The season, at least in Premier League terms, is over. Aston Villa are safe, and Tim Sherwood has done the job he was set out to do.

For now – well at least until Saturday’s FA Cup Final – we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Despite survival seeming like a meagre reward – at least in comparison to the club’s previous successes, the truth is that being part of the top flight is key to financial survival for any historically large club.

In that sense, Villa are at a disadvantage compared to the teams that come up. Yes, promoted teams can sometimes suffer with a lack of quality at this level but, for the most part, they don’t have massive overheads and expectations weighing them down. If you’re Leicester City, most expect you to go down so when they pulled an astonishing run at the end of the season, people are happy. By comparison, if you’re Villa and you’re languishing at the wrong end of the table, people are understandably going to be angry.

So it is with that lens that I, as a Villa fan, look at the club’s season. Survival has been a great thing to achieve – there’s no doubt about that – but looking deeper, the same old fears are there.

What are those fears? Firstly that the squad is not particularly solid. Yes, Sherwood has got the club over the finish line with inspiration, but there are many people that I’d be happy to see leave.

Others, despite being useful in my opinion – Carles Gil being a prime example – seem to have no future at the club. In those cases, I imagine we’ll see change that I don’t agree with. However, the manager is in charge and he, not I, will live and die by his choices he makes.

Which brings me to the manager. Sherwood has done what was asked of him and achieved his goal. That goal, especially given the state of our confidence after losing to Hull City, shouldn’t be underestimated, and we should be thankful – in my mind, we were gone under Paul Lambert had he stayed, and I fully support the choices the board made to get rid of a the man.

The concern I have is longer term. Few can doubt that Sherwood’s arrival was an inspiration for the players. Christian Benteke actually started scoring again, and Villa seemed capable of getting over the finish line. Happy days.

The fear I have is illustrated clearly against Southampton and Burnley. Arguably the Burnley game was a case of making do given injuries and the cup final, but the lack of desire and ability was pretty evident.

Against Southampton, Villa were woeful. That Sadio Mane managed to score the Premier League’s fastest hat trick says it all about Villa’s defensive capability and Sherwood’s tactical naivety. Southampton are a solid team, sure, but are they are 6-1 loss team for a club like Villa?

This isn’t to suggest some arrogant belief that Villa should be entitled to roll right over the likes of Southampton, but 6-1 is a disgrace – nothing less.

The club’s recent slogan “Fight like lions” appears rather unrepresentative of Villa within the last two games – at St Mary’s, Villa were destroyed by naive tactics, whilst at home against Burnley, Villa were lethargic.

As stated previously, there are explanations for these performances – tiredness and injury, for example – but Villa as a team seem less than bothered, a bunch of characters who don’t seem to want to show up on any consistent level.

Where this comes from is very hard to know. Martin O’Neill’s past history brought in people on overpaid contracts, but that ship has sailed long ago. However, the remnants of a psychological pattern of ambivalence and lethargy still persists.

Honestly, sitting watching the Burnley game – which was poor in reality – it didn’t feel like we were playing a relegated team. If anything, it felt very much like we were the relegated team, given Burnley were pinging the ball about and exposing the midfielders-as-full-backs tactics. Villa were, for want of better words, not up for it.

That, whatever our current situation – financial, tactical or managerial – is not acceptable. Clubs who want to do more than survive have to have players who have the appetite for success, and be willing to be on the training pitch trying harder and for longer than other teams.

Success, as with anything of value, is not easy to achieve. There are no shortcuts to it, and we must not think that Sherwood’s arrival singularly brings some sudden change to our circumstances – to do so would be foolish and bordering on idiocy.

The honest reality is that Villa are a wreck, a product of an owner who had no strategy or plan and whose expenditure – whilst kind hearted and well meaning – created the bubble which burst many years ago. The squad, whilst far from a mess, needs a massive overhaul. I have doubts, for example, that Andreas Weimann and Gabriel Agbonlahor are wanted by the manager based on his systems, much the same way as Darren Bent didn’t fit a side that had its wingers sold.

This doesn’t suggest that any of the aforementioned trio are terrible players, but rather that they are a poor fit for a team and, as with any team logic or utilitarian methodology, what suits the most of what is put forward as the plan.

Sadly for Villa, what has suited the most for a long while has been mediocrity. The team, on paper, should win more games than they do, but the truth is that they don’t. What Sherwood needs to do now is to weed out those who want to just muddle along – they are either fully committed or they’re gone.

If not, Villa are destined to be a constant source of anger and frustration for you or I. The club aren’t dead and buried with such a legacy, but they similarly are going to need a lot of work to get back up the ladder to former glories.

Should Sherwood manage such an achievement, I’ll be the first to applaud him and his efforts for the club. That said, a lot needs to change – and there is no simple fix – if Villa are to scrape themselves off the bottom half of the table and start winning things.

For the sake of own collective hearts and minds, let’s hope that Saturday gives us the kick up the backside to attract winners rather than excess players who have had very easy lives at Villa Park.

Share On:
Facebook
Google +
This entry was published on / Matt Turvey. Posted in Aston Villa Blog, Columns, Turvey's Thoughts. Bookmark the permalink.

The Author

Profile Photo
Matt Turvey
Matt is the owner of, and chief writer for, Aston Villa Life. He is also a columnist for the Wolverhampton Express & Star, appearing in the Kick Off pullout on Saturdays and the Final Whistle pullout the Monday after Aston Villa play, as well as every Thursday as a blogger on their website. He has previously been featured as a writer on Football365 and Life's A Pitch, and was a regular pundit for Sports Tonight TV on Sky.

