villaglint

Why can you only listen to one? Though I agree I'm also a big fan of Izzard the comedian, mega runner and his views (that I've heard) on politics

I get that people think he is a bit of a bellend, fair enough I quite often think that about him myself, but I'm pretty sure if you thought hard enough you could think that about anyone. In terms of what he is saying I find myself agreeing with virtually all of it, though he is saying nothing new and offering no answers at least he is promoting a debate that has been hushed up for too long. And more importantly he is promoting it in a new way which is connecting with a part of society that is really disconnected to politics yet he is drawing them into a robust political debate. Whether he will change anything I highly doubt it but at the end of the day he is trying and helping whoever he can along the way. I wont knock him for doing that.

I'll explain. Victor is a test because IMO he will have left some pretty big scars from when he roughed up young Ciaran at Goodison a few years back. He also is a good example of the big unit type strikers that Clark has struggled against in the past. I agree he is shite but Ciaran made him look like Drogba in the past. So if he can keep up the good form this weekend it will be another step on his road to rehabilitation in my eyes. Hope that makes sense...

Victor Anichebe - 1st big test for "new" Clark

To be fair season before he got injured I think he had a number of "not bad" games for us, not world beating games, not Young/Downing games but looked like an assett to the side/squad at least. I thought in pre season he looked sharp, motivated and getting that player back would be a boost we needed in the attacking areas to help unlock defences. Unfortunatley pre season against lower league teams is very different to the premier league and he looks very much off the pace since his injury to me. I was hoping it was a fitness/getting up to speed again thing (I'm pretty sure Lambert was hoping the same) but he has had quite a few games now and little to no improvement. He used to be very good at beating his first man (he would then 9./10 run down a blind alley) but beating that man did open up space. If you watch him closely this season he is really struggling to go past anyone at all. Not sure if he has lost a yard of pace or what but dribbling (pretty much his only weapon0 seems to have been taken away from him.

If it was me I would give that a try Omar but I'm pretty sure it will be Dakids team

Pretty sure he is giving the all the proceeds of the book to not for profit social enterprises so you can view it as buying a really expensive Red Nose if that makes you feel any better.

I'd not worried about a younger Joe Cole just a fit one will suffice for now. See QPR are looking at Robbie Keane on 3 month loan, he'd do for me.

For me he is a slightly less good version of James Milner. He is not adding much to us going forward at the minute which is dissapointing, I would love love love for him to get ahead of the play/strikers more often, really think we are crying out for that and he should be capable of doing it intelligently. He should have scored yesterday and I think that would have done a lot for his confidence in that regard. For what its worth I dont think he is worth anywhere near £8m and I dont think there is a club in the land who would pay that at this point in his career/contract. If we get him cheap/free I'd be happy as a useful addition to squad/team.

He was excellent again, a cut above everything else we have. Yesterday I specifically told myself to enjoy watching him play for us because we've only got another 23 games with this privaledge.

Agree with most of that Stevo except for the fact that I thought he did OK yesterday. If you watch it back he gave it away poorly twice (hardly a crime when compared to his compatriots) nearly set up a goal and got himself in the position to nearly score one. Of course there is still much to come but for me that was the most effective he has been in first team so far.

Didn't see the West Ham game when I understand he did well but for me that was his best game for us. Seems to be getting used to the pace which is encouraging

He also almost cost us immediately after we scored the 2nd (it was really poor play to be honest). He's inexperienced and shouldn't be starting imo, but looks like he'll be a player in years to come. I agree with the point you make but N'Zogbia gives the ball away in exactly the same way about 5 times a game so I don't think we can kill him for that. For me he did well today nearly scored and nearly got a good assist. That is a lot more of an impact than Charles had in twice the time. Not sure he really "believes" enough yet that he can properly impose himself on games but that will come this kid is a proper player and there is much more to come from him.

Best performance so far for us, very very good

4 in a row, excellent

As an aside, I cannot imagine how boring it must be to run 20km on a treadmill why not go outside if you're running that kind of distance?

Have to say the Sun really seem to have lost the plot recently. They seem to have got intensely focused on point scoring with almost anyone who crosses them. The things with Brand and BBC this week are just bizarre. At the train station the other day I saw their headline was something along the line of "Madonnas Big Boobies". -- One thing I really do like about the modern world is how blurred the lines are now between "newspapers" like the Sun, Express, Mail and "news" sites like Poke, Daily Mash

I was about 16 and a Tottenham supporting teacher told me Yorke was leaving (with a big grin on his face) during a school cricket match. I was batting at the time and I threw my bat on the floor and walked off the pitch in a huff. Rational times...

If Benteke is fit enough for a decent percentage of our remaining games we'll be fine in my opinion. If he gets another long term injury for any reason it will be squeaky bum time.

I think we'll get decent money but there is Sweet FA chance he will be here next season. Far too good for where we are as a club, will want to better himself and you can't blame him as we've shown no desire to build the club in his time here. Just need to enjoy him while we have the chance.

Does anyone remember the game when Coventry beat us 1-0 at Villa Park few years before they got relegated? I remember seeing a Coventry fan in Holte who jumped up and cheered when they scored. He was promptly ripped to pieces for the next minute or so until the stewards could drag the pieces of him to safety. Not a pretty sight, I remember as soon as he jumped up thinking, you have made a terrible mistake there son.

Thats 3 and counting, keep it up Ciaran!!

Would I be right in thinking he'll have a year left in his contract at the end of the season?

I see your thinking CV but I don't think Lambert feels Cole is fit enough to get up and down in midfield. Hence the free role on Sat. To be honest he maybe right as even in the free role he only lasted 60 mins. I think as his fitness builds hopefully he'll be able to play a wider number of roles. That would be useful as currently with Benteke back to get Cole in the team we need to drop either a midfielder as you suggest which I believe will leave us light in midfield if Cole does struggle or an attacker in Gabby or Weimann which reduces options going forward and takes an "athlete" out of team (something which I think Lambert would never do against any team in top half.

This will be the first game I have ever been to where I will be sitting with the opposition fans watching Villa. Going with a Palace supporting mate. Genuinely worried as I am not a man who can generally contain myself when watching us play. Add to the mix that I will have been drinking for approximatley 6 hours beforehand (Xmas Do) so should make for an interesting evening. I'll go for a Villa win, big man is back and surely we have to get three points at some point!