Aston Villa Banter Archive February 01 2017 to March 03 2017

03 Mar 2017 11:18:32
If you ever wanted an idea of the state of the FA:
John Terry: Found Guilty of Racism 4 game ban
Bacuna: stood in front of an official with his chest barging the blokes shoulder - 6 game ban.
What a disgrace.

03 Mar 2017 12:58:22
Bacuna was a disgrace and the punishment is just. The fact the FA got it badly wrong in the past has no bearing. You could argue they have tolearned. In essence, this could be seen as progress.

03 Mar 2017 13:01:03
Your spot on Chris, outrageous ban how do they justify that. reckon it's because of who we are. Hope the lads go out and get a number of goals Saturday as an answer.

03 Mar 2017 14:41:32
Yeah, that'll teach em.

03 Mar 2017 15:11:56
Oh and the Blackburn (I think) bloke who pushed a ref got a 1 match ban, unbelievable.

03 Mar 2017 15:20:27
A 6 game ban is a joke the linesman made a awful decision and bacuna acted bad but 6 games really was it that bad? Was the lineman hurt No was he able to carry on yes. Mendex don't slaughter the boy he was fighting for us we been without a win since boxing day he wanted to win so much. Good player i have him in myside any day UTV KTF.

03 Mar 2017 15:26:21
Never progress when the Blackburn lad who pushed a ref got 1 match added on to his 3. The officials are awful yet untouchable and the FA make it up as they go along. What a joke.

03 Mar 2017 15:27:42
I have to agree Mendax, Disgraceful behaviour = stiff penalty, sounds about right to me.

03 Mar 2017 15:50:36
The 3 match was enough, if not there has to be consistency and a 4 match the same at the bloke from Blackburn. Don't understand how you can be happy with our lads getting punished worse for doing less that another? Especially when the two incidents we're a week after each other.

03 Mar 2017 16:22:13
About right I think. He is a official of our great game it don't matter that he got the decision wrong fact of matter is he pushed his chest in the linos he's lucky he don't get done for assault because if you done that to a copper that is exactly what would happen silly silly boy.

03 Mar 2017 16:40:11
Anyone remember Di Canio pushing ref at Sheff Wed? Ref fell over in a comical way. Point is what ban did he get. Laws are all based on precedent.

{Ed007's Note - I'm syure Di Canio got something like a 10 or 12 match ban.}

03 Mar 2017 16:45:27
10 games and £10k fine.

03 Mar 2017 16:46:36
6 games for Bacuna is about right then.

03 Mar 2017 17:20:17
Walkthewalk, I'm not slaughtering anyone. I'm stating an opinion which, as it happens, many seem to agree with
Bacuna is not a "boy" he's a grown man. He needs to act like one
As fans, we shouldn't act like those awful parents who defend anything there little darlings do, no matter how atrocious.
I hear complaints on here all the time about players been treated like pampered prima donnas. Yet the minute one of ours gets a bit of "tough love" you fall over yourself to protect him.
Bacuna was wrong and so are you. The difference is, Bacuna probably knows it.

03 Mar 2017 19:47:26
Have heard debate on radio this morning! Treatment of football officials is a disgrace. I have no problem with Bacuna barging or pushing opposition but this was an official,! In ice hockey they slaughter each other, in rugby they brawl as they do in American football. But they show 100 times more respect to their officials. How can we attract youngsters to take up refereeing if we tolerate this abuse?! I think we should sin bin for disrespect and as for 6 matches he was lucky. Forget this is a working class game that is a disrespect to working class respectful hard working people. UTV.

03 Mar 2017 19:53:59
He deserves to be punished but come on 😂😂😂. it wasn't assault for one, and there hasn't to be consistency, what he did wasn't half as bad as the other incident but it got a heavier punishment? Makes no sense.

03 Mar 2017 20:25:33
Bacuna was wrong and deserved to be punished, just can't see why he gets a worse punishment for doing less?

03 Mar 2017 19:47:03
Yes he was a bit naughty but the Blackburn lad done the same thing and got a much less ban. I am not saying bacuna, didn't do wrong I am saying the bans was harsh and let's not criticise somebody who was fighting for our cause Bacuna was right the decision was wrong so why should the linesman get away scot free? Bacuna is trying to turn his Aston Villa career around he was fighting for something he thought was right don't tell me you haven't ever done the same?

03 Mar 2017 19:48:09
Just something to throw into the mix, In the prem Villa had the worst cards record last year 81 believe it or not, we lead the pack again this year, we had 20 yellow cards inour first five games.
That needs to be addressed, bookings and players being sent off cost the team dearly, we struggle to win with 11 players what chance with 10.

03 Mar 2017 20:50:36
I don't understand your point Dave? Bacuna deserved to be punished but it should be in line with what's dished out around the rest of the clubs. Also however the FA charging bacuna more for this than someone found guilty of Racism is an absolute disgrace, seems racism is still prominent in the game and the FA don't see it as much an offence as getting in an officials face.

03 Mar 2017 22:27:14
My point is we have a very poor disciplinary record and it needs addressing, it`s not a healthy statistic to be labelled with.
10 yellows = 2 games, 15 yellows = 3 games, that is my point.

Also it`s not the first time Bacuna has lost the plot is it.
His ban is what it is, he committed the crime, he does the time.
There will always be inconsistency in dishing out penalties, it happens in civil law as well, that’s life.

03 Mar 2017 22:54:07
I have to say, I'm really amazed this topic has generated so much debate.
It really is crucial that officials are allowed to govern games free from intimidation (because that's what it was) from players.
Bacuna was always going to get more than a 3 match batch for that reason. So, effectively we are arguing over the difference between 4 and 6 games, which is tantamount to 2 bald men arguing over a comb.

03 Mar 2017 23:43:54
I get what some of you are saying regarding different people getting different treatment for similar offenses but I'm with Mendax. Bacuna deserved additional punishment over the standard 3 matches and I predicted he would get it after it happened. Even if its wrong the refs decision is final. Deal with it after the game through the proper channels.

04 Mar 2017 10:02:00
No one (well I'm certainly not) saying he doesn't deserve to be punished but why isn't there consistency. Put it this way if Kodjia put his hands on a ref the exact same way the bloke from Blackburn did and then got a heavier ban, the fans would be ready to storm the FA head office😂.
The original post was actually saying bacuna was in the wrong but I was pointing out the FA clearly think racism isn't as serious an offence, and it's not just their failings of the past look at the Shelvey incident this season. So next time bacuna should just spout pure racial hatred at the lino and then he'll be back after 3 games.

04 Mar 2017 10:20:22
Punishments need to start at the top. A ref or linesman at grassroots doesn't have any protection so examples need to be made. I doubt if any of us were linesman on a Sunday morning we'd be happy with being chest barged by a player.

04 Mar 2017 11:15:45
Raking over, then comparing and contrasting different decisions is truly pointless. You will always find something that suits your argument because these decisions are always subjective. And of course people make mistakes
The question is, was Bacuna's punishment, as a stand alone decision, forgetting any other decision, a fair one? In my view, and for the reasons already stated it was
Dragging up lenient decisions from the past is petulant. Bacuna seems to have taken the decision on the chin; maybe we should show some dignity and do the same rather than try to defend the indefensible.

04 Mar 2017 19:13:43
Shelvey got a 4 game ban for racism about a month ago, Akpan got a 4 game ban for pushing a ref two weeks ago. No one has tried to defend Bacuna, everyone is in agreement that Bacuna deserved punishment. I was questioning how the fa came to a 6 match ban when they dished out lesser bans for much more serious offenses. As Bruce mentioned in his press conference I hope they do challenge it as it makes no sense.

05 Mar 2017 01:15:41
Yes, and the point should be that they should have got more.
Bacuna got what he deserved
Like I say, we could go on forever digging up previous cases to prove our positions and both of us could do exactly that
The question to answer is do you think players should get a 6 match ban for intimidating officials? Personally I do.

05 Mar 2017 01:54:19
The thing with these Racism incidents is that they are purely verbal. Now i'm sure none of us condone racism and we all want to see it aggressively stamped out in football but in this country we have freedom of speech. You can say what you want and people don't have the right to not be offended by it. So long as its an isolated incident its not against the law as it doesn't constitute harassment and its not inciting violence from others.

Physical violence against another person is against the law. Which might be why you have seen longer bans for it in certain cases. If I remember right I think Suarez got a longer ban for biting than he did for his racist remarks. And Cantona got jail time. Personally i'd like to see stronger sanctions imposed by the clubs on their players if they act poorly. Drop them, give them additional fines, put them through the ringer publicly. Sadly though money always talks so Suarez can get his ban for biting and still get his big money move to Barca.

05 Mar 2017 12:11:10
I agree mendax, they should get hefty bans for that's sort of aggressive confrontation with an official, however I also think no matter who you play for the punishments have to be equal, not just "he should get more because he plays for villa and he'll get more media attention for this" - and that's the only reason I can see why they would have done this, because it really is ridiculous, one rule for one and another for someone else. And Andy if you found guilty of racism verbal or not your guilty it's racism, and racism doesn't come under "freedom of speech".

05 Mar 2017 16:22:13
Chris, I agree with you totally that racism does not come under freedom of speech
I just think if you are waiting for all decisions to be called correctly and judged accordingly, in an environment where such decisions are largely subjective, you'll be waiting a long time. That's why I think you can only look at a decision on it's own merits . Within those parameters, I think that this time the officials got it about right.

06 Mar 2017 05:38:11
Look it up guys and you'll find it is. The price of freedom. What I don't understand is why the governing bodies haven't just come up with a comprehensive list of previous offenses and outline a set punishment for each offense based on what's previously been given which then becomes the precedent for all future occurrences - Which is then made public knowledge so the players, clubs are acutely aware of the ramifications. Then have a multiplier for repeat offenders.

03 Mar 2017 10:30:33
BACUNA has his ban lifted to 6 games!

That's nearly half the remaining games isn't it?

03 Mar 2017 13:03:08
Villa won't need him, he's such an overrated player.

03 Mar 2017 15:12:28
The FA make it up as they go along.

03 Mar 2017 15:27:00
Heard bacuna called a lot of things but never ever overated 😂. Where do you get that from?

04 Mar 2017 01:53:57
The only person on the planet who over rates Bacuna is Bacuna.

01 Mar 2017 10:44:01
Kodjia on 87.5% successful pass ratio
8 attempted passes
7 successful
Will give Micheal Carrick a run for his money on that stat mr lambert
All joking apart
Not getting excited and predicting play offs
But
Last two games we have started to get that little bit of luck we have been missing so far this season
I thought Hutton Green jedinak Lansbury were exceptional last night
Chester and baker and Taylor were solid
Adoma looked a threat
Hourihane followed up for the goal well
We don't usually get enough bodies in the box

Sorry Sam Johnson a couple of wonder saves but needs more games under his belt little nervous and wasteful with a few kicks.

01 Mar 2017 19:53:55
Heard one or two grumblings on the Holte when Kodjia was on a run and trying to beat players. Comments about passing and greedy!? Need to get off his back and appreciate sometimes the greediness makes the opportunities and creates space and mistakes! I for one want him to Harrass defences. He did pass and got the balance right last night. Sublime header!

02 Mar 2017 06:26:59
Hi nick
Was tongue in cheek
Yes we like to see Kodjia run
But trying to run though 4 players
Second half against Bristol in the centre circle isn't great
His lack of effort to get back on side must drive Bruce and fellow players Barmy
He scores great goals but no tap ins.

02 Mar 2017 11:22:56
Thats why he had the nickname mr hollywood.

02 Mar 2017 19:07:49
Think confidence started to show more and don't want that being stemmed by not letting JK loose.

02 Mar 2017 21:19:33
I think you've got it spot on Charmed, he is no doubt a great player but sometimes, he can be guilty of holding onto the ball much too long, his greediness does sometimes get him goals but you have to get the balance right. His play for our second goal is exactly what we need, beat his man, power agression and then a cool head to lay it off.

