Woody1000

I'd agree with every word of that. Good post!

I don't know what it is with CNZ, but the only time I've ever been impressed by him for more than one game in a row was for Wigan. Runs down blind alleys, bottles challenges, poor decision making generally. He's a luxury player, who we can't afford! (All IMO of course).

Fixed Nope. I hate their fans because I didn't hear them until they scored. They're champions and they didn't sing a word. They're plastic fans supporting a plastic club. Problem? Throw money at it. This really irked me as well. They were loud for the 8 mins plus injury time, giving it out to the fans in the North Stand. They just come across like a bunch of spoiled children at times.

Fair enough, each to their own. And I'm not your buddy, pal.

Who is "we"?It is a collective "we" as in Villa Talk posters. Right. There's no such thing in this case, the opinion is entirely my own.Ok then pal. I think YOUR opinion is a load of rubbish. He's good, perhaps he will be very good, but World Class? Not for me (not yet anyway). That's not to say he couldn't become a player of that standard, but it won't be in a claret and blue shirt.

Who is "we"?It is a collective "we" as in Villa Talk posters.

World Class? Better than Costa? Jesus Christ! We don't half love to jump to extremes on here. I suppose it depends what you define as World Class, but to me it means a player that would walk into any side in the world. Is he going to go on and win trophies elsewhere? Probably, but there's a reason that clubs haven't made a proper bid for him IMO - he hasn't done it consistently for us. His most consistent spell came in the second half of the 2012/13 season, but last year was very patchy (I do appreciate that he was playing through injury at times), and he needs a good season this year to avoid being labeled a one-season wonder. I don't want this to come across like I'm slating him, because I'm really not. I think he's a great player for Villa, almost definitely "too good" for us, but I think there is still a big gap between this and World Class.

We don't need to increase his wages until he proves that he is fit enough to last the season. I disagree. He is our only world class player and if we want to keep him we have to take a chance. If he proves himself worthy of a new contract then do you think we are the only ones who sees that? Thankfully you are not the one handing out contracts. Touch of the Martin O'Neills you have got there. I can see what you mean. But IF and that is a big IF we are ever going to claw our way back to the top, we need world class players. Due to the FFP we can't buy them so we need to find gems like Benteke and hold them for as long as we can. At some point we will be forced to sell him, but a that time we need crazy money for him. That is why I want to tie him up for at least one more year. It might cost us 10-15K more a week. That is 720K a year + the extra years wages that is 1 mill. In all less than 2 mill for a move that significantly strengthens our hand or gives us a year more of a world class player. Is that to big a gamble? I don't think so. Are you saying that he's world class?

I understand your point, but I can't see him signing a new deal unless there is a salary increase involved, and IMO last season's form hasn't justified that.

Can't wait to see him back on the pitch. We've really missed him, and I hope that his presence will give Gabby and Andi a bit more room up top as if on song I believe that is our best strike force with the 3 of them.

Thank God for that, the universe would implode if there were 2 Benteke's!

Ashley Westwood is the new Stilyan Petrov IMO. Polarises opinion, with both sides convinced the other "doesn't really know football" as they have a different viewpoint.

Which pubs in Brum will be showing the game?

I'm sorry, but you must be a Nose. Only a Nose would say such a thing!

I notice Roy Keane didn't catch it, he probably to it to get fecked!

I'm really pleased that we've put this to bed early. The haters will hate, they would still claim that PL has failed regardless of what is achieved this season! Just deals for the few players in their final year now, Vlaar is the key one as I'm 100% that Grealish will sign one, and 90% that Delph will also sign.

Well done to Alan for earning it, and well done to the club for giving him a new contract. Without wanting to go too off topic, isn't it just too much good news we've had since the summer? I could get used to supporting this sensible club.....

I thought to myself before the Liverpool game that I would be delighted with 4 points from the 4 games against last seasons Top 4 (that's a lot of 4's!), and I will stand by that despite the win at Anfield on Saturday. I think this Saturday's match is our opportunity for a point as I can't see us taking anything but an asskicking against Chelsea and City. If we can play as we did at the weekend, who knows we could bag all 3 points against Arsenal. That said, 10 points after 8 games would be a good return considering the fixtures, and we will hopefully have Benteke back by then. I know a lot of us, myself included, feared we could be bottom after 8 games, so our start to the season has been a nice surprise.

This. I am totally gay for our defence at the moment!

Loving it at the moment. I know the form and league position is only temporary, but the main thing is the dignity, and pride that we have shown. If we carry on like this, teams will no longer expect an easy 3 points from us which is all I really want - I try to keep 'realistic' expectations. What I would give to be in those big man hugs at the end of the games!

Great! I swear this sort of stuff only happens to us. We're going to be stuck with him now!

Got the away shirt yesterday as a birthday gift. Fair play to Macron, it is a beauty. I can honestly say as someone who wears all Nike football kit, that the quality of the Macron shirt is on a par. We have had some good away kits over the years, and it might just be because it's modeled on the '82 EC winning shirt, but I think it's the best one we've ever had. I even found that the Macron logo's on the shoulders actually improved it! This is all IMO of course.....

I don't understand this myth that if he plays for Ireland, then we'll stand more chance of keeping him. If he keeps playing well for Villa, the vultures will be around regardless of who he is playing international football for. If anything, we would get an inflated fee as an England international when he does eventually move on IMO.

Well done Gabby! Glad he's signed, couldn't give a toss really how much his weekly wage is. I don't think he'll ever be Mr Consistent for us, but still gives us moments to remember.

I'm sorry, but I just don't get the over-hype of Grealish. I'm not saying that he won't turn out to be a great player for us and beyond, but the lad has made a handful of appearances off the bench for us without scoring or creating a goal, and he's now the best young player we've had since Brian Little.... I suppose all I'm saying is let's wait and see. That said, I would be upset if he walked for nothing at the end of the season. No promising player should be allowed to do that!