Comments 150

  1. southwestvillan

    Matt,

    A fair assessment of where we are as a club.

    We have been lacking any type of direction for the last four seasons and we can count ourselves extremely lucky to be still playing in the premier league, at times we have looked like the worst team in this division and I sometimes think we deserved to take the drop through sheer lack of ambition.

    Can Sherwood change the mentality of this club without it having new owners I definitely think not, a change at the top is needed before we can move collectively forward.

    Talk of lower league players coming in makes me think of the days under Lambert when we saw the likes of Bowery come into the club knowing they would never make the grade, in fact we do not want squad players because the majority of the first team are just that, we need players who can come in and improve the first eleven which is why we have been struggling for such a long time.

    Another season scrapping at the wrong end of the table will make us look like a very poor mans Wigan, and eventually we will tempt fate once too often and fall through the trap door.

    AVFC ITWT

  2. Matt Turvey

    Southwest,

    I agree – Tim alone isn’t going to fix anything as we have deep seated issues that need broad change to achieve.

    I think Fox arriving was a good move by Randy, but I do have my concerns about the chairman’s ability to own and run a football club, although hopefully that aspect will be sorted in the not-too-distant future.

    Good to see everyone still commenting by the way – I’m in the middle of moving house and work is manic so not got on as much as I’d like 🙁

  3. runtings

    Hi AVL crew

    Matt yes you are right there is no quick fix – the club has some good player but equally some sub standard ones – so lots of juggling to do to make us into more of a winning team

    I was at a festival over the weekend but stayed in a hotel and got out of the shower , slapped on my latest villa shirt curtoisy of ST75 (Thank again ST) i walkied into the breakfast area only to hear boos and hisses
    i looked up and i was in a room full of baggies fans 🙂

    there was a fair bit of banter and i asked them too knobble sanchez and do us a really big favor — it didnt go down well

    fairplay to them it was great humor between us and i had a coach load of baggies waving at me when there coach pulled of for the airport.

    i keep checking for news on a possible imminant takeover — as anyone heard any rumblings ?

  4. DarrenO

    I don’t disagree for a second that we’ve scrapped along the bottom since MON left and that Lerners’ naivety in managing a football club led to the malaise and we’ve been surprisingly very lucky in having 3 worse team then us these last few seasons.

    But right now we have a core of a good team that given the right motivation and tactics could progress up the league, where the gap is, is in strategy, so many players bought have been plasters over holes, panic buys when whatever alleged scouting system thought Bennett was the answer at fullback was then replaced and replaced again. Even Darren Bent was bought to get us over the line. Benteke was a fluke based on who we’ve bought under Houllier/McLeish/Lambert.

    TS needs to sit down and put together a strategy based on a playing style that makes the best use of a very good midfield by enhancing defence and attacking options. Then whoever owns us has to back the manager, there is sufficient funds generated to facilitate purchases beyond Swindon players and the sale of Gabby and Wiemann will bring in an extra 50 quid.

    Back to my half glass of champagne to remind everyone unlike every other club in England except Arsenal our season isn’t over yet.

  5. John Lerwill

    A brilliant article, Matt.

    I only have one quibble to make in that there’s an old adage that says something like: “You can only play as well as the opposing team lets you”. I say that purely in the context of the Burnley match where I think Villa were apparently short of ideas, but if you examine closely they did have some very good chances which were either wasted (squandered even) or well saved by their keeper. Even playing as they did, it’s a match that Villa might have come away from with a 3-1 win — *if* they had taken their chances. After Villa scoring 1 or 2 then I think Burnley would have lost their bearings.

    But that’s all by-the-by – it’s history now … particularly as a Cup Final is a one-off and because Arsenal will be a very different type of opposition. It will be very interesting to see what team selection TS will come up with.

    On reflection, though, I’m not sure that Villa are a “wreck”. As I said earlier, if TS had been in charge from the start of the season then I feel certain there would have been no chance of Villa being involved in a relegation battle. OK, not much better than a mid-table finish, perhaps, but it would still have been a far better experience than the previous 3 seasons.

    Yes, there is a great deal of work to do – and we wait with baited breath as to what is going to happen ownership-wise and then what kind of investment will be available. At present I’d say we seem destined to be a mid-table team for the foreseeable future, and while that’s not great, it’s a far better proposition than what we’ve had these past few years.

    However, Fox says there’s a plan. And an ambitious plan at that. Well, we’ve all heard that before and I’m sure no-one is going to accept his word on face value. But – who knows – he may well know something we don’t! 🙂

  7. Jason Chalifour

    Before the season began, and certainly when Lambert was sacked I would have been happy with survival. If the club has the ambitions they say they have to move up the table they need to spend some money. The net-spend in the past year was embarassing. Paul Lambert’s Bomb Squad mentality did not help raise funds either. We haven’t sold a player for a significant profit since Downing four years ago. Not that we should want to sell our best players, but worse than being a selling club is being a club with no players anybody wants to buy.

    If we are to truly be a top-half side next season there needs to be a £20-£30m net spend. The money we haven’t spent in the past year, and the increased TV money needs to be given to the manager. We need two strikers (three if Benteke is sold), a left-back, center-back, Cleverly or another midfielder of his class, and probably a goalkeeper to push Guzan (I don’t trust Given due to age and fitness concerns). I have no problem signing lower league players, we just can’t repeat the mistakes of Paul Lambert and try to bring in six of the “young and hungry” at a time.

  9. steamer

    Superb leader and also follow ups, imo very accurate regarding our position atm.
    Runtingz,
    How many bags of scratchings were they sharing for breakfast ?
    According to someone who’s mate knows Colley, his bet with Sherwood is safe, a sale is imminent.

