I think most Villans are still in a state of shock that Villa have performed so badly these past few years after welcoming Randy Lerner as a saviour.
Most of us are probably wringing our hands in some kind of despair at the state of the club. The owner, mentally, has effectively already left us and the manager probably realises that he’s not necessarily going to be around when (and if) a new owner takes over. And we don’t know who Paul Lambert will have available as his coaching staff next season.
I have been trying to think back to a similar period at Villa in my experience, and though there were like times in the 1950s, the clearest memory I have is of the middle-60s, when the seasons 1964-65 through to 1966-67 lacked proper investment, and trepidation ruled Aston. “What’s going to happen next?”, was the typical thought. And we found out in 1967: it was relegation that happened. A quick return did not look likely and it took another 18 months before a new ownership turned up – and then only after enormous pressure from the fans.
Those sad circumstances cause me to go further down Memory Lane for awhile. I recall the better moments – of Tony Hateley’s thundering headers, and the silky touches of Phil Woosnam, who was the Villa’s ‘schemer’ since 1962. And the injury-littered career of Alan Deakin – a fine player, whose subjugation of Denis Law once caused the Scot to be ordered off the field after his mean retaliation. And the memory of youngster Bobby Park who once broke a collar bone in a match and was so keen to continue playing (in the days before substitutes) that he came back on to the field of play wearing a sling to carry his injured arm!
And there was dear old ‘Slogger’ at centre-half, playing his heart out every week, with Charlie Aitken, Mick Wright and Colin Withers (in goal) too often the last line of defence. But Withers was a great shot-stopper – some compared him to the great Gordon Banks.
Having sold sharp-shooting winger Harry Burrows (who allegedly asked for a transfer after not getting his requested extra fiver per week in his wage packet) in 1965 Villa signed an average-priced player by the name of Willie Hamilton who was actually a good midfielder and who cracked a few decent goals. Such was his influence in midfield that Phil Woosnam moved forward to support Hateley and managed to score over 20 goals as a result in 1965-66! But Villa were plagued by injuries and a 16th place finish became the norm at that time. And early in the 1966-67 season Villa lost Woosnam (who retired to start off U.S. league football) and then Hateley to Chelsea. With Deakin and Hamilton absent through injury too often, there was lack of quality to keep Villa up. Enthusiasm alone was not enough.
Yes, the past couple of years have reminded me of the similarities between now and then.
But maybe, even in this current state of semi-chaos without any sense of certainty that a new owner will be installed by August, we should try to look at what we have to look forward to in order to remain sane and to restore an element of positivity!
Yep, believe it or not there is something positive coming up. And it’s almost as though Villa have a new team at their disposal!
It is likely that Benteke (perhaps because of his injury last season) will still be with us. And we’ll also have Okore and Kozak back from injury. Added to this we have the statement made by Lambert this week that “… we’ll look to identify players of proven quality to bring in …”. Well, we have to see what precisely he means by that. It could of course mean a number of Grant Holt clones (!) … but perhaps not, although the talk of Albrighton leaving is a bit disturbing.
On the other hand Grealish seems to have been recognised by the manager as someone who should step forward and claim his place.
In short, we might have a team to start the new season that contains some quality. Who would have believed it! Even though there’s probably a good chance that Bertrand might not return, it was observed vs Chelsea last season that Bennett might be settling in. With the thought that Albrighton may have gone, what about this team:
Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Okore, Bennett; Westwood, Grealish, Delph; Kozak, Benteke, Gabby.
Subs: (gk), Baker, Clark, Bacuna, Robinson.
Yes, I still have faith in Gabby and I feel a summer’s rest might restore his vitality. He did start 2013-14 very well, as, indeed, he finished well in 2012-13.
But even though I like the sound of Grealish in the middle, the prevailing question will be about whether Villa have enough bite in midfield. Maybe the signing of “players of proven quality” will remove that doubt.
Milner, Barry and Young then please!
The Author
John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.Comments 107
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Chaos reigns in B6, It is now obvious we have no buyer lined up, no white knight charging in to save the day. Lerner has cut all investment into the club, hence the bomb squad returning, as we literally have no one else to play, and we won’t be buying anyone this summer, we may get in a couple of loans but they won’t be quality just quantity. We are going into next season with a terrible squad, which is fractured and split due to some players previous treatment, no unity or common cause whatsoever, bolstered by talented kids having all the football gifts they posses coached out of them by mcmumble.
A clueless idiot as a manager, without his trusted wingmen who are out on their ears for bullying( still don’t believe PL wasn’t party to this), An owner who simply wants out ASAP and isn’t going to put a penny into the club, as it’s all about the profit/loss for him.
There are NO reasons to be positive , even RL leaving has been overshadowed by the mess he’s making of flogging the club, Lambert is a moron, but is also bring sold up the river, I can see him walking( no loss). I think the sale will be protracted ie 12 months like Everton/Newcastle etc, maybe longer when we go down next season, as there is no interest, which explains RL statement begging for a buyer.
What amazing news !!!
