Ginko

Of course, and what people think about the design is totally subjective, but let’s face it, the crest looks like the badge from the 80s, which a lot of older Villa fans wanted. Fair enough. I like that badge and I don’t hate the new crest either, but I don’t think it’s at all original like the design agency say, which irks me and reeks of corporate jargon BS. The first thing a lot of other football fans noted was how similar to the Chelsea badge it is, and they’re not exactly wrong. It was an opportunity for us to create something truly recognisable with our wonderfully unique name, but we didn’t. The majority of the older fans will be happy enough, but it not going to do us any favours regarding becoming a recognisable brand, in my opinion.

Exactly. I’m not sure how the new crest could be described as ‘characterful’ or providing a ‘rich brand identity’. If they really wanted to do this then they should have gone with a completely original design utilising the A and V in a modern, recognisable way. Wasted opportunity, but at least we seem to be addressing the football side of things, which is obviously more important.

Not that I know anything about this chap really, but it’s exciting to think that our recruitment department might be getting a shake-up, and this guy seems to have good credentials. However, he did come out and say that he was just leaving and not going anywhere else imminently. Obviously he might be fibbing, but I won’t get too excited just yet. Quote from the piece in the Birmingham Mail (so you don’t have to click the link and endure the terrible website): https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-real-betis-cordon-26303232.amp

Very disappointed, I think both options are a bit crap. Then again, I was hoping for something more out there and modern, akin to what Ajax or Juventus did — I think the AV initials are unique and ripe for creative design. But as soon as I went through the questionnaire, I somehow figured we’d end up with bland, ‘safe’ designs. I guess I don’t care all that much, so if that’s what the majority of fans want then fine, but a unique AV design in claret (not **** purple!) and blue would really make us stand out as the special club we are. Missed opportunity, in my opinion.

Not sure having Emery on the badge is a good idea, though it definitely shows the owners are going to stick with him.

I think one thing you can tell from the owners is that they know what they want and are willing to do what it takes to change things if they feel it’s not working. I really can’t envisage a coach of Emery’s pedigree and experience coming to Villa without certain assurances, and I don’t think Sawiris and Edens will hesitate to move Lange or Purslow on if recruitment doesn’t improve/fit with what Emery wants. I think we’ve already improved on that department with Carlos and Kamara, though obviously it’s still too early to tell with either of them — so far signs are good, though, I’d say. The owners are the kind of people that learn from their mistakes, in my opinion. That’s why I think Emery is more likely to stick around longer than Lange, and even Purslow from a footballing point of view (especially given the disastrous appointment of Gerrard). The appointment of a coach like Emery, especially in such a seemingly short timeframe, suggests to me that we’re moving a step in the right direction.

Maybe, but I don’t think Emery would have agreed to join us if he didn’t have a certain level of control. Here’s hoping that Edens and Sawiris have stripped Purslow of certain footballing decisions. As for Lange, I should think he’ll be on his last chance. You’d like to think that with the level Emery has coached at, he’s far less expendable than Lange, and hopefully Purslow too.

Fair enough, you’ve all convinced me I must be misremembering some key facts! For what it’s worth, I did like Deano as our manager, and I thought he did a great job. I just think I expected us to be challenging for the automatic promotion spots when we were in the Championship. Whatever. He got us promoted and that’s all that matters. Glad to see he’s doing well at Norwich. As is Ramsey, from the sounds.

Begs the question: why couldn’t Deano get us flying high in the Championship? I know he took us on that amazing run, but we really should have been challenging for the top. As for Ramsey, I’m glad to see him doing so well. Love to see him and JJ as regulars in the starting eleven in a couple of seasons time.

Think a lot of these lions are too similar to the Premier League logo they redid not too long ago. I’m not sure we’d go down that road for that reason. A lion with the words ‘Aston Villa’ shaped as the mane might be kinda cool, but if they did a cool and original design with the ‘AV’ aspect, I’m not sure I’d miss the lion too much if I’m honest.

Jeesh, the drama people create when they’re not happy with things at the club… As others have said, there’s nothing to read into here. Ollie’s a bit tired, gives Leon a belly pat, and Leon looks over his shoulder so he knows he’s allowed to run onto the pitch. That’s it.

