Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 14.

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Aston Villa host high flying Southampton on Monday night, with Villa sitting two points above the relegation zone while Southampton are enjoying an incredible start to the season in second place.

Villa turned around a run of six straight defeats with a heard earned point against another of the Barclays Premier League’s in form teams, West Ham, in their last outing, and so will feel confident facing West Ham.

That point was earned by a tight Aston Villa defence, including a superb performance by Brad Guzan. Guzan made five saves in the game, the second highest in the last round of games after Sunderland’s Costel Pantilimon. Overall, Guzan is ranked fourth this season for total saves, with 34 in 11 games.

Nathan Baker was another star performer, making 18 clearances, the third highest in the last gameweek. That took Baker’s tally of clearances so far this season to 71, ranked 17th in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Ali Cissokho also put in a shift in defence in earning the clean sheet, winning six tackles and not losing out on a single one attempted. Cissokho’s hard work has epitomised his season, having covered the second most miles among the Aston Villa squad with 67.87 miles on the clock so far this season.

Ashley Westwood is the only player in the squad to have covered more ground this season than Cissokho, with 72.34 miles covered, the 14th highest in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. That feat is made all the more remarkable when you consider that Westwood is the only player in the top 25 for distance covered to have played ten games rather than 11 this season. Averaging 7.23 miles, he’s ranked sixth for average distance covered per game.

Much may have been made of Villa’s struggle to score goals, but fans may be surprised to hear that Weimann’s conversion rate this season is on a par with that of Sergio Aguero. Weimann has averaged 3.67 shots per goal this season – exactly the same as the Argentine hitman, and significantly better than Monday’s rival Graziano Pelle who averages 6.67 shots per goal. The stats show that if Weimann is given shooting opportunities then he is as reliable as any striker in the Barclays Premier League at putting the ball in the back of the net. Weimann is 10/1 to score first with 888sport.com.

Southampton have defied all expectations this season, sitting in second place after eleven games and four points above Manchester City despite losing a number of players over the summer.

Graziano Pelle was known for his free scoring in the Eredivise, and his continued this in the Barclays Premier League. Pelle has scored six goals this season from 40 shots on goal with 26 on target. Averaging 6.67 shots per goal, the Italian striker is not afraid to have a shot when the opportunity arises, though his conversion rate is not as clinical as some strikers.

Pelle’s goals have certainly helped Southampton’s rise up the league, but their defensive qualities have given him license to get forward. Nathaniel Clyne has won more tackles than any other players in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index with 55. To put that in context, the second ranked player (Crystal Palace’s Mile Jedinak) has won 46. Pelle is 11/9 to score with 888sport.com.

Incredibly, Southampton have three of the top five players in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for tackles won. As well as Clyne, Morgan Schneiderlin is ranked third with 43 won and Victor Wanyama fifth with 39.

Schneiderlin is also the engine room of the Southampton team, having covered more ground than any other player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index with 83.44 miles. Aston Villa shouldn’t expect too much time on the ball against this defensively tough and hard working side.

Interestingly, Southampton only have one player in the top 30 for interceptions (Jose Fonte ranked 8th with 30) showing that Koeman’s side prefer to allow their opponents to receive the pass and then make a tackle, rather than attempt an interception and risk being caught out of place.

Comments 295

  1. Hey guys. What ever happens on Monday will happen. I’ve past caring about football in general now.
    Lamberk says we will give thm a good game. Erm, isn’t that the basics of football ?

    A close defeat and Lamberk will be happy. HH says he’s spoke to fox and he said if we don’t get a big points tally from Burnley, WBA, LCFC, palace, Sunderland then Lamberk will go. Off course it will be too late by then and we will be all but down. Teams are picking up results, we aren’t. You can’t score, you won’t win games

  2. Lamberks 100th game as manager. He’s lost 50 of those

    Anyway, what’s your favourite memory this tactical god has given you ?

    Bradford ?
    8-0 Chelsea ?
    Wigan beating 3-0 at Villa ?
    Stoke beating us 4-1 at Villa?
    Millwall? Sheffield? Orient ?

    Thanks for the memories Lamberk

  3. Frem,
    Good to see you back.
    My favourite memory is yet to come, its the day he gets booted for humiliating AVFC, how can anyone with his record actually think that he deserves to stay in a job ? The man is not only a pathetic manager he’s a pathetic man, who me ? yes you, now here’s your cards and bugger off.
    Southampton will cakewalk Monday, hope its 5 or 6 nil.
    Went to a 60th birthday do last night for an old steamer, out of approx 50 veteran loyalists do you know how many planned to go to VP on Monday ? not a single one, everyone was disgusted with this shambles of a club and these are stalwarts who followed them through thick and thin for years. Lerner’s legacy is one of rancid decay, a club that has entered into a period of decline that will last years and may never recover from.

  4. Hello all.

    Frem

    Who’s HH? I think out of those 5 teams you mentioned, Villa will beat one, Burnley. We might manage some draws.

    0-2 tomorrow. The Saints will relish their trip to VP and leave wishing more away games and venues were like this.

  5. Hiya Frem , did you my e-mail mate , good luck tuesday ,
    PP , lived in Ada Road , which was behind the railway end of the blues ground , used to got to the Monica ,l think it was on a tuesday or weds for the disco , had a few games for monica star with steamer ,

    steamer l dont think that taxi driver last night was a registered one , he asked me how much , so l gave him £20 , it was a brilliant night and as usual the old stories and tales came out , better than the crap that came out in the book and non edited , hicky got in touch this morning and was really taken aback with the turn-out mate , hows yours head ,

    not a big F1 fan but jeez Hamilton just made a brilliant start ,

    morning/afternoon Jenny xxxxx

  6. Trin,
    Howard H?, he’s on TBAR but he was well connected at VP until he wrote a letter to Lerner over Chubby’s wishes and sent into isolation. Apparently he has a few contacts at Villa and wants a regime change.

  7. Steamer: Howard H?, he’s on TBAR but he was well connected at VP until he wrote a letter to Lerner over Chubby’s wishes and sent into isolation. Apparently he has a few contacts at Villa and wants a regime change.

    I’ve today heard that RL has actually put feelers out to one or two he trusts to find out their thoughts on what’s going on.

  8. just read on TVB about a poster who has had logging on problems and has decided to pack it in , shame really as l did like reading Jvc posts , he an oldie like some of us and he posted how he went down the park and helped with the painting and how he bought shares , not to make money but to help and l do feel for fans like that who are watching us go down the drain again as steamer said earlier we went to a 60th yesterday of one of the lads and about 50 turned up and he’s right not one of them is going down tomorrow and out of that lot about 40 of them were steamers and we talked about the old days and what we went through ,good and bad , and we seemed all to be of the opinion were getting whacked tomorrow ,

    lm in the dog house , a mate bought his little girl up and l asked her if she wanted a pepper pig sandwich , was in tears when l gave her a bacon sarnie , l think what done it though was l gave her a slice of bacon cut into squares and told her it was a real pepper pig jigsaw,,,,kids eh , no sense of humour ,

  9. JL- we are 3 points behind liverpool and 8 points off 4th weird table at the moment
    can’t see it staying that way unless we find the net more. lets hope someone leads the horse to water (RL) and hope he drinks

  10. Well the Championship has 24 teams so 17th will feel like something lofty.
    A Lucas alternator Steamer?
    What’s up on Tuesday Frem?

    Putting feelers out? Who’s he going to call? Oh, and by the way Cleveland is falling into place closing in on the bottom again.

    What I don’t understand is every now and then the team look like world beaters. Cool, calm, and collected. Then it all goes to hell in a hand basket. Just watch them win tomorrow just to fuck with us. Then it will be 101 games with 51 somewhat positive results.

    You sound like a broken man Frem. Cheer up you could be a Wigan fan.

  11. Ian: Obviously I can’t name names.

    Mark: Find the net more? Have we found the net at all, should be the question!! 5 goals in 11 matches … that stat speaks volumes. Southampton have conceded … 5 all season. Can’t see them conceding a 6th.

  12. yes JL more!! as 1 is more than 0 and yes of course we have found the net or we would have no wins. we are just shit at it on a consistent basis. we actually have conceded less than roughly half the league but couldn’t hit a cows arse with a banjo
    teams like spurs and liverpool are having terrible seasons considering their spending both 3 points above us, newcastle now in fourth!! chelsea and southampton are the only teams that have some consistency. highly unlikely we will beat them tomorrow but then it was the same when we put 3 past them at their place last season against the run of play.

  13. John,
    On one hand its good news then when you think about EVERY one of Lerners VP appointments then you start to worry, would you trust this idiots appointments. Anyway, why should he seek other opinions, just look at the statistics,way, way, worse than any other managers.
    I don’t think anyone was fooled by that guff about renewed enthusiasm, he’s just decided to get his money back by pocketing most of the tv $$$ and throwing a few pennies at the club, then when he’s got it back he can sell the carcass to another dumb knob cheaply and watch him destroy what’s left. Prepare yourselves for meltdown.