The boys from the Bomb squad are back and will now rejoin the first team squad, Bent Hutton, Nzogbia and Given…..on Randy’s instructions…..so no need for new players…..but wait ….if Bent is back….we have the perfect man to supply him…Marc Albrighton…..just what we need….but oh no…forgot…we just released him….
Now we know the world has gone mad….
Villa’s next team:
Given Hutton Vlaar Clark Baker Nzogbia Westwood Delph Bacuna Bent Agbonlahour
subs: Bennett Guzan Tonev Weimann Robinson Grealish KEA Okore Kozak Bowery
Do we need to sign anyone…..
It means with the bomb squad back in the fold that Villa do not need to buy…hence the interest in Lescott and Hoolihan.
Just because they’re back I wouldn’t expect any of the bomb squad to perform. They didn’t beforehand and they certainly won’t after poor showings on loans and with a quite understandable dislike for Lambert, it doesn’t bode well.
Basically, if we don’t get sold this summer we’re relegated. If we do get sold, there’s a slightly better chance of staying up, depending on how long we get of the transfer window, which manager is in place, and who is even left after Randy asset strips. It’s fucked. If John sees parallels here between this season and the 60s where we got relegated, it’s a very bad sign.
Fulham, Cardiff and Norwich might be off loading a few with premiership relegation experience just what we need.
Hello John,
Loved that leader it was the era that started me on this worthless torture that is Aston Villa. Willie Hamilton, a name not many Villans would class in the ‘great’ category, i would, i remember reading about his signing in the stop press of the Evening Mail and Despatch and thought ‘who’s this bloke’ ?
Half way through his first season i read an article in Buchan’s Football Monthly entitled ‘The night Willie Hamilton showed up Puskas’ apparently Hibs played Real Madrid in a friendly and Willie put on a performance. I remember two identical ‘big dipper’ free kicks in a week ( versus Blackpool & Sunderland ) that were breathtaking. Unfortunately, as is usual with Villa, there was a downside, old Willie liked ( loved ) a dram or ten, quite often after the pre – match warm up he’d have to go back in to use the loo with his shirt drenched in perspiration. Unfortunately he was under the influence in a fatal car accident and was released by the club and went to Canada where he died at a very early age, great talent wasted. I often went into Dick Taylor Sports in Witton Rd, Dick, who was a lovely chap actually signed Willie and really used to enjoy telling us tales of AVFC, another era though.
When Tommy Docherty managed Chelsea, his half back line was Hollins, Hinton & Harris, a brilliant combination but he always said that Tindall, Sleeuwenhoek & Deakin was the best in the country, injuries etc put paid to that. I was standing right in front of the incident when Denis Law kicked Deakin in the face because AD had him in his pocket, always one of my all time favourites, i lost all respect for Law when he said AD had kicked him all afternoon and that was the reason he savagely booted him, no way, Deakin was never that type and just outplayed him, 4-0 says it all, Hateley was unplayable that day.
Strangely, the fans never took to ‘Woos’ i thought he was very, very clever.
Regarding our current predicament, to be honest, its obvious that the club is totally fucked from top to bottom, what happened to the plans that were agreed by L & L ? oh that’s right they were BS, what a surprise. When a club has to rely on two ignorant idiots and a lying delusional moron you know your in deep shite, relegation is not only a cast iron certainty but the possibility of beating Derby County’s all time record low points tally awaits, Lambert just loves breaking records.
Josh,
The team that was relegated in the 60’s would piss all over these dummies.
PP,
Villas next team – Chaplin, Keaton, Arbuckle, Larry, Curly & Moe. Laurel, Hardy, Karno, and the Chuckle Brothers.
steamer
we can’t condone paying those kid of wages even to the deceased
Steamer
just love your memories, many of which coincide with mine, including the Deakin one with Dennis Law.
I must have been somewhere close by you as i saw the incident clearly too. I also agree it was a great half back line, one we could do with now..
Sorry J:L forgot to say how much i was impressed by your opening piece.
Josh son ….You have to wake up to what is happening….the Bomb squad is just not back, it is part of our immediate future, on the instructions of Randy. He wants a return on the wages he is paying these people, as well as a return on the money invested in them, which also means that Lambert needs to make sure that the have the opportunity of showing their combined value of over £40 million, to put some value back on the books of the playing staff. Only then can Lambert spend money, which may become available, if they realise their potential, and are sold.
Lerner has told Faulkner that he has to go back to applying business principles…i.e. make sure that you get the most out of your high value assets.
I hope it’s a move to try and get them in the shop window, or other wise it’s a move of utter desperation as we need everyone can get
Even the hope of a new magical owner is going down hill. A guy not much wealthier than Randy being linked. His plane was at BHX airport and he’s worked with Randys a Mum or something in the past. Not the prince we need, or Ellison
The owner needs to put a minimum of 100 mill in this summer. We have one real quality player. Uwe Rosler as manager 🙂
Trying to find some positives
I think PL has a real oppertunity do get himself in the good books of some villa fans simply by getting the right coaches in to replace whats his face
I f he could bring in two guys that know how to coach pass and move football we could then watch our tean win , lose or draw playing the game in the right way which i think would make for a much happier villa all round
won’t hold my breath thou
Bent getting his no.9 shirt back from Helenieus..!!
