Written by Damian Thursday, 18 February 2010 09:50
I'm feeling much better today, which sort of makes my claim to the wife that I had either pig or bird flu yesterday a bit rubbish, but yesterday, it was bad. It did give me a good excuse to have a couple of hot toddies and because the wife doesn't read this, I will be having a couple more today, just because, they were lovely and she still thinks I'm in a bad way.
But, before we get into anything Aston Villa, I have to send you to this website. You have probably seen it as a splash page when you go visit the club website, but they've actually set up a website at wembelieve.co.uk and it is actually a lot of fun and as an aside, does give hope that the new club website that is coming, will be much better.
Martin O'Neill gives players a break
There is a group of players who I have given quite a number of days off. They don't miss training sessions, they don't miss matches and I must admit at this particular time, freshness is the most important issue. It is trying to keep players fresh and the best way to do it is maybe to take them out of the environment altogether.
This is either going to help or it isn't and if we lose to Burnley and/or Palace, I don't think you can put it down to this break and if we win, I also don't think it can be put down to this break. It's just a time for the players to chill out for a bit and try to forget about the next three matches for a few days.
I posted about someone stepping forward for the business end of the season yesterday and the more I thought about it, which is often the case, the more I think it really is important.
Step forward and be counted
The last couple of seasons, around this time, we have lacked that certain player to step up and yes, it is a team game, but players make the difference. Without getting too personal, when I played schoolboy football we had someone that made the difference and it really was a case of him inspiring us. He was at a different level and looking back, I'm not sure if he did anything different to whoever played in his position if he didn't play, but we all believed he did and that was enough to give us all an extra 5%.
We have a team of players that all work hard and give 100% for 95 minutes, but that 5% I talk about, isn't about effort. It is about something else and I can't call it something as I don't know what it is, but we need it now. We need a player to step forward and we need that player to make us believe and make everyone else in the team believe. I think it can be Webcam but I'm also thinking Downing, Milner, Gabby (in a 451) or maybe even Delph, if given the run and if we are playing 451.
But, I'm in a positive believing mood today. I don't know why, but I'm not going to dwell on anything that has happened this season. We have three very important games coming up and we need to forget everything that has happened as these games really could define our season. The business end of the season has just started for us and we are going to learn a lot about our club over the next few weeks.
We have a part to play too but for now, I'm off for a hot toddy.
Video of the day
Chiefy posted this, so I'm posting it here too .
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Simon Mansfield
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... Love that http://www.wembelieve.co.uk/ website - Excellent stuff Now, onto this genious resting the players idea that Martin's come up with. I dunno, smacks of desperation to me. He knows he's got a small squad and he also knows that his March record with the Villa is appalling! I've got another idea Martin - Sign some more players!! |
John Samuels
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...He knows he's got a small squad and he also knows that his March record with the Villa is appalling! The window is closed, we don't need anyone and resting players is a sensible move considering we have three matches in a week. I think it's a great idea. |
Damian
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... djongrass he does say it is about 'freshness' and you could argue that that is why you have a squad and well, why it should be used - to keep players fresh throughout the season - they also had a fairly lengthy break in january without any games - which is pretty much why i've positioned what he has done, giving them the break, as a not defining moment either way lost of people everywhere have been calling for the squad to be better used |
moocher
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... Change of subject but am I the only one in the world to be pleased Arsenal lost the way they did last night. Any one remember the Henri goal that beat the Villa that Mark Halsey allowed to be taken quickly from a free kick before the Villa were ready. Karma really works!!! |
doubledown9
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... Only a football club would offer a fan the chance to "win the chance to buytickets". Pathetic. I'm still going to enter though. |
Simon Mansfield
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... Do we still have the smallest squad in the premiership? I think we do. Ofcourse I realise the window's closed (duh!) but perhaps with a bit of forward planning we might have done something about it earlier! I guess this is the cheaper option eh Buy more players = Millions..... Rest players = Free Genius! :-) You're right Damo, we do need players to step up and i hope they will - Please god lets not have another March like last season.....and the one before that! |
Damian
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... doubledown9 i cant believe i am going to write this as i seem to be very pro everything today - but we don't know the circumstances of this competition the club get given an allocation to sell, they also get several other allocations and they also have a number of partners that are given an allocation - for all we know they could be doing this out of their allocation, a partners allocation or something else - i'd bet money that these tickets have not come out of their allocation of tickets to 'sell to supporters' but somewhere else but like i said, none of us actuallyknow |
Woz_gb
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... Damian, On a different Wembley theme, any news on the pub for that free drink that was promised?? |
Damian
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... Woz_gb did i really promise a free drink for anyone that turned up? i'll be honest, it does sound like me, especially after i've had a drink or two so, for the record, i'm planning on going to the sports cafe, just round the corner from piccadilly circus on the saturday - and i'll buy you a beer but i think i need to add a couple of conditions now, just in case my mortgage doesn't get paid for the next few months and that is; i have to recognise the username ... and i'm also going to put a limit on it - so it will very much be first come first served ... |
Adrian Kilgallon
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...did i really promise a free drink for anyone that turned up? i'll be honest, it does sound like me, especially after i've had a drink or two I rememeber you saying something about buying those who attend a FEW drinks and maybe even paying for some finger food.  |
Damian
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... ak_27 well, now you've done it. 'finger food' is certainly not a word i would use. but, well, i'll be at the sports cafe wearing a claret and blue scarf on the saturday  |
Woz_gb
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... LOL, you did indeed..... I think when you were in one of your rare postive moods dreaming about getting to Wembley!!! I will be there, and mines a Guinness!! (I'll be regestering my user name now!!) |
Damian
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... just for the record also - there will be extensive use of this page: http://www.thevillablog.co.uk/...le-images/ on the friday, saturday and sunday next week. stilla daily post going up - but a lot on that page ... |
James
