Despite the loss of Andy Gray, there was still no shortage of wonderful inspiration in the Villa team at the end of the 1970s. The fine Dennis Mortimer and Gordon Cowans (with the now punctuated assistance of Brian Little, through injury) provided constant probing from midfield, and then came the arrival of pace and trickery on the wing that had been missing since Ray Graydon’s departure: Tony Morley. Though he didn’t exactly set the world alight straight away.

It was a year later, in 1980, that Ron Saunders obtained the proper replacement for Andy Gray and the final piece in a successful side. In came Peter Withe, the much-travelled striker who had already experienced European glory with Nottingham Forest. It seems to be a fact that Peter was attracted to Villa Park by the promise that his primary partner would be Brian Little, but this plan quickly backfired as Brian’s injury problems escalated. But no problem (team-wise) as in came another Villa youth product in the shape of Gary Shaw, surely one of the finest that Villa has produced in the last 70 years. He and Peter hit it off very quickly and, though physically they were quite different, the strength of both players was that their play was not as pure strikers – they had the ability to come in from any direction to create havoc in the opposing defences. Shaw was able to flick and feed the ball to other players in wonderful style, even in deep positions, and was thus a fine all-round player. Peter used his weight and balance to tremendous effect, particularly in laying-off the ball by head or by foot.

The coming together of these two (plus the affects of harangue from manager Ron Saunders) also sparked Tony Morley into life to become a fearsome raiding winger. The result was that in their first season together Villa won the championship and the next season won the European Cup, quickly followed by the Supercup.

During the period 1980 to 1984 Villa achieved their pinnacle since the War. They did not score as many as in that wonderful 1976-77 season, but they played fine professionally sharp football – they scared many a team and, importantly, won trophies. And the team held together well during that period, despite the strange change of managers in early 1982, and career-damaging injury to Gary Shaw.

There followed the short-lasting visits of Steve McMahon and then Steve Hodge, and the period from 1984 to 1989 is to be glossed over. It was not until the end of the 1980s that another truly inspirational player arrived – one David Platt – combined with the return of Gordon Cowans after a sojourn in Italy. And we cannot forget Paul McGrath’s incredible play and contribution from centre-back.

The 1990s saw a trickle of fine players come and go but in the midfield area (after Cowans and Platt had departed) there was no further playmaker of great note until the veteran Paul Merson arrived in late 1998, despite the contribution of Richardson then Townsend and then Draper. However, the goalscoring abilities of Saunders, Atkinson and Yorke had been greatly enjoyed during the intervening period.

And since Paul Merson left in the early 2000s, there has been no-one able to replace him in that particular role of his, as an inspirational playmaker. Since 2003, Villa’s style has depended considerably more on speed and effort, and the absence of a ‘general’ has been particularly noted over the last three to four years. During O’Neill’s time in office, the presence of Barry, Young, Petrov and Milner had glossed over the need for a specific inspirational player. Indeed, they have become harder to come by, and a young one would cost a fortune.

After the frankly many terrible displays during the 2011-2013 period and their continuation into 2013-14, manager Paul Lambert finally conceded that the team lacked quality in midfield. Specifically that Villa were missing a “number 10” of the Cowans/Merson mould.

So, in the arrival of Joe Cole we have a possibility that has caused me to equate with the arrival of Peter Broadbent in the Autumn of 1966. Joe Cole is a player that has probably seen his best days and has suffered injury, and though he was never a ‘general’ in the sense that Broadbent, Woosnam, Cowans or Merson were, my mind does boggle to think that Cole may just have that matured skill of being able to ‘sit and ping’ searching balls to his Benteke-led strike-force, exploiting their strengths and pace. It’s quite a thought; I pray that’s what transpires. Former midfielder Paul Lambert may have had that vision when he signed Cole.

But the cynic in me will of course say “Well, what if Cole gets injured for some time. We’re then back to square one, aren’t we?”. And that cynic may well have a point. And, also, “where is the player that will help stem the opponents’ ability to break through?”

We have a potentially interesting season coming up. Let’s hope the cynic will be shown just how wrong he is. As another Lambert (Wellington’s divisional commander, General Lambert) said to my 40th of Foot ancestor at Waterloo: “Go for it young man; go and ping those balls of yours and send ’em scurrying back to whence they came!”

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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 270

  1. steamer

    Nice one John although i was never a fan of Mortimer, disappeared to often, thank God for Des Bremner.
    We seem to have family connections fighting the French, mine was at Trafalger and his commander said, “I see no ships, only hardships.”

  2. southwestvillan

    John,

    Another good read of days gone by and then you go and spoil it by implying Cole can be our midfield general, I cannot remember him performing that role at any of his previous clubs in fact it is very difficult to pin him down to any one particular position.
    We are going into the new season in worse shape than last because I believe that two of the three teams who are coming up will give it a go and that the teams around us will improve their teams, whereas we may go into this new season without one of our best players from last year Vlaar, leaving us with a back two of Okore and Senderos, could Delph be allowed to leave aswell, if that happens we are indeed as Steamer quite rightly put it ” Staring into the Abyss “.

    I do not believe all the rumours that there is a knight in shining armour waiting in the wings to come and rescue us, in fact I can see the sale being a long protracted affair similar to the Everton scenario.

    I think this could finally be the season when we cannot avoid the drop.

    AVFC RIP.

  3. Frem

    Have to agree with SWV, I don’t think there is anyone close to saving us. We could be up for sale for years

    The most depressing thing is seeing QPR, West Brom and Swansea signing 3 very good free agents, next level up to anything we could dream of.

    The chances of us being able to compete with anyone this season looks like likely day by day. We are cursed by having one of the worst football tacticians around

  5. B62 Villa

    Morning all,
    A period in our history we can look back with pride and fond memories, it was a period when I started going to VP regularly and getting the Kit bought, pretending to be Gary Shaw. The mid eighties were a let down after the heights of being Europes and England’s finest.
    I loved David Platt, absolute legend, I even saw him play in goal in a 5-0 midweek defeat at Highbury to a good Arsenal team( no GK on the bench in those days), great away day though 🙂
    I honestly can’t remember a more depressing period in our history, and once again we head into a season filled with dread, and praying we somehow manage to stave off relegation, sad times indeed, and no news on the horizon to spring hope.

  6. Trinity

    Nice writing, John.

    It is no fun watching the likes of QPR getting better players in, players we apparently can’t afford.

    Not much on the Villa front at the moment.

    Hope you guys are enjoying the world cup.

  8. runtings

    Hi guys – i think it is a good thing that everyone is on contracts of short length as any new owner can get rid of what is not right going forward without much loss and they guys that want to stay will have to prove there full worth.

    st75 i hope you will still speak to us if you daughter ends up a hollywood star — she deffo has bags of potentail mate -you must be a very proud dad

    Prox – i fly out to Ireland this friday and will be going to kiss the blarney to see if any of that Irish charm rubs off on me .

    talking of the Irish – i love this -soooo funny https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmPFbD2BuUI

  9. Heroes-and-Villans

    Its like going back in time to 2 years ago. ‘Look at all QPR’s signings’ ‘there making excellent purchasers’…..really, are we really not going to learn here?

    Rio for 68k a week…..that is all

  11. Frem

    Andrew- they probably have a better manager this time around

    Is that side really good enough to stay up with Lambert in charge ? Look at the left hand side, Bennett and Gabby. Probably the worst left hand side in the league by a long way . Guzan didn’t save anything last season, if it’s the same again, we are in trouble. I doubt Zoggy, Bent or Grealish will get a look in. Same goes with GG,Carruthers and Robbinson. Benteke is out until November so who’s going to score our goals ? I’d like to see Zoggy and Tonev on the wings. We need a quality CM desperately. kEa isn’t that although Lambert thinks so. Get Gareth Barry back

  14. Heroes-and-Villans

    yes its enough frem. Tekkers should be back october and we only dropped right down last season because he was out.

    Its going to be a battle, granted but there will be worse teams than us. Its just a fight for survival until new owners & manager gets in, then we rebuild.

  15. John Lerwill

    Steamer: I Like the “hardship” comment! 🙂

    Andrew: Yep, I like your positivity. But do we have a manager (and does he have any coaches?!) that can massage this team into doing the right things? We have to wait and see.

  16. proxopera

    Yep Runtingz , it is funny , but there is no blarney there , that clip probably sums up the relationship between 90 % of irish blokes and their dads. The cavan/monaghan accent is funny in itself ,without the driving test ‘advice’. That clip was doing the rounds in ireland about 6 months ago.

  17. Heroes-and-Villans

    John Lerwill

    Its interesting the Keane news has gone quiet. Some say it’s because of impending takeover?

    Coaching staff needs/will be in place before pre season though. When is that?

    I think Burnley/west brom and 1 other will drop.

  18. steamers75

    Runtins
    thanks for your kind words , and yes of course ld still be in touch with you lot , l dont like the superstar stuff, cant stand the twats who think they are somebody because they drink with a footballer or go in boxes , l had a vip at westham with the villa ,a mates company , l disappeared into the stand , cant be having all the pretencious shit , lm proud where l come from , and l dont forget it , just wish others would , yes l bought the house prices down when l moved to coleshill , a girl in the singing competition was a black girl about 14/15 and she took me back to 1984 ,Tracey Chapman !! her mom congratulated my daughter , she was Jamelia and the girl was her daughter , what a lovely woman as well , jessie got a day in a studio as a prize and will be making a CD , thankfully she does’nt have a side to her and to be honest l would’nt allow it mate , oh and she wants to live in London , so l need someone to keep an eye on her , nudge nudge !!
    mind you l would drop sww like the plague ,
    well off to the pub to watch the game , might ask the gaffer to put Italy vs Uraguay ,

    frem l put off Tcs lights till you got back , and got a periodic test to do , will be in touch , possibly next week mate ,tc wants a blow by blow account of how you got on with them Dutch birds ))

  21. runtings

    st i didnt have you down any other way than your discription , apart from that you may me a little conservative come it comes to parting with cash 🙂
    happy to hook your girl up with girls in my fam , depending on which area she ends up sure we can get the girls hooked up mate

    Prox – i only saw the clip the other day and it quicky brought tears to my eyes – have watch it loads

    Keane silence is interesting andrew i think pre season is only 3weeks away , it is sounding very positive for a takeover – hard to see it happening before the window closes , but if we don’t buy any players in the next 2 – 4wks maybe that is a sign a takerover could happen beore deadline

  22. Mark King

    suarez does it again with those gnashers unfeckin believable. 🙂

    England go out with yet another reffing decision doing us over, nailed on penalty not given against Costa, and the bloke who should of been sent off for Uruguay against us scores the goal that see’s them through. if we fell in a barrel of busoms we’d come out sucking our thumbs

  24. steamer

    Just seen Suarez, if anyone needs an example of why footballers have gone down in the estimation of the public its this animal, when the likes of Brendan Rogers defend him then you know that the loonies are running the asylum. Five year ban minimum requirement.
    The cheating is as bad as the officiating at this WC and England are as bad as most.

  25. Frem

    Rogers won’t defend him this time. Probably on the transfer list as we speak

    Wonder how this Pre season will go. Last seasons was a disaster, just like the actual season

    There are some good players at The WC. Shame we won’t get a single one

  26. Frem

    I don’t mind defensive tactics as long as it works. Just look at Atletico and Greece now. When Lambert does it though, it’s 11 men behind the ball, no shots on target in 90 mins and still concede a tone of goals

  27. Trinity

    Suarez won’t be on any transfer list if BR can help it. He’s Liverpool’s MVP.
    Who really cares if he bit someone at a world cup. The media will make a big thing of it, but Suarez for all his faults is one of the stars of the game. The money he helps to generate, sadly, is more important to the powers that be. Maybe, they’ll ban him from a few world cup games.

