With Fox looking confident, Villa splashed out the £50 millions received for Benteke and Delph and sat back. But he was utterly out-foxed – by the Foxes, whose preferred starting XI value is said to be £22 millions.
Now – at the end of the season – the Foxes are triumphant, and with Ranieri talking of “love” and “harmony” in the club there must be something spiritual happening there! In fact, it appears that the club’s Thai owners have, for the last 3 years, had Buddhist priests flying in from Thailand to bless the turf. And that all happening since Richard III’s bones were recovered from a Leicester social services car park!
I will always remember the Channel 4 documentary on the Humpback’s discovery. The archaeologists in fact didn’t know where to start digging, but one of them had an inspiration that the digging should start in one particular bay – and that is exactly where his bones were found; they had hit the spot at the first attempt. Ever since then (in 2012) it’s been upward and onward for the Leicester footballers. Whether Richard III and the Buddhists prayers have any connection is for the reader to decide.
But one thing is unquestionable: the togetherness of the Leicester players, and their utter team spirit and committed play. That in utter contrast to the Villa’s disunity and powder-puff play, most of the time giving the impression only of a reasonably competent League One team. But even such a team would surely play with more spirit! Even though Villa looked better against Watford, it was primarily only because Watford were poor for most of the match until they woke up to the fact they had a chance against 10 men and a defence with holes.
With so-called Villa fan Tom Hanks declaring: “I put money on Leicester City to win Premier League” (believed to be at 1500-1), Aston Villa have suffered yet another humiliation in a season of humiliations. And this Saturday we may be witnessing yet another defeat, and with that the creation of another unwanted record: the most number of league defeats Villa have sustained in a string.
The experience of relegation is now something not that entirely new to Villa fans, though nearly 30 years have transpired since the previous occasion. The first time Villa was relegated, in 1936, was exactly 80 years ago, and on that occasion a Sports Argus reporter tried to capture the feelings of a very old Villa stalwart as he heard the news on his radio:
“The even, casual tones of the announcer came with an accompaniment of atmospheres from the dilapidated valves in the corner of the room. In a worn leather chair by the fire sat a white-haired man, his face marked by the years. Pale and old though he undoubtedly was, his eyes at that moment in the early evening of April 25th, 1936 were ablaze with keenness. He listened intently; the atmosphere was tense.
“Still the announcer read on … there was no trace of interest in his voice.
“Then, suddenly, the aged listener caught a familiar word; he braced himself. The moment he awaited had arrived.
“’Aston Villa … two … Blackburn Rovers … FOUR’. On he went. But one listener had heard enough. Silently, almost painfully, he rose, and, hobbling across the room, switched off the wireless. Then, returning to the fireside he sank once more into the chair.
“As I watched, the fire died from his eyes, the lines on his face grew harder. In every respect he was once again an old man. I would not bring myself to speak lest I disturbed the thoughts I knew were in his head. So I left.”
That ancient report needs no comment, and in 2016 our shock is perhaps even greater, that the old club has appeared to lose all its pride, and only in the short space of six years. I don’t need to remind the reader that it was seven and six years ago respectively that two great Villa combatants, Laursen and Boerma, had to hang up their boots. And not long before that Mellberg had left, but only after he had donated hundreds of Villa shirts to the fans, in appreciation of their support.
Foreign players? So long as you have players of the character of Laursen, Boerma and Mellberg then there never will be a problem: those three served Villa exceptionally well. But today’s squad – with the exception of only two or three – hardly bear a resemblance to them. It’s significant perhaps that the three players just mentioned came to Villa before Lerner bought the club.
The future? Well, according to Ranieri the blend required should be based on “love” and “harmony” and to be “professional, play with passion and [a] desire to win”.
Pearson for manager? I more fancy Ranieri and the Buddhist priests to be honest. And perhaps we should start digging under the Bull Ring for the bones of the original Boerma, who founded Birmingham! Well, if not that then we know where Archie Hunter’s and George Ramsay’s bones lie.
The Author
John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.Comments 168
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Nice history lesson John, used to love the old Lawrence Oliver adaptation of WS films, “me kingdom for a hoss” etc. Wonder if Lerner will give his kingdom for a hoss ?
Had to chuckle reading that McKnob has been booted after 10 games, how many times do you have to be booted before you realise that you’re crepe.
My old man used to live on the Lickey when he was a nipper in the 30’s and he reckoned that Villans over there were so distraught at relegation that they were jumping in the canals, dunno if he was joking but i’ve never known a nose with a sense of humour.
Hopefully the cull is starting, Cisshoko believed to have agreed terms with Besiktas who also want Lescott, BOGOF!!!
JL the recriminations have been under way for a while now, with finger pointing and blame across the board.
My worry is how do we move forwards, it seems that RL is going nowhere meaning we go into the summer( one punctuated by the euros ,4 weeks and an earlier start as we are no longer in the PL) looking like
1) No manager
2) No Board( especially footballing nous) with even BL expected to leave this summer.
3) No investment
4) No money
5) severe disharmony
6) a fractured squad requiring a total overhaul
7) drastic income loss
8) large parts of the ground closed
9) Little hope or optimism
10) No takeover
I can’t see how we are going to compete let alone challenge in the championship next season unless we get the miracle takeover, that some believe will happen, as without it we are going to get relegated again next season.
When you look at our recent history of losing to Lge 1 & 2 teams when we actually had a better side then i can’t see this shower of crepe doing any better in the Champs than they have this season.
Without a take over we’re done for.
Hear, hear B62 and thanks for the memories John, even though those of mine re relegation are in the 80s.
The teams that are doing well have the right managers – Simeone is the epitome of the ringmaster, Guardiola the strategist (one had to win), Raniera the benevolent uncle – but they all had something in common – their players respected them and worked their butts off for them.
I was disappointed with the ill-discipline portrayed by the Spurs players as they saw their dream disappear, although Kane was gracious in defeat.
What I am trying to say is that Villa need a manager from the same mould- the only UK manager I can think of is Pearson who wears his heart on his sleeve but he is Palace through and through, a mercenary like Allardyce might be tempted – he seems to get the players working for him.
Having said all of that our biggest problem is we do not have the players, so we might have to spend a couple of years in the Championship rebuilding; never mind Vokes is coming straight back (he has the players like Barton and Boyd).