  14. steamer- lerner was just looking to pull in some season tickets with the hope he would spend in jan IMO, at the point those comments came out things were looking rosey. has there been any recent comments from him? can he really get it wrong again? he’s employed all the wrong ones so far surely he’s run out of knob heads to pick and has to luck in on a decent manager FFS

  15. JL- good I like to make you think 🙂 was just trying to show no matter how crepe we are others are surprisingly only a little less crepe, but i’m sure we will soon rectify that 😉

  16. I heard through the grapevine that Lerner has asked Ferguson for his advice for a new manager.
    If we beat Saints tomorrow it will be only second to the five loaves and fish fable.
    AVFC RIP

  17. Mark,

    The thing is, when it comes to Aston Villa of once greatest renown, logic and science doesn’t come it. It’s just blatant, raw emotion that really drives us Villa fans and we hurt like mad because of what’s happened these past few years.

    40 years ago if I’d heard of a Villa team that has only scored 5 goals in 11 I would have found it an unbelievable thing to accept … and, frankly, I still do find it difficult to accept.

    My grandad lived just a few hundred yards from the old AV Wesleyan Church ca. 1890 and ever since then our family has been proud of the club. The current situation is just not acceptable … period.

  18. When one recalls all the exciting and deadly strikers that have graced VP to hear the sky knobs refer to Crappy as ‘a legend’ it makes you realise how standards have fallen, even in my time i’ve witnessed Hateley, Gray, Shaw, Withe, Little, Atkinson, Saunders, Leonard and Yorke, now any striker who scores more than three a season reserves a place in the AV Hall of Fame.

  19. it is not just the 5 goals 12 matches i in cup,but we never look like we can score gabby gets to edge of box heads the other way,wiemen when he plays up top not down wing looks dangerous our midfield get nose bleeds when they go past centre circle,we have noone that will get the ball down and run at defenders making them turn towards their own goal our defenders dont score think coleman and baines scored more than all villa players bar benteke last 18 months lamberts had 21/2 years and getting worse with every week if lerner doesnt act soon you will see vlar delph bent walking away free thats over 30m gone given zog having to be paid off another 13 m guzan benteke will go for small fees grealish okore will want out left with all lamberts players that are loaned out hutton gabby doomsday

  20. tomorrow night nothing will be said by the mindless morons who masquerade as villa fans the lot who turn up tomorrow must either chant lambert out from start to finish or show themselver to be complete brainless morons who follow like sheep i wait to see and hate to say want to see us hamerd but something has got to giveand soonto get this mindless moron out of a job and for godsake do not let that irish twat take over want Zola want to see the kids play with no fear fed up with this boring shite LAMBERT OUT

  21. Well well well, I see enthusiasm and positivity are out in force again today.

    John, to say that the guys who come and support the team are mindless morons if they don’t shout ‘Lambert out’ for 90 minutes is rubbish, I’m afraid. I could never see the point of showing up to watch a team only to boo them. It’s so stupid – bad experience for everyone.

    Also – don’t go attacking fans because you’re frustrated. We’re all frustrated. I knew I’d support the Villa forever, through thick and thin. Well gentlemen, this is ‘thin’.

    I don’t think Lambert’s a great tactician who changes games. Broadly I don’t want a change of manager because of the upheaval but at times like this, I wouldn’t be sad to see him go.

    On match day, I always like to come on here and judge the mood by the level of hysterics. Things are obviously really bad. We need this performance and we need to go on a decent run.

    I was oddly positive ahead of the Spuds game and we should’ve got something. This evening, I can’t see anything other than a Saints win. They are doing everything right.

  22. Tony H
    just when do you expect this “Decent Run” lm all ears ? we cant even do it against div1 teams in a cup run which usually gives teams a boost , not us though , and as long as lamberk has a hole in his arse l cant see him changing tactics . changing tactics !! theres a laff ,

  23. John- I probably am a mindless moron, but I’m still going tonight.

    Lamberks 100th game is going to be marked by one of the lowest crowds in a long time apparently. 25k. Hahaha. By the sounds of things though, Fox knows even less about football than PF did. Oh god

    The Berk says we are to big a club to be bottom 10. So resign then. Says he wants another 100 games in charge, hopefully won’t last 10 and if the next few go wrong, he won’t last.

    Ian- I had an interview last week for a maintenance role and a factory. Might do a bit of a lot of things by the sounds of things, not just electrical so sounds good. They’ve asked me to go for a tour tomorrow so I shall see. Hope it’s a good enough job to be able to apply to move to Canada 🙂

    Thanks Steamer. Hopefully they will offer it me. Yes ST75, got your email mate. I’ll reply to it now.

  24. Tony: I knew I’d support the Villa forever, through thick and thin. Well gentlemen, this is ‘thin’.

    The thing is, though, is that there has only once before been a “thin” like this in Villa’s history and I never expected there to be a repeat of that – I thought the lessons had been learnt. How wrong I have been.

    Whenever a crisis has occurred before, then rectification has occurred within 2 years with the sole exception of post-1967 when it took 8 years to get back into the top-flight. And the state of affairs in 1967 was possibly on a par with how things are now, but it is difficult to compare as football and the money side of things has changed so much in that time.

    And in 1967-69 the fans were willing to do something about it, and did. Without the fans effort then, who knows what might have happened to Villa at that time.

  25. St75- We’ve needed a change of tactics for a year now. He keeps playing this bloody 433 and players out of position but everyone has excepted he won’t change. It will be the same tonight. Same style, same players, same old result

  26. Frem: By the sounds of things though, Fox knows even less about football than PF did. Oh god

    My understanding is that Fox is locked in an ivory tower and is refusing to talk to fans.

  27. Tony,

    I admire your slight optimism but John is trying to hit on the root cause of the problem, the fans are giving him far too easier a ride, his record states that he has lost half of his 100 games in charge, he has broken all of the wrong records at VP and yet the fans still turn up and clap him which is truly amazing, people can criticize Ellis but ask yourselves would Lambert still be in a job if DD was still at the helm, Ellis knew a bit about the game and knew it was a results business, five defeats and one draw would have seen him walking that’s for sure.

    This will be our fourth consecutive season in a relegation fight and I get this bad feeling that this will be the one when we lose our place in the premier, so a change now would give the manager time to assess his players before the January window.

    Only two problems or three, Lambert has just signed a new contract, can we trust Lerner and Fox to replace him with just another clueless idiot, and if there is no money for the next window then we are stuck with the same group of players minus whoever may jump ship in the new year, that’s has positive as I can get at the moment, I have not heard a Villan predict a Villa win tonight which speaks volumes for the dire mess we are in.

    AVFC RIP.

  28. Thanks John L – fair point but I’m not sure that it’s as simple as learning from failures and then applying those lessons to be successful.

    I don’t want to give the impression that I’m massively optimistic (I don’t know where OR IF there’s a decent run coming S75) – I’m just making the point that yes it’s horrible, yes our form is dire and we seem far too unambitious and I think it’s fair to say our manager hasn’t beaten even our low level of expectations –HOWEVER – this surly mood which shouts about the sky caving in “Lamberk this” “Fox is a moron etc etc” mean nothing to me. It’s simple natural venting of frustration and if you ever wanted a sense of how pointless and – almost comedic – it is, go back a few months on this blog and read the comments.

    Same people going absolutely mental after a loss but a massive uptick in confidence after a couple of decent games. Same comments “Lambert out”, “Randy is taking all the cash” (despite the fact he’s lost millions…) day after day – same comments.

    What I really don’t like – although I understand your point John and SWV – is suggesting people should boo at the match. You don’t necessarily have to support Lambert but I really don’t see the point in paying good money to show up to a ground to bawl the odds. I think you’re far more likely to wind up ruining it for someone else. Going to see a match was a luxury when I was growing up – at £45 odd – it still is. We should boo bad play, a bad performance or a poor decision but showing up specifically to boo or protest that we are not as good as we once were is pretty fucking pointless in my opinion.

    If you want to give Lambert or the club a tough time – don’t show up and don’t spend money on them – that’s where it hurts the club most BUT, if you do that, don’t sing “Villa til I die” or “I’ve been supporting for xx years”. It’s as simple and as frustrating as that I’m afraid lads.

  29. Tony,

    At what point do you say enough is enough for me the tipping point came ages ago when Lerner appointed McLeish and from then on we have been in a constant spiral downwards.

    Bookies tonight go Saints 8/11 on and 4/1 the Villa so if you really fancy a win get your money on early because that 8/11 will not last long.

    AVFC RIP

  30. Strange event happened while walking the growler this morrow, no didn’t bump into Bigfoot, no didn’t meet a nose who’d discovered soap or a compassionate Tory, met a Villan who’s going to the game tonight, his prediction ? at least a five goal defeat to Soton.
    I’ve a feeling that the worm will turn tonight, a good bollocking on top of the 21 fiasco, Lamberts negative records and basically the fact that we’re beyond crepe may actually spark a reaction from Zombieland. Whatever anyone says, their’s no turning back for Lambert, he may pick up a few more wage cheques before the inevitable boot but he can’t turn this disaster around, what narks me is that the situation is so obvious, so why leave it until its beyond repair unless Lerner wants us down to lessen expenses while grabbing the para payments, who knows, fact is its hard to work out what’s happening in the mind of a dummy.
    Regarding Fox, he is a typical Lerner admin appointment, knows bugger all about footy, just an arse kissing number cruncher, i wouldn’t bet on him being here this time next year, Yanks need to be loved, he won’t stand being hated, that’s why Lerner disappeared after the Bolton game, blood like gnats piss.