Pleased for DB. With the right manager and players supplying him, he will score unlike Gabby and Wiemann. Him and Benteke can get 40 goals if we get players like Young and Diwning on the wings
Steamer and Paul
Well, I also was standing close to the Deakin/Law incident … under the Trinity Road stand! 🙂 Right in line with it in fact.
You’re right, Steamer, Deakin played him hard and fair … but there was no kicking going on. Law’s reaction was a disgrace.
Loved your accounts of the 60s, Steamer. I’d love also to hear more of what Dick Taylor told you!!
Sigh. 4-0 vs Man U. They’d have gone top of the league that day if they’d won and instead were made to look poor.
That was in 1963-64 and then Joe Mercer was sacked even after performances like that. Another disgrace (his sacking). The board at that time was the real culprit for Villa’s demise.
Zoggy—–Milner—–Barry——Young
————–Bent——-Benteke——-
Make it happen
Hello
Well your glass is either half full half empty or simply as i like to see it has the potential to be topped up with vodka!
Andrew P – thanks for the trip to the town hall last night to see the #82 legends a reminder of how players can be and what a great club we are!
Cowans spoke reasonably candidly about our current situation and seemed to genuinely back PL for achieving survival with a £10 million budget. He mentioned how the totteringham staff were slightly taking the p out of the villa staff when they were comparing their respective budgets for the last season.
Bent firing well can be an asset (maybe with nzog playing well too (no i’ve not been drinking!)), but one or two players wont paper over the cracks….
If PL is still with us lets hope he learns from his mistakes – lets hope they all learn and give us some performances to cheer on. Although the summer clearly has a long way to go with some huge twists and turns no doubt.
Any news on the takeover out there – what happened to all you who proffered the deal was done and going through last week – have you all been sworn to silence by your ITK’s?
UTV!
1963 I remember popping out from my mom and asking what the villas score was 🙂
Bibulus..
You are right of course…we have all been sworn to secrecy….and until JL gives the go ahead , we are not allowed to breathe a word.
This close season may have a major effect on the squad, with everyone now having to sing from the same hymn sheet and get results, and we may see a much more effective style of play with Bent and Nzogbia back in the squad, and Hutton could certainly make a difference at RB, with the choice of Bacuna and Lowton playing RM.
Now Lambert has a bigger squad to deal with and Sid will still be involved, along with Shay.
Cheers PP. It looks like you,me and John shared a pie under the Trinity that day.
Runtingz,
This club has lost the habit of doing the ‘right’ thing.
Bib,
ITK’s ? gobshites. Glass half empty ? drink with Mark, SWV and St75 and they’re always empty and then they rabbit on about £20.
A pal of mine watches the Legends team and he’s always banging on about how courteous they are and willing to pose for photos and sign autographs. They played at Stratford Town on Sunday, apologies Frem, i forgot to mention it, you’d have enjoyed it.
Good luck to Albri, Leicester may show him some respect unlike AVFC, comes to something when a two bob club like them can steal a loyal player of 16 years service. Bright future my arse.
I suppose bent and co have got their future and pride to play for if that doesn’t get them going its down the bottom of BMH with a shotgun and claim the insurance.
steamer
at least they’re not half full with dribble mate.
As for Albrighton we are in a poor way when we are crying over a player who half made it at villa. then again most of the team haven’t done that yet. good luck to him.
hold your nerve fellow villains you could give my Mrs whingeing lessons
It feels like we have just gone in one big as Circle the last two years
lambert arrived, we had a shite squad with shite players. mutton was kicked of the face of the earth. 2 years on and Mutton is back, and Albri is gone. Zoggy is back now the season is over, someone who has been fit for a while now but Lambert didn’t want someone who was actually good at football to play. Much rather KEA and Wiemann start
Good luck to super mark, not quite good enough for me and I have to say I’ll be please to see Zog back. We need to worry less about wingers and more about competition for gabby and weiman. Zog’s a bit head down, but genuine competition on the left or right,or I’d back him to score more than the other two..
Things look so bad on the surface, I’m feeling quite optimistic. Very low expectations for next season, so if we’re in a scrap again, no more than we expect. In fact we expect to go down, so might just get a surpise.
Okore in for Baker, Lescott for competition. Surprised to see Gardner get a new offer. Some suggest just to make sure we get a fee, but just might be Lambert see’s him finally come to the party. At least a bit of physical presence in midfield if he does, and goals. Grealish getting the chance as well.
Yep strangely, fancy we might just surprise ourselves.
Of course that will all go out the window when the first whistle blows and start playing hoooooooof ball again!!
Pete
Yes, you’ve got the idea! The situation at VP in general is a mess, but there does now appear to be a team (with one or two additions) that should maintain a respectable position. Emphasis on ‘should’!
