Aston Villa. As John Gregory famously and proudly said, there’s a symmetry in those two 5-letter words. The club’s name once stood as the finest, the Rolls-Royce (another two words of 5 letters!) of what was best in football. Aston Villa was once the most famous football club in the world and until 1982 it stood a good chance of re-claiming that status as it’s lead as the nation’s biggest winner of domestic trophies had only just been overtaken by Liverpool. And Villa had just become only the fourth English club to win the European Cup.
The restoration of Aston Villa to anything near top status will today require a club owner with a combination of sound business skills, a real affinity with football and a substantial amount of money. And, probably, his acceptance that he’s not going to make personal profit out of his investment. Running a football club today is not like the situation in Fred Rinder’s day, but it does require leadership of the kind that Rinder possessed. Restoration of the club cannot be expected to take place overnight, and the FFR situation rather points (in my opinion) to the need for Villa to re-build mainly from grass roots. The club does have a good infrastructure for youth development, though it requires a greater throughput of Premier League talent. We have had too many players come through who promised much in their early years but then fell away.
We’ve not done badly in the last 15 years or so in producing Barry, Hendrie, Vassell, Davis, Ridgewell, Cahill, Clark, Baker and Gabby (apart from two, all were still Premier League players last season, and all but two have been ‘capped’), but there have been too many examples of youngsters falling away. I distinctly recall bright prospect Luke Moore having a purple patch in season 2005-06 by scoring 5 goals in 3 matches, then being rested and then managing to lose his way under Martin O’Neill. Well, as Cahill was also ‘let go’ by O’Neill perhaps we can identify where the problem of youth progression lay in those days.
But building from youth was the way that the club, under Rinder, re-built itself after 1900 when Villa’s old stars retired. And when a young player didn’t come through to fill a particular spot, then the club went out and bought the needed player. And there was always a careful blend of young and experienced players. It was a commonsense approach that worked. And it can work again. Someone has to develop new players as future stars, so why not Aston Villa?
So, in watching Jack Grealish we can wonder! we can wonder whether this phenomenon will break through and establish a new trend – a trend of Villa youth truly succeeding in the Premier League rather than being ‘nearlies’. Will he, Samir Carruthers and Gary Gardner be afforded the opportunity to strut their stuff?
I would say that all three of these young players (and others?) are ready to embark on the Premier League stage, but with one proviso. And that is that the club invests in a capable and experienced midfielder (or two) who can help to bring on these three, in the old Villa tradition.
In fact it was heart-warming for me to read in Billy Walker’s autobiography (Soccer In The Blood) his eagerness to give credit to old players and great stalwarts like Frank Barson and Clem Stephenson (who later led Huddersfield to three championships) for his on-the-field training as a young player. What a better way to learn your trade – from the masters. And Billy, in turn, brought on the young Eric Houghton. In fact, that was the way that Villa always used to go about things in that the older players coached the youngsters. This fact was told by Howard ‘Prince of Full-backs’ Spencer. There was no need for specialist team managers and coaches, they said. And, since Villa succeeded without them, they probably had a point.
But that was then. Football is now a humungous operation that almost undoubtedly does require a team manager and coaching staff. But I say that tradition has proved that on the field a player or two is needed to lead the youngsters as well. But will Villa’s manager play ball? And who should he get to play the part?
The Author
John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.Comments 92
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
John,
Another good informative write up and I hope the trouble and strife is well.
Oh how far away those halcyon days seem, the pride in Aston Villa has been stripped to the bones by these people who are not only inadequate to run our fine club but who have failed so successfully to even understand what Aston Villa stands for, we are now a shadow of our former self and the only question remains is how far we will drop before the recovery begins.
We are all living with the depression of supporting our once great club, all those memories of Rotterdam seem very fuzzy as if it never happened, we remember the fine football played under BFR and JG even the days when MON at least made us competitive against the big boys and now we just relegation fodder nothing more nothing less.
I honestly feel for the lads and lasses who have purchased season tickets in the blind faith that things will improve next season, but I know one thing if Senderos signs for AVFC I would be down VP kicking the ticket office door in and demanding my money back.
Darker days ahead.
AVFC RIP.
