PMP: Aston Villa are a top five team that could steal top four this season

1st?

2nd

I do think we deserve 4th it's ours for the taking

i dont agree with the papers i think we matched chelsea, we could have and should have drew! aswell heskey really should of scored at the far post the cahnce when the ball got flashed accross the box and he didnt go for it at all, im sure im right he not just there to win headers surely he needs to score and for me a proper striker would of threw himself at the ball i mean any sort of contact and that was a goal!Fair enough i like heskey and i think he does well for the team but carew can do that and score so heskey should be the player on the bench we look more of a goal threat with carew on!
I do still think we will get top 4 maybe even 3rd as im expecting liverpool to start struggling so wont start panicking!
UTV

Ok, we are not as good as the top 4 teams, but they have had years with plenty of cash and had the right managers/owners in place to build decent teams and consolidate.

MON has taken an affordable gamble in his first proper season by buying in young English talent. Although we won't win the league this year, at least he has made decent foundations on which to build on. I hope he will look further than England to find some quality creative midfielders to expand our options going forward. Currently, we don't have anyone that can score goals from that position.

Those of you slating MON for his apparent lack of insight in the transfer market and tactical ineptness should ask themselves which club in the premiership they would be happy with their manager? Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs, Citeh have all under achieved and lost to crap clubs.

Would you have taken 4th place (with room to spare) at the start of the season? There are plenty of areas which need improving, but we have obviously got alot of things right. Until MON stops progressing the club, he still has my unreserved support. I reckon we could have got a result against CSKA and Chelsea just by dropping Gabby and playing the Fonz, who I think will prove to be a natural goal poacher for us.

Damien all you do is wait for an opportunity to slag off Milner. So what if we payed 12 millio for him in the current climate that was about right, just look at the NUFC message boards from when he left they were gutted. I think your prolem is that you were singing Sidwells praises and explaining to us at the start of the season that he will be better that Barry and now that he is not doing to well you take your frustration out on Milner it's not his fault you got it wrong. Milner has been one of our better players over the last few games in which he's played. He got put at right back becaue hes adaptable your clutching at straws mate looking for some way to get at Milner. I don't mind a bit of constructive critisism but you my friend are full of s*%t, are you one of these people that only sing when were winning

Yeah we lost yesterday to Chelsea who have just got a new manager who is no fool, yesterday was always going to be hard an i don't think we did to bad considering this, our second half performance was miles better that when we played them at Stamford Bridge and an improvement is a plus we need to take from the game.

I wouldn't have given Barry 6.5 at all. At least in the 1st half Petrov was winning some tackles while Barry was totally overrun and not for the first time. We should have bought Paliacous in the transfer window.

The reason MON put Milner back to FB is that he wanted to bring on Carew without taking off Gabby or Heskey. He messed it right up because we lost our shape and didn't create anything after. Has MON ever taken Gabby off in game since he took over? I honestly can't remember him doing that once in 3 years.

It was dissapointing but not expected to be honest. I'll keep saying this we are not going tp beat the Chelsa's or Utd or even Arsenal when they are on form with a CM pairing of Petrov and Barry. If Barry had gone to Liverpool he would now be playing in his best position which is Left midfield where he could recieve the ball easier and do what he does best which is create.

Still at least Arsenal were once again crap and only got 1 point back.

And by the way if an English international midfielder canot play in a 4 man midfield it kinda says something about him as a centre midfielder to me.

Well done! Being first.

We're no where near title challengers i've said it for a long time now, 4th is our place and we should all be content with that as it's 2 places better than last season, It's steady progress like we wanted when Mon first came.

About Milner i can't understand why he went Rb when we had Shorey on the bench which then would have put L.Young in his natural position, Then there's Heskey starting before which is a joke in it's self. What worries me is Davies is clearly crocked and can't be physical anymore and it's showing, So surely it has to be Cueller & Knight in the middle until Laursen's back, So L.Young has to go back to his Rb slot, And Shorey on the left till Boumas back. That's 5 fitish players available at the back right now, But what's the chances Mon doesn't play Shorey ?. And keeps pushing Cueller to rb and playing the crocked Davies in the Middle ?. If he does i can rapidly see 4th disappearing from our grasp.

looking_for_henry

i'm not actually slagging off milner. what i'm saying is it took him time to adjust to a five man midfield - which to some extent is acceptable - and after a while he did adjust and started playing much better. remember, this is just my opinion and one i think that demonstrates that i'm not all out to slag off milner - i think i gave him man of the match on a couple of occasions recently too

what i'm 'slagging off', if anything, is the change from five in midfield to four.

Villa played very well for the most part and you could say it was an improvement on our last meeting. As long as that improvement continues i have no complaints. Yes Cheski were dangerous, but we created as many if not more goal scoring opportunities. Heskey is not a 20-a goal seson striker. If he was he would have netted the rebound from A Youngs free kick. Gabby for all his speed is not a 20 a goal striker either, and Carew could be given the right formation. What villa lacked against Chelsea was simple, GOALS. So the questeion for me is, how do we improve on scoring? Other than that i'm a happy villa fan thanking MON for giving us the belief that we soon can genuinely be considered top 4

damian the audacity of you claiming you gave milner a chance! you have been slating him from day one, but have eased a little recently in fear that you may be wrong about him. ok i realise mon's sub policy is frustrating, but i suppose he thinking about it was that he wanted to push 3 up front, but knowing how strong chelsea are, and the fact that they actually hit us on the break often during the game and we looked vunerable - he didnt want us to totally lose our shape. i know your a formation man, but if you look at milners movement and positioning he wasnt much futher back when he went to 'rb'. he works so hard that even carrying an injury, he was playing down the whole right flank. in this case, i thought it was a decent call from mon, as cuellar is a poor full back, and davies was struggling. the fact that mon rates milner so highly meant that he felt he must keep him on the pitch
i have had and still do have my doubts about milners crossing, general ability, etc. but in this instance i thought it was a useful move considering our other options

i think mon thinks we are too weak at the back with an injured davies and laursen to allow the amount of pressure playing 5 in midfield puts on us. chelsea can break us down. also, if mon wants to play heskey gabby ash and milner 3 in the middle doesnt work, and god knows sidwell aint contributing much. gabby wont and doesnt score enough up top alone.
i like the 3 in the middle as well, so if this is the way to go, id like to see milner given the fairly free role sidwell enjoyed in the advanced midfield position. some may say young, but i feel hes more effective out wide. then let gabby ply down the flank and heskey knock down to runners

de-ja-vu last time we were beaten by chelsea everyone said the same thing. think there forgetting that weve dominated all the other top four teams. even a win. wont be long till they start to all jump on the villa band wagon again.
UTV xx

I think 4th spot is ours. even if we have a run of loses and draws i cant see the ars ctaching (well maybe 3/4 points) but 4th is pritty much ours.
I agree with Damo 5 in midfield was 30/40 times stronger then 442 and the 433 didnt work at all.
I dont think damo was having a pop at milner he just said he didnt understand paying 12mill for a attacking mid and putting him right back.
I agree wityh the stats like we played okay not brill but not crap, we just couldnt get that goal (story of villa life) i said in dec we need a goal scorer, we got heskey, Hes a good player and hey i like him but he's more of a assit/ one goal 3 matchs player. once JC is fully fit hesk will be benched. Del boy should get more games i agree hes a good goal scorer, but alot of pressure on him to perform as good as gabbs.
so its a hard fix.
Villa fans is one defeat in 13 (epl) thats a bloody good run, we were over due a lost anyways man. but look at are up coming fixtures!! i only see a lose at Man U. the rest wont be easy but i expect atleast a draw.

So stop this bubble has burst shite. it was a long week one lose in 13 still 4th 6 points above ars.... erm thats brill in its self!

now lets just surport our troops and get to may and have some champs footy

Weren't people complaining we needed to play 4-4-2 not long ago? I don't see a problem with it myself, okay we needed 5 in the middle yesterday but only because Chelsea were dominating that area of the pitch.

Though saying that, who do you play? It absolutely can't be Sidwell at the moment, he's playing like garbage. I guess everyone else will say Gardner though the suggestion just makes me sigh. It's obviously an area we need to strengthen in the summer, get someone like a Diego or a Kranjcar in.

I'm beginning to think it's about time we gave Shorey another run in the first team. Cuellar isn't playing too well at right back and he could be better used to spell Knight, who was a bit dodgy yesterday. Also means we can put Luke back to his best position. When is Bouma back anyway?

One last thing, I've said it before but I'll say it again - Gabby NEEDS to be rested, it's becoming crucial now. Give him a couple of weeks off and let him come back fighting fit for the end of the seaosn. He's completely lost his touch and he's a damn liability at the moment, squandering far too many good chances. We already know Heskey isn't a goalscorer, so pairing him with a player so badly out of form in Gabby is just pure madness. Let's get Carew and Harewood involved, maybe even the Fonz... anything so long as Gabby gets a break.

I think MON will always pick Heskey over Carew. You could look at the way Heskey drops back into mid when we don't have the ball and maybe you could argue that we are playing with 5 in the centre now again as Heskey is in there tackling as well. I thought he did ok until he got in the box. He won ever header he could have and in the first half Heskey probably won more tackles then any other villa player did.

In fairness Mersons comment is spot on. Villa at their best wouldn't be any where near the rest of the top 4 at their best - in fact they wouldn't get near them. People may argue we are better than Arsenal - but in terms of potential - they are on a different planet. Having said all this - Villa will probably manage to finish forth - and deservedly so as something is amiss with Arsenal at the moment.

This whole 5 man in midfield argument annoys me. The only reason we need five is because technically most of our players are not good enough - and that is a fact. The argument that 5 in midfield means 5 when we are defending and three when we are attacking is absolutely stupid. It sounds briallient - an extra defender and an extra attacker! In reality it an extra defender and one less attacker and is used by teams who are technically inferior to others, old school british style teams I would say.

If thats the thought process - why dont we play 10 in midfield and when we are defending we can have 10 defenders but when we attack we have 10 attackers??? If 5 midfielders always dominate four - surely ALL managers throughout history would have gone with this??

Our problem is that we dont use midfield - we bypass it with long balls. A big reason for this is that none of our bck four are comfortable on the ball and secondly we have noone in midfield who comes and offers a simple pass for the guys at the back, But to turn all this around - our success to date has been based on getting the ball forward quickly. I fear that this type of football has taken us as far as it possibly can, and perhaps due to Arsenals problems - slightly further!

Yesterday was bad, the best part was that Arsenal didnt win, we miss Laursen really really badly, lampard wouldnt have gone past him yesterday, MON should now realise that he made a big mistake not signing another centre half January once he knew that Laursen was out, sometimes i dont know what goes on his head!

Yesterday was disapointing. I felt we had done enough in the second half to get a draw but we failed to convert the few chances we created. Thats it, on to the next game. All we have to do to finish fourth is to match Arsenal's results. That probably means winning 8 of the remaining 12 games. We should be ok.

Reply to eoin1981:

In fairness Mersons comment is spot on. Villa at their best wouldn't be any where near the rest of the top 4 at their best - in fact they wouldn't get near them. People may argue we are better than Arsenal - but in terms of potential - they are on a different planet. Having said all this - Villa...

Totally agree with that comment. Also i think its the back line which are also very uncomfortable on the ball which leads to just kicking the bal un the pitch so often as well. With the exception of Luke Young none are happy to be get the ball and take it out of defense and work it through the midfield.

I'd like to see us start with Heskey and Carew with Agbonlahor coming off the bench. He needs a rest unless he's lazy or just plain crap. I would hate to see how many chances he has spurned by the end of the season - and what it may cost us. His touch is certainly not Premier League class at times. If it is just a rest he needs, imagine his fresh pace against a tiring defence around the 75min mark.
Just a thought from Downunder.

