I didn't know how to start, with Brian Clough or on the beer - one reminded me of the other so I went alphabetically and ranked by importance.

I mention beers, because I've got a Friday night planned just drinking beer and talking football in the pub, probably. I can't say for not sure that the conversation will be just football however it tends to fall that way for me, I can't wait.

There was something else about the beer thing, but I've gotten this far and forgotten, so I'll skip straight on to Brian Clough and hope it comes back to me.

As you'd expect with the film out, there are a lot of interviews with former players and in case you didn't know he thought a lot of Martin O'Neill as a manager and by listening to this interview, it's fairly clear O'Neill thought quite highly of Clough too.

I wonder what Clough would have though about us fans these days? Back in his day there wasn't an internet and while he was a popular figure in the media - the demand wasn't as it is now, although he probably saw the beginning of it.

He'd have something to say about our discussions these days, it was either his way or no way and his team did have a certain style - but you can't deny it's effect and back to back European Cup success sort of gives him the right to say pretty much anything he wants. So from the grave.

Players lose you games, not tactics. There's so much crap talked about tactics by people who barely know how to win a game of dominoes.

Brian Clough, 1979

Moving on, this Sunday is Liverpool and with Rafa signing a contract extension until 2014 yesterday, they'll be a good atmosphere at Anfield and while we'd like to hope there is a lapse in concentration, there won't be one.

It's going to be one of the toughest games of the season on Sunday and I can't see anything else but two things; a big win for them or a scrappy win for us. I can see goals basically and the way Liverpool are playing at the moment, when the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United concede four, we're going to have to play a little differently if we are to hope of getting anything.

I know on our day we're a very good side, but of the likes of those two teams struggled against a current Liverpool team, you don't have to be a genius to predict how the game will likely go if we set out our stall with four in the middle.

We'll see another Manchester City or Spurs. Manchester City overran us in the middle in the first half and made us look like kids. Spurs, didn't so much overrun us or create that many more opportunities, but the quality they had put the chances away and Liverpool have more quality and they'll create as many chances if we allow them the time and space in midfield.

See what I'm doing - I'm quoting the best manager of his era and possible one of the best ever to grace our league and then I'm talking tactics. Well, like I said the other day, I'm sort of convinced about this in my head, so I'm sticking by it.

There are no more games to define our season - they're simply opportunities to make something of it; our best chance for a very long time to finish in the top four and through sheer blindness, loyalty and hope, I'll be having a punt on an away win, because this slump we're in will come to an end soon.

Comments (33)

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Max said:

... I hope we get something out of the Liverpool game, got to admit I'm slightly concerned because if we end up with a stuffing I don't know how that will effect the remainder of the season. Without being to pessimistic though I thought at the beginning of the year I would be happy with top 6. I do think we will have 5 line up in midfield. Still wondering what the back four will be. Did I miss something with Davies, has he had a knock or just a reminder that he isn't an automatic pick?

Comment 1, made on March 19, 2009 at 7.52 am

Nick said:

... I wouldn't be surprised is Davies was rested because of his shoulder. He said he'll try and get through the season with it but I think MON doesn't want to let it get any worse.

Comment 2, made on March 19, 2009 at 8.00 am

Dave Rogers said:

... "sheer blindness, loyalty and hope" - that has, for so long, summed up being a villa fan that it come as second nature now! And on that basis i'm going for a sneaky 0-1

Comment 3, made on March 19, 2009 at 8.15 am

Michaell Lockey said:

... I see a 3-1 loss but being a villa fan i still going to put bet on that we win! simple . the villa runs through me and i cant admit to a stuffing. maybe half time if we are 3-0 down lol but untill then i will not conseed to a loss.. Come on man villlla!! PLEASEEE!

Comment 4, made on March 19, 2009 at 8.32 am

Woz said:

... YES!! Found you all!! Yipppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Comment 5, made on March 19, 2009 at 9.48 am

daniel wheeler said:

... we will be sixth in two weeks. Your optimism astounds me. as much as i would like to agree, I can't. We have gone and blown the best chance we ever had to finnish fourth.

Comment 6, made on March 19, 2009 at 9.52 am

Smyth said:

... Like you Damain, i hope O'Neill goes with 5 across the middle. But I need some help to understand why O'Neill can't see this or maybe he does & he's just to pig headed to make the change back cause surely it would mean the sacrifice of Heskey & we all know its been changed to accommodate him.. ah I don't know, it's wracking me happiness! 2-3 Villa. P.s. Sorry to hear about those olé olé tarts. New site looks good though, nice & clean.

