rjenkins

Didn't see it going any other way really. We are putting an inexperienced team out there, but when we could have started Heskey, Cuellar and N'Zogbia that doesn't really wash as an excuse. Given - 5 - Two decent saves but very average otherwise Hutton - 0 - Absolutely atrocious. Collins - 5 - Decent in open play but can't mark. Baker - 6 - Tried hard and didn't disgrace himself. Lichaj - 6 - Had a tough task which he stuck to well. Shame he has no left foot as it stunted our attacks. Clark - 6 - Decent game. Composed and can actually control a football Gardner - 4 - Probably not ready for this level yet. The entire game passed him by Ireland - 5 - Not great today, but then hoofball isn't his game and it's not like he had any runners to aim passes for. Bannan - 3 - Championship player. He can cross a dead ball and that's it. Weimann - 6 - Gave a good account of himself. Should have done better with his chance perhaps Agbonlahor - 0 - Shocking. I don't know what the matter with him is but he's seriously affecting our performances. He needs to be dropped. All the subs did moderately well when they came on. Carruthers looked good but of course he was playing against a midfield that had been playing 75 mins. He's got some ability but let's not get carried away.

If Cuellar and N'Zogbia are fit then I'd go with this: Given Lichaj - Collins - Cuellar - Warnock N'Zogbia - Herd - Ireland - Agbonlahor Weimann - Heskey

At the end of the day, a point is more than I expected from today and we have to be happy with that. With some other teams around us losing we're baby-steps closer to safety now. However, we're a poor side and we were exceptionally lucky that Liverpool didn't score far more goals today. We can't rely on lady luck to keep us in the Premier League.

In fairness, as awful as McLeish is, you have to look at that bench and feel sorry for him. The injury problems in our squad are absolutely insane. They must be worse now than what Houllier had to deal with last year? Having said that, we're close to the relegation zone right now because he hasn't taken advantage of the good times, and he will never be a good enough manager to live up to our expectations for the club. As for today, I'm seeing a 3-0 loss. Gerrard, Suarez and Kuyt to score probably.

Was at the game today and can't fault the level of effort from the lads, in particular some of those who are not regular starters for us. You have to put into perspective that we fielded a team of novices against seasoned internationals, but we get torn apart in midfield regularly whoever we play, and we weren't exactly brilliant at keping possession even in the heady days of Barry and Milner. We'll win games before the end of the season if we can continue to play like that, but how long will the 'Petrov effect' last is my worry. I feel that had a lot more to do with our performance than anything else today. Given - 6 - Made a couple of good saves and was weaker in the areas we all know he is. So why have we not worked to legislate for this all season? Lichaj - 7 - Thought he played well when he came into the side last season and was impressed again today. He wasn't faultless but he offers as much if not more than Hutton thanks to those long throws Collins - 7 - I've only been impressed by him a couple of times in the last few seasons, generally when he plays with less experienced defensive partners i.e. Clark and Baker. Perhaps he takes a different approach or likes the responsibility? Baker - 5 - Baptism of fire for the poor lad. Undone at times by simply better players. It isn't his fault and we shouldn't be too hard on him. Did some things well in open play. Warnock - 7 - Best game for ages. His crossing is ineffectual but we always knew that. Given his age and inconsistency I can see us looking for a replacement in the summer. Herd - 5 - Struggled today I thought, particularly in the first half, but it's a tough role in an inexperienced midfield and Mata and Lampard are excellent players. It wasn't an easy task Gardner - 6 - Better than Herd. I really see something in him. Strange to play him on the left but he was tidy I thought in general play Bannan - 6 - Jekyll and Hyde performance as usual. There seems to be an assumption amongst our coaching staff that he is more versatile than he is in reality I feel. Improved as the game wore on. So many high balls played to him today though which he will never be able to win. Ireland - 6 - Tidy and composed, but most of all forward thinking. Couldn't control the game today as one would hope, but that is hardly surprising. Our best stuff will come through him more often than not. Weimann - 7 - My MOTM. He worked his socks off even after picking up a knock, caused problems, and had the confidence to have a go at Agbonlahor for not doing likewise. That goal against Fulham seems to have done a lot for his confidence. Agbonlahor - 5 - Going though a slump in form. We can't really afford that right now but we have no-one else. I guess had his first half shot gone in or he had not been incorrectly penalised agsinst in the second half that could have all changed. I think we could well go down now. How many teams could cope without players like Bent, Dunne, N'Zogbia and Petrov in a relegation battle? Mcleish just couldn't take advantage of the good times and now we just have to keep trying hard and praying for other results to go our way. On a final note, brilliant scenes from both sets of fans for Petrov today. Both before the game and at the 19th minute I was moved by the tributes to a real gentleman of the game. I'm sure we'll do all we can for him in the tough times he has ahead. As his fellow countryman urged, 'Be Strong Stan'.