  31. Tony,
    Good points, i think more and more loyalists will choose not to go to VP but as i’ve stated before, once you get out of the habit its difficult to get back into it and Villa are losing thousands by the game never mind the 14,000 ST holders from last season. Personally, as one of the absentees, if i saw even a glimmer of competency off the field or a spark from the playing side then i may consider going down but to be honest there is absolutely nothing positive about Villa under Lerner. By the way, if he’d have employed that much discussed DoF he wouldn’t have wasted his $$$.
    John mention the ‘lost’ eight years, the current situation is almost parallel except that the fans weren’t prepared to be walked over unlike this lot, and when you consider the contempt that they hold for them its quite staggering that they get the crowds they do.
    I must ad that under MoN we were virtually everyone’s second favourite club, now other fans look down on us because were boring, totally negative and crepe.

  32. morning folks, I can see both sides, I wouldn’t pay good money to boo a team for 90 mins but then I wouldn’t pay to see the dross being served up. by all means if they are playing shite give them some stick. those who want to boo for 90 mins pay your money and boo, personally i’d prefer an empty villa park for 5 mins at the start in front of the cameras and and then several thousand banners telling the world what we think, lets face it they can’t ban 30,000 fans. the problem is we are divided and they know it, its a modern disease, give people something to lose and watch community go out the window . throwing out one or two is doddle 30,000 they’d shit themselves. saying that these days there are a lot of young fans in the crowd so I can see why some fans will be reluctant.

    Tony H, your loyalty is commendable but misplaced with these clowns. Unlike a lot of people on here I can see how difficult the change from spending to scrimping has been for Lambert and all post Mon managers. the problem is Lerner, Lambert is not doing a good job in the normal sense but has kept us up under tough conditions. could a better more astute manager made it easier? definitely. I’d say what we have done has never been achieved in the prem. A cull like ours usually ends in relegation yet here we are no matter how we achieved it. Unfortunately we are now worse than pre-MON and don’t have the know how to build as southampton have.
    A more measured approach when Lerner turned up could have prevented all of this, Mon was not a good choice in hindsight to build a legacy. If we had made champs it would of lasted one season as the infrastructure for prolonged success was missing IMO.

    One look at spurs and liverpool will tell you building a team isn’t easy, two good managers known for their footballing pedigree can’t get a decent team out of multi million pound squads

    as for the match three first choice centre halves out but hutton back means we will see two defensive mids and maybe even lowton at centre half as okore has forgotten how to tie his boots up. can’t see us spawning this one

  33. •Aston Villa have the equal-worst home record along with Crystal Palace, both clubs taking just four points from a possible 15.
    •Paul Lambert’s side have only scored five league goals this season; all three of their Villa Park goals have been scored in the first half.
    •They have failed to score in seven of their 11 Premier League matches – a league high, and have found the net in just one of their last seven games.
    •Villa have lost all five games in which their opponents have scored first this season, Liverpool (four) are the only other club not to pick up a point when conceding the first goal.
    •The Villans have recorded the fewest shots on target (23).

    That need updating because Palace won on Saturday.

    72 Days since we last won a game.

    AVFC RIP

  34. SWV- our squad is on its arse, no vlaar, senderos, delph, benteke, means we have no spine. all the leaders are out. if we could keep our first choice 11 fit even with Lamberts non-management we would improve. unfortunately we have a team of players left that would get picked last in the playground let alone the prem.

    Palace played well against liverpool yesterday and won and considering they picked up 3 points on saturday as well maybe we should play 2 game a weekend too 🙂

  35. Jan Vertonghren ….. What a despicable knob, should have been sent off for grabbing Helenius by the shorts, should have been sent off for a dangerous tackle at VP again this year, and provoked a sending off vs Hull, his only purpose seems to be getting people booked or sent off, Spurs are the biggest cheats in the division.

  36. I’ve loved it here – it’s been hard times but there is an incredible expectation level. It’s a brilliant club, it’s had its hard times but we’ve got through it. It makes you stronger.

    Yep, one point in seven games, we’re definitely through it.

  37. steamer-
    is it to late to send Lambert to the jungle? maybe he could find a replacement pair of nuts.

    this made me chuckle off another blog

    “It’s a sad day when you look forward more to watching celebrities eating Kangaroo gonads than watch the team you support play.”

  38. I’m on the side of supporting the team when you go to the game, regardless of how they are playing; players don’t go out to play badly they have off days or the tactics are lousy.
    Having said that, you can support the players on the pitch and hold up Lambert Out banners simultaneously, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Look how the Pardew Out regime changed their fortunes; of course the players must want to play for the manager to achieve that!

  39. Mark,

    Your earlier post about the choice of MON being not right (though even many independent people looked at it as a +ve move), and Lerner the one to blame for the whole subsequent mish-mash, is correct i.m.o.

    It’s pretty clear that Lerner was gullible enough to believe MON’s delivery plan but I suspect CEO Fitzgerald had to leave because he could see the flaws. Then (via Cunar) came the flawed PF appointment and the string of error-strewn managerial appointments which appear to be of Lerner’s making. And the awful financial management and now the Fox appointment which seems not to be going well.

    Which means the need for Lerner to go is paramount. I thought he staying might be a good thing at the back-end of last season, but I made a mistake there. His lack of knowledge and understanding is really holding back the club.

  40. JL- me too mate I thought him to be a decent enough bloke being led down the garden path but the fact he’s apparently getting more involved and the car crash continues says he’s a meddler and a clueless one at that.

  41. Morning folks….

    A cold and bitter morning, which does not look like improving.

    Was not going to go to the match and save some money….had hoped some generous soul would have bought my seat on Viagogo, and I could have bought a couple of pints and watched tv. Then last night was in the pub after work and bumped into a pair of Villa fans, one was even a S/T holder for the Upper Holte and going to the match, and i got invited to join them for a few beers after the game, and even a roof over my head iof I needed it. Such a great feeling…we as fans don’t change, but how sad is the club, as it fails under its American owner. Weather has made me finally decide to stay at home…bad roads and new wheels have cost me enough so far….New punters being offered 5-1 on a saints win and a free bet if they don’t on F/B by one of the bookies..!!

    I have to agree with Tony H and Steamer on their comments.

    ST75

    my first job was at the 5 minute car wash behind the Kingston Cinema, while waiting to hear from Barclays Bank, then ended up in Moseley, where the in place was the Gigi coffee bar…..distant memories…

  42. Mark

    I was going to mention about the spine of the team too. We are bad enough when everyone is fit so having Vlaar, Delph, Benteke out, our 3 best players in 3 different positons out……we could get a big beating tonight.

    BUT something in my water is telling me we will win tonight…..do you know when you just a that ‘feeling’?!

    *takes another long sip of gin*

  43. There has been a great video going around marking 140 years. Great to see happy times.

    I always used to like the black bin bag looking cover we used to have on the pitch to protect from the elements….always think of that winter time.

  44. jl- when mon first arrived I thought fair enough it will be his first real crack at english football with some money. I quite liked his leicester side so I thought give him a chance. success at celtic is more or less 50/50 so you couldn’t take to much from his success there and particularly his dealings. it became apparent though he was pretty one dimensional and in my opinion almost as bad with subs as Lambert. I’ve no doubt if the money hadn’t dried up he would have achieved something with us but the cost was to high and Lerner too dumb.
    this sums Mon up and his style, a counter attacking pullis.

    http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/craig-bellamy-celtic-martin-oneill-1928800

  45. l can only think that the tea lady is a bluenose and she must put something in the tea before a game as thats the only way l can think that our players have a off day on every bloody matchday ,

    Tony
    if you look at my past post’s you will see lv been consistant on my views of PL as l never wanted him here from day one , l just find it hard that he’s still with us and the idiot above gave him 4 more years ,

    sww ,listen mate Frem now knows how to pull women , drink 20 pints while still standing and he showed me how to wire a plug , whats the problem with that ? Arse !

  46. SWV – honestly mate – I don’t know when to say “enough is enough”.

    When we lost to Spurs under McLeish – that’s when I gave up on him. In fact – I’m still angry about that performance. I watched games but only went to one other that season.

    I’m not trying to tell anyone they should be happy. I’m not happy myself and I don’t think I’m being mindlessly loyal. I follow Villa because I want to. Even when things are sh!te – I have a half hope we’ll do ourselves proud and I was watching it to see it happen. That’s what following a team is to me. Not going there to boo and not spending hours on here writing the same “Lambert out” comments. At least the main man Steamer varies it a bit with the occasional story!!!

    At the end of that awful December 2012 – we had West Brom in January and it was only because I had nothing to do that I went to the pub to watch it. We go two nil up and play them off the park and I’m delighted. Gutted an hour later as we give them the two goals back. That’s the rollercoaster guys – that’s the game.

    I don’t massively rate Lambert and I’m gutted that Lerner’s original overspend has the Villa penny pinching now. In low moments, I curse the day I didn’t choose to follow Manure or Liverpool as all my mates did but then I remember I’m a Villa fan and not a glory-hunting tossbag.

