jackbauer24

It's going to be Hughes, isn't it.

Can someone who's voted for him please sell him to me because I'm feeling totally underwhelmed by the prospect of him being our next manager.

I'll attempt to!

Hughes should be available for free so not effect our budget. He is a winner. Has experience with loads of money at Man City and also a shoestring at Fulham.

He could (although it doesn't always work like this) bring Ireland back into the fold and make him great again.

He might be able to get Given to join us.

He's young and can start a possible legacy. He saw a great manager work and you'd hope some of that rubbed off on him.

He's NOT the finished article but he has a lot going for him.

I wouldn't vote for him but I suspect a few people would want Ancellotti on that list. And seeing as McLaren is high in the odds he should be added too.

Personally for me, it's Moyes, Hughes or Jol.

Lock this thread and start a new one minus Houllier options and Allardyce.

New candidates:

Hughes, Moyes, Jol, Benitez, Ancelloti, Lambert, Coyle, McAllister (there is always the risk!) and McLaren.

Now that Houllier is assumed to be departing, could we not lock this thread and start a new one without him and Allardyce (in light of WHU) and add managers such as Ancelloti?

General,

I think the thing that worries the fans is not even so much the answers but the time the answers will be given.

Instead of having an infinite "we'll tell you soon" answer to all the main issues, fans would be much happier if we came out with a statement saying that "Manager situation will be clarified by x of June" or "New sponsors will be announced by end of June" etc. Not having to read rubbish in the press everyday.

This does not give anything sensitive away and settles the fans. Surely deadlines that MUST have been set for Villa to review medical records or conclude prospective sponsor contracts can be shared without damaging anything.

However, when it comes to answering every player negotiation/ speculation I can understand a blanket "no comment" - that's football, players are constantly linked here there and everywhere. You'd be forever answering questions on that one!

But big issues should be given reasonable deadlines, not open ended "soons". Fans want communication, reasonable and undamaging deadlines will achieve that; although I don't promise we'll all understand the final answers!!

Fans, of all football clubs, are impatient, unrealistic creatures. Most of which can't be helped/ answered by a club official such as yourself. Transfer targets/ purchases/ sales are such an example.

However, I imagine all Villa fans want three questions answering. They may not like the answers but just resolve the uncertainty please;

1) Will Villa make an announcement as to who the manager will be for next season and when will this be made? Or will we say nothing and leave the speculation going even if Houllier stays? Seems odd to not release some statement.

2) When will the new sponsors be in place? Days? Weeks? Months?

3) When will the kits be revealed/ released?

These three questions (regardless of answer) are the main ones on Villa fan's lips and can be answered without issue surely?

Finally (and admittedly in relation to question 1) I think you'll find a large majority of Villa fans would be concerned that a manager that is too ill to even attend today's game can not possibly be fit enough to return to the job in time for Pre-season. We ALL agree an individuals health is more important than a job.

It is a rather damning interview General, for the full piece read:

Daily Mail

It shows it's not just us fans who think it. On a side note Luke Young must stay - he's exactly what this team needs and we would struggle to replace him. He MUST be given a new contract.

Also at the bottom of that article is some more about Heskey - I'm not allowed to leave work half way through the day or I'd be disciplined/ sacked. But then McAllister has said they're good friends so he's fine with it - so fine that he 'heard' he left at halftime - anyone would think he was the one supposed to be in charge.

Forgot to mention this yesterday - please turn off the bells before the game. It sounds like a funeral march, it's depressing and definitely doesn't lift any spirits before the game. Escape by Craig Armstrong was better and more intimidating for the opposition. Sort it out please and bring that back.

AGREE AGREE AGREE!! The bells are appalling and sound really defeatist, sombre and depressing!!

What do people think to Simon Grayson? Not saying I'd go for him necessarily but just wondered on opinions.

Leeds just missed out on Play-offs in their first season back in the Championship and they've picked up some good scalps when Grayson's been in charge (Man Utd in the cup).

Former Villa man, young, promising?

Thoughts. Think he'd certainly be on a short-list.

Hi General,

Two Villa players have a go at management in private training session and get heavily reprimanded.

Heskey goes mental on the pitch, making contact with an official and having to be substituted at half time "to ensure we kept 11 players on the pitch" but he's not going to be punished because he's good friends with McAllister? All taken from McAllister's direct quotes.

