The times are a changin’ for football clubs. The big clubs have evolved or are in the process of evolving into large corporations. Some clubs in the Championship have deep pocketed owners looking for advancement. All these clubs have one thing in common and that’s owners who profess a love for their team. Let’s get that straight– “profess a love for their team”. How can that be? If Lerner sells in the next few months or so, did he really give it a chance to develop a relationship akin to Villa fans who have been faithful for years? Let me rephrase that–decades.

How can owners love their team like we do if they live thousands of miles away unable to feel the actual pulse of the team? To develop any sort of an affinity to the players, manager, or fans? To show up like absent fathers a few times a year with presents or money to assuage feelings of abandonment doesn’t an owner make. Creating a non profit charity, refurbishing a pub, or promises of a revamped stadium are hollow attempts at becoming a part of the team, city, and its history.

According to Paddy Power, things may be changing. What do you think?

If Mark Cuban arrives and brings Vince Mahon as it has been rumoured not much will change in my opinion. The initial fanfare, splash of money, promises of a bright future, from a man or consortium trying to win over the fans in a new relationship that is created not by the desire to be a rock in the relationship but to make money from the relationship. Enough money in the back pocket so that if it fails for them it’s an “oh well” ending to another Las Vegas marriage.

Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe everything will be great. Maybe enough money will be spent to bring in top players and astute management. Maybe. I hope so. But really isn’t it more like a child asking a car salesman in a flash car, “are you my new daddy?”

Football in the old world is part of every family’s fabric. A dyed in the wool relationship that has travelled through generations of fans. But it’s changing. Football jerseys of competing teams are showing up in the home neighbourhood. A manifestation of the new breed of owner. A change of thinking from family and blood to what’s popular at the moment. What do I want now? Think of the Christmas puppy left alone after the shine has worn off. Things have to change. But will they? Just like life in the corporate world, football has slipped into “the nothing personal mate” but I want to make money and your not it.

How many leagues down does one have to go before the family atmosphere of belonging and love of the team and game is the governing factor? Where money isn’t the driving force of a club? To a place where a club is handed down to the families’ children? Where fans are invested in their teams future. That’s the place where the sport is alive and well. Where fans and players and managers get together after for a drink at the pub. Go home happy regardless of the game’s outcome. That’s what’s missing in top flight football. And it’s gone, won’t come back–ever.

A trip to madame’s for instant gratification or family? It’s changing and apparently there is nothing we can do about it. So how about it? Let’s go find a team and league of our own where things are like they were 60 years ago when blood was thicker than water.

Comments 127

  1. Excellent Matt

    I think when all is said and done the club belongs to the fans
    Wimeldon are a good example of a board ripping the club to bits – giving away there history to MK dons and the fans help set up wimeldon afc who had bigger crowds in non lge than the new MK’s
    The money in the game has changed the landscape and pecking order of clubs in the game but without the fans a club will eventually die imo
    In terms of a possible new owner — i don’t think its purely down too how much you spend but more to do with having a vision of were you want the club to be and having the type of planning/management that gives you a chance of prehaps reaching those goals

    With what Randy has invested for example could have taken us to another level but due to poor planning and management this was never going to happen

  2. What a well-written and thoughtful piece, Ian. Great.

    Aside from where you said “Football jerseys of competing teams are showing up in the home neighbourhood” (that’s been the case for quite awhile now! 😉 you state a lot relevant issues on this matter.

    I’m of the mind now that I think that not enough fans can equate to how things were 30 or 40 years ago. For Villa fans, I suspect that the deepening hatred towards Doug was the force they remember most from the late 1990s-on (if not earlier) so those earlier decades of fondness are lost on many. It’s now become a business just like anything else, it would seem, so “the customers” are probably starting to accept it like every other dream-machine pup they’re sold. Though there will be exceptions.

  3. JD. I agree with you about the potential that Grealish has shown. I’ve seen him come through the academy ranks and frequently stand out in games.
    The caution I am proposing is borne out of seeing so many promising talents fall by the wayside, not jut at Villa but at many other clubs too. The Rooney’s of this world are rare exceptions.
    I don’t think we help young players by busing them up before they’ve actually proven themselves at the highest level. . . . far too many find that final step up too big for them.

  4. Ian,

    When we was watching the Villa in the seventies and eighties you genuinely felt a part of the club, there was pride in your team and colours, you would fight tooth and nail and be proud to do so, the Steamers were a real family, a group of lads all like minded who followed the Villa everywhere because it was in our blood, I cannot detect that bond and connection with todays fans, they have become disenfranchised and disillusioned with the club and football in general, the good old days have gone and will never be forgotten , the bad old days are here and here to stay.