Is this in reference to Gerrard or Purslow? Or both, perhaps?

He was nowhere near my choice for who to come in and replace Smith, but I got behind him like I do every manager. Unfortunately, he’s shown nothing during his time here in regards to improvement on the pitch, let alone results, and I can’t see him taking us anywhere near the position the owners expect us to be. All he’s been good for is attracting a calibre of player based on his standing in the game as a player (not as a coach), that’s it. If he’d even show any kind of evidence of changing his tactics and trying something new, he’d probably have a bit more support, but I think it’s becoming clear that he doesn’t really know what he’s doing and Beale was the brains of the operation. Needs to go, and the owners need to show ambition in who they appoint next. Get Critchley or even our Under 21 coaches in for a few games, just to freshen things up in the meantime, and go all out for a big name. If none of them come off, go all out for Potter.

I don’t think the fact that Gerrard keeps picking him is as baffling as many people seem to think. Coutinho appears to be a confidence player, so I imagine Gerrard’s thinking is that with after a run of games, he’ll start to play better. Whether or not that’s the right call, however… I mean, there has to be a cut-off point, right? Especially since Buendia is so effective in his stead. It’s a tricky one, but Gerrard probably knows that dropping Phil will do absolutely nothing for his confidence, so I reckon he keeps picking him in the hopes that it will all eventually click.

I think that’s a massive oversimplification. Arguably we were a bit better when they first came in, but even so, you seem to have ignored the part where I went on to say that Gerrard admitted we’d be changing things up over preseason with regards to tactics. It’s possible that prior to Beale’s exit, his methods had eventually been starting to sink in, but him leaving, Gerrard’s tinkering and Critchley coming in with methods and ideas of his own have caused disruption and confusion. As I said, Gerrard’s going nowhere right now, so the best we can hope for is that the players are taking time to adjust and we’ll see improvement in the coming weeks.

Here you go, have a link: Edit: Bah, beaten to it.

I’m surprised more people aren’t factoring in Beale leaving and Critchley only being here five minutes. It sounded like Beale contributed a lot in terms of tactics and he apparently was the main man in training, so perhaps it’s understandable that it might take some time for players to get used to Critchley and his methods. Maybe the perceived lack of tactics we’ve been seeing lately are really just players failing to adapt to the new order; that they’re still learning and things haven’t quite clicked yet. Gerrard himself mentioned he was going to tinker with the playing style over preseason, so there may well be a lot of new ideas for the team to get their heads around. That’s what I’m holding onto right now, anyway. It took a while for Arteta to get Arsenal up to speed, and now they play some decent stuff. Hopefully Gerrard and co. are in a similar position in that the style of play and tactics are actually correct, but the players aren’t interpreting those ideas properly on match day just yet. I have to admit that it’s hard to think that when you see us doing the same stupid things over and over again, though. Aimlessly crossing balls into the box when our forward players are tiny, or our complete lack of pressing out of possession. You’d think that stuff would be obvious and relatively easy to remedy. I wasn’t thrilled with Gerrard’s appointment initially, but I understood that we probably weren’t in a position to attract a top manager in his prime, and that Gerrard’s profile in the game would help us to sign better players. Maybe that was genuinely our best option at the time. It’s all rather moot anyway, since Gerrard’s going nowhere for the time being. If we’re still in the same boat in a couple of month’s time, I think they’ll cut him loose. Hopefully he turns it around well before then.

Six years and someone finally replied to my post…

Kamara should have taken 13. Aside from it being a CDM number, 1+3 = 4, which going by his Twitter handle is his preferred number. What kind of psychopath chooses to wear a number in the forties? That’s for the kids!

Fair enough, agree to disagree.

Yeah, he did, but you think Gabby would have done better?

Not sure if serious…

They press us so well when we’re in possession in our own half, and we just sit off them when the reverse is true. A bit disappointing to see, but perhaps they’ll tire more in the second half. Depends on the subs they use though, I suppose.

Not sure why we’re talking about Tammy, he wouldn’t come to us anyway. He’ll probably wind up at Man Utd.

Can’t wait for @GarethRDR to create some absolute monstrosities on MS Paint after hearing this news.