And so, after many months of uncertainty, the certainty of relegation is confirmed.
Aston Villa fall out of the top flight for the first time since 1987, and whilst fans knew it was coming, reality and expectation are not always consonate with one another.
Across the Midlands, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion will no doubt be chuckling away, with “relegation parties” scheduled across the area. Some fans will be angered by the reaction of rival fans but, in truth, it should be far from expected.
After all, Villa fans famously earned the ire of Newcastle United when the Magpies were relegated at Villa Park because of a lack of compassion towards fellow fans. As the old saying goes, what goes around, comes around.
The sad situation for the club is that a return to the league is far from guaranteed. Villa have been in a downward trajectory for over half a decade now, and there will need to be a transformation over the course of the coming months for a return to happen in the short term.
A lot has changed at the club in fairness, but the actual outcomes of those changes are still yet to be determined. The removal of failing individuals has shown that the owner isn’t blind to the need for change, but there are a remarkable number of ways to do things wrong – simply doing something different will not necessarily make Villa great again.
With nothing to play for over the course of the next few months, there will be little to focus on for many fans besides looking toward the summer. Survival is no longer possible and whilst there are trite calls for the youth to be played following the collective failure of the senior team, forcing kids into the spotlight is not exactly a recipe for success.
Again, change doesn’t always imply progress, and there is still a large group of angry fans who – to be candid – would still scream at whoever was on the pitch, whether they were young players or otherwise. Pushing a bunch of youngsters into the crucible of pressure that is Aston Villa may cause damage to the group rather than managing to elicit a positive response.
That said, it is understandable why fans want change. To be a Villa fan over the past five or so years has been bordering on masochistic. Yes, there has been the forgettable FA Cup final appearance, but wins have been scarce and fans have had little to cheer about, leaving many frustrated and despondent – understandably uninterested with the present or future status of the club.
Ask fans what might keep them going in this dark time and some will say hope, but even hope has been in short supply. Whilst it took until the last game for Villa to mathematically be relegated, the team’s performances have been shocking for months. Teams battling relegation tend to either find a unified spirit with which they forge on, or they go to pieces and get consigned to the history books as a group that didn’t have the belief in themselves, each other or their manager.
Fostering that belief will take time, and whilst a new manager will kick off that process, miracles are in short supply in football. Yes, fans can point to Leicester City as a club who have transformed themselves in a short space of time, but even that renaissance had a foundation of unity and belief – something notably absent at Villa Park.
So, with a heavy heart, fans will have to acknowledge that Villa have lost their ever present status in the Premier League. The club may well return but, to many, Villa’s relegation is yet another tarnish on the club’s reputation – a fallen giant who is in desperate need of an overhaul.

Comments 166

  1. Matt- Newcastle will stay up now. They will come to Villa Park and beat us and move out the drop zone and Celebrate

    Today hurts, mainly because the players don’t care.

    Anyone notice Black has said “we” for the first time after the game ? Is he staying ? Hope not. I hate him already. There’s been no need to play the senior players. His tactics are dire

    But, we will have a new manager, we have a new board, new badge, new kit maker, new league. Let’s wipe the last 6 years away

    I hope we appoint a new manager on Monday. If it’s Pearson, so be it

  2. “Once proud”?

    I’m still proud.

    I’m so disappointed about this season and the struggle of the past five years but I’m still proud of the Villa. I’m also angry and a bit despondent but I’d not rather support anyone else.

    And what about that word – “support”? I’ve been thinking about it over the past few weeks and I think the nature of it is lost in the anger, venting and hand wringing.

    We’re down a division. We’ll be back. I’m not certain but I’m hopeful and that’s all I’ve ever been as a supporter. An actual supporter.

    People are right to be angry and all the rest of it but when your association with the club is nothing but bile, entitlement, anger, victimhood, rage and your life is ruined by bad results and the club being so poor in almost every department – this might not be the game for you. You may need to consider what having character is.

    I know I sound like a patronising jerk on that point – but – seriously – reading these pages over the past few months, it feels like a few of the lads have lost themselves in the negative and seem to revel in the outrage.

    I’m pissed off now but I know supporting my club is a story of a full lifetime. When we are back on the up – I want to be able to say I didn’t lose my head in the bad days or tough times. You don’t do that with something or someone you love. I’m not a Man City, Man Utd or Liverpool glory hunter. I’m not a boo-er or keyboard assassin or chicken little.

    Nor should you be – only my opinion.

    We’ll be back lads. There’s a huge amount to be done and a large number of utterly ineffective people to be removed or rehabilitated but we’ll get there.

    UTV 1874

  3. Hello all.

    Thanks for the article, Matt.
    Frem
    Hopefully a new broom sweeps clean.
    Andrew
    Pretty well said, mate. Been feeling like Damocles for a while now. The sword has at last done its job. Like you, I’ll still support Villa, though. No changes here.

  4. Tony H
    The current wage thieves masquerading as professional footballers deserve dogs abuse, they don’t even try or break sweat. We aren’t daft enough to think we should roll everyone over or be challenging for the top 4, but we do expect and deserve effort and guts, the players simply do not care and their actions show that. The owner and his paid lapdogs do not care, all they are interested in are £££ . I’m not so certain we will be back, the new financial climate in the PL is a real game changer, we are laying off 100 staff and closing down large parts of the stadium next year to cut costs. This isn’t the club I fell in love with as a young boy going to matches with my dad from the late 70’s, I enjoyed the last time in the second tier as we won a lot of football matches and the feel good factor returned, but football has moved on massively since then.
    These last 5 years have sucked any positivity I have out of me, my ST is £510 and for that I have seen s win 2 football matches this season!! VFM ?? I think not, and I doubt they will reduce the price next season, they will just say you get more matches for the same price!!!. The disconnect between the club and the fans is massive, they have lost generations of supporters through there actions.
    What next?? Well we need to get rid of 75% of this squad, they are vermin, they are engulfed in this spectacular failure and are tainted at best and scum at worst. We need players that have heart and are up for the long hard slog, playing two games a week for large parts of the season. If we don’t get back in the first 2 seasons we aren’t getting back for the next 10-15 years at least or unless by some miracle someone actually buys the club with some ambition and serious financial clout.
    I don’t want the likes of Eric Black, Mick Mcarthy, Steve Bruce or Gareth Southgate as manager, this shambles of a club is crying out for a Moyes( although he doesnt want the job now).
    We will always be Villans and love the club, although there are big parties going on in Small Heath, Sandwell, Newcastle and Coventry tonight as they revel in our demise.
    UTV SOTC
    Lerner Out

  5. What a difference a year makes, this time last year we were thumping Liverpool at Wembley to get to the FA Cup Final, now we have been relegated in the most pathetic way possible on 16 points, unbelievable jeff

  6. B62
    “What a difference a year makes…” You got that one right. I really hope Villa gets a manager with a view to promotion being the aim, not a caretaker manager who’ll kind of just go through the motions. By now, Randy should realise promotion isn’t going to happen on the cheap. People on AVL have been saying for ages he needs to employ real football people who understand the game in England. Has he learnt? We’ll soon see.
    Villa certainly doesn’t need another Fox.