  28. Frem

    Swanseas strike force next season is Bony, Michu and Gomis. 3 top strikers

    Fecking Swansea. We still have Gabby

    SOS someone

  31. Paul Pears

    A great concluding article to the series JL.

    I am in agreement with the school of thought that the silence on the Keane appointment means that a take-over is imminent by the American guys, who are friends of Lerner.

    Missed the bit on your daughter Steamer 75, but it sounds as if she has the talent, and, like you, know that praise from Jamelia, says it all.

    Team squad is okay at the moment, but expect some surprises once the take-over is finalised, which should be soon now.

  32. Josh Cattier

    Will be purchasing your book soon John, need to read more and I’ve got a bit of time off work for a few days and over weekends so will seek to address my lack of Villa history knowledge – something you excel in.

    But for tomorrow I’m going to drink lots of beer and listen to Fat Freddy’s Drop in the sun. Ah, mid-week breaks.

  34. John Lerwill

    Josh: Will be purchasing your book soon John

    Thanks! You mean “The First Superclub” book?

    If you want to conserve your cash, I’m bringing out a short form of the history – “Aston Villa In A Nutshell” – in a month’s time, which will sell for only £7. It doesn’t (of course) contain anything near what’s in the bigger tome but it will help if you’re short of cash!

  35. John Lerwill

    I’m away…

    I’m off to North Devon in a few hours time to do a family research assignment for someone in Canada.

    Will be back by Saturday, probably wishing I’d stayed (for the sea air)! 😉

  36. steamers75

    Just to let you all know my mate who was splashed all over the Evening Mail as being a thug , well it went to crown court and yesterday by a 12-0 decision by the jury ,it was thrown out , there were about 20 other lads on the other platform and this idiot decided to run across the track to attack John , and one of his mates shouted use the knife ! now l dont care who you are but on hearing them words l think we would all have used a bit of self defence ,

    josh lv got some old villa books you can have a read of , and l think steamers got some scrolls , and Fat Freddys Drop , brilliant stuff , think lm only up the road from you ( coleshill)

    Runtins . thats great mate , she already making plans to go , there’s another lad who wants to go and they are already sorting how they will share the costs of a place, and l kid you not , she has already asked when will be selling up as we wont need this big house anymore when she’s gone !!! and she keeps eyeing up my vinyl collection especially when she found out my Smiths LP is worth £850, steamer does’nt help putting ideas in her head , and keep the music coming on FB mate .

    Saurez , ,,,,did you see the other player pulling the Italians shirt back over the bite .lol

    ian , Donkey …my fav character , got all the shrek dvds just for him ,

    enjoy the sun ..all
    sww , no doubt you already look like a lobster

  37. steamers75

    Did any of you see that banner put up during the game last night , cost of going to Brasil ect and Priceless !!! well that was the steamer lads who went monday , cridgeys new banner lol

  39. John Lerwill

    S75: josh lv got some old villa books you can have a read of…

    Which books do you have S75?

    The trouble is that a lot of those old books contain quite a few errors on the club history. That’s why I did original research to clear up questionable issues.

    But some of the old books like Bernard Bale’s (about the players) are terrific.

  40. southwestvillan

    ST75,

    Glad John was found not guilty the papers always look to brand football fans as mindless thugs, didn’t see the banner because I didn’t see the game I had to wash my hair.

    PS I am enjoying the sun I took a walk sideways down to the beach, sorry that’s a crab.

    UTV

  42. steamers75

    john
    l aint got a clue as most were xmas prezzie’s .and got stuck in the library .

    best one l got was a nose one of their achievements over the years , every page blank , took sww a month to read it though ,

  44. B62 Villa

    Groundhog Day at Villa, still no glimmers of hope for the oncoming season, at least the Italian manager and the head of their FA have had the decency to resign.
    The FA are a complete joke, let’s face it the planks head hunted PF!!!

  45. Tony H

    I originally thought Roy Hodgson was the wrong man for England. Too conservative, lacks invention, old school training etc etc. I’ve changed my mind based on the number of young players he’s brought along and the extent to which he’s used them.

    I’d really have like to see England do well at the World Cup. I’d have dropped Rooney for Barclay in the second game and brought Rooney on for the last 30 minutes where is strength would have told. The Uruguay holding midfielder (Alero Rios?) had a magnificent game and has had hardly a mention in the press – odd. But for that, England might have had something to play for yesterday.

    Enjoying the World Cup aside from that. I see FIFA has launched an investigation into Suarez. They’ll probably conclude he has no teeth. Blatter will joke ‘ doesn’t everybody like a bit of Italian! Ha ha!’ And The Sun – without a flicker of irony – will shout about shoddy justice and someone getting away with murder.

    I now hate politics, the justice system, the Police (the Met Lancashire and Surrey mostly- not the coppers themselves but the dudes who are in charge and try to lie about stuff or cover it up), the BBC, the media, the FA, FIFA, UEFA, Villa’s Board, Villa’s ability to prevent injuries, estate agents, local council administrators, mechanics, people called Ben, Will or Ed who prefer it’s not shortened to Ben, Will or Ed and say ‘It’s Edward actually’, news readers, Ryanair staff and people who defend Ryanair’s business model, religious people, atheists (but only those who seem a bit too confident and sniffy with it), builders, plumbers, health and safety people, people who are too comfortable making up rules, people who don’t allow swearing, people who say ‘I’m offended’ as if it’s not their problem, the morbidly obese, racists, homophobes, Yasmin Alibhai Brown, Michael Fabricant, George Galloway, Simon Heffer, Nick Griffin, the guy with a hook for a hand, Karen Brady talking about football, Karen Brady on The Apprentice, Karen Brady saying she was a Director off her own bat at 19 years old, the insanely annoying narrator from ‘Come Dine with Me’ and people who project their voices while on the phone on public transport.

    Wow! That felt good…

    Guys, we really need some villa news for us to mull over.

  47. Josh Cattier

    Tony, as an extremely racist, homophobic atheist named William I am offended. I am also the narrator of Come Dine With Me and I sometimes do my hair really shit and go to Commons as the creation that is Michael Fabricant. I also don’t like the swearing in your post, as we do not allow swearing on RyanAir flights which I pilot. These are the rules and I make them. RyanAir is a fantastic company to work for and I admire their business model. Standing up on short flights makes room for the obese, whom I love, as a deeply religious man. Also I fly my planes with a special steering mechanism as I have a hook for a hand from my days in Al-Qaeda alongside Nick Griffin and Karen Brady, who is fantastic in the Apprentice. In my spare time I work in real estate with George Galloway and Simon Heffer, whilst reading the news on BBC World, largely on reports of FIFA, UEFA, Aston Villa, and investigative pieces on plumbing. Yasmin Alibhai Brown is actually a very good mechanic.

    But I will try to sort out the Justice system on my end, in my own little sphere. Doubt I’ll be able to do much good without being involved in policy thinktanks though, but I’ll do me best.

    For some words to sort you out, here’s a mentally unstable person in a park. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=793643314013081&set=vb.121420231235396&type=2&theater

    John, I’ll probably end up buying them all next payday. Expecting a good one. Gotta pay tax now though. I’m immediately even more Conservative, although they love tax n’ all now.

    ST75, we need to arrange a pub meet-up in Town at some point so I can meet you twats. Think I’m largely going to be free on weekends so when pre-season comes around I’ll try to get to the friendly games around the city.

  49. southwestvillan

    Josh,

    It is a pleasant surprise for us all that you have decided to join the tax paying community I hope it has not come as too big a shock to all you ex-student soap dodgers, it will also help the struggling economy if you start spending some of that money you have accumulated while at university where it seems the aim was to find the pub selling the cheapest lager that gave away cheese and nibbles.

    UTV

  55. B62 Villa

    Josh
    I work with alas from Aber, he had his stag do there it was carnage, I ended up rattling a student bird in her accom , all was going well until her door was put in by a colleague of mine stole the quilt mid flow, and dragged me out in the buff, we were dressed as super heroes, never mess with a drink Royal a Marine

  58. Josh Cattier

    B62, carnage in Aber? I assume you did a pub crawl (the largest number of pubs in 1 square mile in the UK) rather than the two poor excuses for clubs/bars that the town has to offer. It is a quaint little place, glad you kept to the tone of the area by shagging some dutty skank in her halls.

  59. steamers75

    B62
    l used to hope we’d get a french team in a euro cup when we were having our play up days )))
    nearest we got was belgium, during that semi over there , the cameras went onto the crowd when the cops got bored and wanted a ruck , you can see some of the steamers and my brother is standing there with willock then all of a sudden this cop whacks him from behind with his batton, you wont believe where that batton nearly ended up in the cop, good times though , east germany though ,whata errie place that was , went in a pub and everyone looked Grey ! the beer was about 10p a pint , about 10 of us landed and while in there we asked about some music and no joking , the barman wound up a gramaphone and put some classical music on (which l dont mind) we must have got the whole pub pissed as we were buying all the locals their beer , and some of us left a load of money for them as because of them prices we were never going to spend what we took , got to be my weirdest away game ever , one of the old blokes l found in their spoke perfect English and what he showed me made me very humble ,it was his labour camp number ,

  60. Mark King

    you would think with the expense of goal line technology that fifa could afford to send some of the ref’s to spec savers or better still translate the rule book into their native language. this has got to have been the weakest refing display in a world cup for a long time and the most inconsistent, and the cheating goes on.

    liam ridgewell to Portland timbers I know he’s dead wood but cutting him up to make chipboard thats tough

    josh

    fat freddies drop sounds like UB40’s first album signing off if the singer held his nose it would be identical

  61. steamers75

    Mark
    have’nt listened to ub40s 1st for years , could.nt stand them when they started doing covers , shit covers at that as well ,
    FFD , l like watching the live stuff of their’s on youtube , l mentioned these last year , altho old 60s/70s reggae and northern soul is my fav , l do like other stuff like Aphex twin, boards of canada , coco rosie , and think Ron Sexsmith should be bigger than he is , (not weight ..sww) and my all time fav female singer is Liz Frazer ,cocteau twins ……..

  62. Mark King

    steamer 75

    loved there first album shame they lost their edge, Banbury had a huge northern soul following, still has. the winter gardens on a Saturday night was a great place and they organised plenty of trips to Wigan casino, didn’t go myself though.
    we used to take a coach to a club in brum which had three dance floors with soul, funk and modern stuff playing on each floor. cant remember the name though

  63. Trinity

    Signing Off was an awesome album. It seemed to capture the times, great title. UB 40 were massive in NZ and Aus. The Birmingham music scence must have been pretty diverse in those years. Weren’t Duran Duran from Brum as well?

  64. Josh Cattier

    ST75, good to know some of the older generation appreciate the genius of aphex and BoC. Are you on about snobs as the club? Love the oldies room in there, can’t stand the majority of this new age indie shit.

    Any other good reggae artists out there? I’m only really aware of FFD, gramatik, bob and the wailers, toots and the maytals, ub40, dan man. Prefer the dub side of reggae over bob and his happy hippy stuff.

  66. southwestvillan

    WTF are you lot talking about I am sure you are making some of these names up.

    On this Suarez malarkey I was thinking that if you get bit in the street by a dog they would put the dog down, so is it too much to ask FIFA for the death penalty, discuss.