    Steamer,

    TJ the bluenosed troll was brilliant I have just about stopped laughing.

    AVFC RIP

  5. lads look at this ling interesting reading about villas murdered center half bobby ballhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/dec/17/forgotten-story-tommy-ball-aston-villa-life-death

  6. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-six-men-who-8298330#rlabs=2

    The Birmingham Mail has published an article headed…

    “The six men who could play alongside Fabian Delph against Manchester United”

    Initially, I took the heading seriously and took the following midfield suggested in the article…

    Leandro Bacuna, Jack Grealish, Joe Cole, Chris Herd, Ciaran Clark, Fabian Delph, Charles N’Zogbia

    Mmmm … that leaves 3 other outfielders to find… How about Vlaar and Okore at the very back (Herd and Clark in front) and CB by himself?

  7. Really good leader Ian, agree with everything and to be honest reading your post made me realise just how much i miss how it was.
    Runtingz,
    Agree mate, if he’d have employed someone who actually knew about the game he’d have saved a hell of a lot of $$$ but he thinks he knows better than the fans.
    SWV,
    The bloke knows his stuff, and the voice was brill.
    roBBo,
    How can you prove yourself when you don’t get a chance ? Grealish is being kept out by 1) completely out of form players 2) players with a fraction of his ability and 3) by a manager who should have been booted two seasons ago.
    John.
    I bet Lambert plays seventeen on Sat.

  8. Dunno if B62 and B6B will be back, they sounded peed off with their last few posts, hope they return, two good lads who love AVFC. Frem seems to be doing a bit of overtime too, Jenny ??

  9. Thought that was modern day Small Heath until i saw people working and with five fingers on each hand too.

    Can’t beat Birmingham, Jeff Lynn who went to my school wrote this song and mentions Shard End after Monte Carlo.
    Carl Chinn should be knighted, top bloke, top Villan and a lovely family too.You can’t trust a cockney or a Scouser or a Manc but you can a Brummie.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENK9UNn56DM

  10. Thanks for the comments guys.
    I think, if we want to experience that old time feeling a trip to the local pitches and watch kids play is the answer.

  11. seen stats on tvb regarding villa and spurs money comparing like for like, god ours stink to high heavens something like 40million on commercial side alone,fox has his work cut out,if they keep lambert or dont give him money in january to spend they risk losing another what 10 thousand season tickets more games live on sky empty stadium sponsors will not want to get on board we are not looking for much just to win more than 1 in 4 give big teams a game see a few goals when was the last time we scored 3 4 5 in a match bacuna was2 joint top scorer last year cannot get a game same players week in week out gabby wiemen zog richardson cleverly westwood even when we lost 5 in a row and we have that kind of run every year under lambert fox do something give villa fans proper hope not be lerner asslicker

  12. James,
    We lost 14,000 ST holders last close season apparently, if the takeover doesn’t happen its going to be disasterous next close season, people can’t afford to pay good money to watch this garbage despite PL describing it as ‘magnificent.’ Lerner has brought this club to the brink, he’ll probably throw the idiot 10m to sign Cleverley, who is tripe, and hope we have enough to stay up, thats all we have… hope.

  13. Ian nice piece – maybe we should sell to Monsanto and they could dig up George best and gene splice him into the under 12’s. knowing how things go with Monsanto they would all be alcoholics by 14. There may be no way back to the old days but doesn’t mean we can’t change to a better way. I read the literal translation of Mortgage is until death, sounds about right. strange how we are born into this world and are then told well it will cost you X amount to live here, birds and the bee’s don’t get that! they just get eaten.

  14. It feels these days that any comment that isn’t abusive towards the owner, manager and players is unreasonably positive and optimistic, but hey, what the heck. . . . .
    Does nobody else see any improvement in the team this year?
    I can see 7 teams that are worse than us based on performances so far. Ok that’s not enough for villa but it does feel like a baby step in the right direction.
    The style of play has improved a bit, many of the players brought in are worth more than they were bought for and wages are dramatically lower than they were.
    Not great, but after the position we’ve been in I’m happy with steady improvement unless/until we get a new owner who’s able to invest more in the squad.

  15. robbo- for me we have had a better defence and worse attack if that’s possible, but we have looked more resilient and we have passed it about more lately. I was listening to talkshite the other day and ray houghton was talking about opta stats. he said they tell you how far players have run but not if they made the right run, how many passes but not how many were good telling passes. our team has improved but still doesn’t know to play effective football.