  7. Hello folks time to man up, we are going into a brave new world and I prefer to think that it can be better and brighter in the long run. It won’t be easy or a breeze but that’s life

  8. My priorities and only care is getting a villa set up and team i can be proud of cause i hate these players like blue noses. Onve we get that and playing well and winning games then ill focus on wanting prem footy again. At the mo i dont care what div we are in. Champ wont be too bad, play twice a week, prob be on tele loads, happy days.

  9. Black must jog on asap,to say the players are “devastated” is yet another lie from the club.At least show the fans some respect,on today of all days please.

  10. Yes, it is time to man up. Villa will be playing twice a week at times, so the players will need to be tougher, less injury prone than some of the current lot. The mentally soft will be weeded out.
    Is it certain Gabby is moving on? He’s too injury prone for the Championship. McLeish did say a few years ago that Gabby needed to find new strings to his bow. Anyway, if Villa are genuine about getting back in 2017, they’ll, as others have previously said on AVL, need to get in or develop players that can play at Prem League level. I found it a bit amusing that Black would say “Some of these players can play in the Championship…” I would hope so, but I’m hoping for new players, hungry players that are ready to scrap all the way until the job is done. Of course, Randy, the board and manager are responsible for that.
    Will AVL survive through the Championship?

  11. I haven’t visited these pages for some time as I got fed up of the, largely, negative comments that just told me what I already knew.
    I thought I might look in today and I am pleased to see some positive comments regarding the future needs of the club.
    A new manager with the funds to refresh the squad and the knowledge to sort out the players who are not going to help us climb up the Championship ladders is what is needed now.
    I feel we need an experienced pro defender to school our back line; someone dropping out of contract like Terry – look how Leicester picked up Huth cheap and built the defence around him.
    They do not show live Championship games here in Thailand, so I will be looking for streaming or watching Dalgliesh’s daughter on Channel 5.

    Are you back in Korea Trinity?

    UTV

  12. Trinity: “By now, Randy should realise promotion isn’t going to happen on the cheap. People on AVL have been saying for ages he needs to employ real football people who understand the game in England. Has he learnt?”

    Jonathan Fear – as you may well know – was tasked by RL with putting a report together on the needs of Villa and its fans way back in 2006. Since then (having RL’s ear) he has constantly been advising RL to bring in properly qualified football people, even up until a couple of years ago when his access was curtailed.

    Whether he has now learnt is a big question. Since he told Hollis he didn’t need a football man in the chairman’s seat, I wonder!

  13. There’s not a lot to be positive at the moment where Villa are concerned, especially for those of us that live local and are having to endure a constant barrage of abuse and piss taking from Blues, Albion fans and even the local media!, Nationally Newcastle fans are also loving our demise and even has tarted calling by the name the blues use for us, The Vile, saw a tweet yesterday from a Newcastle Fans Radio saying “Great day For Karma, Bad day for Cunts, let’s enjoy the Viles relegation”
    Now for a team that’s not safe I thought it was a bit premature, I hope we send them down again.
    Our club is a disgrace a real shambles, Moxley in the mirror is saying the reason we aren’t close to appointing a new manager is down to RL, he hasn’t communicated with the club who don’t know the budget any new gaffer will have, this is putting candidates off, but the club are in the dark as to Randys intentions, add to that we are laying off 100 staff, need a total squad overhaul, are closing down large parts of the stadium next season, the fans and club /players are so disconnected it’s going to take Kofi Anan to heal the rift.
    Collymore called out the players especially Lescott on the radio last night, unsurprisingly none have responded, pictures of the players laughing and joking at the final whistle have gone down like a shit sandwich and certainly don’t fit with Eric Blacks statement that the players are hurting.
    If we are going to do anything other than avoid the double drop, this is a massive summer , the new season is 4 months away and we are far from a club with a plan to take the challenge head on.
    To start the healing process we need a show of intent in our next managerial choice.
    An utter catastrophe of a season is now done, one where the likes of Watford, Bournemouth have eased passed 40pts and Leicester have stormed the league, it shows just how badly wrong the club got it.

  14. A lot of the media and pundits are saying we will struggle next season and don’t think we are coming back up anytime soon, less than a third of relegated sides come straight back up( the ones that do generally have kept together a decent squad from the PL, we don’t have that), only 8 teams that have finished 20th have bounced straight back( 2 via play offs) since the PL started , 2 teams that finished 20 th have gone onto double relegations( Swindon and Wolves).
    Irisssa Guyuere( Gana) agent hasn’t wasted any time, he’s already come out and stated his client won’t be at Villa next season, saying he will stay in the premier league or bundesliga! Ayew has already stated he won’t drop ( earlier this season) with a West Ham looking at him, Richardson and Nzogbia are out of contract and Veretout is being looked at by a couple of Serie A clubs, we also need to shift Gabby( not gonna be easy), Richards, Lescott, Guzan, Hutton, Bacuna as a minimum I also think the likes of Kozak , Bennett and Cissohko will leave. This should free up some cash and wages all of which should be given to the new gaffer.

  15. Morning all . Excellent leader Matt

    I agree , I don’t think it would be fair on the kids to put them on the pitch now . JLescott said yesterday ‘we can play without the weight on our shoulders and give fans the performances they deserve ‘. As usual , another foot in mouth moment for him, which has been seized upon by SColl , who has lost any credibility he had left in tweeting a private message from JL. I don’t believe he meant they hadn’t been putting in the effort (he’s not going to admit that is he ) what he is saying is that as individuals and a team , they couldn’t take the pressure . His reference to fans negativity didn’t help him either . We have fans and players , totally opposed , a them and us situation that’s been brewing since Paul Lambert . So our younger players shouldn’t have to face or deal with this situation .
    Unfortunately , Stan Collymore’s outbursts are more about settling personal scores than care about villa fans .

    It’s too early to see whether the changes will work I agree . But surely Paddy Riley needs to move on .
    Hoping now the R is confirmed there will be a new manager announced .

  16. Just about, Clive. Hope all is well in Thailand. And it’s great you posted.
    B62
    Agree that Randy needs to get a decent budget together so any prospective manager knows what they have to spend. Everybody realises that unless a significant budget is offered and wisely spent Villa isn’t returning to the Prem League anytime soon. Also a decent and realistic budget will help attract a better manager.
    Sad to hear so many are losing their jobs. Is it necessary?

  17. You do wonder whether it is necessary Trinity . If there is the belief that we will be back straight away , then dispensing with loyal , long serving , low paid staff sends the wrong message . The fact we’ve paid out millions in compensating board level and managerial failures and are prepared to treat the villa employees like expendables reminds me of the inequity of MPs expenses and tax evasion when cutting benefits for the disabled. Sorry to bring politics into it but it sucks .