    If results get bad enough, Lambert will go sure enough. Oddly, some of you see that as the victory while forgetting we cheered his name in his last game as Norwich boss.

    I HATE for us to be in this hole but I don’t see the point in shitting all over it while we’re stuck in it. The only thing you can do as a fan is to wait it out and let your money decide how interested you are every season. Every game has the potential to be another infuriating disaster (Everton this year), plucky hard luck story (Spurs a couple of weeks ago), deserved ugly result (West Ham) or – very unikely – runaway win (6-1 v Sunderland).

    Tonight gentlemen, we go again.

  47. PP
    l worked at that car wash as well for about 2 weeks while awaiting for my apprenticship , bloody hell , the papershop owner over on kingston hill used to drive over and reverse back into the car wash so he didnt have to pay , they gave me a pair of the yellow waterproof overalls /bib n brace and the bib covered my face , small world indeed,

  48. andrew- I think the best we will get is a draw with a mexican standoff in midfield. southampton are very compact and hard to beat and we can’t score so am expecting a 1-4-6 formation the 1 being guzan
    what have you put in that gin meths? 😉

  49. Paul: ended up in Moseley, where the in place was the Gigi coffee bar

    Hah ha … back in ’62 were you that feller ogling the femme fatale so much that your eyes dropped out?! She parked her Mercedes convertible at the front of Gigi and walked through the café to stares and utter silence from the letchering fellers within!

    I’ve only just bought A History of Moseley Village by Norman Hewston (foreword by Carl Chinn) which has in it a pic that shows the Gigi as it was and talks about the owner of it. The book also includes a copy of the Gigi menu from the early 1960s … You could get a gulash for four shillings and sixpence (22.5 new pence to those who weren’t about then!!) and coffee with cream for one shilling (5p).

  50. S75,
    You had an apprenticeship at acar wash ?

    Tony,
    Thats the tragedy, AVFC has a fantastic bunch of fans that,even in the good years, were abused by the various owners, there’s nothing like VP in its pomp, when the Holte get going they turn opponents legs to jelly, what a waste of goodwill. We all support the club in our own way, no wrong, just the way we think will benefit the club….. what a load of sentimental crepe, Lambert out, Lerner out, Fox out.

  51. ST75,

    we may have lasted about the same length of time, and perhaps I should have joined you, as an electrician, as I have enjoyed being a live wire ever since! Not automatic in those days, but up to four lads leathering off, and how those wrists swelled after a couple of days at it.

    JL, no, I was the person that pulled up outside with an old sit-up and beg Ford Anglia and eight people piled out, and the local bobby strolled over and suggested we may be slightly overloaded, and to take it carefully…!!!! Thanks for the other info……but if I had seen the lady, I may have gone the whole hog and paid the shilling for her coffee. One of my mates in those days was a guy called Paul Laing, who was a camera man for ATV, son of the builders, later became a tv director, and another guy was called Bob morris, who had an amazing cellar, where we used to have great parties.
    My memory is of drinking the seven pint bumpers from M&B through the night, going for a breakfast in some greasy spoon in Sparkbrook, then home, change for work in the bank until lunchtime, then home catch two buses to B6, go in the schoolboys entrance, wearing old sixth form scarf, pay 2/6, then home and back to the pub after the match in Sheldon, probably, the Stirrup Cup, or get the car and drive to the Three Witches in Stratford….!!! what a different life in those days…!!

  52. It’s going to be one dire turn out. The regulars I know aren’t even going tonight. Rather stay home in the warm and watch it on sky. Can’t blame them, it’s what the Berk has done yo this club.

    To be honest, if I see us setting up 433 and no Grealish, I’ll start the engine and drive back home

    Tony- That spurs game, that was when Hutton and Heskey were used As wingers and the donkey up top on his own wasn’t it?

  53. Paul: what a different life in those days…!!

    Your dissolute description parallels my life almost word-for-word in those times – different names and places apart from Gigi, but otherwise the same. My gang’s centre was the Plough, Monkspath and greasy spoon breakfasts at Rugby.

  54. … (continued) When I started work at IBM as a trainee programmer I first spent a few weeks in the computer room and worked shifts. In the night shift the computer jobs ran for so long (really old fashioned computer kit) we’d go out into the night and find other greasy spoons!

  55. Hello Frem – lovely to see you back !

    Steamers – glad you enjoyed Herman market / get together birthday. My girls went too – very busy and they didn’t find the ice rink ! What Ive rink they said ! Still they made it back without being pick pocketed so good time had by all !

    John L – very interesting to learn that the “lamp post ” meeting place is inaccurate . There is an article on the OS site about it . It galls me when these stories become fact and already fans are treating it as part of our history saying how proud they are of it . Whatever next – a wardrobe to walk through and find Narnia on the other side . I can understand how annoying it must be given your far superior knowledge ,

  56. Jenny very interesting to learn that the “lamp post ” meeting place is inaccurate

    H-e-l-l-o Jenny!! 🙂

    No, it’s not the location that’s in error but the myth that “the four” met and under the lamp and effectively founded the club.

    The reality is that “the four” had been delegated to watch a rugger match and report back on their thoughts about whether Villa should go the rugger route or soccer. The meeting under the lamppost was to discuss simply that. Subsequently 15 fellers met up and formed the club.

    One of the founders (Jack Hughes) stated this was the case and emphasised then that the club was founded by 15, not 4.

  57. Paul Lambert’s record
    Lost 48 , drawn 21, won 32.

    Crystal Palace – spent less than us over three seasons – gave Liverpool a bloody good game / were great to watch . They pressed , they attacked and as Callagher admitted they bullied Liverpool . Their players weren’t better individually , they cost a fraction and didn’t hide behind the ball . There are weaknesses in all the big clubs this season bar Chelsea . Any of them can be beaten but not with this “we can’t compete / big club / mentality . CP don’t have players like Lallana and Sterling but what they lacked in talent they made up for in balls.
    If we play our usual low possession , park the bus football tonight then we deserve all we get : bottom three and an empty Villa Park.

  58. Jenny,

    I think it’s one of the reasons why I was sacked – I was trying to make the facts known and those Baggies thought they’d ruin the Villa’s history their way and didn’t like me interfering with their comfort world.

  59. Thanks Jen. Are you going tonight ?

    Steamer- they’ve closed one big ass car park already this season. Suppose Randy has realised he doesn’t need to pay for the spaces cus know one turns up anymore

  60. Jenny,

    What happened to me was a warning of what was really going on there then (in terms of falsehood) and has manifested itself fully over the last four years in the way the club has been managed.

    It’s not what happened to me that’s the real issue, but that the club has been handled in this way. But we, the fans, have allowed them to do that.

  61. Jenny,

    And the so-called founding date of November 21st (that has recently materialised) is quite unlikely. I’ve seen many references from the 1880s and 1890s that Villa was formed in October.

  62. Americans do like to fantasise John, i mean Batman must be 70 by now yet they reckon he’s still climbing buildings in Gotham City, they’re fooling nobody, and John Wayne, won every battle from the Alamo to D Day and learned to fly in between wars even though he was 180.

  63. I’m not sure what the club are doing to pay respect to those who lost their lives in the Birmingham Pub bombings – but I hope Sky pick up on it and report it properly .

  64. John , it matters to me and I’m sure everyone on here , what happened to you . Pearls before swine as I have said before and it shows this “responsible custodianship ” is mere PR puff .

  65. Jen,
    One of the things that narks me is the local media who are standing by while the club is being destroyed, so, if they do ban BM reporters just get more poisonous with them, fire & fire, when the club is dead and buried they won’t have anything to write about anyway.

  66. Some of our fans are as bad, the Supporters Trust were praising Lerner for keeping the clubs traditions yet the first thing he did was replace the club crest with a doodle of his cat.

  67. Frem , I’m not going tonight – I’m voting with my feet . I vowed not to go to VP until we have a change in manager. I haven’t been since we lost to the hammers (before their meteoric rise ) last season . I only went then as I got a free ticket .

  68. Hi jenny , had a good time saturday , didnt go the market , went straight in the windsor then met the lads in colmore bar and grill , still got pickpocketed though in the pub and curry house , dont know how he does it , mind he does have a manniquin in his living room , only thing that will listen to him , and l think he sharpens his skills on that ,

    steamer /sww thats one more skill than you two have , between ya ,

  69. I know what you mean Steamer – Matt Kendrick was honest and he isn’t covering as many villa stories . Is this because he dared to criticise the Lambert Keane Frem team ? I wonder if they’ve refused him access as I saw another name on AV articles in the BM. The most infuriating one is James Nursery of DM . Has no understanding how the fans feel , doesn’t want to criticise a manager who has broken every negative record going and has served up the most boring negative ivr football most have ever seen at VP. It shows how little most of these pundits know about AV – Micky Quinn had us down for a win tonight – 1-0 with Benteke to score – well that will be a turn up for the book when he’s on a ban

  70. cant even be bothered to go to the local pub in tewkesbury any more all the carrot crunchers just take the piss out of me supporting this dross will stay in and stream the game don’t bother to have the sky shite any more just hope all the idiots on here who are supporting the team don’t start that Lambo claret and blue army crap he cudent run a salvation army collection tin round the pub the useless non english speaking twat hope we get spanked Lambert out

  71. Haha not Frem team (though he’d do better) dream team .
    Good to hear a villa fan on drive time telling AD how it is . Not only negative record in prem but the losses in the cup.
    As Goughie just said ” he made decisions on players and didn’t give them a chance – like DB and the replacements haven’t worked .”
    What is also missed bY the media is the players we have brought in have gone backwards. Take Bertrand – looked great when he came to us – he soon deteriorated to our level – escapes and is now being considered for England .

