Written by Damian Monday, 01 February 2010 21:48
I don´t normally do a post about the reserves, mostly because I very rarely get to see them, but tonight, while I was flicking through the channels, I found Chelsea TV and guess what, it was live from Villa Park.
I should also stress before anyone makes a comment, that I don´t on purpose subscribe to Chelsea TV, I just have a package where it is included.
Anyway, I watched the match tonight and I was quite impressed. Not by any particular player or the result, but by the work ethic and attitude.
I was twittering through the match, as I tend to do these days when it comes to anything Aston Villa and a couple of the tweets I made referenced how they are playing, much like the first team; very hard, determined and direct. I also tweeted something about how reserve team football seems more honest.
That is probably the wrong word, it just seems more like what football should be about. I think we saw the physio on once, I didn´t see one player fall over after getting felt up and when a player did get a knock, they stood up and ran it off. The football just seemed more real and you know what, honest is the right word.
But, to the match. We played like the first team and Chelsea played like their first team, but it wasn´t enough for them and while I think it helped having Curtis and Bouma in the back four, our midfield battled and we took our chances.
I should also mention why I titled the post the way I did. Basically, Chelsea passed it around a lot and it looked very nice, but it just wasn´t enough. However, they did have a lad play tonight, number 11 I think and he was very special. More players like him and they would have done much better and he is certainly one to watch for the future, not doubt with a few others as they did have a different composure on the ball to a lot of our players.
But, we won, not them. Delfouneso had a quiet game and was replaced by Harry Forrester with twenty minutes to go. Eric Lichaj looked good and overall nobody had a bad game but nobody really stood out either. It was a good team performance.
Goals from Andreas Weimann from 25 yards out, Ciaran Clark with an overhead kick and James Collins (not the Welsh James Collins, but the one born in Coventry), who stole a Jonathan Hogg header that was going in were enough and overall, a very enjoyable match to watch.
If only we could get our own TV channel, then I´d be able to watch all the reserve team matches, but based on tonight only, I have to say that I am looking forward to seeing more of Andreas Weimann, Jonathan Hogg, Ciaran Clark and Eric Lichaj and if I could see more reserve team football, I know I´ll be adding more names to that list.
Maybe one day I´ll see more of them in the first team or on the Aston Villa TV channel. One day.
Aston Villa: David Bevan, Eric Lichaj, Wilfred Bouma, Jonathan Hogg, Ciaran Clark, Curtis Davies, James Collins, Andreas Weimann, Nathan Delfouneso, Dominik Hofbauer, Matthew Roome. Substitutes: Harry Forrester (for Delfouneso, 71), Samir Carruthers, Tomos Roberts, Derrick Williams, Ryan Simmonds (someone please tell me which Simmonds it was - thanks).
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HT Sweden
said:
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... It would be so great if one or two reserve players stepped up into the first team each and every season... |
Damian
said:
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... chipper he didn´t really have long enough to make an impression. we were 2-1 so chelsea were pushing for it adn we were defending well. pity really, but i have a couple of mates in watford and they say he is the real deal. time will tell, i think he is still quite young ... |
Damian
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... Martin Laursen i must hold my hands up and say i could be wrong. it was definitely hogg that headed towards goal and i am just guessing it was collins - i must admit they dont look as familiar to me as the first team so if i am wrong, i apologise - iĺl check the club site tomorrow |
Andy Scarborough
said:
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... I hope some of those lads look at this site. Getting a mention here might not mean very much in the great scheme of things, but to them it will be a massive fillip. Good on yer lads, stick with it. |
Damian
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... gotta say too - all the younger players looked solid .. bouma wasn´t really troubled ... but he got 90 mins and i´m sure that was what it was all about |
Dave J
said:
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... Harry F suffers a touch from a lack of pace. As a result it looks like he hasn't found his best position just yet. We payed a hefty fee to get him from Watford and I think it was hoped that he would be pushing for the first team by now. Let's hope he's just a late developer but until he got injured Gary Gardener had over taken him great to see Boom Boom get through 90 mins. |
Damian
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... Dave J maybe a lack of build too .. but i was only watching on tv when he came to villa though a couple of mates i have in watford told me he was considered the real deal back then ... and we did go all out for him, so maybe its just a case of time. i dont even know how old he is but i´m going to guess at 17 or 18 now .. maybe younger. just dont know |
Damian
said:
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... Chater1703 i just looked. he is wearing one of those diamond stud earrings. is it really okay for men to wear those these days? |
Dave J
said:
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... You're right we did go all in for him - and against some competition as well. I think the compensation paid was around £1m which is top dollar for a 15 year old. It's always a gamble with someone that young though so let's keep our fingers crossed. Real shame about Gary G. Let's hope he can come back and not suffer like O Halloran. The youth academy has been pretty good of late with producing fringe players who make the club a few quid. I really think the first team regular and "proper player" is very close. |
Dave J
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... Certainly not if you're a young kid who is on the bench for the reserves Call me old fashioned but.... |
Dave J
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... Nothing wrong with that Damo. One of my pet hates about football today is that the so called "trappings of success" are all too easily available to those who have achieved basically nothing. |
Damian
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... Dave J agreed - hence my statement about it feeling more ´honest´ i really did enjoy watching tonight, even though the football wasn´t the best and the match wasn´t the best - i just really enjoyed it wish the club could film all and then maybe charge for a download - as long as the video quality was good enough i would pay ... watching tonight reignited something in me .. honest football and watching my team without all the marketing and hype and pr .. it was fantastic |
Dave J
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... Well that's a positive message for the day. I felt a similar buzz when I went to watch the youth team in the cup semi final season before last. It's easy to spot those that really want it and those who think they ate already there. Even though we lost the game (kakuta was awesome) it seemed very obvious that our lads were really enjoying themselves and playing the game in the right manner. "honest" is as good a description as any I realise this makes me sound like a right old codger but I really believe it's possible to play the game in a modern way - but also the correct way. It never ceases to get under my skin when that doesn't happen. |
david
said:
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... Damian watching tonight reignited something in me .. honest football and watching my team without all the marketing and hype and pr .. it was fantasticYou'd get the same feeling from watching both the reserve and youth teams. The crowd's smaller and there's less at stake but it's still yourteam. You're still cheering for Villa and wanting them to win. You also get to see players coming back from injury or just coming into the squad or coming up through the youth system. It's (always?)free to get in and the queues for the pies are shorter! To anyone wondering whether to bother...do...you'll enjoy it. You can find the fixtures on the official site. |
OutByEaster?