When we're winning he does fade, 70th minute hit and he was just constantly offside, not getting into anything unless it was pin point to him. Watched Che Adams for the blues the day before, no where near as good as Kodija but could show him a thing or two about energy and closing down.

03 Mar 2017 08:36:05
Couldn't have put it better
I see Bunn could be in for a recall for Rotherham
Not sure where Amarvi back in for Taylor comes from
Villa must go back for Kalinac or smith from QPR if a serious bid for promotion is planned for next season
The 3 teams coming down this year will have the same culture shock as we had
Awful referees and linesman
Get away with most kicks punches pinches and proper fouls not given
And channel 5 highlights
Although she is better to look at than shearer and co
Happy days.

28 Feb 2017 21:45:21
2 goals and a another clean sheet . do we dare to dream of another win Saturday let's not get ahead thinking about playoffs just yet.

28 Feb 2017 21:58:52
Put it this way, 16 points or 6 victorys between us and the top 6; if someone offered me that 5 games ago, i'd have tipped me hat, the chase is on boys and girls.

28 Feb 2017 22:19:03
Behave lads. Let's get safe first!

28 Feb 2017 22:41:34
Another clean sheet another 3points got to be looking good for Saturday. Are they starting. ng to believe in themselves because I, m starting to believe in them. they had to fight hard again for that win. onwards and upwards.

28 Feb 2017 23:36:06
Behave . "6 points or 6 victories between us and the top 6"
With everyone in between somehow not getting a point I presume.
Great few days but it's all about next season now.

01 Mar 2017 10:17:05
There's always 1 team that rises up around this time of the season, why can't it be us? the more the team are gelling, the more confidence it breeds.

01 Mar 2017 10:18:22
Yea to put it in perspective, we have 12 games left, to make the play offs. we'd need a minimum 11 wins and a draw. Finish strong and carry it on next year, same way Leicester did, we looked the part second half.

01 Mar 2017 12:48:46
Take a look at the table. It will tell you all you need to know. We're still a lot closer to relegation than playoff places. Not a chance of us getting there this season.

01 Mar 2017 15:23:51
No chance of play offs, but a strong finish would be very nice team seem to be getting it together and at last gellin. Feel we got a great chance to make it three on the bounce Saturday. top place reckon bout7th or 8th . Be nice to finish higher doubt it though. THe VILLA for EVER.

01 Mar 2017 18:16:12
Reverse psychology, loving your crafty logic Mendax - as one dodgy greek singer once sang, 'you got to have faith'
UTV!

01 Mar 2017 19:30:26
You've sussed me out mate. would love you to be right.

01 Mar 2017 20:47:19
They'd make a film and everything if it happened! fingers and toes crossed.

02 Mar 2017 00:25:01
Because we are Aston Villa we find our position unreal and unacceptable! I too found myself looking at the gap to sixth place! What if? We are villa after all! Reality immediately set in again and despite our wildest dreams we will be walking out on n August to championship opposition.

27 Feb 2017 00:14:12
Paul ruddy contract up in the summer think he would be a good shout.

28 feb 2017 16:50:35
he is rubbish.

01 Mar 2017 08:53:48
isnt he an actor? do you mean john ruddy.

26 Feb 2017 22:02:57
How many on here would snap up Robbie K . or am I the only one that thinks he could definitely do a job for us AGAIN.

26 Feb 2017 22:27:46
Sorry really can't see it, was great impact player when last with us but sands of time alas expect have caught up! Don't think he will be fit enough for last few games, it's a tough league!

26 Feb 2017 23:41:17
Not for me.

26 Feb 2017 23:39:18
Was an impact player last time he was here, what 5 years ago? Can't imagine he'd be anywhere near the level needed, if he was someone would have got him on a contract by now.

26 Feb 2017 09:13:08
Nice to see bruce has finally reached the conclusion about our play at the moment, because we lack confidence we've been unable to hold onto the ball, the players have been nervous, so he's finally had to admit it to himself, stop trying to entertain and just get the basics like defending right, let the opposition keep the ball and keep your banks of players intact to engage when they get to a certain area on the pitch, keep it tight and nick a goal if you can, and it worked today! with more victories will come confidence and more expansive football, so expect more of the same possession wise, but after a few more wins (crazy concept i know! ) we'll feel more comfortable on the ball and we'll be more entertaining, maybe that was the problem all along, trying to keep everyone happy, now he's clicked;us lot just need to be patient and cheer the boys on! Keep The Faith! UTV!

25 Feb 2017 17:01:22
Get in! Hopefully this signals the start of better things to come. Shout out to Chester who was imperious at the back.

25 Feb 2017 17:26:44
Well, it's finally a 1-0 victory, but I'm still not pleased with a few things. Although Bruce tried today, I still think he can do better.

Certain bookings we could have been without, for instance Bscuna (he should not be played anymore, I think) shouting at the linesman towards the end of the match. Taylor's booking we could have been without too.

I think Bjarnason is best at central midfield. Both Johnstone and Green looked pretty good today the last 34-35 minutes that I saw. Overall a solid performance.

25 Feb 2017 18:36:49
Of course we can do better but it takes time. The most important thing is we defended the lead and got 3 points. Bacuna getting himself sent off was ridiculous and could have very easily cost us the game but up until that I thought he had a fairly decent game. You say he shouldn't be played anymore which I'm not sure I agree with but what I am sure of is that he'll have plenty of time out suspended to dwell on it. With his actions being towards one of the officials rather than another player he is bound to get looked at by the FA and have a longer suspension, and rightly so.

25 Feb 2017 19:38:04
Hinch mate, Bruce tried today, what does that mean?
He picked a side from what he had, and they were very poor to be fair, it’s the players that are not performing, again no understanding.
Welcome three points but that was dire, 29% possession at home, dreadful.

25 Feb 2017 20:14:24
Bacuna shouldn't be played anymore? He was MOTM until he lost his head, wasn't a sending off he nudged him fgs. We won "but still things I'm not happy about" - says it all really.

25 Feb 2017 21:01:31
Sorry Chris but Bacuna had to go - definite red with further sanctions. You DO NOT disrespect the officials like that.

25 Feb 2017 21:15:26
And we gladly take those three points. I just think that a few things could've been better the last 35 minutes.
Up the Villa!

26 Feb 2017 12:50:09
What are you guys on with? Bacuna should, not be played again. he was our best player till he had a rush of blood to the head. he was reacting to a really bad decision by linesman. not saying he could, not have handled it better. but not to play him again. is just a ridiculous statement to make. really pleased for Brucie an the players and the fans. we got a win may not have been pretty, but we showed some resolve and kept a clean sheet. if we can do the same at Bristol I for one will be more than happy. its a small step in the right direction. let's stop looking for things to whingeabout. just be happy that we got a result.

26 Feb 2017 16:13:08
Officials are becoming like goalkeepers - over protected. I go to work to do a job, I get it wrong I get punishment, these lot Miss things that are 3 foot away from them, make everyone question if match fixing really is a part of our game, get no punishment and then kack their pants when someone gets in their face.

26 Feb 2017 19:37:27
Their job is to make hundreds of little split second calls and decisions every game. So if they get just one wrong they deserve someone getting aggressively up in their face - I'm sure that happens to you at work every day mate. You respect the officials decision no matter what and get on with it. End of.

So we didn't get a throw in we should have in our own half - they had a stonewall penalty turned down. All in all I think we came out much better in terms of the referees mistakes and you didn't see Darren Bent nutting the ref.

26 Feb 2017 23:41:04
Well said Andy, couldn`t agree more.

26 Feb 2017 23:46:33
Yea and if they get 90% wrong in a game nothing happens? Don't be a drama queen he didn't but anyone, barely even barged him. I'd rather have the passion of bacuna than the passiveness some of the players bring. Split second decisions?

The balls hit of a players foot which is two foot away from bacuna and gone out, the Lino is standing 2 meters away, he did not miss that, but villa having a throw in taking 30 seconds to take it, launching it up the line and ending the game doesn't make for a good finish does it? Especially after the officials would of seen that they should have given a penalty in the first half. That's what bacuna was fuming about and so he should be, was funny to see the lino shaking after tho, can just imagine what he said to the ref "urm yea urm urm urm his chest touched my shoulder urm urm please send him off I'm scared"

27 Feb 2017 13:53:27
I agree the refs performances should be scrutinized to make sure they are hitting a consistent level but doing what Bacuna did is not the way to deal with it. The lady in the shop didn't add my purchases up correctly the other day so I asked her to re-check it, and I was right. I didn't nut her in the face. There are respectful ways of dealing with human error.

27 Feb 2017 14:36:31
Your spot on Chris bout officials being over protected. some of their decisions beggar belief. like the one bacuna got so incensed about. linesman was right on the spot an gave it derby. Therese seems to be no redress for their incompetence. week in and out we see this happening.

27 Feb 2017 20:50:43
I fully understand your point, but no one nutted anyone, he stood infront of him and his chest touched the blokes shoulder. It was an angry reaction to the official getting something so blatant wrong, but that's all it was. He barely touched him and the bloke wet himself. Ayew used to scream and shout in officials faces every game and he got yellow after yellow, why is this any different.

27 Feb 2017 22:13:01
Going forehead to forehead is a clear act of physical aggression and the kind of act you expect to see at a UFC weigh in, not on a football pitch. Its a straight red card and if one of their players had done it and only got a yellow you would be fuming. I agree with you refs should be more stringently looked at in the aftermath of games where they have made crucial mistakes but in this match if it was looked at afterwards what would happen? We would be forced to replay or get docked two points because they had a penalty decision wrongly go against them, and we had a throw in go the wrong way.

28 Feb 2017 13:09:40
Watch it back, foreheads are a good 8 inches away from each other at all times. And yea they should of had a pen, but Barnsley shouldn't 2 weeks ago, nor should they of had a free kick which let to their third goal. Refereeing in this division stinks week in week out and you can see the frustrations of all players week in week out.

24 Feb 2017 18:51:05
Keith Wyness on BBC WM

very good listen. very positive stuff.

24 Feb 2017 22:13:41
I can't bear to listen to the numbskulls on there (particularly the presenters)
Could you summarise what he said?

25 Feb 2017 01:02:20
He basically said Dr Tony is here for the long haul, we need 3 teams 1 to get promoted 2 to stay in PL and 3 to push for top 4. Said when in PL will increase capacity with talks already with council and road infrastructure being only issue. Will stick with SB who will be here next season, can't carry on changing managers and squads. Said financial fair play will not be an issue when back in PL. no one can quite fathom how these amazing Championship players perform at Bodymoor and then can't win despite match stats being excellent! He was full of praise for fans with the owners predicting 15k season tickets for this season and 25k crowds amazed got 20k and over 30k crowds! Sure we will get result to put a last ditch run for this season but no promotion now, that's for next season. Vila are part of Dr Tony's business empire and he loves the club! Sounded all genuine and optomistic.

25 Feb 2017 09:41:34
Everything you'd expect to hear to keep the fans happy; the club is in safe hands, Tony isn't going to get bored, every eventuality / outcome has a plan, Bruce will be manager at the start of next season no matter what. Would love to believe him but can't believe anything these modern day football men say, hopefully he's honest and sincere but just look at Leicester.

25 Feb 2017 09:53:17
Steve Bruce is staying at the football club no matter what even if we go down which they're not thinking about. Keith wyness said there's no problems with the players everybody gets on in training and work really hard and they just can't put their finger on what is going wrong at the moment. Keith wyness also said it was probably a mistake bringing 7 players in January to much to soon.

financially we will be ok even if we don't get promoted he has planned for us to be in the championship four or five years financially. But hopes we are not in there that long. Dr Tony is at the club for The Long Haul no matter what league. We will have to be careful what we spend in the championship financial fair play rules mean we can't keep spending huge amounts but if we get in the premier league we can spend what we like!