Grealish has true ability, but as long as Lambert is still here killing this club he won’t be given a chance. He’s signing Senderous over giving Doncian a chance. Robbinson and Carrithers will be forgotten
As SWV says, darker days ahead. We wouldn’t be signing Senderous if a take over was close
John,
I hope things go well for you and the family, especially the wife.
Didn’t PL say he wants to sign proven quality? We’ll see soon enough if that statement comes to anything.
You’re right Villa need experienced and talented people to help tutor the up and coming. I’d be happy to get Barry back for a start. Both Milner and the likes of Barry would be great but probably hoping for too much.
Carruthers
Positive spin…..
Rather have Keane over Culverhouse?
Senderous better back up to Okore & Vlaar than Baker & Clarke?
Villa ARE up for sale and Learner WILL be gone (sometime)
Apparently the package to buy Barry would cost £11mill?!!!
Hello John,
Your leaders always remind me of when AVFC was a football club, usually happy days.
Leadership is a word you could never associate with anyone at VP especially Lerner. He reminds me of a poisoned toenail, prevents any growth, rots away and finally when its gone you grow a healthy one and it prospers, will AVFC survive the double pronged attack of Lerner and his ally, athletes foot ( Lambert ).
Can you imagine being a talented young academy prospect and Joe Bennett is allocated to teach you the skills ?
Yes Andrew, but we still have no midfield, no wingers, one good striker and some bloke who calls him self a football manger
11 million ? Only West Ham will pay that’s
John,
Great piece I hope you are well. The club needs a coherent communicated plan going forward. What exactly has the club been trying to achieve the last few years?
Another owner in the mould of Lerner for me will finish the club, the new owner needs to be a football man or at the very least accept he has a knowledge gap and surround himself with football people preferably with some Villa blood in them.
Whether the squad is young or old it needs to laden with some “footballers” not athletes or over rated and over paid individuals like Weimann.
It’s a mammoth task going forward and the club needs to get the fanbase and the wider football community’s respect back.
Ha yeah the hammers are doing there upmost to do well for the new stadium….imagine they got relegated £££
Yeah Frem we are still shit but all could change in a scribble of a new owners signature. Things could always be worse, Learner wants to stay and new 4 year deal for Lambert!
Worse comes to the worse and PL is still here along with Learner then Okore, Kozac, Tekkers, Nzog, Vlaar, Delph, Gabby, and emergence of Grealish and Robinson should keep us up…..hopefully, finger crossed, maybe, prat to God!!!
pray to God!
I would of loved signing that Zarate who the hammers got. When are we getting Hoolahan?!
Hello all,
New to this blog, I do recognize a few old names from a previous one, Frem, Runtings, Droyd etc. Hope you’re all well.
I’m still trying to keep the faith in a club I’ve supported for 35yrs now. These are interesting times indeed, I only hope the club sale goes through quickly and in time to turn the fortunes around at VP. Although we all witnessed some awful performances last season, I’m still prepared to give PL until Xmas before deciding whether he truly is a terrible manager or doing his best with a bad hand. It seems everything in and around the club is rotten right now and it’s very difficult to be optimistic.
Andrew- Zoggy and Grealish wont be playing as long as Lambert is here. And what is gabby going to do ? 🙂 It could be worse yes, just about
Hi Doug Smart. Like you, and everyone, we all hope the take over happens soon so there is time to sign quality players, and get a top manager in. You still need time to to see if Lambert is good or bad ? HAve you not watched the last two seasons 😉 12 home defeats in a season says it all for me. You know if that happens to any team, in any league, at any standard of football that there is something seriously wrong with your manager ( If we can call him that ) . It certainly shouldn’t happen in the top leagues
Hi John and all
Not a bad track record for the villa acadamy and it is a better record than most teams in terms of producing professional players.
As for how the current crop are developed – i fear with the style of kick and rush football we play skilful kids such as Grealish who for me is a major talent will struggle to make a impact
I fear young jack may have to leave for the sake of his career and development if the current management and style doesnt change soon
As for Senderdross as the gooners called him -i would rather PL take some of his transfer budget to cover the wages of haagaland or lescott rather than get in yet another two bit player who’s career is riddled with big mistakes on the pitch
I see we lost more money than most teams in europe last season so i get why RL is still cutting back but it isnt pretty to watch and as a villan i am now even the put of my palace colleagues jokes — how the mighty have fallen
Hi Doug – and welcome to AVL
Runtingz,
Agree about Grealish, can’t see next season being much different for him than this one, Lambert will probably sign David Bentley or similar.