This has already been said by somebody on the other thread but.....

Had that free kick gone in and we'd played the same way in the second half as we did, tell me those player ratings would have been the same.

No they would have been far higher. Milner played well. Young was afraid to beat his man. Petrov was OK. Barry would have scored on any other day as he worked himself into some excellent positions. They offered very little threat and almost threw away the 3 points after a 'motivating' half time team talk for the latest tactical genius to arrive at Chelsea. Our midfield did well in the second half. Chelsea were excellent in the first and then we shut them down (or maybe Damian would suggest that Chelsea didn't want it).

This was nowhere near the Everton game.

Chelsea are the only team to totally outplay us this season and that was NOT yesterday.

Emotion and facts. Separate the two.

Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:

This has already been said by somebody on the other thread but.....

Had that free kick gone in and we'd played the same way in the second half as we did, tell me those player ratings would have been the same.

No they would have been far higher. Milner played well. Young...

I like it

Reply to looking_for_henry:

Damien all you do is wait for an opportunity to slag off Milner. So what if we payed 12 millio for him in the current climate that was about right, just look at the NUFC message boards from when he left they were gutted. I think your prolem is that you were singing Sidwells praises and explaining to...

I like that too...

Heaven forbid MON decides to ever leave, I say we all sign a petition to have Damien installed as Manager. He seems to have a much better idea than Martin.
Oh, could someone please remind me of MON's credentials?

Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:

This has already been said by somebody on the other thread but.....

Had that free kick gone in and we'd played the same way in the second half as we did, tell me those player ratings would have been the same.

No they would have been far higher. Milner played well. Young...

Well said Nan.

Before the match started my main concern was that they did not out class us like they did at Stamford Bridge. They didn't. We were unlucky not to score yesterday.

is there any chance of not keep carping on about 5 in the bloody middle as it does not work at home, it is a awaygame tactic which we use to good effect but not at home.
i know you say it goes to a 4-3-3 when attacking but sorry i have seen no evidence of that at all as gabby is too fast.

Panic, Panic. It's not the end of the world and it's not the end of the season. Chelsea are a much better team than we are at the moment and they have a bigger squad and they didn't play midweek. Give the team and the manager a break. Going into March and we are FOURTH!!

We looked very tired, it was always going to be a hard game! We have twelve games left, we don't need to and won't win them all.

Manager and team are doing a fantastic job. God help them if they loose at Old Trafford and god help James Milner if he is playing.

_AP68_

I had stopped talking about it but yesterday it was needed, in my opinion, so I've brought it up ..

Mallon

I don't think there is any real panic. Like I've said above, I still think we'll finish top 4 - maybe even 3rd - as I'm not convinced about Chelsea ...

The bottom line is that Chelsea's team, player for player are better with maybe the exception of Ash and Barry. No matter what formation or tactics are employed, the likelihood is that the team with the better players will win.

Why did the bookies install them as favourites (away from home). Some are deluding themselves in to thinking we are better than we are. They were the better team on the day, but at least we created chances against one of the best teams in Europe.

there seems to be alot of chat about villa not being a top 4 team... why? we lose to one of the best teams in the world only 1-0 (which came from a throw in they were very lucky to get) whilst Arsenal couldnt manage to break down sunderland at the emirates... If we arent top 4 they certainly arent either, so who is... Man u, Liverpool, chelsea and... Everton?

Really not! Villa are the fourth best team this season and without some horrible collapse we shall finish in the top 4, retain barry and stilyan and once we have champions league status, hopefully Martin decides it is fair to go for a champions league striker as we currently dont have one worth of Uefa. We might as well bid for Usain bolt, faster than gabby and odds are no less clinical...

We have a real great team spirit, some great workers like milner, but where are the goals coming from? our best attacking threat in the air is our fkin centre back for gods sake, who is out and we are still hoofing it! when are we going to invest in an attacking central midfielder who can add to the goal tally and God forbid, a striker who knows where the goal is?

However, lets remember - arsenal gained only one point on us yesterday with a substantially easier game when they were expecting to take 3... so all in all a good day!

The olny thing we need is a poacher, a finisher in the box. Gabby is all over the place at teh moment. He can't seem to read the game a lot of the time. He get draw to the ball too close when its coming in from the wing. He need to be at the back of the box picking up the loose ball and bang it in. He's not aware of his surroundings. Get Fonzy in, he seems a good poacher in the box and he can finish. And he's hungry. Can't be worse that Gabby at the moment. We are losing to many finishing chances. It's not like there s no supply to the strikers. Christ Milner and Ash put god knows how many decent balls in. Even I could bloody score..!

On the whole I thought we were by far the better team...But like I say just need the finishing, because the nature of our play no longer lends itself for goals coming from midfield or set plays!

For the record I think we are better at 4-5-1 (put Fonz in up front). We are too predictable at 4-4-2. The defence just mark out Heskey and Gabby. At least when we were 4-5-1 we had options! Our defence is also weaker at 4-4-2. We were not conceding goals under 4-5-1.

well said danny p!

i think we were a complete different side in the 2nd half and i also beleive if we had started the match in the same vein then we would have got somthing from the game.


WE WERE UNLUCKY NOT OUTCLASSED.

_AA_

Not just picking out you, but to sort of put things into perspective. In my match preview I as good as said that what we had to do was get the crosses in. I also said that the more we get in the more chance we've got at scoring.

Before you click on this link, how many successful crosses do you think we had yesterday? Think about it, then click on the link and be honest and comment on how surprised you are.

LINK

Then, look at this one:

LINK

Why does it always have to turn into a milner debate. The Lad works hard for the team & is a decent player but lacks final ball considering the number of chances he gets in a Game. How people can defend his £12m price tag is beyond me.
I do not think it is a bad shout dropping him back into RB as long as we play someone infront of him.
If we gave Ashley the free role again (I forget the game) we can then afford the aditional striker, still having the strength across the middle.
As for resting Gabby, he does not look tired just short on skill so i think we are best playing him hoping that he can develop he is past learning skills in th Stiffs by now.
In saying that i would like to see Fonz getting a chance to progress.

There were 24 unsuccessful crosses. That may well back up AA's point, no?
An unsuccessful cross being one that the striker fails to get on, yes?

I agree with AA.

We are in forth spot on points alone, down to good fortune in the main. (Long may it Last)
We have not dictated the games we have played in
We were outplayed yesterday & I am sure chelski could have stepped up a gear if we had scored.
Watching the game again last night we were not as bad as i thought but i could not see a goal comming for us even if we had another 90mins

i thought heskey was our best outfield player for the villa yesterday. his hold up play and flick ons are so much better than carew's. totally agree with your comments about shorey damian - we really miss having full backs who can pass the ball and bring it forward. cuellar's distribution is woeful.

chelsea were excellent for the first 40 minutes and the invention they showed going forward with lampard prominent is the best away performance i have seen at VP this season.

still, we're having a great season and in MON we trust.

Along with a couple of other posts, here is some sense being talked. It is a relief to me that there are at least some Villa fans who are playing with a full deck. Personally, I might have used some different players yesterday. I think Gardner was desperately unlucky not be in the team, and playing Shorey would have offered a little more balance, if perhaps at the expense of some solidity. Having said that, I didn't have a problem with any of the players who played yesterday. As Nan says, we were NOT out played by a very good Chelsea side. Our tactics were fine, and we played well. And we certainly wanted it.

What is far more important than anything we say however is what MoN had to say after the match. And what he said was music to my ears. He's exactly right; the result was a setback and a disappointment, but nothing more. We believed we could win it before the game and during it according to Mon, and I saw nothing to contradict that. And we will bounce back, because as he says we have fantastic determination and real quality players. Yesterdays defeat hurt because we are now one of the big boys, and the rest of the season, and the following seasons will bear this out.

agree with AA all the way that lad talks sense.

you should change the name of this thread to the milner baiting thread

I have always thought Gabby was overrated but the Kid is working hard & does give us another dimention. It should have been clear to everyone that he could never work in a partnership with a carew or hesky you cannot play with him as the ball can bounce anywhere its just how you accomodate him as i beleive we need him in our team.
Without him & Ashley we would be nowhere, we cannont pass the ball or possess a midfielder that can create.
Looking forward to another frustrating summer of rumours & let down in the Transfer Window

fatkev..if we qualify for the CL then i very much doubt we will struggle in the summer transfer market.

Finshing fouth does nothing for me. Yes it helps the money men but winning things is what matters.
This is why i think th cup games are so important as a fan.
If i look back 5yrs would i like to see finishing fouth or an FA or European cup I know what i would take

i totaly agree with you as silverware is what its all about at the end of the season

Nan_was_a_fan

That chalkboard can be used in both ways .. but I guess that just confirms that stats can be manipulated for anything you want ..

Let's not make this about Milner though .. the lad was getting much much better with five in midfield - it's not his fault that it was all changed around and it's completely acceptable that it might take him a few games to get used to playing with four in the middle again, much like if we do this for five or six games it might take him a little while to get used to five in midfield again.

But, would we all have accepted the league table as it is now at the start of the season; yes and are we in a position to stay where we are or maybe even steal third; yes again.

But, nobody can be blamed for feeling a little frustrated after a defeat and you can't criticise someone for having an opinion on 'best formation' or why certain players are playing better.

Damian you are being disingenuous. You say that you are not having a go at Milner, just the position he's being played in. If that's the case there is no need at all to mention how much we paid for him. Your subtext is that you haven't really changed your opinion of him and still believe we paid too much. Why not just be honest and say that and let others come out and disagree with you.

FatKev

Spot on. I'd take an FA Cup over finishing top four. Hell, I'd take an FA Cup final over finishing fourth I think.

We've all been conditioned into believing the top four is the holy grail when in fact it really should be about winning.

But ... if you look at a graph of the last five seasons - if there was one stand out team heading very seriously in the right direction - it would be us.

r0bb0

I'm questioning Martin O'Neill putting him at right back when we are chasing a game.

But ultimately, my opinion hasn't changed. I do think we paid too much for him. At the same time though, while we were playing five in midfield I do think he was getting better each game, much like I think Barry was a better player for us when we had five in midfield - it's almost as if, the extra time/space Barry was getting gave him the freedom to play his game.

So, my view hasn't changed, you are right, but that's not to say that can't be changed and maybe if Martin O'Neill one day sticks to a formation and Milner plays it for a season and he gets better and better over time, much like he did when playing five in the middle, I'll be able to say, I was wrong - I've got no problem with changing my opinion.

But at the start of the season many said I should give Milner a season before having a pop, but I can tell you now what my review of him would be and it would be something along the lines of; never really got the chance to settle in a set formation but we saw him develop when it was sort of settled.

CL will help with attracting players but we then become full on Prawn Sarnie.
Do i want CL YES but i am wary of what will come with it. The ordinary fan will be shit on

Damian I think Milner at £5m would have been a good buy.
Still Like the kid but we could have got much more for £12m
Some may say that the market but it has meant we could not afford a striker (Mon would could not pay the Transer/ Fee) in the last window)

I agree with myself...lol Who need stats...Just ask me...

Can we have Fonzy now then...

I know I may get some stick for this, but I'd love to have seen Beattie given a try..??!! Goal poacher of the first order...I'm not just saying cos he's scored a couple lately...I have seen him quite a few times with teh bro-in-law has taken me to Brammal Lane

Reply to AVFCBlog:

FatKev

Spot on. I'd take an FA Cup over finishing top four. Hell, I'd take an FA Cup final over finishing fourth I think.

We've all been conditioned into believing the top four is the holy grail when in fact it really should be about winning.