25 Feb 2017 09:54:47
Keith Wyness = pinch of salt, spoke to a few toffees and all say he is always positive - a good thing, however, he'll say what you want to hear to keep the waters calm, when it suits, hope though he's on the button about keeping bruce at the helm and giving him the extra time and latitude he needs, but mat kendrick seems to think one or two in the heirarchy aren't so steadfast-but there again, kendrick likes a bit of mischief!

25 Feb 2017 11:21:01
Thought that was a good point that with hindsight perhaps too many debuts in January and Feb. We all knew from previous windows needs time but with the signings who would have done anything different. Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Predicting 1 nil to villa todayUTV.

25 Feb 2017 13:40:02
Thanks for filling me in gents. All sounds pretty standard corporate stuff to me.

25 Feb 2017 15:20:12
Stay positive lads we got good people in the background. hope we can get something from today's game. come on the villa.

22 Feb 2017 20:24:44
walk the walk,
not looking for an argument just genuine question / observation, you said the other day you had been to your supporters meeting that 5 of you attend, attendance and reports from the meeting has been released and there's 10 people who attended from various supporters groups?

23 Feb 2017 11:40:07
Hi mate, no its a fair question usually there is a few more people but that night we had a game against barnsley at home and due to people working some people arrived a little late that's why I said there was that amount because others came late but that's not that unusual if I am honest some don't take it that serious.

If you ever have any questions you would like me to ask I would be happy ask them. I have been accused of being a liar when really what would I get out of it? Not like I am meeting players or in a lounge or anything.

just a meeting between people just to give a bit of info on the club to develop a better understanding. Off the back of that meeting because we are going to portugal pre season i am going to take the family, nothing vital got mentioned just thought it would be a nice thing to share with you guys hope this helps.

23 Feb 2017 16:01:55
Fair enough, what supporters group do you work with?

22 Feb 2017 11:00:01
Signing samba could be a master stroke if he can prove he's fitness. No nonsense defender who's not afraid to put himself in where it hurts, will also bring some much needed aerial prowesss in both boxes.

22 Feb 2017 15:39:08
Could'nt agree more with Samba, the defence is a shambles. How about the keeper who's just left Sutton, Wayne Shaw "just jokin".
What do think the score is? When the attack play the defence in training and more importantly who's the,
Defence Coach,
Goal scoring Coach,
Goal Keepin Coach,

21 Feb 2017 13:11:08
Second observation of the day. The U23's played stoke last night. Where were the fringe 1st teamers, RHM, Richards etc. Surely the should be busting a gut in the stiffs to get match fit and force their way into the reckoning or am I just an old has been moaning.

21 Feb 2017 16:42:20
southernvillian,
you'd think they would, but i guarantee their agents won't encourage them to try and break into the team. lack of confidence is infectious and they wouldn't want their golden goose going lame, and also, i think bruce is now worried for his job and i don't think he trusts them enough yet unfortunately.

21 Feb 2017 11:36:35
Bit of a long shot, but did any of you see berbatov on match of the day fa cup on sunday - spuds v jimmy's janglers (thats fulham for those of a young age). he looked as fit as a flea, i know he's knocking on a bit, but put him on a pay as you play contract with a years supply of snout at the end of the season if he does the business, got to be worth a punt surely, what do ya reckon?

21 Feb 2017 12:32:09
Could put Messi up front at the minute mate and with our luck he'd be missing sitter after sitter.

21 Feb 2017 16:36:24
Ha, good point Chris, but knowing the way our luck is going, we'd probably sign his younger, lesser known brother messi-uppy!

21 Feb 2017 10:46:58
I have read some of the posts from last night. What i find bizarre is that I'm agreeing with a lot of what people are saying even though some are very different conflicting opinions. I think it shows a few things really, one being that there is more than one thing wrong at Villa Park.

Just before the start of the transfer window Bruce said our squad had too many forwards and we needed to get rid of some and put that money into other areas. So within a few days Gestede leaves even though other forwards go to the AFCON.

Then over the course we also let Ayew, McCormack go and then bring in Hogan. In my opinion we now have no Plan B and no striker to come off the bench and change things. We bought 3 decent midfielders but have left ourselves still having to bring on players like Bacuna to change the game and he couldn't change a bed.

A few years ago Newcastle were relegated and kept all of their players. Players like collochini wanted to leave but Newcastle said no and kept them. They managed their players in such a way that they stayed and fought rather than acted like babies.

I think that there are players who belong to us that are playing really well for other clubs while we still depend on players like Bacuna. There is a good chunk of players that I'd rather never see in a villa shirt again after last season. A lot of players let us down big time but there were still players in our squad that could have stayed.

Veretout is playing well again back in France in the Europa league. Gil has done well in Spain. Adama doing ok at Boro. we've already let McCormack leave and he's scored within 15 mins of being at Forrest.

I sound so negative, but I guess it's hard to find the positives. Last night I thought we played quite well in parts and minus two silly errors we defended quite well and Jedinak was the difference for us.

For me, one huge problem we have is we have spent around £35m on 3 strikers to put the ball in the back of the net. Each one of those players inside the 18 yard box with the ball at their feet have a great chance of scoring. but now ask yourself how much money we've spent on players to get that ball to the feet of those strikers.

Less than £10m on a number of players to get the ball to the strikers. You can have a great keeper, you can have a solid back four. You can have a player like jedinak that breaks up the play.

but then who takes that ball and beats a couple of players before making the killer pass? Who do we have to spray the ball 45 yards to the winger or full back or forward? Who do we have to thread that ball between two defenders to the forward?

Where is the winger bombing down the wing before being thread through? At the moment we're expecting Kodja to do it from the wing and he can but in today's football Villa have been analyzed and they know that if you keep kodja quiet we have nothing else. no runners, no skill, no pass (not that kodja passes much lol) .

In a nutshell, we've spent £35m on 3 strikers and then play a style of football that doesn't play to the strengths of the strikers we've bought? We had a player in Gestede that could score in this league if he had a supply, same for McCormack.

I think we have assumed that if you buy a 20 goal a season striker and we go up and it doesn't work like that. Dwight Gayle cost £9m, Glenn Murray cost £3m, Jordan Rhodes cost £9m, we already had gestede. Why not spend some of that £35m on some players capable of passing a football forward. Or if not, maybe keep the few players we had that could.

Whenever I get on here I write novels so I'm sorry. I just hate what's happening to us and I'm sure everyone of us can see things wrong and they all be different things. I don't think Bruce is the problem but he does look pretty clueless on ideas.

I don't think he knows his best formation or best 11, but because the pressure is on so much he has to keep trying different things to break the cycle we're on, but nothing works.

For me I'd just go 442, back to basics. Only problem is we don't have 2 fit strikers now.

20 Feb 2017 22:40:47
Listen boys, this may sound a bit outlandish, but when needs must, how about for the next 4 games we play 11 behind the ball, play with no striker and concentrate on keeping a clean sheet, seeing as we couldn't score in a brothel.

we might as well get the basics of defending and possession down pat, and then once that becomes first nature, look at introducing counter attack, i know its not exciting but that's what the likes of warnock do, and look at their last 3 results including tonight, nuff said!

20 Feb 2017 22:02:36
Played well for first 40 minutes. Say what you like about the manager but you can't do anything about the goals conceded tonight. Every break is going against us at he moment. On the plus side we look much more solid with jedinak back and Neil Taylor shits all over Amavi when it comes to defending.

20 Feb 2017 21:55:56
We have no luck
We are poor in the final third
We're mental lightweights
We now look to have injury problems upfront
Oh yes, and we can't defend.
The unthinkable is becoming thinkable. I can't stop thinking about it.

20 Feb 2017 22:09:06
1 point since Boxing Day. General attitude looking on seems to smell very similar to last season's shambles. Agree with you that the unthinkable is starting to loom as a distinct possibility.

20 Feb 2017 22:14:03
I agree Mendax

Totally out of luck, but then again you make your own luck
Only caught second half but Kodja=wasteful

I think if we can get a lucky win then we will then kick on and get a few points in the bag to be safe enough

Get through this nightmare and give brucie a preseason to bring in a few needed faces ready for next season!

20 Feb 2017 22:28:18
I can't believe I'm going to be sweating on Wigan's game tomorrow
Not quite sure where we go. I think Bruce is of the same mind.

21 Feb 2017 11:47:18
No top class strikers and we need to score goals, and we can only sign free agents! That got me thinking ROBBIE KEANE saved us the last he was with us why not again, and why not bring in his best strike partner from his tottenham days DIMITAR BERBATOV, STANS best mate and while were at it bring back STAN PETROV . At least there will be some spirit and class there . can't do much worse can we?

20 Feb 2017 21:41:41
Simple formula

Can't defend + can't score = relegation.

20 Feb 2017 21:53:00
Even simpler formula:
Back your team + stop moaning = Proper Fan.

20 Feb 2017 22:05:44
Accept abject failure = never going to happen.

20 Feb 2017 15:39:36
Prediction for tonight:
Aston Villa v. barcodes
3-2 or 4-2 to us!
Up the Villa!
Keep the Faith lads!

20 Feb 2017 16:24:41
Barcodes 1 vs 2 Villa.

20 Feb 2017 17:31:40
Hoping we can steal a 1-1 but head says 2-1 or 3-0,

20 Feb 2017 18:35:12
Let's just put a good shift in a blood and guts performance so come on lads show us what ya got! Come on the villa you can do this.

20 Feb 2017 19:03:35
Sadly 3-0
Think we will be great for 20 mins, not score, concede and collapse!

20 Feb 2017 19:16:09
Not expected to get anything tonight, everyone has written us off, so go out there and show the quality you have! 3-1 the Villa, Baker first goal, Kodija on the break, they get one back and start pressing heavy then hogan hits them on the counter. UTV!

20 Feb 2017 21:57:49
You called it pretty well Flackie.

20 Feb 2017 21:59:12
You were saying?

19 Feb 2017 19:16:13
Can anyone tell me WTF is going on?

Weren't we meant to be winning the championship?

20 Feb 2017 11:22:55
I think that was on xbox this season irishvilla, either that or the boys read the wrong script again!

20 Feb 2017 19:41:44
IRISH!
Yes then! My potato friend has came home to roost!

I've missed you, crap football, and no sarcasm on here!
Hope your good and back to stay?

16 Feb 2017 21:36:38
If the good Doctor is a good motivator, how come
how come the manager and more particularly the team are not showing signs of winning hunger.

16 Feb 2017 23:01:10
So you think it's the owners job to coach and motivate the playing staff?

17 Feb 2017 18:43:22
We made a big thing about getting Calderwood as No and I ask what is he doing? He was said to be a good choice and that is what we need.
Should he not be improving our defence or is he just failing.
We have 2 good defenders in charge yet that is where our weak area shows itself. Might be coincidence but since Calderwood came in the defence has gone from the best to the worst.

17 Feb 2017 21:05:30
Don't understand the Calderwood explanation, Brighton seemed to be doing fine with him?

17 Feb 2017 21:22:37
Only asking a question.
Coincidence that we have gone backwards after his arrival.
Have the training tactics changed, are the players unhappy?
Something has happened that changes the best defence to the worst.

18 Feb 2017 10:36:59
The squad has changed since his arrival. That's probs the biggest factor. They need time to gel. Monday is sort of a free hit in a way. Hopefully we can sneak a shock result and everyone will get off Bruce's back for a week or so.

18 Feb 2017 10:59:37
Not disagreeing old villain, just had read it a few times and couldn't get my head round it.

18 Feb 2017 11:18:41
Brighton seem to be doing fine without him too.

18 Feb 2017 11:41:20
My wife has the same problem.
Tells me I'm talking rubbish.

18 Feb 2017 13:35:03
There's definitely something wrong and Calderwoods arrival seems to have aligned with it, but Brighton were top two with him, playing brilliant football.

19 Feb 2017 14:57:24
RE: the two good defenders. I think you need to look at the protection in front of them. Why we let tish go I'm slightly perplexed, as soon as jedinak is fit again I think we'll see a better Aston villa team.

19 Feb 2017 16:33:05
Got to agree with you Chris. jedinac will make a big difference be good to see him back. need a good shift being put in. we should play with no fear and take it to em we could get a result.