said:
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... I couldn't agree more with r0bb0, the reserves are a great night out. Sort of like the first team without the stress. Cheers for the write up Damian! |
Steve Badger
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...honest is the right word. Amen Damian. "Honest" is exactly the right word. Football how it's meant to be played and not a bunch of pussies who fall like they've been shot. Cieron Clark and acrobatics eh?  I forgot about Gary Gardener. Come back soon son. |
tubbydunne
said:
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... Well done to the reserves. It would be great to see more of them especially for people that keep calling for the youngsters to get more first team time. If we saw more of the youngsters we would understand that some of them are just not ready yet. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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... great positive post Damian, I just hope we beat Spurs on Saturday though, a defeat, and the gloom of a bereft tranfer window will return |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... Did Davies get 90 mins also? A couple more of them and Bouma and Davies can really start pushing for a starting berth. 2 right backs, 4 centre backs and 2 left backs....whatever next?!?!? |
Andi
said:
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... Positivty woohooo i might get through the day on here without calling the smaritans they are getting sick of my calls |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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...Positivty woohooo i might get through the day on here without calling the smaritans they are getting sick of my callsThe gloom will come if we fail to score, and/or win on Saturday. Then the gloom of another zilch window will be upon us and the prospect of 4th place all but gone. Doom |
Andi
said:
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...The gloom will come if we fail to score, and/or win on Saturday. Thats better for a minute there i though we had been promised 40million and been linked with Jones, Babel and Pavwhatsaface and signed NO ONE !!! For a minute there I forgot we are in the final of a cup and 7th in the league DAMN what is must be like to support a good club ay  |
Chris Harper
said:
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... Pancho you're probably right unfortunately. Any Villa fan that can't be happy with the current status of the club, league position, progression in the FA Cup, players that we currently have and a final at Wembley to look forward to, are plain stupid if you ask me. But as you say, one loss or no goals and it's all 'MON is tactically inept, shit in the transfer market, doesn't play enough youngsters, doesn't rotate'. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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... Villa_Chris: of course overall, very happy. it's just the feeling that we are so close, but not quite there, and a gamble now on a star striker could have pushed us no to the champion's league. maybe i'm the fool gambler who thinks 'just one more' and we'll be living on easy street ? Can't help but be disappointed with the window though. If one of your forwards doesn't score, and the other is a rookie, who isn't exactly clinical and has dry periods, well......... 4th ? I can't see it. |
Chris Harper
said:
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... Milner, Downing and A.Young can help provide goals, along with CB's coming up for set pieces. We don't solely rely on Gabby. We also have the likes of Delph that can contribute, given the opportunity to play of course. |
keith
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... 0-0 put these on pancho they are rose tinted and blinkered and will enable you to see 4th. they have worked for me all season so far. there will be many come the end of the season hoping to say should have gone to specsavers |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... I think Gabby is about to go on one of his goal scoring runs now. He seems to be a man who is all about confidence and after that second goal the last day (which was a top class finish) surely he will be buzzing to get a few more chances. Trouble is he has also shown that he normally follows this form by a barren run also and i can see Pancho's side of things. Milner will come up with a few goals and Young seems to picking up his form as of late but outside of these guys and the odd set piece goals im just not confident of where the goals will come from. Perhaps Carew will decide to put himself in the summer shop window and actually start trying like he did at this stage last year. But the thing is we probably do have the goal scoring player at the club in Delfouneso if he would just be given the chance to do it in the premier league. |
Chris Harper
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... ak_27 You're right, I think Delfouneso should be given a bit more playing time. Maybe as a sub when we're 2-0 up or something. A commentator made an interesting comment the other day.... He said something along the lines of- 'Thats the sign of a great manager, leaving on the best players till the end of the game and having faith in them to score'. He was referring to Rooney's 92(?) minute winner against city in the cup. |
rocky marciano
said:
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... u got a pair of those glasses for me keith as i seem to be struggling to see past 7th.hope we win the league and fa cup to help me over the pain of seeing tottenham w**kspurs finishing above us. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...Apparently Rooney was quiet all game. I watched that game and Rooney was the best player on the park all night. He is on fire right now. |
paul
said:
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... Pancho you are right. This isn't a Slur on Gabby and I think he's improved this season. BUT. HE NEEDS COMPETITION. He is s confidence striker and when he's not playing well he still gets in the side as there is no one with his pace to step in. (although admittedly you'd have a tough time finding anyone that has the same speed!) |
Christian
said:
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... Harry Forrester is 20, it's time he started knocking on the 1st team door or perhaps made his way elsewhere. I understand he has a poor attitude and spends much of his time up Gatecrasher giving it the big 'un. Then again, I imagine most 20 year old footballer's do the same, so perhaps I shouldn't pick on him! |
Chris Harper
said:
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...I watched that game and Rooney was the best player on the park all night. He is on fire right now. What?!? You chose to watch that over the Villa v Arsenal game? |
Andi
said:
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... Rose tinted specs and SNOODS available from www.we-beleive.com if you feeling really brave www.EMULE-HATRICK.co.uk;) |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... I decided to watch it online insted of heading to the one pub in Dublin where it was on. The stream was the worst ive ever seen and it kept stopping every 5 secs so gave up after 15mins of pure frustration. Had no choice but to watch the Utd game. Won't be relying on the internet again for matches. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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... It's true Gabby is a confidence player - so why no take him off after an hour against Fulham and bring on Delfouneso ? "Well done Gabby, terrific performance, great goals, have the rest of the afternoon off so I can give Del Boy a little game time. - Gabby, you da man!" there, easy |
Car Frost
said:
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...4th ? I can't see it It would be easy to put the same arguement together for Spurs, Man City and Liverpoool. Spurs - no balls when it counts have no real warriors like us. Man City - as leaky as nans siv Liverpool - a 2 man team WHEN fit Villa - A little light up top. ____________________________ It's really open, keeping a sneaky eye on Everton too. |
John Samuels
said:
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... I starting making a habit of following the reserve and youth team results when we had Graham Taylor in charge. Probably because the first team was utter bilge and it was a tad depressing. We have an excellent youth setup which seems to have been enhanced by the recent development of BMH and we have a wonderful record in the reserve league. It seems to me that because of the occasional emergence of a superstar at the age of 16 or 17 such as Messi, Rooney, Owen etc people assume tat it's the norm for a player to pop up in the first team at a young age and set the world alight. The truth is that this is the exception and happens once in a blue moon. It takes certain attributes for a youngster to start playing so early, namely blistering pace like Owen or a physical build beyond the players years like Rooney. Rooney has always been a decent player with a good touch and an eye for goal, but firstly he only started playing because of Everton's injury problems and small squad size initially. It was his large build and fearless attitude that allowed him to play effectively in the prem so early. I personally believe that it is now that he is really only beginning to realise his full potential. SAF has given him an education playing out wide or deeper and now he is using the knowledge he has gained to play as a deadly CF. With the majority of other players it takes time and not every player has the attitude of Rooney. Look at our own Ian Taylor as a case in point. He didn't start playing professional football until the age of 24 and was probably written off as a youngster. It just goes to prove that every player is different and will prgress in different ways. I am very optimistic about the progress of our youngsters and it was great watching the likes of Davies, Gardner, Cahill, Ridgewell, Agbonalhor come through and I have the same excitement with this new crop of youngsters. Some of them look as though they may be even better. I belive the management are right to make them work as hard as they have to to even get a sniff of the first team. They have to know how hard a player has to work to make a career in this sport and MON has mentioned many times how he has seen young players with all the talent in the world fall by the wayside. Ability is one thing, but attitude is everything. Milner is a wonderfull example of a player who had talent but has enhanced it with attitude, work rate, commitment to become more complete footballer. His rise has been overshadowed by Rooney's and maybe it's a good thing. Too much pressure can be very dertrimental unless the player has an immensely tough mental attitude. Given time I believe Albrighton, Gardner (jr), Fonz, Weimann, Clark, Bannan and co will all have futures in the game, some at Villa and some elsewhere and it's only right to give them the correct tools to succeed and not let them chuck it all away by getting ahead of themselves. I believe the reason Fonz plays so well when he makes the first team is because he doesn't know when his next chance is coming, he has to give everything every game he gets and if this is instilled in him early we will see plenty of great performances down the years. Lets not forget that at 19 or 20 years old most of these players have the best part of 15 years ahead of them, lets not rush them, lets look after them and their futures and they'll look after the Villa for years to come. |
John Samuels
said:
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..."Well done Gabby, terrific performance, great goals, have the rest of the afternoon off so I can give Del Boy a little game time. - Gabby, you da man!" A hat trick would have done hikm the world of good. Plus we have a whole week till the next match so no one really needed resting did they? I f we had a mid week game then fine, but we didn't. A win at Spurs on sat and a point at home to Man U would see us in an excellent position and it's not beyond us. Even if we lose both we have a run of games that could see us play our way back into the top four or five. I'm optimistic about the run in. |
Andi
said:
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...A hat trick would have done hikm the world of good  THE MULE hatrick is coming i can feel it  |
Andi
said:
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...THE MULE hatrick is coming i can feel it Wouldnt it be funny, can see some of our crosses bouncing in of the big lump without him even knowing |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...I'm optimistic about the run in. So am i as long as we don't burn out which brings me up to your essay above. Its not about wanting to blood the likes of Albrighton, Bannan, Delfouneso and Clarke just for the sake of it. It needs to be done in order to have these guys ready for the run in where they can make a real impact even if its just from the bench. We need to have Albrighton as an option when the either winger is having one of those days and even more importantly we need to have Delfeounso as a that sub option to come on when we are badly chasing a goal. We also need them to help in the rotation of this squad in order to keep going on so many flanks and this does not mean playing the odd FA cup here and there it means playing a role in the EPL. These guys are 20 years of age (except for Delfouneso) not 16/17. MON needs to start trusting these young men (not kids) and he needs to start using his bench. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
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... Juan A hat trick would have done hikm the world of good. Plus we have a whole week till the next match so no one really needed resting did they? I f we had a mid week game then fine, but we didn't.I'm not saying he needed resting - I'm saying MON can take him off without blowing his confidence. Sooner or later MON has to do it anyway of Fonz will be off. I believe the reason Fonz plays so well when he makes the first team is because he doesn't know when his next chance is coming, he has to give everything every game he getsThat's part of it, but it also has something to do with the fact that his movement, anticipation, and finishing, are all very good. |
Damian
said:
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... stig he looked fine but not much went down the right for chelsea. most seemed to go through the middle. there were some passages of play on the right but he coped fine he did look a little tired towards the end - but i guess tha tis to be expected |
John Samuels
said:
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... ak, I see what you're saying, but we have loads of cover all over the first team, I don't believe the situation is quite as desperate as everyone makes out. Fonz is at the stage where I think he could handle a prem game, but I can understand why O'Neill won't play him in the league just yet. If Gabby got injured Fonz would start every match, but Gabby is first choice and sticking with him recently paid off at the weekend. He wasn't playing badly, he just couldn't get it in the net. We are fine numbers wise, Bouma is back, Davies is back, we have two keepers vying for one spot and we have plenty of options in midfield with Delph pushing for a start. I know it is in attack we are a little light, but Heskey is playing well and so is Gabby so why change it just yet Fonz will continue to play in the FA cup and barring the CC Final it's going to be pretty much a game a week for a little while and the guys have just had a week long rest. |
Chris Harper
said:
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... http://www.birminghammail.net/...-25743997/ Interesting piece for the 'tv vs live' viewing of the game debate. |
James Collins is the ginger Paolo Cesare Maldini
said:
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... Anyone got any news on Warnock? I think he's been brilliant since arriving. Great signing. Brilliant at defending and has started to get forward a bit more now. Makes it even funnier that Liverpool let him go!! Lets hope he's back for Saturday. |
John Samuels
said:
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... Pancho, he does look good doesn't he and I believe he is going to be a big player for us next season. Next year I expect him to be strating in the Europa, FA and Carling Cups. That's a fair amount of games if we put a modest run together in a couple of them. We are getting to the stage where we can field a league team and a cup team, much like Man U do with the CL. Just be patient guys, I know you want to see our brilliant kids, but I think because we know everything about Gabby and not much about Fonz it's a case of the grass is always greener. It'll come in time. After Spurs and Man U we have a run of games against defensively weaker opposition and I fully expect Gabby to add to his tally, he could well go on to hit 20 goals if he hits form again now and that will almost certainly be down to MoN showing faith in the kid. |
Michael
said:
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... aston villa have got the perfect initials for there only tv station AV-TV. but would you really want to see jack woodwards face, its bad enough just listening to him lol. |
Tim Hillman
said:
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... I hate Spurs!!! Two of the people I work with are big Spurs fans. They are both nice blokes but there is just something about the smug arrogant Spurs fans that really gets my back up! They don't really have much reason to be smug but somehow they manage it! Please, Please, Please let us do them on their own patch on Saturday.  |
rocky marciano
said:
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... my stepdads a big spurs fan and he`s actually a nice bloke but when he`s got his spurs top on i wanna smash his face in.  |
Gwatkins
said:
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... ON a slightly different note I read something about the loan window opening up again soon. Damien I am sure you have mentioned something about this before, but do you know if there is a loan window coming up and whether Prem teams can make loan signings?? |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
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...HE NEEDS COMPETITION. And its coming... Heskey is now 32, so he will proberly be off during the summer or at the very least pushed on to the bench. Carew will want one last pay day, and does not really fit in Martins long term planning. So thats two more or less out.... I really think we are going to be happy bunnies come the summer, because its not whether Martin thinks about bringing in a striker, its that he knows he has too, and i bet anyone on here, that he has already been lined up. The Fonz also seems to be in the managers plans for next season, and will play a bigger part. At the moment i think hes being given bench time with the view of keeping him thinking that he is part of the squad, whilst he works on his physical side at the heath. Then there are two boys that are pushing him. The Austrian lad has already been mentioned, but there is another whom the manager has high hopes on, and that is Collins...who is a natural, and is physicly very strong. So i say this for next season:- Gabby, Heskey, Fonze, and a big hitter! Over the last few summers we have spent around 40 million in each of them. Now im not privalige to Randies plans for the club, but i imagine that a promise of 40 million a season over 5 seasons was proberly promised, or so it seems going on our net spend. Now if we look at the present squad, then i think there is not much wrong that needs fixing other than offensively. Therefore i only expect two or maybe three players arriving in the summer, and these will be of better quality than we have already, and will take up a lot of that 40 million.... It has to happen because its the next stage in our development. Hence why i dont give a fig about this window just gone. The summer will prove to be the biggy! |
John Samuels
said:
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... Gwatkins, the loan window is for the football league. However it is possible to make emergency loan signings due to injury with an appeal to the FA. Also players can come in if they are on a free transfer after deadline day. |
Andi
said:
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...actually a nice bloke but when he`s got his spurs top on i wanna smash his face in sounded suprised he is a nice bloke |
Andi
said:
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...Heskey is now 32, so he will proberly be off during the summer or at the very least pushed on to the bench and what a shame that will be |
Aaron Wilson
said:
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... Reading all the comment about Forrester has got me thinking of what the Villa team could look like in a few years. ---------------Guzan---------------- -----Cuellar---Clarke---Warnock----- ---------------Delph---------------- -Young---------Milner--------Downing ---------------Gardner-------------- ---Agbonlahor----------Delfouneso--- Subs: Attack - Weimann, Forrester Midfield - Cameron, Carruthers Defence - Davies, Halfhid, Collins, The futures definitely bright! utv |
Andy Scarborough
said:
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...I hate Spurs!!! What he said. I will go to our local Spuds pub. I am properly prepared to eat humble pie, would rather not though. Come on boys, you can do this. |
Martin Clabon
said:
