Amidst a lot of positivity and goal scoring, there’s still a looming fear that Aston Villa could get dragged into a relegation fight that last longer than expected.

Actually, the above is a bit disingenuous as Villa have been involved in a fight against relegation for most of the season, but the spectre of it actually happening appears to have diminished since Tim Sherwood arrived at the club.

Don’t get me wrong – Villa were right to make the change they did in getting rid of Paul Lambert. Lambert, once a man who seemed full of ideas, rapidly became a man who had no plan at all, and Villa would have likely been far worse off had they kept him in charge at Villa Park.

What is concerning is that Villa are still far from safe. Yes, they are comparatively safer – at least in theory – than they would have been without Tim Sherwood, but they are just two points from the dropzone, and both Sunderland and Leicester have a game in hand, at least at the time of writing.

Admittedly, it seems unlikely that Leicester can get a result tonight against Chelsea but – as the Premier League often reminds us – nothing is impossible, even if things do seem improbable.

If Leicester do manage to win, it will leave Sunderland directly below us, again with a game in hand – a game that, if won, would put Villa in the bottom three by a single point.

Hope and logic suggest Villa will be OK, but it may well be taken to the wire. A last day winner-takes-all survival battle between Villa and Burnley seems unlikely as the Villans are six points clear of the bottom place Lancashire club, but they must be on their toes against three other clubs who are further up the table than them.

Can Villa stay up? The heart says yes, but there will be a fair number of fans who will be Chelsea fans for the night if it means that Leicester can be kept below the (true) boys in claret and blue.

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

Comments 103

  3. bibulus

    Evening
    Well the football goods deliver a small gift to us again. Whatever happens i am once again looking forward to going to watch the villa instead of feeling doomed as the weekend approaches.
    For that i will thank Sherwood, i had no hope but now i do again. If we stay up after the shocking football and terrible goal scoring record we may just be the luckiest club in the world.
    Still trying not to watch other, or should i say rely on other teams results (nice profit on the Hull win yesterday).
    Lets see a positive performance from the club and the fans again on Saturday finish the season strong and have the cup final won before we take to the pitch – if there is one thing the gooners hate its a fight.
    IKIAISIAIAHAPPY!

  6. steamers75

    l do think some of us still have that little shit lamberk lurking in the back of our brain , its because when we were given a opportunity to do ourselves a favour after being handed one , we fucked it up , so from now on lm going to stay positive with a bit of help from cider , braindeaders and knobs creek , )) cant pray as lm not religious in any shape or form ,

    Frem
    will be in touch mate , are them questions multi choice , got to admit lv never done caravan parks , have had a read on a forum , what shift you on ? .

    steamer
    you are an arse . l did ask if you wanted a final ticket ,

  7. John Lerwill

    I rather suspect that our nerves will be jangling again after Saturday’s results … Sunderland and Leicester may well pick up full points. Well, Leicester at least though Slumberland may draw.

    So it’s we that have to take something from the Everton match. So long as we don’t get beaten, that’s all I ask!

  8. steamers75

    will be interesting down villa park next season , a couple of mates of mine are stewards ,one a supervisor, and they were allowed a ticket for the semi but were told they wont get one for the final , so they told me that if thats the case most will pack the job in as they thought they were helping the club out , and didnt need season tickets . l was offered a ticket for the semi but as you know l didnt take it as l met up with runtins and brasil , the ticket l was having was going to be given me off an Albion Fan who works as a steward at villa , there are blues (one is Tom Dross sister) wolves , walsal and coventry fans who work there , there’s been a few rumblings and they have been told now that they will be told if are they to get one for the final on saturday , but its not looking good , 2 of them are steamers and are ready to walk out , so keep an eye out for the stewards saturday , could be a play up day ,

  10. OldVilla

    I think that yes, we need to keep positive even if deep down we are nervous wrecks about getting relegated. I hope that we don’t freeze in the games that we have left and take the game to Everton and Wet Spam like we did against the scousers and Man City – we should be able to get the results we need from those two games …………. we don’t want it to go down to the Burnley game – they may well be relegated by then and will play with freedom whereas we will be poohing ourselves …….
    And of course if anyone knows of a Wembley ticket then I’m happy to pay a decent amount for it ……….
    Onwards and upwards …… keep the faith …… COYVB

  11. Roderick Seel (Sam)

    I have just been looking through the remaining fixtures and i think the season standings will finish as…

    Leicester 41
    Aston Villa 40
    Newcastle 39
    Hull 37
    Sunderland 31
    QPR 28
    Burnley 27

    The bottom 3 only picking up 1 point from their remaining games, i think we can get 2 draws and 2 wins from our last games.
    thats my prediction for the end of the season.

