Woody1000

Just thought I'd get in before the lock!! :-) Up the f***ing Villa!!!!!

Me too lol. To be honest, this is the reason that I think we will keep hold of him for at least another year. While there are games that he has been totally unplayable this year, games like yesterday showed that he's not quite ready for a big move just yet. As much as it pains me to say it, it is a matter of when, not if he leaves, but I don't think clubs would be willing to pay the sort of fee we would want for the big man until he's proven he's not a 'one season wonder'. The most worrying thing for me yesterday was the shove on Bassong, I've yet to see him lose his cool like that and it could get into the heads of Prem defenders that you can provoke him to lash out?

Wow, just wow! I think the thing that I was most impressed with tonight was how well we played once the players played with confidence. It was nice to watch a second half without shitting my pants, it feels like it's been a long time coming! Speaking of coming, I'm off to wank over the highlights.... Up the f***ing Villa!!!!

I can only see us getting 4 more points between now and the end of the season. As long as we avoid defeat at Wigan on the final day, then I think we'll stay up JUST. I just hope that we don't fall into the trap of thinking "we're safe" if we get 3 points tomorrow, as 37 is definitely ropey if that ends up being our final tally. I think Wigan are going to be taking the final spot, they're playing well at the moment but not getting the results - with the amount of games they've got coming up in a short space of time, for me it's just a matter of time before the performances drop to where they start losing games that they deserve to lose. UTV

He was dropped for an inferior player early on in the season when Bowery was on the bench while he was left out the squad completely.To be fair, we don't know what Bent's attitude in training had been like when he was left out of the squad. He may have been carrying a knock?

He's still got one more year left. I've no doubt we'll be paying him until 2014, no other P.L club who he'd get a game for will pay the wages he's earning with us.

We're 16th!

Is it ok to bring back the 'Disco Lambo' gif, or is he still in the doghouse?.......

Brad is POTS for me. Can you imagine how many clubs are kicking themselves that they didn't pick him up for nothing last summer? A fine example to any understudy/upcoming footballer about taking the opportunity when it's given to you, and make the shirt your own.

I think it's a bit early to cast too much judgement on the lad, but he hasn't disgraced himself anytime I've seen him play this season. I think next season will really be the test of what he's made of. Perhaps 6 months on loan to The Championship might do him some good?

I think the ideal scenario provided we stay up is to get one more year out of Benteke, he goes and have a great WC in Brazil, and then he goes to Real Madrid for £25m/£30m. As much as it pains me to say it, he's much too good for us already, and he's only going to get better. I just hope the lad is sensible, and decides to stay at a club for another year where the fans adore him, he gets regular football, and is helping him to develop. As crazy as it sounds, I'd have no objection as a fan if he was offered £60k per week - lets be honest, it's probably only going to be for another season!

Please tell me you're joking? That said that's your opinion and you're entitled to it, but I never really rated JPA - he wasn't a bad finisher, but was just too much of a fairy for my liking!