    I don’t see Luongo improving either the team or squad a view which is unanimous on the other blogs.
    While i feel Sherwood definitely deserves a chance and money to spend, i’m not certain that he’s the right man to restore our fortunes. He may change tack once the idiot has sold up and sign a few top drawer players.

  10. steamer

    Hello Jason, good to see you again. i read somewhere that only Burnley have spent less than Villa in the last year.

    This is posh innit.

    SWV,
    The FA are supposed to be insuring that the game has a future, they haven’t a scooby, not one of them is qualified to run the sport, in fact, i’d say they are destroying it, but hey, what do they care? Remember the FIFA do when our rep was so peed that he fell into a fountain, did they boot him ? did they F. I wonder when the last time one of them paid to watch a game was ?

  11. Matt Turvey

    Sorry all for all the changes – got a day off for once and whilst I should be packing, I’m trying to sort out the website at the same time so it is easier to use for everyone….

    Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

  17. Mark King

    Steamer, I heard on the radio Stoke spent less than anyone, they mostly got free’s etc, oh and 9th.

    Shame we didn’t beat Burnley could of bought at least 2 players with an extra 1 1/2 mil. I’m in agreement that we need an overhaul but when you see TS overlooking the likes of Gil and watching ex pupils at Swindon you have to wonder what’s going on? also the fact we are looking at keeping Vlaar the most injured player outside of joe cole I’ve ever seen is a strange one, decent quality yes, permanent sick note also yes. TS has talked about trying to keep him but at the same time has stated we want players that aren’t injured continually? excuse me for being confused.

    Feeling less than good about our chances at Wembley too after the last 2 games and the form of liverpoo since we beat them, shows how crap they were, 6-1 at Stoke and one win in their last 7!!!! maybe the chickens have come home to roost and even TS’s goading won’t get them going. For quite a few it could be their last game for us. I hope to see the side that restored hope but honestly I think they are a fragile lot.

    Like the new design matt but the signing in problem still exists. have to reload page after signing in.

  19. Trinity

    Today’s leader pretty much sums up the general consensus of regular posters of AVL.

    Mark

    I think both Vlaar and Cole should leave if they’re not going to play most of the season. That or a big pay cut. Remember Dunny?

  20. Mark King

    Yes I do trin, Getting injured happens but when its a reoccurring event it wears thin and takes up valuable squad space. I’m not going to mention the cock ups that cost points 😉

  21. OldVilla

    Tremendous leader Matt, sums up our club perfectly. Trouble is that we have no idea what the future holds – Saturday will provide either impetus or more negative traction for the club depending upon the result and how we play.
    Then there is the takeover …….. Or not. Which will also bring into play what monies we have have available to play with in order to rebuild our team. With or without the likes of Benteke.
    So many questions to be answered …….
    But first we have the FA Cup Final, for which we should be grateful and give full support for this week to the team and the manager. He will pick a team to do the job against the arse and will certainly, I hope, have them wound up to do the job. I remain quietly confident.
    For those of you going to wemberleee, sing your hearts out for the team and take the pi$$ out of the Gooners. This 60 year old true old villa boy may just have moist eyes if we bring home our very own Grail.

  22. Frem

    Liking the look. Even the purple. I still have to refresh every time I log in though

    Great leader and spot on. Sherwood has said he wants to get the looser’s out and sign winners. We don’t have many winners. I’d say Delph, Benteke and Cleverley are about it. Everyone is just happy to pick up there £££££££. Southampton and Burnley proved we need an overhaul really. I was hoping that maybe we didn’t, bug we do

    Luongo and Gladwin aren’t really going to do much though are they. Is it tight new owners, or Randy staying ?

  23. steamer

    Well according to the Telegraph Paul McGrath isn’t one of the best 100 players to have played in the EPL. Nicky Butt, Phil Neville, Martin Keown, Les Ferdinand, Chris Sutton, loads more but no Paul McGrath. The Telegraph described themselves as an ‘Expert Panel’, i could describe them as something else.

  24. runtings

    doesnt suprise me re the Telegraph steamer – the press seem to have about as much footie knowleadge as the fa

    watching champagne charlie on ssn giving his expert views on villa and he was saying if liverpool bid 25mil for tekkers the club would have to take it —- he seems to have upped his belittlement of the club since his pal lambert got the boot

    starting to get the fa cup nerves janggling already — thou after the last two games have far less confidence that a few weeks back when arsenal were stuttering and we were winning

    form swings in roundabouts i guess – coyvb

  25. bibulus

    Evening
    Andrew P – 33 years ! Steamer – you can never trust panels of experts on any subject they always bottle it.
    Cant really focus on anything but the weekend now have finally sobered up from Sunday. Did we stay up ??
    The greatest escape, even more so than the last three years. Brilliant that was able to say to a tesco boy today that it was the last minute pen they gifted us that kept us up.
    If the football gods like us so much maybe our name is on the cup this year. We joked for so long this year about keeping the date free and now its nearly here and somehow…… There i was trying not to drink so much this week ….
    Entrance M block 132 for Saturday – likely going to try and get to that boozer in Kilburn during the day if any one is near by let me know.
    UTV!

  26. Matt_B20

    Its a very fair analysis you have their.

    As Sherwood has said this is his first time going into a Summer period as a manager and it will be interesting to see what he does. I think most will agree when he took over from Lambert most considered us to be dead and gone and he did a fantastic job keeping us up… He has one thing majorly in his favor he has taken over a club where the last two managers have been in the bottom three in our history for points per league game (that’s if all where done by this more recent pointing system with an average of exactly 1 per game) and so expectations are somewhat low. For both him and Aston Villa this is a huge summer and season that we will soon be looking onward to, especially if the rumors are true and we will soon be took over.