  72. jenny- so thats why frems going he’s got a new job in villa management! should see some wingers tonight then 🙂 these so called professional pundits are a joke, even the commentators seem to make no effort to find out facts anymore, just spout bollocks

    http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/paul-lambert-vows-work-backside-4679813

    Lambert has a degree in bollockese, this interview is a masterpiece of cliches strung together, I don’t think he actually knows what he has said himself. I bet his mrs loves to ask him what he wants for tea.

    “what we need to see is some better dinners, this house is used to top top lunches , thats the way it goes some recipes work some don’t, but we eat it anyhow and then we go again, usually several times if the meats off, wanker

  73. for me the treatment of helenius is the worst I have seen, the lad had problems settling and basically got no help and no football, even though I can’t remember him being useless, just not a no9.

  74. Jenny,

    Your very kind thoughts are greatly appreciated, but my life has got an end to it while Villa’s should have been going on as a leader in sport and sportsmanship.

    The way things are going now the club may die before me!

  75. Mark – I think the PR dept have a competition how many cliches they can put in every article . And they’re paid for it !

    Sky just reported that the villa bus has broken down – you couldn’t make it up ! They’ve just arrived .

    As Frem is manager I’m expecting a 4-4-2 , But they’re obviously not listening to him as Gabby and Weiman start again .

  76. Steamer,

    I wonder what happened to these old Villa players who went into management (like Neal) and then oblivion?

    I recall that John Neal could run 100 yds in 10 secs. Quite a nice player – I preferred him to Gordon Lee (another player who became a manager) at least. And then came Charlie Aitken.

  77. Blimey. We just scored one of those thingies, you know when the round white thing goes into the white posts with the net behind…. what’s it called again….oh yeah a goal. Not seen one of them for a while.

  78. Gabby and Guzan the stand outs so far.

    Mark – it was a memory test for sure, I know I’m getting old but when you see those so infrequently, it gets hard to remember.

    CNZ looks like he is having one of those games, heavy touch, just off the pace.

    Well I say one of those games, he’s played 59 like it.

  79. superbox-would be nice to see him swapped for grealish or dare I say it cole or maybe one of those for weimann just to give southampton something to think about

  80. I’ve just seen Hutton control a swirling high ball on his chest and let it drop to his feet before playing in a decent cross.

    Words I thought I’d never type.

  81. angel_8 – I think Okore has looked really solid, not spectacular, no mistakes, used his physical presence well. Maybe loosing Vlaar won’t be so bad if he can keep this up.

  82. Doing good Steamer, thanks for asking. Hope all is well with you. Best we can hope for is 1-1. I’m usually an optimistic person but lambert is killing me.

    I think I’ve finally realized his strategy: make sure the opposition cannot play, make the game as ugly as possible, park the bus, and maybe we’ll get one on the break.

    I would much prefer Pulis in this case. Can you believe we haven’t scored after 50 mins all season? That says it all about the manager

  83. Same old story,a mentally weak manager.Villa are knackered,instead of putting Saints under pressure with Grealish he puts Bent on,cautious,cautious,negative.Another collapse beckons 1-2.

  84. It’s so easy to second guess when you’re sitting at home but I just do NOT get Lambert’s subbing?!?!?!? Up 1-0 and Sanchez is the ‘rock’ in the middle so he throws on Bent… Sorry don’t get it. Does he know something I don’t? I guess he still thinks that Sanchez is tiring late as he adapts to the PL. Who knows? When we need offence he sticks on more defenders when we’re winning he throws on a barely used striker. I’m lost.

  85. Hanging on to a 1 nil,is alright if you have the players/squad who are good at it.We clearly do not fall into this category, we are woeful at it,yet Lambert persists with it .
    Just atrocious.

  86. After 140 years, a once proud club plays for a draw at home-again.I think it`s time to get under the lamp at Heathfield Rd. and discuss shutting the club down.Lambert is already planning a great nil nil at Burnley.Worst manager and owner in all those years working in tandem to drag us down.Standards are falling by the day at VP.

  87. Did Bent have a touch? Totally anonymous. Again.

    Bringing him on was a strange move granted, but looking at the bench, not sure who else PL could bring on. Squad depth paper thin.

    Fair play to Hutton, Okore, Clark and Cissohko, they all played well. Sanchez did OK but tired badly. Gabby used his pace well in the first half. Cleverly and Westwood attempting to morph into the same player – a steady midfielder incapable of creating anything up front!

    Usual fare from CNZ, and that’s not a compliment. Wiemann industrious but lacking composure.

  88. clarke and okore did well hats off to them, bent sub wrong wrong wrong lost us 2 points, might as well put a clotheshorse on the pitch. weimann or gabby off for grealish or cole as they were knackered. handed the game to them again

  89. B6toBrazil, yea you’re right.

    I don’t mind a defensive strategy, but we need a manager that can implement it aka Tony Pulis. Lambert must be the 2nd worst manager in history. Our previous mgr is clearly the worst

    Lambert has zero vision, no idea on how to change a game…and we have an ignorant Cork c$&t as his partner. What could be worse..

  90. My word that was dreadful to watch. With the exception of Clark and Okore who were solid we were extremely poor. Isn’t a football team supposed to try and win a game. Our basic ball skills, the ability to keep possession of the football and our passing is terrible. One shot on goal says it all.

    We cannot wait until Benteke, Delph and Vlarr return.

  91. angel……what could be worse?

    Well handing Lambert a new 4 year deal…..oh dear the club have already done this…………

    Young and cheap has failed,older and better pay is failing right in front of our eyes,Lambert`s or the club`s change of strategy is resulting in the same the same outcome
    Lose away and draw at home equals relegation.

  92. Saints disappointed me tonight performance-wise … I did expect them to allow Villa nothing yet they virtually gave the game to Villa.

    Have to give credit to all 4 Villa defenders … and Okore is actually a footballer.

  93. JL- yes he is mate Okore is actually a footballer, can pass tackle head and has good positioning, why hasn’t he played?

    with the amount of empty seats we could of sat people in a way that spelt out Lambert and lerner out, who needs banners

  94. Saints played some attractive football and we played our usual smash and grab rubbish . Saints really look a level above us and we were gifted the goal by Foster comjng out too soon . Sanchez still looks slow and accident prone – I’m surprised he stopped on so long – but DB was the last person I expected to see come on !

  95. Remember Hugh Johns doing a game and he combine the two and called Eric ‘Little Pearly Gates’ finished me with Star Soccer, dear oh dear he was crap.

  96. Frem turned me on to the movie. Moneyball.

    “There are rich teams there are poor teams.Then there is 50 feet of shit and then there`s us.”

    A spot on analysis of where we are at,but some might say there is 250 feet of the brown stuff and then there is Villa.

  97. I am so utterly depressed with our counter attacking style of play under Lambert. It doesn’t work. We make every team we play against look good. It’s embarrassing. It really is time for Lambert to go. He gets paid several million to make us endure this drivel.

  98. Anyway I hope you are all keeping well.I am going to hibernate again for a few weeks.I`ll be back on here when we next win a game so probably 2018.Have a good Crimbo all.

  99. Steamer,I know you have no time for Cole.but I thought the last 30 mins would have suited him,he would keep the ball,which is what we needed,not a CF who would receive no service and can`t play with his back to goal.A bizarre substitution,in a long list of bizarre sustitutions.
    Off to hibernate.

  100. You too Brazil !
    Well there may not have been dissent at the ground but PL got it with both barrels on the Tom Ross phone in after the game . Out of the five or six callers he had on they all said he must go now .
    As for Sanchez Mark – yes he is like Jeckykl and Hyde but tonight there were some excruciating moments from him and Zog . How many times was Zog dispossessed !

  101. Hi folks. well we did survive just…

    Thought Clark was outstanding and did a great job with Okore, Hutton and Cissoko.

    Shame that Weimann cost us two points with two mistakes….missing the best chance of the night, and then letting Bertrand get goal side of him for the pass that gave Soton the equaliser.

    Surely Weimann should have gone first and been replaced by Grealish.

    Enjoyed a few beers in the local watching with my eldest son for the first time in many years.

  102. Just checked over our premiership results so far and apart from QPR they were all as expected or better than expected.
    The real test for this team is yet to come. We need to win the games against the bottom teams now and there’s every chance that we will.

  103. A team with villa’s recent spending power can’t afford to be without their 4 best players. Bearing that in mind it’s be unreasonable to expect us to be doing much better than we are right now

  104. I still believe Sanchez will come good. The class is there, it just needs to be shown more consistently.
    In Stan’s first season for us he showed similar inconsistency and O’Neill eventually ( reluctantly) dropped him. All credit to him for the way he then came back the next season

  105. R0bb0,

    I feel that last night’s CBs did very well and that the three so-called first-choice CBs were not missed. So if you take that into account we were missing just 2 that might have made a difference – Delph and Benteke. And *unless* both were on top form I don’t think they would have made a huge difference last night.