I am consigned to lower division for a while and hoping for a recovery of our status in the top flight.
So according to the BBC Leicester is now the sporting capital of Britain because of some bloke winning the world snooker championship, if snooker is a sport so are domino’s and cards, Fme, is the world run by lun……. sorry forgot about Trump, 72% of serial killers vote Republican,, says it all.
Pearson apparently left BMH. No new owners then, or at least ones with little money
Anyhow, how about this to the tune of we’ve got Payet/ we want Randy out
” We’ve got know one
Absolutely none
There all absolutely bloody shit
They can’t pass a ball
They can’t score a goal
They hardly even ever bloody run
Replace bloody with the f word, it goes better but I didn’t want to swear to much
FREM
I like it
Blimey Frem you’ve changed since i saw you last.
Dunno about these footy songs any more, don’t know the music either. Does anyone remember the slow hand clap that used to start in the Trinity Road stand ? Regular occurence in the 60’s, o words to remember either.
Well what’s the opinion on the lap of dishonour, I’m all for it, as long as they just send Guzan, Hutton, N’Zogbia, Flabby, Richards, Lescott, Richardson out so they can get the full level of warm feelings we have towards them.
Then send the rest of the signings for this year with the kids
And finally send the U21s who regardless of the result against Arsenal, fight for Villa
Hope it happens, an opportunity for someone to make a killing selling rotten fruit.
http://thelonelyseason.club/match-reports/same-same-but-different
I liked that Steamer – a sensible Coventry fan
Just got to find a sensible Blose fan now, may be a bit more difficult, probably impossible.
I just watched, for the first time ever, The Chase. There was a female blue-nose on there who made a point that she hated the Villa – was I pleased when she got knocked out quite easily. As you say sensible is hard to find
How many times we had the pleasure to say —-
“For you the chase is over ”
SWV
Consumed with hate, they blame us for their failures both in football and life, i can’t forget that young female ??? who took pleasure on Facebook from Marc Albrightons in laws being killed in Tunisia, vermin.
Loved that piece from the Covo fan, probably one of our best local away days at the old ground and I have been to the Ricoh and all I can say is that the place is very typical of most new grounds heartless soulless and basically crap.
At Highfield Road we generally went in their end due to inclement weather or just because we could, always ended in a slight fracas and us lot being turfed out for that long walk around to the away end to jeers from the home fans and cheers from our lot.
Perhaps we will be playing at Coventry sooner than we think.
Oh by the way Steamer follow that car with the Coventry City sticker in the back, bloody priceless.
SWV
John
Very good article. And good posts in reply!
B62
You could be right about RL’s intentions. It would be an easy if disnonourable way for him to recoup money. We’ll see if he redeems himself and keeps his promise to (eventually) be a good steward of the club.
John
Echo Steamer’s comments. An interesting history lesson RE:-Boerma-Birmingham
Trinity,
Cheers for your comments. 🙂
Boerma-Birmingham (“The home of Boerma’s people”, roughly translated) history goes one step further … although it’s not much accepted by modern historians, there’s a an old scholarly view that the “ing” part of Birmingham was once actually “inge” with the ‘g’ sounding soft, giving a pronunciation of Berminjam. And that then caused “Brummidgam” to be engineered by the local accent.
Having traced my own family surname from Loriewille (and variations) to Lerwill I’m quite happy to go with the Berminjam idea.
A couple of blogs speculating that a manager will be appointed this weekend, possibly new owners by Tuesday. The three bidders are the 2nd wealthiest bloke in the US ( Maybe Ellison ) a Chinese bid and also one from a member of Sheik Mansours family. Bet Lerner buggers it up. Some of these are coming from inside VP so, IMO, its fair to say its happening.
And apparently a Helicopter landed at BH yesterday and the folk got in a roller and went to VP.
The Roller wasn’t registered HDE 1 by any chance?
WM got a text saying a new man will be appointed the monday after Arsenal. Also said Ellison will be owner in June
so if Nigel is appointed then, get excited
good news ?
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5549139,00.html?
haha the club statement re takeover. Stop feeding us bull trying to defuse the protests etc for last home game.
woops club statement reads
Aston Villa Football Club can confirm Chairman Steve Hollis remains in active negotiations over the sale of the Club.
Chairman Steve Hollis said: “We are in very constructive negotiations which could lead to the sale of the Club to a new Owner.
“There has been no shortage of parties who would like to own Aston Villa but our negotiations are now with those parties that we believe will have the passion and ambition to return the Club to winning the highest honours in European football.
“The appointment of the manager is at this time inextricably linked to the current negotiations.”
The Club has consulted with supporter representatives over the annual lap of appreciation and understand in the current circumstances that would not be appropriate.
Throughout a bitterly disappointing campaign our supporters have been the one positive and the Club would like to thank them all for their tremendous support.
i think protests will continue until Randy has left – we all know what happened last season
the fact that Hollis is actually communicating to the fans show a huge shift in how things are being handled at the club thou – imo
Tomorrows agenda
Full English
Craven Arms Pub
Holte Suite
Aston Tavern
Aston Social (poss)
Briar Rose
Windsor .
Manzil ……
Bed . ( aint bothered who’s it is )
feel free to meet up in any of them .
Have a good weekend all and enjoy the sun .
Hiya Gorgeous Jenny xxxxxx
Yes frem that is TC , he sends his best mate and hopes your doing well in your job .
Aston Villa Football Club can confirm Chairman Steve Hollis remains in active negotiations over the sale of the Club.
Chairman Steve Hollis said: “We are in very constructive negotiations which could lead to the sale of the Club to a new Owner.
“There has been no shortage of parties who would like to own Aston Villa but our negotiations are now with those parties that we believe will have the passion and ambition to return the Club to winning the highest honours in European football.
“The appointment of the manager is at this time inextricably linked to the current negotiations.”
The Club has consulted with supporter representatives over the annual lap of appreciation and understand in the current circumstances that would not be appropriate.
Throughout a bitterly disappointing campaign our supporters have been the one positive and the Club would like to thank them all for their tremendous support.
Still some fans are complaining about lack of info, as far as i’m concerned this statement combined the Howard Hodgson’s about 3 parties having passed due deliberation confirms that unless Lerner interferes, which is unlikely given the falling value of the club, then the club will be sold.