It all now depends on whether a new set of coaches and the manager can get them pointed in the right direction.
john do you know something we don’t? where has this team come from? we are adding the mcleish era to the lambert era and somehow getting better? 🙂
I think I’ll wait and see what the cat drags in before I get my hopes up.
if the under 21 squad suddenly get beards and talk much lower, and then step up to the plate it could work. if Lambert is here for the season he will really need them, as it is Grealish has his work cut out because he’s the only one I think could walk in. Donecian at a pinch
the other big if is the players returning from injury, they’re not always 100% again
the under 21’s are only being added to the squad to get them into getting some experience, in order that they can slot in in the future. The team will rely mainly on blending the bomb squad with the team from last season, and Lerner wants to see some value added back, they are not just going to be there for the ride. The incentive for them is they will eventually be able to move on to better things if they shine. Lambert no longer has the choice of leaving them on one side.
The bomb squad were only a bomb squad for one reason. The Chairman wanted them gone. Off his wage bill. He now realises that this is difficult to achieve and because he is selling the club, he can’t add to those wages.
So Mr Lambert over to you. Make do with these players that Lerner made you ostracise instead of having new signings.
On the one hand we will have an improvement of quality. Bent is a shit footballer but an excellent goalscorer. He is a good addition when Kozak and Benteke are out injured. Given will either be sold or provide good competition for Guzan. Hutton is no better or worse than Lowton but at least we won’t have to play Bacuna in a position that will ultimately only destroy his confidence.
Overall the squad will look stronger. However re-integrating these players back is a big test for Lambert. What a ridiculously challenging job this Villa post has been for him. In the face of the situations he has been given, he is still here, trying to put a positive spin on things for his employer.
I think he deserves to be given the chance to stay with a new owner. After all the crap he has had to deal, I would love him to have the very different challenge of having lots of money to spend and making us a force in the top half of the table.
Mark
I’ll take all your points on the chin! We certainly can’t count our chickens.
I just feel a need to be optimistic rather than down … as I’ve always said, “my glass is always half-full”! 🙂
Albrighton leaving makes sense considering the reports that he’s been offered £30k a week by Leicester. He isn’t worth that and Im not surprised Villa didnt match it. I admire his heart and work ethic but the simple fact is he is not good enough. Hopefully Grealish can step in as a direct replacement and get more game time next year.
With the bomb squad, Im glad to see Nzogbia back as he is only one that can make a huge difference to our team. It all depends on his mindset and whether his relationship with Villa can be repaired. Cant see Bent or Hutton making much of an impact. Given will probably leave if he gets an offer this summer.
If no new owners are found and Lambert starts the new season as manager I wonder who the new coaching staff will be? Will he stick with Cowans or bring in somebody new? I thought after the incident when Cowans got promoted to a first team role we actually started playing better football. The Swansea result was a disaster but I dont actually think we played bad football until things went against us. Some evidence of that against Hull too. Less said about the Spurs match the better. With better coaching we can get the most out of the players we have, if we can do that I think we will do better than people expect.
Ree- Yes. I’m slightly disappointed about Albrighton but if he has been offered £30K a week then it’s time to say “thanks for your efforts and we wish you the very best for the future”.
Losing Albrighton and Delfouneso and gaining Given, Bent, N’Zogbia and Hutton = an improved situation.
Lambert hasn’t suddenly changed everything that he’s championed for two seasons,its just that he’s buggered it up so badly and messed everyone around that he’s reduced to these tactics. Grealish will still get three minutes game time a month, we’ll still kick the ball as far and high as last season, we’ll still bore the shite out of anyone who watches us and we’ll lose even more home games than the last two seasons, enjoy.
Steamer – Lambert hasn’t deliberately signed players on Championship wages. Those were the parameters set by Lerner.
He didn’t create the bomb squad because he didn’t want or rate those players. It was done for financial reasons.
With the tools he has had at his disposal he has done pretty well, although we are fortunate that there were 10 other shite teams apart from us. Unlucky with injuries though. We would have probably finished mid table had Benteke stayed fit all season.
I think including the bomb squad serves 2 things makes them an asset instead of a negative and means we don’t have to pay out for more players, so i’m expecting 2-3 loans and one signing of worth and that’s it. left back won’t get resolved and now we have two crap right backs lets hope vlaar and okore are brilliant they’ll need to be
Is it raining in Brum? Shouldn’t it be business as usual regardless if the team is for sale? He’ll never sell it if he continues to be a goof. I have often thought that the bomb squad should play-not first team but at least on the bench. Oh well, there are teams screwing up worse than Villa. We just don’t know who they are yet. The blues of course!
Frem, a few pharmaceuticals would do you well in this time of stress. Beer cures all as does a bit of music.
It makes sense not to invest further,I see Lerner`s point of view.
Lambert is in his last year as are several players.
Not an Albrighton fan,I don`t share the love in re Marc.He is the type of mediocrity we have been praising and embracing for too long.
Remember the head of the Academy has left,he needs repacing as do Lambert`s coaches.
It ;ooks all doom and gloom,but re the new owner,if it`s worth having it`s worth waiting for.