    In Okore I think we have the makings of a really fine player, and Hutton has really come good i.m.o. As I said before, all 4 defenders did well in fact.

    I wish I could think of more positives but I can’t, except that Gabby really put in a good stint last night – better than of late, and covering as an extra l-b too. Sanchez does look a bit slow yet sometimes does good things and then passes to the opposition. Maybe he’ll come good.

  106. John, fair point about the back 4. They did do well. Our defence has been a real weakness and they say that teams build from the back so I suppose we must give Lambert some credit for having built a squad of defenders so that we are capable of performing well even when we are missing what would have been considered out best 3 defenders.

  107. robbo- I think he will too just needs to speed his body up to prem speed and his brain down from light speed. would help if he had more than 1 option to pass to though. he is trying to be everywhere as he see’s the gaps quickly thats why he was knackered. westwood is slowly disappearing up his own arse as him sanchez and cleverly are too similar all work and no imagination.

    nzog needs to go to specsavers as he can’t see the player he continually runs into, he has a problem going past players on the left but put him on the right and he can’t cross, he needs a free role to be effective he’s not a winger.

    okore showed his class, he is a ball playing centre half hurray! and surprisingly clarke showed leadership, hutton did well on the whole still not totally sold on sissy he’s a bit dopey but was ok

  108. JL- gabby would benefit from losing a stone, would get less injuries and you can see he is a yard slower, on occasions the old gabby would of made himself several chances by outpacing the defence, last night he took the easy option too much. he needs to back off the weights and do table push aways and we might have a decent player again. still can’t hit a cows arse with a banjo but works hard.
    Lamberts use of forwards to cover the fullbacks is killing us and them, i’ll bet they covered the most mileage last night. southampton use the 2 sitting midfielders to cover their fullbacks why can’t we?

  109. JL-also totally disagree on delph, his greatest asset is his ability to drive at teams with the ball. he can be erratic but he gets up the field quickly with possession instead of giving 50/50 passes up to the forwards, what he does after that is where he needs to improve. thats why we needed grealish on, not bent IMO

  110. Mark,

    Though I like Delph I don’t think he has enough creativity in him to make a huge difference. At Villa he looks better (and he did fairly well for England) but I think in a star team he’d be overshadowed.

  111. JL- I agree mate but villas team is kinda like frankenstein made up of bits, instead of players who can do a reasonable job at all aspects of the game and exceptional at one or two we have one job wonders. delph is our ball carrier or at least the only one that gets a game, his tackling has improved and occasionally he hits the target but his decision making and execution can be poor. at least he gives us a different dimension as we are pretty vanilla otherwise. thats why i’m pleased to see Okore in as he has the potential to be a very rounded player just need 10 more 🙂

  112. Just heard why Delph will never play for Villa again, partly his shoulder but mainly because of a row with a volatile member of the coaching staff, guess who ? Apparently he charged in the changing room calling everyone winkers and Delph took offence and offered to step outside, and, lets put it this way, the coach came off worst. Don’t know if that’s how he did his shoulder but it certainly dispels a few myths. He was going to Spuds anyway but that may explain why the morons at VP never offered him a contract. This came from an ex player with several hundred appearances behind him.
    What planet is Scabby on ? what was he thinking of when he let RB get goal side of him, its not the first time the useless gobshite has done it. According to Lambert we’d have won the World Cup playing like we did last night, another two points dropped. In anyone can explain the Bent sub appearance feel free.

  113. JL- and that’s where we disagree as even not at his best he’s a pain in the arse and unpredictable even if he cocks up he draws fouls and others profit 😉

    Steamer- the reason bent came on was we had withdrawn so far down the pitch gabby and weimann no longer had the strength to attack southampton from their fullback roles, so instead of putting a player on that can buy time and create he put on one that needs someone to create, the answer is Lambert and Keine are twats.
    gabby should have tracked the full back but then the ball should of been cleared ages before and really should a fat bloke who’s good at sprinting be asked to run marathons?

  114. Really impressed with Okore – he clearly is a talent – why has he been watching other play while fit ? — Clark also has to take a lot of credit

    Southampton were pretty poor though and this most have been one of there worst performances this season

    I still think we will stay up due to having some good players in our squad compared to other strugglers but the sad thing is again this will be seen by randy as a success so Lambert will see out his 4yrs contact by which time any interest i have in football will be completely destroyed

  115. runtingz- I think Lambert is scared to change things mate, change is thrust on him. maybe southampton were expecting a football team, our play is so different to other teams their manager had never seen the like. also he dropped davis for long , maybe he knew we would pack the mid and was looking to go long ball down the channels either way I think they expected to win without trying

  116. Didn’t post last night as I was too angry, everything about Villa is second or third rate, it was an awful attendance with absolutely no atmosphere and no real emotion or Lambert out chants, personally I don’t think we could do any worse than swapping him for the singing moose from the german market.
    We are shit, Saints fans on the radio are calling a draw at villa a real blip and they expected more.
    Until these scum are removed from Villa park, we will continue to deteriorate until we are below the likes of other fallen giants like Leeds, Sheff weds, Forest etc.
    It’s not inconceivable that we will be playing in a league BELOW Brentford or Bournemouth next season!!!
    The club won’t survive 4 more years of this negative football, no one is attending the games, last night the ground was half empty no way were there actually 25k in there, ST holders who sit around me didn’t go, there must have been loads of others, we will prob only sell 5 -10 thousand ST next season at this rate, I bet the 1/2 ST are hardly flying off the shelf at the minute, if Fox was brought in to maximise revenue he is failing along with the dumb managerial staff and owner.

  117. Steamer

    It is crazy when Hutton could really win POTY. He’s played consistently well in an average team. The crazy thing is what was it that made him play poorly 20 months ago when he was often called Mutton? It seems he went elsewhere with the right attitude to prove his worth. He was coached and managed better and came back a decent Prem League player.

  118. B62

    Bang on. These guys have forgot the old business maxim, “If you want to make money you got to spend money.” These nuts are treating Villa like it’s the Greek economy.
    It’s not good enough. Simple.

  119. trin- hutton had years of abuse at spurs, he was 3 choice for them bound to knock your confidence, i think spurs paid £9m for him.

    b-62- if all the people who want him out don’t attend your not going to get booing especially as you stick out like a sore thumb and probably get removed. just have to hope none attendance works

  120. Mark,

    Your comments seem to go round in circles a bit … sorry!

    You admit Delph’s failings and also the fact that in this curious team that is Aston Villa there is lack of teamwork to make Delph’s efforts tell.

    You can disagree as much as you like, but if the team ain’t joined-up and play a headless-chicken style then no matter what better player we put out there his affect on the team will be little. Delph’s efforts included.

  121. B62 no way were there actually 25k in there, ST holders who sit around me didn’t go,

    Well, that’s it init? They include the non-present STs in the number as they have paid for their ticket.

    It’s so sad that if I stop and think about it I would become quite depressed.

  122. Jl- that’s alright mate maybe it’s the way I write, Delph is our standout midfielder we are better with him as he brings more than the others wether he’s at his best or not he makes things happen so therefore could of made a difference that’s my point.

  123. Mark,

    To be frank I haven’t seen much of anything happen with or with Delph. Yes, he makes Villa look better, but in terms of extra assists or shots ON goal, zilch. His two goals against Saints and Chelsea last season are the highlights of his achievement, but he hasn’t made that much difference for me.

    I don’t think that’s so much a critique of him but the way Villa play.

  124. Darren- that article has a lot of truth to it I agree in principle but doesn’t mention we are up for sale or the possibility that falling attendances could affect sky etc willingness to screen your matches presumably lowering your income from all sources

  125. Jl- probably mate but someone see’s something in him or he wouldn’t be in the England squad or off potentially to Spurs . He is frustrating and a little like bamby on ice at times, needs to get his head up.

  126. Darren – wouldn’t surprise me if Lerner uses that model until he has recouped his losses then sells us for sub100mil though. Dodgy way to go though and would surely be worth paying a better manager to protect prem safety?

  127. Jl/steamer I’m reading Russell brands book revolution, think you’d both like it.
    He likens modern football to
    “belonging being commodified like all else “

  128. Darren O’R. Excellent article which is depressingly accurate. You can just imagine the phone conversation between PL and RL last night.
    PL “we had a right good go, there was a massive improvement and even with our main boys injured we drew with the team who are second on the table. We were unlucky not to get the three points Randy. A few less attended but thats because it was on Sky and it was cold. Anyway, so long as we stay up – you will still get the golden egg broadcasting money. ”
    RL “thats great Paul – keep up the good work – have another two years on your contract ”

    Another sign we have fallen is hearing Gabby and Clark saying they “would be happy with a point before the game” THis mentality is unbearable. The FA changed the winning points distribution because too many teams were playing for the draw. But we are happy to go for a draw at home before we kick a ball. No wonder the place is half empty.

  129. Mark,

    I think all along you’re misreading me. My issue is NOT with Delph but with the way the Villa team play. Whatever he adds to the team almost gets nullified … as per Bertrand last season: his play worsened as a result. I’ve seen it with some of Villa’s new players this season too – they seem to start their career OK then it all gradually goes downhill as Villa adopt a wild chicken style.

