Judging by the crowd, which was around 23,500 minus 6,000 Citeh fans, it seems that my appreciation of the FA cup isn’t shared amongst the Villa fans in general.
It’s totally understandable that many didn’t bother to turn out though, as there have been a lot of games to pay for over the last few weeks and the over-riding feeling was always that we didn’t have much of a chance in the game.
I didn’t expect us to lose 4-0 though and welcome to what you’re going to see on a regular basis Mr Lerner; massively reduced crowds and the loss of merchandise sales that will go with it. I suppose Fox might actually start to be concerned about that latter point.
Never has the saying “you reap what you sow” been more apt, to my mind.
As for the game, I took part in a genuinely terrifying 6 mile Goan kamkikaze taxi run to try and see it.
We got to the biggest sports bar in the area, only to find that the game wasn’t being shown anywhere and we had to settle for the Arsenal game.
Which gave me the right hump, although I took great solace in the fact that the Burnley fans easily outnumbered the Arsenal contingent and were making a lot more noise too.
So, in short I can’t comment on what happened apart from what I’ve read.
Which is that we offered nothing up front.
I didn’t realise Gestede and Kozak were still injured, but it explained my surprise that Gabby started.
Which shows how desperate Garde must have been, after telling the player that he wasn’t wanted.
I know Gabby got a warm welcome and it’s understandable after his playing for us and being “one of our own” for so long, but to me he’s now become a typical example of what’s so wrong at the Villa.
The player is contracted to the club for another two and a half years at around £65,000 a week.
Quite simply unbelievable, although in fairness, maybe his pace might be some use next season. If he can actually get a game.
Am I the only one who’s wondering why on earth it seems our only incoming player is going to be a right back, in Debuchy, when it’s plainly obvious we need a striker who can put the ball in the net and a bit of quality to actually supply him?
I know we’re cutting back, but surely it borders on total negligence to not at least try and improve the side?
Unless of course, you think what we currently have is going to be good enough for the championship.
So while it seems many aren’t bothered about last night’s result, I’m disappointed that we’re out of the cup.
There’s only one thing to look forward to now.
And it isn’t good.
Wouldn’t surprise me if after the transfer window has closed the board announce that they have all been given pay-rises!!
More likely they’ll come out & say funds will be made available to the manager in the summer to bolster the squad.they’re a bunch of LIEING bastards
I haven’t been able to understand why we have been in for Debuchy- Hutton and Richards are right backs.
But today Sunderland are in for Richards – it could make sense.
Villa get some money and a high earner off their books and Debuchy is only on loan.
To me this proves Hollis is either preparing already for the championship or HE IS ASSET STRIPPING AHEAD OF A SALE. The latter i think is more likely.
Lerner will pocket the parachute payment.
Us fans (customers) are insignificant to the owner and board.
That’s a good point Steve. I reckon you’re spot on regarding the asset stripping and sale in the summer.
We are down anyway and Lerner will no doubt pocket the parachute money, or a percentage of it along with the other board members.
If it meant Lerner and the whole board fucking off in the summer I’d take all the asset stripping they can manage.
PS, No doubt the new kit deal will be used as a massive selling point to any interested buyer.
We’ve stuck a 10 mil price tag around Richards neck SSN, we could well be cashing in before the drop.
Good if he won’t play right back then bin him off
I would cause he’s shite.
Sky talking about the transfers at the clubs at the bottom: “Let’s leave Aston Villa aside, the other four clubs…”
We ain’t even worth the airtime….
Other clubs who have a similar financial footing to us are investing respectable sums in new players. We’re looking at players who can’t even make the bargain bin. A relatively modest £8m sum compared to our loans and retirement home options. Lerner is a true bastard. The Browns fans warned us this would happen. We have such a bunch of greedy calculating idiots running the show we will struggle in the Championship. If they can’t see what it takes to run an ELP club, why should they fare better in what os meant to be an even more competitive league.
It’s all deliberate now Bum Bum Lerner wants us down he will asset strip club and pocket the 100m or most of it anyway. Then will just concentrate on us staying in championship that’s it. Pointless ever supporting them again imo the club has been run into the ground and I think it’s deliberate imo
Why would he do that? He could pocket the SKY money anyway.
I think you flatter him Oohah, he’s never been a man with a plan, it’s his sheer incompetence that’s got us into our present state and any financial gain will (imo) be by accident rather than design.
Pat Murphy BBC says –
“Remi Garde admits it’s disappointing to lose out on his two main targets – goalkeeper Lovre Kalnic through work permit problems and Seydou Doumbia, who chose to join Newcastle on loan.
“He admitted Villa’s league position was relevant in Doumbia’s case and that the club were surprised Kalnic’s application was turned down by the FA.