COYVB.
Another refreshing article from the voice of keep calm JP Hartley (intended as a compliment John) but far more entertaining than fly fishing. 🙂
It is always good to hear about days gone by at AV from John, Steamer and Paul . Thank you for those fellas.
Droyd – what evidence do you have that RL ordered the formation of the bomb squad?. I haven’t seen any. To the contrary, sports journos have written that RL got fed up with his expensive players not being played and being devalued , though I admit this could be conjecture.
The re-introduction of the bomb squad has come far too late in my eyes. Darren Bent hasn’t played regularly for two seasons, or trained with the first team at AV. The same goes for the others. IMO there’s no way he is going to be the goal scorer he once was and it would be wrong to expect him to suddenly eradicate the last two disasterous, confidence draining seasons. Age isn’t on his side either. Plus, as PP says, we have just sold Albi whose crosses he could have pinged in the goal. 🙂
I am disappointed Albi has gone – much prefer him to the petulant Weiman – seems a decent lad and end of last season was our best player MOTM for a few games. Hes been with us since the age of 8 so maybe I am being too sentimental here. As to whether he is worth 30k a week, the old adage applies doesn’t it. You are worth what someone will pay for you. Leicester will pay him 30k so that is what he is worth.
As to whether we should be positive about next season I would examine what our manager has been saying. “its going to be tough, very tough” “we need to strengthen the team” but we are going to be operating on a strict budget, making do with players who have been left to decay and who were deemed not good enough two seasons ago. The realist in me says we are going to need our prayer mats again and hope a buyer comes in because that team model has got failure written all over it. We don’t know who will be next out of the door either. What are the players thinking when PL has admitted the existing team is weak and its going to be “tough, very tough”. Are they wondering if they will be the junior bomb squad now the senior bomb squad is back in favour.
But as optimists are happier than pessimists, there are a few positives so I will scratch around for some. Here goes.
One, Culverhouse and Karsa will be leaving and new coaches will be instated. Could go either way but probably won’t be worse.
Two. A new owner could be on the horizon .
Three . There are probably three teams worse than us!
I saw on AVL last seaon Bent,along with Ireland praised to he high heavens,now bent is back why all the negativity?
Good times are on the horizon.Lerner is leaving,Lambert is in his last year.It will take time,but hang in there.
COYVB.
My friend hasn’t renewed ST and was texted and telephoned by AV last night. Unfortunately he missed the call and couldn’t tell them why he hasn’t.
The “going to be tough, tough and having to make do” coming out from VP is certainly a change from the usual PR hype. At least they are being honest I suppose – but rather a killer blow for the ST adverts. Can’t complain about the honesty though.
can we have a squad of players with this lads attitude and love for the club but injury proof
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3848084,00.html?
jen
you were leading the love in for mr bent last season! are you hedging your bets and getting your excuses in for him early? 😉 he’s a grown man and if he hasn’t got it in him to rise above adversity he should just stay in the corner, this is professional sport and is well rewarded. if someone treated me like that I’d show them they were wrong or die trying, not go out with a whimper
this is worth a watch for grealish alone usually on avtv first game on sat
http://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1517384/aston-villa-starlet-jack-grealish-targeting-soccer-sevens-title?
Mark ,
No excuses : my opinion based on sporting principles and fact that if you don’t get match time then you deteriorate . 2 season is a long time to be out of regular first team action is it not .
Strikers are confidence players and confidence comes with playing and scoring goals .
Would you keep a race horse on a railway embankment for two weeks and then expect him to compete in the grand national after a month back in the stable . The answer is no. 🙂
Two weeks is enough to ruin a race horse but should have said 2 years to be more accurate .
Or as I heard recently
“To get the cheese you have to feed the goat “.
Brilliant 🙂 🙂
Cue a load of donkey comparisons 🙂
He’d have more chance finishing on a high by going to Newcastle as rumoured .
Just realised with the change from young and cheap to old and knackered we could get my beloved Emile back – things just got a whole lot brighter 🙂 🙂
Mark -every time you put a link up it goes to error 404 . A time else have this problem ?
Jenny,
I take fly-fishing just as seriously as Villa, I’ll have you know! 😉 How else can I find inspiration to write my articles, eh?!! 😉 (Thank you, kind lady, for your sweet remarks. Er, actually I don’t like the idea of fishing though!)
About Albri:. Yes, I share some disappointment there (at his departure). He was/is certainly not a world-beater but there were times when his crosses and shots caused great difficulty for the opposition. While Villa are where they are I'd say they would have done better to try and keep him – especially as his loyalty can't be questioned. A rum do that.
I also think that Bent would find Albri’s crosses the type that he’d like. So, again, keeping both of those together might have produced a worthwhile combination.
Jenny – some of Mark’s links fail to get properly hyperlinked – you only get a portion of the link and therefore it fails.
Try highlighting the whole link, then Ctrl+c and then Ctrl+v into the url box and then hit enter.
John , maybe it’s because I’m on a phone that they don’t work – will take your suggestion when I’m at PC .