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... Chiefy's video on the last thread made me cry. Love the positive vibe. (But, being picky, to say this is not the time to think about the past results this season is a bit silly. I'd be telling the players they SHOULD think about what they have done this season. I'd be screaming in their faces...'You boys went to Old Trafford....and won. You boys went to Anfield....and won. You beat Chelsea....You are playing for a place in a Cup Final. You are a team of heroes....etc' That extra 5% you talk about is spot on. It is belief. The BIG teams believe they will win. We are starting to have this belief. Martin has this belief. The players have this belief. The fans? Well, that's another issue. Think like a BIG club. Talk like a BIG club. Act like a BIG club and with a little bit of luck we will BE a BIG club. Shit I'm bouncin off the walls here. When's this bloody cup final. C'mon you Villa Heroes. |
Damian
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... First come first served and video added to post above. Quite nice but a little too much for me ... |
John Samuels
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... While it doesn't carry much prestige, I have been saying for a while that this trophy could be massive for us if we win it. If we were to beat Man U in the final and lift that cup imagine the belief it'll give the lads. They may think 'ok that's that one, who's left in the FA cup? Chelsea? We p**sed on them this season, lets f**kin s**t on them again!' It could be the catalyst for something. The same way that lots of teams down the years have kick started long periods of sustained success with a cup win. |
doubledown9
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... Even so at face price, no matter which area of the stadium they are in it would be at most £200. I'm sure the club can afford it. I mean think how many glasto tickets are given away by various 'partners', or that RATM yesterday gave away 100,000 tickets to a concert in london. It just seems a bit tight, to be honest. |
Damian
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... doubledown9 you are stuck between a rock and hard place at the moment though you cant ask for more/better players then ask for free tickets in a competition |
doubledown9
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... eh? Be realistic, I'm not saying free tickets for all, or even a fair few, the Glasto / RATM things were just examples. A pair of tickets = £200 vs David Villa = £80mil; its not the same thing. Anyway, perhaps a better way of doing it, if they had decent web designers, would be to register for say £1, with all money raised going to Acorns and then give the tickets away. Just a thought. |
Warwick
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... Well in that case you need to let us know what time you are arriving!! I'm not always so keen to take free beer off someone, but in this case its the principle and it'll be good to see us all 'drink' your words. |
John Owen
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... Got to the club at 9.00 this morning.Website had stated announcement would be made at 12.00 to criteria and availibility of final tickets.Only have a booking history of Fulham game this year due to work committments and finances.Have had seasontickets and attented plenty matches in year we were relegated and most home n away in old Division 2.as well as better times under Taylor andBig Ron.Anyway,I digress,just thought I would chanceme Arm n tryn get a ticket along with a few others have better booking history than myself.I do not have a problem with setting a criteria just pointed out that it would have been clearer and less hastle for themselves if they had stated on the website that u still needed a booking history of seventhis season to geta ticket up tomidday today.Only to be told that if waited till midday probably still wouldhave no chance as I needed to haveshownsome interest in the club.Bloody charming!did not knowwether to scream or cry! I will be thereat midday to see wottheannouncement is and will accept,but theyonlyneeded to beclearer on website to make life easier forthemselves and save me feeling distraugt bythose comments!que sera sera still villatil I die |
Darragh McGeown
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... Damian - I'm going to to turn up and tell you my username is Taglor just to see if you'll still by me a drink  |
Villatx
said:
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... Feeling good about villa today for some reason....maybe it's cuz my Dave matthews band tickets came in for Vienna tomorrow....maybe it's cuz my girlfriend gave me a mornng surprise... Who know....either way UTV |
James
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... Has Arsene been to Specsavers? He appears to have had an excellent view of events leading to Porto's 2nd goal. Very unusual. |
luke
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... What angers me is that he constantly moans about the players being tired and the need to rest them but why arent players like beye,carew and delph getting more games and then we can rest players like heskey who is always inured and cuellar who has played alot of games! I feel sorry for beye cause he is a decent right back but has not had one sniff of action! Now that davies and bouma are nearer match fitness give them a game in the replay and rest dunne and warnock! Mons problem is that he rushes players back too quick when theyve just been injured and he wonders why heskey limps out of a game 10 minutes after it kicked off! Give carew a chance cause heskey is useless and always injured! |
Martin Clabon
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... Difference between this year and last is efence, inparticular Dunne who will inspire and bully the players in to keeping standards up |
Simon Mansfield
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... [ Difference between this year and last is efence ] ?Who's talkin' shite now? Now get back in yer corner and face the wall!! |
tubbydunne
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... How many times has this to be spelled out to people. There are no easy games anymore, Carling Cup, FA Cup or P.L. every game for Villa is a must win game especially when we are expected to break the top four. When you want to win every game you put out your strongest team in every game when available, it's not rocket science. If O'Neill rested an established player and we lost we would skin him alive. I hate using that word rested anyway because if a player is fit then he can plays whether its once twice or three times a week. They are exposed to the best recovery science and don't give me this mentally tired that will only happen if you are getting stuffed every week. If the results are positive players could play forever. |
Tj
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... We have that bit of freshness in the defence, i just think we miss that freshness in our central midfield alongside petrov UTV |
James
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... I with tubby. You win, you keep playing. Rooney doesn't look tired to me. Martin just uses tired (as we all know) as a media/player friendly way of saying, 'They were crap today'. You won't see many 'tired' legs on Sunday with a cup final to play in next week. |
Andi
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...We have that bit of freshness in the defence, i just think we miss that freshness in our central midfield Fra-breeze any one ?  |
James
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... Besides if they're all so tired, where do they get the energy from to go off knobbin each other's birds? |
john franey
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... Villatx said but is the burnley game o sky sports this sunday??sky sports 1 o clock sunday |
Andi
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...Martin just uses tired (as we all know) as a media/player friendly way of saying, 'They were crap today'. I wish he would just tell them they where crap,Sunday I can see a big win coming would do wonders for us The MULE grabbing a couple, alright 1, Young getting one maybe gabby, downing or milner and Carew coming of the bench and smashing one 4-0 maybe ? |
sean jones