  130. The Premier League Owl article

    Then we have to ask just what is football all about. If it’s no longer about getting spectators into the ground then the game is mostly dead i.m.o. The players surely thrive on atmosphere, so if you have a half-full stadium (or less) it’s going to have an effect on the team, surely?

  131. B62,
    A Villan told me today that the actual attendance was 19,700. Lambert reckons it was due to TV and the cold, what a delusional lying knob. The ones that turned up were a waste of space either as supporters or anti Lerner/Lambert, as much use as cardboard cutouts, surely they don’t get any pleasure from watching this crepe ?

  132. Lets face it Villa are finished, all of our teams are desperate, the fans have given up, the admin are incompetent, the PR is dishonest or non-existent. management and coaching pathetically inept and an owner who doesn’t actually give a shite and is determined to get every penny he wasted by his own stupidity back whatever the damage he inflicts on AVFC. Is it worth it any more ? no chance.

  133. “When you see those empty seats at Villa Park, you’re witnessing the realistation of a prophecy: eventually, simply participating in the Premier League was always going to be more important than actually achieving anything within it. It’s Monopoly mentality – don’t buy any houses, don’t go after the utilities, just avoid Jail and keep collecting your £200 at Go.

    In football terms, that equates to doing just enough to avoid relegation and spending only enough to ensure that the club doesn’t go backwards.

    It’s the path of least possible resistance and, if nobody wants to watch that side sleepwalk through a season, it doesn’t really matter – the broadcasting contract is large enough to almost make the match-going fan an irrelevance”

    Frighteningly true and something some of us have been saying for a good while, hence the no need to panic on ST sales attitude, football has become the sanitised game many had predicted when the first all seater stadiums opened, a football fan will become a thing of the past we will be extinct sat in our chairs while the game is played to empty stadia with background clapping playing through the tanoy system, a bit like VP.

    AVFC RIP.

    Frighteningly true

  134. Last night was another pitiful reinforcment of how low the club has sunk. Keep very firmly in mind that even if Villa do avoid relegation this season that next year will finally get them as Vlaar, Benteke and Delph will leave in the summer.

  135. Very sad on here today with the realisation that we can’t even compete with the likes of Hull, Leicester and Burnley and our future is seemingly in the lower divisions, if we have a future at all. Lerner’s declaration about renewed enthusiasm shows just what he’s like as a person, completely false and self centred, he doesn’t give a monkeys about AVFC, Birmingham or anything other than $$$. Lowlife scum.
    mark,
    I wouldn’t soil my hands with anything Russell Brand, the only thing he can do to improve the World is commit Hari Kari with the other turd Jonathan Ross. Why do these animals prosper ?

  136. John – I agree with you on the new players getting worse . Look how Bertrand faired with us and consider how he played last night . How long before Okore meets the same fate.

  137. Jenny,

    There must come to a point when the defenders will be asking “we’ve done our part, so when is someone going to start creating and scoring some goals so that we might win one or two?”

    The current policy can only go so far.

  138. steamer/Ian I would of said the same about Brand not so long ago and so would he I think but I genuinely think he’s a changed character. did you see his interview with paxman? the book expands on those ideas, a lot of which you expound yourself steamer. nothing outstandingly new but it gives a voice to the possibility we can change the world for the better and how, to make something we can all be proud of and belong too, isn’t that what we want from Villa? as I said worth a read whether you like him or not, if you do let me know what you think folks

  139. if lerner is serious about selling he would need to get his finger out,watching match last night stadium less than half full and when champs man city played here less than 33 thousand so it not cold weather or that its on sky lambert. we have a squad full of lamberts rejects think 6 them out on loan add sendross cole richardson given bent zog to it vlar and delph worth 5m january at most nothing in june,so only player worth maybe over 5 million in benteke then guzan okore sanchez wiemen clark baker lowton cissko westwood grealish that you would get 30/40 million fo. the average attendence is already down between 5/6 thousand and they are including season ticket holders at that whom i am surewill be a whole lot not renewing you can t blame them for going if already paid for. the sponsers will not be looking to come on board with all bad feeling that is around villa park,fox is going to have to work overtime to make his bonuses

  140. The low attendance has been noticed as TS started D and G drive time with “where have all the villa fans gone – lowest attendance this century – 23,000 . Waiting to go in the dentist – my biggest fear !

  141. meant to add if crowd keeps falling at even an average of 10000 a game 13 games left this season at what 40/50 a seat on low count it would be about five million the way pennies been counted would seem a whole lot and when fans stop coming they dont come back and you lose next generation not look good on any books for future buyer

  142. James,

    I decided to waste 15 minutes of my life and watch the interview with Tom Fox when he was appointed, he worked at NBA Asia, Gatorade and PepsiCo in executive roles, his only sporting experience is marketing for Arsenal where he brokered one their biggest kit deals with Puma, but his knowledge of our beautiful game is virtually nil, listen to him speak and he would not know the difference between an offensive player and a net minder, our board of four members contain three Americans and one accountant, our manager is clueless and his part time assistant is more concerned with selling more books than Jamie Oliver, so the big question to all on AVL is — where do you think we have gone wrong to land in this mess.

    AVFC RIP

  143. We didn’t go wrong at all. There isn’t any real vetting of prospective owners by the league. They are too interested in making money. football is an afterthought. When Carson Yeung can hang on like he does, when Venkeys become a viable ownership, and the twits at Hull and Cardiff it becomes obvious that the game is secondary. When the likes of Chelsea and MC can make a mockery of any semblance of competitiveness and use the Premier League as a stepping stone to Europe and more money being the #1 goal, it creates a broken league. Lerner is a small part of the big problem. If we think he is the only goof owning a team we are mistaken. Lots of owners both good and bad want out due to lack of any prospect with the game. A couple of cup runs every year used as a cheer me up for all the clubs on the back foot isn’t working anymore. And sadly no one worth their salt wants in. Owning a team regardless of league or which country it’s in has become a trinket of the grandest level. Like having the biggest yacht in the world. Let’s get all my friends together and cruise over to England and take a game in. The worst thing IMO is teams like Southhampton who give everyone false hope. Much like Liverpool did last year.

    And don’t get me started on the media that’s another rant brewing.

  144. you could not write last night bent is sent on for a defensive midfielder to see out a game today he going to brighton ,cant blame mon for that 20 million been wasted plusnearly 20 m on wages

  145. Jenny
    easy trick so you dont have to worry about the pain ,and it does work , as the dentist comes near you “Grab his maxwalls ! and whisper in his ear , if you dont hurt me l wont hurt you ” if its a women , same thing but you grab her short n curlies !!! simples ………..

    take care my lovely xxxxx

  146. James- No, you can’t blame MON for 20 mill on Bent baring in mind he wasn’t our manager when we signed him 😉

    Agree though, the guy he bought on to hold onto a 1-0 lead is now of the championship

    What to say on Villa. Same old crap football. Lamberk subs killed us again. He moved gabby out wide, he didn’t track his man for he goal. Wiemann is the worst winger I’ve ever seen in football

    So at 1 up, he brings on a player with no pace, no strength, no hold up ability. It was playing with 10 men when DB came on. Grealish can attack, hold ball, draw fouls but he has no future with the Berk

    All I can be arsed to say on Villa.

  147. Frem watch out for the fat fuck steamer as he thinks you might be able to get him some samples of the desserts mate , bin his E-mail, great news though, tell Ian to start building an extension on his house for you , ))
    Mark
    l think brand fucked up again the other week as he got slaughtered on F/B , he’s says all the stuff about corporate shite and how he is now a man for the people , but then there he is at w/ham in a corporate box !!! talks the talk when it suits , l’d rather read all the junk mail l get everyday ,
    mind lm catching up on star delta motors and inverters ,

  148. Aah. Fair enough James. To be fair to Randy, we were desperate at the time for goal scorer. Bent got the goals because he had great service. We have shite players now all over the pitch

    Does Steamer like cheesecakes ? I’ll try and sneak a few puddings out in the tool box.
    The health and safety takes the piss. Certain sections you have to put on hair nets, overalls, mouth net, sanitise your hands. Can’t even put your tool box on the bloody ground !!!!!
    Ye Ian, getting building mate. I’ll be over before you know it. Hopefully get my apprenticeship done within the next 2/3 years. Can go see Kristina to

  149. l can just see Ian and Frem on a road trip ,
    no Ian no breastfeeding mate , but dentist told me that if the other teeth ever start to make a move , lm in hospital for 3 days to have the lot out , dont go to dentists , lv never really had a problem till l got an elbow during a game , last time l went was 2001 , but l still open beer bottles ect . and l remember dentists getting done for treatment that never needed doing , do stayed clear of them , but you want to see what steamer keeps his dentures in , think they used to be called a “guzunder” ! ,

  150. Jenny
    outside lav , rolled up newspaper lit to see where your going at night and if you were posh you had a parrafin lamp , then 1967 l asked for a torch for christmas , xxxxx
    He’s a lazy fuck sometimes (steamer), the other day he forgot to put his teeth in to soak , so he thought he would just sit with a sterradent tablet in his gob , l thought he was having a turn as he looked like he was foaming from the mouth , so l phoned for a ambulance , he wont do that again , l never saw the little earphones and we thought he’d gone so the paramedics shocked him !!