  18. On jobs front since Lerner took over from deadly our staff have grown in numbers ,one highest in country, why?,we don’t have sellouts since mons days
    Nice bit in sun on rotten chairman Lerner to a tee

  19. We have 494 staff, far more than nearly every other premier league side, it’s more than double most other PL clubs, I’m hoping we are just trimming the fat and casual labour and not the long serving dedicated loyal staff.
    Today would have been a perfect day to announce the new manager and outline the plan of how we are going to get back to where we belong, it would have lessened the sting and given the supporters some hope moving forward, it would also meant there maybe some fans attending VP for the remaining couple of home games

  20. Even with the new board I still have no faith in the club. I still think we won’t have a new manager in until after the season is over. We should have all but appointed one by now but I bet we haven’t even spoke to anyone

  21. For what it’s worth, here’s a letter I’ve just sent to Steven Hollis:


    Dear Mr. Hollis,

    Welcome to what must be the “hot-seat” of football in the UK at the moment. I trust that your time with this great club will be both successful and meaningful to you and your colleagues on the Board. You will all face a monumental task in trying to return Aston Villa to its former glory.

    I am not, I am sure, the first long-standing Villa fan to make contact with you. But as a third-generation fan of 66-years standing (out of my 72 years) – as well as a Club historian – I feel that the time has come to unload a little of what I feel. I hope you will find my few comments not destructive towards the Club.

    I am sure that you are fully aware by now of the following salient facts:

    1. Aston Villa FC was the greatest football club in the world until at least 1915, and also was a major help in creating league football.
    2. Aston Villa FC is one of very few British winners of the European Cup.
    3. The fans are, of course, aghast at the Club’s playing record since 2011.
    4. Leicester City are clearly well led and motivated and have already qualified for the Champions League.
    5. Aston Villa FC resides in the country’s second biggest city.

    That fifth issue is one that could be the most important from the ‘Big Picture’ angle as Birmingham will, next season, have no representation in the Premier League, whereas Manchester retains both its teams (both currently/recently successful clubs), as does Liverpool, in that League. London, of course, has several teams in the Premier League.

    Aston Villa’s absence from the Premier League is detrimental to the city, not just to the Club and its fans. And in the Midlands in particular, the fact that Leicester has achieved so much based on so little causes further questions to be asked as to how Aston Villa is where it is.

    Aston Villa, however, has not won a trophy for 20 years and when it was acquired by Mr. Lerner, the assumption by all fans was that the owner would not let the Club return to the dismal days of 1987, and certainly not to those years of 1967 to 1975.

    Now, I am sure the Club’s fans welcome the presence of Mr. Brian Little to aid the board in its determinations, and I sincerely trust that he will be listened to. He has a strong affinity with the Club and is very keen to do whatever he can to help put Aston Villa back to where they belong in the top tier. His association with the club goes back to the Club’s third-tier days and of course he understands many aspects of playing in the lower tiers, promotion, playing in the top tier and winning trophies. And of course he has his managerial experience.

    The Club has many loyal fans, including a lady I know who is now 78, born in Aston, and saw her first game at Villa Park when she was 11. She and her friends did not miss a match for over six years, and although she now lives in the south of England, she still avidly supports the team. She listens regularly to the match commentaries on her computer. She is but one example of a very loyal fan base I know of throughout the world, who hopefully in the years to come will have a lot more to cheer about.

    I should mention that as non-PL matches are not televised outside the UK, many overseas fans will no longer be able to watch their team. I hope their loyalty will not be taken for granted any further: these past five years have been both unwarranted and unwelcome as far as they and all the Club’s fans are concerned.

    I wish you – and the Club – every success. I hope I will live to see the Club’s return to the Premier League, where it rightly belongs.

    Thank you for your time,

    Yours very truly,

    John Lerwill

  22. Excellent letter John; I hope you will receive an appropriate and encouraging response. This will, hopefully, give you an early indication as to how the hierarchy intend to work with the support base.
    Let’s hope is not in the dismissive manner you have experienced when you have had cause to correspond with the club.

    I see us going in one of two directions:-
    a) Lerner sells the club and a football enthusiast financial backer, preferably British, steps in and bankrolls the re-building, or
    b) Lerner remains as owner bu provides the funds required to return this great club to its rightful position

  23. A well constructed letter John,I believe bouncing straight back is a big ask.Stop the rot and rebuild will be the new manager’s instructions IMO.Good luck on the tv,hope you will have enough time to get your points across.COYVB.

  24. What an absolute disaster this season has been. I am beyond exasperated with AVFC. We are a complete fucking embarrassment to the football league- we have broken more records for being absolutely shit over the last five years than Roy Castle. The one that got me was when we held the accolade of being the lowest scoring team across all divisions in the whole of Europe. How humiliating.

    I have a deep resentment to most of the Villa first team including Lescott – Bacuna – Hutton – Guzan – Richards – Richardson – Westwood – they are a fucking disgrace

    The next managerial appointment is huge. Please let it be David Moyes. I fear it will be that caveman Pearson – his managerial reorde is not very good.

    We do have some quality at the club – we can build around Amavi – Okore – Clarke – Grealish – Traore – Gardener – Green. With the sales of Gana – Ayew – Richards – there should be money available to rebuild the midfield and buy a Championship goal machine.

    And we need a real leader on the pitch – Somebody like Gareth Barry

    Let’s pray all of the bullshit stops next year – all of the toxic rubbish that has made us a laughing stock.

    And let’s spare a thought for all of the people who will be made redundant – this is unacceptable – they are the true victims of the failure of the players. The club should bear this cost in my opinion – they should not lose their jobs while the fat cat board – players and football staff are compensated with their inflated salaries

    And one last note for Randy Lerner – you are an incompetent rich boy fool – an complete moron – a disgrace – you father would be ashamed of you.

  25. Steve Hollis has produced his own letter (a reply?)…


    Dear Supporters

    First, on behalf of the Board, let me express my deep regret that I find myself writing this open letter to you, knowing just how much hurt and pain, anger and anguish will have been felt by you all after the Club lost its Premier League status this weekend.

    Your profound sadness is shared by everyone connected with the Club and while I know that will be of little consolation in the days ahead, it should be a source of reassurance as we rebuild the foundations for future successes.

    We must acknowledge that this weekend’s confirmation has been the culmination of an unacceptably fractured season both on and off the pitch. That isn’t down to bad luck. To make such a claim would be insulting to each and every one of you. I must add you have all displayed unyielding commitment in adversity.

    While it is of little solace at present, the process of identifying the root causes of our circumstances started long ago and the focus now has to be looking forward and making sure lessons have been learnt.

    The search for a new manager to provide drive, direction and immediate promotion has commenced.

    Together, we share the same goal. We intend to restore Aston Villa Football Club to its rightful place. It is a journey we must make together so we can bring success, enjoyment and exciting football back to Villa Park once more.

    Steve Hollis
    Chairman

  26. Stan cracks me up. Fair enough he can be a prat and he might have altereor motives but im glad theres a voice out there digging these players out. Most he says is right.