Interesting that Hollis mentions “new OWNER” so if rumours are correct its the second wealthiest bloke in the USA ( Ellison ) ?
I think that Hollis has done a sterling job considering not all has been pleasant, but he’s stuck at it and hopefully in a week or so the nightmare will be over.
hello folks have not seen the last few matches through hols and stag do’s but it seems getting rid of the tyrant Garde and unleashing our brave warriors has resulted in the same dire poo.
Takeover talk looks positive and if we get Pearson at least he knows the Leicester set-up and formula.
hope everyone’s well enjoy the summer sun 🙂
Steve Bruce will be our new manager. No joke
Good moaning,
Steve Bruce is crepe and if the club is stupid enough to hire him then they deserve what they’ll get, gates of 15,000.
Anyway 0-3 today, Newcastle will be motivated and this pathetic, clueless bunch of knobs we call a team have neither the ability nor willpower to prevent another defeat. The team that Lamebert built breaks yet another record.
Mind you, unless he’s desperate for a job Bruce always goes to clubs where he can waste their money so its a good omen for a takeover.
Frem
Where have seen the Mr Potato head link?? I hope it’s BS I’d rather Pearson and that’s saying something!!
Today could be interesting, although I think the sight of Newcastle fans celebrating survival will be rubbing salt into the wounds of the worst season I have witnessed( inc previous relegation) and pretty much the death of our club. A win for the Geordies will ensure survival unfortunately
Morning Steamer,I have some respect for Hollis,he appears to have conducted himself with honesty and integrity……so far,2 qualities sadly lacking at the club for many a year.I don’t believe Hollis would urinate all over that goodwill by appointing Bruce,however if the decision is Lerner’s…….then this dreadful set of circcumstances could occur.I don’t think Bruce will get the job,nor is he being considered in my humble.
Hello B6B,
A bloke on TBAR saw him in the bar in Harvey Nicks on Thursday, he was with a woman and another bloke, anyway, this bloke wanders over and saw that Bruce was reading off AV notepaper, one of his contacts suggested that he was being interviewed, dunno.
Hope black gets both barrels today
Lescott Hutton bacuna starting areshole black play the young ones change fans mood not wankers that have been cause of most of the losses
He could have sent
Bunn
2 res fullbacks
Clark toner
Sanchez wastewood gana
Grealish traore
Ayew
Subs Sinclair gil and young lads
Black out
2 more records to go today
12 defeats in a row in one season
Lose to every side in division
So the pride of Birmingham finished in 10th position, really something to shout about.
The gutter rats have been prowling the backstreets of Aston at 3 o clock am, putting up unfunny banners. Why don’t we see them in daylight, are they vampires or just yellow ?
Master stroke by Black to play Hutton at right wing.
SWV
SW
Last comment ?
Was that the smallest banner you’ve ever seen been towed by that Fokker, no brains, no balls, no class, no cups, no crowd, no soap.EMBARRASSMENT.
Well done to black he stopped the all time loss record and pissed the Geordies off. We looked organised but as usual no cutting edge. Defoe comes up with the goods again for Sunderland, shame Tim didn’t target him instead of Ady .
The thing that bugs the vermin is that their pathetic efforts have no effect on our fans, we take the p out of the team far better and actually funnier, they’re useless at everything, they even think were narked when they call us ‘the vile’ that’s the sort of thing a five year old would throw away.
Glad we helped Slumberland out, always had a good time up there, NUFC are a great club too but some of their fans are a bit deluded. Wonder what True Geordie will come up with, bet the language is a bit ripe.
Steamer we all have a bit of delusion as fans we just have better humour or am I deluding myself 🙂
Leicester look like proper champs fair play to them strange season or not they deserve it.
Anyone but a jock and no I am not a racist but fuck me
Mcknob Lambert and black the most anti football men ever
Football is simple 4 4 2
Two wingers
Mcknob idea of wingers Hutton heskey
Lambert let albrighton go yet paid 2.5 m for tonev plus wages
Black goes with 5 defenders, 3 defensive midfielders for home match v Newcastle
At least Villa didn’t lie down this time. There was a defensive mindset in selection, but under the circumstances I don’t blame Black given Villa’s run of losses and bad run against NUFC.
Arsenal away next week.
Agreed, Trinity. I think the set up was all designed to prevent that 12th defeat, pure and simple. We don’t have anything up front , but I’d have liked to have seen Traore on second half.
Last week and this week the defence looked more solid for long periods … but Lescott’s lack of initial acceleration could have been punished.
Pity really that last season’s Okore and Clark combination has not been played.
I think in the circumstance Black has looked and seen what Tim, Kmac, Garde have seen before him, we do not have the players to effectively attack and defend as a unit. All out attacking means a definite loss for us while defending gives the chance to snatch a result. I honestly believe that big Sam would of come to the same conclusion.
The 2 players Sam took to Sunderland that garde wanted have improved their results, Khari scoring a 25 yarder yesterday. We can only look back and imagine what could of happened if we had gotten the five players Garde wanted. A keeper, debuchy, Kone, khazri and centre forward could of made all the difference to how we could play. Add that to the injuries in jan/feb and the shameful goings on? well its no surprise we are down.
We can only look forward now
JL- on Clarke and Okore, yes its a shame okore was not available at the start of the season and Clarke didn’t gel with the hapless Richards or the slow Lescott at the time, that put him down the pecking order because of the need to play the captain and having no other right sided option, unbelievable really and it just shows our hopeless lack of planning for this season with the Tim/committee hybrid team
Agree Mark, if the committee hadn’t been so cowardly and dishonest with Garde then i think we’d have stood a great chance of staying up.
Whatever the ins and outs regarding Sherwood i think its safe to say that his choices were absolute crepe and really would have put the club in the financial mire. shocking players Ade, Townsend, Richards, Lescott, Gestede. Possibly Rudy, Rudy, Rudy will have a part to play next year but MR & JL have been a disaster and we were lucky that AA and Townsend dodged us.
Wonder if Crespo (remember him) will be back ?
Steamer: “MR & JL have been a disaster “
Eh? I’ll have you know I did my best…!