Agree about the fishing – my uncle and grandad used to be very keen anglers – remember being told to be quiet and not run along the bank as I’d scare fish away . 🙂
Jenny:
OK, then try clicking on this
Got it right after 3 goes!
Starting to sound like we have only been for sale since Lambert made his statement. Starting to think Lambert will be staying. New back staff to be appointed, he wouldn’t bother if he was on his way
He said yesterday ” the new people understand “. Sounds like he’s spoke to them, and will give him another chance to fuck up again 🙁
jen
works on mine 🙂
jen
he is a paid athelete, if he’s forgotten how to run a lot or kick a ball theres something wrong there, if we are going on that basis why resign gardner he has done nothing for 2 seasons must be puzzled when he looks at a ball no?
my apologies its only the official villa site that doesn’t work 😉
go to newsnow and put aston villa in
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/Premier+League/Aston+Villa
Mark – paid athlete or not – players need to play in games . Training , albeit with the kids is totally different and if you don’t believe me (why should you) just pick up any sports book . So far as the psychology is concerned – you need to play to sustain confidence . The way to mastery in both aspects is to replicate the competition , and compete as much as possible . You know this so stop playing devils advocate:-)
Gary Gardner : younger – not a striker : hasn’t been bombed out . No comparison .
Gardner will hopefully stay injury free
Nicola Cortese has said he’s coming back to the Prem. God I hope it’s us. We have just signed two Saints youth players so maybe 🙂
We might have someone who actually knows how to run a club
Thanks John . It worked that time . GG is only 21 . He’s got a contract extension – the Mirror said no extensions I thought .
The only player i really like(although not the best) Albri has left, not sure what Gardner gets to warrent a new deal,Cortese the former CEO says he would loke to come back to the prem,also we have signed 2 saints youth players,
Finally on the bbc sport website there is an interview with Lambert and if you listen at 3 minutes he says something fairly revealing….then quickly recovers himself about new owners coming in reckon we have already been brought and he is trying to impress them
jen
who me? 😉 puzzles me though as I’m pretty sure I could pretty quickly get into the groove, fitness takes a while but 3-5 matches should do it for match fitness. its like riding a bike, as for confidence if he can’t summon some up at his age he should pay a shrink to sort him out or give in. I had four months abroad without driving and that was weird when I got back for at least ten minutes. I also hadn’t forgotten how to do my job, just how boring it could be 😉 I think you are giving him to much slack if he needs a shrink he’s not much use in this game, happened to collymore although he was depressed. could you honestly see ronaldo or messi or terry fall apart? especially terry considering the crap he’s stirred up yet he still performs
Droyd,
If the bomb squad was created for financial reasons why include Bent who actually did his job and not Gabby who is arguably the biggest pile of shite at the club and earns a fortune for doing bugger all ?
Bent, Mutton and Zog are hardly going to be motivated after the Lambert/Culverarse/Karsa treatment are they ? everyone’s in the exit pod to get out of VP, i ask you, is there anyone actually remotely likable, trustworthy or capable in the club ? Lerner, Faulkner, Lambert, Weimann, indeed most of the players, abhorrent, talentless tossers.
Sorry Mark – we’re not talking a kick around on a Sunday were talking about premier league 🙂 .
As I say to my girls : treat people with respect – you never know when you might need them . Or you could say what comes around goes around . The idea of PL having to go cap in hand to Hutton, Bent and Nzogbia is comical .
Does this mean they will get shirt numbers again ?
Does this mean they will be allowed to train with the reserves or even the first team ? And what of the “the experienced players didn’t get us very far last time “. So the outcast are the new in crowd .
Whatever you think of the ability of the bomb squad – and there are plenty on here who didn’t rate them and agreed with their exclusion (naming no names Mark:-)) please explain how these players who 2 seasons ago were not good enough for the bench even, are now after being put out to grass and unplayed , are now good enough !!!! Because I’m lost !!!!
Can’t help lying can he ? sheer scum.
Wonder if he’ll sign Ireland ?
Mark I’m not giving him slack – he’s not stepped on the pitch for us yet so there’s no need for me to.
Great read lads and lasses especially the memories from Uncle Steamer must send you a packet of Werthers in the post, also really gutted there was no place in your team for any of the Marx brothers.
UTV
Haha – let’s get Ireland back . The bomb squad must be loving this . When did Hutton last play ? All I can suspect is that Randy’s given Lambert a bloody big pay off for this.
Anyway , fear not , we have Grant Holt . You couldn’t make this up .
jen
I’m sorry I thought I saw a few excuses in your post they must have been non-excuse excuses 🙂
and what if I told you I could pass a ball straighter than most of the villa team and definitely head it better. granted there like whippets but accurate they are not and considering they are playing amongst peers why is that?
I hope the bomb squad are bloody brilliant, they weren’t before I remember the moaning about them, even bent got it as he needed 5 chances to score 1
Excuses for what ?
His stats before PL at Villa were 1 goal 2.3 games . If he hasn’t played a game what dies he have to be excused for .