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... Nearly all the summer transfer signing in prem were garbage except Adam Johnson (who while good will not be immediately 1st choice for Man City and would not have been for us either) so good we kept our money At the risk of sounding like Wenger with a bag of sweets I love to see the kids coming through but despite all the potential remember it is only ever a very small minority that make it. I've thought a number of players coming throough will be the next big thing only to see them in lower league a few years later Still - maybe it's different this time? A Champs League team with Clark, Albrighton, G Gardner, Delph (ok not a youth product), Fonzi and Gabbi - along with Young and Milner with Collins, Lichaj, Herd, Carruthers and Wyman on bench would be sweet. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...Pancho, when my Billions come in and I am owner, you will be my manager What about me? When am i going to get my chance to try out my 444 formation? |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... I still think of all the youngsters Bannan has that bit of special magic that we really could do with at this club. I would love to see him make it. Barry 'Messi' Bannan. Sign him up Martin ASAP. |
Damian
said:
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... John Terry has lost the captains arm band after call with Capello Capello called Wayne Bridge to ask him to look under the bed for it Sorry |
Martin Clabon
said:
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... Ak, you will get an interview certainly, I like your attacking line up! Bannan is a great little player but I would bet on him not making it at Villa as he is not very big, not very fast and has a whole lot of competition in his position I should point out I am not very far forward in my £2Bn goal which will allow me to buy out Randy, so don't get too excited |
Adrian Kilgallon
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... Haven't got to see the last 2 games but it sounds like Ashley's perfomances have improved. Is this is the case? |
Andy Scarborough
said:
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... Mr Lovechild, if you need any financial backing I can lend you a fiver until the weekend. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...Mr Lovechild, if you need any financial backing I can lend you a fiver until the weekend Isn't that how the Glazers bought Man Utd? |
Martin Clabon
said:
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... I actually think Ash has been playing better for the last 6 games or maybe longer. He is going past defenders more and has been a little unlucky with crosses getting minor deflections or players not getting on them properly and has hit woodwork a couple of times as well as the odd goal. Not classic Ashley yet but definitely better than earlier in season Downing has gone backward a bit for me after a very promising start, am I being harsh? |
John Samuels
said:
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... ak, Young has been in excfellent form, rather than picking a man and trying to be too accurate he's just been smashing it into really awkward areas. He's been turning fullbacks inside out, but making sure he gets a ball in. They've literally been raining in and he looks much more comfortable on the right now too. Weighed in with a couple of goals recently too so yes, much improved. |
John Samuels
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... Ash has been much better since West Ham at home. He was great then and we should have scored. Since then he's been brilliant in the cups and especially against Arse last week. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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... Hopefully he can keep it up so. If only Carew could just awake from his slumber. |
Martin Clabon
said:
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... Andy, if we convert your fiver in to a Collateralized Debt Obligation, syndicate the tertiary sythetic derivative, leverage to 200000 x gearing and lay off the risk in the Mez Loans Eastern markets we are half way there. Does anyone else have a fiver? |
Rios.Jockstrap
said:
|
...Downing has gone backward a bit for me after a very promising start, am I being harsh? Not for me. I think he may be at the stage where things start to catch up with him a little, since its not that long that hes being playing first team Football again, but thats bound to happen. For me though, he still oozes class and hardly wastes a pass. I think its down to him why our Football has improved over the last couple of monthes. |
Andi
said:
|
...Andy, if we convert your fiver in to a Collateralized Debt Obligation, syndicate the tertiary sythetic derivative, leverage to 200000 x gearing and lay off the risk in the Mez Loans Eastern markets we are half way there. Does anyone else have a fiver? I can get a mortgage for a tenner if thats any help ? |
Damian
said:
|
... Search the club site for 'gardner' by clicking here; http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/Sea...ry=gardner |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Downing should have scored against Arsenal, that's why he's getting bad press. He was actually excellent otherwise in that game and it takes skill to get into the right positions anyway. He has been one of the main reasons we have been playing so well and I can only assume because he had no pre season and had a long injury perhaps endurance is a slight issue for him at the moment. I think he will be massive for us in the run in and I fully expect him to p*ss on MWF city boys at the weekend. Wouldn't it be loevly if Downing (the player Redknapp couldn't gety despite being underhanded and offering more money) was to be the one who nailed the last nail in their CL coffin for this season. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
...For me though, he still oozes class and hardly wastes a pass. I think its down to him why our Football has improved over the last couple of monthes. I agree. The way Ash, Milner and Downing play in midfield is exciting. They pop up here there and everywhere and cause a constant threat for the opposition. I also agree Ash is getting back to his best. He tries his best to stay on his feet and beat his man again. Fair play to him for the turn around. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... Here's another one Damian.... (and for you Heskey haters) 'I see Wayne Bridge refuses to play for England whilst John Terry remains captain. Lets hope he shags Emile Heskey's missus before the summer!!'  |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...For me though, he still oozes class and hardly wastes a pass I agree. I like the way he rarely gives it away. Bannan is a great little player but I would bet on him not making it at Villa as he is not very big, not very fast and has a whole lot of competition in his position This i can see this happening as well. I would just like to see the guy given an oppertunity to prove himself first. He will make it elsewhere if we do let him go as he has quality about him. Every club he has gone to on loan the fans have raved about him. His contract is up this summer and i would hate to see this guy leave on a free without ever been given a fair go at this club. |