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... Going back to who can/will stand up and be counted webcam is proberly the most liklest. But I really think that it will be Downing to stand up and be counted. I really think leading up to the world cup now Downings going to step it up a few gears now, and I woulden't be suprised if he scored a few from now until the end of the season. UTV |
villatx
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...sky sports 1 o clock sunday Thanks wicklow thats good news now i can go to the pub on sunday and watch the game over a beer to two....or 11 |
Andi
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... Players to stand up and be counted : Carew - maybe - final farewell from the big man The MULE - hope so - world cup place at stake ??? Webcam - defo - world cup place Downing - defo - world cup place Milner - defo - doesnt he every game ?!?!?!? Petrov - defo - leader and first in command Dunne - defo - leader natural to him Cuellar - defo - under rated and looking for spain call up and knows Madrid are watching. L.Young - defo - gave up england to concentrate on club level Delph - defo - something to prove Fonz - defo - something to prove Collins - defo - something to prove Guzan - defo - he got us to the final he wants to show he can cut the mustard Fridel - wants to be the oldest keeper in the world Salifou - he aint just bullet proof my little round up |
John Samuels
said:
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... Chiefy, Burnley will be a physical contest, but they are dross away from home this season and I think we'll slowly smash them over 90 minutes. You know what I mean, a tightish game with a goal every twenty minutes or so and then come the end you think hang on a minute it's 4-0. Gabby to get two I think and I'd love to see Downing get one. I really think if he got one he'd go on to score a few more. We have goals all over the midfield. Maybe a goal would sort Invisidwell out? Whoever mentioned freshness in the midfield, I agree. Although I think Petrov is just gonna have to soldier through this campaign with his achilles hanging off. We'll see a lot more of Delph next season and Petrov can have a few more rests. Any thoughts on who the captain should be when he doesn't play? Marlon and NRC are making good progress apparently, it'll be good to have Reo back, you really don't know how important he is untill you can't pick him. Plus we can then get a few quid for Harewood hopefully too. I also wanted to say that I am fast becoming a fan of Cuellar at RB. He really does like to bomb forward like he did against United and he provides an excellent goal threat from set pieces too. Strong, Quick, Good in the air and his crossing is improving too. He just needs to work on his first touch. Even out of position he's better than a lot of RB's in the EPL imo. As for who is going to stand out in the run in? I think it'll be Gabby. I think he is going to hit 20 goals this season and push us into the top four.. Looking at our run in I fancy him to bag at least four in the next six games. |
Adrian Kilgallon
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...Any thoughts on who the captain should be when he doesn't play? Richard Dunne for me. He is a natural born leader. |
Andi
said:
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...Any thoughts on who the captain should be when he doesn't play? Is there a choice ??? the Dunney Monster Cuellar is the most under rated player at our club, although i do think he will be gone in the summer with Madrid paying big to get him remember how much we paid for him ? he has to be worth 15-20 now at that sort of money with Collins and Davis on the bench we would be made to turn it down, as much as I want him to stay Madrid is his boyhood club and the money for us would be to good |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...Cuellar is the most under rated player at our club I don't think he is. He is a top quality CB. Which is why Real are after him. I won't bother getting into the RB debate again as it has been done to death but it's down to his performances at CB(both for us and Rangers in the UEFA cup) that the big clubs are looking at him. But as a CB he is one of the best no nonsense CB's in the PL. A great partner for Dunne. They are our best pairing in the club. |
Andi
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...But as a CB he is one of the best no nonsense CB's in the PL. A great partner for Dunne. They are our best pairing in the clu They are although, Collins and Dunne will take over then Collins and Davies and then Davies and Clark |
Martin Clabon
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... Nan, but ladies are so lovely and soft and shiney, who can resist Villatx, are you old enough to drink? curse your boyish good looks JPA, your claret and blue specs are working overdrive imo, Cuellar likes to bomb forward from rb but delivery is poor still I'm afraid. love him as a defender mind, arguably our most improved player from last season |
scott harwood
said:
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... just a quick one,i might be miles behind lol,but i was under the impression manure had a week off but ive just found out theyve got west ham tuesday night.if they slip up saturday and chelsea get a result aswell as west ham fighting for survival i can see a lot of tired legs for them let alone us and with nani and giggs out theres not a lot of players they can rest |
villatx
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... Sidcowan Villatx, are you old enough to drink? curse your boyish good looks haha im pretty sure 21 is legal in every country.....even if i sometimes look 13 |
Adrian Kilgallon
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...They are although, Collins and Dunne will take over then Collins and Davies and then Davies and Clark Yes that's how i see it at the moment. Hopefully with Clarke over taking Davies in the not too distant future. |
Adrian Kilgallon
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...just a quick one,i might be miles behind lol,but i was under the impression manure had a week off but ive just found out theyve got west ham tuesday night.if they slip up saturday and chelsea get a result aswell as west ham fighting for survival i can see a lot of tired legs for them let alone us and with nani and giggs out theres not a lot of players they can rest I honestly don't think Fergie's main thought over the next month is the Carling cup final. The league and CL will take precident and if anything it will be in the final that certain big players will be rested. Then come 60 mins if things are going poorly for Utd he will bring on the big guns. Hopefully he will start Gibson and Anderson for the final as i think our CM can really put it up to those 2. |
Andi
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...just a quick one,i might be miles behind lol,but i was under the impression manure had a week off but ive just found out theyve got west ham tuesday night.if they slip up saturday and chelsea get a result aswell as west ham fighting for survival i can see a lot of tired legs for them let alone us and with nani and giggs out theres not a lot of players they can rest Now it has been put like that I am with you AK, Fergie wont be bothered about the Carling Cup although it is a Cup, Fergie will want the league and the Champions league over this. |
scott harwood
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... agreed a.k if ur a manure fan and lose the cc final but win one of the cl or pl are u gonna be upset? a big no imo. |
Craig Elliot
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...Chiefy said: I agree so what do you think MON will do at the carling cup final ? Play Cuellar and Dunne and drop Collins ? Play Dunne and Collins with Cuellar at RB ? Or Play Dunne and Collins ? |
Andi
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...Play Dunne and Collins with Cuellar at RB If Warnock isnt fit if he is Young Cuellar Dunne Warnock all day |
Adrian Kilgallon