19 Feb 2017 18:21:03
Hopefully the AstonVilla team need a break and the fans behind them we signed aome good players and they just need to gel and work together because it's an historic club and its a shame what has happened to them good luck for Monday night just put your heart in to it and that the chances.

16 Feb 2017 17:49:31
Walkthewalk, fella, i tip my hat to you, you've played both sides and stirred it up properly, and made me laugh, but for your own sake and all of us on here who are genuinely posting. you're going to get yourself slaughtered if you carry on, i can hear some of the lads grinding their teeth already, do what ya think is right, but really, baiting your own and hiding behind another name, if you stand on your tippy toes i reckon you'd be no higher than a snake's belly for doing what you've done there.

15 Feb 2017 22:02:10
Guardiola has dropped Aguero one of the best players in English football because he isn't playing the way he wants him to, surely if Kodija keeps being so selfish and missing chance after chance he has to be dropped to the bench.

16 Feb 2017 01:33:41
He is the only 1 scoring get off his back nobodys said anything till Paul Mcgrath had ago at him! People slate our own players Its stupid people booing Grelish fans even sending death threats do you think he will go out an give 100 percent next match for us fans?

No he and all the players that people pick on will not try simple reason they think why should I help you when you treat me like dirt! Kodjia is our top scorer why pick on him his doing his job scoring goals! You want to blame people blame yourself if I was your boss and I kept slating you your not gona work hard for me are you? Us fans are to blame as well people have off days at work they don't deserve to be hammered all the time.

We need to keep the players on side not make them hate us! All these managers can't get Villa wining maybe its not them maybe the players don't like the fans the way they get treated! Get behind the lads there the ones on the pitch trust me if they feel the love they will try. I bet if you seen Kodjia you would have a photo you wouldn't say mate you should be dropped.

16 Feb 2017 09:08:17
I disagree, walkthewalk. It is the manager and the players, who aren't even trying and it has been like that the last six seasons. So, I do understand the fans' frustrations. Bruce must be sacked if Villa loses to Newcastle and several of the players (Steer, Richards, Bacuna, Cissokho, Sánchez, Tshibola, Grealish, Veretout, Gil, McCormack and Agbonlahor) should be sold, if possible and invest in new ones in the summer.

I think that we should also appoint Gary Rowett as our new manager. I don't care if he was recently Birmingham boss, his records speak for itself. For me, he is the one who can turn this around.

16 Feb 2017 09:42:38
So Kodija missing 5 chances a game, not passing the ball, ruining opportunities but because his your favourite favourite player he has to get in the team? You sound like a 5 year old fan boy.

No ones bigger than the team and if he isn't playing like a team and holding us back then he should be dropped no matter how many goals his scored, hence the aguero reference. It is irrelevant how many his scores, he would have double that if he wasn't so selfish.

16 Feb 2017 18:02:42
I agree chris, he needs talking to, if does not listen bench him.

15 Feb 2017 21:34:14
Steve Bruce said we could be in a relegation fight what's clear to me is the team aren't working there socks off and makes me wonder do they like Bruce? losing everyweek can't go on something has to be done or we could go down how long do you leave it before you make a change? We wouldn't have to keep changing managers if we picked the right 1 from the off with a plan an a style of play!

15 Feb 2017 22:00:26
Are you alright mate? Earlier you was pleading to keep Bruce (talking sense for once) . make your mind up.

15 Feb 2017 17:19:11
Little socks
Little shin pads
Little effort
Little chance of playing for England

Big quiff
Big head
Big ego
Big cheer when taken off

Yes "super Jack" it's you.

15 Feb 2017 20:36:42
Bullseye.

15 Feb 2017 13:47:41
Looking at the plight of Birmingham, Wolves and ourselves; perhaps the Chinese are not the best investors when it comes to football. They are highly successful in business however football is like nothing else.

15 Feb 2017 17:12:56
What more could the current owner have done?
His big error was RDM but that was an error of judgement. Other than that he's been superb. The man's nationality is nothing to do with it, at all.

15 Feb 2017 18:48:24
So his big error was RDM, don't see Bruce pulling up any trees so on your calculation he is a 50% failure, others would say he is nearer 100%.

15 Feb 2017 23:43:22
Do you really think we'd be in this state had Bruce been in situ since the start of the season? Rather than being jettisoned in when we were on a dangerous slide?
In truth I've never been a massive Bruce fan in the sense that his teams generally lack a clear identity.
What you can't dispute (well you can if you want to sound silly) is that he is a very, very competent operator at this level.
RDM was a mistake from Tony. And yes, it was his biggest. by a stretch.

15 Feb 2017 11:45:29
I do not normally post here but felt the need to today. The problem we currently have is too much change. To continue to changes will not change our current plight. We have better players, and experienced manager and still good crowds. The team must form together before they begin to perform. I would like to hear they are playing behind closed doors games with reserves to get their shape and game play sorted. They look like strangers, repetition and practise is the only solution.

The game at the weekend was like strangers playing together. 'Cindy ' Bjarnsom didn't seem to have a position, taylor looked lost, Hogan standing on Kodjas toes, set pieces being disorganised. This needs time to settle, bed and form - then we will see performances.

Summer priorities must be GK and CB - we must stop conceding goals. Again practise as a team will help as will Jedinak returning to fee up Lansbury.

We need a time of no change if our fortunes are to change. It will come, it will get better.

15 Feb 2017 13:40:45
"To continue the changes it will not change our current plight" "we need a time of no change if our fortunes are to change" - Amen.

15 Feb 2017 10:44:01
Summarizing last night's stats:

57% of the possession
83% of the corners
76% of the shots
Lost 3-1

Someone mentioned somewhere that we are playing 'stable established' teams. Really? I thought we just removed 20% of Barnsley's best first-team players during the transfer window. If that's not destablilizing, I don't know what is.

2 main problems currently: we clearly can't score and we can't defend. Apart from that, everything is fine. Perhaps the reason that the keeper's failings are so much the focus of people's attention is down to the fact that he has absolutely no cover from the 10 blokes in front of him.

15 Feb 2017 13:45:07
No cover from the players in front of him? Play with no keeper last night and we lose 3-1, he is useless, distribution is awful, players screaming at him to play it short quick and get it moving - nope he holds the ball arms come out waving everyone forward and he lumps it up.

Players want it out long quick for the break, there's a man unmarked - nope he waits and waits till their whole team is back in formation and pumps it up. As for the second goal it pretty much sums him up, Sunday league keepers save that.

15 Feb 2017 10:22:17
As pointed out on here, barnsley had a settled team, while we where really a bunch of strangers still not playing as a unit, so why doesn't bruce introduce double training sessions to speed up team bonding and create a team ethic, make them do this until kicking and screaming they click on the pitch and then full steam ahead, or have i missed something?

15 Feb 2017 10:16:31
How do you fix Aston Villa?

15 Feb 2017 10:55:53
Unibond.

15 Feb 2017 13:48:32
sack Bruce appoint the local blogger.

15 Feb 2017 17:01:16
Gorilla tape, Duct tape that sticks rough and uneven surfaces.

15 Feb 2017 00:14:46
I have read the many many posts on here over the past few weeks and I don't think I have the right to say that anyone's opinion is wrong - because if we agree on one thing, it's that we're not happy. So here is my view for what it's worth. It may be a little long but I hope you stay with me and that it makes sense.

I love my club, I will never turn my back and stop believing, however I do feel that our club is just bad to the core at the moment and has been for a while. I think there is an attitude around the club that is very "care less".

Everyone says they care but do they really. First of all, our academy. Some would say it's one of the best out there, but is it? How many players have made it? How many have fulfilled the potential that we were promised? To memory I know of one and that is Gary Cahill. The list is long.

Bannan, Stefan and Luke Moore, delfonsou, Gardner brothers, Isiah Osbourne, Peter whittingham, herd, lichaj, now Jack Grealish and many more. Our kids won the next Gen series. That's the champions league for youth teams.

Teams like Ajax, Barcelona and others failed and we won - but where are those kids now? Nowhere. Because there is this cockiness about our kids that makes them think they've made it. They're already stars.

They're on £1k/ £2k a week and they just stroll around like they own the city. They have no role models, other than the first team players like Gabby who simply just don't care. Our senior players walk around driving flash cars wearing clothes pretending they're gangstas and the lifestyle they lead just flows through the club. And before inget shot down for that comment I've seen them.

I've seen them out in town. I've seen praised like gods when fans ask for photos and call players like Jack Grealish "Legend". There is a horrible atmosphere around the club that is quite toxic and you can disagree but just look at the players that leave. All the good ones, all the talented ones ask to leave and go on to at least perform at better clubs.

Players like Milner, Barry, benteke, delph, albrighton, young, have all left and tried to get on and we've had a go at each one of them for their desire to leave and try and win things. Has Gabby ever wanted to leave?

No because he is on to a good thing here. £50k a week for one of the worst footballers we've had. And if that's not proof, then look at the players that have joined - because for some reason we can turn a great player into an awful player overnight. McCormack scores goals for fun in the championship yet at our club he can't do it.

I don't blame him for staying at home. If I hd been bought in as the No1 striker only to then be starved of any sort of service by our rubbish football, and then to make things worse you lose your place to Gabby even when two strikers leave for the African cup of nations.

I'd give in. He plays 15 mins for Forrest = 1 goal. Lowton, having a great time at Burnley but not good enough for villa. We can blame Steve Bruce if you like but really? Can all of the last 6 managers be rubbish? Bruce, di matteo, Sherwood, Garde, lambert? Are all of the coaches like Steve Clarke rubbish? They can't all be bad so if it's not the staff then what is it?

It's the club and what runs through it. The attitude that if you play for villa you've made it. On the money we pay for average players is just wrong. There's nothing to fight for. Here's your lifestyle, there is no consequence. There are players that need to leave our club but also the air of arrogance that comes with them

Needs to be stamped out too. We were flying earlier this season but then slowly gabby comes into the team, then Bacuna, and added to players like Hutton and Amavi who just don't care for our club and what happens? We start to fail again.

When Deadly Doug ran our club I felt like we needed him to leave so we could move forward - however this wouldn't have happened if he was still there. He ran the club right through and he didn't stand for any player power.

I'm Really sorry to have gone on and on but I love my club and I'm as passionate as all of you that have read this. We need our ethos back. We need a John Gregory around our club. Someone to kick some backsides.

No one is bigger than our club. All we want is a group of players that turn up and fight for us. Play for us. Just the basics. It's the least we deserve.

15 Feb 2017 09:12:22
Well written post and spot on!

15 Feb 2017 09:21:42
Top post, on the button, i'd rather we were run like the baggies, no-one on mega money, no dramas, well said Villafanmike, well worth the read.

15 Feb 2017 10:01:23
Agree with some of what you say but majority is just odd; the next gen team we're all sold by Lambert and now are first team regulars through out the country, players leave every club - look at Southampton, McCormack had a bad attitude and didn't turn up for training and was over weight - Really hard done by isn't he, players driving flashy cars? You mean like every club in the country?

15 Feb 2017 12:14:00
Villafanmike. I wish you could hand deliver your post to villa park and in large print stick it up in the dressing room. A few home truths might just be the answer to some of our woes.

15 Feb 2017 19:49:09
Thanks guys. At the end of the day we all want the same thing and that is for us to be competitive so we can turn up or turn the tv on and at least know that we will get 100% from the players.

ChrisAVFC: I respect the fact that we're all entitled to our opinions however "odd" they may seem. I too thinknits odd that McCormack has scored goals everywhere until he got to villa. I don't condone his actions. He should man up but how many of us work with someone that is absolutely rubbish at their job, lazy and there work is just nowhere near the standard that you provide for your company.

Then imagine that same employee getting a bonus over you, or being picked for promotion over you or picked for good things while you're left out in the cold. Surely you'd be annoyed. Surely you'd have a problem with that? And that was my point really, that I can understand why he wasn't happy. If i got paid £40k a week I'd do as I was told but I say that because I don't get paid the riches he does.