    He showed the tweets with lescott and deleted them and apologised saying sorry went off in my pocket whilst driving:). Brilliant. Daily mail reckons waiting for moyes in the summer

  27. I see God has laid into slimebag lescott
    What about this for a plan a villa sell tickets say 10 each and on Wednesday night draw out prizewinner ( prize managers job for Saturday match) but only if the winner doesn’t pick from
    Guzan Hutton Richardson Richards lescott zog wastewood bacuna and fat flabby
    And so on for last matches save money on black and assistants

  28. Kasper Schmeichel will be the best keeper in the world . I just love him . I also love all the Leicester players for showing that belief and passion can win or save you games – talent isn’t enough .

  29. Love kasper too jen. Everything you want in a goalie. Hes is fathers son all right.

    He has played the most successfull forward passess in the lester team!

    If remi hand picked black im glad he didnt make any sugnings i instantly disoike the man and last two team selections a disgrace

  30. John
    Great letter. You’re quite a word smith, wish I had your writing skills.
    Hopefully Hollis is sincere and gets the needed support from Randy to get the club back to the Prem League.
    Hopefully none of those job losses do hurt longtime hardworking and loyal staff.
    I am looking forward to watching how things develop regarding the rebuilding and the direction the club takes. The objective should be simple. Get back in the PL soon. It’ll be an interesting year. I’ve written this year off so I can look forward to next season.
    B62
    I agree that season tickets should cost less, be a cheek if they’ve gunned off a hundred people and pay far less in wages, then charge the same for season tickets using the fact there’s more matches to justify it. Tickets should also be less for the traveling fans. They’ll be spending more on travel because they have more matches to go to.
    Good on you guys for hanging in there.
    UTV

  31. Small Heath, Sandwell, Newcastle and Coventry, wondered what the connection was with these clubs then it hit me, all totally crepe.unsuccessful and basically joke clubs, most with low gates and fickle fans totally ignorant about the finer points of the game. These clowns actually have the nerve to slag off AVFC instead of attending their own clubs games.

  32. Well back in work and back from the Man U game.

    First time in Old Toilet, nice ground but couldn’t get over how 70k plus Man U fans could be so quiet, maybe its the LVG effect certainly Rashford is saving LVG getting even more media scrutiny.

    Anyway enough about the shite. The away fans were spectacular, I was behind enemy lines but so wanted to be singing with the travelling support, an absolute credit. Constant singing, shame Sky doesn’t focus more on what a big part of the game is about, the fans. The Premier League is worse for us not being there from a fans perspective.

    Clearly from a football perspective we’re no loss to the league for the last 5/6 years.

    Anyway, onto the second division, a chance to restore some pride at a level we may find more suitable given our current squad. Let’s hope the financial backing of the next manager allows a new team to built and we make our way back to the Prem.

    VTID

  33. Morning all . Seems all the money is on S Bruce this am . I guess he couid do a job getting us promoted but would only be effective in championship . No stupid 3 year contracts please ! Would much prefer Chris Hughton , decent and classy guy : my only reservation is he might be too nice for the playground that is BMH. remember Roy Keane talking about Chris Hughton and Mick McCarthy both of whom he’d worked with : one was the true gentleman , respected by all the players and intelligent and the other was none of those things . I’ll leave it to you to figure out which was which

    Hollis has reeled out the usual PR which is meaningless until we see actions . As Big Ron said “don’t tell me , show me ” He’s also a man who knows nothing about football (by his own admission ). Does he really understand what it’s like for the villa fans Being a football supporter is a unique kind of allegiance and passion , only understood by those who’ve been there IMO.

  34. Have been suffering in silence now for a few days…..

    glad to see some positive comments from people, but finding it difficult at the moment to see anything to be positive about, as there does not seem to be any positivity coming out of the club, except that they are not rushing into making another managerial cock-up.

    However I have enjoyed seeing some of the Championship games in the last few days, as well as some very good Premiership games, but most have showed players with belief, wanting to win games, coming off the pitch, looking as if they have given their all. Something sadly lacking from most of our games this season.

    I just hope that something really positive will come in the final weeks of the season, but fear that it may drag out until the end of June, which will then create serious problems with season ticket sales, etc, etc. The damage the Lerner regime has made to this club may be beyond repair, and could take many, many years to recover.

  35. Hmmm Bruce linked again. If its him and black in charge i aint going to be excited.

    You only have to look at the bottom of the championship to see how hard we are going to struggle without major changes.

    Charlton, bolton, fulham all in the bottom 6 and not long ago mainstays in the prem.

  36. Yes Andrew, Kasper certainly is his father’s son and it was lovely to see his dad pundit ting the other week when he was playing and as the others said ‘kicking every ball / savjng every shot “. He’s a great leader as well as keeper . Everything poor old Brad isn’t and a lot of that is to do with mindset .

    At least we may score a few goals and win some games in the championship : that would at least be an improvement !

  37. Here’s one for you Jen, bet old Jeff is propping up the bar in the Trident, Timberley Lane now, have to nip in and get that 20 pounds he owes me. If this doesn’t make yer feet bop then yer Douglas Bader.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh3i3vWgPyk

    Can’t believe two old Tory duffers and two knobs from our crepe FA can turn this shambles around, another job for International Rescue, even then they’d call it 5-2-3-1-4.

  38. What we need is Mr Wang of Wanda in China, who is one of the biggest billionaires , to come and buy us, and rebuild the club from top to bottom. Apparently, his company is huge in China, but not well known outside, and Villa could be the answer, because our worldwide fan base is one of the best, and would help bring his company into the limelight and increase its standing.

    Saw the details on this in an Asia article….Perhaps we should send him a letter from all the Villa fans….saying we would happy to help him spread his company name…!!!

  39. Agree Bruce is definitely a tea and rich tea biscuits choice . Just wonder if it’s because Board feel they may have more in common with him – age – nationality – unthreatening – solid – safe . Remi was the wild card and they had no rapport with him it seems . He was misled and wasn’t afraid to call them out . I bet it will be a, British b, experienced. c, solid and safe . As much a reaction to what has gone before than what we might need .

  40. That’s brilliant Steamer – I know it’s cheesy but I love those dance things they do . Are all those ppl really commuters / shoppers or are they hired as this never happens when I go shopping in the bullring : wish it would so I could join in and embarrass my girls . The entertainers did one in our hotel in Mexico to I’m happy Pharrel Williams – I love it my girls hate it (not cool) 🙂

  41. Thanks for the music Steamer….

    and the memories of my last home in Birmingham….which was not far from Timberley Lane, or the Timberley and Trident…..and I used to work in the Toby Jug many years ago…!!

  42. ELO make people HAPPY, look at the enjoyment on their faces, AVFC make you want to kick the cat over the garden fence.

    PP,
    On 2.24 Shard End gets a mention after Paris or Venice, and then he sings something about 20 pounds, typical nose.

  43. That was my thought Jen,

    and we could all endorse it.

    I love those ads that T mobile did as well. They get a group of dancers to start off and then get the bystanders and passers by to join in..

    Do not want another ex Blues man back at Villa….

  44. This is the guy we want to rescue our great club from the Yanks…!!!
    Chairman Wang Jianlin

    Home > About Us > Chairman Wang Jianlin

    .
    .
    Corporate Profile

    Chairman Wang Jianlin

    Values & Philosophy

    History

    Honors

    .