    I do however pray that one thing we do is to get rid of Vlaar, don’t get me wrong on his day he is a brilliant defender but between the regular injuries and then the shockers he has on a regular basis such as; the Pen and red card against stoke, the Mane hat trick of which I believe the first two goals are on his head and other notable mistakes this season just make me realize we need to look elsewhere for our main CB whether that is to build Clark up into that role who has had a decent season or to sign someone new I am not sure.

  27. bibulus

    Good luck with the house move Matt and thanks again for the blog dont forget if we win on Saturday the beer is on me at the next AVL AGM.

  28. Matt Turvey

    Lads, I’ll have to look into the site issues but thank you for the patience – changing the design shows it is the platform rather than my theme though.

    Appreciate all the comments – hope we can kick on, but I’ll be a bit more confident after we see the intentions of the new owners.

    And, you know, after we win the cup on Saturday. I hope.

  29. Matt Turvey

    Bibulus,

    Just buy me a beer at Wembley – if we win it, I’ll probably cry to be honest but beer always helps. 😉

    Sorry for not having much time to be around as well chaps – thank you all for keeping it going and hopefully I can re-enable registrations after dealing with the thousands of fake registrations I was seeing 🙁

  30. muz1

    Matt,

    Like the fresh look of the site.
    Agree with your leader, we really do need to kick on next season, do not want to be in yet another dog fight again.

  31. Clive Evans

    Like the new look Matt,
    Steamer – an expert – an ex is a has been and spurt is a drip under pressure
    I see Rodgers seeking to sign Benteke
    Let’s hope we don’t get owners like the Glazers; but look how well the fans have done in 10 years http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/may/26/fc-united-manchester-benfica-united-fans

    Also sign the petition to get the FA to permit the Villa flag at Wembley
    https://www.change.org/p/football-association-wembley-stadium-allow-banned-supporter-funded-flag-into-the-fa-cup-final

    For next season – wish list – left back, centre back, another goal scorer such as Austin or Ings, keep Benteke, Cleverley and Senderos

  32. Rags

    Morning chaps,

    Reports saying there is a release clause in Tekker’s contract, first I’ve heard about it. ‘In excess of £20 Mil’… hmm…

  33. DarrenO

    petition signed this morning, shame on the FA. I see Benteke to Liverpool rumbles on and it’s down to £20m and Liverpool fans up in arms about Benteke being a target, you have to admire the bindippers for their ability to live off history for so long and still think our goal machine is no better than Balotelli.

    Patiently waiting for Villa PR to wake up and come out with Benteke is going nowhere, he has two years left to run on his contract and is very happy here.

    UTV

  34. John Lerwill

    Darren: “Patiently waiting for Villa PR to wake up and come out with Benteke is going nowhere, he has two years left to run on his contract and is very happy here.”

    CB did say a few weeks ago that he would go away on holiday and think on his future and come back and state his decision (about whether to stay with Villa). I think TS and co. are respecting that.

    I think we’ll know by the end of June.

  35. Andrew P

    Benteke will leave if he wants to leave, and if he does I hope he sets his sights a fair bit higher than Liverpool, but let’s worry about all of that stuff after Saturday.

    Of more pressing concern is the fact that our absent landlord, Mr Turvey, appears to have fallen for the charms of that silver tongued morris dancer. Matt, what Bibulus is really saying is that if we do end up giving it to the Arse on Saturday, he will happily share a drink with you afterwards provided you fancy a pint of Pimms on the Club Wembley Express back to Birmingham immediately after the game. No riff raff allowed but you can get stuck in to the all you can eat canape buffet.

  36. steamers75

    Bibulus , l think you have my mobile number , we will be in Kilburn from about 10-30am we will be in a Irish club , just off the Kilburn High St, l will get name for you .( l never have looked at names , l just follow the lads ) , 3 coach loads will be there plus the train mob and Carl Chinn, was told Guinness is £3-75 a pint ! cider and guinness ! now there’s a drink l havent had since the 70s ))
    33 years yesterday , European Cup win,

    today 1992 the English league sold its soul to the premiership, STs up and a 3 tier league to boot , from about 1995 l fell out of love of the game but still went to meet up with the lads/lasses ,
    and today 6 FIFA officials arrested for bribes and corruption , and its been left to the FBI to sort it , and its been mentioned that the reason why they used switzerland is that they felt safe holding their meeting there as most of them wont step foot in the USA, but didnt reckon with the yanks of having extradition with the swiss, so how can that bastard blatter still hold the vote , he has got to be the biggest corrupt bastard going

  37. John Lerwill

    Matt,

    I’d like to join in the appreciation of your website design, but *please* can the text be darker than the grey in use?

    It would be much appreciated.

  39. Roderick Seel (Sam)

    Hi Guys
    Matt, i’m liking the new layout,a little buggy, but to be expected with an overhaul like this.

    I have just signed the petition to get the crowd surfer banner allowed at Wemberleee and would suggest that we all make an effort to do so, if you haven’t already.

    Great piece Matt,
    Sherwood has done what was expected of him, that was to keep us in the devision, this weekend is a bonus. I’m pretty sure that TS was aware of all the permutations and took his foot off the gas against Southampton and Burnley. Maybe got more than he bargained for, but never the less. Anyone who thinks that the final will bear any resemblance to the last 2 games are in for a shock, this game is the showpiece, if you cant get up for his then you have no right to pull on a shirt, any shirt!