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...I agree so what do you think MON will do at the carling cup final ? I think MON will start with this : Dunne and Collins with Cuellar at RB But i think he should start with this Cuellar and Dunne and Warnock and Luke Young(this is our best back 4 IMO). Especially if Utd don't start with their stringest midfield we really should take the game to Utd early on and we have a better balance going forward with 2 out and out full backs playing. |
Simeon
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... Nanwasafan, your 'no.15 comment' is absurd. Sorry to be so blunt, but to say that Martin O'Neill has the believing mentality of a big team is patently wrong. Martin O'Neill is a hoper, not a believer. Witness the recent debacle against 10-man Man United, or the game against Spurs, where we weren't believeing we could win, but were hoping against hope that we could hold out for a draw. I first realised that Martin O'Neill wasn't a believer when I saw last season's fixture at Old Trafford. That was the most embarrassing result of the season, because of the way in which O'Neill cravenly surrendered the initiative after we went 2-1 up. Against a severely weakened Man Ure, we were complete in control for an hour, even when we were 1-0 down. But O'Neill showed his cowardly nature, confounded by his tactical ineptitude, in lying down for them. Such is his subservience that he then hailed our performance as 'great' (and no doubt 'wonderful', and 'really, really fantastic'). He has a huge inferiority complex, which I assume arises from a sub-concious realisation that he doesn't know what he's doing. And the impression I get is that he thinks he's managing a club who are one step down from his beloved Sunderland. I'm afraid that your post would have had more credibility if you'd tried to defend any of the numerous poor signings he's made, or the stupid, ugly football we play. Perhaps you could have hailed him as a genius for assembling a close-knit squad that, due to their small numbers, have developed an almost symbiotic understanding. Or you can always trumpet our impending victory against Man Ure's reserves in the no-mark league cup. But please, let's not be having more of this silly chatter about Martin O'Neill being a believer. It's an insult to people's intelligence, and, though you may not realise it, an insult to the club you love. |
Andi
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...I'm afraid that your post would have had more credibility if you'd tried to defend any of the numerous poor signings he's made, or the stupid, ugly football we play Football while ugly who cares in with a shout for fourth, cup final and potentially another run in another cup. Poor signings there has been a few hasnt there along with the likes of Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Young, Young, Milner, Downing, Guzan, Fridel, Petrov, Carew, Cuellar Who cares if MON believes or not we are getting there, not as fast as some would like, but we are getting there. This week coming is going to shape our season and rather than moan and whinge about what we dont have why dont you support the club and talk about what we do have ? I can not see what any of us have to moan about at the minute other than SALIFOU not getting a cameo role |
John Samuels
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... Simeon, It's quite right that you have the opportunity to get your opinion across and despite not agreeing with you on anything you've said since last February when I started reading this blog, I do have a couple of questions for you. Do you believe that we have progressed in terms of squad depth and quality under O'Neill? Who was the last manager you really rated that we had, why? and also do you believe we are in a better position than we were under O'Leary? What is it that O'Neill did that was tactically inept during that Man U fixture? I personally think it a little harsh when Macheda's strike was unbeleivable and they are Champions as well as one of the best teams in the world. What would you change tactically that would make us a team you were happy with? If you got your wish and MoN left, who would you put in charge (realistic targets) and why? |
Nathan Price
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... Thats funny, I was about to say, prepare to be shot down by Chiefy and JPA, but refreshed before writing it. Low and behold! |
Chris Harper
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... Just logged in to say.... Simeon, you are one sad, depressing human being. If you aren't happy with how things are going at our beloved club now, then you never will be. FACT. As for everything being so bad, please don't smile or be happy if we lift the cup on the 28th Feb, you don't deserve to be. Next time, take your anti-depressants before posting such bitter rubbish. Frankly, I don't like reading it. |
runtingz
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... i find it hard to believe we still have fans who are so over critical of martin o'neill..and some peoples obsession with this pretty football malarky ..football is a results buisiness first and formost you have to earn the right to play both pretty and winning football hence why my money is on villa to finish above the likes of spurs and possibily citeh this season..i personally think anyone who thinks martin is not one of the best managers in the lge is deluded and with the solid youthful foundations he is building i believe we are only a few buys away from being genuine top four condtenders on a regular basis ..its a simular root to what fergie took to get man u to the level they are now but fergie made a heck of a lot of mistakes along the way |
Andi
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...Next time, take your anti-depressants before posting such bitter rubbish. Frankly, I don't like reading it. Simeon take your prozac Simeon take your prozzc la la la It aint that bad mate surely you cant seriously think like that for real ?? has Damo put you up to it or Fergie ? |
Chris Harper
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... runtingz Well said mate...Some people can't wait for a club to grow, they want it yesterday. They are the ones who want the club to be taken over and be a billionaire's toy. |
Andi
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...They are the ones who want the club to be taken over and be a billionaire's toy. I would but i cant next season i have decided to by a motorbike instead |
Nathan Price
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....its a simular root to what fergie took to get man u to the level they are now but fergie made a heck of a lot of mistakes along the way Ive been saying this for ages. |
Andi
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....its a simular root to what fergie took to get man u to the level they are now but fergie made a heck of a lot of mistakes along the way and i have ! and i believe i was slaughtered for comparing MON and Villa to Man Utd by some on here !! OH how times change i remember mentioning it when I realised Milner could play in the middle |
Adrian Kilgallon
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...its a simular root to what fergie took to get man u to the level they are now but fergie made a heck of a lot of mistakes along the way I kind of see this a little but both managers have completely different outlook/ philosophy’s on how the game itself. Simalr in to a certain degree but completely different in others. |
Adrian Kilgallon
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... I really need to check what i type before i post.  This is what i meant to type : I kind of see this a little but both managers have a completely different outlook/ philosophy on the game itself. Similar to a certain degree but completely different in others. |
StickyAV
said:
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... I just wanted to say, nice post Damo. Apart from one person, this comments thread is really good to read, and not blindly negative. Debates are good natured and optimistic. That's what a positive blog can do for this site. That's the power you have. |
Damian
said:
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... Juan Pablo Angel you are asking the wrong questions of Simeon the questions you are asking are mostly opinion based and how can he be wrong? as for bringing up o'leary - when o'neill gets higher than o'leary then he will have achieved more and yes, he can win the league cup or fa cup - but the league is how you measure development it could also be argued that had o'leary had more money after his first season that he could have gone higher i dont believe those things - o'leary, in my opinion, was always going to go backwards and he did but the position can be argued and as strongly as the one for o'neill - certainly by even the most loyal martin o'neill supporters if they take off the glasses and stand back - if they cant see it, then you cant really add any credibility to their position either becasue by the very nature of not accepting another you could say theat it is blinkered as for asking him who he would replace o'neill with with 'realistic' targets - you might as well as me or anyone else to suck their thumb, stick it in the air and predict the weather for tomorrow o'neill is a good manager. he changed things around after going 2-1 up against united in a way that was, at the time, thought a learning curve - he sat back - but he isn't learning from it as quickly as maybe some would have hoped - because we still do it things are good at the moment and if we win the league cup next week - fantastic - absolutely fantastic but o'neill is good in those type of matches - he won it twice with leicester and we all know on the day, he can get the players fighting but the true test of how well he is doing at villa will always be the league and a byproduct of a successful league campaign and much better squad will be more silverware but unsuccessful development will always mean just fairly random cup runs o'neill is good but o'leary with a fairly average squad, according to some, got 6th - if this squad is so much better and not doing better than 6th, then surely that raises other questions as to why, a squad that is so much better isn't doing better i'm just playing devils advocate - i'm in a good mood at the moment and i can see both sides quite clearly and i can see that because aston villa is so much bigger than one manager and StickyAV - i apologise for this one - but it isn't a negative comment from me |
Nathan Price
said:
|
...I realised Milner could play in the middle I thought I was the first one to think of that. |
Simeon
said:
|
... Villa Chris, if you think this is as good as it gets for Villa, which is the only meaning that can be drawn from what you say, then you, like O'Neill, have no belief in what Villa can be. Chiefy, I would disagree that we are in with a shout for fourth. I'd call it more of a whimper. Yes we are in a cup final, but it's the league cup. It's an irrelevance! Then you say that we are, potentially, on a run in the cup. Ah yes. All hail O'Neill, for we have beaten Blackburn and Brighton, and got a great result against Palace. We still have a shot at being in the quarters! I'd be delighted if we won the FA Cup. I hope we do. And I'm sure O'Neill is hoping we do too. But I don't believe we've got much of a chance, because it's a serious competition and other clubs therefore take it seriously. But let's hope I'm wrong on that. JPA, in answer to your first question, not really. In terms of quality, we've gone backwards. Last season we had Barry and Laursen. Friedel wasn't quite as accident-prone as he is now, and Carew (when fit) was a consistent threat and scored goals. I'd say that we have more players of Premiership standard this season, but so what? O'Neill doesn't use them, so depth is irrelevant. And as our league position and points haul this season relative to last season shows, we're not as good. And that isn't taking into account that it's a poorer quality competition this year. The last manager I really rated was Brian Little. He took us from battling relegation one season, to fourth place and a League Cup win (when the competition still had some relevance) the next. He bought astutely, and under him we had a team of real quality who had the opportunity to achieve big things. Perhaps Little himself was guilty of not taking advantage of the opportunity he'd created, or perhaps you'd take the view that Doug didn't back him. Either way, we had a good team, and we played pragmatic, but still attractive, football. We are in a better position now than when O'Leary was in charge for the simple reason that we have Lerner now and not Ellis. O'Leary was a poor manager and a revolting man, but I think he would be achieving more with Villa now than O'Neill is. If nothing else, he's a believer, as his work at Leeds showed. But I want to reiterate that he is a bad manager, and I wouldn't want him back. Though he'd be an improvement on O'Neill, I'm sure we can do much better. I've already said what O'Neill did wrong last season against Man Ure: He retreated. He tried to hold on for a win, not because we were struggling to hold our own against a superior side, but because we were playing Man Ure at OT, and, put simply, he bricked himself. He made a negative substitution, bringing on Reo-Coker for... I guess Carew. He didn't do anything else. That was enough to allow Man Ure the chance to win. The tactical change I'd make is bring in a good manager! There is no reason why, with the players we have, we can't keep posession of the ball more. All our midfielders are comfortable on the ball, as would be our full backs assuming Luke Young plays at right back. I'd play an extra man in midfield, because our central midfielders are light-weight. This would provide the kind of cover to our defence that would allow us to attack far more than we do, because at present, the whole midfield is playing safety first, which is ridiculous when you consider that our midfielders are ball-players. As for who that manager would be, I could name just about every single manager in the Premiership and they'd be an improvement on O'Neill, because, as I've said, O'Leary is a bad manager, and yet I think he'd do a better job than O'Neill. But instead, I'll just give you one name. Frank Rijkaard, who is currently managing Galatasaray. If you don't think he's a realistic target, then I will completely understand why you're so happy with top-half in the Premiership and the chance of winning a minor trophy every now and then. I think his achievements at Barcelona are evidence enough that he's got some quality. They were very much second best to Real Madrid at the time, but under him they became the best team in Spain and won the Champions League. And had Ronaldinho not p***ed his career down the drain, I guess he'd still be managing them. I think he'd be an improvement on O'Neill. |
scott harwood
said:
|
... guys weve just got to get used to it.mon in all our eyes is a brilliant man manager and a decent tactician nothing more.we could get someone in whos a master tactician but the players could all think hes an arsehole.for me the greates in both these attributes was mourinho but we are not gonna get him. incidently if i had to match us up to the top four club whos style we match up most with id have to say chelsea and look where they are.they dont play as easily on the eye as manure and arsenal but they know how to win.i think our mentalitys come on leaps and bounds and i believe we actually go into games believing we r not gonna concede.the 2nd part now is going into games believing we r gonna win.am i making sense? |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Simeon seems to have disappeared. So much giving reasons for forming such a bitter negative opinion. I was hoping to get some answers. Despite being a depressing sonofa.... he seems eloquent and has a good vocabulary so i'd have liked a response. ak, i've mentioned before that I can see a lot of similarities between Mon and Fergies early seasons at Man U. He built a physical, pacy, counter attacking side that played old fashioned english football. The squad was largely british based and he took players from other english sides. While this was going on he put the youth structure in place and signed a crop of youngsters who went on to revolutionise the type of football the club played. While they are very different managers I believe both have similar ideas both tactically and in what they like in a player. Namely