LV: Tom Waits RG: Paul Simon LG: Bill Harkleroad (a.k.a Zoot Horn Rollo) BG: Herbie Flowers Dr: John Bonham

I'd love to say that I would, but in reality I'm not sure I would do if it were a family member. I know there's no defence for it, and that it would indirectly hit my other family members, but I just can't see myself reporting them. Even typing it out seems bizarre. Having said that, I can't see how people can have a good life off benefit fraud without committing other, more lucrative crimes on the side. I worked with a man who always complained about having a job, and how he wasn't much better off that if he was staying at home, but the point was he was better off working, and that was on the minimum wage, admittedly in a 50 hour week job mind. Are all these tales of great cars and TVs real, or just Daily Mail hyperbole?

I'd go as far as to say I think that is the best we could offer at the moment. In reality though I can't see him bringing N'Zogbia back so we'll probably see Albrighton on the right and Gabby on the left. He surely has to play Ireland in the hole now Keane has gone... surely.

I've voted yes, but only because there aren't many good managers out of a job at the moment. Whilst it doesn't feel like it, we're mathematically pretty sound in terms of avoiding a real relegation battle, so we can limp on to the end of the season, the board can assess the situation at the end of the campiagn and we can go from there. That's how I see it, anyway.

We've had some good performances and results, and some bad performances and results. We're a mid-table team in mid-table. We can all think of ways to improve the squad and tactics, but so can any fan of any team. McLeish is going nowhere and, steadily, we are improving. We may as well get behind the team for the rest of this season because nothing the fans do between now and May will see a change of manager at Villa Park. So chin up you miserable gits.

Today's game was a strange one. I never reacted as despairingly about the situation as the other fans around me. In fact, we played good football in spells, predominantly through Ireland. I thought Albrighton had a tough task today against Drenthe and Baines today, and criticism of him is harsh. He didn't get the ball much in good attacking positions and even when he did the quality of passing in the final third was not what we perhaps expect. Agbonlahor showed glimpses of his pace and ability, but Neville was there for the taking today. Maybe he needs a rest because he's looks top me as if he's flagging in the second halves of games lately. Defensively we were poor, although this starts in midfield for me. Clark and Petrov, whilst tidy enough when it comes to keeping the ball and passing it short, don't have a decent pair of legs between them. Everton ran through us a hell of a lot easier than we managed to do to them at the end of the day. I think Ireland may have won as many tackles as either of his midfield partners, and even though he isn't a speed demon is more effective at eating up the turf too. We're missing Herd badly in my opinion. The defenders themselves? Warnock and Hutton weren't brilliant as everyone has said. I was getting so frustrated by the poor crossing as much as anything, but the positioning and decision-making left a lot to be desired as well. Dunne and Collins carried out their roles as expected but are limited ball-players, so 'hoofball' is inevitable when you don't have a dynamic midfielder to offer a shorter option. As others have mentioned, Hutton did get forward to better effect in the second half and played a lot better, whereas I think Warnock struggled to regain his composure and confidence after his flirtation with scoring an own goal. Overall: Given - 6 Hutton - 5 Collins - 5 Dunne - 5 Warnock - 4 Albrighton - 6 Petrov - 5 Clark - 5 Agbonlahor - 6 Ireland - 7 Bent - 6

I would have gone with more of a mix between youth and experience in this game. Bannan and Gardner probably should have been given a chance, as well as Delfouneso and the new-boy Stevens (although I have no idea where he is with his fitness in fairness). I'm not overly disappointed with the line-up though. We're in a difficult position with Heskey. He isn't really good enough to play regularly for us and no-one is going to sign him, so what do we do? If we never play him he's just eating up £60k pw for nothing. Something like Guzan, Hutton, Collins, Clark, Stevens, Albrighton, Gardner, Ireland, Bannan, Delfouneso, Bent would have done nicely. :edit: just seen that Delph is on the bench. I'd probably start him ahead of Ireland just to give him a game.