    COYV

  12. Costa del Kieran

    Hi all, hope everyone is well. I think if it was another team in our position that had beaten Spuds, Liverpoo at wembley & were very unlucky not to get at least a point at citeh that most of us would say they have hit form at the right time & will be safe. Trying to look at the relegation battle impartially (which is hard) I would say we have the best chance of staying because of the momentum we have. Keep the faith brothers & sisters. UTV

  15. Andrew P

    I think Sam is right. I’ve got us staying up by 3 points without beating Burnley. End of season fixtures are difficult to predict but every other team at the bottom would rather have our run in than the one they are facing: 3 potentially winnable games at home and an away game against a team who have nothing to play for, and realistically another 4 points will almost certainly be enough to keep us up.

    Anyone who seriously thinks we’ll go down should lump on now and take 6/1. I just don’t see it. Wurzel has transformed us, we’re playing with freedom, we’re making chances and we’re scoring goals.

    And I’ve got 2 seats for the final, lower tier, behind the goal. We’ll be celebrating an FA Cup / Premier League survival double. It could get messy.

    AVFC IGALBOC

  16. Mark King

    I think we will stay up as none of those below us have the quality we have up top in benteke and grealish, they don’t have delph the destroyer either.

    I recall a conversation on here being had about one or two players not making a team, well try taking benteke out of this side. Also you might want to ask how liverpoo are without suarez and the eternally injured sturridge?

    Hull haven’t managed more than 2 wins on the trot all season so cannot see them beating arse, spurs, or Chelsea. Sunderland have managed 2 wins on the trot if you count Fulham in the cup, their banker should be Leicester but you couldn’t bank on it. QPR haven’t managed 2 on the trot all season and Burnley did it once although they have the easiest run in on paper

  18. Andrew P

    Agreed Mark, a 2 man team won’t win you the Champions League but our level a Benteke and a Delph makes all the difference. I’ll probably get slaughtered for this but I don’t see Grealish as a match winner yet. He might develop into that, he’s comfortable on the ball and one of ours, but in terms of end product I think he has actually delivered less than the Spaniard. Remember the Spaniard’s curler into the top corner from outside the area against Leicester? Bibulus doesn’t because he only goes to the cup games at Wembley, but take it from me that was a bit of magic.

    I hope everyone is right about Jack Grealish but I think a few people are getting ahead of themselves because we all love a local boy doing it for Villa. Time will tell if Jack’s another Gary Shaw or another Darren Byfield.

  19. steamer

    I dunno, journo’s, some are saying that Villa would welcome 30m for Benteke, do these mugs now ANYTHING about footy ? 30m wouldn’t buy him for a season.
    More confident about winning the cup than staying up although we should be safe. We’ll do Arsenal.
    Hope you get a ticket OldVilla.
    I think its about time for the fans organisation to sort out the FA about the ticketing scandal and also petition for a bigger,better national stadium away from London. the current Wembley is a shithole that is half the required size and cost at least twice as much as it should have. The ticketing policy is borderline criminal and neither the FA or Labour Government come out of the affair with an iota of credit.

  20. Andrew P

    Hello Steamer, the shame of it is that most of the tickets issued to the FA hangers-on, sorry, football family, end up on the black market. It’s exactly like selling your Christmas presents on ebay in the new year. I’ve got a couple of final tickets on the strength of my season tickets – & my attendance at FA Cup ties this season, Bibulus – but I’m after an extra ticket for one of my kids. I’ve been offered 3 so far but you would need extremely deep pockets to be able to afford the current asking prices. The football family don’t even want their tickets and are just looking to cash in at the expense of genuine supporters.