    I agree that there needs to be a clearout over the summer, but lets not be too drastic, the young and hungry didn’t work and the old and wise failed. a more pragmatic and measured approach needs to be adopted here. too many can be as damaging as not enough. A system thats works needs constant fine tuning, as players develop, it evolves with them. This winning philosophy takes time and needs to be nurtured, Rome wasn’t built in a day and all that!

    In his short time here, TS has shown more than i expected him to, as far as i was concerned we were gone in January. i would much rather see gradual progression over a few seasons than watch it all implode (again!) by bringing in mercenaries and glory hunters.

    Nina Simone sings “Everything must change”, she is right, but it doesn’t need to change all in one go, 2 or 3 players in and 3 or 4 out, Support the revolution!

    How many years has been wasted following the wrong choices, TS deserves 2 seasons to try at least!

    VTID

  42. James Gill

    love new site matt
    please randy go and quick lerner is a bit like sherwood following lambert
    we where just happy to get rid of deadly ,but we never had 4 seasons in a row like we just had under deadly
    mon gets a lot of blame but we had 3 top 6 finishes cup final cheating ref, we recouped half his spending but since we have spent 2/3 of mons spending and only benteke worth anything
    have to stop moaning start praying for saturday up the villa

  44. Ree Khalid

    Morning lifers

    Liking the new design Matt. I share the same sentiments as the leader, Im glad the league season is over and our position in the PL secured. But what defines this season now is what happens Saturday. If we win this will go down in history as a bizarre yet glorious season, we almost (possibly should have) got relegated but we won the cup. Lose and it’ll go down as another write-off season and we’ll be thinking back on what could have been.

    Everyone is super excited about the cup final, I cant wait! Cant remember the last time I was this excited about a game, probably the 2010 final. Its gonna be one helluva occasion. The time for full reflection on the season will be after we lift that trophy! (touch wood)

  45. DarrenO

    I don’t see how not being chairman changes a damn thing maybe I’m being naive but then the chairman just becomes an employee of the same owner who has presided over one of the worst periods in AVFC history and only exempt by avoiding relegation.

    Need new ownership or huge increases in investment in playing staff.

    Not good enough, ruining my enjoyment of the cup final build up.

  46. steamer

    Once again Lerner hides away. As Chairman he took responsibilty to a degree, now its someone elses fault.

    The beauty of the new site is that you can see the avatars clearly, nice new one from Runtingz and top quality from St75 again.

  48. The Droyd

    Literally cannot wait to get to Wembley on Saturday. Worst case scenario is that we have a brilliant day out and lose to a much better team. Best case scenario is the best day of my life as a football fan (was too young to appreciate 81 & 82).

    One of our strengths under Sherwood is also our weakness – the full back area. We are so much better as an attacking force now that we have attacking full backs like Bacuna and Richardson. However both players are defensive liabilities.

    I would start with Hutton and Cissokho all day long but I’m not going to criticise Sherwood, who has been an excellent appointment. We will see what his team is but mine would be:

    Guzan

    Hutton
    Vlaar
    Baker
    Cissokho

    Westwood
    Cleverley
    Delph

    Grealish

    Benteke
    Agbonlahor

  50. John Lerwill

    Droyd: “One of our strengths under Sherwood is also our weakness – the full back area. ”

    The things is, do Arsenal have very good full-backs? Why don’t we ask that question instead of finding our own weaknesses.

    It’s pretty common knowledge that Arsenal are susceptible when under the cosh, so maybe TS can work out a strategy that exploits *their* weaknesses.

  52. steamer

    He may not be perfect but Cissoko is easily the best LB on the books and not to play him would be criminal.
    I’d go with Droyds team bar Sanchez for Westwood and Bacuna or Zoggy for Agbonglahor in fact if Aggy plays i’d sack Sherwood.

  54. John Lerwill

    Steamer,

    Didn’t Sanchez have a stinker vs Arsenal earlier this season?

    Otherwise I’d agree with you … but I’m not sure he does well against this lot.

  55. steamer

    JL,
    After the Soton debacle i think TS should change tack slightly, we have some awful players and also some who don’t put the effort in, i know you rate Sanchez for the tidying up he does, also he doesn’t mess about, after three seasons i’m still trying to work out what Westwood actually achieves. The defensive display at St. Mary’s was arguably the worst iv’e ever seen in the top division and TS is risking a total humiliation for AVFC on Saturday if he goes tippy tappy, IMO we have a slight chance but again we could get done by eight, we have to accept that for various reasons the team and club is crepe, lets not compound our deficiencies.
    Can anyone produce a reason why Gil can’t get in the team never mind the squad and does anyone agree with Sherwood ignoring one of the few bright spots of the season.

  57. Heroes-and-Villans

    Haha steamer…..barton!

    Looks like tim was just doing swindon a favour and pushing the deal through for them making qpr panic.

    Looks like okore and richardson is out and given must be massive doubt.

    Guzan

    Bacuna
    Vlaar
    Baker
    Cissokho

    Cleverly
    Westwood
    Delph

    Grealish
    Nzog (should be gill)

    Tekkers

  58. Heroes-and-Villans

    Its bloody frustrating, baffling and sad steamer gill cant get a look in.

    The fact that he has kept us up and also put grealish in has stopped fans letting him know where gill is!

    Surly gill has done something mental to warrant this

  59. John Lerwill

    Steamer,

    I agree with you in principle, but I honestly don’t know what he can do with the players available.

    Actually, I like Westwood – I like his instant ball control and his energy … and he’s had some hard luck with a few shots this season. Not saying he’s top notch mind.

    I’m just not going to worry. If the penguin says we’re going to win then problem sorted! 😉

  60. Mark King

    I like Westwood too JL, He’s neat and gets the ball going forward quickly. OK he’s not he strongest defensively but he rarely gives the ball away.