But ... if you...

short sighted i feel, an Fa cup win is nice to look back at, but doesnt help us move forward to anywhere near the extent top 4 does! When we go out looking to strengthen the team in the summer, will all of those world class players who want champions league settle for a past win in the FA cup? I think not! Hell, if we won the FA cup and finish 5th Barry is as good as gone, with Petrov having said hes staying if Barry does... where would that leave us? Memories of a nice trip to wembley and a mid table finish next season...

Get top four - Get champions league quality players - win trophies, that is the order, anyone thinking a cup win would be a quick fix is wrong... how are portsmouth doing this season by the way?

Damo...There is no way you are using those stats to say our wingers and midfiled can't get good crosses in...If you are you are totally out of your tree...Give up the drink pal..!

Just face facts...Ash and Jimmy are class and our strikers can't seem to get on the end of the crosses.

I'm not making this into a point to prove, so let's move on because we will finish top 4 from what I say yesterday. (If our strikers can get on the end of balls)

Reply to __AA__:

I agree with myself...lol Who need stats...Just ask me...

Can we have Fonzy now then...

I know I may get some stick for this, but I'd love to have seen Beattie given a try..??!! Goal poacher of the first order...I'm not just saying cos he's scored a couple...

Beattie is really hot and cold, goes on great streaks of scoring then months of nothing. Turned us down for Everton as well. I just want an out and out goalscorer but who?

Reply to AVFCBlog:

r0bb0

I'm questioning Martin O'Neill putting him at right back when we are chasing a game.

But ultimately, my opinion hasn't changed. I do think we paid too much for him. At the same time though, while we were playing five in midfield I do think he was getting better each...

Damian

What would your review of Sidwell be?

You really are getting boring Damian - really boring. To suggest that you've given Milner time, you've maybe given him 2 weeks and you only decided to give him time after he put in indisputable man of the match performances.

Second point of utter drivel and boredom is the negativity that you breed on this blog. You give people the opportunity to come on and be utterly pessimistic and cynical about a situation that we would all have been thanking our luck stars for at the start of this season.

Finally, the papers don't want Villa to finish in the top four they are waiting for EVERY opportunity to say 'I told you so' because there will be a huge number of journos that will have egg on their faces if we do.

Just change the record for once I beg you.

Quite right Dan
Also it would be great to see us play top Italian or Spanish clubs this week rather than Moscow.

If switching milner to right back demonstrates that damien is right about him, this also means that luke young isnt good enough (switced to left back), reo-coker isnt good enough (played on right wing and right back), cuellar isnt good enough (switched to right back), heskey isnt good enough (switched to left wing), agbonlahor isnt good enough (switched to right wing) and barry isnt good enough (been played at left back before). in reality, it simply means with the squad being so small at times we have to play people in different positions

we were asleep in the first, a bit better in the second half
the midfield were were completely outplayed in the first half hour
petrov is good but not that good, tends to hesitate too much, decision making a bit too slow
but i think the main reason for the loss was that they were extremely tired, mentally more than anything
cuellar is not a right back,
we are in dire need of a really good left back who can combine with young
we focused a lot of our play on the left flank which made it easier for chelsea, when it would have been better for a bit more variety, stretch chelsea and create some more space for ourselves
a few balls were breaking in front of chelsea's defense that were not latched onto
the defeat hurt but top 4 is still a realistic possibility

And i know everyone is entitled to their opinion, but continually jumping on milners back to justify your original criticism is getting boring. why not criticise sidwell who has been terrible? oh yeah, i know, because damien though he was going to be better than barry. just admit when your wrong

i think we have strayed a bit off topic here and turned it into a have a go at damian topic.

If Heskey and Gabby can develop an understanding with each other then 442 may end up working really well for us. Yesterday however they often seemed to be trying to play the same role and getting in each other's way rather than creating space or opportunities for each other. If they aren't able to develop the understanding then we'd be better off with the extra man in midfield and a lone striker. I'd like to see how other up front pairings might work but then I guess that's what MON does in training.

well said danny p!

Reply to Ipbopmalik:

Ok, we are not as good as the top 4 teams, but they have had years with plenty of cash and had the right managers/owners in place to build decent teams and consolidate.

MON has taken an affordable gamble in his first proper season by buying in young English talent. Although we won't...

I've been a constant critic of O,neill and his transfer policy.
I could also see the week we have just suffered comi from a mile off.
That said, the post by Ipbopmalik is the the best case I have heard in MONs defence and has given me something to think about.
The most critical point is where he talks about possibly finishing 4th with room to spare.
If MON can realise that room to spare then you could be spot on mate.
I'm not totally convinced he can as the last mile is always the most difficult but I hope you are right.

Reply to Dan Price:

there seems to be alot of chat about villa not being a top 4 team... why? we lose to one of the best teams in the world only 1-0 (which came from a throw in they were very lucky to get) whilst Arsenal couldnt manage to break down sunderland at the emirates... If we arent top 4 they certainly arent...

Totally agree AA,

Shorey i think is trying really hard because he know's hes not the most fav villa player, with shorey and L.Young on the dR/L and cuell with Zat in the middle drop davies untill he gets more confidence (maybe play him in euro matches.
I think a good team to play would be.

L.Young Cuell Zat Shorey
Milner Gardener Pet Barry A.Young
Hesk for 50min Then Gabbs (use del not hesk in euro matches)

What you think ?

Reply to _AP68_:

i think we have strayed a bit off topic here and turned it into a have a go at damian topic.

It's not having a go AP...Damo put the info/stats up to make a point...Just debating the point that's all. I'm still not 100% sure what point damo wants to make though, using those stats!

Damian,

I'm surprised you would have taken the FA Cup over 4th place. Forget the fact we'll inherit more cash for the club, entice better players to come or stay, increase our status in the league; we will be playing the best clubs in Europe - Further advertising the club on the big scene. You ask Wenger or MON which they would choose. Arsenal fans are shatting bricks if they fall out of the top 4.

Let's get things in to perspective. Man.U are the biggest club on the planet, so even if we'd bought all these dream signings (which were never gonna happen because they wanted to go to other clubs), it would still be a tall order to topple them off the top. They have been playing at the zenith of football for years.

Chelski have only got where they are now because of the grotesque amount of cash injected by a crook in to the club. Other clubs have tried this on a smaller scale and have failed. At least MON has a very definite plan that everyone understands, not just binge/purge on players in the hope it will come good.

Some people on here expect instant success and appear to have got carried away with our stunning start to the season. We are not a club going backwards. We owe MON our full support for the renewed belief which has certainly filled me and I hope a few others since his inception.

The FA Cup and playing at Wembley would be fantastic, but it's like an actor being happy winning the tombola at the Oscars. Competing at the highest level against the best in the world is what we should be striving for. I'd rather watch a first round match of the CL against Inter Milan, than beat Cardiff 2-0 at Wembley. Sorry!

I'll just point out I ain't moaning about the team. On that performance we should have won yesterday and I think Chelsea were second best for most of the game. It's just with the vast amount of service our strikers got I would have thought in all liklehood more should have been done to convert them into goals? Just my opinion...I may well be wrong?

likelihood even..! I'll go sit at the back of the class

Reply to __AA__:

I'll just point out I ain't moaning about the team. On that performance we should have won yesterday and I think Chelsea were second best for most of the game. It's just with the vast amount of service our strikers got I would have thought in all liklehood more should have been done to convert them...

Always moaning

i dont think we should have won the way we played but should have draw.

I think fans cant see past or before a match.

Villa fans- OMG IS OVER SACK MON WE WON MAKE TOP 4, WE'LL DROP BACK AND LOSE ALL ARE PLAYERS NEXT SEASON WE'LL BE 15TH.
(Come on its one match out of fecking 13 (epl) we have lost, get a grip! only other team that good and above us is... man u! i think lol, and look at the differences if Villa were a Renault clio Man U would be a Bergatti! but we are only 2 spots behind them.

Chelsea Fans- YES WE WILL WIN THE EPL NOW, THEN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND FA! ITS ALL OURS, ARE PLAYERS A AMAZING AGAIN AND WE WONT LOSE AT ALL TILL NEXT SEASON!
(it was one match! you beat a tired team with less options, you were on a new manager buzz! ITS MEANS FECK ALL! they will soon lose there spark of the gusss has gone then they will drop back, mon will kick villas ass this week and they will come back and want to prove a point.

Yes mon says we arnt a top 4 team but he wont want to give up 4th spot. simple.

Ads

If it is getting so boring - don't bother commenting. In fact, I'll do you a favour and ban you IP after I've posted this comment.

What is getting boring is you not reading anything and just assuming something. I don't know how many times I've got to say it, but just for you I'll spell it out, becasue frankly I'm actually getting bored.

Milner hasn't been given a proper opportunity for me to give him time with. Where am I actually slating him on this page? In fact if you read the page you'll see that I'm actually giving him credit. It's not his fault he was put to right back yesterday, it's not his fault the formation has changed and it's not his fault we paid £12mn. for him.

If you had taken the time to read - you'll have known that those are my opinions and that in fact I've praised him for his development over the season when he eventually got used to a five man midfield.

If you go back a few months on this site also you'll see that I even suggested he probably needed that.

Ipbopmalik

For me, it's about winning something but at the same time I accept that just becasue we have Martin O'Neill we're not going to win the league firs two or three times out (as in seasons). For me, progressions would be doing very well in one of the tournaments AND at the start of the season I'd have been more than happy with fifth - I think I even predicted sixth.

I'm not changing my view based on where we are now - much like my opinions are not easily changed on the back of a few good games or a few good performances, but what I'm saying is give me the choice of top four or an FA Cup - I'll take FA Cup every time - for this season anyway.

Winning the FA Cup - for me is a by product of having a solid/good team - heading in the right direction and it would be us actually winning something. Sure, finishing top four is good news for the club, becasue we're playing on a different stage and you'd like to think we will be able to bring in the type of players for us to compete on that stage which in itself will mean, hopefully, more opportunities at winning silverware, but this season - I'd happily take willing the FA Cup over coming 4th - isn't football about winning?

Reply to AVFCBlog:

Ads

If it is getting so boring - don't bother commenting. In fact, I'll do you a favour and ban you IP after I've posted this comment.

What is getting boring is you not reading anything and just assuming something. I don't know how many times I've got to say it, but just...

Abs he's right,

He might not be a Milner fan but he has said maybe 4/5 times alone in this blog that the reason he cant say hes shit or great is because we havnt played him in a certain postion doing a certain job for a long enough time, and the fact he is a attacking mid and went to full back didnt help. but what is milner to do? erm his job lisen to mon.
Abs your like alot of people, read the first few lines maybe 1/2 comemnts and think you know the crack, well if you spend some time reading through damos said over and over this his OPINION is 451 is best and he doesnt rate milner YET!

so shhh! and read the damm comments properly.

if we won the uefa cup this season would it give us the required bonus points to avoid the big seeded teams in the qualifying rounds of the champions league next season??? just a thought!

Reply to Mlockey89:

Abs he's right,

He might not be a Milner fan but he has said maybe 4/5 times alone in this blog that the reason he cant say hes shit or great is because we havnt played him in a certain postion doing a certain job for a long enough time, and the fact he is a attacking mid and went to...

and you need to stop arse licking lol

Reply to AVFCBlog:

Ipbopmalik

For me, it's about winning something but at the same time I accept that just becasue we have Martin O'Neill we're not going to win the league firs two or three times out (as in seasons). For me, progressions would be doing very well in one of the tournaments AND at the start...

yes, your right, it is about winning - which is why you are still being shortsighted. Lets win a few cup games and go to wembley and have a nice day out... and lose next year... and the year after...