    UTV

  67. steamers75

    Josh
    have a word with Runtins about music as well ,
    lm going to get round to puting some of my vinyl to cd , got a lot of the old reggae ,all original (what ub40 tried to copy) will make you a copy ,

    Trinity
    remember when Duran Duran , started in Gas street , simon lebon , fuck he came on stage in a tight pair of pink trousers , lthought they were tights , and Steven tin tin duffy used to get the bus home with us , (Kiss me ) a fav of mine in them days which l have a 12″ copy , Welcome to the monkey house — Animal magnet , another group l liked was The Tubes -Prime time . got it about 4 times as it came out in different coloured vinyl ,
    Mark
    used to go to wigan casino , get train home sunday and then play for bromford juniors on sunday afternoon ,
    think it was snobs , another was barbarellas , rebeccas , incognito , rum runner , cedar club , Top rank and not forgetting the Lacarno , but my fav club was The Rainbow saturday nights , then The Mayfair sunday nights ,
    then you also had Peppers in Erdington , The Swan Yardley , and Bloomers ,
    Happy days

  69. Trinity

    S75

    Yeah, I remember the Tubes back in the early 80s. You’re lucky you got to see the bands you did. Those were the good ole days alright. You guys had the music and a Villa that was on top of Europe.

    Clive

    Better keep Suarez away from Lambert then:)

  70. southwestvillan

    Clive,

    Rooney says to Hodgson — boss I am not sure wether I am better in the middle wide right or wide left, Hodgson replies for fucks sake Wayne pick a seat and lets get this thing off the ground,

    UTV

  71. southwestvillan

    Uncle ST75,

    What is vinyl?

    Saw Duran Duran perform for the first time at Barbarellas was a brilliant night, didn’t the Fewtrells own the club about that time.

    UTV

  72. southwestvillan

    When I was doing my apprenticeship and was at Garretts Green college I saw an ad in the Birmingham Evening post asking for help putting a gig together at the Mayfair, putting out chairs and all that, so me and a mate decided to go and earn some extra cash, did the work and got to see the gig free of charge, it was Black Sabbath doing a one off special gig for a select few people all in secret, I have go to say it was a superb night, even got a few free drinks at the bar.

    UTV

  73. Mark King

    snobs and lacarno ring a bell lads.
    I’m hoping that as blues and jazz inspired rock and roll and then the 60’s and seventies stuff, we will get young bands rediscovering the older stuff again and putting there own stamp on it. got the feeling its starting already as recent overproduced stuff that all the x-factor contestants are told to sing has had its day, time for something less sterile.

    I don’t know why people are porking fun at saurez? to chicken to do it to his face I’ll steak my life on it, lily livered lot, if you’ve got a beef with him denture hold back! meat up with him and give him your biting comments in person, only kidneying .

  74. steamer

    saw the james gang at the mayfair, joe walsh, crazy as a coot.
    reggae on vinyl, only fit to make ashtrays, can’t stand it.
    sww,
    duran duran, brilliant…….. wtf, were all those away games listening to deep purple etc on my cassette player all in vain ? duran duran, give me strength.

  75. Josh Cattier

    If my life long goal of owning a vibrant jazz bar/club ever works out I’ll give you guys VIP membership. Alternative nights with nu-jazz, reggae, jungle, ska and hip hop of course. Just gotta earn the dollar and learn how torun a business first…

  76. southwestvillan

    Steamer,

    For crying out loud I was only young and still impressionable, I was still having an on off affair with my right hand, bit later on it was purple and all the rock stuff, about the same time I went to se 10cc at the odeon and even though it was not my cup of tea they were really good live.

    Used to have an eight track in my car about the same size as the car I own now, it used to take three of us to change the cartridge.

    UTV

  77. Frem

    Suarez banned for four months.

    Erm, if you racially abused someone ( Evra) and bit 3 different people in a work place, could you be arrested ? I’m sure you would be banned for more than 4 months

    Footballers could get away with murder.

  80. Frem

    He’s basically getting 4 months holiday and still getting paid for it

    66 grand he’s been fined. He’s probably on 100 grand a week

  81. Clive Evans

    Should have been banned for life. It is ridiculous that a gifted footballer has to resort to this behaviour – plenty of examples of petulant behaviour from many of the world’s top players including simulation , fake injuries – e’g’ Nehmar, Ronaldo, et al – at least Messi doesn’t show this even when he is being marked out of the game by Nigeria.

    Anyway lads and lasses – best wishes for next season – maybe a comeback from Montesano? A re-birth from Okore, a new contract for Concrete Ron – well we have to hope

  84. Mark King

    josh
    Jazz, nice.
    success looks like this in business, try-fail-try again- fail again- try something different again- fail with something different again and so on until you get the winning formula/experience or then go terminally bankrupt.

    the alternative is employed-not employed- employed again- not employed again etc until death.

    third choice write a book on how to succeed in business (see above) or write a book about your life to come (also see above)

    fourth choice rob stuff- go to jail- rob more stuff- go back to jail- become male prostitute- stay in jail

    fuck me I’m a life coach that’s £50 please

  86. southwestvillan

    Steamer,

    Two things I have to thank you for, obviously all those sweets you used to give me when I stayed around at your house and secondly for getting me into the Allman brothers – Jessica is one of my favourite tracks od all time, Dicky Betts pure genius.

    UTV

  89. muz1

    swv,

    When you were at Garretts Green College did you use to go for a beer in the Chestnut Tree ?
    That was my local in the seventies and was always packed full of students of a dinner time.

  94. Josh Cattier

    Steamer,

    Radiohead
    Tim Hecker
    Pixies
    Swans
    GZA
    Frederic Chopin
    Rage Against The Machine
    Godspeed You! Black Emperor
    Duke Ellington
    A Tribe Called Quest

  95. muz1

    steamer,

    There was a cleaner who use to clean the toilets after the students had gone.
    Didnt know who he was, but, he was one tight b*stard who use to scour the floor and urinals for any pennies that had been dropped.
    Any ideas who it could be?

  96. steamers75

    1. sweet
    2. showaddywaddy
    3. middle of the road
    4. joe dolce
    5, bay city rollers
    6. sonia
    7. goombay dance band
    8.roger whittacker
    9. marguarita prackatan
    10. black lace .

    got loads more , josh ?mark l will make you disc for you ,
    time to hit the decks methinks .loveljubly

  102. Mark King

    steamer

    its been and gone next gig 12th july at the reindeer in banbury. dont know about top ten to many good bands and artists but like

    thin lizzy
    bad company
    Free
    level 42
    marvin gaye
    stevie wonder
    jerry lee lewis
    crowded house
    cat stevens
    black stone cherry
    glen cambell
    even like a bit of elvis the sun years

    st75

    thanks mate, have you got any of roger Whittaker’s extended dub? also I’m amazed the rubettes didn’t make your top 10

  104. steamers75

    Nah Mark , sww liked them so l didnt , l think l could get Matt to make me a dub track for you .

    just found my copy of My boomerang wont come back , charlie drake , fine singer

  105. Jenny Truman

    Mark King – that club you talked about must have been Bobby Browns – Gas Street in town – pop stuff ground floor and up the stairs into the dark sexy soul area . Arthur’s bar next door – great music as a warm up – had some brilliant Friday nights topped up with a burger from the barbecue outside (freshly made none of your rubbish ) and sometimes we even went to amazing ACAFEZ . Now who has been there ? I don’t know how I got there / think it was in Handsworth – regae bands – jazz – and don’t think they had a lIcence was so naiive in those days – remember a guy coming up to me saying “what’s the joke ” and thinking what’s he on about ! I would have loved to have gone to Wigan Casino – watched u tube vids and programmes on it – you never know I could have met St 75 there . Xxxxxx

  107. Jenny Truman

    Marvin Gaye
    Motown
    House music
    James Brown
    Springsteen with Clarence Clements RIP lovely saxophonist
    John Newman
    What’s this gringe / grunge stuff my girls listen to . I’ve told them we’ve had rap for years 🙂

  108. Paul Pears

    Interesting seeing so many walking down memory lane……In my days, it was The Rum Runner, The Cedar Club, The Metro Club, Highfields (Solihull), The Crown, the Navigation, Hereford Twist Lounge, Talk of the Town, Dolce Vita, Cavendish Club, Opposite Lock Club and many others, and then ending up in the Tow Rope (24 hour cafe) on Broad Street for a Taxi driver’s breakfast, or the Roundabout Cafe.

    Some nights we would go out to the greasy spoon at Brownhills for food, or a trip don the M1 to the Blue Boar at Watford Gap Services.

    One of the in places was the Gigi Coffee bar in Moseley. Everywhere had some form of live music, from people like Denny Laine and the Diplomats, Carl Wayne and the Vikings, Martin Jenkins and the Invaders, Dave Pegg and the Emeralds, and many other local B’ham groups, some of whom made it ,and some who did not. great days in the 60’s.

  110. steamers75

    if you go down Albert Road , Stechford ,you will see a house thats had its windows blacked out and the door is solid steel and the sign on the front window says “OUTLAWS” it s the local hells Angels , l worked with one them in the late 70s and went to his wedding , a couple of years ago l was in there in the cellar which is a bar , fuck knows what time l got out of there , great night though and some brill music ,

    Jenny
    pity about wigan casino , great nights there , no trouble , there was another one l went to a lot and that was The catacoombs in wolverhampton, l used to go on my own as not many people liked that music , it makes me smile now how it seems to have took off now the clubs have gone , l got the old sew on badges somewhere , and l got a big box full of the Blues and soul Mag which was the bible for the scene , l used to meet up with some women from northampton, there was not a following from brum , the Torch (stoke) was another l would go too ,( Steamer) , clepto and coke used to go there as well , we went to a club in canvey lsle once as it was supposed to be the next big thing ,”southern soul” it was all dreamy soul , not bad but it took a couple of years for me to get into that style of soul , its nice to see the young ones getting into the old soul stuff now , went to a motown night at the Rover club Solihull , and it was a laff seeing the old uns getting down (but struggling to get back up lol),,,, my daughter has started listening to my records and she ‘s surprised to hear music thats been ripped to the so-called new stuff , xxxxxxxxxxx

  113. southwestvillan

    Paul,

    If my memory serves me right Carl Wayne used to live by the Custard House pub in Blake Lane Small Heath, I used to live down the road by the Broadway boozer.

    UTV

  114. runtings

    Marvin Gaye
    Stevie Wonder
    Donny Hathaway
    Jimi Hendrix
    Rafael Saadiq
    Robert Glasper Experiment
    Radiohead
    Bombay Bicycle Club
    Sizzla Kalonji
    D’Angelo

  115. southwestvillan

    Led Zepp
    Allman Bros
    Fleetwood Mac ( Peter Green Version )
    Deep Purple
    Wishbone Ash
    Mahavishnu Orchestra
    Black Sabbath
    Tommy Tinkle
    Bay City Rollers
    One Direction

    Steamer,

    Do you remember Tommy Tinkle at the Meadway that night, fucking hilarious.