  16. rObbO, I don’t think I was abusive towards Lerner. I just don’t think he has Villa’s best interests at heart. Which, from his perspective is losing money. He has no charisma and it has trickled down into the club. All I would have asked from him would be a little more prudent with what he spent and perhaps sought out better information regarding running the club. Asking Ferguson was a step in the right direction. Too bad Ferguson sold him a bag of magic footballs when he suggested McLeish. I think people have taken him to the cleaners over what has transpired at the club. He shouldn’t be that gullible after all he is worth $2.5 billion and is making money at his other pursuits. I certainly don’t wish him any harm.

  17. Ian, I think Lerner did have villa’s best interests at heart when he bought, but then he was over excited and thought that he’d make money out of the deal too. As reality dawned so his interest waned.

  18. Ian- we got rid of the pound note mate would have to be gold like the coin but players wouldn’t see there watches if they dropped them 😉 maybe they could make us a money tree orchard or a proper hanging tree? I know marijuana grass so its worth invading the pitch 🙂

  19. STEAMER DON’T YOU MEAN CRACK IF THEY SIGN CLEVERLY IT WILL BE THE LAST STRAW MIGHT AS WELL GIVE THE MONEY TO ACORNS AS CLEVERLY AIN’T WORTH JACK S HITE THE MOST NEGATIVE PLAYER I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE TIME REMINDS ME OT THE ITALIAN TANKS IN WW2 JUST REVERSE GEARS

  20. steamer
    l have found that maker’s mark bourbon l was drinking last friday and looking at the US sites l was right in not having ice !it’s a kentucky brand and there another one called Knobs creek , lv been told l can have a bottle of each for my birthday , we’ll have it over xmas , and lv found some of Prox’s O’Hara’s , so we may have a good drink to the New Year Mate

    Ian l think the 1% are the ones who think these muppets are doing well , try getting Radio WM on a friday on the net (l think you can get the back programes) you will hear a couple of the callers who back them ,
    great pic of you and your dog ,

  21. vlar 3.5 always injured
    delph 6.5 always injured
    bent 18
    ireland 6,5/7.5 3managers wouldnt play him
    friedel 3.5
    dunne 5.5
    warnock 8.5
    carew swap with baros about 6.5
    reo coker 8.5
    heskey 3.5
    harewood 4.5
    sidwell 5.5
    laursen 3.5 retiredinjured
    bouma 3.5 retired injured
    delaney retired injured
    mellborg 5.5
    makoun 6.5 did he play 10 matches
    all players to have left on frees or due to
    not to mention luke young j collins c davies n shorey lost a fortune
    lerner really good looking after money kit makers sponsors fans

  22. Ian,
    OK so i exagerrated.

    James,
    We haven’t had much luck/good judgement in the transfer market for years have we, so you’d think the academy would be utilised more wouldn’t you ? Strange that a couple of players from that academy who both played first team footy for Villa told me 4 seasons ago that the wonderful Mr Lerner was cutting back on it. You reap what you sew. Our team has just got knocked out of the Youth Cup by mighty Chesterfield and lost 12 yes 12 – 2 to Chelsea.

  23. interesting seeing the clip about Houlier when we drew with Utd 2-2 and we were using more Academy players than we had ever used in the team and on the bench. Bannan, Delfounseo, and many more.

  24. r0bb0,

    You can always try to look on the +ve side – and I certainly do – but 4 years of developing mediocrity with the final result of actually seeing some better play develop (with .75 goals per match) is nothing to shout home about.

    The situation at VP still has a very long way to go i.m.o. before 14,000 ST fans can be lured back.

  25. There’s a very good analysis of the value of Cleverley to the team (trying to find it again to repost the link)
    Seems he’s making a very positive contribution to the team after all and we should be trying to keep him

  26. John I couldn’t agree more. I did describe it as a baby step!
    The improvement has been real, but needs to be sustained and built upon. Without a wealthy benefactor it’s our most likely way forward despite how much we may huff and puff

  27. It seems this site is turning into The bad old version of another villa site. We even have poorly informed comments all in capital letters now

  28. Morning
    Good article Ian, hope you are well?
    You do hit a chord that seems to ring with a certain generation of football fans not just villa fans. There are a generation of younger fans who see the days of MON as glory days unlike those of us (ah hem) “older” fans who had grown accustomed to that level as a minimum standard for our club.
    Its not worth reading too much into the table before Christmas, To my mind the signs are our defense and midfield have improved albeit from a very low level the last three seasons. Injuries have hampered goals and that is exasperated by bad management at many levels of the club.
    Given the options of Lambert going on a run of 20 points from 10 matches or losing 7 from ten and getting the tic tac i am still not sure why anyone would opt for the latter.
    His subs have been disappointing in many matches but he is not the first or last manager to make decisions like that.
    All i want for Christmas is goals, clean sheets, unbeaten at home for the rest of the season, a european place every year and Andrew P to stop being so positive during the matches.
    UTV !!

