maqroll

Also, scrutinizing Lo Celso and questioning whether or not he'd be a good fit for Villa is what we SHOULD be doing now. We need to start thinking like we aren't struggling old Villa, satisfied with signing Coutinho just because of the name. Villa are at a level now where we should turn down Messi , in all honesty. Just like Man Utd should never have re-signed Ronaldo.

I'm certain nobody on here wants to undermine Purslow in any way. Most of us understand that he's a valuable asset to the club on the whole. I think the primary thing that bothers (or bothered) people about Purslow is (was) his sentimental, ill conceived hiring of Gerrard and how it stunted our progress to the point of being near the drop zone in November. Just a reckless appointment that might have been catastrophic had Emery not rescued us.

Fair **** play to them. If we're to lose out to any side, let it be them. The crazy thing is is that they will do really well in Europe!

You're right, that was a misstatement. It is pure speculation on my part.

This ain't looking good

No quotes, just deductive reasoning that could very well be flawed. But the way Sawiris axed Gerrard in person, at Fulham, just minutes after the game and his solo meeting with Emery makes me think he reached the point where he decided to take matters into his own hands.

Blue Moon is such a shit anthem

I think maybe by virtue of Emery's brilliant start and the fact that Sawiris completely bypassed Purslow to bring Emery in himself after Purslow's catastrophic Gerrard experiment. I suspect Emery only answers to Sawiris, but if it came down to Sawiris wanting to sack Emery, he'd have Purslow do it.

I have mixed feelings about a Villa MLS venture. It would give Villa a foothold here and a direct pipeline to American and Mexican players, an in-house loan setup, and marketing opportunities for the mother club. But I don't like MLS, because it is stifling the development and growth of grassroots club football. MLS refuses to consider merging with lower leagues in a promotion/relegation system which would allow smaller clubs opportunity and hope that would drive fan interest. (Wrexham's journey is keenly followed here) Obviously owners love the exclusive franchise model but outside the MLS cities, clubs and fans are really frustrated.

I really hope Chelsea struggle to recruit the players they want and struggle to offload their deadwood and just fart around at midtable all season long. I have a feeling it won't end well with Pochettino.

I think we will see Buendia on the bench more next season along with McGinn, Ramsey and maybe Luiz too.

We are so superior to them it's ridiculous. What a nice feeling to watch that game sort of breeze by as we kicked the ball around in their half. It's so nice to be better than Tottenham and Chelsea.

@OutByEaster? You mentioned the interesting power dynamics in play with the board. I'm fascinated by how this might play out. All of a sudden there are a lot a cooks in the kitchen. Purslow ceded a decent chunk of power the day Emery signed. The entire Gerrard fiasco and Emery's incredible success has surely knocked Purslow down a few pegs. Enter Alemany who seems like a big personality who has come to Villa with assurances of money and power. And now Heck. I think the power structure is Emery Alemany/Purslow Heck Lange I think it's possible that Lange gets squeezed out or leaves of his own volition. I think NSWE need Purslow to guide the North Stand rebuild and Villa Park related business. I don't expect him to be involved in player acquisition and transfer negotiations going forward. That'll be Alemany's exclusive area. I could see Lange being useful to Alemany but for how long? Looks like Heck is the guy to market the Villa brand and increase Villa's profile in North America and Asia. The NBA has a massive presence in China and Heck will be familiar with the process for clubs to push into that market. Looks like the MLS deal is looking dicey now, but Heck would likely be heavily involved in any other projects with MLS and V Sports.

Hanging on for dear life with that hair, bless him.

Do you guys think I'm a bad person if I'd rather Villa NOT play in the Europa Conference next season?

So 5th and 6th get Europa League?

He made a brilliant pass in his few minutes last week. He's obviously raw and will likely be loaned out, but this time with the first team will put him in good stead. He'll have been getting valuable mentoring from some of our model pros and tutoring from Emery and co. He'll do well in the Championship and I can't wait to see it.

So only the 5th place team makes Europa League, and 6th gets Conference while 7th gets nada?

A good showcase for scouts..

I think his Villa experience has probably been humbling for him. Came in with big hype, scored a screamer on his debut, but then just failed to launch. He needs a new club and maybe a new league, but definitely a fresh start, and he's still young so he can rebound from this. I hope he has success.

That settles it then. We shall look elsewhere!

Ouch

Big result for Chelsea

Reliably awful fans, Leeds have. Yeah, I'd like them to go back down.

Curtains for Ward-Prowse at Saints. He will make Saudicastle all the more formidable.