markavfc40

Just back. Pompey started brightly but in a strange way them scoring did them no favours as it seemed to spark us into life and apart from the two goals we scored we could have had a couple more in the first half. Milners was a cracker and Heskey also took his goal really well after a lovely pass from I think Milner. Second half we were on the back foot for about 25 mins but having said that we also looked like we had more goals in us on the break. After Downing scored we looked comfortable and after Kanu scored it was a relief that Young scored straight after as we could then all relax and enjoy the last few mins. Can't honestly say anyone stood head and shoulders above anyone else as they all played pretty well. You'd have to say Milner playing in the middle alongside Petrov looked as though it had potential. It is arguably the most attacking line up Villa have played in years and if it is to continue it promises plenty of goals. Heskey certainly deserves to keep his place as he looked far better than Carew as in the past few games. Downing looked good but is clearly not 100% fit but the shift he put in tonight will do him the world of good and when fully fit we will have some player. Great support tonight. We were in great voice. Pompey didn't sell out though.

As an attacking threat we were poor, defensively we were excellent. Thought Cuellar was outstanding at the back and Petrov put in an unbelievable shift in the middle of the park and led by example by giving his all. Habib Beye also deserves a special mention as he did really well coming in for a rare start. Based on our forward play we didn't deserve anything but for defending so resolutely a point was well deserved. As others have said the ref was very poor today and let play continue a number of times after blatant fouls on our players.

Another poll another landslide majority in favour of O'Neill. Long may it continue as it will mean we are still moving in the right direction.

General, good to see such a good attendance today especially as Bolton only bought about 500 fans. I am a season ticket holder and have been for over 20 years but I think it is important to keep match day ticket prices as cheap as possible for lets say less glamorous games. Some of the offers you had today showed that if the pricing is right the attendances will be high even during these difficult times for many financially.

Hi General, What kind of attendance are we expecting tomorrow?

Are we expecting too much? I don't think that can be asked as a collective question as fans will have there own individual expectations. Me personally I expect us to finish 6th again. Anything less than that and I'll be disappointed anything more and I'll be over the moon. As things stand today we are on course to meet my expectations. I can't answer for anyone else.

Guzan; Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock; Milner, Reo-Coker, Petrov, A Young, Heskey, Agbonlahor

I agree but its still eleven more times than necessary.

As usual Pete is spot on. This poll just proves that you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

In all fairness BJ you can sit back whenever you want and enjoy being a Villa fan. I honestly couldn't be happier with the progress we have made in the last 3 years under Lerner and O'Neill. Nowhere near everything has gone perfectly but considering where we were when they arrived I think to ask for anymore is at best unrealistic and at worst deluded. I suggest you don't take other peoples opposing opinions to heart and if anything do what you suggested - sit back and enjoy being a Villa fan and pity those that can't.

Poor game today. Conditions didn't help either side who both struggled to keep the ball. We had a decent second half, at least in comparison to the first, and looked the most likely to carve out chances which we eventually did. We defended well again, with the exception of Sidwells rash challenge, and apart from the penalty and when the ball hit Doyles shoulder and Milner cleared easily from near the goal line, I can't remember Wolves having a shot on target. Having said that we created very little also. Only positives are we didn't lose, all the defenders did well and Gabby again looked lively and scored.

The conditions clearly didn't help either side today. It was really windy and both sides had trouble keeping the ball. The change worked as Heskey did more in 20 minutes than Carew did in 70.

3 points. 2 goals. Clean sheet. Job done!

We'll sell out our allocation mate and I dare say there will be a fair few of us in the home ends.

22nd year as season ticket holder. Get to away as and when I can.

Fully agree with MM although thankfully I don't go back as far as 1969 but remember only too well 1986 when this club was on its knees a position it again found itself in 20 years later. Rest assured General the post you referred to did not speak for me and many other Villa fans. I will support this club till the day I die, revel in the good times and take the bad on the chin but always continue to show the same support and passion for my club no matter what. Keep up the good work and the inspiring posts.

Great post TSV and I and many others echo those thoughts General. I am confident we will come through this bad run and be stronger for it. We are 2-3 players short of having the best squad of players we have had in years and with 11 days to go of this transfer window the time for talking has passed and now action is required. I still have faith that the wheels are already in motion and the players required will be signed. Am I right in my belief General?

Team: Guzan, Beye, Davies, Cuellar, Shorey, Milner, Gardner, Sidwell, Reo-Coker ©, Young, Heskey. Subs: Friedel, Agbonlahor, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Delph, Petrov, Lowry.

Carew is out of tonight's game with a virus.

General, After trawling through various threads during this transfer window there appears to be an underlying conflict with many posters. Some believe Mon has been given the substantial funds required to bring in the calibre of players that we all agree are needed to cement our place in the top 6 and challenge for top 4 but the manager is having great difficulty in attracting these players thus the reason for us not having brought in players of the same quality and experience to replace Barry and Laursen and only having two senior centre backs at the club. On the other hand some believe that the club is not in a position financially to allow Mon to go out and buy the calibre of players that we so obviously need, whether this be in terms of transfer fees or the wages required to attract the level of player needed. If the latter is true then I think it would be better if the club came out and stated this as then we as fans would know where the club stood financially but more importantly if the latter is true then as a board I think you are placing undue pressure on the manager as many will believe, if the required players continue not to be signed but the belief is funds are in place, then it is all down to the managers incompetence. Obviously if come the end of the transfer window players have been signed of the quality we so badly need then this question becomes irrelevant but as things stand today I feel its one that needs answering. Kind Regards Mark

General, can you explain why it appears our Europa League game against Rapid Vienna on Thursday is not to be shown live on TV in the UK?

Good to see the vast majority of supporters want the manager to stay despite the timing of this thread which would inevitably lead to a few knee jerk reactions.

Thankfully, as long as Randy Lerner owns the club, we will never have to find out.

One of the most rational, level headed, posts I've read on here the last couple of days. Absolutely spot on. Still over 2/3 in favour of keeping Mon. Had we have won yesterday that majority would have been even more emphatic which in itself makes this poll an absolute farce.

I think your almost spot on. The three year cycles under Ellis at times started off very brightly - Atkinson finishing 2nd then Leagues cup success, Little, 4th in the league, League Cup win, Gregory 7th then 6th place finishes, O'Leary 6th place finish. We then had slumps, massive in some cases. Mon though has improved season on season, something we have not seen since the days of Saunders. Whether that continues to be the same this season it is far too early to say. What I do know is though is that by getting rid of the manager now will not lead to any sustained success.