If that was my lifestyle and money wasn't an object and I knew another company would take me in an instant or that I'd just get paid anyway then I guess I could just throw my dummy out. I don't agree with it but I understand it.

As for the players that leave, again I think you miss my point. Yes of course Southampton lose their good young players but they lose them to Arsenal or Liverpool or bigger clubs. Those youngsters are turned into great young players by the southamptons and then sold on for massive money to be made into great players.

I am missing where that has happened tomour youngsters? My point was that we're told how these youngsters are going to be the next best thing but they never are! The next gen kids were apparently sold by lambert? All of them? You sure? Aren't some of them still at the club? And the ones sold, have they gone in to bigger and better things or do they no play for the prestons of this world and clubs like that? My point is that we never take our kids to the next level! They never grow into the walcotts or bale or lallana or oxlaid chamberlain.

They become football league pedestrians apart from the odd few like albrighton who left us to win the premier league and although lowton wasn't from our youth set up we didn't grow him - we got rid and now we'd give anything to have him as our right back. or I would anyway. I respect your comments and the great thing about football is the difference of opinion but I disagree my comments were odd. But thank you for reading. It meant the 20 mins I spent writing it wasn't wasted. Thanks guys.

15 Feb 2017 21:16:59
Fair play mate now you've explained I do understand you a bit more, I don't get your point tho? Probably just me but are you saying that we are where we are because our youth system isn't good enough?

The players we produce go on and don't do great as you said, so how could we take them to the next level? If their not good enough in the first place? I agree Lowton would be a great option now but it seems under recent managers we had a problem with any fullback who could defend, the problem being the managers sold them all like morons.

But back to your original post, all around the country players are driving in in expensive cars every week, why is it only a problem at our club? I do agree with you but it seems things go on at all clubs round the corner as well as ours but it only effects the villa.

We sign hungry, hard working, honest players, winners, i. e. Hourihane, Lansbury, Hogan, Bjarnson and then they get to villa and their ineffective? Something stinks at the villa at the minute, I know it's early days but something is really rotten.

16 Feb 2017 01:37:11
Your last paragraph was sort of my point, about youth andabout players in general. We sign hungry players like you say and for whatever reason they just turn out poor for us and it's the same with our kids. They come through the ranks and we're told how great they're going to be - only to find they never make it.

None of them. Yet they move on and some prosper and some don't. But they NEVER do here. Callum Robinson was one of ours. So was Daniel Johnson (think that's his name) both at Preston nowand theyreshowing our players up. You're right that every clubs players own the flash cars and that's just today's footballers but for some reason atvilla it's toxic. It's horrible. We have no guts. No fight. Just a weak couldn't care less attitude from a lot of players. A stat that just shows us where we are right now as a club.

Of the 92 football league clubs in England in 2017, we're 91 of 92 on form. Only Leicester are worse. And what are the similarities between us and Leicester? We both have a group of players who think they're way better than they actually are. only at least Leicester have win something to have that belief. Your last paragraph is true and was my point. There's something in the body andbuild of our club that's wrong. Because all of the last few managers, coaches, scouts and players can't be bad. Not all of them. Its not possible. But there's something.

14 Feb 2017 23:42:45
Before I start, these teams we are playing have a settled side and a system that every player knows . We have a team of strangers and have not got any recognised system at all . Untill we get Jedinak back, we will continue to struggle . Without that cover for our CHs, Chester looks worn out, Baker you could see his confidence draining out of him . How many of these players we have signed, where captains of their previous sides . we don't have any leaders, to step forward and grab the game by the scruff of neck . Hogan must be thinking, what on earth have I done, he made run after run, nobody looked to play him in . Not saying anything about Jack, because you don't allow swearing . Every time young Green plays, he proves he's better than Jack . The kid keeps coming on playing great and then out again . More direct, dosent look to slow it down and runs at people and drives us forward . I hope Bacuna gets the nod over Hutton on Monday, at least if he gets forward he can put a cross in . So come on Brucie get it sorted, you must be running out of drawing boards to go back to . Onwards&Upwards Villaforever.

15 Feb 2017 07:30:41
Not having a go at your post but why do clubs have to have a midfielder "protecting the back four"? What the hell are the centre backs there for? What next someone protecting Jedinak, someone protecting them? And so on. Don't understand this.

14 Feb 2017 22:35:25
Shocking, the last 2 games we have had 44 shots at goal, and our reward is 1 goal, how wasteful is that, hit the bloody target.

14 Feb 2017 23:07:00
Drop kodjia, go with hogan alone up front, simples.

14 Feb 2017 23:21:30
44 shots, 20 on target.

15 Feb 2017 07:32:33
Still only 1 goal though.

14 Feb 2017 22:44:29
As it was Valentine my bluenose other half came with me tonight even though they were losing his smug grin showed the depths we have fallen to, whilst i want to knock him out the sad reality is we are at their level and it hurts. In Steve I trusted but I don't think this can go on. The doctor is used to turning 100 million in to a billion not a sad failure please guys tell me where we go from here.

14 Feb 2017 22:54:26
Thats an easy one gogirl, wait till your fella is asleep then draw the word 'twat' on his forehead in indelible ink, and fall asleep at peace with the world.

14 Feb 2017 23:10:53
In many ways classof82 sums up the mentality of a number of our supporters.

15 Feb 2017 09:18:47
If you mean sarcasm, bang on.

14 Feb 2017 21:40:00
Enough is enough. We're now in a relegation fight (again) . What's the answer. I'm completely torn between wanting to change the manager (again) or sticking with him whatever happens. Confidence is at an all time low for fans and players alike. New players not making any contribution. In fact they're moving us in the wrong direction.
I think I want Bruce out. Sorry but that's how I feel.
Dr Xia you've put your money where your mouth is but it's failed this time round.

14 Feb 2017 21:49:41
I think you sum us all up. Bring in Timmy boy again me thinks. Give him a fair crack.

14 Feb 2017 21:59:39
Have you not seen the mess at Swindon? No chance.

14 Feb 2017 23:23:05
Hahahaha give Sherwood a chance.

14 Feb 2017 20:30:43
I haven't been on here since we hade rdm . and now we got bruce and nothing has changed i don't know what has happend to him he looks clueless i think his time is nearly up because he is doing worse then rdm and plus we are playing shocking football don't no who can sort us out maybe give the job to brian little til the end of season.

14 Feb 2017 23:24:25
Shocking football with 20 shots on target last two games, yea sack the manager, his the one struggling to score, moron.

13 Feb 2017 19:03:26
When Bruce came in and put us on the run that gave us all optimism we had a very poor team and got results playing 433. Now we have a stronger team why can we not use that again? Kodija on the left of the front 3 (yes his a striker but majority of his goals have come when he played there), we now have a striker who isn't a fat midget or just plain useless so Hogan down the middle and Adomah right.

The midfield is now 5x better than what it was, so when fit Hourihane and Lansbury with Jedinak in behind them, Jedinak therefore in his rightful position doing what we brought him for and is one of the best in the division at, whilst giving Hourihane and Lansbury the freedom to move as they did at their previous clubs.

Back 4 positions can be debatable but we have the players to form a solid enough back line to pull results together. Just a thought but I don't see why it isn't going to get us results.

13 Feb 2017 19:21:46
I think we're still in need of a player with a spine and need to be far more vocal than we are, nicey nicey wins you sweet all in reality.

13 Feb 2017 23:32:09
And where's that coming from? The transfer windows gone the closest we have to a "player with a spine" as you put it is Lansbury. As I said though these are the cards we have we can't add to that so I don't understand your point.

14 Feb 2017 11:10:35
What i mean is we do have a player with spine and is also trappy, unfortunately he goes by the name of micah richards, out injured i know, but i think at the end of the day we're going to need his input to move on up, yes lansbury can do it, but as forest supporters have said on here.

he plays great one week and then goes missing for a game or two, so will bruce wipe his mouth and try and use micah, or hope lansbury, jedinak or hourihane step up, either way, somethings got to give, because when we concede a goal.

i don't see them having belief, and that's our achilles' heel, the squad is good, but no steely determination, i hope brucey whips them into shape, for everyone's sake.

14 Feb 2017 14:07:31
You reckon Micah Richards is more or a leader than the likes of Jedinak, Lansbury, Hourihane, Elphic etc? On what evidence?

14 feb 2017 17:13:10
i guess your not feeling the love for micah! just basing it on his time at citeh, showed he had a trap on him and could play, and mancini said he showed leadership qualities 8 months later, after a hefty contract increase, started acting like billy big spuds and got lazy.

so maybe your right chris, but i hope if he gets the right motivation he could maybe get back on course, i hope bruce is the man to stick a rocket up his jumper.

13 Feb 2017 18:53:35
When Bruce came in and we went on the run that gave us all confidence, we was playing 433 with Kodija out on the left. Now we have a decent striker why don't we stick to that? Front 3 of Kodija Hogan Adomah, midfield of Hourihane Jedinak Lansbury when all fit and then a back line of Taylor Baker Chester Bree.

If it worked before when the midfield was awful and we had to either play Gustede or McCormack down the middle then surely it must work now with Hogan there. Kodija works well on the left, Adomah proved how effective he can be vs Preston, it's give Lansbury license to push forward (how he played for forest), Jedinak in his best position with legs around him and full backs that over lap effectively.

You could argue swap Taylor with Amavi, an several other like for like changes but my point is that formation and system worked with a weaker team, improve the team as we have and surely it would work even better?

13 Feb 2017 10:09:21
Ok so I've got over the 500 mile round trip and got things into prospective. We should have won the game in the first half but the combination of keeper and bar stopped us. So next up Barnsley. If we play like the first half again with a bit of luck we could be Ok. However I would make a couple of changes. Jonstone, Baker, Elphick, Chester, Richards, Amavi, Lansbury, Hoolihane, Jedanick, Hogan and Kodja.
Assuming all fit that is.

13 Feb 2017 10:50:02
Mate I don't disagree. but Richards?!

13 Feb 2017 11:21:44
My guess is that Aston Villa will lose to Barnsley too.

13 Feb 2017 11:26:52
No disrespect but fancy Keith Richards would do a better job! Not sure if Mica can strum a tune?

13 Feb 2017 12:13:41
Maybe as part of a back three he could cope

I would go

Johnstone
Richards, chester, baker
Bacuna, Lansbury, Jedinak, houraine, amavi
Hogan Kodja

Bacuna only if Bree is not fit.

13 Feb 2017 14:01:30
Whether he would fit in, do a job or not, how can that pillock be allowed to ever wear a villa shirt again.
The guy is a disgrace, and I can't forgive him for last year. for example, if he, and others I accept, had stepped up, we wouldn't be in this league, this situation.

13 Feb 2017 15:29:38
Flackie, I agree he is not the most popular. However at one time he was the best attacking RB in the business until Sherwood decided he was a CB. Bree is injured so let him earn his dough. Jedanik to hold in front of the back three leaving hooly and lansy to run amok in the middle. We need to play through them. All I saw Saturday was bakes trying to ping 60 yarders into the path of Kodja and Hogan, he's good but not that good.

13 Feb 2017 16:38:55
How many times does Richards have to play before people realise he is a pale, pale imitation of the player he used to be.
I don't know why that's the case but it very much is; be it right-back or centre-back.

13 Feb 2017 16:46:17
IMO I believe that we have a great squad it's, just how we bed them in .

For me Brucie has to go 4-2-3-1 as follows

Johnstone

Bree. Chester. Baker. Amarvi

Jedinak Lansbury

Adomah. Hourihane. Kodjia

Hogan

Subs

Bjarnson
Grealish
RHM
Green
Elphick
Taylor
Bunn

It's only my opinion but I believe that this formation can work . Kodjia needs to pass more but was a lot better coming. In from the left.

13 Feb 2017 16:56:21
Hang on mate, at one point he refused to play at right back.

Quality professional.