OR

lets actually do something of greater significance that can benefit the club in the long term and lay the foundations for improvement rather than a good piss up. You are right, it would be better in 5 years to look back and say we won the Fa cup than remember that season when we finished 4th... but let me ask you this... Are we more likely to be succesfuly next season and teh seasons to come (success however you measure it, league place, trophies, whatever) if we break into the top 4, can buy champions league quality players and assemble a top quality team, or... if we win a cup?

To progress we need better players, better players will only come if the club is looking to have a bright future, not a bright past and that is the difference between top 4 and Fa cup and why C.(unt) Ronaldo is linked with Real madrid and not Nottingham forrest, no matter how many trophies they can fondly look back on.

Villatill_Idie

My opinion of Sidwell would be the exact same as of Milner.

I don't think he's been given enough time in a settled formation to do his job. If (huge if) Sidwell or any new player, was to get a decent run of games in a settled formation and they didn't deliver what we would have hoped for and we didn't see any glimpses of it coming, then I think it's fair to say we may have an opinion that is going to be pretty hard to change.

But if you accept what I'm saying above acceptable - then you've got to accept that until they get that run, it's unfair.

In Sidwells defence though - he's played 15 league games for us this season and scored 3 goals from midfield - 1 in 5 isn't a bad return but if Martin O'Neill is going to put out his team as 4-4-2 and stick to that - because he's now almost got adequate cover - then if Sidwell is going to start from the bench - it's fair to assume it might take him a little longer to get used to that formation than say someone who is starting every week.

But - this is the really important thing to remember - we did well playing 5 in the middle and if, as you've got to assume will happen - the players will adapt again to playing 4 in the middle - it is only a matter of time before that starts to get more exciting and better too but changing formation as we have done (becasue we had to) can't be the easiest thing to deal and players can be forgiven because they have to adapt.

Now, I've got to get back in the garden.

Damian

I'm starting to agree about the 5 man midfield but believe it's more a case of "horses for courses". 4-5-1 works in some matches and yesterday was one of them.

I would point out however, that the 2 teams that play that system have class players in 2 key areas. A striker who, barring injury, will score 20 league goals a season and an attacking midfielder who creates and scores goals. Liverpool have Torres and Gerrard, Chelsea have Anelka and Lampard while Villa have Heskey and Sidwell.

Dan Price

Maybe it is being short sighted, but maybe also we'll never know. Let me change around your first paragraph:

--BEGIN--
yes, your right, it is about winning - which is why you are still being shortsighted. Lets win a few cup games and go to wembley and have a nice day out... win the cup and attract some better players and win the uefa cup next...
--END--

my point is, we don't know what is going to happen in the summer or next season. we could finish 4th this year and get dumped out of the champions league at the first hurdle

Reply to _AP68_:

if we won the uefa cup this season would it give us the required bonus points to avoid the big seeded teams in the qualifying rounds of the champions league next season??? just a thought!

I doubt it very much

Reply to AVFCBlog:

Dan Price

Maybe it is being short sighted, but maybe also we'll never know. Let me change around your first paragraph:

--BEGIN--
yes, your right, it is about winning - which is why you are still being shortsighted. Lets win a few cup games and go to wembley and have a...

To progress we need to buy top quality players. To buy top quality players we need europe or Arab money (which we dont have and Mon wouldnt spend anyway). By default, no europe no progression. We can fall at the first hurdle in the champs league, but we will have bought players of a much higher calibre in the summer just by offering them europe, meaning we will have a better team for the league and other cups... which is why MON (who knows better than both you and I) has chosed the league over the cup.

Dan Price

We're not disagreeing on the merits of finishing in the top four.

All I'm saying, as a fan/supporter, is I'd like to win some silverware and if that meant we finished 5th, I'd take it.

I was talking to someone yesterday and he joked about O'Leary, standing in the dugout with his arms folded. That wasn't that long ago and look how far we've progressed. Top four would be a fantastic achievement this season and as I've said above, I think we'll get it - mostly becasue I think arsenal will bugger it up - but also because we have seriously progressed as a club/team and yes, if we get Champions League we'll get better players and hopefully an increased chance of doing well in one of the competitions so we might get something that way too ..

But, it's just right now, I accept we're not going to win the league this season but we've gotten much better - wouldn't it be absolutely fantastic to win something, knowing that we are actually heading in the right direction?

Reply to _AP68_:

and you need to stop arse licking lol

sorta lol but im sick of people not (not libbing damo ) but the fact its the same old shite over and over. Its fickel fans. Prob the same that boo'd at wigan game.

Oh for heaven's sake.

WE MUST FINISH TOP 4. It is the ONLY thing that matters.

We ALL know we need BETER players in the summer.
They WILL NOT come unless we can offer CL football.
MON is not ignoring these top players each window. They will NOT come - YET!

To say you would rather win the FA Cup is MADNESS. Portsmouth fans would have you locked up for even thinking it.


Top 4 finish, new signings, more progress. Top 4 place cemented, more signings, continued stability and then assault on the title.

Reply to AVFCBlog:

Dan Price

We're not disagreeing on the merits of finishing in the top four.

All I'm saying, as a fan/supporter, is I'd like to win some silverware and if that meant we finished 5th, I'd take it.

I was talking to someone yesterday and he joked about O'Leary,...

see now i dont want to agree with you! (incase i ass lick more )


but hey Silverware is nice! something to polish.
Money is also good but who wants to be 4th best ?

Nan_was_a_fan

If we must finish top four and if it is the only thing that matters, what happens if we don't?

Or let me put it another way, if we do finish top four and we do bring in an extra player or four, what happens if the following season we don't progress, don't cement ourselves as a top four team and finish 6th?

All I'm saying is, I'd quite like to win something and while I accept playing in the Champions League will/should attract better players (we'll have to pay the wages too) and you'd hope mean we could do well next season in one of the tournaments, I would have swapped it for the FA Cup.

Frankly - we could finish top four every season from now until the day I die and never win anything. Would you swap one season of finishing top four for the FA Cup then?

Silly scenario I know - but we are moving in the right direction, we are progressing and if things keep going to plan, then were going to get top four anyway - what is wrong with stopping, taking a breather and picking up some silverware - if we finish 5th (which is continuing our progression) this season and 4th next season?

Two bulls were on top of a hill looking down at a herd of cows.

The young one turns to the older one says “How about we run down this hill and make out with one of those cows.”

The older bull turns and looks at him with a smile and says, “Son, why don’t we walk down there and make out with them all.”

Again - silly, but I can clearly see how we are getting better, how we are progressing and how I have no doubt our squad will be stronger next season than it is this. It's also worth noting now, that I can't swap anything becasue we are out of the cup, so it's sort of a mute point.

Damian,

This season, you can't have it both ways. MON has IMO has quite rightly prioritised the league over any other competition for the obvious benefits. Any team pushing for promotion, fighting relegation or vying for a CL spot would do the same.

I swam for England when I was younger, and would have given up all the local county and national championships I won to compete with the best at the Olympics. The FA Cup is a side party to the main event. I'm not undermining the prestige and history that goes with it, but I'd prefer Villa mixing it with the best year after year.

Hopefully as our team evolves we'll be able to put out a strong enough side to compete in all competitions.

Ipbopmalik

And I'm not saying Martin O'Neill is wrong - he has a choice to make, he's made it and he's dealing with it.

I'm just saying it for me .. nobody else.

Damian,

Furry muff!

Reply to Ipbopmalik:

Damian,

This season, you can't have it both ways. MON has IMO has quite rightly prioritised the league over any other competition for the obvious benefits. Any team pushing for promotion, fighting relegation or vying for a CL spot would do the same.

I swam for...

your saying it like you know we would survive in cl. what if we make cl, and players want to see if we stay there? and we crahs out then we are back to square one, atleast if we won the fa we would have something. just because we make cl doesnt mean we are going to get a flood of top class players! they will be warry because where the new boys. unlike man you know there going to give it a good run same as chels and livershite, but if villa did make it no ones knows if we will do well and players might be a bit dim but they won run and jump on the villa band wagon (sadly)

Im not trying to say if we make it we will crash out, but just what if we did? then yes we made 4th spot but we would be back to fa and epl.
its a hard choice but where out of fa now anyways like damo said so we have a better chance in euro and epl.

so lets stop saying what we want lets just put are effort behind our team and hope that we play the way we know they can and get CL and see what happens.

But some new silverware in Villa P would have been nice.

is everyone forgetting how good we was playing 4-4-2 before carew got "injured" and how good carew and gabby up front was

Dan Short sited maybe, i would welcome champions league fotball who does not want the best.
I do believe for continued success you must earn your place not a i hit wonder.
We have stuggled in the leage cup of Europe so CL is a long way off yet.

History 22 Feb
From 01/09

Season-

01/02 8th
02/03 16th
03/04 6th
04/05 10th
05/06 16th
06/07 11th
07/08 6th
08/09 4th only 3 points off 2nd and people arnt happy
Whats happened to the world.

I do not think CL will mean we will get in top quality players, the same as £MMs did not secure Man Citys attempts. That is all down to MoN & co identifying realistic targets early enough & closing the deal.
Also Let not forget all of us want our players to be successful, its sad how many are more interested in proving Damian wrong.
We all have our favourite players & the ones we think could make a difference.
I did not want Sidwell or Heskey, I thought petrov was never going to deliver thats football.

K nolan is a cunt what a disgraceful tackle i hope he gets linched and i don't even like everton, unlucky they have lost 2 of their best players 2day and more than likely there out for some time

100 woop woop

Mlocky
People want sucess, Fans are over the moon with our current position we all know we are dating a top bird at the moment.
Its very rare to get more than what you are striving to acheive Aim for the Sky you may get it or the next best thing. Second Best is always second best.
I am still pissed at being moved from my premier seat for the faceless buisness set, That said i still think Randy is the best thing that has happend in years. Choice simple really (If i had one) my seat my useless shares in the club or RANDY, RANDY every TIME. The same goes for MoN

Everton O-0 I will Take That

Liverpool 1 Man City 1. What have we learnt this weekend? Were not going to win the League, thats Uniteds for sure but 2nd 3rd and 4th are all up for grabs. We matched Chelsea, Liverpool draw and Arsenal draw (again). I still think something special is on the cards

Liverpool 1-1 too - good for us!

Reply to Chater1703:

is everyone forgetting how good we was playing 4-4-2 before carew got "injured" and how good carew and gabby up front was

Its been that long since ive seen gabby look good yes, i have forgotten. He shows up to one in four games and has the killer instinct of a slug. Unless massive improvements are made, i hope he is the first replaced in the summer with some new champs league signings...

LINK

I think what we saw on Saturday sums us up exactly- we're a decent enough side but we can't mix it with the big boys yet. If we're honest and the roles were reversed, do you think we could have gone to Stamford Bridge needing to win and turning them over? It wouldn't happen.
Sunderland did us amassive favour. I'd written this game off anyway- and the one's against United and Liverpool to come. Maybe pessimistic but we're not in their league (face it!) but if we grab enough points from the other 10 fixtures we'll get the 4th spot.
Then next season the sky's the limit

Thanks for using my ratings Damian. And to me the formation we play should depend on the team we face. If that team is going to attack us (like Chelsea and Man City will when we go there) then 4-5-1 is the best option. But if the team is going to play for a point (like Stoke will next Sunday) then 4-4-2 is what Villa should play. For the record I liked bringing Carew on, it was just not taking Heskey or Gabby off that bothers me.
I think AA's point about Delfuenso is right if for no other reason that Gabby needs a rest as I said in the ratings.

