Sir Alex Ferguson and who else for Villa?

It should also be noted that Ferguson had won the Scottish Cup, European Cup Winners Cup and the Scottish title as manager of Aberdeen (also getting to two finals in his first two seasons), no easy feat when Celtic and Rangers are your challengers.

No other Scottish team has won a European competition since Ferguson left for Manchester United.

When Alex Ferguson took over at Manchester United he was joining on the back of a successful managerial career, a wealth of managerial experience spanning three previous clubs and twelve years and most importantly a proven track record.

Can we now please stop using the 'what would have happened if United had fired Ferguson' example in relation to getting rid of O'Leary, please!.

Nobody can compare David O'Leary or Aston Villa with Ferguson or Manchester United nearly 20 years ago.

O'Leary had only managed one club for three full seasons, won nothing and finished in a worse final position every season after spending more than the season before on players.

I had to get that off my chest I'm sorry, but it's true and so bloody annoying when it's used as an excuse not to fire O'Leary or atleast accept it as a viable option.

Also, whenever the suggestion of getting rid of David O'Leary is mentioned why do people always say to me 'who else then' - almost as if when you give a good alternative they'll agree with you!

Don't ask the question if you're not willing to accept the possibilities of the answer! The point of getting rid of O'Leary is he's not good enough, it's not about waiting to have the right manager lined up first but if you want one I'll give you one - Kevin MacDonald.

MacDonald was part of the Liverpool side who won the League and FA Cup double in 1985-86 and as far as I'm concerned, based on his success to date as a manager, is a better choice for Aston Villa than David O'Leary.

{mosgoogle right}If you accept O'Leary as manager of Aston Villa then that is your right but I don't. I would love to be proven wrong but I can't see it happening.

As a manger he has ended up in a worse final position every season in his career and although I see it changing this season I had expected to be finishing in the top 6 after his third season, not the 8th that I'm now predicting.

What it comes down to is expectation and what is within the realms of possibility.

When you look at what David O'Leary has done in his managerial career there is no evidence that he knows that he is doing so why continue with him after two seasons of yet more mediocrity and some embarrassing results?

Many people are now saying the Blues game is make or break for O'Leary. I believe we'll win it and I guess for a few Villa fans that will be enough. For me I put it down to us having better players and them not having Robbie Savage - nothing to do with O'Leary.

Have an opinion on this or just want to abuse me for having an opinion that you don't agree with? Email damian@astonvilla.biz.