Tuesday, 09 May 06, 11:11 AM · Comments (0)
I didn't actually get to see the Sunderland match as I received an invitation to watch Arsenal in the last ever match at Highbury and what a pleasure it was to see a team that knew what they were doing and worked so well together.
I actually enjoyed it more and if given the choice would probably watch them week in week out at the moment.
Like Doug Ellis we also have an end of season statement and the most shocking thing we've got to report is it looks like David O'Leary isn't going to get sacked as it surely would have happened by now. Aston Villa have frozen season ticket prices for a short period and this I imagine is to try and get an idea of who isn't going to renew; it will be interesting to see what happens.
There is no money in the summer unless sales are made but it looks like some could be found to bring Milner to Villa Park on a permanent basis. O'Leary considers him a Villa player and wants him. I'd also like to see him at Villa simply because of his age; we'll see more from him as he develops.
O'Leary has to go though and with the emergence of players like Davis, Moore, Cahill, Ridgewell, Whittingham, Agbonlahor and Gardner just goes to further prove that O'Leary isn't the right man, especially when you look at some of his signings and most importantly the poor football.
We had a handful of good results this season and the rest were mediocre. Aston Villa is better than this but O'Leary just doesn't know what he's doing and Aston Villa will not move forward with him; ask any Leeds fan or anyone who enjoys football generally and they'll all say the same thing about our manager.
If O'Leary is in charge next season then Aston Villa will be getting nothing from me and I believe I could lose interest in the club I love so much. Like all things unless you get something back you will lose interest and despite forcing it this season next could be a very difficult one for me unless the manager is removed.
I for one will always love my Aston Villa and I believe we have a great squad capable of top six, why we haven't achieved it comes down to the manager and if he doesn't leave I can't see us getting any better than 8th next season which for a manager in his 4th season simply wouldn't be good enough for anyone but Doug Ellis.
The worst case scenario is O'Leary continues his trend of finishing in a worse final position than the last and we get relegated, then we'll really be in trouble. Let's hope Doug does what he has to and let's hope the glory days are brought back to Villa Park. Let the speculation begin.