    UTV

  117. Trinity

    Jimi Hendrix
    Kraftwerk
    various Motown
    Ark Angel
    Early UB 40
    JS Bach
    Cat Stevens
    The Sweet
    Francois Hardy
    Dave Brubeck
    Dire Straits
    The Cars
    The Cure

  118. steamer

    trin,
    you know cat stevens has me in tears more times than the villa, folk talk about elton john as a singer songwriter, cat stevens walks over him any time in both aspects, brilliant.
    francois hardy, gorgeous, had an lp in the 60’s, very clear voice.

    swv,
    tommy tinkle … worst version of help me make it through the night ever, don’t think he got past the first line.
    bugger, forgot wishbone ash, teddy turner went to cockshutt hill.
    carl wayne married miss diane and lived opposite the white hart, tile cross.
    f/mac were never the same after peter green.
    mahavishnu orchestra .. great guitarist john mcclaughlin.

    runtingz,
    very sad about donny hathaway, lovely voice.

    no-one mentioned stax, booker t and the mg’s, saw them at the odeon about 67/68, best band i ever saw live, look up playing time is tight with creedance cr watching in awe, steve cropper, brill.

    mark,
    blackstone cherry, excellent, great vocals and very energetic.
    jerry lee lewis, amazing, my fave rock and roller.
    paul rodgers is easily the best frontman in rock and free were a great band, they were huge around the time of the dougall and the first record on the juke box was always all right now, my fave was my brother jake, though bad company were very inferior tho’

  121. Paul Pears

    Hi all.

    More and more names coming out, and yes Carl Wayne and his boys were Small Heath, and played in the Monica in the early days, I think. My ex brother-in-law, Stuart Mac played guitar with Free, which included Paul Rogers and the late Simon Cooke. He also played with the killing Floor.
    His room mate in the Smoke in those days was Macca!

    The Move, ELO,Duran Duran, UB40, Ocean Colour Scene, The Beat,The Moody Blues,The streets, The Twang, and Black sabbath were listed as Brum’s top bands by the Evening Mail. I had seen and heard of most of them, there is just a couple, I am not sure if I heard them.

    Guy called Paul Copestake was the road manager for ELO, and lived in Solihull. Remember visiting his house and seeing the bands gold discs on the wall there.

    And of course there was the Spencer Davies Band, Spencer was a teacher at Whittington Oval school.

  122. southwestvillan

    Tommy Tinkle worst pub singer I have ever heard ever since that night I have suffered from tinnitus, when he finished his act (apology) we were ripping beer mats in half and rushing the stage asking for his autograph, we were pissing ourselves and he thought he had just topped the bill at the palladium.

    UTV

  123. steamer

    had to be seen to be believed, three times he started and each time he buggered up ‘take the ribbons fro your hair’, how can you do that ? he had a right go at the organist.
    pp,
    didn’t know sd was at whittington oval, he hid the scars well.
    your b-i-l shared a room with paul mcgrath ?

    according to the world meedjah all music comes from liverpoo and landaan, the evidence says otherwise.

  126. steamers75

    meadway sat nights , sometimes l’d go in the bar , and pretend to be a roofer !! free beer , ha

    watched Hopey ask for money off them and they told him to “Behave and fuck off” so l started going round there , fair play to jimmy he never asked ,
    Steamer ya wimp , you didnt need a bullet proof vest , you just had to know who had the guns and who had the knives …simples !!!

    Meadway then the Areo club , ))) must have told you all about the time we used one of the disabled blokes car to go there ?? )))

  128. Mark King

    steamer

    agree on Paul Rodgers mate, bad company did some good stuff but a lot cheesier and they didn’t have Kossof. saw them on there come back tour he’d still got the voice but less raw than the free days and talked like a yank? he’s a fooking geordie man. saw black stone 4 years ago the drummer is amazing about 6’4 ginger afro and does a solo with his hands! no drum sticks. great band and they have a new album out too. I played Cat Stevens to my lady and she said she’d never heard of him but she knew nearly all the songs. there are some decent solo acoustic singers about now but they can’t touch him IMO. what about the black crowes and stereo phonics and a bit of Dave Bowie?

    St 75

    I now quite a few hells angels, hung around with bikers and rockers in the late 70’s. used to go to the climax club in coventry. they are a very misunderstood bunch of criminals ;-). the bulldog bash used to be on at Stratford and me and a few mates would go but you had to watch out for pissed bikers riding over your tent, some brilliant bands and strippers on including rock bitch the most bizarre thing I’ve ever seen on a stage. strap on didos, fisting you name it, what amazed me is they never hit a bum note 🙂

    The back end of the 70’s early 80’s were good times everyone was either a biker/ greaser, punk, smoothy ,mod or skinhead. I know it caused a fair bit of aggro but it seems very tame these days what is it beard or no beard?

  129. steamers75

    steamer , went the jigsaw every thursday , me roff keith palmer , and the tilt hammer pub !!

    Mark , great lads when you get to know them and very clever blokes , one talked posher than the queen , bull dog bash starting up again this year as you know the trouble at the airport a few years ago , hoping to go ,

    seen Bowie at Birmingham town hall , ziggy stardust tour ,

  130. Mark King

    st75

    I know mate, most people would be amazed at what some do in civvy st, although some of the beardy lads must have problems hiding their pastime 🙂
    bowie live lucky man must have been fantastic . will keep an eye out for the bash

  131. steamer

    mark,
    apart from togwt television totally ignored aor when it was the biggest selling music in the world. when they replaced whispering bob with two knobs who ran a brit pop mag it was fucked, who could forget lynyrd skynrd playing freebird ?
    black crowes were excellent but seemed to go wimpish after the first few albums and lost their balls, used to love some of that southern rock, even the mk 11 version of ls was exceptional and i think johnny van zandt is a better vocalist that ronnie was.

  132. Paul Pears

    Steamer

    I was fortunate enough not only to see Francoise Hardy at the Town Hall, I actually met her and spent time in her dressing room with her and still have some signed photos of her!

    Saw many great artists live in the 60’s including Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Duane Eddy, Bobby Darin, Dave Clarke Five, and many others, including the Beatles at the old Alpha TV studios in Aston when they were recording for “Thank Your Lucky stars” with Brian Matthew and singing “Please please me”.

  135. Paul Pears

    Mark

    They were great days to be young in, and they had loads of top names, mainly at the old Birmingham Hippodrome.

    It was the days of great music, sports cars, motor bikes, drinking pints of Lager and lime, brown and mild, Ansells Bitter, Brew Eleven and pulling great chicks.

    My car was often overloaded with anything up to 8/10 people rammed in, and no seat belts or breathalyser in those days……and very few accidents….!!

  136. steamer

    PP,
    Bobby Darin, now he was a talent, got that film somewhere with Kevin Spacey playing him superbly.
    You met Francois Hardy ? did you touch her ? how long before you washed your hands ? gorgeous creature, must be knocking on now, i bet she told Sacha Distel about the time she met Paul Pears.
    Mark,
    You were born too late ?????????????

  137. Mark King

    steamer

    yes born to late , now I have to listen to one erection and have the privilege of watching big brother, a program full of people in a made up world of their own importance. Definitely born to late or maybe to early

  138. John Lerwill

    Yeah, Paul, I was at Earlswood Jazz one year. They held a couple of good festivals at Cannon Hill Park, too.

    I feel so sorry for those born after 1950 – they missed so much quality in the 60s!!

    I went for all kinds of stuff, but my main interests were in folk and jazz. My folk music interest was mainly satiated down at the ‘Jug o’ Punch’ that was held at Digbeth Civic Hall every Thursday and hosted by the Ian Campbell Folk Group. Superb musicians and singers, including Dave Swarbrick on the fiddle (er, a different kind of fiddle to that I operated!!).

    Ian Campbell himself died last year and was the father of one of the UB40 lot.

    There were great folk and jazz concerts at the Town Hall and at the Odeon cinema. Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Gene Krupa, Oscar Peterson, Muddy Waters, The Dubliners and many, many other great jazz and folk names. I feel privileged to have been there at all that.

    And Julian Bream and John Williams on classical guitar. Mind blowing. Even saw Jacqueline du Pre once before her sad demise.

    Being a fan of Django Reinhardt (before even my time) the concert that really sticks out in my mind is Stephan Grapelli back in the 70s – which I didn’t experience in Brum. It was down at the Glyndborn (sp?) down in Sussex. He also did an LP with Yehudi Menuhin. Superb.

    Brenda Lee wasn’t bad either! – with Chuck Berry on the same bill.

  139. John Lerwill

    Paul My car was often overloaded with anything up to 8/10 people rammed in, and no seat belts or breathalyser in those days……and very few accidents….!!

    I almost feel as though you must have been one of the mob I went around with in those days! All car (and women) fanatics. Staying out all night and finishing with breakfast at a greasy spoon in Rugby somewhere…!!!! etc. etc.

    One of the guys was an apprentice engineer at Rover and borrowed a prototype Rover 3500 to give us a thrill in the days when cars were generally stodgy old things (the Mini hadn’t been out for long).

    Another guy was called Jasper Carrott. Now there lies a tale or two!

  140. steamer

    John,
    Donkeys years ago i saw a documentary on Django, obviously their was quite a bit about Grapelli too, but Django was amazing, his film was good last year too.

  141. John Lerwill

    Yes, Steamer, I also saw that very fascinating documentary on Django.
    He’s all but forgotten about now, but his group could certainly shift a few bums. Marvellous stuff. I’ve got a tape of his somewhere.

    In fact Grapelli was a mentor of a Midlands’ guitar player – Diz Disley. Remember him back in the 60s/70s? He and Grapelli used to play together in the Django style.

    I used to kid myself I could play guitar like that. But yes, I was kidding myself.

  142. Paul Pears

    Steamer

    Yes, Francoise is still about, but life has aged her a little, but still the same slim, beautiful blonde singer. My friend in Lyon, gave me a CD of hers, as she knew I was a fan. I have very much enjoyed listening to it. Yes i did I have the pleasure of escorting her from the Town Hall to her waiting car, after a bouncer tried to throw me out of her dressing room, but she said it’s okay..he can stay…!!!

    John

    Very much enjoyed folk and Jazz, as well rock in those days. Dave Pegg, after having his own group, The Emeralds, joined Ian Campbell, before ending up with Fairport Convention. He also was the guitar player in the SAS film “Who dares Wins”. Dave was a friend of mine in schooldays at Yardley Grammar, which also produced Denny Laine (real name Brian Hinds), who after wearing crocodile suits with his group the Diplomats, went on to the Moody Blues, and then made the mistake of getting involved with Macca and Linda in Wings….

    Remember seeing a guy called Freddie Mack at Earlswood, as well as Acker Bilk and Terry Lightfoot, and that is in the days when tour buses were exactly that. Old buses and coaches adapted for travel and when they opened the doors, out would roll all the empty beer cans..!!

  143. Mark King

    paul

    Dave Pegg has been a local in Banbury for years now, my uncle used to drink with the Fairport lot and I used to bump into them occasionally. he ended up doing some promotional stuff for them when the Cropredy festival first started. Dave was my best mates guitar teacher and he used to get free tickets to fairport every year. Daves a nice fella he had a small studio in a village not far from my dads house all sorts of faces came through that place as it had a strategically placed pub 50 yards up the road. he split from his mrs and i’m not sure where he lives now, still local I think as I keep seeing an audi tt with a personalised plate with pegg on it

  144. John Lerwill

    Paul: Dave Pegg, after having his own group, The Emeralds, joined Ian Campbell, before ending up with Fairport Convention.

    Ah, must have been after my time (pre-’67) – I don’t remember that. I went off to do a hiking tour of Europe in ’67 and when I came back lived in other parts of the UK.

  149. John Clark

    Julian Bream, John Williams…phenomenal stuff, John. Peter Buck and Johnny Marr were my guitar idols, since I don’t have the talent of the classical guys. Or Jimmy Page or Hendrix, for that matter (Axis Bold as Love ends up being my favorite Hendrix).