This is the real test of MON's stewardship. Can this team bounce back from this. After the second leg in Moscow, Aston Villa have Stoke at home, Man City away and Tottenham at home. Those are fixtures that can put this team back on track for a run at third (or even second with Liverpool dropping points again today!). What will be annoying is to hear all the pundits say "well the wheels are coming off from Aston Villa, they don't have enough quality blah blah blah." Well if Aston Villa get at least 7 points from those next 3 fixtures I would say that they are in pretty good shape even with trips to Old Trafford and Anfield to follow.

Now instead of attacking each other, lets do something more fun. Like laughing at the Scousers. Hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahhahahahaha.

Reply to AVFCBlog:

Ads

If it is getting so boring - don't bother commenting. In fact, I'll do you a favour and ban you IP after I've posted this comment.

What is getting boring is you not reading anything and just assuming something. I don't know how many times I've got to say it, but just...

You're not really banning him are you? Got to be room for disagreement, criticism and even misreading of posts. If we get banned for any of those things there'll not be many left.

Maybe just a warning, eh?

Reply to Goldie7:

K nolan is a cunt what a disgraceful tackle i hope he gets linched and i don't even like everton, unlucky they have lost 2 of their best players 2day and more than likely there out for some time

Anchibe (I think it was) carried on. Did he not come on 2nd half? Kids have made me tun TV over. Terrible tackle by Nolan, you are right

Reply to Dan Price:

Its been that long since ive seen gabby look good yes, i have forgotten. He shows up to one in four games and has the killer instinct of a slug. Unless massive improvements are made, i hope he is the first replaced in the summer with some new champs league signings...
...

That link was nice sums up gabby perfectly

Reply to George_Templeton:

Thanks for using my ratings Damian. And to me the formation we play should depend on the team we face. If that team is going to attack us (like Chelsea and Man City will when we go there) then 4-5-1 is the best option. But if the team is going to play for a point (like Stoke will next Sunday) then...

think we will lose to City away but can win the other 2. Stoke should be straight forward, rubbish away. SPUDS more difficult but we can win it. 6 points would be ok from these 3. Hard games coming up after these but then decent run in

ban them all damian..
anyone who disagrees and anyone who says we cant finish in the top four lol

SidCowanslovechild

The IP address that he posted from has been banned for 12 hours. Not just for his comments today or his lack of respect in just coming on reading what he wanted to read and then going on to write, to use his phrase, drivel.

This has been going on for a while now and while you'll see me taking stick all over the place on this site - Ads just comes on, reads what he wants to and comments what he wants to. I'm honestly just fed up with his moronic comments and if it really is that boring for him, then I'm doing him a 12 hour favour.

For the record also - he's the third person in over 4 years to be banned from temporarily posting comments. I actually don't think that is a bad return and it's not as if he cant come on in the morning.

Sid:

You really think our away winning streak will go at Man City? If we set up in 4-5-1 will destroy them on the break. I am more worried Harry Redknapp setting up for 0-0 and getting it like he did with Pompey early this year (and hopefully no one will throw stuff at him like they did that time!)

i think MON has surprised himself with our league position, hence the reason he seemed to lay little importance to the FA and Uefa and all his eggs are being placed in the league, because that is where the money is, we get CL we get more money, more money better players, better players we can continue in the CL every year and the fall out from having better players is that we are more likely to win a domestic cup as an offshoot of having better players, give me champions league over a domestic cup everytime, it is the only way we will progress as a club

Reply to AVFCBlog:

SidCowanslovechild

The IP address that he posted from has been banned for 12 hours. Not just for his comments today or his lack of respect in just coming on reading what he wanted to read and then going on to write, to use his phrase, drivel.

This has been going on for a...

Damian, I like your ruthless streak A sort of Alex Ferguson 'no messing' attitude!
Maybe we can get some it down at the Villa...
The Stoke game is MASSIVE now!!!!! I need to say it again, MASSIVE.

Reply to AVFCBlog:

For the record also - he's the third person in over 4 years to be banned from temporarily posting comments. I actually don't think that is a bad return and it's not as if he cant come on in the morning.

fair enough, you the boss and as long as its not a permanent ban that's more reasonable. Must admit you usually take the stick pretty well

SidCowanslovechild

Cheers. It was just a letter too far from him today and wasn't worth me even reading his reply. Although will be interesting to see if he comments again and what it is.

Reply to SidCowanslovechild:

You're not really banning him are you? Got to be room for disagreement, criticism and even misreading of posts. If we get banned for any of those things there'll not be many left.

Maybe just a warning, eh?

You have a liking for getting involved in other peoples arguments dont you?

I've just done the same thing haven't I?

Doh!!!

Damian

Lets be honest mate you take less stick on here than Milner

That's my ban sorted too. See you all tomorrow.

0 0 great result makes the top 5 spot secure

I think Damian has changed my mind on the 'top 4 v silverware' discussion. I had previously thought that top 4 had to be the priority so that we could attract better players at the earliest opportunity. What I like about Damian's view though is the underlying confidence it implies. If you believe that we are steadily improving, and are confident that we'll continue to improve then let's try and win trophies now. We'll remember a UEFA final forever and be remembered for it, whereas 4th in the premiership is just a stepping stone to other things. I'd absolutely take 6th in the league and a cup this year if next year we were 5th and the year after 4th and continuing to show steady progress.

Reply to AVFCBlog:

For the record also - he's the third person in over 4 years to be banned from temporarily posting comments. I actually don't think that is a bad return and it's not as if he cant come on in the morning.

lol damo not a bad return ive banned 4 people this week from mine

5 since chrimbo

Lets Make Moscow our Second wind to turnaround the season again

News Now Trible
"Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is prepared to sacrifice the Midlanders bid for UEFA Cup glory for a Champions League place next season"

No No No

He started this prioritising the day before Hamburg away and I understood it then, because we were in the next round. It annoyed me at the time becasue I spent a grand on flights/ticket/hotel but I accepted it. I'm not going to be happy if next week we drop a few key players and lose after the money I've spent on Moscow too.

We are one match away from the last 16 - okay still a big number but I fear O'Neill is digging himself a hole.

What happens, if after all these sacrifices - it all goes wrong?

Europe seems full of Exciting Bazillions Can we find a midfielder & Striker for our spine next season. Its got to worth a punt if we can spend £ms on central defence lets try like we have with Sally

I agree Damian. i wanted to get in an Euro away game a mate had the prague ticket but if the manager cannot be arsed why give up your summer hol.
All Eggs in 1 Basket CL far from Guarenteed, Folks think Stoke 3 points but we could not get them at there place far from it.
If teams sit back we are knackerd

Reply to notsosilentbob:

lol damo not a bad return ive banned 4 people this week from mine

Who you banned...Did I miss something....I miss all the fun of bashing perps..!

ASTON VILLA
* European Cup Winners 1:
1982
* European Super Cup Winners 1:
1982–83
* InterToto Cup Winners 1:
2001


League titles

* First Division Champions 7:
1893–94, 1895–96, 1896–97, 1898–99, 1899–1900, 1909–10, 1980–81
* Second Division Champions 2:
1937–38, 1959–60
* Third Division Champions 1:
1971–72

Cups

* FA Cup Winners 7:
1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957
* League Cup Winners 5:
1961, 1975, 1977, 1994, 1996
* Charity Shield Winners 1:
1981 (shared)

FA Cup 7 times!!
Premier League titles?

yes aa you missed all the fun

Reply to Christian:

I think what we saw on Saturday sums us up exactly- we're a decent enough side but we can't mix it with the big boys yet. If we're honest and the roles were reversed, do you think we could have gone to Stamford Bridge needing to win and turning them over? It wouldn't happen.
Sunderland did us...

You would write us off against Liverpool?

Clown

good 0-0 from Everton Newcastle as well

RSamVillaFan

How many of those FA Cup victories do you remember?

Let's put it another way - we all accept that we are moving in the right direction, yes?

If you agree - move on to this part. Ring up a bookmaker tomorrow and ask for a price on us winning the league next season and us winning the FA Cup - two seperate bets.

I'd put money on you getting shorter odds on us winning the FA Cup. My point is, if our chances are better at winning the FA Cup - but you also accept that we are moving in the right direction - what's wrong with wanting a bit of silverware - while we are progressing and while we are getting better?

It ultimately doesn't matter ... but I hope you see my point.

It's actually not really fair you bringing those stats up as the Premier League has only been around a fraction of the time the FA Cup has been around.

What you should be saying is FA Cup 7 times, top flight league 7 times.

How about the Stat Nothing in over 10yrs
Sacrificing Euro cup should not be acceptable a reasonable effort in the prem will get us into europe again A Major effort in the cup could see us win it

It's good on here today.

Always best on the blog after a defeat. Think I might go and support Spurs.

Martin has bottled it if he throws in the towel agsinst CSK they have harldy kicked a ball in months, if we cannot beat them what chance will we have in the CL
I suppose it is easier to push for 4th than try & win something

I don't agree with the negative views of yesterday's performance. The proof is in the result, but I do think we played well. Only a bit of magic from Frank Lampard beat us. We created several very good chances ourselves, and Cech--who was immense for Chelsea--did well to snuff them out. I'm devastated by the loss, but I can't say that our performance let me down.

We're fine.

Damian...One thing you missed...

We have better odd this season of winning the Prem than the FA Cup now.

I'd love Villa to win the FA Cup, who wouldn't, but things are more complex than that aren't they? If we were not in the running for top 4, or even dare I say it, top spot, then you would be right to concentrate on the FA Cup. Also if we had the team to compete for the FA Cup, Prem and UEFA, then I'd also say you were right. However we don't have that team yet. Anyway, WTF do I care, we are having Champions League next year and I'll still be supporting the Villa whatever, so Up The Villa and YES WE CAN finish in the top 4. Bring it on you Villa boys

Reply to keefvilla:

You have a liking for getting involved in other peoples arguments dont you?

I've just done the same thing haven't I?

Doh!!!

I approached with more caution this time Keef - lesson learnt - nearly!

I agree with AA again. What's going on?

Reply to Nan_was_a_fan:

I agree with AA again. What's going on?

You see James, you have come over to the dark side...Mmmmm or is it I have come over to the 'other' side..????!!!!

I'll be celebrating with you James come the end of the season, when Jimmy Milner scores the winning goal against his old club in front of the Holte End on Sunday 24th May 2009. It's karma, it's meant to be...You know it is Damian...Feel the love dude..!

ASHLEY YOUNG OUT FOR 3 MONTHS

Reply to Vijay :

Yesterday was bad, the best part was that Arsenal didnt win, we miss Laursen really really badly, lampard wouldnt have gone past him yesterday, MON should now realise that he made a big mistake not signing another centre half January once he knew that Laursen was out, sometimes i dont know what goes...

MON didn't make a mistake in January, he tried to sign another centre half which he said openly he would try to do after Laursen got injured. However whichever deals he tried to do were not possible, there would be no point signing any random centreback for the sake of it, The guys we have haven't done that bad a job, i agree we do need a replacement for Laursen and i'm sure we will get quality in the summer, hopefully with the incentive of champs league football

Reply to FatKev:

Finshing fouth does nothing for me. Yes it helps the money men but winning things is what matters.
This is why i think th cup games are so important as a fan.
If i look back 5yrs would i like to see finishing fouth or an FA or European cup I know what i would take

I hope in 5 years time we will have been playing champs league football for 4 years and have several more trophies in the cabinet and be able to look back to this season as the one that gave us the platform to achieve it.
Would you swap our position for Portsmouth's? I know i wouldn't.

i told evryone this villa team was a pile of shit and MON did not have a clue. we are going to finish mid table and be the laughing stock, but i will have the last laugh, bacause i prdicted this. YES WE CAN win sweet FA Cup

vogra...at least there are some real fans out there like you that understand how football works, instead of all these delusional idiots that just look thorugh rose coloured glasses. it's about time fans spoke up and came out of the shadows. we wont win a thing unless we buy big time.

