AVL has become a fine place to come to and spend a few minutes or for some, much longer to read and discuss music, humour, poetry, food, cinema, TV, pets, work and places to holiday. And not to forget the main reason: Aston Villa Football Club. The denizens of this site have become friends, offer great advice and take the mickey out of each other on a daily basis. All great stuff. But there is an unwritten line in the sand when it comes to the direction of this football club. Both sides of this line are strong willed and determined to push their ideas on the direction this club should take. It has made for some interesting debate.

The players are:
Chairman–Randy Lerner
Chief Operating Officer–Paul Faulkner
Manager–Paul Lambert and his staff
and of course The Footballers and Fans that inhabit Villa Park every other Saturday

These 4 subjects are what divides AVL, as they should be. Everyone’s passion for what is right or wrong with the club waxes and wanes on the clubs success or failure on the pitch. Both sides of the debate have 20/20 hindsight and both sides have been guilty of wild predictions that haven’t come true. We have threatened to quit Villa over performance, and we have also embraced the club regardless of result. We have shown compassion, love, adulation and derision towards players. Mostly deserved with some of our venting out of frustration due to the outcome on the field.

AVL has divided into two camps–and that’s what makes it a great read every day. For and against, what better way to have a lively discussion. Passion from both sides of the debate.

Past glories tend to colour the thinking of some of the inmates here and their love for the club wants those days to return. Only to see one misstep after another year after year. Whether it’s administration, coaching, or players bought and sold things for them just aren’t going right and haven’t for a long time. Time for them has taken away the good and bright performances of the past few years.

Future possibilities and an ability to put aside previous year’s poor play and poor administrative decisions colours the thinking of the other side of the coin. Eternal optimists to differing degrees.

It has made for lively banter with plenty of digital spit flying both ways. Is there any middle ground? Does the sport environment from other countries determine how one thinks? Does the proximity to Trinity Road make for a more strident fan? All of these ingredients give AVL its texture and interesting reading every day. As a group we come from diverse backgrounds and from around the globe. For most of us our DNA originates in Birmingham and our passion for the club is passed to us through birth–we can’t help ourselves. For those without this DNA, how fortunate you are to become associated with such a great and historic club. Regardless of the direction this club is going, you love claret and blue.

So where is Villa heading? Down the tubes or to greater heights? Young and hungry? Experienced heads? Splash the cash? Live within your means? It’s great debate and you are all good at it with liberal amounts of humour. Just wonderful. Keep it up.

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