    First show I saw on my own was Thin Lizzy, Hammersmith Odeon, I think (?). Parents took me to see ABBA and Johnny Cash at Wembley before that. Some faves, in no particular order:

    Zep
    ELO
    Stereolab
    REM
    The Smiths
    Stan Getz
    Bowie
    Clash
    Flaming Lips
    Super Furry Animals
    The Beta Band (came and went too quickly, but genius stuff, particularly the Three EPs and first album)
    Grant Lee Buffalo

    Jealous of all you that lived through all the various scenes early on. I can remember some still hanging on in the 70s, teddy boys and of course the punks was what I mainly saw as a kid. As someone said, definitely not the same after.

  150. John Lerwill

    John,

    Stan Getz, Johnny Cash … Yep, favs with me too. “My name’s Sue so how do you do!” 🙂 (from “A Boy Named Sue” for those not indoctrinated into Cash!)

    Some of the old jazz pianists were phenomenal. Oscar Peterson was one (I’ve already mentioned) and Duke Ellington too … but wot about Jelly Roll Morton, Art Tatum, Dave Brubeck, Thelonious Monk and Erroll Garner?! You just don’t get ’em like that any more. Or at least you don’t hear ’em. More’s the pity.

    I used to think that popular music in the 60s covered a fair old spectrum, but these days it seems to mean only one thing. And I don’t like it. Maybe I have poor taste!

  151. steamers75

    JC
    couple l like there
    stereolab . (Miss Modular )super furry animals , flaming lips , did you read that l had The Smiths first 1st album signed by all the band , saw on ebay its going for £850 , it was an ex’s sister boyfriend who wrote for various music mags and they signed it for him, l was given it in 1987 , l also liked Aphex twin and squarepusher , pram . and not forgetting ,The Nolans -lm in the mood for dancing , we got thrown out of nearly every pub in town one saturday night through that song ,and we still drop our trousers to this day if this comes on )) LOL

    sww nothing surprises me with you and kajagoogoo, remember you coming in the Broadway with you yellow/orange hair after your home hair bleaching went tits up and the fucking ferret style haircut , jeeeeeeezzzzzzzzz you were an embarasment sometimes , mind you a prat they call the hooligan groupie down the villa still has his hair in that style , the twonk ….

  152. steamers75

    sww
    just saw a great wizz for you when you come up for a game , and if we go to it , while watching the Holland vs Mexico game , lv noticed the mexican fans wearing a mask ,similar to what Kendo nagasaki wore , lm gonna look on ebay and get you one , that way you wont frighten any of the villa juniors at the game and we wont have the stewards asking you to leave the ground ……sorted

  153. B62 Villa

    RIP Aston Villa fc.
    Today if the media are to be believed, it has been confirmed Randy Lerner must actually trying to relegate the club, and asset strip anything of value from the club. The man is a cancer, the sooner he goes the better, £10m all in is a joke, when we got £76m prize/TV money at the end of last season. This puts to bed his nice guy out of his depth Bollox, he is just a cunt, taking whatever he can. This will be our last year in the top flight for a very long time.

  156. B62 Villa

    SWV
    Lerner is literally raping and asset stripping the club. He won’t lose out financially in the end, he’s pocketing all the TV money, and will eventually sell covering his losses, even relegation won’t stop him, he’ll pocket the parachute payments.
    The average wage is now in the region of £64k pw, yes this is influenced by the over the odds wages like Shrek on almost £300k, but were offering £14k-£20k and no transfer fees. I honestly can’t see how we can stay up, we’re in turmoil, no unity, a clueless manager, poor squad, no positives whatsoever coming out of the club, these are worrying times, especially as we are now far worse off under Lerner than DE!!

  162. steamer

    Just read the SM article,anyone buying a st may as well flush their £££ down the bog and at least save themselves the misery of attending games, 8-0 will be a regular score against us next year, sorry can’t get any enthusiasm at all while these asset strippers are at VP, Joe Cole talks like an idiot when he talks about the current AVFC, we are CRAP, in my view anyone who gives these carpetbaggers £££ is an accessory to the death of AVFC.
    JL we’ve been around since 1874 and you’ve seen most of those years, is Lerner, in your opinion,the worst thing to happen to the club ? I loathe and detest Herbert but imo Lerner takes being a plank to a new level, i think he’s enjoying watching us squirm. I doubt very much if he’ll have the goolies to turn up in Texas but if he does then i hope someone snots him badly.

  163. Jenny Truman

    Doesn’t he look young on that u tube vid Steamer (CC and DH) I adore this sax solo and never get tired of listening to it – the majestic Clarence Clemens – sure PP will enjoy this too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8RmL0A6YPU

    Can’t make out whether PP ex bro in law shared a room with Paul McGrath or Paul McCartney ???

    Curtis Mayfield big love
    Al Green ditto –
    Michael Jackson genius
    Nile Rogers and Chic

    Ha ST75 – my girls also taking interest in my music they condemned as for oldies since the cool boys at school are now listening to house . I just love all soul music and dancing . They do northern soul dance classes now in some areas – isn’t that amazing.

    re the Mirror £10 mill story – why would they release that to info the press when they are trying to sell season tickets. Plus RL needs us in the prem to get the best price for the club.

  164. John Lerwill

    Steamer,

    I’ve not quite “seen” most of the 140 years … 🙂 Certainly 60+ years though.

    In football terms, RL must be the worst chairman we’ve had. How bad depends on how quickly the club can be handed over to someone who knows what to do. So it’s (a) speed of sale and (b) quality of purchaser that will determine how history reads RL, I’d say.

    I don’t know what his attitude is towards Villa fans but I can see how events have created impressions. And deep ones at that.

    Hey ho! Goodnight fellers.

  165. steamers75

    Jenny
    l had it with my neices, can l copy your records , Big NO ! l will tape them , as soon as they hit 16 , they get a inkling for our music , and its now happening with Jessie ,
    lv got everything Al Green ever made , seen him 6 times ,
    l remember going to see Marvin Gaye at Bingley Hall , what a disgrace to ask him to perform there the seats were a canvas folding thing and there was puddles all over the place , but he was magic , worth the discomfort ,
    one of my fav venues for concerts was Odeon New street , remember The Faces were on around 1973 and me and a couple of mates went up and asked the security guard to let us in for a fiver , no way pedro ! and as he walked off Jimmy had wedged his foot in the door and as soon as he disapeared we ran in straight to the front as everyone was standing , great show , only liked stewarts early stuff,
    night night gorgeous xxxx

  166. steamer

    Thanks for that Jen, love most bands with horns, B,S & T, Chicago ( early ), SJ & the Asbury Dukes, Colisseum, Steely Dan. Move on up by Curtis Mayfield was a White Swan favourite with the Villa skins. Al Green was one of the best produced singers around, couldn’t stand Michael Jackson a Frankie Lymon impersonator who also ripped off the moonwalk.
    Hope Tori is back on song, lots of bugs about.

  167. steamer

    St75,
    Look on Youtube at the Small Faces singing Tin Soldier, Stevie Marriot made Stewart sound like Ken Dodd on speed, saw him at the Odeon, great, Keef Richards wanted him to replace Brian Jones but that fat lipped ponce Jagger knew he’d take over as top dog and vetoed it. Who could ever take Jagger seriously ?

  168. steamers75

    steamer
    got all the small faces stuff on immediate label , great stuff ,
    lv put my name down at jessie’s Youth on Stage for the tallent contest , lm doing She and my stage name is Sharles azenuff ……do you want a ticket , will need a roadie matey ,

  169. Paul Pears

    Jen

    There is only one Macca, i.e. Paul McCartney, and he and Stuart were both left-handed guitarists.
    Stuart learned to play watching videos of Hank Marvin for hours on end, as he is left-handed too.

  170. southwestvillan

    Jen,

    Nothing surprises me about our club anymore, I truly believe we are being run by idiots and that has been the case for a good while now, lets just see if that particular rumour comes true initially the budget signings of Senderos and Cole backs that claim up, lets just see wether anymore of the same ilk arrives, although getting rid of people like Bent, Given and CNZ may free up more funds, but if Olbyun can sign players like Lescott ahead of us then we know we have big problems, who would I prefer between Lescott and Senderos not that difficult really is it.

    UTV

  171. Trinity

    “…her dressing room, but she said it’s okay..he can stay…!!!”

    Paul

    You must have been a bit of a smoothie in your youth. You should be helping S75 to bring out the Smoothie in Frem.

  172. Paul Pears

    Trinity

    I have had my moments.

    In recent years, i shared Elkie Brooks sandwiches in her dressing room, when she was at Brecon, and had a Marie Wilson (Just what I always wanted” sitting on my knee, at the same venue, and my final one of recent times was having a meet and greet with Katherine Jenkins at St. David’s Hall in Cardiff.

    I am sure with Jen drooling over ST75, he does not need my help…!!!

  174. steamer

    JL,
    Tiny Tim, Tiptoe Through The Tulips.

    Walking the mutt this morning and another dog walker told me that his two sons who WERE long standing ST holders have finally had enough, another £1,000 not going into Lerners pocket. The loyalists are dropping like flies, not all of us will be taken for mugs.

  175. Josh Cattier

    Paul, according to just about everyone I come across I look very similar to early Beatles McCartney. Just hope I don’t age like him. My mum was a big Beatles fan – but can’t really see them hooking up in the early 90s so I’ll take it as coincidence rather than actually being a descendent. Could probably still end up in a celeb magazine if I said I was his illegitimate child – ah, the World we live in eh?

    You guys would like Dead Weather. Raw as fuck alternative rock. Jack White on drums, Raconteurs bassist and The Kills singer and guitarist. Great little band.

  176. Frem

    Just saw Mick Mcarthy on SSN saying pre season is a fresh start for all the players. It’s a chance for the fringe players to push a claim and get in the first team

    lambert though, first day back will be ” KEA, Gabby, Westwood, Baker, Wiemann, your going to play every week how ever shite you keep playing. Helenius, Grealsih, Carruthers Zoggy, Tonev etc, there isn’t any point in you guys being here. Your just here to make up the 25 man squad. I will kill your careers for at least another season”

    Unfortunately for us, if there is one man to do the impossible and do even worse this season than last season, it’s Lambert. If there is a guy who can get his team to lose 13 home game games in a season, it’s Lambert

    Expectations for this season: Even less ambition and standards from Lambert. Even more body’s behind the ball. Even worse football being played. Even more long balls. Even more defeats and lies in his interviews

  177. Jenny Truman

    Steamer – my favourite Curtis Mayfield and in my top five : Move on Up – great sax there too. I would have been at home with the Aston Villa Skins then 🙂 They had good taste ! Same as you for the the brass – if there is a sax in there I will probably like the music. Maybe it is because I tap danced to the Glen Millar Band from an early age – Chatterona Chu Chu .

    Paul P – too many dressing rooms in your tales !!!!

    SWV – you’re right. The latest press reports have convinced me that it is everyman for himself up there – all with different personal agendas – self preservation top and with the club’s future way down the list. It’s me, me, me and we know where that will end up. We have RL acting like the woman scorned , (to the extent he is prepared to cut off his nose to spite his face as the risk of relegation and the financial impact has now doubled with his refusal to spend) and PL is thinking of his CV . Even before the season starts the press have been told by PL that he wanted Lescott, Hernandez and Holtby but RL wouldn’t let him. What does that do for morale? Sorry lads I have been left with you load of dregs but I am going to get my excuses in first. Yes, the financial constraints are hugely debilitating . but all the “I wanted x but wasn’t allowed to” could come out later not before we have kicked a ball. It just reinforces the mess we are in – our rivals must be loving it. As my nan used to say “don’t do your dirty washing in public” !.

