Aston Villa v Sunderland and things could change today

I'm trying to think of something to write about the game today that will inspire confidence or optimism. I've sat here for nearly twenty minutes and nothing is coming. I think it is best to just let actions speak louder than words today.

The actions of the home support. The actions of those that turn up. The actions of the manager and the actions of the players. But I need to draw a line about the players - they are doing what they are told to do.

And if we are to believe what former players of Alex McLeish have to say, that will very much be long ball football. So, get ready for the ride, it begins in a few hours and seeing as new manager syndrome seems to have worn off for Sunderland, there is every chance we are going to see a game of football tennis today.

But it wont be like that. This is just going to be another game where Aston Villa fail. You do not sit in 15th place in the table after 33 games through bad luck. You sit in 15th in the table because you deserve to be there. Randy Lerner is getting ready to take another dump too.

The return of Martin O'Neill

We also have our former manager coming back too. You know the one; always saying the right thing. Bottling it in Europe and walking out just a few days before the season started.

Don't get me wrong, O'Neill had some qualities. He could get a team playing direct football better than anyone I have ever seen and the players would battle for him, but he is no messiah and his style of football was best suited to something from the 70's.

But it will be interesting to see the reception he gets after walking out on us. I don't think it will be anything special but I think we'll hear the 'give us a wave' at some point in the match and that will be a massive slap in the face to the village idiot. I'm back in a few hours.

Odds