See we are starting to fall apart..the character-what character...top 6 here we come if we remain lucky with injuries!!

The team will struggle in moscow let alone against stoke!! mid table here we come-its like under O'leary part 2!

Disgrace

ee this is what i told you would happen feckig shit team like chelsea we wont win f all at this rate and with this manager
im so darn angry that we seem inept to string a pass together foot kick ball player foot collect said ball simple logic ball to head over the top dont bloody work

SACK O'NEILL
SELL BARRY AND YOUNG

any one need a fast paperboy i hear that agglebars kid is fast

Whoever is using my name to brandish negative comments needs to stop! I was only messing before!

Come on boys..yesterday was decent it was just that we were up against a chelsea team under a new manager, and they also had a very good attacking formation! A few weeks ago under scolari that would have been three points coming home for the Villa, yesterday was not to be!! Bring on the next few weeks and beyond!

Yes we can!!
COYL!!!

ah, taglor and vogra, come creeping back round after defeat, drawn by the stench of carrion.

Really, Villa are one poacher and one true creative midfielder away from being terribly difficult to beat. I hate losses, but Villa were not outclassed yesterday, and made chances.

Merson may be right...But there are damn few clubs anywhere on the planet that can beat any of the top4 when they're playing at their best.

That's why consolidating a CL position is more critical than anything; it's the only way Villa will ever attract and retain the talent we all know separates us from the very finest teams.

This is nothing we didn't know already. I said only the other week, as did many others that the reason why we are top 4 is not just because how we were playing but how the other 'top 4' teams were playing.

You only had to look at the home record and the emirates and stanford bridge to find the evidence.

I expected to get beat today, chelsea are a better side. Compare the squads.

Still think we will get top 4 though and think everyone needs to remember we are still building and this team is a work in progress. We are far better than we expected to be this season already.

kohoutek...you will see when I am proved right at the end of the season. It will be NO WE CAN'T.

vogs shouldnt that be NO WE COULDN'T? if the seasons ended and we failed

Reply to vogra:

kohoutek...you will see when I am proved right at the end of the season. It will be NO WE CAN'T.

You may well be...Well, actually not, because I've just re-read the comment. Villa may not ultimately reach higher than 5th or 6th, but they won't be mid-table, and they're not a 'shit team'. That's just silly.

And obviously, MON has no idea what he's doing.

taglor...my apologies.

ASTON VILLA FC
WERE BY FAR
THE GREATEST TEAM
THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN
AND ITS
ASTON VILLA

I've given more thought to the CL debate, although it has been done to death, i seem to remember everton knicking 4th not that long ago, and where did it get them? they got knocked out early doors the next year and since then have really only stood still. I'm hoping the difference being with us that we have Randy's billions behind us.

I'm hoping we do get fourth as i think it will possibly show whether this IS ultimately another false dawn or whether we can move on up to the next level. I'm still not 100% sure how much money there is and to make any real headway either in the CL or in a title race we will need LOTS of money on top of being able to offer CL football in order to get to the top.

If we were to get 4th spot, who thinks we will do an everton, or who thinks we really do have the backing to push on and break the monopoly of the top 4 long term?

I guess the proof of the pudding is in the eating and once we have experienced it we will then know if we will have to make do with lucky cup success a-la Pompey or Spurs or whether we can realistically start to build a legacy a-la ManU and Arsenal.
I'm keeping the faith for a bright future UTV

Reply to keefvilla:

Damian

Lets be honest mate you take less stick on here than Milner

That's my ban sorted too. See you all tomorrow.

Absolutely Hilarious!

I think everyone would like an FA Cup or League Cup win, but the reason the other Top 5 teams are always so good is from the influx of cash they get for being in the Champions League every year. I don't think one Champions League appearance makes a team into a dominating team. But getting an extra 20 million every year for player signings helps keeps teams competing every year. I think just the fact that we're playing so well this year probably has better players looking at us, and Champions League will always be something of a draw. I guess we'll see what happens.

As far as the team goes, I agree that Shorey should get a run again at left back. He's been decent when he's played lately, and he seems on the verge. I think him not playing has more to do with MON wanting Cuellar on the field than not wanting Shorey playing. But let's see him play at LB and have Cuellar spell Knight and Davies. As far as Gabby goes, I just don't think he's an instinctual player, and I think he's always going to be about at the quality he's at, for better or for worse. You would think someone would have told him that if he has a one-on-one with the goalie to not shoot at the near post. Anyway, enough about him. I think Milner has been one of our better players in 2009.

I think MON is right in his approach,we need a top 4 place. Because if we dont get that place we will prob lose Barry,Petrov and maybe Ash in the summer.No matter what you think of Barry we do play better when he is in the team,same goes for Stan aswell.We need these type of players to maybe challenge for the league next year and we need to be in the CL to get top class players to come to us. If we won both league cup and FA cup and finished 5/6 in premier this season we still couldnt attracted the type of players who play regular in the CL.
Back when I was younger in the 80s the FA cup ment a lot,everyone wanted to win it,but maybe thats because we were banned from Europe so it was more special but times have changed and the CL is more special ask a little kid if he would rather his team win FA or Cl I think we all know the answer to that,like I said times have changed Football use to be about winning,winning silverware it still is but its more of an entertainment now and to entertain you need top players which sadly winning the FA cup and finishing outside the top 4 wont bring,but a CL place will.

'ASTON VILLA FC
WERE BY FAR
THE GREATEST TEAM
THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN
AND ITS
ASTON VILLA'

oh for the missing apostrophe

This winning silverware debate is really making me chuckle. Barry and Petrov will be off if we don't reach the CL. I can sympathise with Barry for wanting this, as he has perservered with us for ten years.

When we reach the CL next season, our priority will still be to win the EPL. However, by then, we will have a stronger squad hopefully able to cope with the additional fixtures. Remember next season wont begin in July.

Reply to vi11achar1ton:

'ASTON VILLA FC
WERE BY FAR
THE GREATEST TEAM
THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN
AND ITS
ASTON VILLA'

oh for the missing apostrophe

Should be:

THE WORLD EVER SAW

AND IT WAS ASTON VILLA...

Anyway, it's rather silly.

We had chances in the game, we could have tied it without playing very well at all. It's too bad most people are way too emotional and lose all objective thinking after a loss.

I agree with those who say 4-5-1 is our best option. Especially against quality teams that will come at us. Barry and Petrov need that extra help in midfield if we are to control it against class sides (See the arsenal games).

Why MON doesnt use it is probably because of our new personnel. He probably does not want to have to leave out 2 of these three: heskey, carew or gabby.

But back to the chelsea and other recent games. Our defense, in particular our center backs have been absolutely shocking. They look lost when they encounter any quality opponents. Knight and Davies were both awful against Chelsea. They had no composure, did not look like they were communicating properly and their positional play was crap. And that is not even including their play on Anelka's goal. (Watch as Davies is drawn way out of position to lunge and completely miss a crucial tackle. Then enjoy Zat Knight as he almost runs in a complete circle as Lampard puts Anelka in on goal.)

On their day I think Knight and Davies can do a good job, but lately they have been complete shit. There is no other way to describe it.

Anyways we are 6 points up on Arsenal, who are not playing well. They still have to go to Liverpool and united (Like us), while they play chelsea at home. (Hopefully the new-manager-syndrome has not worn off by then!? right) Even if they start beating the sunderlands of the premier league (which is surely not a given) they will need to be in absolutely terrific form to give us a scare in the race for top 4.

we are far from done. utv

All of you who are flying out to Moscow for Thursdays game I have a bad feeling your going to see a similar starting eleven to that which started the game against Hamburg . Top four is priority , two premiership games in four days on there return . Will he really want to risk our stars on a plastic pitch . I'm not saying I agree , it's just my opinion of whats going to happen. MON is throwing all his egg's into one premiership basket and I for one hope to god he gets it right .
UTV
YES WE CAN finish fourth

Reply to kohoutek:

ah, taglor and vogra, come creeping back round after defeat, drawn by the stench of carrion.

Really, Villa are one poacher and one true creative midfielder away from being terribly difficult to beat. I hate losses, but Villa were not outclassed yesterday, and made chances.
...

Add 2 centre backs and a left back back and a real defensive midfielder to that list as well and then maybe.

I was in Manchester at Blackburn game. Watched Villa in hotel with lots of M U fans. They all wanted us to win and felt we were unlucky. Santa Cruz took his goal well but did nothing else of note. The Man U fans were not impressed with their team, many left early. All the support seems to come from the Stretford End.
Back to us. Heskey works his nuts off as does Milner. Dont panic. Normal service will be resumed. We are not that far away. UTV

"PMP: Aston Villa are a top five team that could steal top four this season"

By the way this line really pisses me off, and I cant help but to speak out against the ignorance of it all.

Until we finish in 5th place (Or sit in that position), we are not the 5th place team. The media and fans can try to label us however they want, because they have been doing it all season. They said we were title contenders a few weeks ago, but after a loss (The first in 13 games?) according to many we are no longer a top 4 team.

The only thing that does not lie is the numbers. Currently we are ahead of the 5th place team by 6 points (that is 2 wins or 6 draws or the combination of 1 win and 3 draws) We are behind the 3rd place team by 1 point, and 4 points behind the 2nd place team. So if you want to get smart we are actually closer to being the 3rd, or 2nd place team than we are of being the 5th place team.

The idea being we play in the same league, we play the exact number of games against the exact opposition as everyone else in the league. We are where we are on MERIT (And so is everyone else). We deserve to be where we are at this moment, as does everyone else.

In the end the table is the only thing that matters. The table (Unlike the media and supporters) does not judge payroll, squad size, number of internationals and world loved super stars a roster holds. It does not judge how many passes you can make in a row (thank god) or how many trophies your club has won, etc.

If we finish 4th we deserve 4th. The greatest thing about 38 games in the premier league is, you cant steal anything. I cringe whenever I read about where a team 'should' be in the table, opposed to where they actually are.

anyway utv like always

rolgat_

it was referring to what merson said ..

Ipbopmalik

if you've got the time .. do you mind finding out exactly when the season would start if we finisgh 3rd or 4th

LINK=788373.html

actually, i think i figured it out.

if we finish 4th it will be mid august, if we finish 3rd it will be mid september - although don't take this as gospel .. i'm in a hurry and didn't rad it properly

I think we have a couple tough games ahead. But our season / 4th place will revolve around the 9th n 16th may when arsenal play scouse n united.

Damo do us a fave. I use iPhone a lot and have to scroll through every post to get to bottom. Can u stick a link at top that skips to the bottom of page.

Also ask ole ole if they gonna be doing iPhone apps

At the game, we looked second best but the highlights were kind to us later and I thought we looked equal to the task. Sorry if this has been asked already but is it really the case that the CSKA game isn't on TV in England?

Reply to Top_SIX_Villa:

I think we have a couple tough games ahead. But our season / 4th place will revolve around the 9th n 16th may when arsenal play scouse n united.

Damo do us a fave. I use iPhone a lot and have to scroll through every post to get to bottom. Can u stick a link at top that skips to the...

"you've got to agree with what Merse is saying" Which part were you agreeing with then? Besides the point Im not really attacking you Damian, more like the ignorant idea which you hear time and time again in the media (Or on a blog ).

As for the importance of beating the top 4 (Or top 5 including us). Just look at Manchester United's record so far this season. Like us, they have only won once. They have also lost twice and they drew us. We have won once, lost twice, and drew twice. Doesnt seem to be troubling their title challenge, let alone our top four challenge.

Going a step further you could lose every game to the members of the traditional top 4 and still win the league. If you were perfect against everyone else, you would finish with 90 points. Enough to win the league these past few seasons. If you count Villa in the top 4 (instead of say, arsenal) you can add some more points to that tally and almost guarantee the league.