  29. robbo- I know where your coming from but people are not happy with the constant bullshine and let off steam. each of us see it from our own perspective so yes it would be nice if we respected each others views but seriously do you think if we all met in a pub there’d be no effing and jeffing? but in a controlled way. its an emotive subject and some have years of emotion invested in this club and are seeing it badly managed from top to bottom. I’ve met a few of the characters on here and there decent blokes who love villa thats all. I think we miss matts cool head a lot in discussions
    and many others.
    p.s. I think JD had senior moment with the caps lock 🙂

  30. hello bibulus hows the world mate?

    “There are a generation of younger fans who see the days of MON as glory days unlike those of us (ah hem) “older” fans who had grown accustomed to that level as a minimum standard for our club.”

    that statement is spot on, they also don’t remember when the league was fairer. when villa won div1 and the european cup it was in a league that Liverpool (maybe on the wane a bit) usually dominated but all others had a chance if they produced a good enough team. everyone tried to win the cups as the squads were smaller too. today you have to get by 5-6 of these type of clubs to stand a chance and they are slowly disappearing into the distance. while that could sound statistically better in reality for the other 14 its a hopeless situation, except for the money.

  31. Ian

    You are right. It’s like that all around now. Thanks for writing.
    It must be mighty cold in your neck of the woods. It’s freezing here in Korea. I intend to cross into Canada for a night in Niagra Falls.

    JL
    I enjoyed watching the documentary. The songs are nice to listen to. Do you remember the so-called slums, where there were only 2-3 toilets shared tbetween six households and people sharesd the same wash houses etc?

  32. Trin,

    No, I don’t actually remember it from my own upbringing … I was brought up in an area of mainly open space and trees and one of the council houses of the first wave of build after WW1 that had everything, including long gardens.

    I only came face to face with the conditions you mention at the age of 15 when I spent the school summer holidays working for a dairy and on one occasion visited the van driver’s house in Stirchley. There I saw how people really lived, and as you describe. That experience really brought me down to earth.

  33. JL- that’s why I said maybe, as couldn’t be arsed to look it up and mrs wanted a cuppa , sentiment of the post still the same though 🙂

    trin- its similar to I think the 70’s where America kept oil prices low artificially to bugger up the Russian economy and it worked. what the reaction will be from Russia god only knows.
    the village where my gran lived used water from wells and tin baths till the 60’s although not in such close proximity.

  34. I recall my first wife’s grandmother who as late as 1966 moved into sheltered accommodation with all mod cons after living in a house all her life which had no electricity! Imagine, being in your 80s and suddenly having access to not only electric lighting but a washing machine, running hot water … and TV.

    She used to watch TV until it close at midnight (as it did in those days) and believed that the presenter actually said “ggod night” to her. She responded likewise. She loved the wrestling on TV!!

    This was on the east coast, btw, not Brummidgam.

  35. Well Mark my glass is still half full, how about you?
    Interesting thing about Russia is the guys at wikistrat predicted this earlier in the year maybe we could chip in and see what their thoughts are on the villa?? or is that what this site is for…….?
    Must say at this time of year i get very jealous of those of you travelling the world or living in warmer climes.
    Going back to Ians article, one of the reasons i always give my ticket away for the Man U match is being fed up with them buying success. Just as i may add poo did to an extent in the 70’s & 80’s. Thank the lord they eventually bought in the back pass rule to finally stop the “liverpool way” of playing.
    UTV

  36. john l
    i know them 4 players where here before lerner, but people will blame mon for what has happened ,lerner has wasted more money on dross since houiller buys mc leish buys not to mention lamberts, cant believe it was only 5 years since we where going to play blackburn semi final and what has happened since under mon we where competing with any body under mc leish and now lambert we are set up not to lose or lose by 1 or 2
    10 goals in 17 games this season empty stadiums why would any one go to matches fair enough be a good crowd man u match people want to see stars rvp rooney falco di maria why would they go to watch gabby zog wiemen cleverly