    Robinson coming back , spose someone got to fill the bench space if Bent going to Brighton,

    steamer . Lardarse ?? only one l know is sww , the other fatfuck .

  151. st75- if robinson is coming back I hope we give the lad a chance he’s scored 5 in 5
    including a hat-trick. never attempt to piss in a gazunder without the light on

    steamer- are you talking about hesky? I wonder if brighton can take Lambert and keane on loan?

  152. On this article …
    http://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2014/11/26/7282723/villa-southampton-better-tactics

    It’s worth reading its entirety but it finishes:

    For me there are some pretty obvious changes that can make Villa a real attacking side N’Zogbia utterly failed in his playmaking role. Villa currently have one outstanding passing midfielder who is also showing a real desire to get forward and that’s Ashley Westwood (note that in the Weimann breakaway at the end, Westwood was one of the three up there). I think it’s time to give him a chance to play as a No.10. That leaves a space that Cleverley should shift back into, thus leaving a space on the flanks where we desperately need someone putting in dangerous crosses and taking on a man – Jack Grealish.

    The writer may have summed up Villa’s problem – that there was a reasonable plan effected on Monday but that we didn’t have an effective playmaker. His last comments may have hit the nail on the head.

    But I still wonder why we’re not seeing Joe Cole…

  153. John,
    Have you seen John Deehans best Villa X1 ? So strange that he could be our next manager.

    Ashley Westwood and the word ‘outstanding’ is a bad fit, now ‘crepe’ would be very accurate.

  154. Steamer … I have to agree that there are some weird selections in there… Johnny Dixon at CB?????

    Hardly the best team in Deehan’s era … I wonder what he was watching?

  155. JL- I think maybe Lambert see’s cole as an injury liability and doesn’t want to be forced into a sub early on, that and the obvious, physicality, we know lambert wants everyone to defend. both myself and Darren O’Rourke have said for some time westwood could fill that 10 role, lets face it he’s hardly a defencive tiger, his main job is to move the ball quickly but I think he has more to his game.

  156. Mark,

    Well, you could well be right about Westwood. He’s not what Villa really need of course, and I’d prefer Joe Cole to be played … but if he is such a liability fitness-wise then I don’t really see the point of signing him except to offer advice to youngsters.

  157. JL- lamberts teams this season at least have retreated after going one up, either through pressure or design, cole doesn’t fit this remit. maybe with benteke back this would change but without its a case of staying solid and hoping we can do them for pace.
    its so frustrating because as bad as we are we still manage to compete with teams like southampton, with a couple of changes and a more balanced outlook ie attacking/keeping possession we could improve a lot. the players must seriously hate playing this way

  158. I have a works contact down on the south coast who is a big Brighton fan and is ITK inside the club, he tells me the Bent loan was set up last Saturday with club and player, two things why it did not go through straight away was how much of Bents wages they will pay and Lambert wanted to keep him for Monday night in case of injuries, which makes his substitute appearance even stranger has to be fair he probably could not care less about AVFC.

    He also tells me Gardner could be a decent player if handled properly and we can have Bennett back as soon as physically possible.

    AVFC RIP

  159. Mark,

    A good article that truthfully tells you all that is wrong at AVFC, I think Mr.Baxter must read the AVL although the only one thing missing at the end was — Lambert OUT.

    AVFC RIP

  160. Mark: lamberts teams this season at least have retreated after going one up, either through pressure or design, cole doesn’t fit this remit…

    Maybe he doesn’t, but the introduction of Cole should be to keep Villa moving forward and not retreating. This may be against Lambert’s ethos, but if so it’s another reason why he should go.

  161. It is painfully obvious – and has been since McLeish was in charge – that we have to get some creativity in the side. It is also clear that on the rare occasions when the creative player is selected you don’t play him out of position and tell him to focus solely on defending, but that has been the norm for at least three years.

    I thought N’Zogbia could be that player, but whether through misuse or lack of application, it hasn’t happened. He’s had his chance. But for either Grealish or – in the short term – Cole to succeed you have to give them the conditions to succeed. I can’t see that happening in this team with this manager.

    Some interesting articles posted and some interesting comments. To my mind Cleverley and Westwood are very poor in their current positions. I wouldn’t be totally against playing Westwood in a different role as has been suggested, but I’ve seen nothing that makes me think he’d be any better there and a simpler and better solution would be to drop him. At least Cleverley has some history of playing further forward and providing an attacking threat. Westwood doesn’t.

    Benteke is only suspended for one more game. If Robinson has been recalled from his loan spell without intending to give him a chance to play then it is yet more idiotic treatment of potential young talent at this club by this wretched management. He and we would be better served by him playing at Preston for the next five weeks with a view to bringing him back in January.

  162. Hi folks.

    Matt Kendrick is looking for fans to complete a survey on why they went/stayed away on Monday night.

    Email him at mat.kendrick@trinitymirror.com and he will send you a questionnaire.

    this what i have had with him so far.

    Hi Matt.

    I am a fan who has stayed away. I have a S/T but having spent a fortune in travel etc from Mid-Wales. I am not prepared to continue doing so, unless PL changes, or he goes.

    Paul,

    Thanks so much for your prompt reply. I am off today, on daddy duty, but I will put together a list of questions later and email them over to you.

    Would you be able to provide a jpeg photo of yourself to use with the piece when you email back your responses please?

  163. Another excellent article, that Guardian one, pity it won’t get any airplay in the nationals as it’s just an online moment of clarity for the position at Villa.

    Wouldn’t it be great if we actually made the back pages as a serious protest against VP mgmt as opposed to the diatribe picked from Lambert about it being cold, coldness never put me off going to a game.

    I already posted my player assessment so I don’t want to go through that again, it will depress me more but I don’t believe we have a squad capable of challenging for mid-table and that’s a sad state of affairs, please note use of the term squad because we have some decent individuals.

    At this point, I’m dreading the day Grealish starts for us just to watch all that potential be washed away be being confined to probably playing as a central defender by Lamberk. I’d like our talented players to thrive but it may well be that they will have to thrive elsewhere.

    I’ve made comments in the past about us just being a participant in the league and its seems to have been picked up on, I won’t claim that as anything famous, my famous moment in my life was seeing Dwight Yorke in Dublin just after he had transferred to Manure and with my villa top on, shouting traitor at the top of my voice, it hurt at the time, but my voice healed.

    I was speaking to a Hammerite and he said you must be glad of the point against Southampton, my immediate response was how far have we fallen to be glad of a point. At this point and I not sure how bad this sounds but would relegation actually reinvigorate the club in that we could starting winning games with this squad and challenge for a league win as opposed to just existing.

    My regards to all the lifers out there

    VTID

  164. Darren,

    Blimey it was cold on Monday night give Lambert his due, not quite sure what happens when the weather improves and the gate is under 20k.

    Another jumping on the ” I have a Dublin/Villa story ” beware ST75 holds copyright on that particular yarn.

    AVFC RIP

  165. What do people think about sending Bent out on loan just before a very important game against a team just below us, especially with Benteke still suspended it leaves us pretty short up top, or is this just another piece of genius by Lambert.

    AVFC RIP

  166. SWV

    Up there with his other great moments of genius….Grant Holt…..Joe Cole….Tonev….let’s hope Matt K’s survey results shake up the powers that be at VP.

  167. Jl- i agree but they are the only reasons I can come up with considering the sparsity of talent we have in that area.

    steve w. i’ve seen a few moments through balls/shots etc from westwood to suggest given more than a minute a match in the opponents half he’d do ok. also he’s quite neat, finds space and moves the ball quick so playing it into his feet shouldn’t faze him. don’t expect him to dribble or sprint past anyone though. personally i’d at least give cole a start first.

    SWV – bent to brighton is shop window stuff and wages, I expect we will see a few come and go in Jan. Lambert was never going to use bent as he should be so no loss. robinson will be on the bench and we could also use the other 2 strikers we have as ERM?? strikers!! probably too radical.

  168. Darren O,
    Another good post. We all thought that when we were relegated in the 60’s but we had the same board in Div 2 and declined further. This club is more likely to drop into Lge 1 than be re-juvinated and if L & L stay it could be even worse. We’re on a downward spiral, the negativity is overpowering and the stench of incompetence obvious, no hope.

  169. i see Tattum,s got himself a job at the skip, he can just write the same old tripe only for a much smaller reader base, he seems to get confused with the vermin and Barcelona sometimes.

  170. Lamberk has pretty much a 50% defeat ratio in his 100 games

    Won 30, lost 48

    Utterly dire manager. Two of those wins came against Swindon and Hereford or who ever

  171. It’s not even apathy anymore, is it? You can’t fool everyone all the time. Folk have just woken up to the fact that their time and money isn’t being well spent on Villa at the moment. People are not going to pay to see something that hasn’t improved or been adequately maintained for around four years now.
    People seem to have arrived at the point where there only means of making their point is to stay away from VP. That way, the media will highlight Villa’s plight. It’s a hard thing for a fan to do.
    Blind loyalty in the modern era amounts to foolishness anyway. They just want your money.

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