MikeMcKenna

Enigmatic to the end. I don't pretend to understand Lerner's reference to Boetti's Mappa other than that possibly he is suggesting a new owner will reveal himself in time. But it doesn't sound like a takeover is in the offing to me. Of his work the "Mappa" Boetti said: "For me the work of the embroidered Mappa is the maximum of beauty. For that work I did nothing, chose nothing, in the sense that: the world is made as it is, not as I designed it, the flags are those that exist, and I did not design them; in short I did absolutely nothing; when the basic idea, the concept, emerges everything else requires no choosing." Alighiero e Boetti, 1974"

100% agree. What can N'Zogbia do that Gil can't? Probably a fair bit seeing that N'Zogbia is fit and Gil is injured. Wasn't injured all the time was he? Mostly warming the bench since "Tim Tictac" joined us 100% agree. What can N'Zogbia do that Gil can't? Probably a fair bit seeing that N'Zogbia is fit and Gil is injured. Wasn't injured all the time was he? Mostly warming the bench since "Tim Tictac" joined us

So Sherwood is immune to criticism?

I don't know about 'conspiracy theories' but their is no doubt imo that Gil is a game changer. After the last few games I am however no longer convinced that Sherwood is the manager to change our downward trend. There were too many weird selections today!

Spurs fans nicknamed him 'Tim Tactic' His tactics today and at Southampton were embarrassing. I hope he works it out for Wembley.

Today was Absolutely nothing nothing to do with Westwood and everything to do with Vlaar

Guzan made one mistake and was dropped undeservedly IMO. Given has had an easy time till today and when the pressure was on he looked very dodgy.

Went today and he was shockingly bad! Get rid!

At the game yesterday I wanted Gabby to replace him as I felt he was wasting opportunities or allowing forward play to break down, but in some ways I agree with you as Gabby has been doing much the same for several seasons. He has his moments, but not enough of them. That said I don't think either Gabby or N'Zogbia are the future and hopefully Sherwood will be looking for some new players.

Those quotes are from Gabby Seriously Iniesta's USP is close-ball control so good that it almost defies the logic and human eye. Grealish is like all the players we produce a punt and run merchant. I'm not saying he isn't a decent player, but comparisons to Iniesta are not only delusional but unfounded. Have you actually watched Grealish or only listened to the radio? He as far from a "punt and run merchant" as nearly anyone in the English game.

Normally I don't read the filth that is SHA forums, but I loved one of their morons references to Bournemouth: "My solution to the problem of 30th May is a Vintage Trains steam engine trip towards Bournemouth, whose football team I expect to come in with a cheeky bid for X' Benteke after the final." I don't have a second team as such but living in Bournemouth, I will always fondly remember the fact that they stuffed SHA 12-2 this season, starting with a home defeat of 0-8, then having taken a 0-2 lead the knuckle draggers lost it 4-2! SHA are embarrassing and a disgrace to the proud name of my home city. The council really should take action against their disgusting use of the city's name.

When I was a kid growing up in the sixties, "My eyes have seen the glory of the Villa win the cup" was THE Villa song for me. It was my favourite by far, unique and an immense source of pride. We were the famous Aston Villa and no other clubs supporters could lay claim to our record or sing these words. It still makes the hairs on the back on my neck rise when I think back to a glorious Villa Park belting the song out and ending with "And the Villa go marching ON ON ON!" Strangely as the years passed whilst still proud, I sang and listened to it with ever increasing regret. We used to look up to & respect all the older lads and men who had actually SEEN Villa win the FA cup. So much so that I could not sing "My" or "We" and used to sing "Their eyes" and "They are the chosen few". Come 81-82 (?) when Spurs won their 7th, the song had come to an end we could no longer sing "no-one else can catch us"

That's very funny. "He EVEN attended the QPR game this season"

Great performance for the last 75 minutes, shame about the result. Deserved at least a point. Delph MOTM. Grealish getting better all the time.