    Then we have the usual comedy PR and more evidence of AV having no strategy or should I say not a clue. Good old Joe Cole tells the Bham Mail it will be an improved team with the “level playing field” bla bla Bent and NZog back and he couldn’t wait to play with them. Days later the same paper (or is it Xpress and Star) reporting that Darren Bent and Zog are to be sold to free up funds for new signings (don’t hold your breath on that one given our search area ) So the playing field has been ploughed up – we have publicly announced we are a desperate, rudderless, disjointed mess.

    Then to top it all, when we were all so worried about Chris Herd retiring from football due to “personal reasons” we learn from his Dad (who happens to be a football coach) that it was down to a massive fall out with the club (is this to do with Culverhouse ?) and he is training at BMH. Interesting article here about it http://t.co/R5f7FMDEBt

    THe only shining light is Ron VLaar – lets hope his team mates have read his words about dedication and sacrifice and have resolved to do better next season.

    Good to hear big man Paul McGrath on TS this morning – as Alan Brazil said “what on earth would he be worth now”.

  178. Jenny Truman

    And that link SWV posted about the theft of the charity ride bikes for Hillsborough – stolen in Liverpool – like you say “you couldn’t make it up”. 🙁

  180. Jenny Truman

    Cue the clubs lining up to bid us in the boll**cks for Bent and NZog – never tell your buyers you are desperate to sell. Dwight Yorke saying we haven’t progressed was wrong – we have our foot on the excelerator pedal in reverse. The bomb squad – synonymous with “unwanted and unworthy” and now we are desperate to sell the unworthy having written millions off their book value.

  181. Jenny Truman

    When I saw Heard in 2011 I really liked him Frem. He had a few good games and showed grit. I thought he had potential but he didn’t improve. Coaching ? The AV drinking culture? Hope he gets another chance so we can see whether he did have the potential rather than waste it.

  184. southwestvillan

    Jen,

    Wait for the squad numbers to come out which will not be long as there is a queue as long as Corporation Street to buy the Senderos shirt, and when Bent and CNZ are in the high thirties then we will have a good idea of stage three of Lamberts master plan.

    In fact if Lambert had any dignity and self respect he should walk away now and admit he could not keep working under these constraints, instead he keeps taking the money and will go down in history as the manager who relegated Aston Villa from the premier league.

    UTV

  185. southwestvillan

    According to the Express and Star this morning Keane is expected to be named in the next 24 hours on a job sharing basis with the ROI, it says this will save the Villa money as opposed to having a full time assistant, and Edna the tea lady at BH has been put on three days a week.

    UTV

  186. Frem

    I’m pretty sure Zoggy and Bent are in a different class to the other shite we have. Zoggy and Albri gone, that’s all our width and creativity gone. Cue 5 At the back and no width what so ever

    I do wonder why Lambert sticks around. It’s certainly not through love of Villa. The man has destroyed this club, he’s ashamed this’s club week after week but yet he still hangs around with no respect towards AVFC. He lies to fans, he treats us to the worst football many have ever seen Villa play. There’s only two reasons he’s staying

    A) he wants the sack to get the ££££. Have some dignity like iH when he walked from a Blackpool knowing he couldn’t take them on

    B) )he knows he’s failed. He knows he will go down as one of the worst, if not the worst manager in history if he walked now so he might as well stay on to try and improve us. He will be hailed a genius if he does. At the same time, he will send us down whilst trying to prove people wrong though but it wouldn’t matter, because even now he’s the worst manager we have had. Sending us down wouldn’t change that

  187. steamer

    dignity and self respect, lambert ??? not a chance in hell, more chance than talent though. he’s only after his £25,000 per week, twat.

  188. steamers75

    well that was a strange phone call , asking me if lm feeling better now and would l be interested in taking my old season ticket out again , l thought it was a nose winding me up , but no it was genuine , l told her lm sick and that l wouldnt be interested in renewing , she did ask was it a new illness ? l couldnt believe my luck , l told her no ” its been about 4 years now ” , sorry to hear that she said , yeah l said ” lm sick of the villa ” it went quite then she laughed , ” oh l see” got to admit l must have had the only descent person ring me as usually its like talking to an idiot , espescially the ticket office , lv had e-mails every year but not a phone call for years ,

    Jenny
    lm gonna have to get you a bib for all this drooling )) l know lv had to get one !!! xx

  189. steamer

    at least the wc has increased usa interest in ‘soccer’ now all we need is a couple of them to buy us.
    the latest is that the two billionaires will make an announcement either 01 july, 01 august or when the wc has finished, god i hate lerner.

    frem,
    nice to see you so relaxed after your holiday.

    jen,
    s75 used to do tap dancing till he slipped and fell in the sink.

  190. Frem

    I thought I had calmed down Steamer during Turkey but then you get back and Lambert is still in the job and Villa PR BS machine is in full swing. Joe Cole saying Lamberts side play good football. What twat forced him to say that. Baker today saying he’s relishing the competition. The statue out side is a better defender than he is

    Just look through AVTV match highlights. Loss. Loss. Loss. Loss. Loss. loss. Ooh, lucky win after parking the bus all game. Loss.loss. loss.

    Lambert after the Spurs game saying the players should be proud of them self’s after the season. WTF !!!!!!!!!!!! Just goes to show the man has no standards. Proud of breaking the home record since 1874. Proud of the football they served up. Proud of there one shot on target against Palace in the 89 th min

    I hate him. I hate him. I hate him

  192. Frem

    Keane to be announced today. Sunderland players said he tried to use fear to run Sunderland and they celebrated when he left. He might be another bully

    Hopefully he won’t stand for Lamberts shite tactics though and stand up to the twat

  194. Tony H

    Our defence has been pretty hopeless for four years and for two reasons. Reason one – no decent, consistent centre halves. Dunne and Collins were either always suspended or generously giving away OGs and penalties, Vlaar spends ages injured, Okore was knocked out for a season immediately, Clarke is a midfielder and Baker hasn’t come along quick enough.

    The second reason, I think, is the same reason Baker hasn’t come along quickly enough, Vlaar gets injured from diving and sliding about in last-gasp efforts. Our midfield have been hopeless at offering protection, very rarely controlling a game and – unless an opponent has gone two up and stepped back from the game – never ever seems to control the ball in possession.

    I’m telling you now – Roy Keane will be a net positive in improving Delph’s control, Clarke’s stepping up to be a holding midfielder and Westwood’s range of passing / running. Joe Cole should be there in a few games for the last half-hour.

    If our midfield improves – our defence improves dramatically.

    I don’t think we’ll set the world on fire but we shouldn’t be as awful as we were in April and May.

  195. B62 Villa

    So RK is to join today, a short term fix to help out Lambert on a cheaper part time basis.
    His management record to date has been one of abject failure, do he should fit right in at Ineptitude FC.
    We’re in a right mess, absolute freefall, there isn’t another team in the top flight as disorganised and inept as us. We have to be favourites for the drop, our squad is useless led by an idiot. We arent even trying to improve or progress, Lerner has asset stripped and raped the club to its bare bones, Lambert is helping him, there is no takeover in sight, and I don’t think there will be until next summer at the earliest, which could be too late. The level of hate I have for these scum running the club into the ground is at a premium level, the sooner these carpetbaggers are gone the better. I want the crowd to give them pelted from the get go, proper protests, roots if we have to, we have turned into Blues/Cov etc over these last few years and will soon be playing them every week.
    Swansea are getting Hylfi Siggurdson for £10m, due to the TV money, we get old king cole on a free, you can’t make it up, the average player earns around £3m a year, whilst we offer £1m, and we wonder why were fucked.
    We need a miracle

  196. steamer

    I had a productive meeting yesterday with Legion Worldwide.
    They are a specialist corporate finance house and have a lot of focus/clients who invest in sporting franchises/clubs.. They want me to front a bid and asked if I’d be interested. They would be no fortune to spend like Man City or Chelsea but good funding and a focus on top management, scouting and coaching.
    We left the meeting excited and all in agreement it was something we would like to progress but at this stage it was only a preliminary meeting. Now the hard work starts to find the necessary investors/investment.
    They have strong worldwide contacts who invest in all sorts of sports clubs/franchises and they do see Villa as an opportunity run right.

    As stated it wouldn’t be at the levels of Man City or Chelsea but good budget to buy players. Similar to Southampton model with the hope really shrewd management can get us back up there. Thomas Tuchel mentioned as a manager that could be targeted to work with a technical director.
    Open and honest communication with the fans and an appetite to do things right and play the right brand of football
    Beauty is all infrastructure in place Stadium, BMH.. Just needs a management team throughout club inc scouts that know what they are doing coupled with reasonable finance that will be nurtured and spent wisely.. Not wasted to the levels that Lerner’s money has, that is for sure.

    If this happens then great. If it kick starts other bids and gets the process moving again then that is good news also. All I want, like any Villa fan is to get the club in the right hands and be given a fair chance to compete and be run properly once more. I am sure the vast majority of supporters are grateful for at least my proactive movement in trying to help get the club sorted.

    Time is of the essence as as things stand we are in trouble and I haven’t seen anything happen in the close season thus far that will see us buck the trend of our form in the last 24 games of last season which delivered just 19 points which is blatant relegation form.

    This is likely to be my last communication on this as if it is to be pursued then I will shortly have to sign a Non Disclosure agreement.
    If it doesn’t then I’ll be back! UTV

    howard hodgson today

    if he has his way then no chance of shit for brains staying, yipppeeeee, piss off lerner, lambert and keane.

  197. steamers75

    phuking hell , l thought steamer had got his tablets all mixed up and he’d been messing about on the net …….. then l saw the Hodgson name .
    just had to go a change a couple of lights at a bluenose house , tied all his trouser legs up and his shirt sleeves ,turned all his jackets inside out and mixed all his socks up , put his wifes nickers in his drawer and his Y-fonts in hers ,and put a big cardboard sign saying ” shit on the city ” under his bed sheet ………… ya dont mess with the cisco kid !!! ) …………. WAR , saw the group live about 75 at the odeon , brilliant and love this track ,

  198. Paul Pears

    Excellent news Steamer,

    Let’s hope he has some success, although it sounds as if, once the World Saucer fiasco finishes, then we may have some firm bids confirmed for the club.

    Should be an interesting day next Monday when the players report back for training, and hopefully the squad numbers are announced.

  199. Frem

    Fair play to HH

    Tony- I hope Clark is moved to DM, but doubt it will happen. Keane should make our soft touch over paid half arsed players actually show some fight. He’s a winner. There’s not a single one of them at villa at the moment

    Just April and May? What about August, September, October etc etc ?

  200. Frem

    Everyone is signing players to improve them. Ince to Hull

    Since when could Swansea have more ambition than Aston Villa ?

  202. John Lerwill

    So, Keane is keen and in the Villa fold.

    Just thinking that it’s 20 years this year since Villa put his team through the mincer at Wembley.

    What a day!

  204. steamer

    £25m for a player who couldn’t get a game for the worst team at the WC.

    So another dud manager at VP, the dud duo has a ring to it. Which Ipswich player said that criticism was ok but Keane made it personal ? When Lambert goes i hope to God that he goes too, people say he’s a winner, only as a player in a crap league, he’s an unqualified coach with a dodgy managerial record working with a total prick, recipe for disaster.