    Chairman’s Biography

    Born in 1954, Wang Jianlin served in the Army between 1970 and 1986, at which time he was appointed Office Director of the Xigang District Government in Dalian. He has served as Chairman of the Dalian Wanda Group since 1989.

    Wang Jianlin has previously served as a deputy to the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. He was also a member of the 11th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Standing Committee and has also served as a vice chair of the 11th Congress of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. He currently serves as vice chair of the China Charity Confederation; vice chair of the China Folk Chamber of Commerce; vice chair of the China Enterprise Confederation and the China Enterprise Directors Association as well as vice chair of the China General Chamber of Commerce.

    Wang Jianlin has been honored with several awards for outstanding achievements in business management and corporate social responsibility.

    2005 Received the title of “The Most Devoted Donator of Charity” awarded at the 1st“China Charity Awards” organized by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

    2007 Honored as an “Outstanding Entrepreneur for Employee Care”, jointly awarded by All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce and All-China Federation of Trade Unions

    2008 Won the “May 1st” Labor Medal.

    2008 Received the title of “the Most devoted donator of charity” awarded at the 4th “China Charity Awards” organized by Ministry of Civil Affairs

    2009 Won the title of “Model Individual for Supporting handicapped and disabled”, awarded by the State Council. And honored as “Business Leader of the decade” by CCTV.

    2010 Honored as “Model Individual in Earthquake Relief Work in Yushu” by CPC Central Committee, the State Council, and the CMC.

    2011 Honored as a “Model Individual for Contribution to the Building of A Well-off Society” by a number of departments, including the United Front Work Department of CPC Central Committee, the All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China.

    2012 Elected as “2012 CCTV China Economic Person of the Year ” for a second time after 2005.

    2013 Elected as Forbes Asia’s “Businessman of the Year”. Selected by “Foreign Policy” magazine as one of the “Top 100 Global Thinkers”.

    2014 Named ” 2013 Chinese Culture Industry Person of the Year”.

    2014 Named as an “Outstanding Individual for Poverty Alleviation” by the State Council.

    2014 Topped the list of Chinese Philanthropists of Forbes China with a cash donation of RMB440 million. Made top 3 of the list for the 4th consecutive year.

    2014 Awarded the “Annual Investment Prize of Spain”, an award for the most influential corporate or individual to Chinese-Western relations.

    2015 Accepted the invitation from Drew Faust, President of Harvard University, to assume the position of Vice-Chair of the Global Advisory Council of Harvard University.

    2015 Topped the list of 2014 Chinese Philanthropists of Forbes China

    2015 Named one of the “Top 10 Persons in Electronic Commerce” by China Electronic Commerce Research Center.

    2015 Named “The Best CEO in Asia” by the Asia Corporate Governance magazine. Wanda Group also won the prizes of “Best Corporate Social Responsibility in Asia” and “Top Investor Relations in Asia”.

    2015 Named one of the “Top 10 Global Self-made Billionaire” by Wealth-X, and was the only Asian entrepreneur on the list.

    2015 Selected as one of the “Most Influential 50 in the World” by Bloomberg, ranked at 37.

  45. Thanks for that Steamer,

    Will you be going there too???

    Toby used to be full when I was there, and Paul Tunnerley was playing darts for England…and the sports Argus team, in addition to the pub team….

  46. This is Wang’s Company, Wanda- World’s largest real estate company..!!
    Group Profile

    Dalian Wanda Group was founded in 1988 and is engaged in three key business activities – commercial properties, culture, and finance. In 2015, its assets amounted to 634 billion yuan with revenue of 290.16 billion yuan. Wanda Commercial Properties is the world’s largest real estate enterprise and the biggest five-star hotel owner in the world. Wanda Cultural Industry Group, meanwhile, is the largest cultural enterprise in China, and the world’s largest cinema operator. It is also the world’s biggest sports company. Elsewhere, Wanda Financial Group is the largest internet finance enterprise in China. By 2020, Wanda Group aims to become a world class multinational corporation with assets of $200 billion, market capitalization of $200 billion, revenue of $100 billion and net profits of $10 billion.

    Commercial Properties
    Wanda Commercial Properties (3699.HK) is the world’s largest property company. By the end of 2015, its nationwide portfolio of 133 Wanda Plazas and 84 hotels has total lettable area of 26.32 million square meters. It is the only company in China to possess its own complete commercial real estate value chain, which spans commercial planning, hotel design and research, commercial property construction and commercial management subsidiaries.

    Cultural Industry Group
    Wanda Cultural Industry Group is China’s largest cultural enterprise, with assets of 90.3 billion yuan and annual revenue of 51.2 billion yuan in 2015. It owns four companies – film holdings, sports holdings, tourism holdings and children’s entertainment. This sector is gradually emerging as one of Wanda’s core businesses. By 2020, Wanda Cultural Industry Group aims to be ranked among the top five cultural companies in the world in terms of revenue.

    Financial Group
    Wanda Financial Group is a company involved in internet finance, investment, and insurance, providing one-stop innovative financial services to retailers and consumers.

    Achievements

    China’s premier commercial real estate brand – Wanda Plaza

    China’s best corporate training center – Wanda Institute

    Asia’s largest property owner – 26.32 million square meters

    Asia’s best ski resort – Wanda Changbaishan International Resort

    China’s largest cultural enterprise – 51.2 billion yuan revenue in 2015

    Asia’s largest business management company – Wanda Commercial Management Co Ltd

    China’s largest scale investment for cultural tourism project – Wuhan Central Culture District

    World’s only indoor film theme park – Wanda Movie Park in Wuhan

    China’s largest culture industry overseas acquisition – Acquisition of Legendary Entertainment

    World’s largest cinema chain operator – More than 500 cinemas

    China’s first luxury hotel management company – Wanda Hotels and Resorts Co., Ltd.

    World’s first stage-auditorium interactive show – Han Show

    Created most new jobs among China enterprises – 146,000 per year

    World’s first large scale cultural tourism complex – Wanda Cultural Tourism City

  47. There’s a Chinese consortium buying 70% of AC Milan from Berlusconi, this is the last refuge for blatant massive investment in AVFC and screwing FFP.

    We need Hollis to be actively searching out new investment and leave the football board to identify the next manager. I flip-flopped from Moyes to Pearson, I feel either could build a second division winning side once they are suitably backed financially.

    As Black has said we will be the big fish and that should give us the ability to attract the best at that level and who want to fight for promotion.

    2015/16 is over, don’t care about the remaining games even if Lescott does. Time to rise, time to get rid of the deadwood and the mercenaries and time for us to show the inbreds how you support a team home and away.

    The start of something new.

    Final big thank you to God and Collymore for calling out Lescott. Even if Collymore isn’t respected, Lescott can’t deny a Villa legend words

    VTID

  48. Have to agree with you DOR.

    Here are the contact details for Wanda, if we can draw up a letter on behalf of world wide Villa fans for them to take a look at us….

    Headquarters

    Address:Tower B, Wanda Plaza, No. 93 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

    Postcode:100022

    TEL:010-85853888

    FAX:010-85853222

  49. Never mind Villa tell him to send me some $$$$.
    I’d have thought that would be the last thing we need “Take a look at us.”