That, in a nut-shell, is what is wrong with Villa this season and why there are so many divisions within our squad. You can see why certain players aren't happy here at the moment and it's a reason why we're around 4/5/6th from BOTTOM rather than top!

I would hope I don't need to say this but I'll put it down in writing. I'm sure the Villa board are fully aware of this:

Please, please don't buy or sell ANY players until such time Aston Villa have released a statement saying that Houllier is/ is not our manager and we have a clear leader who will be at the club in August/ September.

I think it goes without saying that there will be uproar if this happens as it will be seen as either Board interference, or extremely poor running of a football club. I don't want to get into the Ireland thing again, but we all know what happened there regarding 'who bought him' and that was much more of a complicated/ surprising event.

Fans, and the greater public, should know who's in charge for DEFINITE before any players join or leave.

Please don't carry on regardless with Houllier's signings if we're unsure he's staying, as even with the best intentions they may not be who the next manager wants. Again, see Ireland. On the flip side, players who may have not quite seen eye to eye with Houllier and the management team may fit into any new systems.

Finally, banging the same drum: when do you think we will be announcing a new sponsor? Is it dependent on mathematical safety? And how confident are you that the sponsorship issue will not effect the shirt release date?

I'm shocked at all the non's 2 wins and a draw under Houllier this month and people still say no...Hmm I'm sure you must be voting on the whole season not on this month.

I voted no. And I voted no based on this month alone.

To suggest Houllier's remit only extends from the touchline from kick off to full-time is remarkably short-sighted.

Yes, he's ill. We all wish him well etc. But the facts of the matter are he appointed the backroom staff who aren't performing and therefore that effects the games whilst he's absent. There have been no sweeping changes to suggest that this is GM's Villa now - it's still Houllier calling all the shots basically, just in a diminished sense. Training will be the same, formations will be the same and he still has to take responsibility even when absent.

Put it this way; if I go off sick as some more evidence of my poor management comes to light do I escape all criticism because the 'cover' was in that day?! It's still my work fundamentally and everything that has happened in April, regardless of him being ill, is his responsibility.

If people can blame MON six months into the season how can you not blame Houllier two weeks after he goes off ill? And the last few games are still, ultimately, Houllier's responsibility - either through long term management failures or simply because he employed GM.

No.

I don't read this poll as purely "Do you like Houllier as manager" but a more accurate "Do you like the Houllier management team" and for that reason it is an absolute NO. Him and the team HE CHOSE need to be removed come the end of May.

It is without doubt Villa's worst season since the formation of the Premiership (and there are a host of stats to back this up being discussed in the main threads) and, perhaps a lot more worryingly, the worst season a large majority of our fans will ever have known.

It has been a disaster in every area and I hope the club address every single area or at least realise there has to be some tough decisions to be made.

Even you can't blame MON for all this?! If Manchester United lost Ferguson a day before the season they'd still be a Champions League club at absolute worst. There are bigger issues than one man leaving and if we still insist that is the main reason then that points to why you would give one man that much power.

Did you ever expect a season like this when you took over? Mr. Lerner took over and gave Villa a few years of hope, not success, but strong hope and we (and I) were very happy with where we thought we were going.

It never reached the heights of '96 (League Cup winners, 4th and FA Cup semis) but there were some good points. But now that has been replaced with the feeling we didn't take full advantage when we needed to and that time has now passed.

We were given hope but limited success, now we're given no hope and abject failure. We were never given the best but have been given the worst.

For hope to come back we need massive (seen) changes over the summer. Start with a new management team, quick actions in the transfer window, new sponsors announced before the season ends and a new kit out on time to show we are learning from or mistakes.

We should just about stay in the Premiership now, but it might well be a case of just goal difference keeping us up. We await Villa's response to this season as the next decade probably depends on it.

Absolute disgrace and yet not a surprise in the slightest.

Whilst screaming at the computer I said they'd score in the next 10 minutes to get their equaliser - it took seven. Management didn't do anything about it. I then screamed that we weren't making enough of our 10 man advantage and they'd get a goal on the break - five minutes later that happened too.

Pires substitution was stupid. Clark not Cuellar when points are vital in a derby game? Genius.