  37. Afternoon chaps, thought I’d make my first post on this thread, just because I can. Older Villa here remembering the late 60’s, 70’s and of course – the 80’s ……..
    Loved the piece southwestvillan wrote earlier on this thread about in the 70’s/80’s when we all felt part of the club and also felt that we could change things if necessary ……. we all had immense pride in the Villa and yes, would fight for our club alongside the Steamers, Quinton mob, Villa youth and the wonderfully named Witton Warriors.
    I was taken down Villa Park at the age of 8 and told “this is your club son make sure you stick with it” …. or words very similar I’m sure … and I or others in my family would never have dreamt of going over to the dark side across the city……
    But now, for the first time in my life, I have lost the feelings I had for the club, I am not attending the games, can’t be bothered half the time to read all the talk about Villa (except for this website of course!), feel so apathetic about what is happening both on and off the pitch ……………. obviously when it’s match day I still sort of lock myself away to listen/watch the game – but even when we win, I can’t get excited and think that the next game we will probably lose.
    Plus we seem to be settling for the odd win here and there and keeping an eye on how far we are away from the bottom 3 – which these days in never very far.
    But we are the Villa and, as the song goes, we are the best … we are the Villa so …yep you know the rest of it I guess… we should never settle for even midtable let alone survival. We should be challenging for the top 6 places because we are the Villa with a proud history … albeit with a not so bright future it seems.
    We used to play the ‘top’ teams and alsothink ‘we can win this’ …… these days we fear the worst and don’t expect to win ……. and this isn’t only the supporters but it seems that the club itself thinks that way as well.
    Ok, I’ve been rambling and ranting so that’s it now – in future I can write without to much angst creeping in to my comments.
    Can’t I? Hmmmmmmmmmm……

  38. Thats a great first post Peter, welcome.
    Lerner’s really fucked this club but his worst misdeed was conditioning the supporters to accept this tripe.
    Still, we have our memories, what do the sky fans have ?

    In short, Putin is like a Augusto Pinochet or a Juan Peron … but with much more steely resolve, a massive military, and nuclear bombs.

    Yes, those squeaky clean dictator’s bankrolled by the USA, estimated death squad victims, 2m.

    Bib,
    The no back pass rule finished Hansen, he retired that season, the previous years Cup Final v Everton, he passed back to his GK 18 times.

  39. Steamer: [Lerner’s] worst misdeed was conditioning the supporters to accept this tripe.

    Did he succeed, though? If the drop in STs is anything to go by I’d say he’s shot himself in the foot.

  40. Peter, you have probably missed the unwritten rule of beer. It’s my turn for the new guy to send beer. And that’s me. 🙂
    Welcome.

  41. Mark, got the razor out. If you saw the size of my head you would know that brain volume won’t be a problem for a while. Also the late 60’s and 70′ weren’t kind to the gray matter either and I seem to have survived. Still something to contemplate. Nature didn’t intend us to live this long and these are mostly diseases that don’t get rooted out through natural selection as they don’t show up until a cup of bovril is more enjoyable than a romp in the sack. I look forward to my decline and being a burden on my children. By the way they have told me there is a home waiting for me at the first misstep.

  42. Trinity, Niagra Falls is beautiful in the winter. They have lights shining on the ice. It isn’t cold here yet as El Nino is is full effect. More rain than snow. And welcome to god’s country. 🙂

  43. bibulous- I’m defo still half full but have developed a special villa on/off switch through intensive meditation. strange how things come around I’d swear we are trying to play the liverpool way sometimes. while you’ve been gone the site has been invaded and I now owe ST75 20 rubles

    Ian- my heads massive and lead lined (could be the mercury fillings) somethings got to get you in the end, always fancied going out like hue hefner will, with a smile but with a smoking jacket and slippers on, co-co in hand (she doesn’t have to be called co-co ) 😉

    steamer- glad to hear it green party for me too.

  44. Well this probably isn’t the topic we expected to agree on, but it’s green for me too
    Has been every time I’ve had a green candidate to vote for and it feels more necessary now than ever before

  45. Mark, just because some of us haven’t physically fought for villa doesn’t mean we hurt any the less. . . . we just think there are different ways of showing it. I’ve not renewed my season ticket this year for the first time in I don’t know how long. It’s been touch and go for a while because of the 9 hour round trip but with last years poor value and Sky moving so many games to inconvenient times I just couldn’t justify it any more
    The thing is though. . . . come match day I still passionately want to see Villa Park as full as possible, for us to put in a good performance and for us to win games. I cant reconcile myself with ‘fans’ who don’t feel the same gut instinct for us to do well on the pitch, no matter who the owner, manager of players are.