Mark: “We can only look forward now”
There’s is literally nothing else to be done unless we want to get thoroughly depressed. Up to this season was bad enough, but it must be true to say that Aston Villa have never in their history been so poor. An unprecedented three wins all season … I was then going to say “so far” but the chance of a fourth next week is beyond the realms of dreams. Isn’t it? 😉
Now, I wonder what kind of future will Villa have? We still have a wait to find that out.
JL,
Tell you what mate you’d have been an improvement on that pair.
Must admit that the last five years have taken their toll on my love for AVFC, just can’t get any enthusiasm going. All the blogs are quiet, imagine the close season, footy just isn’t enjoyable any more and thats not just at VP.
well you wouldnt have known we were relegated yesterday at the game and after , every pub we went into was party party party !!!! , and what a pathetic gesture by the lulu warriors with that plane , if thats the best they can do , bring it on . and everyone l spoke to was looking forward to next season, l see a lot of fun “n” games and weekends away . ))), the game was shit Eric what a cunt Black bet he cant manage to pick his nose ,
Bloody women want to go to stratford now , Frem if your about l’ll be in a pub somewhere over there
steamer . perksy played a game yesterday , all the lions clubs , he done himself in , stitches , the old twonk , and Hickman started the Jaeggerbombs early so l cant drive just yet , see you later to pick my car up mate . fucking stratford ……….whats there then …..
Steamer: ” footy just isn’t enjoyable any more and thats not just at VP.”
Except at Leicester?
I’m developing some admiration for the owners who actually seem to be instilling a realistic ethos in the club. I read they threw out some academy players who were refusing to apply self-discipline, and that in my view can only be a good sign.
It’s not all perfect at Lecester, but it’s getting a long way towards perfection.
Makes me wonder now why I left the place (I had a few years’ sojourn there in the 70s)…
William Shakespeare, the theatre, Frem and thats about yer lot, lovely place though and a nice drive, don’t forget to stop at The Finest Catch in Henley, best chippie in the Midlands.
John,
This morning i read a letter on TBAR from a bloke who’s living in Shanghai extolling the honourable way the Chinese do business, the Thai’s at Leicester seem to be instilling the same principles, hence Pearson’s son being booted, ours just seem to lie and BS, but that’s the way of things in the UK.
Steamer: “don’t forget to stop at The Finest Catch in Henley, best chippie in the Midlands.”
Anyone remember that chippy in Sparkhill which was adjudged to be the best chippy some 40 years back, by the “What’s Life” team (Esther Rantzen)?
Bloomin good that was: huge portions. Kept me going during a brief stay in that area. And later I went to Carshalton down in Surrey and found the one that I thought the best then … a Greek chippy.
Steamer,
Thing is Leicester owe us for that Pat McMahon ‘goal’ that was disallowed back in ’69 and effectively sent us down to the Third.
Remember it? I was standing directly behind his line of shot and it clearly went in and back out off the stanchion.
Steamer,
Well, there are Chinese and there are Chinese! 😉
I suppose that applies to Thais as well.
I must have been standing next to you at Leicester that Saturday night, right in line with McMahons shot, obvious goal, next few seconds and it was in OUR net, dunno what happened except i’ll always remember the cheat in charge was Mr C Osborne of Ipswich.
If i remember correctly they changed the stanchions for the next game, why do these refs escape bans when they’re consistently pathetic. Look how Red Howards prospered after the worst WC final display in history.
And I must have been standing right next to both of you lol! We all knew it was a goal as I think some of the Leicester players did. Then we had to run the gauntlet back through that park afterwards where it really went off if I’ve got the right game ……….
And then a few years later we had the amazing Chris Nicholl 2-2 game.
David Cameron pledges to tackle global corruption.
Is the Conservative Party disbanding now ?
Old Villa,
Are you the bloke who tapped me up for 20 quid ?…..or was it John ?
Steamer- Cameron needs to start in Poland then as I was in Warsaw for three days and was lucky to come back with my backpack with me attached to it, Christ they are crooked.
Steamer/Old Villa,
The “20 quid” was nowt to do with me. Some feller looking amazingly like ST75’s avatar did that to you – now you mention it I remember a scuffle breaking out nearby!
Seriously, though, that McMahon shot was a peach – he had a nack of scoring at the right time, and that one would have been remembered in the history books. His winner in the LC semi against Man U *was* remembered.
See http://www.where-are-they-now.co.uk/footballer/McMAHON+Pat/3055
steamer, £20 would have bought a house in those days! Bit of an exaggeration maybe ….. I’d just started work around that time and my take home weekly pay was £8 something …….
JL – I thought McMahon was a very good player, he seemed to ghost around tackles and the ball sometimes looked like it was stuck to his foot. Very under-rated …… and yes that goal in the semi against the Mancs was superb and led to my first trip to Wembley …….
Oldvilla,
Pat joined Villa on a free from Celtic having had a contratemps with a Celtic coach. He didn’t show any temper at Villa, though, as I remember.
Just looked him up and found that he took the place of Bertie Auld for his (Pat’s) debut at Celtic. Lovers of the Blews will remember Bertie for his time at Small heath in the early 1960s when they had some decent players: Auld, Jimmy Bloomfield, Jimmy Harris, Ken Leek and Mike Hellawell.
Karl Darlow, the Newcastle GK on Saturday is Ken Leeks grandson and was on Villa’s books.
Pat McMahon was one of my faves, very classy player, afraid Vic Crowe dropped a bollo when he let him go.
Bloomfield was a smashing player, Villa signed his nephew ? Ray from Arsenal about 1967.
Blose had a very decent team then, Hennessy, Beard, Withers and the ones JK mentioned.
POSSIBLE new Villa owners worth 47b and the gaffer 27b, Chinese. All on TBAR.
Steamer
Villa have to be a good buy for most,one club city ( ha ha blues not a club) decent people running it not like the clowns Lerner employed, typical rich boy only has bought pals
When Mon had us 6 th we had full house most matches where on sky regular, media loved us we can get back their with right people in charge
We have no competition for big sponser in country 2 nd biggest city and we need to use that fact
JG,
If only Lerner realised exactly what he’d bought and had the brains to take the advice of others who were better qualified.
A Villa fan went to the bagot arms for a couple beer leaving a pair of Villa tickets on the dash. After a couple drinks he decided to go. Getting to his car he found the side window broken and 2 more tickets on the dash.