13 Feb 2017 17:04:03
Good team there villa kenn.

13 Feb 2017 18:46:57
Wasn't his attitude that was the problem last year, he just isn't that good.

13 Feb 2017 18:40:06
I would not entertain Richards at almost any cost. He regularly is out of position leaving space for the opposition to have a gentle walk.
But can we actually identify the weak area?
It really seems that our opponents knoW where our weak spots are.
Starting to question Calderwood in put.

13 Feb 2017 18:49:50
My team.

Bunn
Bacuna if bree not fit
Baker
Chester
Taylor
Amavi as our winger,
Houlahane
Lansbury
Adomah as our other winger,
Kojia
Hogan

4-4-2
But having put down this side I still think barnsley will do us!

13 Feb 2017 18:58:11
How do we know he refused? There was that much going on at the club and coming out you can't believe majority of it. Don't get me wrong I don't ever want to see him in a villa shirt again because he's awful but I do remember last season he was the only one who attempted to bridge the gap and apologise (Wycombe and Sunderland away)

13 Feb 2017 19:57:19
The reason he refused is because he was brainwashed into thinking he was a centre back. Sure he was should never refuse but he needs to be put straight rb or nowhere. However in bowing down to popular demand I concede to bacuna at right wing back.

13 Feb 2017 04:07:40
I still think we lack an industrious live wire in the center of the pitch. Slightly leftfield but I think Stuart sinclair of Bristol rovers would be a fantastic addition.

13 Feb 2017 10:23:15
Wish we'd swapped mcshortfarce for pritchard from norwich (or even hoolahan), or nabbed zak clough, but hey ho, what's done is done, but your right finch, a little maestro would have been the icing on the cake.

12 Feb 2017 12:00:23
With Bruce saying 3 5 2 isn't the answer me personally would go back to basics and play a 4 4 2 formation stability is needed and quickly so my team would be
Johnston
Bree Chester Baker Taylor
Adomah Jedinak Hourliane Amavi
Kodja Hogan.

12 Feb 2017 15:18:31
4-5-1 would put kodja up for few games have lansbury sat behind hogan or 3 cms with adomah and amavi attacking wings and hogan up top. try that for a game or two.

11 Feb 2017 20:56:53
Well I think any faint hopes of making the play offs has well and truly gone.
You couldn`t make it up could you, 22 shots at goal 9 on target, 75 minutes on the clock and you somehow know what`s going to happen, and bingo.
I am amazed why we struggle scoring goals
7 points off the bottom three, dare not say anymore, squeek squeek.

11 Feb 2017 22:21:07
Completely Sod's law Dave, my old man look at me at me at about the 70th an said "you know what's going to happen don't you", we really are that predictable. How we didn't score first half I'll never know, something needs to click and soon.

11 Feb 2017 19:52:26
Ok guys, if it did happen ( which I don't want and don't think it will happen ) and Bruce was sacked who do you think or want to come in to galvanise this group of players.

11 Feb 2017 20:52:38
Alan Pardew, Mark Warburton, Tim sherwood, gary rowett his not my choice tho. I like Pardew.

11 Feb 2017 21:01:13
Should not be talking like this Smudge, Bruce needs time.
Its not great I know but most successful clubs have stability.
We must achieve stability, its so important.

11 Feb 2017 21:22:12
Villa Dave . I don't want it to happen, I was made up when we appointed Bruce and I will stand by him, but if the good dr did get a trigger happy finger then it's good to get people's thoughts on who should be next.

11 Feb 2017 21:43:15
I know what you mean mate, Its me I suppose, I just think we are typecast supporters if that makes sense.
A few bad results and we are always calling for the managers head, far too early and far too often.

11 Feb 2017 22:28:32
We must have some stability, we cannot keep this get a new manager in, clear out old gaffer's squad merry go round. Come end of March we may be clicking, I know we said this with Tim, Remi and Roberto. We must stick with Bruce and carry on building and consolidate what we now have!

11 Feb 2017 22:24:56
Alan Pardew - never been promoted from championship or done anything of note.
Tim Sherwood - been there got the tshirt, good man awful manager.
Mark Warburton - is that a joke?
Gary Rowet - never done anything and football is awful.

11 Feb 2017 19:22:45
It is starting to smell down here, severely in the brown stuff.
We keep talking that SB must have time to gel the team. Looked more like jelly day.
Who are we going to put in the back line to hold them together? Looks like SB must go into the OOC to find someone that is willing to put his brain in a box before the game.
To be totally serious they look worse than the last 3 seasons including last season.
My wife goes out and the cats hide every Saturday at 4.40 so the door gets it.
Now watching the rugby. Why don't we have the passion that the Welsh have.

11 Feb 2017 20:44:52
That passion got them far😉.

11 Feb 2017 17:34:29
its that time of the week again where we all start moaning about how poor we was and how bruce has to go.

wonder if we could convince robbie keane, michael essien, phillipe mexes and a handful of others just to come till end of the season and show this lot how its done?

11 Feb 2017 19:51:45
I'll repeat what said last week, we don't know how to win, it's quite easy the ball goes between two white posts and under the white bar, you have to do that more than the opposition, then you win, easy. I also mentioned we have'nt won a match since Colin Calderwood arrived, so is that the common factor?
I feel sorry for Dr T, he must wonder what he has spent his money on!

11 Feb 2017 12:12:14
Help, can't get to game today anyone know of a stream I can watch?

10 Feb 2017 20:58:24
Looking forward to getting to vp tomorrow. Been a while so would love to see us get three points.

11 Feb 2017 00:54:45
Enjoy your day mate UTV.

09 Feb 2017 23:53:44
So people I am guessing Ipswich will be a hard slog as they are very defensive team I am predicting 2-0 Aston Villa Victory goals from Baker and Hogan. Has anybody else got any predictions on the game? I was thinking maybe for fun we should do a correct score competition But only Aston Villa games just between us Villa boys?

10 Feb 2017 07:28:23
1-0 villa. hogan.

10 Feb 2017 11:00:03
Hopefully see us score more set pieces now we've got people who can deliver them, Bakers normally the target and we did look like we had a plan from corners against Forest.

10 Feb 2017 12:32:24
Ahh you changed your mind walk the walk? As in your 1st posy you said 2-0?

10 Feb 2017 13:36:08
I am sticking the old Gregory Peck out here and going 3 - 1. Hogan and Hourihane to mark home debuts with goals.

10 Feb 2017 14:00:11
I'm still not sure of the defence. 2 - 1 Villa

Hogan and A N Other, surprise me!

10 Feb 2017 14:46:00
2-1 villa

Hogan and Kodja.

10 Feb 2017 16:19:05
Villa 2 vs 0 Ipswich, one week i will get the score correct.

10 Feb 2017 21:04:55
4-0. I think we're due one.

08 Feb 2017 09:36:44
Adrián is out contract in the summer. He has recently become number 2 at West Ham but was very good last season. We really need a decent goalkeeper and I don't see Begovic moving down a division.

08 Feb 2017 19:01:49
Good shout this mate. But I actually think that Johnstone will be a great keeper, he made a mistake. they all do! To now jump on him because of it is mindless.
I hope he comes for good in the summer, I think he has the makings of a special player.

08 Feb 2017 20:16:18
Hope Johnstone comes good for everyone's sake, but made a few mistakes now and it's starting to look like we've swapped one calamity keeper for another. Hopefully he can get over it and kick on but good shout mate Adrian in the summer would stop us having to buy a keeper when Johnstone goes back in the summer.

08 Feb 2017 21:39:54
Is there talk of Johnstone stayin, is there an option to buy?
Does anyone know how highly he is thought of at United and whether they seem him as a future keeper for them?

08 Feb 2017 21:51:52
Good question mate, I have no idea. but he is very highly thought of, especially through the England ranks.

08 Feb 2017 23:29:59
No option to buy or extend the loan, so in the summer when he goes back in the summer we either must strike up another deal with them for him or sign a complete new keeper. Heard United see him as De Gea's eventual replacement (hence why they haven't sold him) however so far I can't see why, hasn't been better than Gollini IMO.

07 Feb 2017 11:02:02
Happy Birthday Tim Sherwood, Top bloke, brilliant with the fans,n gave us some brilliant memories - shame he isn't a very good manager 😂.

07 Feb 2017 12:41:23
There is only 1 bit of that I agree with.

07 Feb 2017 17:09:16
Well he definitely gave us some good memories😉.

07 Feb 2017 21:46:26
Say what you want about sherwood but he got a tune out of them players when the previous 2 encumbents couldn't. cheers tim, good health to ya fella!

06 Feb 2017 21:43:59
Jealousy comes with success. Now we are not doing good people want to kick us while we are down. Its because all tho we moan, if we never win a game again we will always be better than Wba, Wolves, Birmingham City. For me only team I HATE is Birmingham City reason is not jealousy its because they are vile football club from fans to owners to managers I don't like them.

1 of the reasons I don't like Bruce he said when he was blues manager I think Birmingham are now better than villa and basicially he done nothink but dis us off. I still remember him jumping on Villa park pitch celebrating blues beat us and giving it the big one after the game to mellberg, I still think no matter what league we are in we are Best in the land!

06 Feb 2017 21:53:19
The only person I see kicking us and moaning about us is you.

06 Feb 2017 22:03:46
What do you expect Bruce to do as their manager.

07 Feb 2017 00:21:32
Macleish was the blues manager he didn't slate us like Bruce. Oh and when we ent won in 7 games I can hardly come on here and say wow we are great can I use your brain!

Paul Mcgrath has said negative stuff aswel i wonder why? Let me make it simple for you villa daz you do good things you get praise you play like a load of donkeys people will criticise!

Villa legend Ian Taylor Stan collymore Paul Mcgrath all criticise we all love the club. But we can't keep saying we are great wait till we click we will rule the world! Your just coming on here making stuff up saying we gona be great next season what if we are not? I go by what I see not made up rubbish which we hope 4!

Talk about what you see! I hope your right and we done win the league next year but just comment on what you see! We moan because we care can't tell me Mcgrath is wrong!

07 Feb 2017 07:29:29
Lmao use "Use my brain" that has to go down on this forums history as the best quote ever. The fact of the matter is you come on here and slate Bruce and the team yet it is a new team and needs time too gel it was always going to be hard this season there are NO easy games in this league in fact in any league.

So what Bruce celebrated a goal against us when he was managing another team 100% of managers celebrate a goal when their team scores that is a fact. I will put things in perspective for you then perhaps you might realise just a big a job Bruce and the rest of the team including Xia has too do.

1: Get rid of deadwood a lot harder than you think if under contract and don't want too leave because they want a big pay day thankfully most have now gone

2: Wages:Need I say more?

3: Our great club was rotten too the core if you think that can be sorted overnight you are deluded

4: No matter what team you are if you buy new players they need time too gel we now have leaders all over the pitch which IMO we haven't had in ages

5: Newcastle yes they dropped last season along with us but their structure as a whole was sound so that is why they are going straight back up. I could go on and on but I guess if we lose again you will come on and slate everything and everyone . I've said it before and I will say it again the club needs everyone on board and if your not well I guess you can walk the plank VTMLDB.

07 Feb 2017 09:47:26
Hang on! You have moaned about Bruce before this run started, all you have done is find fault, criticise and try to get a rise, your posts are boring, as everything you write says the same, little thought, or prospective.
Then you dare to use the comment 'use your brain! ' Whilst in your next breath you call the wife beating, fawklands slagging Neanderthal collymore a villa legend.
Also just for the record, no such word as anythink, it's anything.
Use your brain.

06 Feb 2017 12:51:02
Super Jack, what do you do with him? i'm sorry to say he is a creation of modern day football. When you have kids signed up by clubs 5-6 y old, they don't know anything else but that football bubble.

During this time they are told how brilliant they are, cosseted by coaches and parents . Years ago a friend of mine, had break and was signed by Blackburn.

Even then going back to the 70s, he said these apprentices should be sent out to work for 6months, just for them to appreciate what they have got . You can see with Jack, it is immature attitude.