    The fifa stuff is great I hope a big change comes from this starting with booting sepp. Figo came out and said that he wouldn’t run because its fixed hope he changes his mind.

    hopefully if we are not sold Lerner gets a football minded Chairman in, we may get our wish with a bit more respect for the paying public.

  61. steamer

    Can that penguin play LB ?

    Mark,
    The whole game is rotten to the core, everyone knows the crooks but they don’t do anything about it. Football is dying a sordid death by its corruption.

  63. Mark King

    Don’t think they’ll get away with it this time Steamer, more and more of these closed door powers that be are beginning to crumble, loving it.

    Given, okore and richardson must be feeling gutted if they going to miss out saturday.

  67. steamer

    http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/27/john-gregory-aston-villa-fa-cup-final-2000

    Could do a great job as DoF and is a far better coach than anything we have too. Very funny tales about Herbert, what a plank.

    Did i mention that Tom Fox was a liar with his BS about Lerners renewed enthusiasm ? i think a bit of honesty is the least the fans can expect. To be honest i thought he’d stood down five years ago.

    Odd article in the BM about the vermin reaching the CF in 1956, does that rag have to waste space talking about that insignificant little collection of cretins ?

  68. steamer

    Very funny how the FA and English footy fans are taking the moral high ground in the FIFA affair, they should take a good look at themselves.
    Lineker babbling on about England having the WC in 2018 ! what, with one world class stadium ? Our stadia are crepe, only Arsenals is good enough for a WC.

  69. steamers75

    Steamer/Jenny/Runtins
    have a look at this band .” Brotherstrut ” and Blame D.O.R for not mentioning this band ! seems thay have a few albums out on itunes and amazon, think l will be ordering a few’

    on F/B it would seem there was a meeting and a couple of fans were allowed into it , and looking at their comments , it looks like we will be buying lower league players as the club say they’re not making enough money , so l think we can forget keeping Benteke , great isnt it , just before a final !!

  74. steamers75

    DOR
    l saw a post on F/B about the villa and saw your name (irish lions), dont know what you look like , but saw this band , great stuff , ordered a copy just , you need to give Runtins your email and get dropbox , lm sure he would,nt mind sending you his music files ,

  76. Heroes-and-Villans

    Fa Cup Final excitement has hit me. Even though i dont think we will win i can not wait to see us in the final at wembely.

    I just want a good game and do everything we can to win.

    Which should always be the case.

    Whatever happens i think we are in for a busy summer, im sure we will get taken over and anyone new will give us at least 25mill to spend.

    Come the Villa

  77. Heroes-and-Villans

    Know we have the flag banned but hope we sort something else out. Cracked me up in the semi when we did the mosaic and the camera went to pools end and they had 1 little flag.

  80. Mark King

    If Tekkers plays a blinder and we win it could start a bidding war, in my heart I think he will go regardless, especially if the club shows no ambition.
    If so could be a blessing, get a big chunk of dosh, buy Austin and develop a less one player orientated style.

  83. B62 Villa

    I am dreading the cup final, Arsenal are on fire at the moment, whilst we have crumbled under our pillars of sand. TS has done what he was brought in for and kept us up, however unless there is a miracle we seem destined for another relegation dogfight next season. Buying only lower league players means only being good enough for the Lower leagues. We desperately need £40-50m spent on the first team squad as we are at least 6 players away from a mid table push into mediocrity.
    I am hoping to be well lubricated to ease the pain of a loss at Wembley but not too pissed in case we pull off the unthinkable.

  84. Mark King

    b62- on fire? they’ve been struggling to score until Walcott and golden boy came back against the tesco 11. fair enough we have been pap but according to the papers the cup means nothing to them.

    amazed to see some of the top clubs are playing in tournaments abroad,
    global brand time. puzzling when they moan about too many games

  89. steamer

    Enjoy your day out because if the idiot Lerner can’t sell the club it’ll be the last time Wemberlee and Aston Villa are mentioned in the same sentence. My god, this winker takes stupidity to another level.

  91. B62 Villa

    ST75
    I’m on a mini bus ( rather than the train) for sat, so will se what we can do, whereabouts in Kilburn you heading?? For the semi, the lads got dropped off in Harrow on the hill, the downside of playing Arsenal is that this is their manor, so places like Kilburn etc will be full of prawn sandwich munching hoorah Henry’s . We are meeting at 8 for a brekkie on the road by 9.

  101. southwestvillan

    Steamer,

    Lots of excitement down here about the friendly in Portugal against Bristol City on July 17th loads booking flights its been a while since they played us.

    AVFC ITWT

  102. steamer

    Assuming that theirs no takeover and we have little money then i find it ridiculous that Sherwood would spend what little we have on players that won’t be in our first team and, basically aren’t better than what we have already.
    If CB goes and we have no takeover then i would say that we’re 99% certain to be relegated next season. At the end of the day we finished fourth bottom and that flattered us, sorry to be negative but these are the fact, the CF just glosses over what has been an unbelievably dire period in our history, thanks Herbie and Lerner.

  103. John Lerwill

    Interesting news on the box this morning that travel company representatives visiting areas of the world like Africa have found a great deal of interest in people about *Villa* and their arrival in the FA Cup Final.

    Apparently it’s even boosting the number of visitors to Brum.

  104. John Lerwill

    Steamer: “If CB goes and we have no takeover then i would say that we’re 99% certain to be relegated next season. ”

    On the eve of a Cup Final, why are you so -ve?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Apart from which I don’t agree with you! 😉

  105. southwestvillan

    Steamer,

    Happy Friday cup final eve, just when the Villans need bringing back to earth we can trust in you to do the job.