  205. steamer

    Ian,
    But could he drink 15 pints and eat two Rubies without being Moby Dick after a game in preparation for another game the following day ? He can’t be that good, he can’t afford double glazing and knocks of Supermarket trolley#s for a living.

  207. Jenny Truman

    We now have an assistant more famous than the manager and any of our players . It’s going to be entertaining at least . He talks to the press tomorrow .

  208. Jenny Truman

    Thinking about Keane – we all know him as we remember him as a player and pundit and his press exploits . If you look at our players – Benteke , Okore, Sylla, Helenius, Kozak, Ahmedi , Vlaar , Petrovs mate whose name escapes me who couldn’t hit a barn door – how much will they know about Roy Keane . Clark will know more than most . I wonder what the definition of part time is – is he working week in week out with just the Ireland duties taken out or is he on a three day / half day . He is filling the shoes of two men . This means PL may have to take greater coaching role – good luck on that one . Can’t see RK takjng orders from many ppl .
    If you want a break from the WC , take a look on AV official face book site under “Welcome Roy Keane ” with photo underneath of Keane glaring his most evil death stare . As my mate texted me “it’s a more frightening stare than I would get off the mother in law ” 🙂 🙂

  210. steamer

    the os doesn’t explain why he would be welcome at vp just bs about his coaching which wasn’t exactly successful was it, another crepe judge of a player,37 signed for blunderland, and Lerner regards it a cost cutting, the dumb bollox hasn’t worked out that all these crap players add up to a few half decent ones although this pair wouldn’t recognise one if they shared the same jockstrap, club is shite from top to bottom, definitely going down while its full of knobs, hope there’s a contageous disease that wipes out dickheads, fuck ’em, wankers.

  212. Josh Cattier

    Not keen on Keane. Agree that he might give a few the kick up the arse they need – but they’re the ‘Bomb Squad’ who Lambert would rather be without and will definitely still look to sell. Other than that, only Weimann and Lowton have appeared to lack motivation in games – it’s the skill and quality required that’s missing. As Lambert loved to roll out “I can’t fault the effort”. But we are shit. And shit gets us in the shit. Down we go.

  213. steamers75

    well l think Frem and Josh hold the rights to the use of the word SHIT ! on the site , another cracker of a sentence , this time from Josh )) But we are s**t. And s**t gets us in the s**t. Down we go , advertisers in the making , thanks you two , it keeps us laffing and no doubt will be mentioned in the caff tomorrow .

    how good is this yank fullback Yedlin ………..

    night all

    night Jenny …..xx

  214. Frem

    If only we had Bradley in our midfield still. Someone who a actually passes a ball forwards.

    Newcastle signing Ajax captain De Jong. Quality player. WBA close to signing a talented Monaco forward. Ince to Hull. Gomis to Swansea

    Keane and Senderdross to Villa.

    Where did it all go so wrong. Is this actually Aston Villa football club? A once proud club

  217. Tony H

    Frem – wasn’t Bradley she-ite in our midfield. He never got on the ball to pass it…

    It was under McLeish though – was’t it?

  218. Clive Evans

    I’m not convinced Keane is the answer – in the days of Ron Saunders it might have worked but in the days of the prima donna mercenaries it will not. At least Liverpool have seen the light and are unloading Jaws.

    We are seriously going to struggle this coming season and I’m sure all my fellow ‘lifers’ will get no satisfaction from being proved right.

    My only consolation is that I now live far enough away that I cannot buy a season ticket. I recall a shout from the scoreboard corner at the Holte End as Vila prepared for the second division ‘Come on Villa – we have to live round here’! I live on the other side of the world but I still care.

  219. southwestvillan

    Clive,

    Just a few of Mr.Keanes quotes what a beauty:

    On being punched in the face by Brian Clough:

    “Cloughie was dead right, absolutely. It was the best thing he ever did for me. It’s good to get angry. It’s an emotion and part of the game. It’s good to go a bit mad but I don’t throw teacups around. That’s not my style – I’d rather throw punches.”

    On his former Ireland boss Mick McCarthy:

    “Who do you think you are having meetings about me? You were a crap player and you are a crap manager. The only reason I have any dealings with you is that somehow you are the manager of my country and you’re not even Irish you English ****!”

    On playing for his country:

    “I love playing for my country but my sanity is more important.”

    Roy the feminist

    “If they don’t want to come because their wife wants to go shopping in London, it’s a sad state of affairs. To me, that player is weak because his wife runs his life.”

    On pundits:

    “Will those on telly yesterday be remembered for what they’ve achieved? None whatsoever. I wouldn’t trust them to walk my dog. There are ex-players and ex-referees being given air-time who I wouldn’t listen to in a pub.”

    UTV

  221. Clive Evans

    I must get this app for my senile brain – I inadvertently posted my comment twice only to receive an immediate comment from WordPress to remind me I already said that. It might save me recounting incidents in my life only for my friends to say ;You already told us that Clive’!

    I’m now going to try and press ‘Post Comment’ ONCE

  222. southwestvillan

    Clive,

    There is a saying that everyone deserves a chance in life and some deserve a second chance, but in Keanes case I am willing to make an exception, I have never liked the man and the way he has gone about his business so he immediately gets my back up, in fact I side with Cloughie in the fact that I too would love to punch him in the face, to respect someone it helps if you can connect to them, I have and do not wish any connection to Keane.

    It will be interesting to see how the likes of Vlaar and Delph take to his shall we say over aggressive coaching style.

    UTV

  224. Paul Pears

    SWV

    Your Keane quotes somehow reminded me of Steamer….

    Could easily have been his…..LOL…

    I am sure that Keane will shake things up at Villa, and from all the things that have come out so far, it is what is needed. I thought the drinking cultures etc were supposed to have died out years ago. Obviously they have returned at Villa. No wonder we had such appalling results.

    It is time there was discipline and a desire to win, some of our players may not be the best, but with a desire to win and total commitment, anything is possible.

    Let’s hope we can stay reasonably injury free this season, and start to build a regular squad that can go forward.

    It is time to ease up on the pessimism and start to look for the positives which may come from an interesting blend of youth and experience, and let the players know that we intend to support them.

  225. Heroes-and-Villans

    Brilliant quotes from Keano. Who says his coaching is over aggressive?

    Keane speaks his mind and will be honest and up front with anyone. Not a bully. A bully prays on the weak.

    I would of thought he is just what we need but lets see how it works out!

  226. Heroes-and-Villans

    Positives
    Keane in for culverhouse
    Learner wants to sell
    tekkers back in sep
    koazac, okore nzog gg fit
    gg carruthers sign new deals
    grealish to make impact
    joe cole to fill the hole!
    kits look better
    lambert dead man walking

  227. Jenny Truman

    Agree with you 100% there Andrew. Keane as a motivator and one who has done it against all odds (he was rejected for not being tall enough ) Keane who gave his all and expects others to do the same may be ok . Vlaar was complaining about the drinking culture at AV a couple of weeks ago so maybe he will welcome someone who can teach our players what commitment and sacrifice means . That’s teach not intimidate or confront . If RK has matured and can soften his style and build a good relationship with our players then he may be what we need to help us and our raggle taggle bunch stay in the Premiership until our new owner comes in. Whether it works or not , it certainly won’t be boring .

  228. Mark King

    SWV

    you missed this quote from Keane, “when am I going to get my £20 back from ST75 you meet a bloke once in Dublin and he robs you blind”

  229. Mark King

    I’m not panicking yet and probably not ever, I think with a fully fit squad and a bit of life from gardener, Grealish, carruthers and co we will improve. its hard not too when you look at the squad that finished the season. all sicknotes back in the squad and surely Keane will be pointing out to Lambert “you don’t play football like that” therefore I’m going to be optimistic, mainly to wind steamer up and partly because I’m not a Bluenose

  230. Frem

    A fully fit squad, we could do alright……….with a decent manager. something we dont have

    Zoggy, Grealsih, GG etc wont get a look in with lambet. We will have five at the back, no width

    I’m hoping Keane will change this, tell Lambert to do one and tell him KEA is no midfiled player. At least he will demand hard work unlike last season where they did feck all in training. There was no winning mentality, no pressure on anyone to win

    Keane is probably our new manager in fact going by what IC did

  231. Frem

    “I am not promising miracles but hopefully an improvement.”

    Translates to-

    Not even a miracle can save the shower of shite at this club.

    Keane will do all the work whilst Lambert sits in his office playing football manager

  232. steamer

    Mark,
    Who says i’m not optimistic ? i’m predicting a possible bottom but one finish, with our management and players i would say that’s WILDLY optimistic. Lets be honest here, Lambert is embarrassingly inept, thats why he lies all the time, Keane is making a living by perpetuating this pathetic image of being an ogre, if he was that tough he’d have tried pro boxing not a few amateur jousts. Lerner as everyone knows is a totally clueless inadequate who must be an embarrassment to his family, everything he does he fucks up. With Faulkner i think the jury’s out, is he a twat or a total twat ? so fuckin useless its hard to work out, so there we have it, optimism by the thimble full.

  234. Frem

    Pretty much yes Steamer. You can play long ball for fun on it

    You can sign as many left backs and strikers as you want as well

    No surprises the latest links are to a left back and striker. By pass the midfield as usual. Hopefully Keane will sort it out

  235. Frem

    Is it strange how we have reviled Keane as a new manager ? The club know we won’t do anything better this summer so milk it as much as possible

  238. Frem

    He’ll certainly help me, that’s for sure. He’s someone I’ll be able to lean on really strongly.

    Lambert on Keane. Translate to

    ” Hes someone I can let do all the work whilst I play on my computer. The only thing I will do still is lie in post match interviews “

  240. Mark King

    christ now this headline throws up all sorts of shit, in january we got a real (fat) man
    now we got to forget all the bollocks that’s come before because now we have a real football man!! with a beard!! so a beardy football man that’s real!!! yay I can sleep better at night now

    http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/BlogsEntry/0,,10265~3945642,00.html?

  242. Mark King

    Lambert: now Roy if your going to join us there’s a few things you need to know.

    Roy: what’s that Paul

    Lambert: well, our players they erm don’t actually know what a football is.

    Roy : what!?

    Lambert: well I’ve been telling them for two years we don’t need one, and that it
    burns if you touch it

    Roy: you Feckin what!?

    Lambert: Oh and we get points the further you kick it away from you during a match.

    Roy: come here you ejit!!

    Lambert: calm down Roy! let go of me its not all bad! they know being at the bottom is progress!!! ow! oooo!! argh!!!!!!

  243. Roderick Seel (Sam)

    Soooo….

    Yer in the market for a new dog, you’ve done the research and looked at the cost. Now the prized animals are fetching silly money and with the knowledge that your house is on the market, realistically, the cost is too high, so you decide to set your sights on something a bit cheaper.

    You like the thought of a Labrador they are easy going and good with kids, but, again the cost is an issue and they are not going to be given the run out they deserve.

    There is of course the mongrel, but you never know what yer gonna get in the long run.

    A bulldog, now your talking great with kids, lots of spirit and faithful, traditionally the breed of the nation. But…. there’s the cost again.

    Anyway after a late night drinking session down the local you get into a dog related conversation with a couple of guys you’ve never met before. They tell you about this pit-bull, lovely thing, “came highly regarded in its day” says one guy. The other tells how it’s had a few problems but is great now. “It will give the whole household a lift!” says he.

    Another consideration is its well cheap as long as you don’t mind sharing it, so you take a look. It’s a bit weathered and beaten but still looks in reasonable shape. So, with cash in hand and against the wishes of the family you fork out for the pit-bull.