  22. John Lerwill

    Steamer,

    As you well know Sir HDE campaigned tirelessly for that National Stadium outcome. And you know what shrift he got for his trying.

    The powers-that-be believe Lunnon is the only point of civilisation, clearly, even though how you describe Wembley is exactly right.

  23. steamer

    Andrew P,
    Some Villans are cashing in too, if i had a spare ticket i wouldn’t dream of making money out of a fellow Villan, just not done. Just look at Darren O and OldVilla, heart and soul Villa, can’t get a ticket while the FA parasites are pissing it up with their chums.

  24. steamer

    Yes John, how can Arsenal build that stadium for less than half the cost of that dump ?
    Perhaps that’s why London got the nod, Ellis was involved in the Birmingham bid, not much of a success at Villa was he, except for making money for himself.

  25. steamer

    Trevor Brooking had his greasy thumb in there too and he got a knighthood, mediocre player, pathetic pundit, worked for one city as an administrator and English football is now suffering because of him.

  26. Mark King

    Andrew P- hello mate, I don’t think that the upturn in the quality of our play in the last 3-4 matches can be underestimated, and it seems to have started with the inclusion of Grealish from the start. While Gil made an impact in an ailing team and scored a good goal this lad is running the show. Personally I would play Gil instead of Nzogbia as I think he’ll Gel with Grealish.

    surely the clubs should distribute the tickets to Season ticket holders or those that have watched at least 3 Fa cup games or attended say 10 league games home or away. the remainder that don’t get taken up can be given to F.A. friends or rich people as we call them

  27. Mark King

    Oh and one other thing that separates Grealish from the nearly was’s, Talent! and don’t worry about goals he will get them. I think he is listening to TS and doing exactly what he is told, knitting attacks and creating for others.

  28. John Lerwill

    Mark,

    Whoaaa…! 🙂

    You telling me that Hendrie didn’t have talent? I’d say he was as good as Grealish as I recall when a youngster…

    But I think yours and everyone else’s enthusiasm is justified … I’ve got the feeling that Grealish won’t lose his grip as Hendrie seemed to.

  29. Andrew P

    Hello Mark, I hope you’re right. I don’t see Grealish as a goal scorer but if he does get 3 before the end of the season, I guarantee Bibulus will supply free beer* to anyone who accompanies us on our trip to watch Villa on our pre-season trip to Germany or Holland or wherever we wash up this summer. (*NB terms and conditions apply).

    JL, don’t even mention the orange dwarf. There are similarities but I think Grealish is potentially a far better player and seems a nicer character …and he’s definitely not a dirty Blue.

  30. Mark King

    JL – Its foot putting down time, hendrie for one was a midget and hit the stands more easily than the net 😉
    I don’t think there has been a dribbler of Grealishs quality in the prem in my memory and he has far better vision, nerve and appreciation of the game than hendrie ever could. to me Grealish has at least 3 years to mature physically then watch out. Hendrie was more alike to Gil than Jack IMO and tangoed

  32. Andrew P

    Mark, “Hendrie was more alike to the Spaniard”. No way. You’re just been argumentative because I said Jack Grealish isn’t a match winner yet.

  33. DarrenO

    Thanks for the kind comment Steamer, all the feelers are out to get a ticket, as far as Gillingham FC and Arsenal ST holders as well, at this point I’ve stopped asking and sit in hope of one of the chances to filter through but i’m limited in terms of paying over the odds as i’ve flights/accom/drink money to budget for.

    I’ve resigned myself to going mad in Murrays pub and even my wife will come along to cheer on the boys, along with discounted gargle/food and surrounded by fellow Villans. So it should be a good day. New Flag will be flown on match day from my house

    Checked in for flights to B’ham at 7.35am Saturday and recommendations for a good city centre breakfast. Staying in Jury’s so pints on Broad Street and home next day, can’t wait, we’ll do Everton to justify the recent performances and show Everton they aren’t as good as 3 nil v manure suggests.