villacraig
said:
 |
... Cheers Damian, Can't see anything on there for Gary, just his bluenose brother. Never mind. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... I agree, Bannan was one MON raved about alongside Albrighton and Delfouneso last season. He hasn't really mentioned him since he's been on loan. He a tidy little player with great footwork and a good left foot. He reminds me of Messi too ak_27. Lets face it though, there is tough competition on the wings in the 1st team, especially with Albrighton already pushing for a first team spot. The experience he's getting will no doubt make him a better player, especially as every game he plays is a competitive one. Who knows. We will see. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Did anyone catch this one? Mido is apparently playing for a grand a week If that's true, that's a refreshing change; http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/...umber.html |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Everryone is harping on about Bannan, I just wondered if anyone realised that he's been offered a contract extension? Because he has. He won't be leaving this summer lads, not for free anyway. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
...Juan Pablo Angel said: Everryone is harping on about Bannan, I just wondered if anyone realised that he's been offered a contract extension? Because he has. He won't be leaving this summer lads, not for free anywayI'd not sign it if I were he. Another few months and he can go and play in a first team somewhere, like er.. Blackpool. |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Pancho, Yeah the first team of a league one side. He would have been playing every game in europe for us this season but we got knocked out. Simple. That's why he went out on loan with the lakes of Herd, Baker, Lichaj, Osbourne, Lowry etc. I think he did so very well at Blackpool the Management have let him stay because it seems to have brought his game on more than some of the others, but he'll sign that deal and he'll be in the Europa squad next season. |
Steve Badger
said:
|
...Mido's Daddy is also a Multi Billionaire. Some people get all the luck don't they? Pro footballer and his dad is minted. I still thought it was refreshing though. Top players are multi millionaires, but it doesn't stop them wanting £150k a week does it? |
Damian
said:
|
... from Juan Pablo Angel http://astonvilla-views.com/20...ign-barry/ Not sure why it's not up on the OS yet tho you put in an extra / which buggered it up and i coulnd't edit from where i am at the moment |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... I have to withdraw the offer of a fiver. One of the lads at work is having a birthday drink tonight so I need the money for other things. Sorry. Barry Bannan scored a scorcher on Saturday. He will make it, his future is assured. The question remains; will it be in the Premiership and will it be with Villa? |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
...Barry Bannan scored a scorcher on Saturday. He will make it, his future is assured. The question remains; will it be in the Premiership and will it be with Villa?It was certainly one for his youtube compilation, wasn't it. |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Sorry Damian, fat fingers again. It appears we have the lad for another couple of years at least. Good news. |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... http://www.astonvilla.vitalfoo...?a=7503531 Just in case Damian's party is no good. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
... Name: Martin Hugh Michael O’Neill OBE Born: 1 March 1952, Kilrea Height: 5 ft 10 in Weight: 11 st 3 lbs Position: Midfielder Name: Barry Bannan Born: 1 December 1989, Airdrie Height: 5 ft 7 in Weight: 9 st 6 st Position: Midfielder |
Car Frost
said:
|
...Lets hope he shags Emile Heskey's missus before the summer!! Thats known as beastiality, going down that route I'd prefer something that couldn't overpower me, chicken sex is safe sex imo. |
Damian
said:
|
... andy5759 that is a good shout for match day - although i'm not really having a party - just a few drinks on the day before in a bar .. i say only a few, mostly because, i want to get to bed early with a warm glass of milk and a book |
John Samuels
said:
|
... I'd be up for that little shindig as tickeets are looking highly unlikely for a plastic fan such as myself. I might get a few other Essex Villains involved. |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Andy, looks like we wil have to stick with Randy Bannan is class and will make it somewhere, but not Villa I am pretty sure, more's the pity. Hope we get a decent sell on clause at least |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... Damian, I will try to get into Haymarket to meet you and any others that come along. The Wembley thing might just be too much to fit in (and maybe a long way from home to get too pissed). |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... Sell on clauses are the one thing that should ALWAYS be in there. We spend tens of thousands developing young players to get maybe only one in ten coming through. There must be a perceived profit or benefit from this, otherwise why bother? Let other clubs do it. I remember when Newcastle Utd abandoned their youth set up thinking how short sighted it was. We can rightly be proud of our lads, a list of names to eventually grace the game at all levels, surely. |
jerry
said:
 |
... Junior Andy, if we convert your fiver in to a Collateralized Debt Obligation, syndicate the tertiary sythetic derivative, leverage to 200000 x gearing and lay off the risk in the Mez Loans Eastern markets we are half way there. Does anyone else have a fiver? An interesting concept. Using mezz loans would free up some capital/equity to fund the new stadium or even, bizarrely, a new centre forward. Some of the more adventurous REITs might even stump up the dough for the purchase of a football club. When I talk to Gillett and Hicks about the appointment of Arry Windsor as their manager, I might even mention it to them. With your permission, of course. |
Proxopera
said:
 |
...i dont even know how old he is but i´m going to guess at 17 or 18 now .. maybe younger. just dont know Damian , Forrester is 19-20 according to the villa website ,should he not be showing up by now?? |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... Churchill et al; all these financial instruments and arbitrage and stuff are way beyond me. Usually when I ask for a line of credit my first words are either "Muuuum....." or "Dad.......". Who would we rather have in the FA Cup? Wolves or Palace? Somehow I would rather it be Wolves, but c'mon, we should be able to see either off! |
Damian
said:
|
... Proxopera okay - just checked and he is 20 didn´t look like he was 20 last night - but only got 20 minutes which isn´t enough. still, he has got it .. its now just a case of us seeing it |
jerry
said:
|
...Churchill et al; all these financial instruments and arbitrage and stuff are way beyond me. Usually when I ask for a line of credit my first words are either "Muuuum....." or "Dad.......". Take no notice, andy. Me and Sid are making it up as we go along. Gerraway. |
jerry
said:
|
