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Hey General, Welcome back, good to see you still on here. I'm glad its nearly the end of the season, and while I enjoed the win at Arsenal, I see nothing to celebrate in merely having achieved PL survival, to my mind AV are bigger than that and should be celebrating regular trophy wins and high league finishes, and not just be happyt o accept PL survival. Are you able to say when we will be told about the managerial situation for next season, or is the decision solely in GH's hands, based on how he feels? I have renewed my season ticket for next year, but hope we wont have another season like this, but if we have a manager who is prone to health concerns, is that best and fair on him, and on the team/club? Thanks

Hey General, How does the reality of being involved in a Premiership (still, just) team compare with your perceptions/notions of it? Is the experience all you hoped, or do you often times wonder how it can all work? Ta!

Morning General, Many words have been written here since Saturday, some elequent, some in anger, some considered, some rousing, and all passionate. The undoubted mood of Villa fans seems to be unanimous for once, and not just the few who post on these message boards, but among the majority at the game, and out "there" in the Villa world. You, (the board) can be in no doubt how we, the fans, feel at the moment. Now, I dont know Randy or even claim to, but I am guessing as a succesfull business man he doesnt let short term pressure affect his thinking, and wont consider caving in to fan opinion to get rid of GED for many reasons. That may or not be the correct decision, only the next few weeks will tell that, I have always been a pragmatist and a believer in "we are where we are", and while your words were fine and inspiring I cant see that that mentality currently exists among a squad who have no sense of team, seem disjointed and apart from thier manager and clueless about how to play what is a relatively simple game. Simply put, I cant see how a manger who does not appear to have the squad with him can pull us back from the brink, your words are fine and yes, a squad shoudl fight together, but ours at the moment simply isnt...but the board have made a decision, and we must live with its consequences. On June 1st I would love to send you a message saying "Phew!, sorry for doubting you folks, now to next season" and I hope I can. You have sent men into combat and the pressure of this decision is little by comparison, but it means so much to so many of us. Oh, I need to ask a question to ward off the mods.....Does US doctrine still dictate that there should be an ability to fight a 2 front war? with lack of budgets ATM, and the growing need to replace heavy equipment in the US forces (esp. the USAF), will this not place an even heavier strain on already shrinking resources? Ta!

Hi General, Occasional poster, continued thanks for your presence here. I'm as unhappy as my fellow supporters about the performance at City. I have supported Villa thru thick and thin for 37 years now, have had season tickets, have spent many, many thousands following Villa all over the country from London, and now I dont htink I can anymore. Dont get me wrong, its not the Liverpool thing, its not the spineless performances early in GED's reign, its not the bizarre team/position selections, its not even all about the selection on Weds. General, what has finally made me question my spending so much cash on villa is this from our manager: "I understand where they are coming from but I don't think we could have beaten Manchester City today." A direct quote by "our" manager...heres my question General...if our manager cant be bothererd, and is going to go into a game with a defeatist attitude, and undoubtledly transmit this to the players as well, why then should I continue to spend many thousands of pounds, which I can ill afford on an average salary in the current climate, following this team? Thanks, and have a great birthday!

Hi General, Thanks as ever for your time. My question is; Are you able to share how much revenue has been lost from the budgeted figure, and/or year on year, either in monetary or percentage terms as a consequence of the home shirt late release fiasco? and has this informed compensatory discussions with nike? Thanks

Am surprised that no one has mentioned that Randy has a shit record of hiring coaches at the Browns, and now he's bought that special ability to VP. Understand GED hasnt had time to changethe squad, but my major issue with hm is that he has never given the appearance that he wants to be at Villa, or even gives a shit about us, its like being at VP is the best way to be close to his beloved liverpool

Hi General, Hope you are well. Long time lurker, occasional poster, continued thanks for your presence here, and taking the time to do what no other club offical in the premiership bothers to, you need to not underestimate how appreciative we, the fans are of that. With ref to last night General, its simply not acceptable...The performance was a disgrace, and the managers continuing love in with Liverpool is appalling, Other posters have laid the details out so no need for me to repeat them, merely to echo the prevailing sentiments out there. The love in with the reds has been constant since his arrival, but what really concerns me is the state of affairs on the pitch...last seasons top notch defence has been turned into a mocked shadow of itself, and please dont give me the injuries excuse, its last seasons starting back 4, whats been done to them? We are now in the relegation dog fight, and no team is too good to go down, especially us. Last on Radio 5 the co commentator stated "every time would love to play Villa right now, becuase theyre all over the place and dont how to defend" Say what you like about MoN, but no one ever said that about one of his teams. Houllier always smacked of a emergency, best available appointment, and while I appreciate Randy shows loyalty to his appointees, surely the board need to take a view on Houllier's performance before the transfer window opens? Its not all about injuries General, its not about us not seeing what Randy has done for the club, its not about the fans being disloyal or not supporting the club...I've supported Villa for 35 of my 45 years, this is about someone having the courage to admit a mistake has been made and taking swift and decisive action to correct that. Thank you for indulging my ramble, and for spending your time with us.

General, Mosaics are nice to have, the Holte Hotel is nice, unneccessary stadium redevelopment is nice too I guess, you answering questions about ticket sales is nice BUT the point of Aston Villa is to produce a successfull football team - thats what all of this is about - so no more spin please, no more platitudes about building a family, no more positive corkscrews on manifestly negative news...you have put your yoursefl forward as the voice of the club on these forums, so for once, can you tell us the truth, without spin, and if you are unable to at this time, does that not put into question, your credibility and effectivness to carry out the role you have set for yourself on this and other forums?

Hi General, I hope you are well, and able to travel over soon. Shame we could'nt finish the bubbles off yesterday, but life goes on. I have a question for you, and appreciate you may not be able to answer, but here goes... Last week the Aston Villa club Historian was ejected from Villa park, and removed from his post, the offence he committed was to post on a forum on the subject of the William McGregor statue. I understand he had been told not to post on forums, but equally the club were happy for him to appear in print and other media when the fine Villa chronicles were published, but having him marched off site, and treated like this, is it really the ethos and standard of the club under Randy and you? I had thought a more enlightened and decent attitude prevailed at VP now, but this incident suggests possibly not, it is deeply disturbing and no way to treat a decent bloke. Thanks