    Andrew,
    Always thought anywhere bar the USA for football club ownership.

  50. A few folk on other blogs saying that Dyche may not fancy Villa if Burnley are promoted, The population of Burnley is approximately the capacity of VP. Taylor left a level one club for Villa because he could see opportunities, unfortunately they were with England.

  51. For the position find themselves in, Moyes and Pearson have to be on a shortlist and have to be spoken to. Anything less than an opportunity to impress the ‘football board’ will place a bad mark against a fairly new board, that has no right to claim Villa support because there has been no action to evidence that they should get my support just yet.

    Anyone else and I doubt we’d attract the players we need, who would want to play for Bruce for example not renowned for producing anything other than workmanlike teams.

    Role on next season.

    We should get a Lifers meet for next season planned well in advance so as many can join up and put faces to names.

  52. Bloke on TVB saying Moyes could do for us what he did for Everton, what did he actually do ? I know he took over the League Champs spent over 100m and finished one place lower than no-where. And of course Spain is full of clubs that play his negative style of 442, good choice. He’s made noises about joining Celtic, i hope he goes there.

  53. Darren thats a good idea….a villa meet up and maybe take a game in. Or will that spoil things!!

    It should be a no brainer to leave Burnley for villa but the game is so awash with money and the prem such a draw dyche wouldnt miss out on managing them again in the prem next season.

    Id like him though especially if he brought that striker gray with him.

  54. Moyes broke the top 4 (once)! On a shoe string budget and un earthed gems. Few cup finals. Most of the time battling top 6 in the leaugue. Any of the above sounds like wining the champ league to me compared with last 5 years. Beggars and choosers and all that.

    The number 1 reason for me to get moyes is his eye for a proper player including players who are hard working and professional. Exactly what we need whilst overhauling our squad,

  55. I am firmly in the Pearson camp out of him and Moyes for the reasons stated by steamer plus

    Pearson has won promotions along with the fact that the last side he built barring one player is just about to pick up the premier lge title ==== get him in

  56. DO’R: “Final big thank you to God and Collymore for calling out Lescott. Even if Collymore isn’t respected, Lescott can’t deny a Villa legend words”

    Even Ian Wright has had a go at Lescott!

  57. Bernstein and King have just resigned from the Villa board!!! What an absolute shambles, the club is imploding, no chance of anything good happening anytime soon. There’s a new Circus in the town and it’s not e blues.

  58. Oh dear – we are in complete meltdown. King and Bernstein must have resigned because Randy would not approve the budget for next year. Where does this leave Hollis? Another Letner yes man.

    Lerner is a dispicable idiot – a complete moron

  59. The prediction of Anarchy is spot on, I fear Steamers prediction of administration may be spot on. Lerner is just scum, he isn’t a nice man that got it wrong or his fingers burnt he is just a miserable peice of shit that needs kicking until he stops twitching. King and Bernstein have resigned, Little is only here on a temp basis , this new board was all smoke and mirrors the whole pantomime is falling apart at the seams

  60. Issues are fundamental and do not lend themselves to compromise. What does that mean?

    Randy Lerner is a complete and utter disgrace.

    He should be over here now addressing this situation.

    Can we expect another letter from Captain Mannering? This is a major slap in the face to him.

    King was a Villa fanatic. The situation must be desperate

    AVFC RIP.

  61. Hollis’s meeting with Lerner obviously didn’t go well and the budget and assurances are not what the board expected. I think we can safely say there is no money to spend whatsoever, Randy doesn’t give a shit about the club , the fans or his employees he is only worried about his $$$$$.
    It is safe to say we are now in a battle to stay up NEXT season, we are a Rolls Royce being run like an Allegro.
    Who the fuck is going to turn up and watch Villa, I’ve said it many times this could be terminal as the bell end in charge still can’t grasp the fact that if you get it right on the pitch everything else takes care of itself including the finances.

  62. The AV OS site says:

    It is with regret that Aston Villa Football Club today announces the resignations of Mervyn King and David Bernstein as directors of the Club.

    The Club would like to thank both for all their efforts throughout their short time as members of the Board.

    A search to appoint a new manager remains a priority.

    The Chairman, Steve Hollis, is currently engaged in extensive negotiations in relation to the sale of the Club.

    Brian Little will continue to advise the Chairman on all football related matters.

  63. Bernsteins resignation letter is on social media( if true) it makes for sorry reading.
    Our board is now Hollis, Krulak !! And possibly Bevington.
    SSN all over this, stating its over the restructuring job and how DB and MK wanted to implement it and over the appointment of a new manager.

  64. Just looked on the Mails vermin site, have you seen that flag/duster/rag/arris wipe ? held up by some of the most repulsive specimens on the planet, it gives me the shivers. The old bag on the right looks like she models for Hammer Films and if i was the ginger i’d keep that dial locked away until at least 10pm. I thought it was a laugh when Olbyon fans were voted the second ugliest fans in the country but dear oh dear they can’t be as bad as this mob, it was like the opening scene of MacBeth. A few beauty tips, first steal a bar of soap………

  65. Rats leaving a sinking ship. You can’t make this stuff up. Maybe Krulak will bring in Gomer Pyle to help out. Good luck with attracting a manager of any worth when people pack it in after a few months telling everyone they can’t work with the people around them.

  66. Richard S,
    My theory the finances are so bad the idiot can’t sell us, Villa own half of Aston/Witton and BH has minerals under it and is also on the HS2 route, the moron won’t put his hand in his pocket and wants out at any cost, this way he’ll get most of his $$ back. Take it from me, unless this is early days of a take over, and i don’t think it is, Villa are down the gurgler, he gets his cheque on the 28 June and the club will go into admin on the 30th.

  67. Runtings,

    I’m closer to Steamer on this one in that the talk of sale is probably a smoke screen.

    Why allow Bernestein & Co to go so far, plus Hollis’s message yesterday, if a sale was really so close as the Club infer?

  68. very strange goings on steamer – surely these guys knew learner was a D— before they joined

    hopefully it’s smoke with fire rather than two top business men seeing us as a lost cause

  69. JL,
    Its like 1967 all over again, no-one knows whats happening, don’t paniiiiiic.
    To be honest, as long as this knob goes i’d be happy, but to do the dirty on DB and MK is a typical classless ploy by Lerner, the blokes were attempting to get him out of a hole.

  70. Hey STeamer,Parma are only just back into the third Div after being relegated through bancrupcy.They won the UEFA twice,as you know,and have been playing amateur footie for years.If we aren’t careful our slide could emulate theirs.Disasterous on the field and off it.COYVB.

  71. There is NO sale, this was put out AFTER they announced DB and MK had resigned, if they wanted to soften the blow of the drop and the board resigning, they would have announced. It before Or at the very least the same time. This is a smokescreen , it’s not alluded to in either resignation letter, surely they would know and refer to it?!
    We are a national joke, no manager or player worth his salt is going to come here!!!
    Adding salt to the wounds, where the fuck did they get those freaks from on the Nashs coach organised by Steve Gough , that have just been on Central TV !!!