  46. r0bb0,

    You make a good case … but I don’t know about the others but my feel is that – especially when playing the top-10 teams – the Villa mostly don’t have a monkey’s chance. You can want them to win, yes, but where is that team selection and ability that gives you the faintest of chances of a shock result?

    Against the better teams in particular you feel that the players are 30 to 50% slower in weighing up the possibilities, and we are painfully unable to score goals – which is, I’m afraid, a requirement to win a game. 😉

    I don’t think I’ve felt this way about a Villa team since the 60s, when that lack of quality was too often manifest. And then look what happened.

    I feel that there are possibilities in the squad, but I somehow doubt that it is PL that is going to be able to develop that capability.

  47. robbo – I am the same can’t watch us and not hope to win. head in one place heart in another. understanding the wage situation tempers my anger somewhat and the sale gives a different perspective but there comes a time when they have to say either this is it till the club departs this league or this is the plan! they are a bunch of dithering twats who are damaging their own business and our club. people are reasonable if they feel they are not being lied to and treated like fools.

  48. Perhaps there is a case for optimism!

    http://www.squawka.com/news/how-aston-villa-can-turn-around-their-awful-record-against-manchester-united/250725#zXI8a62X66HHop8P.99

    This Squawka article actually suggests that if Villa concentrate and do not make mistakes, they have a good chance against Man U, as…

    ‘Many people have noted that United are “riding their luck” of late and their recent “bigger” wins certainly have the aura of dominance without actually being remotely convincing enough. If Villa can make sure the passes stick at the back and they get first to the ball in the box, they will avoid gifting the tie.’

    That last bit makes it sound like a cup-match! Well, if the match has the right ingredients it might develop into a match with some atmosphere.

    There we are … I *can* find optimism if I try!!

  49. JL- will be interesting how he sets up, if he follows to form he’ll go 433, if not and he goes with the we are trying something new what players do we have available? 3 midfielders out. manchester had 3 at the back with wingbacks so we could follow suit with 532 delph sanchez and grealish in midfield benteke and robinson up top

  50. Like most of you i remember loads of Villa vs Untied games where we’ve battered them, now there’s no hope at all, if they have a bad day and we play out of our skins then they’ll still win.
    Had to laugh at the valuation of Benteke, 13.5 million, who are these people ?

  51. JL. Good effort at optimism there. Sadly, even I find little cause for optimism with this one.
    Last year we did beat Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea (should have beaten them twice) but Man Utd have learned how to win again and Villa park holds few fears for them.

  52. heard a rumour today that a bunch of the Qatar arabs are interested in buying a Premiership club, but is probably Spurs, anyone else hearing any rumours about the oil boys looking for a new interest?

    Still not sure about saturday, and could not believe that I have not been to a agme since the end of September……that season ticket is beginning to look another failure….This constant changing of games does not help either.

  53. Peter,

    Great first post and spoken from the heart, it is sometimes difficult to put into words the hurt we are all going through because our club is going to hell in a hand cart and nobody at VP seems to give a flying fuck.

    Not one pundit gives us a chance this weekend in fact some are not even bothering to summarise it because they see it as a foregone conclusion, remember the days when Untied came to VP in big numbers always the second game we looked forward to after kicking lumps out of the noses.

    It would be nice to beat this lot and show the rest of the country that the Villa are still alive and kicking and we will not go down without a fight, but I cannot put my trust in Lambert to instil that kind of fight into the team, I cannot trust Lambert to be able to set the team up to get a result, so its just back to hoping that Father Christmas got my letter and top of my list was three points against the red mancs, although if he comes up short like he did a few years back when I wished for a bike I am going down town to Rackhams to knock the bearded fucker out.

    AVFC RIP

  54. See full article at http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-paul-lambert-give-8313356

    Paul Lambert is turning to the youth team to help fill the gaps in his depleted squad.

    The Aston Villa boss has promoted a number of youngsters into the first-team this week as he has just 13 senior outfield players available for Saturday’s clash with Manchester United.

    Callum Robinson will join teenager Jack Grealish in the matchday 18 while the likes of Henry Cowans and Riccardo Calder are also pushing for a place.

    Lambert said: “We are right down to the bare bones because of the suspensions and injuries.

    “It means that I will need to bring a youth team player into the squad.

    “I haven’t decided which one it will be yet but it could be a big opportunity for one of them.”

    Ironically Villa are looking to beat United for the first time in the Premier League at Villa Park since August 19, 1995 – the day Alan Hansen infamously uttered: ‘You can’t win anything with kids.’