When he bought AVFC Lerner took on the responsibility too, he’s buckled at the first problem.
Hello Doug, totally concur with your opinions.
Liam,
According to Chubby the club has had a plan in operation for several years, unfortunately Lerner never explained it to anyone.
My plan would be to sack Faulkner, Lambert, all top team coaches, all top level admin, 12 or so players and invest in a quality manager who has the ability to weld all aspects of AVFC together and give him £50m for each of two seasons, you would, IMO, see a turnaround in results and £££.
Frem – I’ve seen enough bad performances last season to suggest PL isn’t the right man for the job but I’m also conscious of the fact he hasn’t had much to play with but more importantly, I’m tired of the ‘hire a manager, player clear out, spend a fortune on new players, hire a manger’ merry go round we’ve been on since MON walked out. I thought PL had a decent track record before joining us, it seems Villa is a career killer for both players and managers!!
Steamer
How are you buddy? I agree with you, surely things can only get better ! Just to have a competitive team and a club we can be proud of again would be fantastic.
Welcome Doug
Doug,
Welcome to AVL and enjoy your time although I feel we are in for a bit of turbulence.
Not sure of your age but some of us old bastards on here remember the third division days, when we went down I thought the bottom had dropped out of my world but in all honesty it was the start of a massive adventure, going to places I had never been before with a load of lads and we had some fantastic times, although ST75 sometimes spoiled things because he was always pissed but I digress.
One season I must have gone to Chesterfield five times we seem to draw them in all the cups as well as league games, they were good times and although I do not wish for it to happen again mainly because the footballing landscape has changed so much that the premier money is now vital to our existence, the other issue is that a lot of these lower league clubs have new stadiums that all look the fucking same so the excitement of visiting the old grounds is no longer there.
UTV
Senderous officially done. Says the usual. Huge club, we want to get back to where we belong etc etc blah blah blah. Didn’t bother to read what Lambert had to say. Can guess though. “Last season I thought we were excellent, and now we will be even more excellent that Phillip has joined. He’s an excellent player to add to our other excellent players. Randy is excellent, I have an excellent relationship with him”
Interesting we already know how we will set up next season. Senderous has said we want to keep clean sheets. 11 men behind the ball again
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3883353,00.html
Senderos signs a two year deal confirmed.
The saints be fucking praised we are building for league one.
AVFC RIP.
My link says error, that just about sums it all up.
AVFC RIP.
Steamer
Ha! Yes, to keep in good humour I try to keep my thoughts focused on the whole of Villa’s history rather than just now. Sometimes there are cases of history repeating itself although I have to admit what’s happened of late is showing something different. Differently objectionable in the most part!
Runtings
Yes (about the academy track record), and I forgot to include Craig Gardner, and even Tommy ‘der Hammer’ Hitzelsperger and …. Andi Weimann.
Doug
Welcome!!
SWV,
Try this.
SWV
It’s no use just pasting a link with contiguous commas in it. That’s why the hyperlink function fails.
I expect several kicks in the nuts for this opinion,but,Senderos is an OK signing.No fee,small wages.
This is the level of signing we must expect..Is it great news?No,of course not but as long as he helps us win our mini league,Burnley,QPR and 4 others he will prove worth it.Until we are sold Lerner has the wallet tightly shut.Good times are coming,Lerner and Lambert will be gone soon enough.
Please stop demanding progress,this is impossible under this regime.Next season is all about survival (again),not progress.Sit tight ,if it`s worth having it`s worth waiting for.
Come on what other sort of signings were you thinking of?I wish we could go out and compete in the market and buy class,but this simply won`t happen.The Senderos market is where we are at,swallow it,it ain`t for too much longer.
John,
I try not to be a technophobe but I think it was more shock at seeing our new signing, what do they call it when there is nothing left at the bottom of the barrel.
UTV
SWV
I understand! 🙂 I was just trying to help.
Oh Dear…….
The Keane news was bad enough, When theres nothing in the barrel, try looking underneath and you will find Senderos.
Q, whats the difference between Senderos and a turd in a bag?