“Matthieu Debuchy will not be joining from Arsenal who wanted a permanent transfer while Villa just wanted a loan deal.”
Oh well that’s it then. Shortest deadline day I can remember.
The club surprised that Kalinic work permit refused – so our esteemed Board can’t even figure out or establish beforehand what the rules are! No wonder we’re in deep sh*t
We should have gone for Stuart Pearce. We would have had a chance.
As a player? Mind you at 53 he’s still probably got more about him than the rest of the shower down at VP.
Yes. He has just signed for Longford AFC as a player at the age of 53. The worst team in England
Go get him and Carragher and Vidić we could become Dads Army of football…
“We’re doomed!”
Hope to read this tomorrow morning
Remi garde ordered taxi at1201 am on 2 nd Feb after first calling fox and telling were he can stick his job
If garde stays fans will have no respect for a fox puppet and it is going to get really ugly at villa park worse than McLeish at Bolton match
What need for Reilly alstad now fox can make savings there
Pitchforks at the ready.
Hollis is an expert in restructuring companies in trouble which effectively means cutting costs and maximising capital receipts then looking for new investors with a much smaller and profitable business on offer. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Lerner / Hollis are not interested in the success of Aston Villa as football side but as a disposable business. If you think it’s bad now, wait until the summer transfer window when I predict the team will be dismantled with cheap and cheerful replacements and Lerner bailing out with £200m of which only £50 – £75 will come from a sale. He also restructured his equity / debt ratios which will improves his tax position and will probably leave him with useable tax losses.
This is a very sad time for Villa fans and I fear it will be even worse than the events of the 60’s. We could be witnessing the beginning of the long term demise of a truly great club.
Thanks Randy.
What was it he called himself the Shunammite?
Or in Dudley anagram U AM A SHITE.
Hitchen
Cheap and cheerful
Cole sendross were free transfers we had to pay to get rid off
Crespo helnius tonev were cheap had to pay to get rid off
Ilor was only on loan no appearances yet 1.5 m
My god Lerner is a cnut
Garde has come out and said on video that neither Richards or Lescott are leaving in this window. We shall see. If they go then we know for certain that the manager is overruled by the board and they are only interested in cashing in now. If that were to be the case then I hope that Garde has the integrity which I believe he does to resign.
Garde resigns.. then what??
I don’t trust the edit in charge..
They have well and truly shafted us in this window.. not to sing anyone is a complete and utter disgrace.. it’s CRIMINAL..
Lerner is a edit.. simple.
*sign
Pundits on Sky thankfully saying it as it is. Lerner not interested. No focus or ambition. No leadership no money. No nothing.
Just watching SSN. They started discussing Villa. When the presenter said ‘Now what about Villa, they haven’t signed anyone and are bottom’, the other presenter laughed.
Sums up AVFC.
Yep it does
Aston Villa are unlikely to make any Deadline Day signings according to manager Remi Garde.
“The situation of the team at the bottom of the table was not something easy to deal with for new players but it’s not the only reason.
“It was also a financial problem but it’s not my job to explain that again. Probably the club realise mistakes have been made in the past and they didn’t want to do it again.”
“I am disappointed because I know I represent this big club. I am not coming in front of the fans with good news. I always said I will not run away.”
If Garde doesn’t walk he needs shooting. The club are hanging him out to dry. I don’t believe any fan would blame him one bit if he walked. I actually hope he does because he conducts himself very well and doesn’t deserve this.
Don’t blame him either
Sell to buy in the summer.
Bloody hell. Man Citeh’s treatment of Pelligrini has hit a new low. Decent bloke. Consummate professional. Great track record and second in the league.
Pep or not, appalling way to be treated…
Agree appalling treatment
Garde has tried his best.
Just no backing from above.
He has been used by the board.
Anyone know our net spends over the past 4 seasons ???that’s both Windows.
I think it’s measured in buttons Giddy.
Giddy according to Vital they are –
12/13 – £23m
13/14 – £16.5m
14/15 – £9m
15/16 – £7m
Interesting someone also posted this “I’ve just reworked the figures for the Lerner Years as follows:
In = £282,400,000
Out = £164,350,000
Nett Spend = £118,050,000
But of that spend £83,200,000 was on Martin O’Neills watch. So only £35m since then!
http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=61332&start=1
CHEERS MATE chicken feed over the past few years,most clubs even struggling spends these amounts on 1 player.I wish I hadn’t asked it makes my blood boil.
The stupid long term contracts that were given out to average players under O’Neil and Mcleish is what has done us.
LERNERs nett spend he’ll get back in 1 lump sum at the end of the season from the TV revenue won’t he??