Comment 7, made on March 19, 2009 at 9.59 am

CSM said:

... I think it's quite a good time to play Liverpool. I know they just dicked Man utd and Real Madrid but it means no one will expect us to go there and get anything. I think this will take the pressure off of us and hopefully will free up some of the tension from webcam and Gabby. I also think MON will play 4-5-1 as away from home and at Liverpool we need 5 across the park. I'm going for a cagey 1-1. The site looks great, simple but effective!

Comment 8, made on March 19, 2009 at 10.28 am

Roderick Seel said:

... We always want what we dont need We always get what we dont want we always need what we cant have...

Comment 9, made on March 19, 2009 at 10.30 am

djongrass said:

... I'm just delighted to have my favourite claret and blue website back!!! Ma Ive missed you guys!! Think I'll crack open a beer to celebrate!!

Comment 10, made on March 19, 2009 at 11.06 am

Michaell Lockey said:

... We always want what we dont need We always get what we dont want we always need what we cant have... Whens that getting pritned on the new badge then lads ? maybe have it on the back on the collar ?

Comment 11, made on March 19, 2009 at 11.08 am

Michaell Lockey said:

... The Forum Vote is 50/50 lol even tho there's to yes choices and only 1 no choice ha

Comment 12, made on March 19, 2009 at 11.16 am

Simon Mansfield said:

... Where do I add a profile graphic? Hmmm

Comment 13, made on March 19, 2009 at 11.26 am

Roderick Seel said:

... Use the GRAVITAR link on the upper right hand side and register then you can add a avatar on your posts.

Comment 14, made on March 19, 2009 at 11.31 am

Alistair said:

... Just start with Carew!!

Comment 15, made on March 19, 2009 at 11.46 am

Fitzy_7 said:

... has anyone read the old avfc blog damian they aint very happy with you at all

Comment 16, made on March 19, 2009 at 12.02 pm

Richard Bunn said:

... I'd like to think that MON will drop Gabby for the Liverpool game. Even if he was going to, he won't now because of the booing. I'd defo start with JC up front. Got a strong feeling that we'll nick a draw at Anfield to kickstart another good run!

Comment 17, made on March 19, 2009 at 12.21 pm

Milk said:

... Damian just when I think for once you're gonna predict a Villa loss you sucker punch us with yet another villa win prediction :-) By the way this blog already appears better than that ole-ole crap.

Comment 18, made on March 19, 2009 at 12.46 pm

Christian said:

... I'm with Milk, this new blog's looking pretty good after only a few days. I can't find the suggestions box, but I'd like to add that I think the background needs a lick of paint. Bit too much white, makes my eyes sore! I'm dreading Torres running at Zat...

Comment 19, made on March 19, 2009 at 12.54 pm

Dan Price said:

... Haha that clough quote was such a load of bollox... hes right, players do win you games, but tactics unfortunately leave our most likely player to win us a game on the bench in place of a guy who used to be able to run fast (clearly ledley king's destroyed knee didnt do too much damage as he outpaced gabby) and a man who has only scored one goal since signing... What does carew have to do to get a start around here, how many times does he need to save us from the bench - he is out best striker by a country mile and we need to revert to 451 with him up top till the other lazy boys recalim something resembling form and fitness.

Comment 20, made on March 19, 2009 at 1.24 pm

Damian said:

... Christian1983 There will be a bit of something behind - I just don't want to rush in and want to get it right. Not long ..

Comment 21, made on March 19, 2009 at 1.28 pm

Jimbo Daventry Villa said:

... We have GOT to go back to 4-5-1 its where we won most of our games and not just against poor sides. Arsenal away was our best performance for a long time. If we go to liverpool using the same formation we may just sneak it.

Comment 22, made on March 19, 2009 at 1.41 pm

Christian said:

... I think Gardner should get a starting place. We've been attrocious lately, and the last time Gardner featured he was very impressive (i'm not counting his 4 minutes or so against Citeh). Milner, Gardner, Petrov, Barry, Young in the middle, and Carew alone up front.

