one forces me to remain a Villa fan and other sports have me more interested at the moment, but for better or worse I will still be a Villan. That isnt a rally call for anyone else do what makes you happy.

There was a rough year in the middle of that! Until Brian Little came we hadn't had two successive top 6 finishes since I think the 1920s. Supporting Villa has always been a rollercoaster.

Back in 1968/69 when we last went into administration we were also in the second level of English Football. We did then get relegated to Div 3 (League 1 to you youngsters). What followed was one of the most exciting decades in Villa's history. There was still trouble up top with the Chairman (Doug Ellis came in at this point) but they got a commercial Director in (whose name escapes me) and they worked on putting Villa back on the map. The League Cup Run in 70/71. Beating Man U (Complete with Best and Charlton) over two legs in the Semi. Holding our own against Spurs in the Final. We may have lost that final but the fans out sung the Spurs fans. We lost the Cup but Won the Day and announced that Villa were roaring back. Bringing in Santos and Pele to play a friendly in 71/72. Where they brought in a generator due to the coal strike on at the time and prospect of the leccy going off mid match. Celebrating 100 years with a League Cup Win and Promotion back to Division 1 (Again for younglings - Premier League). League Cup win in 1977, and that year had one of the most exciting Villa Teams, beating the Champions Liverpool (who went on to Euro Cup Glory) 5-1 and I think Arsenal 4-1. Following year a run in the Uefa Cup where we were only knocked out by a Johan Cruyf inspired Barcelona. I was too young but I have been given the programmes from the 1970s and you can just feel Villa were working their way back up and going places. In fact Shankley told Ian Ross to get himself to Villa (when we bought him from Liverpool) as it was a club he felt was going places. Of course the master stroke was bringing in Ron Saunders, who crafted a hard working team to win the League in 1981, and go on to Euro Glory in 1982. Think about it We went from Champions of the Third Level of English football to Champions of Europe in 10 years! Most Important the fans in their hour of need in 68 supported the club and got behind them. The call to do maintenance at Villa Park had fans coming down to paint the ground etc and bring some dignity back to Villa. This is our club and we should back it no matter what. We have been in this bad position before. We support them despite what dickheads are in charge or own them. Okay end of Rant!

If Chinese law is the issue how are Wolves coping? Are they just using up the extra cash from being in the Premier League?

Yes the moment when O'Neil lost me as a Believer. After signing Harewood I felt ONeil could only take us so far and didnt have the imagination to try something different.

Yes it was if we got promoted within two seasons, though Xia would pay less this season than if we got promoted last Season. I cant remember the figures.

One thing to look out for with Managers is how they handle stepping up to a new level. Dean Smith was an Inexperienced Manager when he took over at a struggling Walsall. He kept them up and then challenged for Promotion Playoff Spots. Recruited to Brentford a League above and has done well. So far good signs - could he take another step and be a good Premier League Manager - That is the question? I wouldn't mind us taking a gamble instead of another Steve Bruce type figure. Im not a fan of Steve Bruce and I do not think he could take us back to challenging top 6 Premier League, but I have to admit he was probably the medicine that Villa needed the past couple of seasons. Clear the way for another manager to take advantage of a new attitude among the Villa Players. Also think bringing in Terry to show them how to be professional has helped with this. Terry would inspire the younger players to do it the right way.

Our former Assistant Manager Ray Wilkins has passed away at the age of 61.

Never got out to the east of GA, but did do the GA Games in Augusta once. It was so hot I thought I was going to melt just walking across the car park to the pool. I haven't been back since 2004 Back in 1992 I was walking around one of the malls just outside Marietta, and I was wearing the White Umbro Villa shirt (With Black squares on the arm) and some kid came up and asked me if I was a Villa Fan. I just replied yes thinking not much else. This Kid then tells me how he knows the then Youth Team Development Coach (Name escapes me but was it Dave something went onto the FA) etc. Had a good chat about Villa

One for the oldies and just about predates my time on this earth: Does Terry coming in compare to George Curtis coming in when we went down to Div 3?

Where in GA are you? I spent a year in Marrietta and also became GA State Champ at one point in swimming

Every Match is a must win in my eyes!

In what way - happy to admit to my ignorance

In what way - happy to admit to my ignorance

Dublin broke his neck and still made it back for the end of the Season! Hopefully we will see Kodja before Season End

Leicester I think broke the rules to get themselves promoted. A fine is hanging over their head but they do not have to pay it unless they are relegated and back under Football League management. Not sure if there is a time limit on this fine but similar to QPR and how they were shafted when relegated

I dont care that I am being proven wrong about Bruce I just love the fact we are winning!

I was in an English Class at an American University when I came across the Phillip Larkin reference to Villa Park. I think my classmates were shocked by a sudden outburst

Yeah I remember Mortimer bursting through, you did start to get excited about the season after that.