The likelihood of brilliance is remote for the reasons I have stated.
As you’ve brought up these stats Mark , let’s see how the prolific scorers Gabby and Whineman fare . Before you say “but they contribute more ” I’d agree . Running up blind alleys , telling the fans to F off and imitating headless chickens . Classic Emperors New Clothes merchants .
Steamer….you hate people lying dont you!
Manager left on Monday did he?
jen
he was the sole focus of two wingers before , we have nobody to supply him and he can’t play like benteke probably why he didnt get 1-2 if gabby and weimann had 8-10 chances created per match I’d say their rate would improve. I’ve no doubt fulham found the same. if he can adapt his game fair play but he doesn’t seem capable from the evidence of two sides now
you wanted him to play last season these are your excuses for him not being any good now 😉
“The re-introduction of the bomb squad has come far too late in my eyes. Darren Bent hasn’t played regularly for two seasons, or trained with the first team at AV. The same goes for the others. IMO there’s no way he is going to be the goal scorer he once was and it would be wrong to expect him to suddenly eradicate the last two disasterous, confidence draining seasons. Age isn’t on his side either. Plus, as PP says, we have just sold Albi whose crosses he could have pinged in the goal. ” 🙂
will the annual fairytale come true now he’s nearly past it 🙂 would still be a reasonable signing, don’t think he’s had any major injuries either
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/joleon-lescott-willing-pay-halved-3584475?
RoBBo,
Not actually lies, just information ( wrong ) passed on in good faith, Lambert deliberately lies through his teeth in order to give a good impression as do Lerner and Faulkner, just read the os any day, BS abounds.
Jenny
It crossed my mind too that there may have been a pay off. I guess there’s too much moola involved for PL to walk. Managers these days might prefer the sack so they can get the big parting fee. That said, he’s got a big job ahead of him to reintegrate the “outsiders.” I hope they play well.
Steamer,
How can you say such things about Lambo, is this the man who put the bomb squad in the wilderness and said publicly that they would never play for Aston Villa again.
Well apparently these players are back and Lambert said it is now a level playing field for all players, does he seriously think these players are going to bust a gut for the club after the way they have been treated, we are seriously fooked.
Gardner signs a new two year deal but I ask the question why, Lambert never played him when he was fit preferring the likes of Sylla and KEA, this clown needs to go as soon as the new owners get on board.
UTV
Let’s hope to high heaven that Randy sells before the new season starts and that they have the good sense to replace Lambert. I’m normally a very loyal bloke but the final run in despite an undermanned Hull City was well and truly embarrassing. We need an owner who cares, a President who knows something about both football and business (the present guy knows about neither) and a manager with some talent (how did other clubs get Rodgers and Martinez and we got this clown). I just hope all of this chat is moot and that there are big changes at VP. Really not missing the Villa at this very moment, perhaps because it’s a WC year and perhaps I’m just flippin tired of relegation scraps… UTV
Morning Lifers
Lennon gone from Celtic.Him and Moyes are available now,let`s hope they don`t come within a thousand miles of VP.
Lambert to Celtic and Gregory in as interim manager until we are sold please.At least I can dream can`t I.?
Lennon quits Celtic. Let’s hope Lambert fucks of there and gets them second in a one team league
Starting to think that come August Randy will still be with us. Lambert kind of gave it away that he’s spoke to the new owners to be already and he probably cried is out to them and gets to keep his job even when they eventually take over
He says we need to sign players AVFC deserve. To him that’s Hoolahan and Sylla, not Barry Milner and Lescott
wonder if celtic are stupid enough to approach lambert, we’ll see just how ‘loyal’ he is if they do.
swv,
unbelievable contradictions, i honestly think he’s a nutjob.
have a £5 on celtic being relegated next season if lambert takes over, but then again why would anyone want him as boss ?
B62B,
Gregory has signed a new contract at Crawley so you can count him out.
Steamer,
The place is full of clueless nutters it could be the new Rubery hospital.
UTV
SWV
Contacts in football?You must be having a bubble barrf mate.
Place full of nutters,you mean AVL?
Garrenteed footbal chants for next season
Happy birthday too you happy birthday too you happy birthday dear Yaya happy birthday too you
Go Yaya it’s your birthday were gonna party like its your birthday were gonna drink bacardi likes it’s your birthday 🙂
”Lambert acknowledges that new owners will have to make their own minds up about his credentials in the event of a takeover deal getting done.
“When the new owners come in they will judge what I’ve done with their own eyes,” he added.
“I’ve never been one to be self-centred.
“I don’t regret anything. If it all ended tomorrow you would take an unbelievable experience.”
Fuckin unbelievable, different planet.
Asked about whether he would fight to keep Villa’s best players, the 44-year-old Glaswegian said: “Yeah. I can say they’re not going anywhere.
“I’ll still have the final say on who came and who went. I’d imagine I’d still have all that on my side.
“I wouldn’t imagine anyone will leave without my permission. I think that’s fair to say.