A, the bag
B6B you are totally right that we can’t expect to do anything but stay up –But
Why can PL box clever with what he has to work with
For example if he has a 12mil budget which would be half of what he normally gets why not buy anymore average players and buy half or a third less players insisting on quality
I believe we have enough numbers in the sqaud now the vbomb sqaud are too be used and we are overloaded with strikers , so there must be a few mil to be gained there to help PL juggle things and increase the quality a little
Based on what i have seen of senders he is capable of good performances but i have seen some that are more embarressing that what has come from the acadamy defenders
There is more than one way to skin a cat
John
Riccardo Scimeca , Darren Byfield ,
Liam Ridgewell , the moore bro’s ,Peter Whittingham ,Steven Davis , Daniel Sturridge going back to guys like Dwight ,Daley Ugo so on and so on , so many players have found there level and made a living out of the game via our acadamy
Something that we can be proud of about our club
Agree Runtinz
But the drawback is wages,wages,wages.Senderos is probably covered by the Fonz, and Marc A. departures.He-Lerner doesn`t want to spend whilst the club is for sale.
Quality,even older quality like Barry.that cost nothing on paper,demand huge salaries and signing on fees.
I fear it`s sell to buy one or 2 out for 1 in.
We just need to win our mini league,be brave and play some younger lads.I expect another Senderos signing in MF soon.Gardner from S`land is out of contract I think.
All I `m strugling to say is,don`t expect any wow signings,this is the level of player(Senderos) that we are now chasing.I don`t like it but it makes sense until the new era begins.
Good evening John, hello Doug and welcome.
Wise words as always Mr L in a very interesting leader .
Until a new owner is in situ expect to see Senderos type signings – cheap but with the experience to preserve our prem status as cheaply as possible The new owner, with new mgr (possibly) will have his own vision / plan / football philosophy / budget for players . As has been banded around the media “you don’t buy a new kitchen if you’re selling your house ”
Had a delightful evening at Bham hippodrome yesterday – free tickets for the ballet . Seeing those men in tights reminded me I’ve missed own leading man ST 75 this week – are you moonlighting ? Xx
We posted same time B6Brazil – agree entirely .
As PL raved about IC’s ability to spot talent – I wonder who will be picking the new ones now ?
senderos has had a lot of injuries but has also played chumps league . we are not going to get anyone decent as its a dicey step for a good player to come here at the moment. to many variables to risk 3-4 years and your rep on. best pin our hopes on a 20% improvement in last years buys and the return of the bomb squad to keep us afloat. I also think Lambert will go shit for bust and play Gardner , Grealish and co more than people seem to think IMO.
jenny
senderos is ex arsenal so i’m guessing marshall the ex arsenal defensive coach
wish this was true decent player
http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/derby-captain-richard-keogh-wanted-by-aston-villa-crystal-palace/?
senderos is going to the world cup thats him injured then 🙂
Yes guys wages is the major issue but i still believe a different type of manager would be able to use more of the acadamy and bomb squad and buy a couple of very good freebee’s for the same spend as say avarage players
players like haagaland or lescott i believe would come to villa also
alas i now know this is not going to happen and we will be lucky to see a player that is better than albrighton come in
Another centre back ? – maybe Vlarr is on his way to manchester
runtings
this is villa, anything goes
Runtings Riccardo Scimeca , Darren Byfield …
I was really trying to cover the last 15 years and players in that time that had maintained a Premier League profile. Whittingham, i.m.o., hasn’t really done that – nor Luke Moore.
You’re right about the fact that the Academy has churned out quite a number of reasonable players, but my point was that not enough have really got to being top notch. Most seem to have fizzled out by the time they were 23. More could have been achieved with Moore, Davis and Cahill, but that was MON for you, I suppose.
Of course Marshall ex Arse – well spotted Mark
This is all clearly a mistake.
The memo said “We need to send a flippin SOS” and autocorrect changed it.
Once they realise, all will be corrected.
Actually this is a great signing.
*checks calendar*
Whoops should have updated it from 2006.
Runtingz ,
Vlaar to manchester ? I think you may be over rating him. He looks good at villa because ……well you know why , whats the point in going over old ground.
On Keane , he was very into giving new players and youth a chance at sunderland and ipswich and because of his connections to the irish set up , i would’nt be surprised to see grealish , carruthers and mick drennan get a go. So theres an upside unless you have “moral” reservations on Keane .