I've just got back from the game. We were very poor today, and like a lot of other posts it seems like there is no precise reason why. I think that the players were tired and I think there were tactical errors too. Agbonlahor, N'Zogbia, Clark and Petrov in particular struggled to affect the game. Warnock was soundly destroyed by Dyer although N'Zogbia didn't offer much help and seemed a second behind everyone else mentally all afternoon. There is no point playing Bent if you don't play to his strengths. It's been clear all season and after 20 games McLeish seems no closer to any kind of progress on this issue. Still, looking at this fixtures beforehand I expected 3 points from the two New Year games and that is exactly what we've got. We won't get relegated and then if McLeish can't improve it next season with more of his own players then we can sack him and it'll be cheaper than doing it now. On a side note, I'm part of the Gwent Villans Lions Club, some of whom were guests in the Directors box today and gave Marc his award. David Moyes, Ian Taylor and Gordan Cowans were up there and one of the lads from the club got talking to Tayls and it seems like Bent could well be moving away from the club. I think the exact phrase was "there's some very strong interest". If it's the reported £24million then I would probably take it. He scored some important goals last season and as a statement of intent it's poor, but initial impact isnt the same as long-term suitability and I don't think the club matches the vision he bought into.

Don't feel anywhere near as despondent after that showing as a number of you here tonight. Felt we were the better team who, had the final ball been better on occasion, or Delfouneso been a little luckier, would have won the game. It was the first game of the season where we dominated the match and defended well to boot. I see it as a point gained where we normally do badly as opposed to two dropped, especially as we had no form to speak of going into the match. Guzan - 7 - Did what he had to do with no fuss. His distribution was good too. He'll be unlucky to be dropped when Given is fit again on that showing. Cuellar - 7 - We look a much tougher proposition with him in the side. Again, should be keeping his place in the team Collins - 7 - If he could play like this every week he would be a good player for us. If. Dunne - 8 - Very good. In fairness, that has been the norm for him this campaign. His experience at the back is so crucial to us right now. Warnock - 7 - Was that a mistake free game? Can't complain about his effort or performance tonight Albrighton - 6 - His lack of strength meant it wasn't really his night tonight. Should have done better with the crosses he did put in though. He worked hard. Petrov - 6 - For me he isn't ever really at his best in a two-man midfield but I thought he had a generally good game. Clark - 6 - Although he isn't a natural midfielder I thought he was very effective. Lost the ball once or twice when he shouldn't have but overall very good. N'Zogbia - 7 - He looks better game by game. He's one good final ball or lucky goal away from vastly improving or so it seems. Heskey - 6 - Didn't do a lot wrong, but didn't offer us much of a goal threat either. He played decently, but was rightly substituted at half time Agbonlahor - 7 - Generally very good and fought his corner against the Stoke defence. We would miss his pace up front massively if he gets injured. Subs: Delfouneso - 6 - I don't think we could have asked much more from him. He did all he could when he had a scoring chance and held the ball up well. Overall I'm reasonably pleased after watching that. I now think we'll beat Swansea quite comfortably at home and if McLeish can sign some players in January, we could be safely mid-table come the season's end. I'm not won over by him, but the situation doesn't look as desperate now as it did at the end of November.

Guzan Cuellar Collins Dunne Warnock Petrov Ireland Albrighton N'Zogbia Agbonlahor Bent

I personally love Trout Mask Replica. It's not consistently good throughout the record, and of course it has its pretentions, but it is just so uncompromising. It's quite disturbing in parts, but then it's also funny in others and I just get the feeling that all of the band were at their most driven and intense point on that record. I think even if you don't particularly like the results you've got to at least admire what artists like Beefheart or The Velvet Underground were trying to do in the late sixties. I'd rather see a band fail at something like Trout than succeed at some bland pop fodder which was created solely to make money with no other goals. It definitely has an atmosphere about it, and there are some properly great songs on there in my opinion. Having said that, I find it more understandbale that you should dislike Trout than those who have said cars, The Office or thongs.

Shame Ireland got injured. He was playing really well I thought. His touch was a bit rusty but he is the best passer we have, not to mention he actually sees what's going on around him. He put much more effort into chasing the ball too. It's seems as if some of you have already made your mind up on him and that's a shame, because he's the most creative player we have.

Overall I like this line-up. It's closer to what I think our strongest team actually is (excluding Bent and a few tweaks of course). My concern is that this is merely a reaction to injuries that we've suffered and McLeish's threats regarding dropping underperforming players is probably still hot air. Hopefully we'll play a bit better tonight whatever the score and at least then maybe we'll see the team in the long run start to improve.

It just kind of caught on to be honest. There was a group a good few rows behind me and they seemed intent on applauding Speed's life rather than just mourning it. Some were clapping as soon as the whistle went, and we were all singing One Gary Speed with the Swans fans to our left even before the kick-off. I was worried at the time how it might make us look, especially on TV, but it seems the Jacks appreciated it.