    Although unlike John I agree with what you say, I am 99% certain CB will be off and worry about replacing him with anything like for like, lets all be honest the guy has kept us up single handed.

    But I do agree with John lets put the gloom to one side until after tomorrow and enjoy the day and then we can start making our ” Sherwood Out ” banners.

    AVFC ITWT

  106. Paul Pears

    Do the moves of Swindon players mean that Chris Ramsey is the real deal, and that TS could be more of a man about himself, rather than the players????

  107. southwestvillan

    PP,

    Again I think this might be a combination of things that attracted these players to QPR instead of Villa, maybe the move to London and the possibility of first team football, maybe they didn’t feel ready to play premier football, perhaps money was better at QPR and the feeling that we may not have tried that hard to bring them to VP.

    In my opinion these are not the types we should have been looking at, we have a player like Gardner who would deserve a chance in front of these two, and was we really that interested or was their agents playing a game to hike up the price.

    AVFC ITWT.

  108. Heroes-and-Villans

    Agree on the most part but i think we will get taken over.
    If tekkers goes then fair enough, we have seen all our stars leave.

    I bet we have at least 4 new players in the starting 11 next season and loads in the squad.

  109. Mark King

    PP that did cross my mind but I think TS is a better motivator, shame Ramsey didn’t come with him tho

    I agree with JL in that ts’s results and play in a short spell eclipsed Lamberts efforts and with a threadbare squad. You would assume if tekkers goes a replacement in the shape of an Austin would be bought. That with better fullbacks, the lad from wolves and a clear out things should look better.
    We have only played grealish for a 1/4 of a season too, I think we could lose weiman and bring bent back there are options.

  110. Heroes-and-Villans

    I dont believe in a sec we really wanted the swindon lot. if we did they would be at villa. tim, swindon owners and ramsey at qpr all too close and get along too well. Something was agreed somewhere between them

  114. Ree Khalid

    Morning all

    The excitement and nerves just keep building and building! I got my ticket in the post yesterday, cutting it close but I have it in my hands!! Making a weekend out of it, taking the whole fam to laandaan tonight.

    @Mark that was a great piece by Pat Nevin, his analysis is always on point. As was his analysis on Cazorla, have to agree that he is the main threat, followed by Sanchez then Ramsey imo. I dont think Walcott will start. We have to make sure both Grealish AND Nzogbia hound him down whenever he gets on the ball. Whoever is closest, cant give him time on the ball sooner or later he will hurt you. It doesnt matter if Coquelin gets on the ball he doesnt do too much with it. Best way of keeping him quiet is to overload their midfield with our midfield runners, have them more concerned about doing their defensive duties.

    Sanchez is another huge danger in behind, we have to watch out for that Cazorla – Ozil – Sanchez linkup. Its their most likely route to goal. Bacuna has to watch him close, also Okore has to keep one eye on Sanchez at all times, leave Giroud to Vlaar. If our defense stands up then we can be a big danger to them in attack.

    Benteke, Grealish and Delph are our key players, if they all perform to their ability then we have a very good chance. Kosceilny has been pretty good most the season but Mertersecker has been shaky at times, although has improved. Dont think Gabby will start but he could be a huge threat to Mertersecker with his pace when he inevitably comes off the bench. Ramesy will not come up against Richadson as a right winger, he will come inside and link with their midfield two but Bellerin will be up and down all day causing problems. There will be space in behind in that RB spot and thats where Benteke, Grealish and Delph like to operate. I can see a goal similar to Benteke’s against Everton, Delph swinging it in from the left hand side and Benteke peeling off and getting above their LB Gibbs/Monreal to power in a header.

    Im hoping Nzogbia has a good game, when he does we look a much better team. The link up with Nzog and Bacuna down the right can be deadly. One thing we have to watch out for massively is corners, we are so bad defending them and they actually are pretty good with Mertersecker a real danger.

    Its a massive game, and the odds are against us. I do think that Benteke, Grealish and Delph love playing and performing on a big stage. Im certain the Villa faithful will outsing the Arsenal crowd. The players will be buzzing and the good memories from beating Liverpool will come back. Arsenal have shown big signs of complacency at Wembley the last 3 games they played there. They barely beat Wigan on penalties, then were 2 goals down to Hull (they can thank Ransey for that win) and sneaked past Reading on a keeper mistake. I do think that our defense has a liability to fall apart and that our biggest failing. If that happens it will give our attackers too much to do. If our defense stands up I can see us winning it.

    I dunno what it is but I just get that feeling its our time to win it. We’re due one and things have gone our way for the most part in this FA Cup run. The draws have all been at home, just as Arsenal’s was last season. This possibly is the biggest game of my Villa supporting life!

    Soz bout the essay, Im just damn excited! Need to get some work done so I can get ready to go. Im sitting in block 236 btw, Club Wembley seats. Would love to meet some lifers if they are around.

    COYVB!!! UTV!!!

  121. southwestvillan

    Ree,

    I would be stunned if Walcott does not start, with our problems at left back and with Walcott notching a hat trick last week I think Wenger would be missing a massive trick to leave him on the bench, I hope he is left sitting because I think he could cause us problems down that side.

    Have a good weekend and try to stay out of Kilburn the place will be full of nutters.

    AVFC ITWT.

  122. Mark King

    SWV- Wenger is an abstinent fecker and Walcotts not french so wouldn’t be surprised if he’s on the bench. Hopefully they will be to busy looking at each other as we tear them apart 🙂

  124. Ree Khalid

    @Mark yeh you’re right but the most likely place a goal will come from is that Benteke-Grealish-Delph combination.