This is of course ludicrous, just as ludicrous as saying we are currently a 5th place team.

Reply to Ugly_Betty:

At the game, we looked second best but the highlights were kind to us later and I thought we looked equal to the task. Sorry if this has been asked already but is it really the case that the CSKA game isn't on TV in England?

I've literally just been looking at an online TV Guide to make sure but I can't see it anywhere! Its a disgrace! W

There aren't any highlights on the night either!!

Channel 5 wankers!

Reply to AVFCBlog:

actually, i think i figured it out.

if we finish 4th it will be mid august, if we finish 3rd it will be mid september - although don't take this as gospel .. i'm in a hurry and didn't rad it properly

What about if we finish 1st or 2nd? So rather than preparing for additional games, hopefully MON and the team will be actively pursuing identified targets.

Damien why is it that every blog u write has some moan about milner and ANOTHER 4 5 1 comment.In my eyes milner has been one of the better players this season and as someone else said the best football weve played this season was when we was playing 4 4 2.Ok we was getting the results in a 4 5 1 but in my opinion we play alot better football with 4 4 2 and that ironically was when gabby looked a world beater and scored goals.So 4 5 1 milner plays better or 4 4 2 we score goals i no which one i would prefer and MILNER like any other PREMIERSHIP PLAYER should be able to adjust to different positions which i think he can ie playing him right back.We all no we probably would of played better on sunday in a 4 5 1 but spilt milk comes to mind.GET OVER IT. COYL

Basically we understand what your sayin but do we have to understand it every time you write a blog.It just gets a little repetative apart from that, good blog keep it up.

Reply to meangene:

You would write us off against Liverpool?

Clown

Yes I would. Obviously this means you're a MUCH better supporter than me and love the Villa more than me because you think we'll beat EVERYONE and wouldn't dream of thinking we're not invincible.
How dare I question our abilities against the regular top 4 and the regular Champions league semi-finalists? Of course, we'll go to Anfield and stuff them 5-0.
I love the Villa but I try my best to keep a realistic head on- I imagine you dont. No doubt you thought we'd go to Chelsea earlier in the season and take their home record, and that we'd beat United at VP, and Liverpool too. We didnt, i was gutted, but I hadn't pinned all my hopes and faith on us doing it anyway.
It's all about beating the the other 15 teams for me this season, anything else is a bonus. And it should be enough for Top 4.

Reply to Villa_Chris:

There aren't any highlights on the night either!!

Channel 5 wankers!

It's on Setanta Ireland over here thank god. There must be a few bars in Birmingham that have satellites that can get the game. I know in Dublin we have a few pubs that can get nearly every game live as they basically have every channel known to man kind.

Reply to ak_27:

It's on Setanta Ireland over here thank god. There must be a few bars in Birmingham that have satellites that can get the game. I know in Dublin we have a few pubs that can get nearly every game live as they basically have every channel known to man kind.

Yeah there'll be plenty of bars that get it through 'questionable' sources! I think Rococo gets them on Broad St. And there's a host of pubs in Erdington that get them.
Obviously this is of no to anyone not living in Birm

I know I keep coin on about it but if we had a new midfielder or striker then Chelsea may have been different. Altho may not happen but a bid for villa or kaka wkd have been perfect. They after eamwork not money. Not bigheaded and have that flair that could have won the midfield for us with creativity. I think that we only. Need that one class player to make it all happen

Reply to Christian:

Yeah there'll be plenty of bars that get it through 'questionable' sources! I think Rococo gets them on Broad St. And there's a host of pubs in Erdington that get them.
Obviously this is of no to anyone not living in Birm

Yea true... there's a pub near me that screens 3pm games etc. It baffles me how they get away with it, surely its illegal??

Reply to Villa_Chris:

Yea true... there's a pub near me that screens 3pm games etc. It baffles me how they get away with it, surely its illegal??

God bless Arabic TV
Also, at long last I've signed up to OleOle!

keep it quiet then Chris..!

If it's on Setanta Ireland there will be a link on the net..Probably Iraqgoals.com, which is usually best...Thank feck for Iraq..!

just beat me to it there Christian... Welcome by the way..

Reply to __AA__:

keep it quiet then Chris..!

If it's on Setanta Ireland there will be a link on the net..Probably Iraqgoals.com, which is usually best...Thank feck for Iraq..!

Not lookin good for folk in the shetlands then

Reply to __AA__:

keep it quiet then Chris..!

If it's on Setanta Ireland there will be a link on the net..Probably Iraqgoals.com, which is usually best...Thank feck for Iraq..!

Ha ha it wont hurt for me to be saying anything about it, they put huge advertising boards up outside!

I'm going to have to miss it anyway, I've gotta go on my weekly bike ride to keep up the fitness. Gutted! (which is the reason why I wanted highlights!)

Anyone know a link that allows you to watch the full match again afterwards?

feckin bike ride..! Chenge your bloody day...lol

Reply to __AA__:

feckin bike ride..! Chenge your bloody day...lol

I know! Its unlike me to miss a game but thats how much I want to lose weight and get fitter!

Plus...I go with the old man n I don't want to let him down...

i mentioned it about 2 months ago that i thought reverting back to a 4 man midfield would disrupt our rhythm and low and behold it has. although i dont like the style of play with 5 in midfield i think it actually probably suits the likes of petrov and barry and also eases the defensive duties of ashley young and milner a little as well. therefore i am going to have to agree with damian.. we are better with a 4-5-1

Reply to Villa_Chris:

I know! Its unlike me to miss a game but thats how much I want to lose weight and get fitter!

Plus...I go with the old man n I don't want to let him down...

Why don't ye cylcle past the pub with the game on and pretend you need to get a drink of water and then act all surprised that the game is on telly.

Reply to ak_27:

Why don't ye cylcle past the pub with the game on and pretend you need to get a drink of water and then act all surprised that the game is on telly.

Ha ha nice idea but there aren't many pubs in the middle of Cannock Chase I'm afraid. Looks like Ill have to just watch a few crappy highlights on the net afterwards.

I'm never going to forgive Channel 5 for this....they are a joke!

Just seen that Arteta is ruled out for the rest of the season. Not saying I'm glad of it but surely that can only be good for us!

Reply to qldvillan:

i mentioned it about 2 months ago that i thought reverting back to a 4 man midfield would disrupt our rhythm and low and behold it has. although i dont like the style of play with 5 in midfield i think it actually probably suits the likes of petrov and barry and also eases the defensive duties of...

Yeah i agree, i'm not a fan of 4-5-1 either, but it suited us well, so perhaps we should've stayed with it.
It's not as if we look any more dangerous with 4-4-2 (even though in theory we should), if anything we look perhaps a little more fragile.
The other thing I've noticed is Gabby's workrate- everyone on here essentially agrees he's been pretty lazy- but when he was the lone striker he worked his socks off, running channels, hassling defenders. Yet with a strike partner its as if he feels he needn't work so hard. Maybe he enjoys the responsibility and challenge of leading the line alone? Or maybe I've got it totally wrong

Villa_Chris- I'm with AA here, you can't miss illegal, arabic highlights for a bike ride! Your old man will understand, I'm sure he'll be fine without you in the basket on the back

200 !!!!!!!

Reply to AVFCBlog:

looking_for_henry

i'm not actually slagging off milner. what i'm saying is it took him time to adjust to a five man midfield - which to some extent is acceptable - and after a while he did adjust and started playing much better. remember, this is just my opinion and one i think that...

Damian i dont always agree with you but i think you are spot on, on this occasion. barry n pet do lack the quality against finer opposition and the 5 man midfield defo protects them as it tightens the middle of the park and mistakes can be rectified with the extra man in the middle, it also gives more free reign to the wingers. i think heskey was brought in to compliment agbonlahor who had been doing exceptional up top by himself. o neill wanted to cut gabbys work load as he was tiring after a good long run and i think o neil was worried about our home form and play 4-4-2 to break down teams but it isnt exactly working for us and i think its time to shelve it and work on a more advanced system in the summer by bringing in 3-4 quality players and keeping the good players we have. Its obvious counter attacking footie wont work in the champions league cause if we give the ball away cheap we mightnt see it back for 10 mins a t a time. but our 4-5-1/4-3-3 is our best system at the moment and i think it will see us into 3/4 spot.

Anyway i like your shout to revert back to the old system. id love to see a quality goal poacher come in (henrik larson type of player), a quality playmaker (yohann gourcuff on loan at bordeaux from ac milan) lescott solid player to play cover centre/ right back ( a villa fan and a goal threat from set-pieces)antonia valencia might be another good option. jesus its actually a very hard task to think of the right blend of players to come in and improve us. who would u like to see in the summer damian?

Greg

I'm a big fan of what martin O'Neill is doing at the moment, in terms of bringing in players bit by bit. I think bringing in any more than three or four in the summer could cause as much disruption in the short term as it could benefit in the long term and I think we'll all agree that in the Premier League, you can't have that long a bad run.

But who would I like to see .. I'd quite like Valencia or that ype of player for the right wing - moving Milner to the right side of a three man midfield - he is fast and while he doesn't score loads - he is the type of player you'd really like to see if we're going to be playing "counter attacking" football.

I think it vital we get another central defender/utility defender - good shout on Lescott but top of the list for me would be a striker.

Don't get me wrong, of the three we have at the moment (not counting Harewood or Nathan in this) the only one I'd really like to keep is Gabby and he still has some developing to do and I really do think that Nathan will come good.

So, three players for me - more would be pushing it, but the most important thing O'Neill has to do, is strengthen the first team and not look for "squad players" and I fancy the two mentioned would come to us if we finish top four.

Reply to AVFCBlog:

Greg

I'm a big fan of what martin O'Neill is doing at the moment, in terms of bringing in players bit by bit. I think bringing in any more than three or four in the summer could cause as much disruption in the short term as it could benefit in the long term and I think we'll all agree...

He should have bought Palacious.

Reply to Villa_Chris:

Just seen that Arteta is ruled out for the rest of the season. Not saying I'm glad of it but surely that can only be good for us!

it's a bit bloody late now we're out of the FA Cup Chris...

Reply to __AA__:

it's a bit bloody late now we're out of the FA Cup Chris...

I mean in terms of the league. IF we do drop off towards the end of the season (which I don't think we will mind) then Arsenal and Everton are our only threats....therefore a weaker Everton=Happy Villa! Arteta is their best player after all.

Reply to ak_27:

He should have bought Palacious.

ya i thought that myself, heart of reo-coker and passing like petrov, a good player

Reply to greg:

ya i thought that myself, heart of reo-coker and passing like petrov, a good player

I don't think we've had a really good centre midfielder that can do both since Andy Townsend.

Reply to ak_27:

Add 2 centre backs and a left back back and a real defensive midfielder to that list as well and then maybe.

Sure, I could see upgrades all over the pitch. But for me, right at the moment, a Ruud van up front playing alongside Gabby or on his own...We'd be converting so many more of these chances, and it would be seeing us clear, putting opponents under so much pressure.

Does anyone know if the game on thursdays being shown on tv?!

I know its an early kick off but can't see it being broadcasted on any channel.

Reply to nath888:

Does anyone know if the game on thursdays being shown on tv?!

I know its an early kick off but can't see it being broadcasted on any channel.

Its on Setanta Ireland I believe so unless you live there, you have to either find a dodgy pub or a dodgy Arabic link!

Sucks I know!

I think we should all send an e-mail to Channel 5 complaining!

Reply to AVFCBlog:

Greg

I'm a big fan of what martin O'Neill is doing at the moment, in terms of bringing in players bit by bit. I think bringing in any more than three or four in the summer could cause as much disruption in the short term as it could benefit in the long term and I think we'll all agree...