Ability, which is obvious, but also Commitment, Determination and Physical Presence to add a bit of bite and steel to the side. I think we'll start winning things soon, if not this season then maybe next. I can also see us missing top four this season but winning the europa next year. A trophy could be the making of this young side. As soon as they see they can win something they'll believe in their own ability more and confidence will grow. I recall a young Tony Adams and co in the Arse side of 87 nicking a league cup triumph to kick start a period of domestic domination for a tyoung side that had won nothing in ten years. It was also a cup triumph that kept Fergie his job and kick started their domination of the league. As soon as these young lads get a taste of winning and believe in themselves we are going to be a force. If we win the league cup I think we give ourselves a better chance of top four and FA cup victory. The lift the players will get will be monumental. Just look at the effect the Semi Final win over City had on a stuttering Man U side..they're flying now. This is why I believe we should just keep playing our strongest side. I know burnout was an issue last season, but I believe keeping the core of a winning side in the team is more important and believe that Wenger's resting of his first team in their FA cup mauling by Stoke has had a slightly detrimental effect on their confidence. They drew with us, norrowly won a dour game against Pool and got flummoxed last night. Before the stoke game I had them as favourites. |
mintvilla
said:
 |
... we dont play how man utd play now, we play very much like how man utd did during the 90's, with wingers and fast counter attacking football with a solid defence, naturally with 15 years of being dominant man utd football has progressed but also with alot of money spent from champions league they were allowed to progress there football onto the next level, the only way to play nice pretty football and be successful is for a billionaire to take over your club and run it like a play thing and not a business, buying all the worlds best/greediest players and hoping they can gel over a whole season and not just up for the big games so that they can mount a proper challenge, even then nothing is certain as man utd are the richest club in the world, chelsea and man city are already owned by billionaires, therefore its alrways going to be hard to achieve any of this, and much harder to achieve than when man utd were playing their counter attacking football, back then the 2nd spot was different every season, forest, villa newcastle blackburn arsenal etc, until the end of the 90's when arsenal managed to catch up to them, nowadays the champs league has made 4 clubs strong and the rest are always playing catch up. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...He built a physical, pacy, counter attacking side that played old fashioned english football. The squad was largely british based and he took players from other english sides. Yes because it was a completely different league back then. How many foreigners were actually playing their trade in the league back then anyway? Only a handful. I really don't think you can compare Fergie's start at Utd to MON's right now as the game itself has changed hugely in so many different aspects. I still think behind it all Fergie's always had at the core of his teams a pass and move culture(brought thorugh by the coaching at the club) whereas that does not seem to be MON at all. Thats the core difference for me. |
Proxopera
said:
 |
... Is it my imagination or do villa suffer considerably less than all the other top 7 sides from injuries. I noticed this last season (despite some obvious exceptions) . Villa players dont seem to suffer as many low-level knocks and i'm wondering is this purely down to bodymoor heath or is it something to do with management style or squad character ? |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...fabanski genius A joke of a GK. Wenger really is starting to put his own position at risk now by refusing to learn from his own mistakes as well. How they haven't bought another keeper over the last 5 years is just pure madness. Almunia is just as bad. By the way that Ref last night just happened to be the ref that 'missed' Henry's handball. And he is still going to the WC this summer. |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Simeon, I agree with you on Little, I thought he was great and I remember very exciting counter attacking football with the wing backs bombing on. Alan Wright was marvellous. I don't agree that DoL would do a better job than O'Neill. I really don't see what O'Leary did in his tenure that would suggest that he'd build a better squad than O'Neill has. O'Leary fell into the job at Leeds and many of the players that propelled him into the upper reaches were already there. Harte, Smith, Woodgate, McPhail, Kelly, Robinson, Martyn, Hasselbaink. I agree he signed Viduka and Dacourt, but also wasted money on the likes of Fowler for £11m and spent £7m on Seth Johnson. I believe that while progress is slow at Villa at the moment it is organic sustainable progress that is slowly enhancing Villa not only as a team but also as a brand. As the team improves, gates go up, the ground gets bigger, gets go up again, more money is availble for transfers, the team gets better, gates go up etc etc. As the team gets better we can attract and afford better players and the football improves. We have been in the doldrums for a while and the whole club has had to be overhauled from the ground up to bring it into the modern era. Because we improved so quickly under O'Neill it seems expectation has soared unjustifiably. We weren't overachieving last season in terms of our teams quality but due to the numbers it couldn't be sustained. This year we are better equipped and i'm sure there will be more reinforcements in the summer to help us improve again. I believe there are Managers out there who could do very well at our club and I am a fan of Hiddink myself. But I don't believe we could attract the likes of him and while Rijkaard is a more realistic prospect I believe that comparing him to O'Neill is difficult. Look at the squad and resources he inherited at Barcelona. Then look at what O'Neill started with. I believe he has done immensely well with what was available and he has signed quality young players that have the potential to become great playeres. It's up to them and O'Neill has laid down the gauntlet. The football will get better because it has every season since he took the job. The football is slowly improving as is the team, squad and off pitch activities. I will reserve judgement until I see things grind to a halt at the club which seems a long way off right now. I am thankful that our chairman is not as impatient as you. |
John Samuels
said:
|
...I still think behind it all Fergie's always had at the core of his teams a pass and move culture(brought thorugh by the coaching at the club) Not true. They played with huge bruisers at the back, a solid hard tackling midfield, pacy wingers and a CF and SS. SAF seems to think that MoN is one of the best in the game and i'm inclined to agree. We are getting better and will continue to under O'Neill. This team is going to win things ak, mark my words. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...Not true. They played with huge bruisers at the back, a solid hard tackling midfield, pacy wingers and a CF and SS. SAF seems to think that MoN is one of the best in the game and i'm inclined to agree. Different era. Thats my point. Fergie has moved on and adapted. Look im sure we will win something but will we be real contenders for the title or CL in the next few years? Perhaps. I don't have the same faith in the man you have as i see a few problems regarding tactics that i just don't believe a top manager can have and be truely successful in this league when competing againest the sides we are going up againest. Time will tell and im sure we will improve again next season as we will bring in better players which will have to improve the team. But will MON himself improve the team outside of this with his tactics and coaching? This is where my doubt lies. His job does not just stop at buying the players and motivating them. |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... Simeon, this is what is wrong with yor posts, you state opinions as facts. You believe us giving away a lead against Man U makes MON a coward and tactically inept. At best this is your opinion and a pretty hard one to defend as based on quite a stretch of logic. If correct then nearly every manager in the league could be accused of the same You don't like MON, fair enough but you stretch things a long way to make those accusations. This is what annoys me - accusing a man who most people agree has great character and many believe is a pretty good football manager as well of being cowardly and inept is a disgrace You are like a jilted lover, excited like a girl at the prom when we were doing well last season, when things wrong had a hissy fit and had to find someone to blame. Chose MON and now bitter and twisted, can't believe anything good about the man and desperate for crackpot theories to be proved right. My opinion of you is certainly no more based on supposition and interpretation than yours of MON and I would suggest draws less unlikely conclusions. Drop the tantrum and get back on side wishing the team well, we have a cup final comng up for Christ sake |
kane
said:
 |
... Mon is one of the best managers we have ever had he may not make changes to the team when we need a sub and may not spend the most but would we be in this position under o`leary ? i doubht we would still be in the premiership |
robb david
said:
 |
... 3 games in a week? For me it is two games, I would gladly forfeit the fa cup game, give palace the win to make sure o-neill doesnt play a single player we desperatly need to be 100% fit for the cup final. He should play all the second string on wednesday, not a single player who starts the cup final should play. O-neill knows this, he will realise serious questions will be asked if we are at wembeley and in the 80th miniute man utd win it because our defence is tired. As the (not so) old saying goes; balls to the fa cup. Were already at wembeley, lets not f**k it up on the chance we might get their again. Oh and something else we should all forget, 451. Its a boring defensive formation, and before you say, its really a 433, stop kidding yourself, because that makes a 442 really a 424. milner and young are not forwards, they are midfielders, 451 is a defensive formation, and when are we all going to realise that delph isnt that good, not yet, maybe one day, but not now. |
Damian
said:
|
... ronrabbit 451 is boring when you rigidly play 451 when you play it as 433 when attacking it isn't when you play it more as a 4231 it isn't but you are right - when you play a rigid, sit back and defend and hope to get a draw or a lucky break - it is |
John Samuels
said:
|
...For me it is two games, I would gladly forfeit the fa cup game, give palace the win to make sure o-neill doesnt play a single player we desperatly need to be 100% fit for the cup final. What happens if we go out of the cup to palace and then lose the final despite an excellent performance?? Man U are very good and could possibly beat us even if we play well. We could just be very unlucky. Then what?? I bet you'll wish we are in the FA cup then won't you. |
Andy Scarborough
said:
 |
... MoM wouldn't dream of putting out anything other than his strongest side for the FA Cup. I am sure we would all forgive him if he did and we lost a key player to injury. That would just be bad luck. You can't wrap your players in cotton wool. Remember that film "Bubble Boy"? He couldn't kick a ball to save his life stuck inside that bubble. |
runtingz
said:
|
... we all have are own views on who and what represents a top class manager i think we have a gem of one .. 3yrs into his time at villa the club has gone frpm quite frankly a bit of a joke to a all opposition ..of course we can improve but let him keep building ..these forign managers often come to the prem and struggle unless the can spend 10s of millions and even then its no garrentee as chelsea have found with highly rated guys with great track records .. i guess what i am trying to say is the grass aint always greener ..as for o'leary goggle his achievments in football and compare it with what martin has done |
frem
said:
 |
... pompy want to sell some players, does any one fancy anyone from them? Kevin prince boating or dinadne |
robb david
said:
|
... 451 is boring when you rigidly play 451 when you play it as 433 when attacking it isn't Thats my hole point, its not 433. If it is 433 then when we play 442 with milner and young on the wings, when we attack it becomes 424. Which ever way you dice it up you end up with one more defensive player on the pitch with 451. ITS a formation that sets up to get the draw, and maybe steal a goal to get the victory. What happens if we go out of the cup to palace and then lose the final despite an excellent performance?? Man U are very good and could possibly beat us even if we play well. We could just be very unlucky. Then what?? I bet you'll wish we are in the FA cup then won't you. The atleast we have given it our best shot at winning the trophy. If we beat palace with a weaker side then great, if not then f**k it, but if we play a full strength side against palace, we wont last, we will be tiring in the last quarter, and then if it goes to extra time, we will be shagged, rooney will contiune to run round like a maniac, and we will get caught. MoM wouldn't dream of putting out anything other than his strongest side for the FA Cup. I am sure we would all forgive him if he did and we lost a key player to injury. That would just be bad luck No its not bad luck its bad management, would fergy play rooney in the match before the champions league final? no, he would rest him. This league cup is our equivalent to the champions league. By the way im not suggesting we should get rid of o-neill or anything like that, Im just annoyed that we didnt go all out for it at palace, the last thing we wanted was a replay, and here we are, i would sooner of gone in all guns blazing for the win, if we lose, oh well, we are already at wembeley. |
Steve Oldaker
said:
 |
... simeon, what were you hoping for this season ? maybe a cup final ? maybe 2 cup finals ? maybe a champions league spot i here you cry !?! what you have wrote about mon being a non believer is a complete load of bollocks pal, are you really a villa fan ?? wake up! get behind the team instead of sharpening the knives with your ridiculous opinions |
Jonesy
said:
|
... Jus found out that our F.A Cup replay will be shown live on the F.A's official website. It will be at 8:00pm and be free of charge which is a bonus. |
pepsi head
said:
 |
... fatv is showing the villa and palace game live has anyone seen any of the previous matches on there and if the quality was any good? |
Steve Oldaker
said:
|
... i've heard its good, a wolves fan i know watched it when they played tranmere in an earlier round |
swissvilla
said:
 |
... @damian hi damian we are 6 villa fans from switzerland and we make a trip to birmingham to watch the game against everton (10.april). you know if i can have the tickets now, or must i wait until the tickets comes to the general sale? we have the hotel and the flight, put now we are afraid not to becomes the tickets. can you help me? i hope you understand my english...... greets swissvilla |
Damian
said:
|
... ronrabbit my point is you cant really call a formation 451 then 433 you have to give it something and based on the way we play 'counter attacking football' you cant really call it 433 |
Damian
said:
|
... swissvilla you will have to email the club - explain the situation and see if they can do something i suspect there will be 6 tickets available but you have to email the club and see what they can do This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
swissvilla
said:
|
... @damian i have already done.....but the club told me, that i must wait until the tickets gets into the general sale. you think this game will be sold out? |
robb david
said:
|