Giving a manager time doesn't guarantee success. Managers need to show that giving them time will lead to good things. Lambert has shown that already for me. Lets be under no illusions the guy inherited an absolute shambles. A team that had been on a rapid downward spiral for two seasons. That had spent around 90% of the previous two seasons in or just outside the relegation zone. A squad of players that contained a number of older players that seemed to have peaked 2 years previously and were now going through the motions happy to pick up there 30k - 50k a week wages for minimal effort, and a sprinkling of promising young players who lacked experience and didn't have the right role models with in the club to work alongside them and help them kick on. You can add into that mix the fact that he came into a club whose supporters had become increasingly disillusioned with attendances having rapidly declined. It was a total mess. To remedy the above he had a 17 mill net spend over the summer and whilst spending it he had to reduce the wage bill. It was never going to be enough to turn things around as he simply couldn't sign the numbers required whilst at the same time adding the proven quality we lacked. As time has gone on it has shown for that 17 mill net spend he made some excellent signings. Westwood and Benteke are real gems, Lowton and Vlaar look very good, Bennett has improved of late and looks to have potential and Bowery given the peanuts he cost, his age and the level he had played at has held his own when called upon. The only disappointment has been KEA but as I have stated previously when you are shopping in the bargain basement you are far more likely to sign the odd dud. Lets also not forget it was Lambert who went out and resigned Guzan who has been a revelation this season. Given the number of new players with in the club and their lack of experience alongside the young players he inherited it was always going to take time to mold them. To come up with a system that suited them. There is no doubting that he tried a number of systems that simply didn't work and for me he persisted with the 5 at the back for too long. However I am happy to forgive him that as he seems to have learned from it which is all you can ask. Overall for me Lambert has done well. Given the shambles he inherited, the money he had to spend in the summer and the lack of backing he received in January. I have been confident since I came out of Villa Park after we had lost to Newcastle that we would stay up. I saw a spirit and determination with in the players in that second half that convinced me we had enough about us to get us out of trouble. Lambert has instilled that spirit amongst these players. They have took far more kicks in the teeth and been under far more pressure than any young player should have to endure but they have dusted themselves down and come out fighting. It has made me a very proud Aston Villa fan watching them develop and see them give their all for us despite the numerous knocks along the way. As Lambert said yesterday we will be far stronger for the tough experiences gained this season and I dare say given he is a young and relatively inexperienced manger he included himself in that. With decent backing we have a very good future to look forward to under Lambert. He has laid some very good foundations this season both in terms of ability and the mentality he has instilled with in the squad and with the addition of 3 or 4 players over the summer, and I have no doubt Lambert will sign the right players, then we will really kick on next season. When the going got tough this season, and it has been really tough with battles still to be won, manager, players and fans have all come together. I'm personally excited by our future under Lambert and I think a lot of supporters are as there is a real unity about the club being built again and I'd advise any doubters to come join us. Great post Mark. I agree with everything there, especially around the 5 defender disaster - I think he has taken a hammering about that, but it's done now (and I don't think he'll try it again!). We're not out of the woods yet, but we have given ourselves a great chance to not only stay up, but also finish mid-table. Hopefully once Dunne, Ireland, Given etc are off the wage bill, we can bring in a few more experienced players this summer to integrate with some of the talented youngsters we already have! Feeling very, very positive today. Up the f***ing Villa!! Paul Lambert's Claret and Blue army!!

What like Napoli (sat 2nd in Serie A)?

Going to be optimistic, and go for a 2-1 defeat!

Wilshere overrated? Cleverley awful? Behave some of you! They're both miles and miles better than the mediocre players that our academy churns out!

I understand what you're trying to say Tinker, but with a goal difference as bad as ours I would prefer the 5-1 win!

Not meaning to bring negativity, but the thing that really pisses me off with a deal like this is that we've been crying out for a player like this (£1.75m fee, prob £20k wages), and we wait until 30th January to make it? After playing (and losing to) 2 of our relegation rivals at home, as well as missing out on a cup final. Who knows, he might turn out to be shit, but he's got to offer more protection to our defence than Barry **** Bannan right?

Click on the icon in the top right-hand side of the screen, then click 'Mark all as read'. That should solve your problem.

In light of these new 'revelations' re no money available, if we don't sign any players, then we're ****! I do not understand how we can be sat in the bottom 3, and not sign anybody in the January window. I know there is still time, but if we don't sign players and end up relegated, then I (and I'm sure a lot of others) will not spend another penny at this club until Lerner is gone.

Such a shame, what I'd give to have him in a villa shirt right now! Easily the best cb we've had since God!

How long have you been a Villa fan? Don't you know we're never happy!

For me, it was when we let Ethan Moore go - it showed that the club had no ambition anymore.

You have no evidence for this though right?

So does the fact that he hasn't been fired maybe show you that the decision making isn't all done by him?