    Three months pass and the pit-bull seems to be getting on ok, doesn’t bother with the tortoise or the kids and sleeps at your feet, you could say its money well spent.

    One day next doors cat jumps onto the fence wanting to see what all the fuss is about, the dog sees it and without even a second thought its after the cat, clawing at the fence and chewing the panels. One of the kids makes a grab for the collar before the fence collapses but the dog removes the thumb and the three fingers from the boy without even stopping for breath.

    What do you do?

    1, get rid of the dog.
    2, blame the kid for being in the way
    3, blame the cat from next door
    4, blame yourself for not listening to those who said not to get it
    5, leave the dog there and move out and let the new owners deal with it

    Lesson…never ever trust an animal with behavioral issues, sooner or later you’ll get bitten!

    Roy Keane my arse!!!!

  248. Frem

    I do Andrew

    Keane is the boss now. If Lambert or Keane is talking to you about football, who are you going to take notice off? The guy who won 7 premier league titles as Captain, a champions league and FA cups, who the twat who masterminded 12 home defeats in a single season ?

    jack Grealish has to be a huge part this season. I don’t want him just sitting on the bench all season. The lad can be class. He should be a starter behind the main striker. Class act

  250. Tony H

    Rod – Paul McGrath had behavioural issues when we took him from Man Utd – he still turned out to be the best player I’ve ever seen. A hero.

    What kind of a nation of pussies have we turned into? A few media storms and comments that aren’t the PR sanitised guff we hear all day every day and a man is positioned as anything from a bully to a thug to a lunatic.

    Roy Keane as a player was rough – he hurt some players and was caught and punished. He is surely not alone in that in professional football.

    Roy Keane as a manager – like every manager on the planet – has had mixed results in his first three years of management. Brilliant to get Sunderland up, not good enough with them later on and with Ipswich.

    Can I challenge the lads who are mad negative on Keane to be a little more consistent in their opinions.

    Lambert, according to a lot of the moaning on here, gives dry boring deceitful and misguided tv interviews after matches because he says things the media won’t use against him.

    Roy Keane, on the other hand, speaks his mind and gives blunt honest opinions to the media – not caring how they take it – and he’s some kind of rought talking bully, lunatic!!!

    Where’s the consistency there?

    Also – modern players are primadonnas – according to folklore – don’t know graft, are mollycoddled, lazy and all the rest of it.

    But when a few useless players from Sunderland and Ipswich – whom we’ve barely ever heard of – say Roy Keane was a bit rough with them – well then WOW! we take their testimony as proof of holy writ rather than taking what they say with a pinch of salt and remembering there’s two sides to every story. Let’s completely ignore how he won manager of the month three times. If that was Ian Holloway we’d still be talking about it.

    Last year we openly wondered why some basic things weren’t being done right – what were our coaches about? We seemed to tidy up our pitiful defence of set pieces but nothing else. It then transpired that there was some issues with our coaches. We were and are accustomed to having coaches we know very little about and who have achieved very little in the game.

    Now we’re getting a fully qualified coach who won medals from the best footballing culture in the country – the team with the best record of bringing on young players and the team that never played negative, defensive football and always chased everything down.

    I can understand some reservations but for you guys to look at the media caricature (I don’t know how to spell that and I’m not looking it up!) and pretend that that is all we need to know about Keane – ignore all the good stuff – I despair.

    What the feck is wrong with you people?

  251. Mark King

    tony h

    what it comes down to is, if we had been bought out nobody would we be hailing Keanes capture as a major step toward a bright new future would they? we are in the shit and he is a stop gap at best and has flaws when weighed up against his peers. Keane has psychopathic tendencies but doesn’t seem to know when to use them and when not to. before you shoot me down lots of top achievers have them, lawyers, surgeons and SAS troops all have these tendencies and used in a controlled way they give advantages such as coolness under stressful situations. Keane in my opinion has his on display 24/7 and is a bit hair trigger. by no means does this say he won’t do us some good its just that he is perceived this way for a reason no smoke no fire and all that.

  252. B62 Villa

    The new West Ham shirt is really nice, Adidas have done an updated version of the classic frank mcavennie 80’s shirt.
    Far better than the watered down over priced TAT Macron keep offering us ( oh and they have kept their traditional crest!!)
    The club is a shambolic mess from top to bottom, no player worth their saltis gonna come here whilst these carpetbaggers are stripping the club of everything of value and it’s dignity.
    Until we are taken over, the only way Villa are heading is down.
    RK is here on £500k per year on a part time basis, combining it with his £700k ROI contract, he won’t be here as a constant, I think Lambert will still be the manager for the entire season, unfortunately RL and PF will still be here also, overseeing our capitulation possibly into the championship.

  253. Jenny Truman

    I agree Tony. Yes RK was aggressive , nasty and vindictive . But was he a bully ? No . He didn’t target the weaker . In fact most of his enemies were bigger and stronger -eg Vierra . In his culture and psychological make up it’s an eye for an eye and however wrong that might be in some people’s moral spectrum , it doesn’t make him a bully.

    I also don’t agree he’s tried to cultivate a hard man image either . That us the press’s doing . His natural demeanour is genuinely miserable and dour. He didn’t choose to be a fighter as he loves football – and if he didn’t he wouldn’t have achieved what he did – and that was impressive . He might not have the right qualities to be a manager but his strengths as a player and captain just might be able to be passed onto our bunch . Great players don’t necessarily make good managers . But RK has got something special in his winning mentality and determination . And yes , how biased of the Evenjng Mail to put up a list of quotes showing the bad side of him and failing to highlight his impressive achievements. Paul McGrath said in the mirror that RK would be fantastic for AV and he knows him and has worked with him. No, he can’t turn poor players into good players because he’s not a magician . But he just might be able to get more out of them and inspire them to greater performances than we saw last season . This will be his defining appointment IMO and he needs to make this work if he is to have the career in management he desires .

  254. Frem

    B62- your right, everything at the club is a mess, even down to the kit maker. It should be Puma, Adidas or Nike, not bloody Macron

    Keane isn’t even full time Job then? So does that mean Lambert will be training the players on his own ? Scary thought

    The sooner someone buys us, the better. Change everything about this club

  256. B62 Villa

    Frem
    I phoned up to move my ST seat, I pretty much had the whole Holte to choose from, ST are massively down , I read Albion have sold twice as many as us, as have Norwich( who went down), we easily outsold both last year, but we’ve struggled to sell 10k to date, that figure would rise massively if we had any hope, something to ignite the fanbase, A takeover, new manager, decent players anything, but NO we just get a weekly kick in the bollox.
    VP will be empty next season at this rate. Looking around the top flight and most clubs are better than us, I’m actually dreading this season, it’s gonna take a lot of alcohol to get me through a very long winter if discontent.
    Iv always been proud of being a brummie and supporting my local team, but now it’s becoming embarrassing, even the vermin and the baggies have got more to look forward too than us

  257. Frem

    It’s a great shame B6. As you say, the fan base of this club is huge. The following it gets every away game is immense. They have given up now. Lambert will get the picture when he reads season ticket sales. He’s fucked this club up big time

  258. steamer

    B62,
    Best news iv’e heard for ages, if the club goes bump we’ll be sold on the cheap and hopefully Lerner will be in the gutter, if thats what it takes then so be it because its gonna happen sooner or later under these mugs.
    Roy Keane is Norman Bate’s barmy cousin, he should have several criminal charges on his record by now, he only escaped jail because of the other criminals at the Theatre of Bullshite and their legal team, do i want this nutter at VP ? never in a million years, he can’t offer this club ANYTHING.

  259. Frem

    Where you going in the Holte? I’m going same place I’ve been last 10 seasons. Upper Holte. Two rows back from the balcony. Never want to move, ever. Love where I sit

  262. steamer

    Frem,
    Nice seats, i think you’ll find that if you attach a rope to the seat frame and tie the other end around your neck then after the final game of next season you will find it fairly easy to make the ultimate sacrifice.

  264. The Droyd

    I’m actually quite optimistic about the new season. Obviously it’s unlikely that we can break into the top half with this squad but we could be challenging mid table if things go our way. We were mid-table for much of last season until some horrific injury problems set us back.

    We lacked experience and leadership last season. I think Lambert has addressed that already.

    We now need a bit more quality in the team. Let’s look at the squad compared to last season…

    Goalkeepers:

    Given will be challenging Guzan for No 1 status presuming no other club will pay his silly wages. This is an improvement on last year when Guzan had no competition.

    Defence:

    Hutton isn’t great but I think he is a better defender than Lowton and Bacuna. Okore and Senderos will improve the central defence. No need to play the awful Baker unless there is an injury crisis. Losing Bertrand is a blow and we are nowhere near good enough in the left back area. Maybe Bennett can make it but Luna has to go. Someone else needs to be brought in. Overall we should see a big improvement in defence presuming we can hold onto Vlaar. I don’t hold out much hope of Chris Herd making it but he is another utility player added to the squad.

    Midfield:

    Much the same as last year but we have lost Albrighton and gained N’Zogbia and Cole. This should really improve our creativity options provided these two additions are fit enough. We badly lacked creativity at Villa Park and the two additions to the squad should help that, along with the potential star Grealish and returning Gardner.

    Attack:

    We have gained Bent and lost Holt, otherwise unchanged. I think Bent is a massive upgrade on Holt personally. Much will also depend on how and when Benteke and Kozak return from injury. I would like to see Weimann in a central role with N’Zogbia taking his place on the right until the big strikers are fit again.

    Overall I think this is a much improved squad. I’m happy with the appointment of Keane. Left back is the area we urgently need a signing otherwise we have good options in all areas. Obviously we would love to see any of these areas improved on in quality but the manager has to operate within Lerner’s financial instructions.

  265. John Lerwill

    Jenny,

    Some years ago RK made a terrible tackle on a player (can’t remember who he was) – a really bad one. I felt at the time that that was a tackle from someone with malicious aforethought and that it revealed something of the mentality of the man. And that tackle wasn’t the only bad one he produced though it was the worst that I can recall.

    So I’m afraid I can’t go with your “I also don’t agree he’s tried to cultivate a hard man image…”.

    However, that’s not to say he hasn’t reformed and become more human. And there are winning qualities he has that should be an asset. We shall see I suppose.

    Perhaps he might recall how Villa beat Man U so well at Wembley in ’94 and re-adopt those Villa tactics!!

  267. Frem

    Improved squad. Mmm. Not even Fulham wanted to keep hold of Senderdross in January. Bennett. Lol.

    I think Bent in on his way out. We won’t see much of him

    My only hope is Man U under Fergi were all about wingers. Neville went on about it a lot last season when Moyes stopped Playing with wingers

    Zoggy———Grealsih——–Tonev

    ——————fuck knows———-

    Strike force is a worry. Wiemann and Gabby are poor. I think Martin Skirtel scored more goals than the useless twats put together. Wiemann a celebration again Hull made me hate him even more. Kosak can’t play on his own, he needs a partner so he can’t play in that formation

    We need a left back, and a DM minimum. We have two number 10’s in Cole and Grealish now although Grealish won’t plAy if Lambert has anything to do with it, nor will any of the other youngsters

  269. Frem

    Steamer- when Stoke scored there 4th goal against us, I would have happily tied a rope around my neck with a sign saying F off Lambert attached around me

    I mean, Stoke scored 4 Away goals against us. There first ever time they scored 4 away goals in the prem. If anyone at board level had any knowledge or standards of football, Lambert would have been sacked for a crime against football after that. Hughes got a rugby team playing football in less than a season. Lambert was 2 seasons in and looked what happened

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