John – Couldn’t agree more about the lack of villa academy players really stepping up to the top flight and pushing on.
Sadly this seems a perennial issue at the club, and all managers make sparing use of our youth.
Could it be they aren’t really that good or is the club ethos wrong or is it the development is wrong. Maybe all 3 or none of these, bit addressing this sure would help the club long term and add another string to the bow of sustainability.
SB
Yep, quite a few are going to fall by the wayside – we have to accept that only a small % really make it.
If other clubs can produce the young talent, why can’t Villa? Man U is the obvious example but their standard seems to have dipped of late. But Everton and Southampton have done very well. And Nott’m Forest under Billy Walker and then Brian Clough seemed to have found a way with youth, and then Ipswich Town under Bobby Robson.
Luke Moore was supposed to have been a better prospect than Rooney, but he seems to have just been allowed to fall away. There seems to be a lack of integrated development somewhere (at VP) with several of the brighter prospects.
When we beat Chelsea in the Next Gen series I thought we would be seeing more of our bright young things . I remember one lad who played for that team whose name escapes me now , he wasn’t kept on and didn’t even get to do the lap of honour with the rest at VP. I felt so sorry for him and his family . You’d have thought they’d have let him come back for that but it seemed they had a big cut off . I know we can’t keep everyone , and you can’t be sentimental but it seemed a brutal end to his dreams .
Evening all.
Dont think our new CH is that bad a deal, last ex Valencia (just blocking the fulham reject scenario out here) player we signed was Carew i think? He is the right age for a CH.
Renewed the season ticket a few days back and looking forward to a good family day out at the kit launch – Brian Little attending on the saturday – now there is a man that would be good to have in the background at VP.
Anyone heard any more about the middle east partnership supposedly sniffing around ? Had a couple of people mention it today but not with timescales included.
As for Keane to look positively he is connected to some “influencers” and could be a good addition to the staff so long as he keeps up his medication.
UTV!
Right, tonights BS ….. sorry rumours are –
1) Khaled al Batran ???? who left SA club Al Shabab last month is heading a consortium to buy Villa
Lots of Saudis on Twitter apparently saying its true.
2) Mickey Arison ( $6B ) is back in contention with his best pal Larry Ellison who isn’t short of a bob or two. PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEE
Hi all, I dont write on here much but have read most days. With regards to Keane, I thought he was a complete bollix for the world cup fiasco, he made a c@£t of himself & let down a nation.
Having said that, I love the villa more than I despise him so if he can add anything to the shambles we have then I’m all for it
JL the last 15 years have been a Blurrrrr to me ………))
SWW you and Error are the same thing ,.. and thankfully when we were in the 3rd l was running round with a group of lads The Dougle , , then 76/77 l met you ! and no one will own up to who bought you to us , and what l hate is that l probably still buy him a pint…
and as jenny brought up tights , that tart SWW used to wear his mrs tights on the cold sunday mornings , saying it was because he had vericose veins
Prox
lm raising a glass of the Irish stout to you mate at this moment , just got off the M6 carpark ..
Taking the daughter to that west Indian resturant saturday , Turtle Bay , john bright street ,both cant wait .
we need to sort a meet up date soon………….
jenny xxxxxxxxx how are you my love xxxx
Doug . welcome mate and take no notice of the arse known as SWW ,
CD Kieran,
Welcome mate, ignore the madness, its not always so barmy, Just bypass S75 and SWV and you’ll be OK.
Looks like there could be a AVL coach to Chesterfield, SWV may be coming up to see his best mate, it’ll be just like Ken Kesey’s Merry Pranksters ( Under 60’s please google ) only without the LSD ( probably ).
Steamer it’s the madness that makes this site what it is. I don’t post so often but read it often cause the debate on here is so good, It’s class that people can voice their opposite opinions without resorting to just slagging eachother off like on some other sites. Well most of the time ; )
UTV
steamer , take the fucking tablets mate , it looks like you got the shakes ,
l need lsd to put up with sww , and whats this about him having a best mate , are they stupid ,
who’s driving the coach to chesterfield ? and who’s running it . and l bags the back seat , and l will bring the fresh melon ))
costa
welcome mate , word of advice quit while you can and don’t give anyone your phone number they’ll be over for a free holiday, saying that bit miffed brasil hasn’t offered to put us up, probably renting the floors, cupboards etc out for the world cup. you’d think he’d pay me that £20 back.
must of picked up some foreign ways, Scottish or something
Vlaar of to United?
