Written by Damian Sunday, 21 February 2010 11:58
Morning all and with a little under three hours to kick off, I suspect the talk is going to be about the suggestion that O'Neill hasn't got any money to spend and that Lerner is cutting back.
I want to get this out of the way, mostly because it is going to get talked about and mostly because, well, it wouldn't really surprise me, although I am certain, if true, that it would surprise others.
Lerner cutting back
There is a report on people.co.uk that Lerner is cutting back and that O'Neill has no money to spend and that it might be enough for O'Neill to leave the club.
A Villa Source
The club is in cutback mode. It is a squeeze at all levels. The top scouts have been told that their targets have to be cheap and 'sensible' - and the word has come from the top.
Now, you can believe this if you want or you can say it is just club PR getting started early to try and make other clubs think we don't have any money. I for one think it is true, in so much that up until the last filed accounts (the new ones are coming out very soon and might present a very different story) the club basically looked like it was borrowing as much as the club could borrow and remain solvent.
What I mean is, this is an investment vehicle for Lerner. He bought the club at a below market price and we had no debt. He could lend the club money in the knowledge that the money would be safe and that he would be be paid a nice lump sum each year in interest.
If he put in £50mn more - chances are that the club wouldn't be able to finance that loan, meaning he wouldn't earn any money on that money and why, as a successful business man, should he put money into something that isn't going to make him any money.
But, the new accounts come out soon. We could find out that Lerner has written off all the debt he has put on the club and transferred it to additional shares, like the Manchester City owner did, or we could find out that he hasn't and that basically the club has got even more debt and isn't going to get any more money from him because the club won't be able to pay him his interest and continue to trade without assistance. We will find out soon and this story could be completely made up.
The report in the paper also suggests that O'Neill could be off if he doesn't get the money he believes is needed to get Aston Villa into the top four. I for one think we don't need to worry about the above until we see the new accounts and see what happens in the summer. Today, we have a football match.
Burnley at Villa Park
There is so much more to write about on the above matter, but we do have a certain match to play today and while this has three points written all over it, the really interesting part is going to be how we get the three points.
My views on the football are well documented but Burnley are so poor away from home that I think we should be able to dominate this game and maybe it is the perfect springboard for Crystal Palace and the final next Sunday.
We will have team news as and when we get it, we will update this page with anything interesting and we will also be on Twitter with 140 character updates. But today has three points written all over it, it's just a case of how we play.
Team News
Big Brad, King Carlos, RicardoDunne, Ginger Jim, Stephen Warnock, Webcam, Stewart Downing, James Milner, Stan the Man Petrov, Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey.
The Bench: Luke Young, Steve Sidwell, John Carew, The Fonz, Fabian Delph, Little Brad and Habib Beye.
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Pershore Ed
said:
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... I think the PR that came out in January (Guardian etc) about how much Randy has put into the club was part of a plan to manage fans' expectations and pre-empt/mitigate criticism on lack of transfers...In other words, don't expect any cash injections in the short term. |
Alex Glynn
said:
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... Please say that that isn't true. I for one like MON a lot. And want a bit more cash. |
Stathis
said:
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... 2-0 win imo And hope we see a couple new faces involved either from the start or at some -reasonable- minute |
Nik Skilton
said:
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... 3-1 today. I still think MoN will have TV cash + sales to spend which would be around £50m ish this year. |
Andr3
said:
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... There is always speculations about how club have no funds, I for one think that clubs like MAN U, Chealsea Liverpool etc can be allowed to borrow so much money and still be able to spend. Most of our english clubs are based on borrowing, so if Man u are in 700millions pounds of debt i dont see how they can survive. We have near to no debts compared to them, but yet they still have more money to spend?/ Anyway we should wim this game, but Burnley are a good team and I'm not expecting a too easy win, about 2-1 to the VILLA! |
Andr3
said:
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... **There is always speculations about how clubs have no funds, I for one think that clubs like MAN U, Chealsea Liverpool etc can't be allowed to borrow so much money and still be able to spend on transfers** |
beef
said:
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... I'm seein a three point win, like others; however, in light if the next 7 days of football I think it would be gross mismanagement if we don't start with the fonz. If he doesn't get at least 30 mins within the next 2 games it could work against us. Gabby isn't completely tip top in fitness so perhaps he's best left on the bench till the final. Just my two cents. |
bradz
said:
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... I think that what we should do is a Wigan in terms of scouting...pay low prices and if necessary sell...the point is we now have a great backbone to the club...we definately need a striker and an attacking midfielder but do believe we can experiment a little in the market now without having to spend loads!!! |
Nick the Villan
said:
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... I'd be highly surprised if we do have much to spend during the next couple of transfer windows, in fact apart from United, City and Chelsea I don't see many clubs bucking what is clearly going to be a trend for football in this country for the forseeable future, given the state of some clubs accounts and the present economic decline (don't believe the hype, we are still in a recession!). However, I also think this story has been hugely exaggerated, and still expect to see us retain a sensible level of investment in the team, as well as one or two faces moving on to bolster funds. For the record, since when did Randy Lerner ever have his private thoughts leaked to the press? I'd be surprised if he has even discussed the summers finances with O'Neill at this stage of the season, why would he? I'm sure everyone is far too busy worrying about the small matter of where we can finish in the league, a cup replay against Palace, and the not so small matter of a Carling Cup Final. Moving on to todays game, I am expecting, and demanding a win, anything else would be a significant disappointment, so much so I don't even wish to contemplate it! We should be back to pretty much full strength, I believe Gabby is back and I'm hoping his recent rest will have done some good and rejuvinated his fading batteries. Maybe even Heskey can play a complete match today, I can't remember him ever accomplishing that feat since he joined us. I am sticking my neck out and going for 3 - 0 to The Villa. |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... dont ask me where ive seen it but i have seen somewhere that our books will show an operating loss of 7.3-7.5 million which i dont see as too severe. i have also read in a interview with randy lerner that the intension of the club when he bought it was to tighten the spending reigns this season, which is a bit different from just stopping the manager in his tracks. if this is the case then mon knew all about it when lerner first spoke to him as it was planmed 31/2 years ago. im sure badger can dig at least one of the items im on about from somewhere  |
paul mclafferty
said:
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... i am very suprised todays game is going ahead, because if i was mon i would pull the safety card and give the players an extra few days to prepare for the next two games.. anyway i am just leaving so hope for a resounding 3-0 victory and hope for a few early substitutes being made. |
kiddervilla the real me
said:
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... this story of the cut back i dont know if its a big secret due to the recession everyone is making cut backs, look at the jan transfer window very poor not just us but everyone, even the mancs didnt push the boat out, but of course villa are the worse ones again ,joke why becuse some jack ass of a reporter says so, why this week why not last mounth funny its this week just before a cup final still i surpose desperate times sells news papers anyway a lot of football this week so lets start this one off with a nice 3/0 to the boys and keep the ball rolling , god bless the villa |
sean jones
said:
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... Well like Damian said we will find out soon, and defo in the summer. What about a punt on Carragher in the summer i think he'd be a great signing, maybe a new club just like Dunne is what Carragher needs to get his career going again. Because I think Cuellar will be off to Madrid in the summer for hopefully 15-20 million, and I think Carragher would be a great and cheap option with the left overmoney for a new striker. Also im going for a 2-0 win with Delph and Downing scoring. UTV |
GPalmer
said:
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... What we learn from the media is 90% drivel. Here's an example from David James: PRs can have their uses though. I wonder if I'd had one through the last two transfer windows whether things would have been different. As it was my name was linked to so many moves that my 16 year old son spent the whole of transfer deadline day frantically texting me to ask what was going on. I kept saying: "Nothing's happening, son," but he was so engrossed in the hype that he didn't believe me. You cannot imagine how annoying it is for your son to take more notice of newspaper and TV reports than of his own dad. http://www.guardian.co.uk/foot...s-pr-media |
Daniel Wilson
said:
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... Team news - Friedel; Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock; A Young, Downing, Milner, Petrov; Agbonlahor, Heskey. Subs: L Young, Sidwell, Carew, Delfouneso, Delph, Guzan, Beye. |
Damian
said:
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... Team News Big Brad, King Carlos, RicardoDunne, Ginger Jim, Stephen Warnock, Webcam, Stewart Downing, James Milner, Stan the Man Petrov, Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey. The Bench: Luke Young, Steve Sidwell, John Carew, The Fonz, Fabian Delph, Little Brad and Habib Beye. |
scott harwood
said:
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... no surprises with the team.as long as fonz,carew,sidwell and delph play wednesday ill be happy.i cant see this team playing and winning all 3 games this week,sorry to put a dampener on it!anyway im gonna go for a nervous 2-1 win. utv |
Damian
said:
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... From OptaJoe The only other team to take just 1 pt from 1st 13 PL away matches (as Burnley) was Bolton in 95/96. They won their next 3 in a row. |
Damian
said:
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... Looks like Burnley have started in a 451 - but dont think even that is going to stop goals today |
Damian
said:
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... limerick villain goals galore today ... it is burnley. they have let in 38 away from home so far this season |
rodin
said:
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... Lmao,burnley haven't scored in any of their last 6 away games ,and they score at VP against our team who has arguably the best defence in the league.Same as the crystal palace game on here,people going overboard with their predictions,under-estimating our "weak" opponents.Who do i hear laughing now?......The burnley fans.....I thought the Palace game would have taught our fans a lesson,but apparently not....As i write this,Burnley missed a good chance to go 2-0 up.... |
Damian
said:
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... We do seem to lack ideas ... and when we do try to pass it isn´t really to a player that is either a. making space or b. made space - they seemto be more hopeful that the player will see it .. Still - we will win today |
Damian
said:
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... webcam makes a little space. gets cross in. first man knocks out for a corner corner doesn´t beat first man either |
Damian
said:
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... Downign is best served on the left. Just my opinion .. but he is no right sided winger. Never has been until he came to us and I dont think he ever will be |
swissvilla
said:
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... i don't have a good feeling .....but i don't no why! always the same player, the same tactics,... |
tim1707
said:
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... what real harm would it do to play the fonz from the start. Its hardly like we have a goal machine on the pitch who would need to be sacrificed. |