**** shit season and the worst one I can ever remember (Premiership). Worse than any under DOL, Taylor or anyone. There are NO positives this season.

Oh - and now lose to Wigan and we are as good as down. Think people got to complacent and assumed we were safe - look at the table, we're not.

This management team and, to be fair, a lot of the players need moving on. Management - whole lot can f*ck off. Players, get rid of Collins, Beye, Warnock, Dunne, Reo-Coker, Pires, Ashley young for sheer arrogance and lack of effort, Petrov (unless he can start making decisions in less than 3minutes), Bradley, Salifou, Gabby (sorry, he's lost that initial spark and needs a fresh start - he'll never be a scorer here again) and obviously Heskey. Yes it's sweeping but the season is proof that big changes are needed.

Unfortunately I'm now very concerned we'll be needing a draw at least on the final day not to rely on others to stay up.

Today was sh*t, the season was sh*t and the future is sh*t.

General,

Whilst I understand it may be impossible to answer this question do you believe it's a case of when, rather than if, Houllier returns?

I fully understand it maybe weeks before that question can be answered and I'm certainly not asking for a timescale on his return given the circumstances just whether Villa feel it's a given that he will return as manager at some time in the future.

I also recognise that doctors, family etc will all be part of that process but is it just discussing timescale on his return or whether he returns at all?

I would ask, that when that question can be answered, that Villa put out a timely statement to inform the public of it. If it's a certainty he will return (not a date) please announce it as soon as possible to nullify rumour and instability.

Thanks.

Whilst Stoke were appallingly defensive and didn't come looking for anything more than a point it is completely within their right to do so. Good teams can break this sort of team down, and then once they are finally chasing the game you take them to pieces.

What really disappointed me today was the lack of any real drive at Villa. And it's not the first time we've seen that lack of effort this season. No-one really racing to loose balls or closing players down.

However, we continue to stumble/ crawl towards safety and we didn't lose any points to our relegation candidate opponents. So we go forward to yet another uncomfortable game against West Brom.

Friedel - 8 - Some very very important saves early in the match and kept us in it.

Walker - 6 - Solid going forward, dodgy going back...

Collins - 5 - Thump, slice, thump slice....

Dunne - 5 - As above.

L. Young - 6 - Similar to Walker, really think he should stay

Downing - 8 - Arguably our only player with desire in first half. Didn't deserve to be substituted and his response to being so cleared showed he thought so too.

Reo-Coker - 5 - Beginning to really feel as though he's a division to high now. Keep giving him time but his passing and reading of the game is just too slow.

Petrov - 7 - Solid. Does what needs to be done and keeps us ticking over. Won't play a killer pass, won't score a goal but won't make stupid mistakes either.

A. Young - 6 - Reasonable. He still looks a threat every time he gets the ball, which can hide rubbish performances!

Heskey - 1 - We might as well have played with 10 men. I hate seeing him in a Villa shirt, he does nothing. The only time he ever does anything of note is falling over and a trailing leg will accidentally pass it to another player!

Bent - 8 - Does what we need - finishes. Has single-handedly kept us in this division

Albrighton - 5 - loads of running, no end product. He's a long way from finished article and think he's slightly over-hyped by a lot of Villa fans.

Agbonlahor - 5 - Nowhere near long enough to judge, should be livid that Heskey gets chosen ahead of him

Can you confirm that John Carew is no longer a Villa player?

A few sources are now claiming his contract was cancelled. If this is the case why weren't Villa fans told? It's hardly as if he was a youth player that few knew - this is a fan's favourite!

If this is the case I am a little disappointed with Villa, in both their treatment of the player or, if there were genuine reasons, why Villa fans weren't told.

On a side note, despite being one of the many people who have called for a new manager, please send ALL Villa fan's best wishes to the man as he recovers from a serious illness. We may not agree with him on a footballing side but ALL fans wish him nothing less than a speedy recovery and I feel it's important he knows that.

Please General, keep 'side-stepping' these questions as strangely I trust the club with its operations.

Just to clarify seeing as that is quoting myself: I am NOT necessarily in support of any particular design. My issue is that the General has been asked several times about the kit in the last few pages (regarding issue date, sponsorship issues NOT design) and not answered it which makes me think there is going to be another significant delay with its release.