That would wrap it all up
Lovely to see some new posters on here. Costa – welcome . I thought that we had the rarity of someone normal until I read “the debate on here is so good” – you are clearly as barmy as the rest of them. I will put you on my list for meds which will be brought round with cocoa for lights out . 🙂 🙂 🙂
Seriously though – please contribute – we are all sounding like stuck in the groove old records so need some new perspective !
Right off to google that Ken Keesey merry pranksters – you learn so much too on here.
Hoping we get the Klaxon lights fitted to the Lifers Coach – another thing I have learned !.
When is the Chesterfield outing – do you all have your release papers signed ?
aha – One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest – Ken Kesey pranksters . Have you read the book Steamer? – I saw the film ages ago but no nothing about that period of writers like GInsberg and co. Is it worth reading ?
Super b – i couldnt agree with your acadamy comments any more your bang on
John agree not enough talant makes the grade
good acadamy players have left and won thimgs thou
dan sturridge . dan ceowey are top notch for me but have chose to leave villa
We have not played the right type of football at the club for many years imo and when randy shown the right ambition not getting the footballing foundations right leads to failure of were we are now — and the football in the club is still in the stone age
as for vlaar he is a key dutch international and twice the player of any man u defender – wth there new dutch manager i fear he could go
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.
I don’t really have an issue with Senderos, yes he’s injury prone but as long as the club aren’t paying silly wages (doubtful), I think it could be quite shrewd cover. We have to be realistic, the only signings we’ll see until the club’s been taken over will be Bosman’s and loan’s.
All I want to see for next season is passion and commitment from whoever wears the jersey and to have a real go at teams, especially at home. I think most fans would accept a loss if we tried to win games rather than hoping for the odd shot on goal from a counter attack. After all, this is the entertainment business right?
I’m really interested to see how the bomb squad will adapt to being back in the squad. Surely an interested & motivated Bent has to be a step in the right direction? Can PL motivate players though, I’ve yet to see it myself.
UTV
Doug
Love your wish list, mate!
And I do agree that this coming season could be very interesting and not necessarily the disaster that some are expecting. But the doom-mongers have an equal chance that they could be right!
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a classic dark movie, amusing in parts but with a serious message. I’ve never read the book. I have read Ken Kesey’s second book, Sometims a Great Notion, which is a riveting read about a tough as steel logging family. I’d never have guessed it was written by a guy, who at the time was into dropping acid and experimenting with drugs. I’ll take a copy of Cuckoo’s Nest with me when I go to Australia and NZ in July.
Frem
Are you going to Ephesus while you’re in Turkey? That was one of the highlights of my trip in Turkey, but I lost all my photos. Cappadoccia is a great place to visit, beautiful, inexpensive and generally safe. Pammukale is beautiful too, but there’s lots of shady customers there, especially around Denzili.
Have a safe trip.
trinity
I thought you lived in NZ?
ST75,
Blimey all those braindeaders and your memory still serves you well, blame Hickman for bringing me along, met him fighting on Trent bridge with forest and he invited me on the next away coach so it is his fault I met you and Uncle Steamer and the rest of those nere”dowells the rest is history so they say, but to be honest we did have some fantastic times following the Villa.
Back to business I am astounded at the comments about our new signing, why on earth would we need another shit player when we already have enough to fill two full teams, what is the point because he is free, jesus there are a load of free agents out there does that mean we are going to sign them up, we have an ever increasing list of players who will struggle to make other premiership squads and all we keep doing is adding to those numbers, what is the point can someone enlighten me.
UTV
SWV
The players we are after may not be wanted by other teams but they have experience.
experience of being not wanted, experience of being injured, experience of getting paid loads, experience of never quite making it, and lets not forget they will probably have experience of being kicked and intimidated by Roy Keane should prove a massive plus in our climb to mediocrity
More crazy decions going on at Villa Park. We are obviusly in complete limbo until the sale of the club happens.
We let Albrighton go for nothing, a creative player in a team lacking creativty.