Comment 23, made on March 19, 2009 at 1.51 pm

croni said:

... i'm really not looking forward to this match, i absolutely abhor liverpool and i'm expecting them to win. its gonna hurt villa's season is collapsing pretty spectacularly

Comment 24, made on March 19, 2009 at 2.05 pm

Hufter said:

... Hi, loving the new blog! Damian is it true you used to be a Blackburn fan?

Comment 25, made on March 19, 2009 at 3.03 pm

Goldie 7 said:

... 0-3 to them I just feel that there will be alot of hype surrounding the waiter so he'll be looking to win in style, Torres is so f in good but its all right because we've got a young local lad who is bound to get past the scouse back line and put afew away for us I do fancy us to sneak a draw at manure whatever the outcome on sunday.

Comment 26, made on March 19, 2009 at 3.10 pm

Goldie 7 said:

... Damian they are really not happy with you over there who's been a naughty boy then $60,000 i thought we were talking afew hundred you can buy a second porse for that kind of figures i didnt know this blogging ish was so rewarding damn

Comment 27, made on March 19, 2009 at 3.35 pm

Damian said:

... Hufter A Blackburn fan - where has this come from? Goldie 7 I assume you mean on OleOle - from what I've been told there is one person posting under different names to get comments up - but apart from that, I've not seen anything.

Comment 28, made on March 19, 2009 at 4.02 pm

Hufter said:

... Just a rumour I heard, not that I doubt your alliance to the Claret and Blue!

Comment 29, made on March 19, 2009 at 4.07 pm

Damian said:

... I've just got the email. Funny that isn't it. Nothing positive to say, just loads of people slagging me off. I wonder .. And Hufter, tell me how someone could grow up in Burntwood in the late 70's/early 80's supporting any other team but Villa ..

Comment 30, made on March 19, 2009 at 4.11 pm

Daniel Wilson said:

... from what I've been told there is one person posting under different names to get comments up - its 2 unregistered user names (trevor and stuart), could have been a bit more creative on the username front me thinks... And the Blackburn accusation did make me chuckle!! that came from some guy that apparently went to school with you! Come on Villa, it's time to spring a suprise of our own this weekend. I've been looking forward to this match since the GB fiasco kicked off, we owe those tapping up muppets some retribution. 4-5-1 for me, get Reo back in the mix, and I hope the crowd get behind Gabby in a non sarcastic way this time! UTV!

Comment 31, made on March 19, 2009 at 4.51 pm

Ken Bonker said:

... Burntwood? you were lucky not to get Dingle brainwashed Damian ;-) Old big head had a good way with words, and a good left hook for fans who upset him, that bloke who ran on the pitch felt the force and he did like a drink or 2, or 3, or....well he's famous for it, but he would despise the majority of supporters today for having too much too say, he was always right and everyone else wrong I still think Gabby will start on Sunday, and score, MON is similar to Clough in the way that he is his own man, he might play Gabby just to prove a point, and it's away from home, so he'll get good support. I would imagine whoever is up front, they will be alone with 5 behind them. Great goal on the video at the top of the page, Mortimer did that on a regular basis, he was a class act, twas a disgrace he wasn't an England regular, and I was at that game

Comment 32, made on March 19, 2009 at 6.40 pm

Andy Scarborough said:

... I will have a little punt on a Villa win too Damian, though it will be a highly speculative one! 4-5-1 is surely the only way to go into this game, we need to get our midfield on their toes ready to get up quickly onto loose balls. I would also like to see NRC at RB, CC and ZK in the centre and LY at LB. Midfield selction; I don't know if I'm alone in thinking that Stan could play more forward than he has, leaving the holding role to GB; his distribution from those deep positions to JM and Ash out on the wings could be useful, the extra man being Gardner. NRC can also get up and down quickly to support the mids. Up front? It's going to have to be Gabby, he can't really be expected to hold long balls up for too long, but if the mids get up in support quick enough he can lay the ball to them. I say gong to have to be Gabby because I believe that MoN will play him - as someone above said just to prove a point. JC on the bench could come on if that ain't working. Whatever happens I don't want us to go out there afraid of losing, if we do that we will lose anyway. We need to make sure that we score goals, or at least shape up to provide plenty of chances. Liverpool will probably score two or three seeing the form they are in at the moment, so we just need to score more than them. Expect a goal-fest.

Comment 33, made on March 19, 2009 at 9.51 pm

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