The Aston Villa Thread

[BBJ]

Anyone else willing to admit to being a Villa supporter?
There's plenty going on around the Birmingham 6 club these days what with Martin O'Neill jumping ship and the team shipping a mind-boggling six against Newcastle and being knocked out of Europe the same week.
I see a season of decline ahead and how steep that'll be will depend on whoever lands the manager's job at the club.
The right manager will keep the Villa safe even if it ends up as being midtable mediocrity but pick the wrong'un and a flirt with relegation might well ensue.
Even if MON had taken Villa as far as he could (and I think he probably had), he's still a hard act to follow and I'm not sure if there is anyone available who can move the team to the next level up.
Exciting albeit not very comfortable times!

 

[UpYaBoya]

I'm not a Villa supporter but would like to see them do well, they've always had an Irish contingent.
Houllier is linked with the job, ye could do worse.
He'd sort out the defensive side of things and could win ye a Cup.

 

[stevetharlear]

Houllier FFS. Villa have a decent side there at the moment, decision on manager is crucial, as you say, the difference between top 8 and bottom 6.

 

[daithi81]

Houllier, McDonald, Staunton.

Quality.

 

[BBJ]

Houllier, McDonald, Staunton.

Quality.

Two of those three are the boys who gave us Cyprus 5 Ireland 2....
I'm not convinced!

 

[juanpablo]

I welcome Houllier to VP if he accepts the job, he is a better manager then Sven or Curbs and he saw for himself what a cunt David Ginola is so he's ok in my book. However i hope he doesn't bring that scouse twat Phil Thompson with him.

 

[handydocket]

was reading that if houllier comes in then friedel & warnock are going to be well pissed off both have had issues with him b4. so it may not be so cut and dry i mean friedel prob carries a fair bit of clout at VP at this stage and he`s a yank so wouldn`t put the house on the houllier thing working out, what about toshack entering the running? he`s done with wales.

 

[Philby]

I wouldn't question Houllier's ability as a manager but if I was a Villa fan I'd be a little nervous about appointing a 63 year old with known health issues.

Houllier is a workaholic and will put in whatever it takes to get the job done but I'd worry about what effect it might have on his health.

He is a good tactician, has premiership and CL/UEFA cup experience, is well respected around Europe and given he hasn't had a full-time managerial role for a few years is likely to have a far more up to-date and extensive knowledge of european players than your generic curbishley, o'leary types.

Phil Thompson stepped in and coped admirably in Houllier's enforced absence but Villa would do well to hold on to MacDonald who knows the club/players/league well and will be hungry to take on a more prominent role than he had under MON.

Dr. Jo gives him the thumbs up...

Venglos said: "I am sure that Aston Villa and Gerard Houllier are right for each other. It is a very good, well-run football club and Gerard is an excellent, experienced coach so they will work well together."

He added: "He has very good contacts and I know him well through my involvement with UEFA and FIFA.

"I have met him many times and I respect him very much. He has shown his qualities in different countries. I think he will do a good job."

 

[BBJ]

Villa would do well to hold on to MacDonald who knows the club/players/league well and will be hungry to take on a more prominent role than he had under MON.

Dr. Jo gives him the thumbs up...

Venglos said: "I am sure that Aston Villa and Gerard Houllier are right for each other. It is a very good, well-run football club and Gerard is an excellent, experienced coach so they will work well together."

He added: "He has very good contacts and I know him well through my involvement with UEFA and FIFA.

"I have met him many times and I respect him very much. He has shown his qualities in different countries. I think he will do a good job."

I think that Big Mac has so far done a great job with the stiffs and I hope he'll continue to do so. There's such a think as being promoted to the level of your own incompetence.
Doctor Jo! - ah, yes, the bouncing Czech himself who turned Villa from being title contenders to relegation candidates in just one short season. Let's hope he's better at punditry....

 

[cornhole]

Born and bred Villain!! I'd like toshack. Don't think hoolier is fit enough for the job at hand. Steven Ireland also needs a good root up the backboiler. Aggy and our ashley also need a good funting as well!! Only for petrov we'd be shagged .Randy also needs to spend a few bob. Should have bought doyler when they could.