We sign an average centre half in Senderos, where we do have cover now Okore is back??
And the most bizzare decison is the impending arrival of Roy Keane. A complete lunatic, the players will be frightened of him. But what a player and a winner. Is Keane hoping that Lambert will be fired and he will have the opportunity to take over the managerial position. We certainly couldn’t play any worse than we are under the guidance of long ball Lambert
All very strange.
RichardS,
Average centre half I think you are being far too kind, rumour that Ferdinand has turned us down.
Mark,
Too right I dread every time I see the Villa mentioned these days because it is generally bad news that makes me want to strangle next doors cat.
UTV
Frem/Runtings – from what I saw of Vlaar in the game v Wales I don’t think he will be on Manure’s shopping list.
Welcome (back?) Doug.
Trinity – I’ll be watching at 1430 Thai time – you know what I mean/
Jenny – glad to see you’re keeping the lads in order – be careful, I think one or two need a firm hand!!!!
Vlaar to Utd….thats very funny.
Senderous is a nail in the coffin to any hope of a takeover any time soon.
I have no doubt we will begin the season with Learner, Lambert, Faulkner still in place.
Andy i think senders to villa funnier than Vlaar to utd – i hope it doesnt happen as i think we would go down without him with senders onkore clark and baker — all no were near is Vlaars class just like the current utd defence
I like Vlaar but would never imagine him good enough for Utd.
Like you say though Vlaar is huge for us, think he will stay though.
Senderous has played over 100 times for Arsenal, played for Ac Milan, turned down Real Madrid & played for Everton & Valencia…..best agent ever!! Seriously not bothered about senderous, not excited not upset.
Mark
I work in South Korea.
Clive
I’ll be watching, have a projector here which plugs nicely into my laptop, so I’ll be watching on the big screen.
I am shocked so many posts suggest Vlaar isnt good enough for Utd — he is the current no.1 dutch centre back and they are not a bad side —- i remember players like Young ect used to get a lot of stick when he was at villa but yet still for all his faults we do not have anything anywhere near his class —- there are not too many centre backs in the prem that are better than vlaar imo — its all about opinions thou
Jen,
Never saw OFOTCN, can’t stand Jack Nicholson think he over acts, Kesey wanted Gene Hackman originally, now there’s someone who CAN act. Loved that era, unbelievable events happening, into the culture and music heavily, not so much acid rock but the likes of Pink Floyd, Santana, Mountain, Johnny Winter, Paul Butterfield etc, in fact, most of my record collection consists of sixties and seventies stuff, much like SWV’s wardrobe consists of flairs and sandals. Not into poetry so although the lifestyle of the pranksters was both interesting and outrageous, the likes of Ginzberg, Cassady, Kerouac and Kesey goes over my head while the lives ( and deaths ) of the rockstars i find fascinating.
Steamer Loved that era, unbelievable events happening,…
Very memorable… Today (this very day – D-day!) is the very anniversary of the day that my first wife left me, 40 years ago. Shortly afterwards out came the hit by Charles Aznavour, She. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, and my watch stopped that day as a result of the shock! 🙂
S’OK, that was 40 years ago…
trinity
practically neighbours with Clive then mate 🙂
steamer
know what you mean about Nicholson, don’t mind most of his films but he only plays himself in every one, bit like Clint Eastwood or Arnie you know what you will get, jack Nicholson as jack Nicholson.
I came to think of Nicholson as being over the top and overrated as an actor, but in 1976, he was still relatively unknown.
John,
Thats bizarre, S75 mentioned to me this morning that his favourite record was She and Azvanour was one of his fave singers, strange.
Trin,
i think the first time i saw him was in Easy Rider, one of the most overrated films ever IMO. Think Luis Suarez is a far better actor.
Mark,
In an era of superb actors like Hackman, Duvall, Steiger etc, its amazing that folk elevate mediocre talents to ‘All time great, legend, bla, bla, bla’ status.
steamer
its like most things these days its about looks first. don’t worry if they can act or sing etc have they got a six pack 🙂 and surely you have the she and his the wrong way round mate? to be honest being mental is probably Nicholson’s default
Steamer Thats bizarre, S75 mentioned to me this morning that his favourite record was She and Azvanour was one of his fave singers, strange.