Hi All .
if you got nothing on , 23rd july at the Aston Tavern , my mates are having a kind of charity do there , live bands , raffle ect , its to raise some funds for a mate, Jimmy Ryan who tragically went on Holiday and slipped in the bathroom and who now is paralysed from the neck down and it would seem will now be in a wheelchair ,
All the best and have a good week ,
Steamer: “Blose had a very decent team then, Hennessy, Beard, Withers and the ones JK mentioned”
“JL” even! 😉
Yes, good shout … but we’ve not mentioned Trevor Smith! Well, he was there until 1964 at least.
Remember also Jeff Hall, the England full-back who died during that polio outbreak (late 50s)? He and Roger Byrne of Man U were the current England full-backs if I remember correctly, yet both died around ’58 time – Byrne in the Munich aircrash.
Yes, Jimmy Bloomfield was a smoothy player … and he did ever so well as manager at Leicester in the early 70s. Some of the Leicester players at that time you’d drool over.
Sorry about that JL.
I used to love watching the old inside forwards that every team had, Broadbent, Bloomfied, Peter Dobing, Roy Vernon Woosnam and the great Johnny Haynes, nowadays they need four touches to trap a ball.
Just watched MOTD,roll on next Monday so that numpty black is unemployed again,and ever more,praising the last two performance one in which you get played off the park for 30 mins then score and play middling for next 40 mins but still throw it away in injury time, and home to Newcastle ( who by the way set their own record of been the only team not to beat villa at least once this season) we had no corners no shots on target not sure if we had shot ,run 4.5 km less than Newcastle,black you need to go to specsavers
As for players would only keep bunn as back up,Clark make him captain and toner the other 8 take a hike,sell what you can gana ayew Sinclair Sanchez wastewood, release bacuna Hutton lescott
Hutton showed one run with the ball got lazy passed into area no villa man turned walked/ jogged back to position typical all villa career totally rubbish,bacuna just cleared ball what ever way he was facing something you would see school yard
My oh my, you didn’t mention Ron Wylie! 🙂
Yes, you’re right. Villa never did have a player of the same class and in his prime until Brian Little came along. And he was better as he was a scorer as well.
What about Jon Barnwell of Nottm Forest and Leicester? I’ll always remember him as he was (I think) that started the trend in having colourful football boots. Red if I remember right.
And Tony Currie.
James: “not sure if we had shot “
The only shot I remember was Clark’s, early on in the game, and wide from about 25 yards.
But they were mainly trying to avoid defeat against the Barcodes, I’m sure.
Chinese investment conglomerate Citic Group, whose businesses span property, mining, energy, banking and a soccer team, plans a massive restructuring that will allow it to tap more overseas capital for its sprawling empire.
Shares in Citic Pacific, the Hong Kong-listed subsidiary, surged as much 31 per cent on Thursday morning after it said on Wednesday night that its parent plans to inject nearly all its assets into the unit in return for cash and new stock to be issued at HK$13.48 a share. Citic Group, which owns 58 per cent of Citic Pacific, valued its equity at Rmb225bn ($36bn).
Apparently investing billions abroad, yes please.
Thought about Wylie but imo he was better when he moved back to right half. Barnwell another good ‘un, Bobby Hope was great too.
Well I decided to sit down Saturday afternoon and find a stream to find out how bad we really are and boy I was not disappointed, first of all to set up to play for a 0-0 draw at home against that lot was truly depressing, Sinclair up front just chasing people down Hutton at right midfield/wing was all I needed to switch off but no I stuck with it.
Newcastle could not beat the Villa and for that they deserve to be relegated, it is difficult to put into words just how bad we played although no shots on target at home is a good start, only Bunn and young Toner who should never have been at left back are exempt from criticism the rest of the back four were shocking the midfield and I use that term very loosely were god damn awful and the strikers you can have a chuckle if you like were probably as bad as you can get.
I would rather have put a side out that said we are trying to win this game and end the season with a modicum of pride, but to avoid defeat so that this lot would not have that record hanging around their necks sickened me, this bunch of losers deserve that record as one of the worst teams in AVFC history they deserve to be branded and put into the history books so that younger fans can remember them for how bad they really was.
It was so bad to watch but I stuck at it and the only thing that made me smile was the chants from our fans and the beach balls flying everywhere and it was nice to see all the balloons which brought back great memories, the only downside was I will never get that 96 minutes of my life back.
SWV
Not impressed then ?
Steamer,
Well if it is Chinese- and the flavour you describe – I’m not really happy. I feel it will mean the transformation of AVFC into something unrecognisable over the course of time, and one that I won’t like too much.
Football is what it is … football. With all the dough added, plus Chinese impatience for success I suspect, we’ll lose all sight of the club we knew, though I’d agree that it’s already gone in that direction.
SWV,
I overall agree with your general comments on the defence, but I think that Clark is far better than people seem to think. Fairly frequently you see thumping tackles from him that are always fair and show huge commitment. His tendency to foul is not as bad as it was. It’s just a pity he’s not been playing alongside Okore i.m.o.
Steamer,
No!
John,
As much as you can see on a live stream I thought Clarks positioning was woeful when Mitrovic came on neither Lescott or Clark had a clue how to play him they both gave him far too much room and if he was a better finisher he would have got the winning goal, to me it would have made more sense to play Toner in his right position and let Clark who has played left back for the ROI take care of Townsend, but Mr.Black obviously had a cunning plan.
SWV
With Shakespeare and Walsh signing new deals at the champions scupper the plans to appoint Pearson, or will the Chinese go for someone completely different .
SWV
SWV,
I think the c=b problem is to do with the improper pairing … both Lescott and Clark are left-footies, as is Toner. Mitrovic did get well above Clark for one header, I admit, but I didn’t see much else to be alarmed of.
They managed to get through it without too much of a scare on Sat. It’s the lack of attacking ability that is more troublesome, and when that situation occurs it puts more pressure on defence anyway. Traore should have been brought on to scare the Newcastle defence a bit. Sinclair did precious little apart from good harrying.
Maybe a little impatience for success will drive the right decision making for AVFC.
We’ve probably seen procrastination and lack of clarity as being elements of the clubs downfall when it required someone to face down Lerner and the countless poor decisions he and his mgmt team made.