So he hasn’t DEFINITELY got the final say on who comes and goes, or has he, or does he imagine he has ? the idiot talks in riddles.
lol Steamer — great Lambert qoutes — that actually sounds hopefull — reading between the lines it seems a takeover could happen reasonabily soon —- or is that just wishful thinking
Chaos at VP Steamer . No coaches , the evil bomb squad Villans back and the existing players been told basically they’re not good enough . It’s going to take some motivating to get the belief back with that lot .
Anyway – David Moyes is being investigated for assault in a Lancs wine bar and it was reported PL was taking a “well earned rest in Scotland ” two days ago. I thought at the time – would I choose Scotland if I had his money – prob not . But if it involved popping into Celtic ? Here I am 2 plus 2 making 6 again . We have to have a few straws to clutch at though .
The reintroduction of the bomb squad suggests he hasn’t got the final say . Add Given to that lost of changes he’s has forced on him.
Of course not. Randy owns Villa. PL has probably had certain assurances.
he’s got the final say all right 🙂 he must be chuffed getting players no-one else wanted to buy from us back. wouldn’t it be amazing if come the start of the season they are all in the team? that will say a lot about the situation. somehow I can’t see any of them making the starting lineup bar mutton, at least he kicked people. would love to see zoggy get a go with Grealish . If gardner finally gets to play at his best those three could make a big difference. lot of ifs though
When he leaves Villa i hope Lerner puts him in a good home.
Mark,
The players no-one else wanted are far better than the ones he signed, that’s how barmy he is. If he selects any of them and they are a success, guess who will take the credit ? “I always knew he was a good player, i just had to work him into the right system, BS, BS, BS.”
” I told him what i wanted and showed him my Jeerman badges and he improved overnight, BS, BS. BS.”
” He’s improved so much under me that Chesterfield will have to double their offer. ”
“Disappointed to miss out on the Barca job but Pep won’t last much longer at Bayern.”
steamer
you must be madder than king George if your remembering mutton as better than anything! go and lie down then read those tea leaves we need cheering up.
gonna finish putting lambert, chubby and lerner on a job lot of punch bags I bought should sell loads outside the ground next season.
There a lot of talk that Lambert wants to go 5 at the back next season if we get Lescott. I hope to god that Lambert isn’t here by August. I’d take anyone over him, anyone.
We need a new owner to spend the pounds on Milner, Barry, Lescott etc. we need quality, not quality and shite
BENT could be a real positive if he gets service
Latest betting , Villa are amongst early favourites for relegation as low as 3/1.
Lambert 8/1 for the Celtic job( please go), however everyone interviewed, fans and pundits alike are saying Malky Mackay or fans fav Henrik Larsson.
Lambert looks even more foolish, now the players he publicly lambasted and treated like shit, are to be his supposed saviours for next season. I honestly don’t believe it was all Lerner behind the bomb squad, not the way Lambert portrayed it and the lies he told, even if and it’s a big if, he was acting under RL instructions, it’s another reason why he’s not cut out for top level management, he has no balls and is a yes man.
He bends and turns around more often than the spaghetti junction, you can’t believe a word that trips off his tongue.
Best case Celtic take him and we even get a bit of compo, or we don’t have to pay him for walking, we then get taken over and try to repair the damage these imbeciles have done to the club.
I don’t think there is any doubt lerner wanted the bomb squad out, he wanted wages down and that was the quickest way besides if you take your Lambert hating glasses off you have to say they needed moving on to achieve that and weren’t that good anyhow .they just didn’t need replacing with so many untried players. also don’t think Lerner thought nobody would want to buy them so probably got pissed off they were on the books and not being used
Believing there is no new owner lined up are we better off sticking with lambert or sacking him?
We’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, I think a Lambert has been a disaster, I feel he’s lost the players especially those from the bomb squad, his tactics are awful and he really clueless.
However with no takeover, no investment and no hope who the fuck can we get, knowing our luck we’d get Neil Lennon and he really is a waste of oxygen
Sooo apparently no buyer at all lined up and will take at least 6 months……sleep well.
Let’s hope PL tells Spurs where to go with their Delph for Holtby + cash offer.
Delph will try and force a move
Gets better. The only reason Randy made the statement was to put us in the shop window after a deal fell through. Now it’s believed a consortium want us which will take at least 6 months. If it’s not a consortium, it sounds like it will be a man not much wealthier than Randy
Dear God help us
Frem what’s this about Delph
Ian
English toffee and maple walnut judged best ice cream in NZ.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11260346
I’ve had Rush Munros Maple walnut. It is good stuff. Their malted vanilla is good too.
Mark,
It all seems to make a bit of sense when you put it all together and the timeline backs it all up, it was said that Lerner had a buyer lined up early in the season so to ship out the players and reduce the wage bill made perfect business sense it made the club look more attractive, it was then stated that these new owners pulled out of the deal, we were then in a position to re-instate these players into the club although I still believe they will be sold as soon as any club shows an interest.
I also believe that other players will be moved out of the club to make way for Bent and CNZ, who knows what will happen with Hutton and Given but we enter pre-season in one hell of a mess.
UTV