    @John its written in the stars obviously!

    @Southwest Cheers and the Walcott dilemna is that either he replaces either Giroud or Ramsey. There is little to no chance of Walcott replacing Ramsey imo, he is the driving force of the team. Cazorla is the metronome, Ramsey is the heartbeat. And Wenger prefers Giroud upfront to Walcott, that has been the case time and time again. Wenger has rarely given Walcott a starting spot up front by himself, he doesnt think (and I agree) that he is physical enough to do the job. For me Walcotts pace presents more of a problem than Giroud’s physicality. He will be introduced at some point in the game, hopefully on for Coquelin late on when they’re losing! He’s like a much better version of our Gabby, super sub with pace.

    Anyways, Im finished work. Its off home then off to London! Ill check in later probably.

  125. Paul Pears

    MK, Andrew

    Agree over the Swindon mob, and a lot of the usual paper hype. The friendly with Wolves, could well b part of a Sako deal.

    Time to get ready for my trip to the big City and then Wembley…Let’s hope there is plenty of cheer here on Sunday..!!!! VITD…UTV>>>

  128. steamers75

    B62villa
    prawn sandwich mob ? have you been to Kilburn ? ) FFS , Brasil’s local there , if there’s a posh part l must have blinked , we will be there from 10-30ish , my mobile 07957613492 , for you as well Bibulus ,
    have a good weekend ,
    daughters had grealish 1st goal 2-1 villa

    Jenny have a good weekend xxxxxx

    steamer
    what did that bloke say about plugging that thing in the tv that l bought ??? lv forgot !

  129. B6toBrasil

    Posh part………..blimey,I nearly choked on me prawn sarnie….ha,ha ,ha,posh.

    Deano are you going staright to the Irish club?If so what is it called?

  130. runtings

    guys thanks for the heads up on Brother Strut — awesome funk — they remind me of the ”Brand new heavies” another awesome UK funk band

    Tempted to come to posh old kilburn tomorrow but everyone will be wondering of to wembelee and i would be crying so its a barbi just like stevie g is having

    COYVB

  131. runtings

    D-O-R
    if you pass on your email to st75 he can forward it too me and will happily upload some funk for you — Brazil likewise as discussed

    let’s roar these gooners into submission

  132. Andrew P

    B6toBrasil, are you still over here mate? We’re coming down mob-handed, me and our John and multiple offspring. Text me on 07929 526008 and we’ll come and find you.

    Bibulus is coming down a bit later on. He said earlier he’s looking forward to doing the arse. I imagine he’ll go to the football afterwards.

  133. steamers75

    Brasil
    the club is
    Done Our Bit, 128 Marygrove Rd Kilburn NW6 2EP, we will be in that other pub first where we met last time , Brondes Age, then onto that club , l will text you as were on the High street , Andrew P drop in , B62 the nearest we got prawns was the prawn cocktail crisps and runtins ate all of them ,
    dont forget the £20s lads
    been reading that Club Wembley tickets are £3,950 on official sites !!!! , joke paying that , FA are bigger joke than Blatter for letting that happen . lm in Entrance J block 135 , lower behind goal ,

  136. John Lerwill

    To all you Villa fans…

    Tomorrow p.m., stay cool and bear in mind that the penguin said we’ll win…

    But whatever happens, have a very happy day and I particularly look forward to the celebrations on AVL after the match…!

  137. steamers75

    tomorrow l will be like an helmet !!

    Andrew
    yes text or ring when you get there and will catch up more than likely Brasil will be there , look forward to it ,
    safe journey all

    JL , nice one mate ,

  139. James Gill

    please a happy site for 24 hours no moaning wondering whats happening to benteke
    come on the villa and any one lucky enough to go enjoy was there in 96 30 v leeds best day of my life including birth of 3 children

  141. steamers75

    mark your the superking on these link things ,
    on my facebook , on one of the villa fans pages , he put this article of Benteke signing his lastest deal and it stated that there is no get out clause , have a look mate , l will try to look it up but your better and at the moment lm ironing my clothes for tomorrow and lm having trouble ironing my lucky gold thong ,

  145. Frem

    We are on be verge of winning one of the greatest trophies in world football

    I can’t stop thinking about it. I just want to see Delph handed the trophy and then see all the Villa fans in bits when he raises it in the air.

    Brings a tear to my eye 🙂

  146. Heroes-and-Villans

    The magic of the cup is alive and kicking. Glad the fa cup is back to being taken serioulsy again. Went through a stage when clubs saw it as a chore.

    I am excited and happy seeing villa given all this coverage and being involved in a proper big game again. Nervous? Hell no, nerves for me is playing qpr in a relegation 9 pointer, 4 years of relegation worry has hardened me.

    Seeing wembley decked out in claret and blue and hearing us out sing the gooners is a reminder to any new owners of what thisclub is about. Loose to arsenal today…meh…..we have bigger things to worry about. The summer is the biggest one for villa in my time as a fan.

  147. Andrew P

    Benteke is 10/1 with Sky Bet to score first – got to be worth a punt. Will pay for everyone’s 2015 FA Cup winners tattoos. Have a good day people.

  148. Villanto

    Que sera sera me off to wembley, Cannot wait so many good omens, 57 lucky shirt on, part of Mosaic, nervous but feeling excited. We gonna win aren’t we Lifers and Villans. Posting while still sober. Hope to be celebrating hard.

  150. Mark King

    commentator just said Vlaar will pick up the cup for villa? be nice if they bothered to do some research, hope we bury the bastards today
    where you watching it steamer? I’m gonna watch it with my brother (also villa)

    COYVB

Leave a Reply