CitizenBlue

Forget about Hughes, we went through that nightmare before Mancini came along. He'll have you scoring loads but the concept of 'defending' eludes him to this day. That's why he draws against lower opponents and gets smashed at home by big ones. Ancelotti is class though, he will have you in the top 6 for sure. Rijkaard and Deschamps are good too, but they'll need time to adapt to the Premier League.

Congrats on your win, shitty as it feels for me. You deserved it. We made too many errors and couldn't get past your stingy defence. I think you will make it to the top half this year with Bent and Makoun.

He doesn't seem like such a clearing in the woods when you read the whole interview. It's obvious quite a bit of what he said was tongue-in-cheek WUMing. The whole interview is quite entertaining. He seems like a really entertaining bloke. He annoyed the hell out of me at first, but you get used to him. He has a tendency to be brutally honest when not WUMing, both of which makes him a more interesting personality than the others who give the pre-formulated boring answers and pretend badge-kissing.

Houllier has spent very wisely. For 24 million he has secured an Premier League proven striker and a very solid defensive midfielder, two of your weakest areas.

This would be a poor attempt at smoking out other interest for him. Maybe if Villa was buying for 13 million, but 18-24 million is too rich for most. Unless someone like Inter or Real come for him, I would guess most won't be willing to match that price.

I could really see this fueling a huge turnaround for Villa's fortunes. A statement of intent like this makes the whole league take notice. If you manage to keep players like Young, this looks to be your turning point. 3 more solid signings and you'll be making Tottenham sweat.

I watch American football and there is no such thing as a side back. Cornerback?

Players who score like Darren Bent rarely come on the market. If Bent stays healthy, I think this is a real coup for Villa. He is expensive but you're getting one of the league's top strikers to come to a club battling relegation. Please don't take that the wrong way, I mean no offence, but it's the truth. A brilliant move by Houllier.

What happens to Heskey? Does Houllier typically play 4-4-2?

Oh crap. You got Darren Bent right before we play you. Son of a b-

You are very similar to United now, if you won the league your fans would be acting in the same fashion as theirs. Never will I act like a scum fan, where they think winning trophies is a birthright. We are just looking for one trophy, we don't chant shit like 'we're City and we do what we want' after crooked ref calls. Yes I mate, I would. I **** hate your club with a passion, so don't come on here expecting me to agree with you. I would gladly see Manure take the title, League Cup, FA Cup and Champions league everytime into infinity, than see you and your lot celebrating any kind of success, ever! Terrible. Just awful. Might as well hope for the bloody red dippers to win another European trophy and Gerrard wankathon.

You'd rather see the arrogant red tossers revel in their 19th over the equally arrogant red scouse? Whether you hate us or not, please tell me you'd rather not see the Sky 24/7 wanking over Little Peestain and co. At least the media would still hate us if we won (their money is ruining football and here is proof) and not collectively lick our nutsacks like Ferguson.

Good stuff. Let's hope he fires the goals to bring them the title and rub all the red-noses (scouse/manc/cockney) in the dirt Cheers, mate. We're hoping the same.

No Silva or Balotelli for Arsenal. We're toothless without them. Oh well, in all likelihood Milner will play and finally prove his worth by beating Arsenal with an injury time goal. :winkold: Hoping for a draw in all seriousness.

Jo is a quality reserve. Looks absolutely unfit but manages to score the occasional goal, and can play on the left and not slow the passing down. I don't know what it is about Brazilians, but it seems even the worst have a better sense of quick passing than most English players. :?

Both, in all likelihood. That would give us Tevez, Dzeko, Balotelli, and Jo. Balotelli we can use as a left forward. If/when Tevez leaves, we've got cover, at least I'm sure that is the thinking behind this move.

Man City have agreed a £27m fee with Wolfsburg for Dzeko. Deal unlikely to be finalised til Tues at earliest, though. #mcfc about 1 hour ago via ÜberTwitter Mark Ogden, Telegraph on Twitter

Zonal Marking commended Houllier on his tactics. http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/01/02/chelsea-3-3-aston-villa-tactics/ High praise from a knowledgeable fellow.

Hahaha GET INNNNNNN

Well done, Villans. Hopefully this will see you make a second half surge. One of the most exciting matches of the season.

He's not a great manager but this squad should be ashamed. When they go out there like they did on Tuesday and roll over, they're not just hurting Houllier, they're hurting the club and its fans. Unacceptable to pout on the field no matter who is the manager. Even West Ham and Fulham fought for their dire managers, at least they showed pride for their clubs. They should be sat on the bench for youth players who want to play and will fight for the shirt. At least it's better than watching overpaid prima donnas take it up the arse willingly.

I thought the Villa player stopped it before going across the line at first. Then I saw the linesman immediately signal a goal and none of the Villa players were arguing, so I just assumed it crossed the line.

I'm not on the Dzeko bandwagon like many blues. But I must say after looking at several large strikers over the years, Dzeko is better than almost all of them. His technique is really good, his touch is good, he loves contact, two footed and is great in the air. Can't say whether he'll settle down immediately. There is no reason I can see that he shouldn't.

Tied on points after United's failure to secure 3. Chuffed to bits.

When he first came, he could only interview through a translator and couldn't put a sentence together. He's apparently taking English lessons and weaning himself off of translators. The nuance between house and home seems to have eluded him today.