If it’s Chinese or Ellison backed then the one thing I take from it is, there is no reliance on AVFC to be a money generating business because all other elements of their businesses are successfully generating income. That doesn’t mean that the club isn’t run through clear guidelines and is sustainable but if we are at the mercy of economic downturns in investments and divorces to determine how much money is available for players as has been the case for the last 6 years then a move away from this model will only serve AVFC well.
I can’t begin to think about what ifs when it comes to AVFC and whether it will be recognisable or not in the future. But the fact is AVFC is not even recognisable today to the club of the mid 90s or early 80s. Also add to that fact that football is global and no longer parochial will mean change will happen whether it is good or bad from external influence.
The expectations I place on any new owner is that they employ the right people to return this club to the top and that they maximise all forms of revenue globally and invest it accordingly. Their background, nationality, religion plays no part in it.
AVFC is a massive club, not least in the Midlands but also historically, new money clubs like Chelsea and Man City would love our history and it would be a selling point, our history was swept under the carpet and opportunities to capitalise on being involved in European football were lost due to the parochial nature of how the club was managed in the past.
There are AVFC Lions clubs and unofficial supporters clubs throughout the world that evidence how big the club could be globally, this is where the focus should lie as well as getting into the local schools and getting the youth interested in becoming Villa fans through football camps or else they’ll be the future sheep of Manure.
Proud History, New Future
in these sad times comes some the great news that hutton has committed his future to the Villa
Taken from F365 – take a bow Kevin Toner
Kevin Toner
There have been very few reasons for Aston Villa supporters to do anything but rock back and forth while wailing about the slow death of their club, but on Saturday there was a ray of weak sunlight poking through the clouds. Eric Black has been largely unwilling to give youth a chance despite the club’s doomed situation, but on Saturday gave Kevin Toner his second ever league start for the club.
Having played on the left of midfield against Watford last week, Toner filled in at left-back against Newcastle. Despite having to deal with an in-form Andros Townsend, Toner was brilliant. The 19-year-old should be suitably proud of his efforts, and was given huge applause from the home crowd as he left the pitch.
When you see a 19-year-old rookie playing with such skill and heart, it makes you wonder why anyone would ever pick Aly Cissokho ahead of him. Selecting a side purely on experience and reputation is a foolhardy move. Toner and the like should be competing for first-team places next season, and Villa can hardly be worse off for it.
D’OR: “The expectations I place on any new owner is that they employ the right people to return this club to the top and that they maximise all forms of revenue globally and invest it accordingly. Their background, nationality, religion plays no part in it.”
Well, Darren, that to me sounds a bit like the argument that all businesses are OK no matter how they ply their trade. Me? I’d always want to find an attitude akin to what we are finding at Leicester; if not exactly that then at least probity in the way the club is run.
DO’R: “AVFC is a massive club, not least in the Midlands but also historically, new money clubs like Chelsea and Man City would love our history and it would be a selling point”
Exactly the point I made when called to a meeting to discuss this issue in 2009 with the main finance people at Villa, but what I said fell on deaf ears; it was just not appreciated. And that with a chairman who said he appreciated Villa’s history!
Someone on TBAR reckons their could be news TODAY, probably Bob Warmans lot
Remember a few years ago when Villans were turning their noses up at Diego Simeone, Marcelo Bielsa and Rafa Benitez, we had Mellberg and Laursen at the back, Barry and Milner in MF and Hesk….. anyway Lerner was going to build a new North Stand as a leaving present, how times have changed
Sigh…
Well Saturday was fun, best atmosphere since blues in the cup, Holte was rocking as were the pubs before and after( before the downpour at the Aston Tavern meant the band had to stop). Geordies are having a meltdown including that Bob carolgees look alike Fatboy Quinn !!
I still have my doubts over a takeover happening , especially involving anyone with any financial clout.
I see West Ham have sold 52k season tickets for the next 2 seasons, that’s impressive and shows ambition, we have fallen so far behind it’s scary, despite the good atmosphere at VP sat it was disappointing to have so many empty seats for our last PL game at home for a very long time.
Things are bad really bad and then Hutton says he is going to stay my god we are doomed
Bob Carolgees, another Villan.
Wanda group now the favourites according to one customer who usually knows his stuff.
B62
West ham season tickets unreal,yet Hollis in his wisdom thinks cutting price by 10 pound is a good deal
Hollis should ( unless a sale is done) should be able to offer existing season tickets for 100 pound after shite put up with last few seasons,and anyone else wanting one a fair deal fill the ground every week make intimidating for opponents not our players,full houses mean more merchandise, burgers beer sold a win win for club
But that would be a sensible decision which I don’t think Lerner or accountant Hollis are capable,
Still would like to hear more from King Bernstein why they walked
guys i work with a hammer fan who told me the season tickets are around £240.00 and that they had open days to allow the fans to tour the stadium for free them decide if they wanted a season ticket
they are lucky to play in a stadium that we all paid for but clever business non the less
Runtings
And for that price you get to see
Peps city
Conte Chelsea
Wenger gunners
Klopps pool
We get
Rotherham,Wigan,Huddersfield
Good deal
James,
You forgot – we also get to see Burton Albion! 😉
Wow, and that’s on top of Blues and Wolves!
John l
We are spoiled ,we even are getting 4 extra home games plus entry to league cup at a new low level
New participant in the race to buy Villa, clearly we are good value now that Lerner’s had to reduce his asking price. Step forward venture capitalist David Freeman.
he looks rubbish! I reckon its the chinease group and i reckon its pretty much done. Just waiting for end of season.
Linked to ross mccormack. yes bloody please
Another day another buyer in town or is this very clever business somewhere between Lerner and Hollis to try to push the price up, surely Hollis will be on a bonus according to the sale of the club, I know its cynical but I cannot help but wonder where all these new prospective buyers have come from, I mean six in the last two weeks sounds slightly outrageous.
SWV
Andrew,
McCormack is the best player in the championship, Fulham paid £8m plus addons not the £11m that’s been reported, but unfortunately it is silly season and AVFC will be linked to every tom dick and Joey Barton that becomes available, don”t get sucked in by the press making up stories or agents trying to make some cash.