... Saw this on a Spuds blog. Credit delusionalgrandeur Arry is walking the touchline & a woman sticks out her arm. He signs it and walks a bit further where a woman in a Spurs top pulls it up and he gladly signs her breasts. He's almost at his seat when another woman runs past the stewards naked, lies down at Arrys feet and spreads her legs. "I sorry luv" Arry says "it's Rafa Benitez that signs all the c*nts |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
...Take no notice, andy. Me and Sid are making it up as we go along. Reely? (In credulous voice) Good one Churchill. |
Proxopera
said:
|
... Damian , I dunno,...we hear about albrighton ,lichaj, clark, gardner,Delph , but never anything on forrester . Gabby came through at 18 ,I hope you're right though. Apparently ,Vinne Jones was a hod carrier until his early twenties and look how his career took off,,,,,, |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... Thanks for that. I've just been told i can leave work at 9, so I will get down the pub for the second half. See you soon chaps, be good. |
tubbydunne
said:
|
... I can't understand all this fuss about the youngsters not getting a chance to prove themselves in the first team. Isn't it totally obvious that they are not doing enough to break into the first eleven. Do you think if we had an outstanding talent that he wouldn't be played because he was too young. Ridiculous sh*te. If we had a Fabregas or a Rooney they would be playing. But we don't. If the Fonz wants to make the first eleven then he should be outstanding for the reserves, last night I'm told he was very quiet and was replaced. That's not going to inspire his manager, it's very simple its not about bringing these fellows on slowly, it's just they are not good enough (yet i hope) |
sean jones
said:
 |
... O yess, I no we can't 100% guarentee things but with us facing Palace now surely were going thru to the quarters. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
... tubbytube: The Fonz scores every time he comes on - what more does he have to do ? Re: FA Cup - Warnock ! |
sean jones
said:
|
... yeye charter we could be heading to wembley maybe four times in the space of 6months if everything went to plan  |
tubbydunne
said:
|
... Pancho Well he is not doing enough to get a start in the P.L. or to be brought in to change an important game. The manager sees him every day so if he was as good as most people on here think he would be getting a lot more game time. This leads me to the only rational conclusion, he simply is not good enough.(yet I hope) |
James
said:
 |
... At risk of upsetting Villa James, I'd just like to say... Wemberleeee, Wemberllleeee...it's a bloody lovely structure, so I printed it on my T....Wemberleeee....etc I'm seeing Dunne with the lid on his head. Milner in a silly hat. Bring it on. Give me glory. Heal my years of pain. Shit, I'm off for a lie down. Wemberleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
... tubbydunne: I don't buy the 'the manager sees him in training, so what do we know' argument. Half of me thinks MON is doing it right The other half thinks he's doing it from a bygone era and some other digweeding club will reap the benefits of the Delfouneso talent. |
Martin Laursen
said:
 |
... Am I the only one who still thinks that Carew is a major part of the squad? |
Proxopera
said:
|
...Am I the only one who still thinks that Carew is a major part of the squad? I'd say so Martin ,....reckon he's in the departure lounge just chillin till the end of the season . |
Steve Badger
said:
|
... Well what a cracking win for Palace. Not only are we highly respected for the way we go about things, we've helped Brighton out with a few quid in the coffers and now we're going to help Palace out with a few bob. I bet they wish they'd got us at VP though. 50-50 split isn't it, after the expenses? Say 40k @ £20 each = £800k a game. Exes @ £150k (guess) = £325K for a club in the shit. I like the FA cup |
Anthony Laud
said:
 |
... palace it is then. should cruise through and people might disagree with me but i hope we draw Chelsea at home next round. The way i look at it we are the most likely team to do them over and get them out and realistically will have too beat them to win it so lets have them at Villa Park in the quarters rather than at Wembley. |
Villa4Life11
said:
 |
... I just did the research and if you consider Birmingham as Newcastle, Wolves as Boro, and Burnley as WBA, we are currently 5 points better than we were last season after playing the same fixtures. We really have a pretty good schedule coming up down the stretch and with two good cups runs this could be a great season for us! Saturday's match is huge though... |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
... Wow - was I ever the idiot saying we should buy Keane, and it looks like Melting Mowbray's going to get pork pied outa there as well. What has happened to Keane ? Well done Martin |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Like I said, I'd consider Keane at under £5m for a punt, but nearly £10m? Arry's having a giraff aint ee? The Fonz will play every cup game next season like GUzan has this year and he'll earn himself a lucrative new contract and he'll be playing first team prem football regularly as he turns 22. Sounds about time to me. The thing is he'll be ready for it, instead of blowing hot and cold like Gabby did while he was learning. |
Andi
said:
|
... Just reading about BOUMA on the main site !! Good on him i didnt think we would see him again on the pitch but he is coming back and fair play to him |
Andi
said:
|
...The Fonz will play every cup game next season like GUzan has this year and he'll earn himself a lucrative new contract and he'll be playing first team prem football regularly as he turns 2 AMEN |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
...Like I said, I'd consider Keane at under £5m for a punt, but nearly £10m? Arry's having a giraff aint ee?You're right of course. And I expect Gabby & The Fonz are better than Huntelaar as well. |
doubledown9
said:
 |
... Not quite what I had in mind when I emailed the club suggesting screening the game at VP in front of the holte on Glastonbury style cinema screens, but I suppose it's better than nowt. http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/ClubNewsDetail/0,,10265~1953804,00.html |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Pancho, from what i've seen of Huntelaar i'm not convinced he could cut it in the EPL. He has a sweet shot and great positional sense, but he isn't the most physical chap and has struggled to score in two leagues where you get a lot more time on the ball. I think Gabby will score more goals than him in this league. Considering he'd cost upwards of £10m it isbn't worth it, i'd rather have a proven prem scorer like Beattie for £3m or Jones for £14m. We were linked with a 22 yr old target man who is 6ft5ins in Argentina yesterday called Boghossian and the article suggested MoN has had his eye on him for some time. I think if we sign anyone this is the sort of signing it'll be. A relative unknown at the age of 22-24 for a modest fee in the region of £6m - £10m. There aren't any proven ones about without getting ripped off right now. Thank god we at least have the fonz if gabby gets injured, but i'd like to see someone younger in and Carew out. |