    UTV

  34. John Lerwill

    Mark: to me Grealish has at least 3 years to mature physically then watch out.

    Oh, I don’t disagree with you on that bit.

    I’m recalling, though, that Li’l Lee was something of a sensation when he first hit the first team… and could dribble a bit.

    Yes, JG *should* do better, but (I think) Li’l Lee should have as well … A temperament problem in his case.

    I remember DOL being anxious to offload Lee, but what he did he do? … Came back and scored 2 marvellous goals. But he went anyway.

  35. B62 Villa

    Darren
    Hope you enjoy your annual pilgrimage to our fair city, tip from a native, avoid broad straza it’s full of shitheads on a sat night. Brindley place /brew dog or the Sun on the hill, Wellington( for real ale), OC’s etc are all a better bet, and straight after game the Aston Social has a fine disco and the newly renovated Aston Tavern is Deffo worth a look pre or post match. Here’s to you bringing the luck of the Irish mate, enjoy your trip. I’m sure ST75 and others can prob give you a few pubs to try, just remember no football colours in town

  36. Rags

    Evening chaps,

    For what it’s worth on the Hendrie/Grelish debate I’m firmly in the ‘Hendrie was a hell of a talent but unfortunately a complete bellend’ camp. Jack seems a nice lad and hopefully he’ll fulfil his potential as a result.

  37. Mark King

    Andrew P- Oh no I’m not 🙂 seriously I meant it because lee like Gil could pull off the odd sensational goal and beat a player. Grealish has a unhurried style and at the moment he is going by players then looking to put others in. I’m sure you have seen him at youth level where he would dribble around 5-6 players and stick it in the net.

    Yes JL its a shame Hendrie had the makings but not mindset .

  38. Mark King

    Andrew P- one thing I will say is Gil hasn’t been given a chance yet in a villa side full of confidence and attacking intention. you have to wonder why? is he too much a solo effort player? Its hard to really access the lad when his claim to fame is he was the only player in the team that wasn’t depressed, Ironically he probably is now.

  39. John Lerwill

    Mark,

    Yes, JG should hit the net before long and then gain confidence in that department.

    But I have seen him this season have two not-too-difficult chances and not finish them. Clearly scoring at a lesser level is another thing entirely, but you have to say that he’ll rise to the occasion soon enough.

  40. Mark King

    I’ve been wondering what it will be like for TS if we get new owners? even if we don’t he will obviously want to sign a few and probably lose some too. If you discount bent who’s
    contract ends TS has ten players on loan to access as well as looking at new options not an easy task, any thoughts?

    JL yes he has but then again benteke missed one from six yards against city fine margins . One thing that will be different for grealish is the physical size of the keepers he’s facing, they’re normally big lads these days but not the size of grown men

  41. steamers75

    just heard if you buy last 3 homes games you stand a good chance of a final ticket , best ring office first to check , but l dont see why he would make it up .

  44. steamer

    Darren O,
    Breakfast at the Square Peg, Corporation St isn’t bad. IMO, the Old Contemptibles is the best pub in Brum, great selection of beers, The Aston Tavern by VP is a superb building, but while the disco is ok at the Aston Social, the beer is cat. Just up Witton Road is the Sacred Heart club which is ok, i think St75 may be there.

    Lee Hendrie wasted his career, tremendous talent, i think he’d have loved TS’s management style, but too late now. I do think that Hendrie was more of a support player whereas JG is a playmaker, at the end of the day we’ve enjoyed their talents.

    Mark,
    I think TS sounds resigned to CB going, and unfortunately also sounds like he has a very limited budget going by the names mentioned as targets, its ok buying young prospects and moulding them but if you don’t compete they in turn move on so you’re constantly rebuilding, we need a couple of marquee signings to let the football world know that AVFC is back in business, lets at least act like a big club and sign big players and put them in the mix with the prospects.