We obviously have hit a chord (bum, bum!) !! 🙂
I think l need to explain this She thingymejig ,
about 15 years ago on our annual adults weekend in Butlins with the Greenman fotball team , there was a singing competition and l got up as Charlie Asn’tenuff and sang She, and l done the version while rattling my adams apple ( l know your all trying it now aint cha) , well l won and it was free drinks for 2 for the rest of the night so l had cider and a brandy chaser , and l got a standing ovation at the end and the next day in the Irish bar , so yes its my fav song , JL l can do you a copy if you’d like , just a fiver mate , you know to cover costs ,
tonight lm in a empty house and its bliss and while sitting here scratching my Max walls ,l pondered the unthinkable (l know Prox is going to slaughter me) l tried mixing a O’Hara’s irish stout and a cider , (like a black velvet from the 70s) and l must say its rather nice , ))
Jenny my love xxx
it would seem we’d need to know how many off here wants to go to chesterfield before we go looking into transport ,
to my shame in the 70s when the bus strike was on we nicked a bus from the bus-station opposite the blues ground , as we had been to a disco in the Boxers club which was based on top of the police station on the coventry road , and a load of mates had come from the Swan Yardley area , A lad named Trevor smith drove it l collected the money and it was parked out side my house after , the cops did have us as the shopowners daughter from Keegans saw us , we all got a caution , silly days . and no steamer l will not be driving to chesterfield , driving the coach to scunthorpe was enough for me ,
have a good weekend all and dont get drenched tomorrow ,,, monsoon weather so they say
when you do the lotto or pools if you dont win do you get your money back,what would true value of villa be,lerner gambled and boy did he lose and if he doesnt watch he is going to lose a lot more by letting lambert sign holt on loan and now sicknote senderos who manages 10/15 games a season. Even if we have not got much money for signings or wages no sense signing senderos. If we dont get at least 2 midfielders you could put terry kompany in villa defence and they would soon look like clarke baker lowton bennet rabbits in headlights
My eyes were popping out when you said you nicked a bus ST 75 !!!! And we thought we were risqué nicking traffic cones – how tame !
I will get OFOKN like Trin and read it Steamer . Speaking of that Ira I listened to a really good play /documentary about Frank Zappa recently on radio 4 extra (good if you like plays ). another clever bloke if you look behind the weirdness .
Can’t for the life of me understand what is going on down at the villa. Mirror reporting we went after Ferdinand and he snubbed us – Senders – Experience and maturity is now replacing “young and hungry” not a bad thing in my book as long as we have balance .
Funniest development is the thought of Roy Keane coming and the rumour that Joey Barton is being considered . Was it David Byrne /Talking Heads who sang Psycho Killers .
Anyway , thank God Ferdinand isn’t comjng – there was a selfie of him in denim patchwork hot pants on twitter – not a pretty sight – which has stuck in my mind unfortunately.
Clive – thank you – some are getting a little cheeky
When you said sick not Senders I thought if sick note Jenas Ian – let’s hope not .
Sorry I meant James not Ian !
“A player or two is needed to lead the youngsters” as you say John / so does Senderos fit this bill for you ?
Morning all,
As I’ve previously said, I don’t have an issue with Senderos joining the ranks. I know he’s prone to injury but we got him on a free and as long as his wages aren’t too high it seems a small gamble, especially as he’s 29 which is the prime age for a defender. I’d even welcome Barton although I can’t stand the man, we’ve needed some bite in midfield for so long now and he is a leader, something else we’ve been sorely missing. I don’t believe the rumours about Roy Keane, it just doesn’t make sense but IF it’s true, then I think he makes a far better coach than manager and he’ll be a welcome addition to our depleted staff. On paper, the squad doesn’t look to bad, unfortunately, games aren’t won on paper.
Jenny “A player or two is needed to lead the youngsters” as you say John / so does Senderos fit this bill for you ?
Ha! Jenny, you ask a leading question!
No, he doesn’t quite fit the vision I have of midfield majesty showing silky skills and helping the kids to know when and when not to use them! 😉
But perhaps Slendours might fit into the Frank Barson prototype – a tough man who was able to lead by example.
We certainly need more captains on the field.
S75 [‘She’] JL l can do you a copy if you’d like , just a fiver mate , you know to cover costs ,
ONLY if you sing exactly like Monsewer Az! 😉