Over the years you see wasted talent, thrown away because of the same attitude . We have seen ex players reackon they have tried to advise him, if he won't listen then it's a shame. If I was Kevin his dad I'd be kicking his arse and sitting him down for a long chat . I hope he can sort himself out. Onwards & Upwards Villaforever.

06 Feb 2017 14:27:15
Him being sent off on the weekend is an in the pitch incident, he hasn't been caught out on the booze, on holiday, in a hotel, he was sent off. One card for kicking the ball away in the first half (all players do it early on, never usually get carded because its early in the game but it is a bookable offence) watching it back he only got carded because of how far the ball travelled, had there player who it rolled past stopped it there'd be no issue, he didn't want them taking a quick free kick or having the extra yard.

Second card he's stopping someone making a break whilst all our players are up and out of position (same way we conceded second goal against Preston) . Don't understand how you can question his attitude, maybe his intelligence, maybe his memory to remember his on a yellow already, maybe call him thick, but his attitude?

Don't believe everything the papers hold on to. If he don't take that lad out and they score we are all on here saying "why didn't grealish clean him out", he wasn't great Saturday, got the assist but then didn't affect the game enough however had we took our chances no one would of said a word about grealish, red card or not.

1 match ban and then he will be straight back involved against Barnsley in some capacity, I don't rate him as high as some on here do but I call it as I see it and try not to over react, the boy has talent and doesn't seem to have attitude problems anymore, just consistency problems.

06 Feb 2017 14:37:43
Very good point davedean, I am not a Grealish fan to be fair, and that is mainly because of his attitude and demeanour, and his pedestrian “same as” “same as” style, give me a cattle prod.

I don’t know who it was, or where I heard it but a few weeks ago after his goal against Wigan, I heard it mentioned that he had been compared to Ryan Giiggs, That was the best joke I had heard since Tommy Cooper first said "Just Like That".

The route I would take with him now is stand up and be counted, let him know that he has until the end of the season to change his attitude and to start performing or be sold, Red triangle comfort zone ends here.
Give me Sid Cowans any day.

06 Feb 2017 17:07:25
I've become totally exasperated with the lad to be honest. At some point "potential" has to convert to impact. I don't really see it from him
If we are going to have a lightweight luxury player in the team I think I'd rather it was Carles Gil.

06 Feb 2017 20:49:12
It was me that said he could be our Ryan Giggs, meant it as a talented player that many teams would covet, but would stay with 1 club all his career. If anything, the player he most resembles to me in his style is Chris Waddle, on his day a damn fine player, but also a waste of space on his bad days

UTV.

06 Feb 2017 23:21:14
He is so frustrating, has class moments but a lot of the time he his poor

For me he is not direct enough and slows things down to much, I think the word luxury player comes to mind, would be great if we were smashing teams 3/ 4 nil but were not, when games are tight and physical he is no use.

07 Feb 2017 06:59:16
Spot on

UTV.

05 Feb 2017 10:56:19
Forest fan in peace.
Enjoyed the game yesterday ( obviously! ) and thought a draw would have been fair result .
Looks like you have a dodgy a goalkeeper as us with the only difference being when ours dropped the ball twice he was luckier than yours.
Get used to Laansbury because we've seen it for years. He frustrates the hell out of you because he can be a match winner then goes awol for few games.
Always enjoyed coming to yours and always been well recieved.
We both belong back in the Prem but think you will see it long before us.
Good luck to you and hopefully one day soon.
Ps Hammer the sheep for us on the 25th.

05 Feb 2017 11:27:04
Hi Creeps, thanks for that but I thought you deserved the win mate, Forrest played very well.
I agree about the keeper though, costly mistakes.

05 Feb 2017 11:44:17
Most our the blame for our defeat lies at Steve Bruce,
I can understand bree as our right wing back but iceman at left wing back was amazing,
Was was amavi not used there or even adomah!

We played more like a 5-3-2 formation,
Happy enough with kodia and hogan b7t why take both off when we needed a win badly.

Bruce for me is to negative in his tactics, I did not want him as manager but I always give every manager a chance and if these performances carry on like this to end of season I hope there is a change.

Only problem there is who next? Wonder what the dr is thinking right now!

05 Feb 2017 17:31:16
Who's next? Bruce will be in charge next year.

05 Feb 2017 18:29:18
Mainbob I think you need to have a little word with yourself

Steve Bruce is negative in his tactics? Have you actually thought prior to writing 💩

We have just brought in January .

Two of the highest assist providers in our division in hourihane and Lansbury

We have also got hogan who has scored 14 goals this season and is 5th highest scorer In the league having not played since December!

So prey do tell if buying all these attacking players is negative then I'm slightly confused.

05 Feb 2017 10:27:02
It is not only at the back where we fail. The front players lack fight. Kodjia scores but is he in reality a show pony that looks the goods but has no fight.

Hogan showed more desire than Kodjia and will be an asset to the team, he plays like a workhorse. The team in its entirety are an embarrassment to themselves, the manager, the club and us the supporters.

Many years ago I remember my Dad along with many others walking out of VP at half time against Chelsea because the players were not giving 100%, sounds familiar.

05 Feb 2017 09:00:29
We may have all the chances, the fact, we never looked like winning or wanted to win.
Dr T has stated we are planning for next season in the Championship, so that's the plan.
Can anyone tell me, have we won, since Colin Calderwood arrived?
Just thinking too many Bluenoses!

04 Feb 2017 23:30:26
its shocking that as a "top class manager" bruce couldn't see we needed that leader/ fighter in defence and that we really needed a keeper of experience/ quality. yet everyone who knows nought about footy other from what we watch could see this from beginning of the season.

05 Feb 2017 01:12:44
Better than brentford game. But poor timing on subs yet again. Grealish can be a nightmare at times he needs to be managed with a firm hand. Kodjia is too selfish i reckon drop the pair of them for a few games make the team rely on each other not just those 2.

05 Feb 2017 09:55:15
Strikes, you're 100% right about needing a leader, but who in our squad can take up the challenge? and as for grealish, i'd make him a ball boy for 2 home games so he could hear what the fans really think of him and his abilities, he'd smell the coffee then!

05 Feb 2017 10:19:55
How do we know he didn't go for a defender? Wyness said we had approached over 20 targets.

05 Feb 2017 10:45:45
might have approached but surely even in this league we could have drew the attention of a decent player even if just a loan

but as we all say that's just my view.

04 Feb 2017 22:43:41
Once again super Jack blows his chance, stupid petulant card in the first half . Give his place to Green, never let us down . This kid dosent slow everything down, has more tricks than Jack and more direct . He certainly deserves a place, more mature in every way .

As everyone else, upset with the result, but with chances made we should have won . This team is still new, needs time (that we haven't realy got ) to gel . I certainly think it won't do us any harm not to go up . we need to get a team gelling and playing as a team before we do go up .

To go up with out this we would be soon back down . People will say, but Dr T will spend more millions, then you have another team playing like they have never met before let's get a system that suits and playing like a team first . Onwards and Upwards Villaforever.

04 Feb 2017 20:22:56
Poor result. Half decent performance. Kodjia will get used to playing alongside someone and will pass in future.
When you're down luck don't go your way either. Kodjia's shot fumbled by their keeper but bounces harmlessly over Hogan's head. Johnstone does the same but this time it falls straight to their man. Goal!
Not blamimg luck on all our woes but things like this make the difference.
UTV.

04 Feb 2017 19:33:32
Does anyone else wonder what goes on in training. midfield looks slow and expects to have more time on the ball. all areas of the field we waste the ball. Hogan looked good but had to work his socks of to create his own chances. Still believe the right manager and we have enough for a push. But come on boys show us something.

04 Feb 2017 20:32:33
I know what you mean. We do look ponderous at times (a lot of the time actually)
We only really get out of this lethargic state when we are on the counter attack.

04 Feb 2017 19:30:13
inb4 the next round of complaining about Grealish.

04 Feb 2017 08:30:57
Right then!

For me the season starts now, this is the time to assess Brucie and his team, he has made whole sale changes and that will take time, let's hope they click and gel sooner rather than later

Forget about what has gone on before or the last 5 or 6 results, it's from now where we hopefully start to see something great being built, let's look and discuss the tactics and team selection rather than go off on one and slaughter everyone if we lose

I don't think it's too late to make the playoffs but wil need a spectacular run of games to do, so for me its back Brucie to get it right and give him time to do so even if it is in the same league next season.

04 Feb 2017 16:30:06
Has to be a win tonight or we can forget about the playoffs
We have enough quality and firepower now. It's just a question of whether they can be gelled together as a functioning unit.
I feel that may be our undoing as far as promotion goes but you never know.

03 Feb 2017 10:57:52
So with Jedinak out this weekend I reckon a 3412 after the defensive horror show at Brentford.

Johnstone
Chester Elphic Baker
Bree Lansbury Hourihane Amavi
Grealish
Hogan Kodija

We won't miss that tall presence in the middle as every goal kick/long ball one of the back three steps up to win it. Amavi won't be caught out as wheneve they go down the left one of the centre backs push over along with one of the centre mids. Grealish in the middle running directly at them drawing fouls.

Kodija not alone up top so one looks to run in behind and the other come to feet. The two centre mids can pick a pass as well as anyone in the division and when one goes up to run off the striker/interplay with Grealish the other one can sit back. Could argue to switch Bree with Adomah but I think it would be a good way to bring him in as he should always have back up in this formation.

03 Feb 2017 12:56:22
I'd go with this Chris. The addition on Bree allows us to play with wing backs and puts both Lansbuy and Hourihane where they should be.

03 Feb 2017 15:10:36
Chris, we should have had a back 3 ages ago and it is interesting that many posters have disagreed.
Not sure if Elphick is the right man but we don't have a choice.
I was not a great fan of Clarke but we could do with him at this time.

However if Elphick is going to take his chance then this would be it. We must wait and see what SB does but if he stays with a pair at the back we will continue to leave the door wide open.

Hogan may solve the goals for but if we keep leaking then no matter how many we score we could still be looking at drawn games.
Not much time left to get to play offs so 3 pts next game essential.

03 Feb 2017 18:36:36
I agree mate, elphic isn't the best but with two either side he could be alright.

02 Feb 2017 17:44:04
I heard mCcormacks interview and i belive him. His missed training once and he called in only guy who has the problem is bruce and he won't be here at the end of the year and i won't be saying sorry beuce either your football is borring an crap only wins we had we had to hang on.

02 Feb 2017 18:42:53
Bruce is definitely not "the only guy who has a problem" with McCormack. Plenty of supporters do as well (myself included)
Clearly you don't but that's your prerogative.
A club which allows McCormack style behaviour is going nowhere fast
You seem to be siding with McCormack to make a point about Bruce; Just make the point about Bruce. The performance on Tuesday would certainly justify it.

02 Feb 2017 19:50:57
Theres no where saying his missed loads of training. only once and he gave a reason and rang villa up early to say what's happend. I just don't like 12 million been written off when he played under rdm he played well and never missed training. In other news RHM signing a new deal his got a new agent so he will be back. I want Villa, and bruce to prove me wrong but iam only negative because performances are negative. Birmingham city havnt won in 8 games and are still higher Bruce has to turn it around qwick he was brought in to get us the playoffs, We are nearer the bottom than the top. And he needs to stop saying sorry he sounds like Justin Bieber its to late to say sorry

02 Feb 2017 20:12:01
Like I say. Make the point about Bruce. You're out on a limb defending McCormack

02 Feb 2017 22:37:58
Mccormack must be a problem as the Fulham squad convinced the manager not to re-sign him! I was told by a Cardiff season ticket holder that he had drink problems when he was there.

I do see your point about Bruce's style of football. It is pretty boring at times and away from home we seem to try and contain for 60 minutes before going for it. Grealish hardly starts an away game. Maybe now he has his own signings in the style will change? For now we have to back him. Not so long ago he was touted for the England job!

