gilbertoAVFC

Insightful comments there, dodgyknees. People do over-react. We've just lost to a team with arguably the best midfield in the country with Hogg and a half-fit Delph and Petrov. They had ten men yes, but that did little to weaken their defence. We weren't great, but we really weren't that bad either. Houllier can't tell Gabby what to do when he's bearing down on goal from twelve yards out, yet it is all his fault. Much of it is, but the bloke can only do so much and if you don't take your chances, that's your fault.

I actually think Houllier got his tactics spot-on until Heskey went off. From there we were just chasing shadows for the rest of the half. I still don't think he should be sacked, but then again are we realistically going to get any points from the next two games? Probably not. By that point the pressure would be all too much for Randy not to do anything. I have to question why Hogg started instead of NRC against such a great attacking midfield Spurs had. We didn't win anything in the air today which was annoying as all we were doing was pumping it into their box. I have my doubts about Houllier, but I can't help but think a lot of people want him out purely because of Anfield-gate, which has nothing to do with football. It wasn't good enough today, but unless there really is a better replacement out there, I would oppose sacking him just yet.

Don't let the media make you believe some of the tripe they stir up about Spurs. If it was up to them Dawson would be captain of England and Defoe instead of Rooney. Redknapp has always had resources available to him so has not had it as difficult as the likes of Moyes. Their squad is huge in comparison to us. Bale was great in the CL and is a class act but is not unstoppable. We aren't as far away from them in terms of class as people think. My Dad's a Spurs fan so I see them a lot, big players go missing for them a lot of the time. We can get a result today I'm sure of it.

I'm sort of on the fence for this one. Ireland was the ONE player I have thought could turn Villa into a top four side (ok that wasn't anticipating Milner left, but still), I literally wanted him and no-one else. He has so much talent and I still think that he could turn into a very key player for us. That said, his performances and work-rate, have not nearly been good enough. I rate him so highly but if you can't be arsed, you've got to go. I don't want us to get rid of him in Jan, because I think he can still make a serious impact, but if he doesn't start to deliver the goods soon after that, he may as well be off. I he doesn't want to be here, he sure as hell isn't going anywhere better if he carries on playing the way he is!

But wouldn't it show a total lack of ambition if we were to sell arguably our best player 'because we won't get into the Champions League either way'? Surely doing our utmost to keep the likes of Young would send a message out to prospective players that we are looking to build a squad who we intend to be challenging for the top prizes in the league in two or three seasons. We're not going to get a great price for Young anyway, keeping him would no-doubt only improve our league position this season as he is such a hard-working and key player (selling him would have a negative impact on the team I'm sure). If we end up having to sell him cheap maybe next January then oh well, we've tried, but why do it so early when things can change so dramatically in football?

Agreed. Both thrive off the other and were both massive threats to WBA. At one point Young did this absolutely quality bit of skill that resulted in half a chance for Heskey.

he was rubbish again :? Then you must have watched a different game than me because to me he seemed much more reliable today than in the last games and also made some good blocks. Huge improvement. hes off the pace, woefully inept positionally, and doesnt look comfortable with the ball at his feet not the same player he was a year ago i agree, he WAS much better today, but he was still terrible for a first choice cb in the premier league What on EARTH are you on about? Collins won so much in the air, though Cuellar did pretty well, Collins was our best defender in my opinion. Don't understand where all this Collins-hatred has come from. He's been off-the-boil in recent weeks but in general this season has been solid as per. Just typical Villa scapegoating I guess. He had a nervy moment when Brunt and Fortune had those two shots in quick succession - other than that, can't fault.

2-0 to Albion by half-time. Crowd to go ape-shit at Houllier - we'll pull one back in the 85th minutes, by which time everyone would have left. Can see this being the most miserable day for Villa fans in years - because if we go one-down, most of the fans will make it impossible for us to come back. No point telling people to support because most of you have made up your minds already. 2-1 WBA.

Good to see people have used their head a bit rather than their heart since yesterday. And Maradona, "deluded arrogant man" - there aren't many of them in football are they? He's not deluded, his actions were careless at worst. MON wasn't arrogant was he? Nor is the man in your name? What he did/said was a bit stupid, but by no means did he mean to insult Villa. He was just too sentimental.