SWV
Chinese are buying ac milan now, hope its not the mob who’s buying us but it shows that they are actually investing outside of china.
yes indeed its silly season and we are so up in the air….surly we need a manager to buy any players!!
Steamer there was a report run by bbc 24 last night about the Chinese heavily investing in football – they apparently are already one of the richest leagues in the world with the likes of liverpoo missing out on the next hot thing from Brazil to a Chinese club
they are setting up a huge amount of football schools and building or upgrading 6000 football stadiums
so they are pretty serious about the sport and aim to host and also win a world cup
the report says there is a growing amount of European Chinese owned clubs
not a bad time to be taken over by people with such ambitions eh
read the MOMS report on why the Chinese would be interested in us, makes good reading and I’d agree with it. Everything points to China looking to expand its borders and Villa would be a welcome addition.
Said it before on these pages after CMC bought 13% of Man City’s owners, whoever buys us needs to start linking up with Chinese football as a feeder/sister club and get the financial and football benefit
I heard yesterday under 1% of all academy players make it to the big time, thats a very high fall out rate.
Our lads lost 3-1 to arsenal last night with cazorla playing so no promotion, bit weird they played the final at the emirates
http://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2016/5/10/11652604/aston-villa-u21s-lose-promotion-playoff-final-to-arsenal-squad-loaded-with-senior-players
I don’t think there will be a problem if the owners Chinese, American or Brit. football is taking off in the states and china massively now so we need to be at the table regardless as its a world market. whether having owners from Asian or American background opens more doors or closes others is up for debate but being seen to be successful and historically significant cannot do us any harm.
Dont really know what to make of the chinese bid , part of me says great but still a bit apprehensive as on Radio 4 for the last 2 nights its been mentioning how the football is being pushed very hard , what l dont like is that we will be a feeder club for the chinese league . will that be that we build and train players to a good standard , think we’ll push on only to be told the star is going to china , l know its been happening for a while . Rioch, ect ect , but to be told we will be a feeder club . l dont like it.
after watching the fans saturday (this club dont deserve them ) l think its going to be fun , just like the crack we had in the 80s. Steamers were already on about meeting up for the away games (blokes never grow up) and most saying not bothered about home games , just have to see, Frem join us mate ,
B62 was you in the social ?? did drop in and have a look around . Carl Chinn was merry ..lol good laff in there , theres a bloody big crowd going Arsenal . and why did they feel the need to put 1st teamers in last night , arsole must be worried about silverware , the tosser
The Chinese Conspiracy
Well, the Queen has summed it up: that the Chinese delegation were “rude”.
I think that’s what we’d experience … and everyone would continue to be treated as “customers” – as now, but worse I expect.
It’s funny that so many are trying hard to get out of the EU but welcome the Chinese. Money talks I suppose.
Arsenal youngsters will come straight back down as it took 5 1st teamers playing for them to beat us
when they played there actual youngsters against ours this season they lost
runtigz- yes we have given them some hammering’s of late including a 10-1 by the u18’s, Must of pissed their U21’s off as well it will be the only final this year for them.
There seems to be a trend of clubs moving away from there community in search of greater ground capacity, If Wembley had wound up in Brum it could of been us
Its a disgrace, so called big club who hoovers up all the young talent in the worls resorts to playing half there first team for the u21’s.
Bring on the chinease, ruthless, efficent, organised and hopefully minted.
There are 1.3b people in China, I assume you don’t get anywhere by being polite and have to grab every opportunity.
To our refined Western sensibilities, this would appear rude, to the Chinese I assume it has a different meaning.
Either way, they’ll provide a way out of the Lerner years and won’t want to be in the championship any longer than necessary, fine by me at this point, being starved of success and looking at no history clubs establish themselves on the world stage grates on me.
I want people to know about Villa and how great we’ve been and how great we will be again.
How can the likes of Lewis Kinsella be allowed to go, with no manager in charge, who made the decision he isn’t good enough for us, without determining if he would be a valid option in the championship
DO’R: “To our refined Western sensibilities, this would appear rude, to the Chinese I assume it has a different meaning.”
Well, that’s a bit of a simplification, isn’t it? The talk was about diplomatic protocols and the Chinese didn’t seem to want to pay respect to them. In fact, they’re not giving too much respect to the takeover conditions for Hong Kong.
As for the number of people in China, they also live in a mammoth country! Plenty of space (outside of the cities) to develop civil attitudes. In fact they were one of the great societies for that with plenty of famous philosophers to prove it. What’s happened since? OK, maybe they remember Britain and it’s influence in the opium trade.
We have a very good Chinese doctor friend who is here temporarily, and is a fine person, so it’s not that I have a qualm about the people, but the business/political end of the country. But then, western business/political entities also need to re-look at the way they’re doing things.
There ain’t no future in the way anything in the conventional business world is going except in the alternative ideas now being strongly promoted. It may take 20 years to evolve, but it looks like the current systems are in their last days.
DO’R:
Kinsella? I haven’t even seen him on the bench in a long time. There must be ‘other’ issues involved that have squeezed him out at Villa. Mind you, that assessment may well be wrong if Albrighton’s case is anything to go by.
Mark
Karen Brady already had her hands on the negotiations for the blues to have the new stadium if Birmingham had got the chance to move the wembley stadium, she was all over it like a rash ,( something she would have been used to having, what with her antics ) so it didnt surprise me when west ham got the old olympic stadium , and she is a lady (in letters only) Elbow room on top of dustbins , not nice thinking about it ,
Luckily, I’m not a subject of your queen so if she felt mistreated due to some outdated expected protocol based on an ancestral title, then that’s quite ok with me.
Rudeness by my definition is being impolite, it doesn’t extend to not bowing or not touching or whatever expectation the queen had
Darren,
Sounds as though you’ve not listened to the filmed reports? 😉
‘Fraid it *is* to do with undiplomatic impoliteness – nothing about touching Queen’s extremities!
Funny that she complains about rudeness when she’s married to that ignorant, ill mannered, knob.