neil-bangor
said:
 |
... Keane's loan spell at Celtic is over and he is returning to Spurs. Apparently the deal was that he returned once Celtic's season was over |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... Top Five: Possible England Captains James Milner Interesting. Bet you never would have thought you would be reading this eh Damian? |
John Samuels
said:
|
... I said exactly the same thing to a Man U fan yesterday and he though it was a great idea. My thinking is give it to someone who is guaranteed to play, leads by example, gives everything he has and has talent. imo I say bite the bullet and give it to shrek. However Milner is a good shout a season down the line. He isn't a regular yet, but he will be. |
Andi
said:
|
... Oh arent we going to have fun fighting the competition away after the world cup when we try to sign MILNER on a longer contract  |
david c english
said:
 |
... i would like to think Milner is down to earth (for a footballer) and realises that the villa has got him where he is today, and he stays around for a good few years to repay us, he is still young enough to get a move to a bigger club 4 -5 years down the line if things don't work out here for him |
Andi
said:
|
...i would like to think Milner is down to earth (for a footballer) and realises that the villa has got him where he is today, and he stays around for a good few years to repay us Didnt we get Gareth Barry to where he is today and wasnt he down to earth ??? money talks and we cant compete with teams like Arse, Chelski and Man Utd in terms of wages or promises of trophies lets be realistic |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Chiefy, Get ready for the MoN 'he can reach for the stars at this club' statement that he rolls out for big offers for our awesome players. He'll simply make him the highest paid player at the club and who can say he doesn't deserve it. Mon has already shown that if you deserve it you get a big contract Ashley Young and Curtis Davies are excellent cases in point for this argument for different reasons. Milner is going nowhere. He's said how refreshing it is to start and finish the season under the same manager (he's had and attributes his good run of form to this consistency. He'll stay, in fact they'll all stay. The only one i can see leaving is Carew (with the exception of Hare, Shorey, Salifou, Osbourne etc) Sell Carew, buy a younger replacement and crack on where we left off. I predict big things for Delph, Fonz and Marc next season and our defence and midfield is only going to get better the more they play. We are going to be f**king awesome. |
John Samuels
said:
|
...Didnt we get Gareth Barry to where he is today and wasnt he down to earth ??? money talks and we cant compete with teams like Arse, Chelski and Man Utd in terms of wages or promises of trophies lets be realistic Given the current financial climate I believe we are in a position to offer as much as any of these clubs except maybe chelsea in terms of wages for the right player. (MoN offered Barry £85k a week to try and keep him) If we win a trophy this season too then that gives us more time aswell. The difference with Barry is he'd been at the club for 11 years and more than anything wanted a change and a challenge (which he's got ) and he maybe has anly a couple of seasons left. Milner has only just turned 24 and could quite easily secire a big move at the age of 27-28 if he feels he needs to achieve more. Hopefully we'll be winning trophies regularly by then. |
Chris Harper
said:
|
... Wembereeeeeeey, wemberleeeeey, we're the famous Aston Villa and we'r going to Wemberleeeeeeey! Join in, its fun!! |
Andi
said:
|
... JPA -- ok ok keep your long pony tailed hair on I just think we are going to have a fight on our hands to keep that's all. I can see Carew moving on for one final pay day back to Turkey or something hopeful we will keep the team together but Man Citeh's millions may be hard for the club and the player (whoever it may be) to turn down |
Andi
said:
|
...Wembereeeeeeey, wemberleeeeey, we're the famous Aston Villa and we'r going to Wemberleeeeeeey! NO |
Andi
said:
|
... New villa carling cup shirt out on main site got to have myself one of them with the MULE on |
tubbydunne
said:
|
... So the push for fourth is on. Thankfully that idiotic transfer window is closed and everyone has to work with what they have got for the rest of the season. How does that leave Villa. Our first choice eleven injury permitting is ------------------Big Brad---------------- Carlos------Dunne-------Collins----Warnock Little Ash--Petrov------Milner-----Downing ------------Heskey------Gabby------------- That's pretty strong, goalkeeper and back four as good if not better than anything else in the P.L. Midfield has creativity pace and a great work ethic. However with two out and out wingers we can be exposed trough the middle. The midfield has improved on last year trough the arrival of Downing and Milner going to the middle. Still not as good as the best midfields in the P.L. and lesser midfields can cause problems by playing five. Upfront we have a target man who offers a lot from general play but doesn't score and a speed merchant who knows where the back of the net is but is an erratic finisher. This is our problem area and our goals for are way lower than our rivals. Our second string eleven is --------------Little Brad------------ L.Young----Davies-----Clarke----Bouma Albrighton--Sidwell---N.R.C.----Delph ---------Fonz--------Carew----------- again we have great cover at the back with an argument to be made for one or two to be first eleven regulars. The shine has gone off our back up keeper after a couple of wobbly performances in the cups. In midfield with Albrighton injured they only one that is going to offer something if brought in is Delph and he is so far unproven at this level. So cover for midfield is almost non existent. Upfront the fans favourite has looked lazy this season, if he could rediscover the form of late last season he could be vital for this club in a push for fourth. The Fonz is unproven but has come up with goals against lesser opposition in the cups, Summing up we are very strong at the back and in the event of injury we are sorted. In midfield our first choice offers attacking threat pace and fight however if we are hit by injury or have to rest players here we are screwed. Upfront if Gabby is struck down we might as well pack it in for another season. To finish Fourth we need no injuries from midfield up, Gabby to play with confidence and score consistently and a return to form from Carew. I think with a bit of luck we can scrape fifth. |
david c english
said:
|
...Didnt we get Gareth Barry to where he is today and wasnt he down to earth ??? money talks and we cant compete with teams like Arse, Chelski and Man Utd in terms of wages or promises of trophies lets be realistic meets Barry a couple of times and he wasn't the sharpest tool in the box so i wasn't surprised when his head was turned by some shiny baubles, Milner for a Footy player seems to have been given an education (maybe an o'level or whatever they call them nowadays) so maybe it will keep him slightly more level headed. oh well i can hope |
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