  72. Were Bernstein and King on a wage?
    Going to need hell of placard to get all this seasons fiasco on it
    As for Lerner putting his hand in his pocket,last time was bent under houiller since then he has been clawing his money back,using our ( villas) money to pay leech’s like mcknob fatty Faulkner weasel Lambert Sherwood clueless fox alstad and finally remi( maybe one man of honour) that never should been employed at jobs so far above their station(teaboy) for most of them
    Steamer our books have to be cooked no way all other clubs stoke Leicester and even Newcastle are making profit and we are losing 30 odd million
    At least media are waking up to fact that Lerner is up there with worst chairman\owner in history sport( top8 yesterday’s sun)

  73. To be honest i’d have thought that if a takeover was that near the DB and MK would have stayed a bit longer. Having said that, i think that Hollis being a pal of the other two would have resigned out of sympathy and to protect his reputation. Lerner doesn’t come out of this fiasco with an iota of credit.

  74. JG,
    Read somewhere that they were told to take a reduction in wages.
    The fact that Lerner hasn’t flown over and no-one has been seen seems to indicate a sale is BS.

  75. Quite scary that you lose two businessmen with gravitas and their replaced by a knucklehead like Krulak, Lerner obviously hasn’t learned his lesson.

  76. Hello B6B,
    I read somewhere last week that my Brasilian team Portuguesa are in the mire as well. Must admit i think we’re all DOOOOMMEDD.

  77. Jesus, i left work posting about the steamers getting a takover done, cycle home frim work and the club could be sold…. Fast work lads.

    Well its shit or bust. Get sold or get relegated again.

    Im thinking the talk of sale has been put up there to try and keep us happy following the resignations. This is randy we are on about, were doomed!!

  78. Did Matt have a premonition when he chose the word abyss as part of his title, as it now seems more than appropriate….

    It would seem almost impossible with our position, that having appointed King and Bernstein to the board, that they have obviously been ignored, and their advice has not been accepted.

    I really do hope that a sale does take place in the very near future, Villa is now certainly looked doomed as a football club.

  79. Jl saw you slot on central sports. What did they use to put your blusher on with baseball bat .

    Only joking mate
    Were going deeper down that Abyss

  80. How on earth have these resignation letters made it out on social media. If someone was to ask me 10 year ago whats your worst nightmare re villa i couldnt even make something this bad up. Im staggered, depressed, saddned, angry every bloody day

  81. Steamer
    Flabby 3 stone overweight
    Lescott chewing gum plus tweets ( pràise God for calling him slimebag)
    Guzan generally been shite plus carry on at Wycombe
    Hutton pure shite
    Richardson pure shite plus that stupid pony tail
    Zog were do you start apart from mcknob signed him and hutton
    Bacuna must been smoking wacky badly I want to play champions league
    Richards trip to Dubai
    Yet none of them get wage reduction

  82. I’m coming round to the idea that rather become fodder for Coventry, MK Dons, Rochdale etc i’d rather see the club fold because under Lerner that’s whats going to happen.

  83. Steamer,
    I’d say we are in real danger of going out of business, DB and MK can obviously see the bigger picture, we are in such a shit state I can see no light at the end of the tunnel. I think our search for a manager has just taken a monumental nose dive, no way will the likes of Moyes, Dyche, Pearson etc come here now.

  84. James: “Can someone put up link to jl TV show please”

    Thanks mate, but there was not a lot shown except my walking stick!!! 🙂

    I was interviewed on much more than they actually showed, but they cut most of it. It was the swear words!! 🙂

  85. trying to add up all today’s events – i really can’t see two new board members bring given reason to leave without there being a huge chance of a change of ownership in the offing
    you may be right about prince wills bending the ear of the Chinese steamer –

    it wouldn’t be surprising if they left due to rand’s incompetence but it just doesn’t add up

    nice to see you post Brazil – keep the faith

  86. Hi Runtingz,I surely will keep the faith.We will be back,not easy to do and there is no quick fix as we all know,but Villa will be back stroger,wiser and a better club.

  87. Just read the two letters of resignation and there is no doubt who they are blaming without actually saying the words Randy Lerner. These are two respected and successful businessmen, one of whom has been a Villa fan for 55 years. They wouldnt have taken this job on if they didnt think they would succeed, it isnt in their best interests or nature to do so. So there must have been some almighty blockers put on what they were trying to achieve, which basically made their job a complete waste of time and effort. Or somebody going back on his word – again. Now who could that be?!!!

  88. Stan just said reilly walked up to moyes on his training ground in spain and gave him his card saying we want you as manager. Moyes told him to get the eff off his pitch and act like a professional, this not how to do business. ……and reilly is still there!!

  89. Guy on ssn said they resigned as they wanted to get a manager in now prob moyes and learner wouldnt confirm funds etc. If we have missed out on moyes again then we deserve desth by a thousand cuts, gutted

  90. The calculated assault on the club by Lerner gives the impression that he’s saying, enough’s enough and putting any blame on the customers rather than taking a good look at himself. Apparently he wants 75m but may sell for 50m, if he wasn’t such a knob he could have saved himself $250m and i can’t say how happy that makes me. However, i think he wants revenge and is prepared to go into admin or sell to another dickhead, rumours of a Chinese billionaire are hitting twitter but who knows ?

  91. Andrew,
    Just read that Riley walked on the Sociadad training pitch and said “we want you as manager” Moyes told him to f-off, where is the professionalism, quality and class that we were famous for.

    I see Herbert is “so sad for the supporters” gobshite never did f-all for them and look who he sold to, never admits to making a mistake.

  92. Yeah just heard, a bad story going to break tonight! Jesus man what did us villa fans do wrong, were getting battered here.
    Hopefully its just player related doing drugs or summin, we know there all shithouses anyhow

  93. This Lerners a sadist, everything he does seems worse than the previous one, bet even his old mammy thinks he’s a thick twat. The word used to describe the latest debacle is exasperated, i was exasperated when McKnob got the job so god knows what this is all about.

  94. No,ANdrew I don’t think it’s a scandal as such,but to do with a dodgy purchaser.Lerner after everything is selling us to a nob.Frying pan to fire.Front page of the SUn and 11pm news.

  95. Even Lerner isn’t stupid enough to have his photo taken with highs just after he been on a shisha in Dubai. He has to be the dumbest knob on the planet. He may just be angling to be sacked, those photo’s look a bit posed, don’t disappoint him.

  96. Gabby is mugging us off, the fat prick needs the sack.
    Thought Collymore made some very salient points and was on the money with a lot of what he said, I still don’t believe the takeover BS and the noses are loving it, even Rowett has said he can’t wait for the derbys next season the vermin can smell blood and see we are weak and vulnerable.
    Steamer did you and ST75 take those pics, was Flabby really out on your steamers 60th bash 😉

  97. Sounds like it was a good night, but a bit uneven, as there was only two girls, but several fellas….though they could probably cope with Flabby and his pals…

    I hope they sack him and get rid…..the old boards of the past would have…..