Anyway, according to bloke on TBAR our new owner is………………….Larry Ellision 100% announced when season ends (Monday) and the new gaffer is ……………… Pearson 100%
Not bad if it happens,
steamer
6 major betting companies just stopped taking money on di matteo being manager! would love your source to be right though! who would be empploying di matteo?!
steamer- just heard the same, in all honesty I would not be surprised that Lerner would sell it state-side in preference to china. I also think its been Pearson since Remi got in his taxi, knows the league and put together the prem champs are good enough plus points and would probably suit Ellison’s personality rather than the Chinese
Steamer,
Stay away from those dog walkers, but if it is Ellison rumour has it he is a fiercely competitive man who hates being second, Oracle are only second to Microsoft in the software business and he hates being behind Bill Gates, loves his sport so he could be a good fit for AVFC, but lets face it can anyone be worse than Lerner.
SWV
Not bovvered about the nationality of the new owners just as long as –
a – Lerner leaves VP.
b – They introduce a decent level of competency.
c – Provide a decent budget to make a challenge at the top of the Championship followed by adequate funds to re-establish AVFC in the EPL after promotion, before challenging for honours.
Obviously Larry Ellison had both the financial capability and the winning mentality to return us to the top level but that’s not to say a Chinese buyer couldn’t achieve those ambitions.
Changed again, Hollis flew to Shanghai this afternoon with two other blokes, possibly lawyers.
Also Alexander Jarvis (Blackridge Cross Borders) who deals with outward business deals from China has been chirping on the subject.
according to alexander jarvis the deal won’t happen, lerner again.
Steamer: “…not to say a Chinese buyer couldn’t achieve those ambitions”
Huh, you’re just trying to curry favour (get it?) with your local Dip Sum takeaway…!
The Falsity of Lucre
Just read an article in the ‘i’ of the “heartless and soulless” state of affairs from the top down at Man City.
http://www.myoldmansaid.com/di-matteo-potential-new-aston-villa-owner/?
who knows what to believe but above is the other prospective buyers
The Chinese are rising for the same reason any nation has gain great wealth and world power and that’s ruthlessness
best wishes to Kinsella — it’s always sad with kids don’t make first team regulars from our academy but i am sure he is one that will make a living out of the game
I am incredibly late to the party, as per usual! Love to all, and my condolences for… well, everything.
MOMS certainly sees a takeover situation gaining pace…
http://www.myoldmansaid.com/di-matteo-potential-new-aston-villa-owner/
Hello Kristina: Yes, “everything” is about the situation. There’s nowt much right down at t’ Park.
Runtings,
Ruthlessness may be their watchword, but they’ll be in for a shock. That approach has had its day, even though it may go well for them for a time.
ST75
I did pop in the social, but went to the tavern for the live music(until the torrential downpour), before heading into town to the Sun on the Hill and the Windsor , I did have a mooch but must have missed you boys.
Good to see Kris back 😉
Steamer
It’s an ever changing rumour mill regarding the takeover, there’s been 4 different names this week!!! I’m still a non believer until I hear concrete evidence or info.
Late but never unwanted Kris 🙂
Good to see you back on the site Kris hope all is well over the pond.
Don”t suppose you know a half decent hit man that might take Lerner for a swim with the fishes wearing concrete booties.
SWV
The Takeover
I see the “Chinese” suggested takeover is actually a Honk Kong based consortium. Still Chinese, but I feel a bit easier about it coming from that neck of the woods.
And for a purchase price of £75m.
Er, yes “Honk” if you must but I of course meant “Hong [Kong]”! 😉
JL – I’m more worried that they are linked to Pharmaceuticals, not the most ethical of trades
Not alot of info about the rui kang group. Some say they are backed by the government some say they are skint.
Id be alarmed if ellison was in for us and we rejected him!
So at the moment looks like these hong kong chaps with comoli technical director and di matteo manager. What do we think about that!? A lot dont like comoli but he loves his football and speaks well about the game. Saw him on the footballers football show and spoke well. Not too sure about di matteo though. Though he done ok at the baggies and remember being surprised when they sacked him. Would prefer Pearson though.
The list of so-called bidders is changing by the hour so i’m not dredging the net constantly only to find we’ve bee bought by a chip shop owner from Rochdale. Think its fair to say that no big hitters will be involved which is an indictment on the clubs standing, i’m fed up of no-marks like Redknapp and Carragher slating “only Villa.” Strange that before the Cup Final all the well known fans came out of the woodwork, not only folk with capital but folk with influence who could put together a consortium that could grow the infrastructure to make it self supporting, well they’ve disappeared with their free CF tickets, liggers.
To be fair money is’nt the be all and end all. Lester and villa show this. However much of an idiot learner is we have spent some dollar….its just been invested badly. The most important thing ahead of money is having football people at the club and signing players wisely. If it is rui k;ang than surly they must have some money to spend or why bother.
I guess we have to be happy that is does look like randy is going.
Rui Kang Pharmaceutical Group Investments Limited
銳康藥業集團投資有限公司
(Incorporated in Cayman Islands and continued in Bermuda with limited liability)
Why would a HK corporate investment company based in Bermuda be interested in Villa?
Rui Kang trades in traditional Chinese medicines. That doesn’t fill me with confidence knowing what that possibly includes. I really doubt such a group would be good for Villa.
Trinity,
Well, my wife has taken Chinese herbal treatments with some good effect, so not sure what the problem is with Chinese medicine?
Not so sure about the offshore bit though .. sounds fishy in muddy waters.
And my wife reminds me that if this is an offshore entity then they’re going to be soon hit by government legislation that will require them to be above board.
John
I’d just hope thy’re not one of the Chinese companies that extracts gall bladder juice from bears via a catheter or makes tiger wine.
I’m not worried by the Chinese herbal system it is generally very good but I think they produce western stuff too and like most Chinese labs they don’t care to much what they make or who they sell to. The words Organic on Chinese products doesn’t mean its not full of heavy metals and other nasties as proven by testing by some health organisations.
Overview
The principal activity of the company is investment holding. The principal activities of its subsidiaries are (i) manufacture, research and development, sale and distribution of health related and pharmaceutical products in the PRC and Hong Kong; (ii) provision of medical laboratory testing services and health check services in Hong Kong; and (iii) trading of securities in Hong Kong.
They sound like a Jack of all trades or corporation
*** NEW POST ***
“Don”t suppose you know a half decent hit man that might take Lerner for a swim with the fishes wearing concrete booties.”
SWV, you’d be surprised 😉