  45. John Doyle

    i liked Hendrie a lot he was good when younger but i do not recal all the top prem clubs and 6 from Europe including the top ones after him like jack he has been watched by a lot of clubs even Tim knew all about him when he was at spuds our football as a team has improved 200%since he has been in the starting line up he is that player who we have been missing for the last 10 seasons think merc was the last player who would run with the ball from midfield and he is always there for a pass he wants the ball with 3 around him he is not bothered he has so much faith in his own ability all we now need is a couple of goals from him as he has always scored them at every age group so they will come sat would be a nice time to start

  46. steamer

    JD,
    JG’s emergence displaying skills we haven’t seen for years just shows what a poisonous reptile Lambert was, devoid of personality, talent, love of the sport that gave him a career and a lowlife too, in fact he stands for everything rotten in football, any club that employs him deserves to go bump.

  47. Mark King

    steamer- If we are still shopping bargain basement then wages would be the stumbling block to buying ready made class, If we had a couple of stars on £100,000 a week it would ruin the wage structure. tough call but we have to grow as our income does.

  50. bibulus

    Nice
    Like rags would love to see the little Spaniard in a team with confidence.
    Dont recall him scoring in the cup match against leicester, thought that was bacuna and sinclair and have checked this with the little fellas as it was their first ever match (Andrew P ??) or maybe your thinking of the 1-0 home win in January.
    Just happy to see us playing better football and frankly still cant believe we are in the cup final – Andrew had i known you needed another ticket i would not have turned down corporate sleaze for the event only today and given you my season ticket will have to see if i can pull the invite back in.
    Got to back wurzel – if we stay up we could have the luckiest team combining with the lucliest manager next season and that could be amazing.- oh and he is definitely not a sweaty.
    UTV!

  52. Heroes-and-Villans

    Read the fox interview.

    What worries me most, and what needs to change at villa is the bit where he says he got lucky that tim was available else he wouldnt know who to go for.

    You can bet that the swanseas and saints of the world have a good idea who there next manager will be allready.

    Tim has said going to talk about dof being appointed. Can understand he is not keen on someone meddling with transfers but we need someone on board who knows football and has a plan for villa which carries on regardless of who is manager

  53. steamers75

    Mark
    no a lad who’s uncle works there , he put it on a F/B page . and a few agreed . lm putting on here as people are after tickets,

    might be in sacred hearts before game , knee still playing up ,

  54. Mark King

    st75 what you done to your knee? you have my sympathy, mines never been the same since medial meniscus op, wish I hadn’t bothered, might as well gone to Dewhurst the butchers.

  55. Mark King

    There’s talk of Liverpool selling stirling for £50 mil and buying Benteke for £30mil, surely should be the other way around???

  57. steamer

    Just read the Fox interview, probably half a dozen quotes in it to qualify him for the sack, the blokes a liar and a fraud, full stop, i don’t give a monkey’s how much he improves our finances, i don’t trust him. Fox hasn’t suddenly changed from the arrogant knob who knew it all under Lambert and derided the Villans who took the opposite view, he still thinks Lerner is a good owner ffs. If it’s the same set up next season we’ll still be crepe and as for his vision of where Villa ‘should be’ 7th, 8th or 9th, dear oh dear, such ambition, such a knowledge of our club, get him out with Lerner.

  58. Andrew P

    Bibulus, that’s the trouble when you’ve seen as many FA Cup games as I have this season, they all merge into one. Anyway, back on topic, Bibulus mate, what are you thinking of, knocking back Wembley tickets? Are you an ostrich?

    You know I’ve got a bigger family than the Waltons and all the kids have suddenly remembered that they are Villa fans after all. If those tickets are still available I’m sure we can do a deal.

    Darren, B62 is right about Broad Street – definitely to be avoided unless you like dirty beer and gassy girls. The Wellington on Bennets Hill is a great pub if you like real ale and blokes with beards. Best pub around Villa Park is the Bartons Arms. If you find you way to the Bartons, Bibulus will even buy you a beer – he’ll be the flexible one with his head buried in the sand.

  60. southwestvillan

    Was at the gym last night and I turned round to see this geezer wearing an Everton shirt with Neville on the back I thought fuck this.

    I walked over to him and said for one his shirt was shit and two if Nevilles the best player you could think of to put across your back then you have taken stupid to a new level and three if you take points of us on Saturday I will make his next fitness session more painful than he could imagine.