03 Feb 2017 01:13:17
To be fair Southgates the England manager now so just goes to show how desperte they are him or bruce please no wonder england never do anythink lol. But seriously give Bruce, to the end of the season if still no better get rid. Look at huderfield they play short football, Newcastle, brighton they going down the wings can anybody tell me how Steve bruce style is?

Dr. tony is wasting so much money because he is still learning how to run a football club. When picking a manager you pick him because of a style of play he plays and that's the way you want your club to play at the moment we are having whatever manager is availble and whatever players are available. there's no logic to picking a manager or players we buy its all just odds and ends. Everytime we play it shows so if the truth hurts Iam sorry i mean no offence its just my view.

03 Feb 2017 07:19:44
Why is it that us as fans just never stop moaning about the manager?

I happen to agree that the style of play being served up at villa has been somewhat terrible .

However we can only play with what we had at the club playing staff wise. we have just brought in a raft of players, that are ball players and can change games .

Your love for McCormack is somewhat misguided I think walk the walk!

Are we forgetting that we have had two managers this season! McCormack didn't impress under Di Matteo either!

McCormack clearly has an issue with Bruce. Maybe because Bruce just doesn't rate him .

But without Bruce we wouldn't of signed

Lansbury
Hourihane
Bree
Hogan

All the above signed because of Bruce and the wages on offer at Villa .

However all of them want to play in the premier league to which they see that as a possibility with us

I have said it before I will say it again, unless your a business owner, we all have a boss we have to report too. We may not like our boss or think he does things the right way, But ultimately they are our boss who pays our wages.

These premadona footballers think they are above normality! They are paid to do a job and if they don't like it then bore off!

03 Feb 2017 08:30:13
This is your third post about McCormack, it's getting close to an obsession, and still not one person is agreeing with you.

Also the dr only said RHM has a new agent, didn't guarantee anything about signing a contract, don't assume anything especially after we've been told he's going to sign about 5 times already this season.

Also (I know this is the second also) in the same interview your referencing to McCormack admits he's been way of form, he's played more than ayew, more than Gabby this season and if they had of had all that game time and done relatively nothing with it you'd be calling for his head, don't let the figure of 12million change the judgement of the man.

03 Feb 2017 08:56:35
You are so right. He should of rang and used your vast experience and knowledge.

01 Feb 2017 22:12:30
Steve Bruce needs to get results. i am sick of him saying sorry we are never up 4 games. we don't close down and quite frankly tacticially he is very poor. We are nearer the bottom as we are the top and you only heard 1 side of the mccmorack story.

01 Feb 2017 22:33:43
So much negativity . maybe you should listen to what the good dr is saying and just stand by the team

As for the other side of the story regarding McCormack, who actually gives a 💩?

Facts are McCormack is paid to do a job, he has a contract of employment and Steve Bruce is his boss!

If I argued with my boss I would be sacked and that's a fact

Defending anyone from not doing what they are paid to do is in my option absolutely crazy

01 Feb 2017 22:46:08
Agreed with everything but stop bleating on about McCormack, we heard facts and if there was another side him or his mouth piece missus would have put it out there, didn't turn up to training 3 times, used the excuse the gate was broke and Bruce caught him out, and if you need even more evidence of his character look at how Fulham pulled out of the deal to bring him back because his former team mates didn't want him. Oh and then there's being absolutely wasted the night before a game.

02 Feb 2017 05:47:55
It wasn't just the once he was blitzed before a game, he loves his sauce, the thing is, he was on it because he was bored (no excuse i know i'm not defending him) but at forest he'll do well, that you can count on, and when he does, it makes it a whole lot easier to flog him in the summer.

02 Feb 2017 18:44:53
I doubt he will do well but I hope you're right Classof82 (for the same reason you mention as well)

03 Feb 2017 08:00:23
Mendax - just a quick read of his interview, he feels he's a man 'wronged and persecuted' - i got a feeling he'll be on a mission to prove a point, sods law he'll have a scorcher of a season, but as long as they take points off the other teams and he's man of the match regularly, that's a double touch for us (optimistic i know! )

03 Feb 2017 13:00:26
He needs to lose about a stone first mate. Personally I think he'll crash and burn and we'll have to write it off as a bad investment

01 Feb 2017 17:46:15
Last night was a disaster we were just not good enough all over the park we looked nervous even players that have been with us previous to this window
I'll be the first to hold my hands up I was wrong about Jedinak it showed lastnight how much we need him a natural defenceI've midfielder I taught up to last night he was just holding the team back with his bad passing but boy was he missed
Reading most of the posts here everybody seems to be pointing the finger at hutton how can anybody on here say amavi had a better game
Amavi was run ragged always out of position if it was true Liverpool offered £25m for we should have took the money and ran
We played to deep all night every time we lost the ball we just dropped deeper kodjia was so isolated all night 4-5-1 dosen't work unless u have midfielders running past kodjia
I think we have the squad now with hogan in that we can play an old fashioned 4-4-2
But will it be Lansbury and hourahan in beside Jedinak because after last night Jedinak will be the first name on the team sheet against forrest
Last night should have been 3 pts and I would have accepted a draw against forrest on Saturday but not nothing less than a win will do us I think I think it's 18 games left we will need to win maybe 12-14 of them

01 Feb 2017 16:20:23
We all know the likely outcome when villa are live on TV?
Surely we must win sometime.
The forest game is really massive and another defeat and poor display will not be tolerated by all fans!

01 Feb 2017 18:02:09
First and foremost can I congratulate the Dr and SB for the great business they have done during this transfer window.
With the players we now have surely we can field a side and stick with it.
Chopping and changing should now stop, we need a settled side who know when and where their team mates are and what they are doing?
Not sure if you all agree but I think we should adopt a 4-4-2 formation for a period of say 10 games, and force other sides to change their set ups to accommodate us.
Might surprise a few leaving Amavi out but he can`t defend at, in fact neither can Hutton, they were both shocking last night, Amavi will be off in the summer anyway.
My team and bench would be:
Johnstone
Bree
Chester
Baker
Taylor
Jedinak
Adomah
Hourihane
Lansbury
Kodjia
Hogan
Bench: Bunn, Elphick Bacuna, Bjarnason, Grealish, Green, Davis,

01 Feb 2017 19:24:20
Nice looks team we have there Dave

It's about time we played like one, because last night was road kill

For me Kodjia has been better coming in from the left so I would go for the same team but a 4-2-3-1 formation

With jedinak and hourihane holding . And when possible hourihane pushing up with Lansbury in the middle

01 Feb 2017 20:02:12
Trouble with that Ken is we would again be putting constraints on players, Hourihane is a central attacking midfielder that’s his roll and he is good at it, yes he can defend as well.
We must start playing people in their correct positions IMO.

01 Feb 2017 20:10:22
Who's playing left mid in that formation mate? Good idea but you've got 3 centre mids?

01 Feb 2017 20:23:34
VillaDave, that is our strongest and most likely to team you've picked, enough on the bench to change things up if we're closing out a game, or chasing it, fair play.

UTV

01 Feb 2017 20:24:47
Kodjia on the left chris

01 Feb 2017 20:30:30
I don't disagree Dave tbh, but jedinak's legs have gone when playing as a proper central midfielder .

He needs to sit deeper, infront of the back four

Maybe hourihane or Lansbury floating between

Problem is both Lansbury and hourihane are CM with a more attacking nature .

Maybe have Lansbury dropping back to aide Jedinak as Lansbury looks like he has a good engine .

01 Feb 2017 20:40:44
Landsbury can and does prefer to play in a more advanced roll “his own words”, he has stated that he likes to roam so I feel Landsbury left mid and Adomah on right.
Its only my opinion chris, obviously Jedinak would be the guy to break things up.

01 Feb 2017 20:42:06
So more a 451 than a 442?

01 Feb 2017 20:53:13
Where does the 5 come from?

01 Feb 2017 22:55:48
Think these messages have got confused on the way somewhere, I thought you said Kodja on the left? Don't think Lansbury out there would work as you said we need to play players in their positions. I like the team definitely the best on paper, I'd go 4231 with it though:

Johnstone
Bree Chester Baker Taylor
Jedinak Lansbury
Adomah Hourihane Kodija
Hogan

Taylor until amavis form improves
Jedinak in his natural position winning headers breaking play
Lansbury with the engine to get forward and back and brilliant passing
Adomah and Kodija providing the width with both of them cutting inside when needs be to support hogan.

Hourihane with that left foot that earnt him the move in his natural position
And hogan up top with runners everywhere for him.

01 Feb 2017 07:10:05
Gutted we didn't go for zak clough, gone on loan to forest, watch him fly, and hopefully we can nab him in the summer, miles and miles better then greene, rhm and all other youth players 'coming' through, the boys' got class, nous and spacial awareness to boot, and he's a team player with bottle, i hope we nab him in a few months, he is that good, period.

01 Feb 2017 10:35:46
He's also 21 and been playing first team since 19, how old are Green and RHM? Oh yea 19 and 18, silly comparison, see where they are in 2 years.

01 Feb 2017 15:05:51
Fair point, to a point, greene and rhm will still be flattering to deceive i believe;they won't be regular first teamers, they'll end up being loaned out, what i should have said more clearly (my hands up as guilty as charged guvnor) is our youngsters (and their not the only ones for sure) have this sense of entitlement, which they haven't earned yet.

i saw zak clough come on as a sub (i think he might have been younger then 19 but don't quote me! ), and he had no fear, the occasion didn't phase him and he played for the team, no trying to do something so he got noticed, he just cracked on, it was seemless, a bit like when rooney started playing for the toffees, just for the love of playing.

yes i'm jibba jabbering but honestly, the only think he hasn't got in his locker is blistering pace, but he makes up for that with being able to read the game and make intelligent runs, he reminds me of peter beardsley, but, that's just my opinion, and though i hate to admit it, i think him and mcshortfarce could strike up a very good partnership.

01 Feb 2017 09:23:08
After having time to calm down and think a question was put to me by a friend I want to ask you the same question? Has Aston Villa, been a poor team for so long now they don't know how to be successful again? Its been about 8 years now since we even competed are we so used to losing it don't hurt or matter anymore?

01 Feb 2017 10:36:55
Sounds silly but there's something about us, whole new team and we still are so fragile and don't know how to win. Brought in so many leaders and winners yet as soon as they put on that villa shirt it's the same old.

01 Feb 2017 15:09:58
We've got no leader at the back, its as simple as that, tony adams was rubbish when he first started playing for the arsenal, even their own supporters would call him a donkey, but george graham persisted with him because was a natural born leader, and that, in a nutshell is what we haven't got-unfortunately.

01 Feb 2017 07:50:10
Had time to calm down and think about last nights performance.
Too many changes in midfield for starters. Kodjia too isolated up front. Hutton is not good enough. It's clear Baker and Chester need a holding midfielder (Jedinak) in front of them, I don't know why though? I am worried about the midfield. Even when we had the ball we didn't do anything eith it. Brucie! No more apologies please. We want a team to be proud of. Some guts and fight would be good. I hope the new guys confidence doesn't suffer too much from last nughts debacle. I am worried though.
Fair play to Brentford they were best team I've seen this season in Championship.
UTV

31 Jan 2017 23:34:45
It amazes me how since kick off days at start of season I've been saying we need a big commanding centerback plus an experience keeper and everyone slated me. Now all of a sudden bruce is useless because he didn't bring in a centerback and the keeper we got ain't good enough???

Very annoyed at the amount of players we have missed out on or good players i really wanted us to sign that have signed for other championship clubs or crap prem team.

I prey to god that we are all wrong and next game these boys click and we start looking like a decent club

01 Feb 2017 08:57:02
Hi

Totally agree. But off top of my head I can't think of a cb who would want to come. I thought Tommy would do the job but hasn't. And goalkeepers me myself I would of gone for krul

01 Feb 2017 09:05:40
Can't read anywhere anyone saying anything about Bruce for not signing a centre back? You just making that up for effect? What players then? We've only gone and signed the most inform midfielder in the league? One of the best strikers in the league? Sorry if you wanted Iniesta and Messi but maybe now you can join us in the real world,