Woody1000

I'm really pleased with the start Phillippe has made to his Villa career. Sure he will make a few errors, but I'm confident that he will be a solid player for us, and prove to be great value for money.

To be honest, I'm a little concerned for Ashley Westwood right now. You would argue that on paper he doesn't get into our best 11, with Delph, Cleverley and Sanchez getting the no, but he has really stepped up his game during his time at VP. Don't forget that it was only 3 years ago that he was playing League 2 football. I imagine if he was playing for any other Premier League club, our fans would be clamouring for a player like him. I hope that he doesn't get lost in the shuffle, and that he steps up when he gets a chance. That can only be good for us as it means we've got the best players in the side.

See, that Southampton game that you mention sums Darren Bent up for me......Scored a goal, and then proceeded to do nothing else for the rest of the game which ultimately contributed to our defeat. We lost the game 4-1, but Darren scored our goal so he's justifying his place in the team right? That's what all his fans would say. I did not realise what a lazy player he was when he first joined the club, but after seeing game after game pass him by, I just can't stand seeing the guy in claret and blue anymore if I'm honest. Of course I don't blame him for earning the wage that he does, and I don't blame him for 'sitting on it'. It's just frustrating how poorly managed that our finances were back when it was handed out. Again, it just makes you think where we could be right now if things had been managed better financially from 2006, considering the money that has been put in during the last 8 years, but that's for another thread. I think Darren will be off to the MLS next year when his contract runs out, as I think that's the only place that he will earn anywhere near what he earns now as I can't see an English club offering him much.

I think that on the whole, we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves here....

Fair play to him I say. I hope that if he keeps up this form throughout the season, then he should be offered a new deal. We shall see how this pans out....

I don't see what's funny about it, just makes our fans look like morons. Hardly witty is it?

I'm not expecting anyone else in. I think we've had a decent window, I'm happy with who we've brought in and also that we've not lost anyone that we weren't happy to let leave. I suppose it's just me hoping that we can bring in someone exciting, just to give us a lift.

Well played Sir, well played!

Gutted that he's kept the team the same. No wonder Gabby has been playing like he has for such a long time, he always starts if 'fit'! Feeling really frustrated already!

He tends to pass sideways, doesn't take chances.So did Petrov..... So we will have two Petrov type players in Westwood and Cleverley? Sounds great. Nothing like adding something different.My point was that Petrov did just that and won poty. Would it be so bad if Cleverley was that player?

I think you'll find that he was injured for a large chunk of those 20 games he missed.

He tends to pass sideways, doesn't take chances. So did Petrov.....

I see a lot of posts, and get excited only to see it's stupid puns again!

Gabby makes me sad as a Villa fan. He will always be fondly remembered for the important goals he has scored for us (derbies, winner against Man U), but he just seems like he doesn't care anymore. I'm not sure whether he is carrying too much bulk, or is starting to lose his pace, but he just doesn't seem to offer anything to our side anymore. I find some of the comments on here about him to be nasty, and unnecessary, but I can understand that he has tried a lot of fans patience. It would make me sad to see Gabby in a different shirt next season, but there is no way that we could justify a new deal for him while he is playing the way he has for the last god knows how long. Who knows, maybe a change would be best for both parties? At the very least, a spell on the bench might do the trick.

The beard trumps everything....

Glad you had a good day pal, it's easy to take it for granted when you live locally!

I'm not sure how people could have realistically hoped for more having spent £7m which is a quarter of what Everton spent on one player this summer. I agree Trent, that's why I said some rather than I.

It's an improvement, just not as much of an improvement as some would've hoped. I'll take 4 points from the first 2 games, we haven't won the first 2 games for 15 years!

Just saw Leandro in BHX. Lovely guy, stopped for a couple of mins to chat. Said he loves it at the club, and will fight for his place. Was surprised to be recognised. Random, but thought if share.

Not the team I would've played, but can't blame Lambert for sticking with a winning team.

Maybe it's just what I've gotten used to these last few years, but I can see us losing today. I hope not as things have been quite positive the last couple of weeks with a couple of decent signings, the CEO appointment and last weeks unexpected win away at Stoke, but just got that sinking feeling. I would start Sanchez if he is fit, not sure who in place of though.

Will watch this loan deal with interest. I've not given up on Joe as a footballer, I just don't think he's a defender. I'm interested to see where Brighton will play him....

I've just got a feeling that he's staying. I would hope at the very least he is offered a new deal in the next couple of weeks, so we know where we stand, but I think he will walk for nothing next summer. If we do sell this summer, it must be £12m minimum to be able to buy a quality replacement.

Thats my post of the night!

Fantastic news! Fox has done an excellent job at Arsenal, but he probably feels that he is ready for a promotion role-wise. I agree with an earlier post (sorry, I forget who's post it was) that rather than a sign that he's taking the club off the market, I think this appointment is to help Randy sell the club. I think Fox will be an asset, great appointment!