    Sometimes it is difficult to hold back I think I just had a bad day.

    AVFC ITWT

  67. John Lerwill

    Steamer,

    About Fox, it’s the same with politicians isn’t it? There’s a double speak they talk amongst themselves and which we’re not part of. I think we (to a *certain extent*) have to just go along with it so long as their line of talk and action doesn’t lead us into problems. Recognise the double-speak, note it but otherwise just let it go out through the other ear is my approach to it. That approach may not make everyone happy though.

    That he’s a Yank and is of a similar age to Lerner and can exchange peasantries shouldn’t be a stopper on his ability as a CEO though. He has to speak to his boss on a certain wavelength and so long as he (Fox) gets the club sorted the way it should then that’s it.

    This bit by Fox, though: “…More people watched Aston Villa on a global basis last year than would have seen Bayern Munich. …” frightened me a bit as I thought that so many people would have been put off by our play until TS took over! It’s the typical response by a CEO as he really is looking at the business side and how it leads to financial expansion for the club, rather than the quality of what we serve up. At least he found a manager who knows something on the footie side!

    Anyway, as said, it’s all executive-speak we’re hearing and is pretty harmless. Not like Cameron last night who, when questioned as to why such extreme welfare cuts instigated some suicides, glossed over it in such a way as to say “of course you expect the Christians to be killed when you put lions into the ampitheatre”. A surreal gloss over by Cameron. And they want to find another 12bn of cuts! Well, the lions are going to have a rich meal by the sound of it…

  69. RichardS

    Is anyone else getting annoyed with all of this talk of Benteke leaving? Why should he leave? He is still under contract and is playing great football. He is the best striker we have had at Villa in years.

    Villa are now playing great football and the feel good factor is back at the club after the calamity of Lambert?Mcleash.

    With a few quality editions in the Summer Villa can be challenging to get back in the top six.

    So let’s keep Benteke and Vlaar – sign Sinclair/Cleverly and by three or four more quality players.

    Up the Villa

  70. Mark King

    Richard s theres only one place pressure will come to sell and thats from tekkers. If we dont at least show ambition he will be off and so will ts. We are due a massive clear out and that will determine the leeway we will have to add qualty. Ive no doubt ts will use our youth system with some decent additions. Benteke staying will show our intent imo

  71. Rags

    RichardS,

    Thing is he’s only got 2 years left so the power is all with the player. We could refuse to sell but Benteke isn’t the sort to accept that and he’ll probably have a shit year and go for a fraction of the price next summer. If we wants to go we should sell IMO, if he wants to stay then give him he’s terms and sign him up.

  72. John Lerwill

    Yep. There’s an old attitude that I think is right that says something like: “If the player wants to go, let him – otherwise he’ll upset matters in the club”.

  73. Ree Khalid

    Afternoon all.

    Huge match this. Not exactly do or die but a win would do wonders and lift all the pressure that would be on the West Ham game. That is the game everyone is targeting. Over the years Villa have not made it easy on themselves failing to win games you think they would, ramping up the pressure on themselves.

    I guess TS will stick with the same team as the semi. Two 10’s in Nzog and Grealish. It has worked great and did well against City after changes so if it aint broke. I think Everton will play defensive, behind the ball and use the strength of Lukaku. Their defense will be hard to crack but no reason why we cant playing as we have been. We just need to stop gifting goals as we did against QPR and City. No mistakes is whats needed. Id play Westwood over Sanchez as he makes less mistakes and we need that.

    2-0 Villa UTV!

  75. steamer

    Changed my mind from yesterday, Blose have just won silverware so the pressure on us to win at Wemberlee will take its toll, God knows where they’ll put the BSC, what a club.
    JL,
    Fridays WHU day.

    I’d stick with the City XI except for Hutton ( Bacuna ), Cissoku ( Richardson ), Senderos ( Okore ) and Given ( Guzan ), well almost stick. A good 1-1 tomorrow, Everton aren’t too good away and we’re not the best at home. The atmosphere tomorrow will be electric, one that only VP can produce, hope the happy clappers join in.

