jimmyvillan

just on the Everton/Martinez point......while I think he has done well, I don't think he has done as amazing a job as people are making out. They are only 5 points ahead of Newcastle who are considered in turmoil (admittedly with a game in hand) and while the football is excellent at times, I have seen many games where their main tactic is to launch crossfield balls to Lukaku and he knocks it down or holds it up simliar to what Moyes did with Fellaini. That being said, I would rather be in their position than ours.....but a lot of their success is built on 2 great loan signings and a back four who know each other inside out (watch them when 1 defender is changed)

Plays one game in a position a lot (myself included) see as his future. Doesn't set the world alight and everybody calls the experiment a failure. Lets hope none of ye are inventors....

I agree that it isn't just Villa, Unless a billionaire owner buys a club a la Man City, the top teams will continue to dominate. It is really depressing. Football isn't really competitive anymore. Teams may win one off games but no team will come from left field to win the title nowadays. I would even doubt that if the Class of 92 were about now they wouldn't have been the same success. Too much pressure (money) riding on games to bring in 5 or 6 young players and give them a proper chance. Some might argue that Southampton have done it with success but they haven't all been thrown in at once. Lallana has been in there first team about 4 years now. Rodriguez had first team football at Burnley. Shaw, Chambers and Ward-Prowse are the only ones that have come in together and bar Shaw, they have been used sparingly. It's sad but football is being ruined by money. I'm in my mid-twenties and I find myself quite disillusioned with it all. I still hang on every Villa result which is hard at the moment but I find myself watching non-villa related games and just getting annoyed with the in your face coverage, over paid players and the media. So it's either time to hope for change in football or to start fixing all my merchandise to Red Bull Villains!

I know our own treatment room is on overtime but we have also been given some timely boosts by the other teams luck... West Ham are without a decent center-back and now without their main focal point in attack (however, I nothing of Borellio, but any time I have seen Nocerino he impresses me with his energy) I'd hope for a win here Cardiff are in turmoil, I think OGS is out of his depth and are almost certs for the drop in my eyes. I think this game suits us perfectly and I think we are looking at back to back wins. Newcastle have lost Cabaye and Tiote is out for a few weeks which should include missing this game. Although, I have a nagging feeling Luuk De Jong will do a Cisse and score widly for half a season before disappearing into the black hole that currently contains Alfonso Alves and Amir Zaki. I think we will get beaten. So i would be delighted with 6 points but given the way this season has gone so far we will probably win one, draw one and lose one in no particular order and we will all be left uttering the familiar phrase we do every thursday/friday...."this weekend's game is massive"

To me his is Lowton's left footed clone, at times excellent delivery while also at times being horrendously/hilariously (depends who you support) out of position. I would like to see him pushed up further forward. Could be very decent back-up to LB & LW in the future.

It annoyed me so much when Sunday Supplement named him in their argument for Arsenal bringing through youth players. Although we can't complain too much given the fact that we took Carruthers from them. Time will tell who shafted who but at the moment it looks like we could be the shaftees (Im making that a word). That said, on the very brief sightings i've had of him (2 cameos and a reserve game) Carruthers is the type of player we are crying out for it we are content on using a "number 10".

Barkley doesnt like playing us! anonymous at Villa Park (then Osman came on...and looked like pele) and done nothing in that 1st half before being subbed with a knock (of confidence no doubt)

Charlie Nicholas just said he never saw us with a back 3.....nice to the the experts are so knowledgeable!!

I think he'll successfully appeal. It wasn't excessively violent. I think he did intend to lash out a bit, but it's not clear enough. Haven't seen it yet myself. Stelling just confirmed it was a straight red. Hopefully the decision makers will back the ref. They do tend to do that if there is any doubt.

dread to think what baines and whoever plays on the left to to Bacuna......2 on 1 every time. Clutching at straws but please let clark be playing at the base of the diamond midfield

Carroll just been sent off for West Ham....not sure was it a straight red or 2 yellows. If it is 2 yellows he can't appeal. Huge loss for them especially with what he did to Clark in the nightmare that was 6-0 with Newcastle

I know it's not exactly a the point you are making, but in regards transfers, I would be strongly against saying oh we have £ X amount to spend. Man Utd came out saying they are backing Moyes to make any transfers he want. The press start making up figures and suddenly the selling club drives up their price. It's a game of poker really. If you look desperate for a certain type of player or start mouthing about having x,y or z to spend your negotiation becomes harder.

really wanted to see delfouneso today, looked really lively and technically good v. chelsea

all i want is the players with these knocks NOT to be risked!!!

bit of sour grapes from cahill, i can sort of understand why but (up until last week) villa had the best defence in the league so MON has that sorted very well. aswell as that cahill wouldnt have got the experience he has now got at bolton. both sides came out of this transfer very well

Nobody is trying to drive him out of the club. read some of the other topics! they are not exactly supporting him! but hey, pessimism seems to be the language of the midlands

here here! i cant understand this mentality that could end up driving one of the best managers we have had out of the club!

thats really interesting! coincidence i hope, but it does seem to happen i genuinely am intrigued!!

whats their defence like?? is it true they are gonna have to play zhirkov at RB??? if thats the case get ashley young to tear him apart, even if he starts on his favoured left side, he is still very attacking and suspect defensively!