Didn't question whether you did, matey. I said shit all about Dunne because I agree with all the other comments saying he's been a liability all season. I was just saying some of the comments about Collins are ridiculous. Not that relevant really to whether I go down.

(just to clarify this thread has been merged with the 'GET YOUR BANNERS OUT' thread, just incase you all thought I was going off on one)

Really? Check out the vote on here mate. The vast majority who have voted seem to want him out. A banner to that effect would thus not be incredibly missplaced, surely? But what has wanting a manager to leave got to do with holding-up illiterate banners so that media can shit all over us and embarrass our club? Point being 'getting our banners out' wouldn't really serve the interests of Villa fans would it? Because we want to win, and giving the away team a splendidly easy environment to play in by providing such hostility would not help is win one bit would it?

I think I speak for the majority of sane Villa fans in regards to the original article when I say: **** OFF.

not being funny but do you go down vp? dunne has been poor this season & collins has been ok at best, warnock is a disaster & i was shouting for luke young to play rb all last year, i have never wanted carlos so bad in the back 4 as i have now.carlos was mon against wolves & hasnt played since! bad managment "Not being funny" but yeah I've had season ticket since I was twelve and have missed three home games in seven years. Did I mention Dunne? He's a liability yes and Cuellar should be given a chance. Warnock really isn't as bad as people say. My point was a general one about how reactionary some of the comments on here are and my other point was about Collins and how it's ridiculous how people can slate him as badly as they have done on here. What has your response got to do with what I just posted? And how can you question whether I go to Villa Park?

How has James Collins suddenly become 'a disgrace', 'a c***' and 'shocking'. So fickle. He has had one stinker yes, but he has hardly been dire other than last night. I can't help but think people are acting in such a reactionary way. Most of our players are half-fit or injured, the rest are knackered. It's not acceptable, no, but some of the comments on here are pretty outrageous.

My mate works in Digbeth and said even on his way home (at like half five) there were people running up and down sporadically. What do these people do with their lives? And these same people will go round beating minorities up for taking their jobs - think it might be you mate. Can't believe some of the stuff I've read on here. So predictable though. So glad I didn't go, would've had to get back to New St too - didn't fancy that. The media will **** love this. If we don't get the World Cup bid expect any southern Daily Mail-reading sports fans that you know to not be speaking to you for a while.

Christ you lot it's a goal. Why start effing and blinding at Warnock. Supporters? This thread is embarrassing.

One of the best performances in recent years in my opinion considering the circumstances. At one point we'd had thirteen shots to their three. Superb, the whole team were. Stewart Downing was unplayable for a large period of the game and although it's probably one of the weakest United sides I've ever seen, to dominate as we did should surely have the Houllier-doubters in silence today. Yes, we gave away the lead, and inexperience cost us, but nevertheless I'm so pleased. Bannan, Albrighton, Collins, both Youngs (well Ash in the second half), Hogg (considering what he was up against) and Gabby can have the rest of the week off for they were all superb.

Those who question his attitude just need to watch him defending from the front - he does it just as much as Gabby and Heskey and that's good enough for me as both are very hard-working players! He is a lot better in the air than people think too. Don't write him off just yet.

I think the thing with Young is he WANTS to play in the free role and Houllier has to grant him that or he could easily leave. For me I'd much prefer to see Downing in behind the striker and Young on the left as we know that is his best position.

I echo most people's sentiments. Motson didn't even mention the ball. If that was Gerrard to Torres it would make the backpage. So biased. One of the best balls I've seen this season. The one just before wasn't too bad either. I was there and I think we started off singing 'Xavi' instead of 'who needs Barry'. I reckon we should combine it!

Honestly one of the best individual performances of the season from him today. A couple of his balls were just of the very highest quality. Hardly looked like the 'lightweight' he is made out to be either. Followed him since he was sixteen and he's always impressed him whenever I've seen him. Long may it continue!

The support was top. I'd probably agree with the above ratings but take each one down a notch!

We had a very weakened side out and deserved to win, think people are being a little overly negative. We were incredibly unlucky. Barry Bannan was just effin' quality! Every week we seem to have one of our young players taking the limelight with a great, mature performance. Maybe we should play our reserves vs United.

Wasn't the best we've had, but it wasn't bad either. I think one of the main reasons for the 5-1 was the atmosphere, can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen anything like that day.