  76. steamer

    PP,
    Might be in the Lions club tomorrow for a gargle. You will recognise St75 who will be limping, can you bring that 20 quid you owe me ?

  77. Mark King

    Ree I think he will go with that semi side although we will have to watch out for the counter which is how Everton did untied. hopefully we will have enough to keep them occupied in tekkers and Grealish to prevent that happening too much. As for Sanchez or Westwood against these I don’t mind but please not both again.

    Andrew P fair play to Pearson he nailed him to the deck, Glad he’s not on here 🙂

  78. Andrew P

    Mark, this was Pearson vs Journos the rematch, and Pat Murphy (BBC Radio’s Midlands reporter) served it up to him. I rate Pearson as a manager and I always thought Albion should have stuck with him years ago, but as a human being he’s arrogant, humourless and pretty stupid – not a nice combination.

  79. Mark King

    On tekkers, He is IMO the best prospect for any of the top 4-6 teams, he suits the prem and would be a terror in Europe, he could fit into them all. pretty much first choice for a skilful Belgium national side so they know he’s no donkey. worst case scenario is a bidding war, if untied get him and Bale game over.

  81. John Lerwill

    Everton, the team of Golden Oldies, eh?

    Our whipper-snappers will go through ’em like greased lightening…!

    Er … has anyone ever tried to grease lightening?

  82. Andrew P

    Mark, I agree with you about Benteke on his day, but if I was managing a Champions League side I’d worry what I was getting for my money. At his best he’s outstanding but I’ve watched him have as many bad days for us as good days. I know he’s had injuries, and under Lambert we sometimes went 3 games without crossing the half way line, but for my 30 or 40 million, I think I’d want him to see him do it consistently over a full season.

  84. Mark King

    JL ” Er … has anyone ever tried to grease lightening” John Travolta.

    Andrew P- I agree but when you see the likes of stirling for £50 mil £30 for tekkers?
    he scored 20+ in a shite villa side when fit. my only worry would be if he was effective if not the focal point? but then why buy him

  87. steamer

    Just seen the Nigel Pearson interview, good manager IMO but talk about juvenile, the facial expressions and mannerisms were poor, but he won’t be bothered about criticism if LCFC stay up.

  89. Rags

    There are a few concerns abut Benteke if you’re Man Yoo,

    Injuries, big club mentality, big fish in small pond (although he’s pretty good for Belgium). I can understand why most Man Yoo fans aren’t convinced, they’re wrong not to be of course but if it translates at board level it’s good for us. I reckon money talks to Tekkers. double his wages and he’ll sign faster than the speed of greased light.

    Forget about him going Liverpool or Spurs.

  90. John Clark

    Hi, all.

    I think we have what it takes to get a result, and probably should be looking for all three. It really should come down to wanting it more, which Villa certainly should. I hope we come out of the gates flying and wrest control. But we’ve shown we’ve got the mettle to fall behind and come back. Biggest thing is simply that we’ve been scoring…keep that up and we’ll be okay. Simple game isn’t it?

    On Tekkers, I think TS is playing the mind games pretty well. He’s saying the right things about letting the player go if he wants to, which should be a boost to Benteke’s attitude and performances down the stretch. He’ll be putting himself in the shop window if he wants.

    Likewise, he’ll also know there’s a big enough price tag…That bit should make him feel good, says TS rates him, etc. Could make him feel a bit trapped, but obviously says that he should only be at one of the big-money clubs. He ought to have something to prove, and in the form he’s in, that should make him as dangerous as we need him to be.

  91. John Clark

    And if you’re TS, you’re thinking “I may not have much money, have no idea about the ownership situation…” So, if he gets £30m to work with from one sale, he gives himself enough to work with, providing he can find a good striking set-up.

    He might also be signaling new owners that Villa have a real asset in Benteke, reminding them he’s the big-value asset at the club. The message could well be “go ahead and buy, but you might want to think about keeping Benteke, and the best way to do that is show some intent in the transfer market. If you’re not going to keep him, then I’ll want, and need, the £30m to spend.”