Damian
said:
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... Ginger Jim shoots from 30 yards. Straight at keeper but nice. The more shots we have the more goals we will score. More please |
Damian
said:
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... Corner played short by Webcam to Milner. Milner back to Webcam. Webcam swings in a cross - misses everyone and goes in. Fortunate We will score for fun now |
Sweeno
said:
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... Backwards, sideways, no tempo, no spark. I know we've scored but it's not good at the min! Where's the passion?? Come on boys, we must be better than this!! |
scott harwood
said:
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... i think we need it damo,we r playing for the right to be in the cl ffs.do the players know that?! |
fastbackace
said:
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... got a good stream if it works for ya. http://footysport.blogspot.com/2010/02/channel-2.html |
Damian
said:
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... There must be changes at half time. We have had 1 shot and two crosses that have ended up on target as shots - one saved the other in. We need changes |
Eoin Greene
said:
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... expecting changes at half time is like expecting changes to our first 11, is like expecting changes to our team for wednesday and our team for next weekend - not going to happen. we dont do changes and we dont do early subs. Expect Carew on for 'creative - brings others into the game' Heskey between 65th and 70th minute and that'll be it. Villa to win 2-1 with a goal from a corner/free kick. |
VillaDude
said:
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... That was shocking. Where are all the fans expecting 2/3-0 wins. Downing continues to look no where near 12m worth Milner is struggling to get into the game Heskey - enough has been said about him MON won't change a thing until 80 mins when shitwell comes on |
tim1707
said:
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... Heskey is absolutely useless we may as well play with 10 men, he should be off. In terms of midfield, what creative options do we have on the bench? How about bringing Delph on and over running them in midfield? |
Damian
said:
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... eoin1981 if it doesn´t happen we might find it difficult to win this game and if it doesn´t happen for wednesday and sunday then i think we might find those games extremely difficult also although io think o´neill could play those players in 90 minutes every day this week and we will still win next sunday as he will get blood from a stone |
david c english
said:
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... how's about this for a prediction, 1 - 1 today, 2-3 against crystal palace and a 4 - 0 battering from united, season over |
Damian
said:
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... About to kick off for 2nd half. No changes by the looks of things. Maybe O´Neill thinks we can grind this out too. |
david c english
said:
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... thta's what i like to see, grinding out results against the poorest away team in the football league, quality stuff (cheers for the link fastback) |
Damian
said:
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... Celtic_Villan it was a prediction from him .. what is your prediction for those 3 matches? |
Damian
said:
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... Milner is hobbling ... 2-1 Villa Downing scores from open space - right footed I think ... This is all over now - we will get more as Burnley commit more |
Eoin Greene
said:
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... great goal by the goal machine - 3 subs on now.....never have a better time to give a few youngsters a run and rest some of the regulars.. |
Damian
said:
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... Surely now is the time to bring on 3 new players give the likes of milner, gabby and webcam a little rest |
Dave
said:
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... Well done Damian, you called this right  deansaunderspermthatsperm. I hope all your predictions are shit. |
scott harwood
said:
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... all hail damo.ive become a believer!! we did start shit though didnt we please someone say we did |
Villatx
said:
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... Like that MON is using subs...but why Carew instead of delfouneso...perfect time to give the kid a run out |
madladdy
said:
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... I guess with the lack of sub it means MON will be playing Delph for 90mins on Wed.. maybe giving Milner/Petrov a weeks rest for the final etc. |
fastbackace
said:
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... after we scored the second the floodgates openned. and thats what we have to be able to do to lower lvl teams. |
david c english
said:
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... and fingers crossed the other games stay the same score, apart from the scum of course |
david c english
said:
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... and if things stay the same in the other matches, that goal has cost us 5th place tonight |
david
said:
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... The 'People' story has no credible attribution, is gutter press tittle tattle but your blog has more paragraphs about it than the original story. That says a lot about your personal agenda Damian. |
Steve Oldaker
said:
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... just got back from the game why were so many fans on downings back for??? effing disgrace ! he should have been flavour of the month with his vital assists last week. my m.o.m would be petrov this guy is class utv. |
russ
said:
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... do u enjoy us being called fickle fans and crap supporters of our team . well if not get a reality check and realise who we are and how well were doinf , we are not man utd, i even heard fans behind me in the holte yesterday saying its like being under oleary again when we were 1 0 down , needless to say they enjoyed celebrating our goals and the moans soon stopped , as they talked about wembley , what happened to sticking with ya team thru thick an thin , and if they play crap have a little moan at the end of the game but stick with em during the match ,(but remember we all have bad days at work , look at yourself ) 1 point off fourth , nearly in quarter final of fa cup , and at wembley , and were still moaning ,get real or get lost !!!!!! |
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