Ya your right about the centre backs as we become weak when laursens out. (need to be thinkind of a quality long term replacement) Also in respect to not bringing in 'squad players' i think this season all out waiting for some big name signings will be over. If we can add real class to what we have we could challenge as outsiders for the title.

The building slowly has been key but i can see it coming to fruition.

PS. Like i used to follow vassel thru the yths, then the moore brothers, then gabby, i also have followed nathan and because of his phisical presence for a yung un i thin khe is quality in the making. wud love a quality striker about 25 r 6, give nathan more chance next term and slowly faze out heskey for the new blood. Heskey has an important role to play for us but in the short term i wud imagine.

anyway keep up the good work UTV

Reply to Villa_Chris:

Its on Setanta Ireland I believe so unless you live there, you have to either find a dodgy pub or a dodgy Arabic link!

Sucks I know!

I think we should all send an e-mail to Channel 5 complaining!

Im one step ahead of you .

customerservices@five.tv

Already given those jokers a piece of my mind !!

Reply to greg:

Ya your right about the centre backs as we become weak when laursens out. (need to be thinkind of a quality long term replacement) Also in respect to not bringing in 'squad players' i think this season all out waiting for some big name signings will be over. If we can add real class to what we have...

The replacement for Laursen is Distan. Can't see him stay on there after this season. He is not having a great season but he is better then Knight, Davies and Cullar. Richard Dunne also might be available this summer if City go and purchase big time players.

Reply to AVFCBlog:

Greg

I'm a big fan of what martin O'Neill is doing at the moment, in terms of bringing in players bit by bit. I think bringing in any more than three or four in the summer could cause as much disruption in the short term as it could benefit in the long term and I think we'll all agree...

Agree with your comment, I see Milner moving inwards and becoming more of an attacking centre mid (england doesnt really have any other for the future that i can see worth while). But gabby really doesnt have the instinct for a top 4 club striker, as gifted as he is with pace it simply isnt enough - we need a poacher with a real eye for goal who doesnt panic when he gets near it.

rather than valencia i would keep the trend going... martin likes them young and english... when we kick arsenal out of the top 4 there will surely be an exodus, starting with cesc and collapsing inwards. Now whilst i dont for one minute see RVP coming our way (the things dreams are made of) - walcott would fit in a treat. It would benefit his international career and imagine him on one side and ashley on the other, who wouldnt be scared! And he's not far off gabbys pace, and uses it far better - with a great strikers instinct... adaptable (right wing or striker)... cash in on gabby and get a real young english talent to add to the growing collection!

BTW, anyone got an update on laursen, really missing his presence!

and on a side note, if milner moves inwards, i assume you mean to partner petrov barry... sidwell ok, but nigel is better than a bench warmer, i think some unrest could come if there isnt some well managed man management and squad rotation!

Reply to ak_27:

The replacement for Laursen is Distan. Can't see him stay on there after this season. He is not having a great season but he is better then Knight, Davies and Cullar. Richard Dunne also might be available this summer if City go and purchase big time players.

I wouldn't touch Richard Dunne with a barge pole.... have you not seen how poor he has been this season? Scored more own goals than anyone and probably been sent off more than anyone else!

Like you say, Distan has also been rubbish. I must admit, I also think Zat an Davies are a bit shaky at the moment, especially Davies. He's looking like that pub player he was on about at the start of the season.... His passing is nothing short of woeful and he just looks like a big lump at the moment. Think its just a dip in form though.

Reply to ak_27:

The replacement for Laursen is Distan. Can't see him stay on there after this season. He is not having a great season but he is better then Knight, Davies and Cullar. Richard Dunne also might be available this summer if City go and purchase big time players.

Micah richards! we have seen the potential, and with MON being the guy who seemingly can get the most out of a player Micah is our man! partnering curtis for club and country in few years i reckon, and the whole young and english thing works for him too... this triple man city swoop we keep hearing about (Johnson sturridge and micah) not sure how much truth there is to it, but with man city wanting results and big names yesterday, micah is more of a villa man than a man city man

Reply to Villa_Chris:

I wouldn't touch Richard Dunne with a barge pole.... have you not seen how poor he has been this season? Scored more own goals than anyone and probably been sent off more than anyone else!

Like you say, Distan has also been rubbish. I must admit, I also think Zat an Davies are a bit...

I agree that Dunne has been very poor but i feel that may be down to the whole Man City situation at the monet. Miceh Richards seems to be the same. I know from watching dunne for the ROI that he is a quality centre back. He is still only 28/29 i think. MON would get the best out of him. He was MOM yesterday by the way.

I really haven't seen why people mention Davies as the next English centre back and capain other then he seems to do an interview every week. He is just so bad with the ball at his feet. You cannot afford at this level to have someone so uncomfortable on the ball especially in Europe. He is the main culpret for the long ball crap.

Chelsea were very clinical, every time we broke and we were getting away they'd just commit a professional foul - being chelsea they got away with it alot. Loads of time wasting too...but we still give the ball away to easily.

Quite impressed at the ammount we forced them to give it back to us though, they were always giving it back to Cech to hoof upfield back to us. We weren't bad at all really. Heskey should have scored.

Reply to dan price:

Agree with your comment, I see Milner moving inwards and becoming more of an attacking centre mid (england doesnt really have any other for the future that i can see worth while). But gabby really doesnt have the instinct for a top 4 club striker, as gifted as he is with pace it simply isnt enough -...

Why why why do we have to buy English? Do you not see that this is limiting the pool of talent we can bring to the club. You would swear England were the best team in the world. Its all good if we are buying the top English talent but we are not doing this. We are paying over the odds for average enough players with very little technique.

Reply to ak_27:

I agree that Dunne has been very poor but i feel that may be down to the whole Man City situation at the monet. Miceh Richards seems to be the same. I know from watching dunne for the ROI that he is a quality centre back. He is still only 28/29 i think. MON would get the best out of him. He was MOM...

Nice reply!

buying English is all well and good, but to buy a top quality English flair player (the likes of Cole) is out of our price range, so the only way to go is to go for a foreigner, cause mon doesn't like to spend big, and when he does (apart from Young) his record hasn't been that great (Davis, Cuellar, Milner) although milner is getting there

Just read that you fans over in England wont have the match in Moscow televised....

LINK

Lucky for us Irish fans its on Setanta Ireland along with the USA and whatever Canadians fans there are on Setanta Canada...

UTV!!!

.

Reply to Top_SIX_Villa:

.

agree totally

Stop moaning get behind your team and be quiet.

Reply to AVFCBlog:

Nan_was_a_fan

If we must finish top four and if it is the only thing that matters, what happens if we don't?

Or let me put it another way, if we do finish top four and we do bring in an extra player or four, what happens if the following season we don't progress, don't ceme...

Damian
Why do you talk so much bull?

Reply to SYMBAS:

Damian
Why do you talk so much bull?

WHATS YOUR BIG THING ABOUT WAYNE ROONEY!!!

Whats all this about the Moscow game not on tv! Does anyone know of any of them dodgy internet links? I'll go crazy if I can't watch it.

The money spent in the summer and in the January window means that we are now in a position that will likely end with us being a top 4 team this season.
The same sort of investment will be needed for us to move to the next level of having a squad that will be capable of being in with a realistic chance of challenging for a top 4 place and being in a position to win other silverware without having to field weakened teams.
We are not in a false position, our performances this year have put us into a position that 3 years ago we would have thought neearly impossible and I believe with Martin bringing in the right recruits at the end of the season we can be a force to be reckoned with on all fronts next year.
Keep the faith

Reply to Jimbo Daventry Villa:

Whats all this about the Moscow game not on tv! Does anyone know of any of them dodgy internet links? I'll go crazy if I can't watch it.

you will able to watch it on justintv mate at home with a six pack UTV

Petrov and Barry got away pretty lightly in the post match analysis. I've played centre half and defensive midfield. I know that MON would have stressed to those two how important it was not to let the centre forwards and Lampard drop deep and run at the centre halves. We don't have Vidic and Ferdinand in defence, Davies and Knight were left exposed for the goal.

I suppose it is tiredness (come back NRC asap) but when Gabby and Ashley are so patently short of form (the former dare I say it crying out to be rested) you have to work like dogs to stay in the game.

I wasn't disappointed that Chelsea were the better team, only that we didn't put in the effort in the middle of the park. It wasn't formation it was effort and determination and concentration that were lacking.

WE NEVER GET ANYTHING WHEN WE PLAY THE TOP 4 WHEN FUCKPIG HALSEY IS REF. I HATE HIM HATE HIM!!

Reply to nuneaton lion:

The money spent in the summer and in the January window means that we are now in a position that will likely end with us being a top 4 team this season.
The same sort of investment will be needed for us to move to the next level of having a squad that will be capable of being in with a...

Sorry mate but I think you need to get your calculator out.The money we would need to spend to move to the next level would be no where near covered by the kind of Money we have spent this season.
If we really wanted to go for it, we'd know a striker the quality of Torres (26Mil) an attacking midielder such as Diego (20-25Mil at a guess) a holding/defensive midfielder such as Essien (15 mil) an attacking left back in the Boswinga mould (12mil) and a commanding cente half like Terry(20mil).Thats the thick end of £100MIL and I haven't even mentioned a right sided midfielder yet.
Buying another load of Cuellars/Milners and Sidwells is not gonna cement us in the top 4 and allow us to progress in the champions League.
We'd also need to pray that need of these fantasy signings didn't get injured or turn out to be twats such as Drogba

Damian, James milner plays for the cause,he covers every blade of grass on the pitch.OK a pass or two goes astray but you can see his intention when he plays a pass, give him a break,and yes he is worth 12 mil, money well spent.On the other we lack a quality midfielder capable of setting up something special,(a new sid)someone to go with Barry,and i feel MON is responsible for this(time will tell)in the mean time we have a very good team,but very good is not good enough, with the money we had available during the feb window to purchase a quality player we should by now be scary to the opposition,the fact is were not,in fact were predictable,get it to Ashley or gabby we've been sussed .For the record i believe Heskey has played OK but i would not have bought him.

Reply to ak_27:

Why why why do we have to buy English? Do you not see that this is limiting the pool of talent we can bring to the club. You would swear England were the best team in the world. Its all good if we are buying the top English talent but we are not doing this. We are paying over the odds for average...

did you see whn the 6 players were selected for england, one of them scored for villa and they all celebrated together on their own in teh corner, there is a certain team spirit with these it seems. thats not to say it cant be broken or others cant get into it, but i truly believe that a big part of where villa are now is team spirit, a lack of moaning nad bitching like other players and its working. If a good foreign deal comes along take it, but if there is an english option i think its a good idea. All the neutrals are really loving villa atm with the english team we field and the papers are getting behind us and its good, not quite arsenal with walcott and... walcott..

However a torres or diego would excite me alot! but martin does seem to prefer these tried and tested prem players...

LINK

Reply to Dan price:

did you see whn the 6 players were selected for england, one of them scored for villa and they all celebrated together on their own in teh corner, there is a certain team spirit with these it seems. thats not to say it cant be broken or others cant get into it, but i truly believe that a big part...

For us to make the nest step up we need to be following the lead of the top teams. It's Man Utd that we should be looking at how they operate. They have a small but very good nuclus of English players but for the main part it is foreign technical quality players that makes them what they are today. So far with exception of Young we have paid well over the odds for very average English players.

Top_SIX_Villa

Click on Add Yours - it brings you to the bottom of the page ...

Good point

have some fuckin patience and we will make the next step! Jesus h christ, i've seen 5 year olds with more patience than some of you 'want it right now' divs!

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