Paul Merson expects more from the current Aston Villa squad but as fans we're not allowed to

In what was probably supposed to be supportive comments Paul Merson has only confirmed what we all know about David O'Leary and Aston Villa; we should be doing so much better.

He told the Express & Star "It's a problem for David. Villa are under achieving; he knows it, we all know it. The progress of clubs like Blackburn and Bolton and even Wigan have embarrassed him. What he paid for Baros, Blackburn paid for Bellamy and I know who I would rather have in my forward line.

Merson went on "No, if you size everybody up - wages, talent, transfer fees, the lot - Villa should be doing so much better.

Merson is a legend at Villa Park. We might not have seen the best of him but we saw enough to know that he had talent and wanted to win with Villa and he cared.

I had the good fortune to spend a few hours with Merse one late summer afternoon quite a few years ago at a bar called Junction 5 just off the M1. You could tell just by talking to him he was special and he knows what the game is about. Wouldn't it be great if Villa could tempt Merse into a coaching role with the Aston Villa academy; I'm sure it would be good for everyone.

Merson expects more and we as Villa fans expect more. Merson also said he has never 'heard Villa fans demanding the manager's head', he must then understand if that's never happened before how serious the situation is with David O'Leary managing the team.

He has four games if you believe what you read in the papers and even if we win the next four I don't think it will be enough for some supporters.