I personally am NOT trying to 'force through' certain designs. However, whilst I'm here I kind of agree with you: to take it to the next level I'd like to see Villa/ Nike release a selection of Away kit designs and ask for fans to decide.

General,

Can I ask why you side step questions rather than just admitting you are unable, or unwilling, to answer them?

You've answered loads of 'one-off' questions in the thread (like the Prince William one) but fail to reply to the six or seven (including the huge one with pictures!) regarding our kit.

This lack of communication leads me, and no doubt others, to believe that YET AGAIN the kit is going to be an after thought and much delayed.

Can you confirm this so at least we know! Can I plan to give the new kit as a present to my nephew for his Birthday (in July) or Christmas like I had to last year?!

WORST result possible.

Spoken like a true bluenose. Get back up the road

You obviously didn't read the rest of the post for context. Mind you maybe you can't read more than a sentence in a row.

And surely, a Blose fan would say a Villa win was the worst result possible. I am happy to say I would forfeit a point NOW for Houllier out NOW.

But that concept is obviously too confusing for you as you're one of those ever so clever fans who say everything is rosy and that everytime someone questions Villa that they must be Blose fan. Well done you oh great one.

WORST result possible.

A win; well on our way to safety.

A loss; I think we might have finally seen the back of Houllier.

A draw and we keep the muppet and just hope because it's just enough not to call for blood even though the wound is still gaping.

That was a very weak Everton team, we were as strong as we can be and yet at best it was a very even contest and probably, to be fair, Everton had by far the better chances. However a draw is about right; thanks to Downing and Bent's finishing.

I really can't see us surviving. We're not taking chances when faced with weaker teams and those around us are picking up absolutely vital points - WBA are arguably safe now. It's so tight and we need to be at least 4/5points clear of the relegation zone before the last two games of the season.

We look like a team hoping. The rest look like teams fighting.

Hi General,

Any further news on Sponsorship next year?

Without naming names, I assume it partially is hold until companies know which division we're in for sure? Any idea on dates that new Sponsorship might be announced? If we're waiting til the end of the season does that mean it will be effecting our shirt releases again?

If it will effect things like shirt release dates, please tell fans as soon as you can - transparency is much likelier to be accepted then pretending everything is fine. I think most people would accept no company is going to pay the same for a championship club as they would for a Premiership club.

Hi General,

Two things: firstly you didn't really answer the question I posed: you say you're here for the fans but in what way exactly if you can't really answer any questions that couldn't be as simply asked of the ticket office/ shop.

Secondly, managers were asked what the most important thing was to be a top manager in this country. Of all those who replied, this was the response:

1. Man management skills 53%

2. Knowledge of football 27%

3. Experience 7%

4. Luck 7%

5. Tactical know-how 0%

6. Managing the board 0%

7. Other 7%

I think most people would have to agree that man-management MUST be Houllier's weak point. Knowledge of football and experience, yes. Luck - well I certainly hope he gets a lot in next few weeks.

General,

I mean this is the nicest possible way, honest I do; but what is your purpose of being on these boards and others like it?

You can not talk about Transfers (rightly so), you refuse to talk about tactics/ team selections (again, reasonable) and you will never question anything about the team publicly for fear of press quotations.

Thus it leaves your musings/ conversations from simple issues regarding merchandise/ sales to utter ramblings like what is your favourite colour! Surely these kinds of questions should be directed directly at the shop/ ticket office rather than wasting your time.

If you want to see what Villa fans feel then simply viewing the boards rather than having a Q&A thread would make more sense than getting irate at Villa fans for being annoyed at the situation/ the manager.

All I'm suggesting, General, is that if, by your own admission, you can not really talk about things that fans REALLY want answers to then wouldn't you be best serving Aston Villa dealing with other things (like finding a new manager?! Sorry couldn't resist!)

I don't understand your 'purpose' as a Villa insider if you won't give answers to questions fans ask that they couldn't just as easily ask the ticket office with a quick phone call.

I am asking this as a genuine question and is not meant as attack at all - What do you view your role on these boards as being?

If it's just a fan then you need to be anonymous, if it's for evaluating fan feelings then just observe, if it's to give out Nicky Keye's number perhaps a Contact Page would be more time efficient but if it's as a route for the average fan to ask deep questions; what exactly can we ask that you can answer?

Thank you