... yeah and my point is we need two forwards, or 5 attacking players on the pitch. Not 1 forward, or four attacking players on the pitch. You can call it what you want but in the end it boils down to 6 defenders, 4 attackers when you play 451. Or when you play 442, 5 attackers and 5 defenders. |
Damian
said:
|
... swissvilla there were 40,188 last season and not knowing how many everton brought there is a chance it was sold out as for some reason i am thinking everton didn't bring that many - but i am not sure why i am thinking that send the mail again - plead your case explain how much you love the club, how you have dreamt of attending this match and how whoever is reading the email have the power to make six swiss aston villa fans very happy and how, if they could help you, not guarantee or put aside unfairly, but just help, how you will bring with you the finest box of swiss chocolates you can get past customs and happily make sur ethey are left for that person ... you have to plead your case i'm afraid and hope they are willing to put in the extra few minutes |
swissvilla
said:
|
... @damian :-)) thanks, i bring a box of finest swiss chocolates.... okay, i try it again! thanks, hope to see you at the game..... |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... Infamy, infamy! Bribery at the avfcblog? Damian, you must be cuckoo to suggest swissvilla resorts to bribery to get tickets. What bank will be prepared to hide the slushfund? Oh, I forgot - Switzerland, ha ha how silly of me. swissvilla, I hope you get your tickets and the lads present you with a big win. |
avfcbob
said:
 |
... Chiefy That ultimate villa song brought tears to my eyes.Oh God,its great to be a villa fan , nothing can touch it sometimes. Gives you a great believe that the 28th is just a stepping stone to a great villa future UTV |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
 |
... Great News: Liverpool, our only real rival for 4th place, are complete rubbish Anything's posssible |
John C
said:
 |
... Simeon, This might not be as good as it gets but it gets but its pretty close. I remember the dour relegation battles of the 1960s. Colin Withers usually saving us from complete humiliation. Not always though. I remember Tambling scoring 5 goals for Chelsea at Villa Park, being poor in Division 2 and the lowest point of all losing 1 0 at Halifax on Divison 3. There was all of 5000 people there, 3500 villa supporters. We had the glorious return. It even took a genius like Ron Saunders 7 years to build the championship and european cup winning teams. Mind you he achieved this with costant turmoil in the boardroom. It was this strife and incompetence at diector level that stopped the club continuing the success. I believe that for the first time in my lifetime Aston Villa football club is well run. Lerner is not on an ego trip and is willing to let professionals manage the club both on and off the pitch. We have a genuine person as manager and the players give 100%. Now because of the distortion in finances caused by the champions league its going to be very difficult to break into the top 4. But lets stop carping and enjoy this as the club is as well placed as its been since the 1890s.Even I |
Martin Clabon
said:
|
... John C, great stuff, did we miss the end? Whether you think MON is the right manager or not to call him a coward and imply he is an idiot is disgraceful |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
...Witness the recent debacle against 10-man Man United Debacle ? Is this Simeon character for real ? We take four points off one of the best sides in the world and it's a debacle ? Talk about moaning Brummies - Jeez No wonder Badger has gone into hibernation Back in the real world, Liverpool were really crap tonight. Some steely determination by the boys over the next couple of months could achieve great things |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
...Pancho - Man City? Just can't see them putting a run together they were lucky against Stoke & man city haven't really improved under Mancini at all. I mean Vieira - imagine the stick he'd get playing in our midfield. We have more grit, I think, more determination to not let the pressure get to us like last time. |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... ManCity? Nah, the Dunny Monster will put his life on the line to see us finish above them. He love the Villa! This is his true home. It will be close but I reckon we've got 4th in our grasp, it's up to us not to f it all up. Our game in hand over Poo and Spuds is all we need. UTV |
Devon Villan
said:
 |
... Swissvilla I'll counter your prestigious offer "A Devon Cream Tea for 4" OR "20 proper Cornish Pasties" (will have to put my Harry Potter invisible cloak on to get them") You'd better book early, buddy! |
Andy Scarborough
said:
|
... http://norwichcity.myfootballw...a=0&part=1 Another interesting article about owners. |
tubbydunne
said:
|
... A lot of different debates today an interesting one is Ceullar/Young for right back. I have to say that I am a big Ceullar fan and in an ideal world he would be operating at center back. But in Collins and Dunne we have a great partnership. Collins might not be every ones cup of tea but he is an imposing defender who is very comfortable on the ball who has chipped in with headed goals. He works well with Dunne and I think they should not be broken up. Ceullar is a polished defender and if you don't want to break up your center back pairing, you have to fit him in somewhere. He has played at right back and while uncomfortable at first he is adjusting and growing into the role. Defensively he offers so much more than Young and we look rock solid when he is in the back four. Going forward he is improving and I have yet to see Young being an attacking force going forward. In the opponents box from set pieces and when he pushes forward his height and heading ability has proven to be a source of goals. In summation, right back has to be Ceullar no contest in my humble opinion. |
Steve Badger
said:
 |
...No wonder Badger has gone into hibernation Quite. I'm even more glad I'm keeping out of it now. At least with Taglor, you could read the utter bollox he was spouting straight away. And you never knew if he was serious really. Simeon is an educated poster and his rubbish takes time to read. Be warned, make sure you have no sharp implements, rope or dangerous drugs anywhere within your reach before you read his posts. You'll be reaching for them. |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
...Nanwasafan said: What a thing to write at 4:49 am THe mind boggles |
Rattus NorVillicus
said:
|
... Badger: There's no sense biting This Simeon is obviously on a wind up Witness the recent debacle against 10-man Man United that statement is too ridiculous to be serious. |
Dan Clinton
said:
 |
...This is either going to help or it isn't... Damien, do you read what you write or do you just have hand epilepsy? This is one of the silliest things I've ever seen written |
Tony
said:
 |
... I know it's off topic but I am getting desperate - no read that as desperate. Any chance of a pair of Carling tickets out there? Pretty please..... |
Dan Clinton
said:
|
... In terms of the exciting times at Villa, this is a bad time to be in Oz. I am extremely optimistic about both the FA cup and the League Cup, and as I think it was JPA or Nan who said, that that success can be used as a spring board for greater success. Yes! |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Fenian, It was I and I believe it too. With such a young progressive group of players, winning the league cup could inspire the belief in them that they are good enough to go and win things. This could be a massive thing for our team. It's got quality, depth, pace, goals, character, all it needs now is to get a taste of success and it could kick them on to the next level. |
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- Keane in talks, Petrov talking McGeady, warning for Milner from Downing and fantasy football time
- Sell to buy might not be so bad, new rumours, some news and a new kit
- New kit, Gabby talks the talk and Ashton and Bentley
- Pre-season, speculation, Martin O'Neill and Steve Froggatt
- Someone is in trouble: Aston Villa show interest in South Korea international Cho Yong-hyung
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