John I think you are being too kind. I don't know any "true" Villa fan who could make such a mistake. That he may "prefer" Villa due to the Dugdale family connection I accept, but his remarks show him to be A fraud. Happy to be considered as being "too kind" Mike. His late uncle took him to Villa Park and he has been a fan or had a preference for us over other football clubs in the years since then. I would see him as more of a fan than say Tom Hanks for example but less of a fan than both of us by some very considerable distance. He has said a lot about us in the past that was positive and that outweighs this one off remark for me. But I trust we can agree to differ on how serious this slip up is in the grand scale of things Mike. John, You are right that in "the grand scale of things" it is of little significance but anything negative against the Tories suits me. I have little time for any celebrity supporters but particularly dislike his affected support even more :-)

John I think you are being too kind. I don't know any "true" Villa fan who could make such a mistake. That he may "prefer" Villa due to the Dugdale family connection I accept, but his remarks show him to be A fraud.

DDID Simply as was reported and in the context of his speech. He also said “We are a shining example of a country where multiple identities work." Obviously he has at least a dual identity when it comes to football, depending on where he is speaking. Next week when he's "up north" I assume he will say "Of course, I'd rather would rather you supported Burnley/Scuntorpe" I understand it is part of his new identifying with the locals strategy.

It has always been a great source of embarrassment for me that David Cameron claimed to be a Villa fan but he has now shown himself up for the fraud that he is. During a speech to ethnic minorities talking about diversity in South London yesterday he said: "Where you can support Man Utd, the Windies and Team GB all at the same time. “Of course, I’d rather you supported West Ham.” He later claimed to have had a "brain fade". Load of bollox - he is a fraud!

F*** the Arsenal, F*** the Arsenal will hopefully be sung loud and clear on 30th May. We have waited too long to win a major trophy and a victory could start us on the long road back. Before I left Wembley I looked up towards where they present the FA Cup and imagined Delph lifting it towards the Villa end having witnessed a storming Villa display with Benteke bagging a brace and Grealish scoring his first FA Cup goal. I got goosebumps just thinking about it!

For a nineteen year old playing against Liverpool in the semi-final of the FA cup it was a hell of a composed performance. In fact with just 13 appearances and four starts it was an incredible display of his talent. It is absolutely critical that we stay up and next season add more talent to compliment; Grealish, Delph and Benteke. The club must resist all offers in the summer for these three as with them we have the potential to build a great team.

funniest songs I heard in the Liquor Station pub after the game: Don't cha wish your girlfriend was Benteke Don't cha wish your girlfriend was Benteke Don't cha Don't cha Followed closely by, to the muppets tune of Mahna Mahna Fabian Delph Do doo bee-do-doo Fabian Delph Do do-do-doo Fabian Delph Do doo bee-do-doo bee-do-doo bee-do-doo bee-do-do-doodle doo doo do-do-doo Went on and on for ages

Definitely. On his day, Sanchez is better. But that day is every now and then for Sanchez, and the rest of the time he can be awful. Westwood is way way more consistent. No he shouldn't be a certain starter these days. But today showed that he is still a very valuable member of the squad, and talk of letting him leave is premature, imo. Personally I would stick with Westwood, Cleverly, Delph, Grealish. They seem to fit well together - Sanchez is too much of a liability Imho.

Yes that was sublime. Gif doesn't really do it justice, I was about 30 yards away, it was a fantastic take and control. He really did have a brilliant game. He has a good footballing brain and is playing a very controlled game. A couple of times I would have liked him to take a pop but sense he has been told not to be rash and that his first goal will come soon.

I have been saying for a long time that if he can get further forward and into the box he is capable of scoring as he knows how to lose the defender and today he did it!! Delph has great feet as does Grealish. They played really well together. I am feeling more optimistic about our current midfield.

Finally changed my mind about Sherwood today. He is clearly getting the best out the squad, we are playing good football and his enthusiasm is infectious.