  55. Hello everyone,
    Been following most of AVL from my sick bed – which I am still on – and I have been up all night with my daughter being very ill and the washing machine is on overdrive, so there’s a hint . As the song goes “It’s starting to feel alot like Christmas” !!!
    So it was a welcome detour to watch the wonderful film John posted – absolutely thrilled to see it. The stand outs were they talked to the lady who lived in the back to backs AND he interviewed Kathleen Dayus – whose omnibus of four books is on my desk. My nan lived in the same back to back slums in Hockley that she writes about in her books and as I have said on here before nan was very envious of Kathleen’s fame and fortune. When she read the books she said “she was always a ruddy liar” haha. However, I think the books are accurate – but they tell it how it was, and my nan was so proud and such a prude that she would have paled at the references to the nocturnal activities of parents and “titty bottle park”. They are a fantastic step back in time – and yes – they did have to share a water tap in the yard and a few toilets amongst other households – which were dry so the stench was vile. My Dad’s side came from Aston and I am researching his family now. Only got as far as Great Great Grandad – born 1858 , occupation whitesmith fire irons and lived in a Court (back to backs ) in Hollier Street, Aston.

    So I am feeling drenched in history and the lives of our forefathers – which makes the idea of a Cuban playboy buying our football club , with all it’s history and tradition quite a repulsive prospect.

    I listened to the Worcester CIty game – oh the agony of the 32 penalty shoot outs – but haven’t they done well in their cup run. I bet you don’t hear their players – local lads from where I live. spouting such nonsense as “we don’t get paid enough to train as hard as Unitied”. Whether this was actually said, there seems to have been a problem which Grant Holt, the terrible two and Roy Keane was hired to sort out. It hasn’t worked maybe because the manager needs to sort these things out himself. I have much more admiration for the likes of the Worcester City players who played 2 hours of foootball and the pressure of 32 pens than the AV players atm. They should do a days work before training like the City lot do.

    ANyway, I am rambling on – the sudafeds and whisky combination adding to my woolly headed ramblings 🙂

    Welcome Paul Lavendar – great post.

    Runtingz – I couldn’t get hold of the latest music – do you think you could put it on an e mail attachment for me – girls are at home to help my computer klutzism. Thankyou so much – will cheer me up and get me moving 🙂

    St 75 – you naughty boy – the pressie is under the tree – my only one ! xxx

  56. John,

    So we are down to the bare bones, just how many players have we out on loan, any chance we can recall a few seeing as they are our players, Lamberts a fraud and a first class idiot, there you go I said it — Lambert and first class in the same sentence.

    Jenny,

    Get well soon.

    AVFC RIP

  57. Far be it for me to be cynical but is the “introduction of the young players” down to Fox telling Lambert – give the punters what they want for a while – we have to get bums on seats at VP. I know we are down to bare bones, as Lambert says but couldn’t Grealish have been given a run out earlier. Just sounds like another sound bite to me to get ppl through the gates.

  58. Ian

    We’re looking forward to Niagra Falls, be there on February 19-20th if all goes to plan.

    Peter
    Hope you stick around and enjoy your time on here.

  59. Jenny

    You might be right, might be just a ploy to get people through the turnstiles.
    Imo, he should just throw caution to the wind and order full speed ahead against MU.

  60. Hi Jenny , hope your feeling better xxxxx

    Trinity
    they do the lights on the falls when it gets dark to classical music quite good , and do you know Blackpool ? l only ask as when you cross the road into the town its just like blackpool lol. also theres a mad scientist sideshow where you walk through ,like a ghost train , try it ,
    “maid of the mist” is worth it and wear the poncho , you get drowned , takes you right upto the falls , or try the helicopter , and you can drive over the bridge to New york state , ,

    saturday lm getting and staying pissed (after lv been to Mr Lerwill’s ) as its a bit of a steamers xmas do and my birthday ,

    have a good weekend all

    laters Jennykins xxxxxx
    have a good weekend all ,

  61. Can’t bring myself to comment on the Man U game, my wife and all her family are reds and I’ve had little joy in the 12 years i’ve known mywife and it would be a false dawn if I were to rub it in their faces by way of a miracle win tomorrow.

    Although the match is on the telly in Murrays, I won’t be able to go in and it’s probably best I keep it that way.