We were awful in the first half as everyone has said, but I saw promising signs from a few players in the second. A draw was a fair result on the balance of play and if we can get N'Zogbia back on form I think we'll start to pick up. Given - 7 - Solid as ever. One quality save. Hutton - 7 - Best game for Villa so far Collins - 5 - It seems as though he can't maintain a 90-minute performance Dunne - 7 - So unlucky that he was the one to concede the own goal Warnock - 5 - Better going forward than back. Some very silly challenges today. Ireland - 8 - He was impressive today. Good on the ball and creative, and most of all put the effort in. Petrov - 7 - Very good today. Couldn't fault him really Delph - 5 - He closed down the opposition well and had one attempt but there's no hiding the fact that he just isn't good enough overall. Bannan - 8 - Put a great shift in, was good on the ball, and got his goal. Superb. Gabby - 6 - A bit lazy at times today I thought. I think he has played better for us this season. N'Zogbia - 5 - When he's running at the opposition it all looks so promising and then... Frustrating For me, Ireland was MOTM

We didn't deserve anything from the game really. We were substantially better after after time, but there's no point us having to dig and claw our way back into a game when we could just compete from the start. Cue all of those saying that today showed great 'McLeish fighting spirit' when really it showed that Villa can put themselves in a hole and just about get away with it against a team with no strikers. Given - 9 - Kept us in the game. Excellent as usual Hutton - 5 - Awful backpass. He did not do enough for me halt Everton's progress on the overlap, although that may well have been a tactical decision. Seems very much a like-for-like replacement for Luke Young is my first impression. Collins - 5 - He can't even start for Wales. He's the weak link in our back four now for me. Dunne - 7 - He had a very good game to be fair. Obviously he was high on confidence after his midweek display for Ireland Warnock - 6 - He's nothing more than average. Did nothing shockingly bad today and a couple of his crosses were good N'Zogbia - 6 - Got better as the match went on but he seems off the pace still. I'm not sure about his decision making in front of goal Petrov - 4 - Apart from his admittedly impressive goal, he was woeful today. However, I don't think he's helped by playing alongside Delph. Delph - 3 - He's Championship standard at best for me. I am trying to see what others see in him, but apart from a couple of glimpses of ability, it just looks to me like the rest of the team is carrying him. Agbonlahor - 7 - Anonymous in the first half but got much better after half-time and scored an important goal. He doesn't give up to be fair to the lad. Heskey - 5 - Hard to judge on quarter of an hour really, but he did nothing of note during the tie he was on the pitch Bent - 5 - Had two chances and fluffed them both. Plus, his touch wasn't good today. In fairness, he probably wasn't 100% fit. Subs: Bannan - 9 - I can't pick between Given and Bannan for MOTM. We look so much better with a midfielder who can actually run with the ball and keep his passes on the floor. He should be starting games for us now. Albrighton - 6 - One good cross, and one charge-down. He's starting to look better and hopefully that'll build his confidence Ireland - 7 - It was only a cameo really, but I think he showed a lot more than he has done previously. He looks like he's lost weight and he made two really good runs forward. If Gabby had picked him out when there was only Jagielka to beat we could have won the game.

.........................GIVEN......................... HUTTON...COLLINS....DUNNE...WARNOCK N'ZOGBIA..JENAS..PETROV..AGBONLAHOR ........................IRELAND....................... ..........................BENT..........................

He did waste £15 on a Louise Redknapp album once, and there was the infamous 'Chaz & Dave' phase he went through.

I don't like the idea of McLeish beng our manager in the slightest. I think his record is poor and I don't see what he offers us in terms of improving our style of play or in youth development. Still, what makes me saddest of all is hearing my fellow fans lay into Randy Lerner and Paul Faulkner before we've even interviewed the guy. If it turns out we've tapped him up, then I'll come around to that way of thinking I suppose, as I've always been proud to support and grand old club and institution which prides itself on conducting its affairs in a proper manner. Hearing that we've deviated from that would be very disappointing. In the meantime, we're jumping the gun here and to be honest a significant number of Villa fans have been acting terribly throughout this search for our next manager. We've come across as deluded to fans of other clubs all across the country because of how we reacted to McClaren and now McLeish. All along we've been lambasting the media and throwing our support behind Randy when we didn't want to believe what we were hearing and now some of us want him gone?? Let's just calm down, let the board conclude the application process, and then see how our new manager, whoever it turns out to be, performs. We can always just sack him if he's rubbish, and if we don't remain calm whilst he is implementing his ideas and tactics onto the team then we're just making it more difficult for the players to do their job.

Nothing much except some Twitter rumours. There's some speculation that Lerner is meeting Moyes as we speak, but I wouldn't count on that being accurate. I reckon we're another week at least away from hiring a new manager.