    I like the way he’s been talking up young players. It’s as much psychology as anything else, but I think he knows a thing or two about players, and is being smart about opening the doors to everyone to come in and impress, letting them know now they have the opportunity, something to look forward to and play for down the stretch.

    It’s the same game with the comments on Bent, etc., signaling that things are different now.

  92. Mark King

    Rags- there’s no such thing as a sure thing when it comes to buying players, Balotelli anyone?
    benteke has managed to make goals for himself and lets face it all the top teams have taken a battering off him keeping the centre halves occupied while other players sneek in, handy in a quality side where goals come from all over. while still green he has it all when on form.

    JC- Maybe TS has been told tekkers is his transfer kitty if the no sale is true? just a thought

  94. steamer

    Thing about the sale is that the Chinese have been to the Olbyon, so bearing in mind that the asking price is similar to ours then you’d have to be doolally not to go for Villa, honesty has been in short supply at VP for a few years now, if BS could fly,Tom Fox would be a squadron leader.

  95. Ree Khalid

    That Pearson press conference was funny as fuck!

    Cant see Benteke leaving for any of the bog goys in the Prem. Not Chelsea who have Costa unless they try one of their old tricks in buying a player to prevent a rival getting him. Not City since they have just paid 27m for a similar but inferioir Bony. Liverpool dont have CL and need to come up with the cash selling some players. Spurs are not even in the conversation. Arsenal might try, but I dont think he’s Wenger’s cup of tea. Better than Giroud imo and better technically that people give him credit for. Man Utd also might try but I think they will go for an expensive foreign striker this summer, probs not Falcao.

    Might be some interest from one of the big clubs overseas but i dont see many who can afford £30m+. Only Bayern, Real Madrid, Barca or PSG, maybe Wolfsburg if theyr looking to compete next season. Nobody from Serie A imo. Juventus? Maybe if they sell some of their stars. Monaco? Not many teams can afford it.

  97. steamer

    Ree,
    But what if Citeh put Bony in as part chop ? 10m + Wilfried, good player but not as good as CB.
    Wolfsburg have been splashing the cash this season and may fancy a pop at runners up, Barca have Messi, Neymar & Suarez plus good reserves, PSG will need a replacement for Levazzi, Monaco a poss, not Real unless they sell the tart, Juventus are the only club with cash in Italy and maybe an outside bet.

  98. John Lerwill

    Ree,

    CB’s general attitude seems to me that he’d prefer to stay in the Prem … but that would mean just who as you say.

    I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes (*if* he goes) to Man City.

  99. John Doyle

    Steamer Ben E king great artist stand by me my son jack has a a Gibson epiphone guitar made in 1972 and tracing the serial no Ben e king was the original owner made at the Kalamazoo factory in Memphis should be worth a few quid now what do you think are you going tomorrow have to meet for a gargle

  100. Mark King

    JC- great minds make you type like an infant? 🙂

    I think Tekkers could easily find himself at the top four. Chelsea’s Drogba too old and will probably be off and they don’t have anyone similar. I also think manure will have a shake up and maybe lose van persil he’s 31. arsenal could well be tempted as they need a new spine to make the tippy tappy work better. finally shitty will probably bim the manager and anything could happen if they have a garage sale.
    the big pulling point is his wage, he would probably be happy with £100,000 a week and a lolly. compare that to rooney,sturridge, van persil, Aguero all on £150-£300,000

  102. bibulus

    Most the tekkers talk i have seen has come from poo, Bad losers with no class. They did the same transfer trash talk a couple of years ago with downing without the grace to wait to the end of the season.
    Tekkers is well worth a punt for a top top team – heard ‘arry say so – it must be true!
    Lets stay up and see what happens next.
    Cant wait for the game tomorrow – villa park in entertaining football shocker

  103. Mark King

    Last thought on the tekkers talk, If he had remained fit and uninjured and had gone to the world cup I don’t think we would be having this convo. Belgium missed him and IMO Lakaku valued at £28 Mil didn’t fill the gap Again in my Opinion.

    gouing into the lions den today in liverpool with my ladys brother to watch the match
    should be interesting as I can’t do quiet if we score 🙂 going 3-1

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