    Lambert is a charlatan, he is falsely parading as a manager when the evidence from day one proves he has no capabilities, regardless of the excuse (justified or not) around financial constraints. The sooner we are rid the better, despite falling in love with the idea of a benefactor leading us to the promised land of successful football, at this stage i’d accept relegation if only for it to galvanise the club and its support who have drifted apart alarmingly in the last few years, the starting point was MON’s treatment of European football and the fans who travelled, any sense of tradition and what European competition means for us due to its rarity should have told MON to treat it with greater importance.

    VTID

  62. Yes Darren,
    Somehow i find the prospect of another American owner offputting, anything is a step up from our current moron though. I wonder why Fox doesn’t make contact with these quataris, they could buy Lerner & Cuban a 100 times over. Regarding Cuban, IMO the American phsyche, commonly known as bullshite, isn’t suited to the UK, its not sophisticated enough. Man Untied may have won a few trophies but they’re 750m in debt, Liverpool are in a massive slump and Slumberland are fighting relegation on a regular basis and as for us, total crepe,
    I’m afraid your comment about relegation may come true this season even though the league is dire.

    Jen,
    Hope your feeling better today, and the nipper. It’s a shame you can’t make S75’s birthday its not every day you reach 70. Hope the daft bugger doesn’t start dancing.

    Trin,
    Whenever iv’e seen the NF’s on TV they look really spectacular, must be the trip of a lifetime.

  63. jen that would be the oakey kokey then 😉 hope you and yours are well soon.

    st75- happy pre birthday mate just think free bus travel

    steamer- got the feeling cuban wouldn’t be as wet as lerner
    and spending the quataris peoples money ( by that I mean the nation) doesn’t appeal either. it would be like Liz the 2nd
    buying inter milan.

  64. sky sports live fixtures for feb
    surprise surprise villa not on list andcan you blame them who wants to pay to watch paint dry or another way pure torture so tv money will be down ,when mon was here we where on reguarly can bean counters not see whats going on in front of there eyes home gates shocking sky dont want to come where will it end mr fox

  65. James,
    The longer this farce goes on the less likely the fans will return, we were lucky in the sixties when the man who saved us ( No, not Herbert, although he’d tell you it was him ) Pat Matthews appointed a National figure as manager, Tommy Doc, the crowds quadrupled and in general have remained. We had dissent then, what we have now is disgust in that the clubs name has been dragged through a sewer, laughing stock doesn’t cover AVFC. I hope that by the time Lerner disappears that their is something to salvage.

  66. Jenny, ST75 said he was 35? Must have sent a picture of me. Better watch out these cyber relationships can be eye opening.

    What are the chances of Lambert going balls to the wall tomorrow?

  67. Steamer, apparently digging up Richard the III has thrown a monkey wrench into the monarchy’s ancestors. DNA shows that the boys from the local pub 400 years back or so were climbing in through the castle’s bedroom windows.

  68. Ian,

    There’s been a terrific series on our Channel 5 about the Plantaganet dynasty. They would have put JR in the pale! 🙂 The series painted a picture with nothing spared to the imagination on how devious they all were. Except, curiously, Edward III, who was the one who created the Knights of the Garter and put emphasis on chivalry. And that in a long reign.

    So when it cam to the Wars of the Roses period, they knew nothing except intrigue and power – by any means going.

    It all makes Henry VIII look like saint. At least he appreciated science – but didn’t have the savvy to advise putting the port-holes too close to water level in the Mary Rose! 😉

  69. steamer
    only under graham taylor 1 time big ron little gregorey mon can i say i was proud of my team just a boy under saunders small one at that now all i feel is shame what lerner has done is criminal and he gets away scot free yes he lost money it never was his daddys money now he thinks by starving villa he will get it back,if you want to sell your car you will wash it clean it same with a house,totallydifferent from a football club it is all about the brand and at the minute ours is some where along with russia toxic .i have 3 children and none support villa and cant blame them,if lerner keepslosing fans he will notbe able to give club away,with all the streaming going sky and other tv companies are not going to pay big bucks what happens then

  70. Steamer,

    KJ was just taking a baggage train across the muddy flats of the Wash when it all went down the tubes, mate – not a shipwreck.

    So it should still be there. If I see you out with a spade headed in that direction, I’ll know what you’re up to! 😉

  71. What will our manager come up with today

    Zoggy is crap, no KR, no Westy, no Cleverly. Jack Grealish then? Hahha. No chance.

    Recon it will be 5 at the back today. Clark and Okore can’t be dropped but will Vlaar will be play

    Expect Wiemann to start ( yeeeeeey) Bacuna maybe

    What ever is, it won’t be attacking and exciting.

    I hate Lamberk more day after day

    Anyway. Hope your all well.

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