moose

Don't you think he'll be used for cup games, like Guzan was as No. 2? Hmmm... No. Guzan was used in cups to give him a run out in a first team environment, and give the first choice keeper a break. Given doesn't need the former, and I can't imagine Guzan wants a break.

Unless there's an injury or suspension, difficult to see Given in a Villa shirt again. Guzan'a not only matured into a great keeper but he's already a cult hero to boot.

I agree I don't think we have a first choice XI, we have some first choice players who will fit into most/all of PL's preferred formations, and then he'll switch others in and out depending on the opposition/tactics/whatever And of course as we've seen in Given's case being a "first choice player" only lasts as long as PL thinks he can rely on you to do your job.

No I'm saying it is definitely in our best interests to get them shipped out by whatever means, even if we subsidise their wages heavily for a period of time. I did read Hutton saying that he'd be training hard to try and get noticed, but I took that with a pinch of salt after reading the secret footballer's notes about how you have to say that so that they have to compensate you more for selling you on. Edit : although saying that, I do like BfH&V's reply above!

I for one would not want to see Warnock or Hutton in a first team match for us ever again. Why? Well neither of them is wanted, so I reckon that despite them being "professionals" I doubt either of them would care enough about the team to play well enough to warrant their selection above playing one of the more regular squad players out of position. Their presence on the pitch, if connected in any way with an "I really don't care" attitude towards Villa, would annoy the other players on the team who did care. Imagine if you were on a pitch and one of your guys just kicked the ball around not really bothered if he was playing well or not. Would you be happy to have him there? I recall Barnsley signing Andy Johnson (the Welsh one) when he was released from Leicester. He lost his first team place after a handful of matches and one day turned up for training to be told by the manager that he could either look like he was actually bothered or go home and never come back. He went home. I suspect if we gave Warnock and Hutton that same choice, they'd go home too.

He did used to be a tad uncertain but yes, that's definitely changed. He's matured significantly as a keeper.

Final five minutes of the last home game of the season I reckon for Petrov.

Hopefully they'll have gone on season-long loans well before that.

Hutton started because McLeish bought him. Every man and his dog could see Hutton was piss-poor in pretty much every minute of football, sorry - "football" he played. Lichaj is a better full-back than Hutton was during his AV tenure (and yes I know that technically should be "has been" rather than "was", but he's as good as gone in my eyes).

Although it seems to be Ben-tee-kee as the correct version, Ben-tay-kay is much easier to say in a Brummie accent. I don't naturally have a Brummie accent btw, so someone else might want to validate this.

Interesting stuff

I think in a similar vein to us taking given off Man City's hands when he was displaced by Joe Hart, the same thing might happen here and another team would be willing to take him in January if he's not regained his place.

A championship winning side for £5m. That would be the best thing ever in the Premier League!

Confidence player, and it looks like the confidence might be coming back. Think "awful" is slightly harsh about his shot although I did blurt out a few expletives under my breath when he missed. The game Lambert's trying to get them to play is definitely going to benefit Ireland.

Played well today, but did become slightly anonymous after the booking. He's 4 games into his Villa career and he's definitely looking like he'll be a central point of our team.

This. I do feel for Given, but there's no room for sentiment from the manager's point of view and the keeper is a vital position. Shay's made a few mistakes and today Brad grabbed the opportunity. I'd definitely leave him in the number one spot for Swansea, in fact if you're going to play on merit, how could he possibly drop him?!

What progress we've made. The controversial decision to drop Given (well, controversial to some) was justified by Guzan commanding his area, marshalling the defence, and making a lot of saves and coming out for crosses. I'd leave him in the team now. Outfield, we passed, we created chances, we even had shots on goal. If Ireland and Bent had brought their shooting boots we'd have won it. I'm behind what PL is trying to achieve here, screw what pundits and opposition fans say about our transfer deadline day signings, it's clear that the positivity and belief is coming back to Villa.

Things that strike me as odd at VP 1. the amount of swearing in chants 2. the amount of time spent saying we don't like the blues being more than the amount of time saying we do like villa. 3. comments like "we're a big club - the fans want to see big name players" Away games - agree they do tend to attract the type who like to spend all day on the piss and then turn up at the match barely able to stand.

Nope, but I'd expect Guzan to start and Bennett to make his debut in defence.

Seems like a genuinely nice guy who's really pleased to have been signed by us. Not here for the money that's for sure. The ghosts of the MON era slowly get laid to rest.

Good luck to him, I think that's the end of him at VP though.

I saw it being distributed before the Tranmere match and I've seen it rammed down my throat on numerous Facebook groups for weeks now. No idea who is behind it but a subscription worked out at £4 per issue.

Would be nice, but hasn't Lambert said he knows nothing about it? Can't imagine him saying that and a few hours later actually signing him.

My money's on Genk caving in at some point today, but us already having filled out the paperwork for plan B in case it needs faxing off at 10.59pm ps do they REALLY use faxes still in football transfers? Don't they have email at the FA?

Love this post. Much sense.