  98. fuck talkshite after all good work with collymore interview well balanced i thought,this breaking news about gabby what odds,gabby should be sacked no question ,gordon taylor come and defend 3 stone overweight striker on fitness camp caught partying

  99. how are you gaz see the villa have got worse everything i said about flabby has come true just read stop press that paul daniels has just beat David blains record of being in a box

  100. What a great day for the club, two respected men, forced out of a club that allegedly was working towards a complete restructure to ensure the failings of the last 10 years aren’t repeated.

    But the moment when two senior members of the board determine an appropriate course of action, they are thwarted.

    There are only two other people with the power to prevent change, Hollis and Lerner. Again, our club is dragged through the mud.

    Clearly we only know 2015 accounts, it suggests to me that the 2016 accounts are far worse and there is no inward investment to support the restructure.

    We are completely in the mire. Steamer your June 30 prediction is getting closer to the truth. Failing a takeover, I can’t look beyond administration and a points deduction that would kill any hope of promotion we’d have to keep our current squad and play the hangers on and the kids, a recipe for disaster.

    Then Flabby rocks up, there’s a few things that stink about this,
    1. How thick is Flabby having been caught in Dubai to allow someone to take pictures of him again
    2. With friends like these selling pics to the rags, who needs enemies
    3. Here’s Flabby response to not being sanctioned by the club, missed opportunity by the club
    4. How has Flabby so much power in the club to avoid sanction in the first place

    With no money, we probably can’t even afford to close contracts early for those players we need to push out the door

    Where is Lerner in all of this, he’s a coward, a man with a lot of money and no balls. Hollis as I first thought and said in a email i wrote to him that as an employee of Lerner, he has no real power.

    The club for sale negotiations thing is a red herring, we’ll muddle our way to the end of the season. miss out on the level of manager we need because other clubs were more decisive and end up with Warnock.

    This is Aston Villa, we aren’t a third division team, we might be crap right now but we should be able to attract the right calibre of manager and player. How far have we fallen.

    FOL VTID

  101. Sorry I tuned in too late to see your tv extravaganza John !

    For what it’s worth , my ten pen worth .

    1. Resignation letters – Bernstein and King paid to review what has gone wrong at AV and put firearms proposals . They found fundamental problems , suggested solutions and RL rejected them. Clearly an acrimonious parting of the ways hence their curt letters and “deep regret as I’ve been AV supporter of 50 yrs”. Letters also say that the new disciplines out forward were not accepted . Question – who leaked these letters so quickly to the press. This is worrying – two board members jump ship after 35 days because they aren’t being listened to. The knife in the back for RL is in the final sentence “I suggest the owner sells up ASAP” or words to that effect . Note “owner ” not Randy or even Mr Lerner” and he should sell up. This doesn’t fit with the AV statement that villa is being sold . Why would they resign if we were near to sale ?

    2 The timing of the villa ‘sale announcement ‘ tells its own story . On the day of the embarrassing resignations we are suddenly in “extensive negotiations to be sold”. Why use the words “extensive negotiations “. They are meaningless . Extensive negotiations could just mean we are negotiating the fees of the law firm or agents tasked with selling the club . It’s a last ditch attempt to divert attention away from the chaos .

    3. Stan’s show and his suggestions for him to sort the players out – in his words – bollicking and giving gabby , Lescott , Jack , Richafds a cuddle . I’m sorry but Stabs his worst enemy because his knowledge of football – and he’s a good pundit – is cancelled out by his arrogance and naivety . “Only ex footballers can sort these players out – I’ve offered to sort out Lescott by offering outside but when we meet I will give him a hug – that’s how footballers deal with it “. This is laughable as players of today aren’t going to listen to someone who gets into Twitter bitch fests and retweets private messages as he did with Lescott . Can he not see that .

    Stan clearly wants a role at villa but is his three hours blast about the shirt comings of everyone at the club going to get him a job . Of course it isn’t . Randy’s Lerner keeps his cards close to his chest , Krulak has said “we do things privately ” . If Stan wants a role he should keep quiet , present his manifesto to AV (which he has prepared ) and do this in private . Can he really not see this ?

    4. Well maybe he can and its all to spice up his show and get another award . Because he had villa fans everywhere tuning in with baited breath as be said “there’s going to be a big exclusive coming up at 11 pm which villa fans won’t like “. It’s front page of the sun but by a very respected journalist . (Well those two statements are a contradiction for a start ) It won’t be gossip he said as this journalist is serious . Stan hinted that it was about a sale . Twitter melt down , people stopping up , front page news . Well this serious and exclusive story turned out not to be about the sale but gabby being pictured with two villa fans (haven’t seen any like that at villa park ) and a load of empty legal highs . No news , same old footballer rubbish by the ‘serious journalists ‘. But well done Stan – you duped us all . We all tuned into talk sport so either you know no more than we do or this whole villa thing is just to increase the talk sport ratings .

    4. We now have Dwiggt Yorke , Ian Taylor , Stan Collymore, Paul McG all offering and hoping to get involved at AV . If the ex footballers method of communicating that Stan talks about ie offering outside and having a punch up , I can’t wait .

    Can’t wait for the next episode of Aston Villa Lies 🙂 🙂 🙂

  102. I actually think gabby has big problems with alcohol and whatever else he’s taking . With all this bad press, his failed relationships etc which may be his own making , I fear for his mental health.

  103. Hello JD, hope your well. Not a good time to be a Villan is it ? I’m 90% convinced that its administration now. When you think of Lerners comments when he bought Villa you realise exactly what a lying slimy piece of shite he is.

  104. Hello Jen,
    RE Agbonlahor, i’d get him tested for drugs, the slightest trace and i’d boot him, he’s dragging the club through the gutter and getting paid 60k a week for doing it, he’s the most worthless twat in an industry full of worthless twats. His seriously ill niece is having to make an appeal for 5k to send her to Lourdes, he spends that on KFC every week, if he wasn’t an alleged footballer he’d be mugging grannies at six ways. Don’t forget he’s been in failure mode for six seasons, i think enough is enough.

  105. There definately isn’t a takeover judging by today’s actions of the club, instead of lowering prices they have written to ST holders in the Trinity upper stating they cannot renew as they are closing the entire upper tier, to really ensure the atmosphere dies they are ripping up 50 seats in the lower North and turning it into a disabled section. Now I’ve no problem with disabled supporters having a good view and proper access, but there are other areas such as the DE lower/trinity lower and the opposite end of North lower. This is a direct move to disperse those fans who have protested at Lerner and engaged with active banter with the away fans, it’s disgusting, VP is becoming a desolate dark shell without any soul, the powers that be certainly treat the fans with contempt and distain, the ST sales are going to be at an all time low, they may aswell close the ground completely because the only fans who will enjoy a visit are the away fans.
    Add to that they are making 500 staff redundant, I’m ashamed to have anything to do with these scumbags running our club, if we didn’t have such apathetic fans I’d suggest setting up a supporters club akin to the FCUM club set by by disenfranchised Man united supporters , but it wouldn’t get off the ground. This club needs a miracle or else it’s going under

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