Or, as is more likely, a whimper?
Well, here we are, with the ultimate game of a truly shocking season.
I normally get a bit down when we get to the last game, as there’s no Villa to watch for the next couple of months, but I’m sure I won’t be alone in just wanting this one out of the way.
And they don’t come much tougher than Arsenal at the Emirates, do they?
We have a terrible record against the Gunners, but there have been the odd victories, mostly at the Emirates.
Who can forget Gabby’s goal in a 2-0 victory, in the days where he was actually a threat?
It seems worlds away.
There was also the 3-1 victory, although that was a major, but welcome surprise.
Not that I expect similar today.
Arsenal have Welbeck out, but Wilshere might start after breaking his leg.
Cissokho is available after his suspension and Gestede may be ok after his groin problem.
Hutton and Clark are both doubtful.
As I said, I didn’t see much of last week’s game, but I was encouraged that we seemed a bit more resolute and were trying.
Hence I’d like to think that we might put up a decent display.
But Arsenal have a lot more to offer than Newcastle and they are still playing for the runners-up position, so we can’t expect them to take it easy.
A 3-0 loss sounds about right then.
In other news, we’re apparently close to being taken over.
Hmm, maybe, but I very much doubt it’ll be by the Rui Kang group; or more accurately, I seriously hope not.
It seems they don’t actually have the money to buy the club, but that didn’t stop the Glazers buying Man Utd, did it?
How on earth they managed to get away with buying the club with basically it’s own money, I don’t know, but they did and while they’re about to become the biggest earning club in the world, so they also have massive debt levels.
That’s definitely not a model I’d like to see at the Villa.
I’ll watch the game in a pub today, as I’m in the last couple of days of a short holiday in Turkey.
Which reminds me. I made a comment on here yesterday, where I thought Flores’ sacking was a joke.
It went into moderation because of the different IP address and I couldn’t do anything about it, as I was using my phone.
Which hopefully helps demonstrate that it’s not just you lads who get pulled up.
Comments
156 responses to “Arsenal – Villa: Going down with a blaze of glory?”
Quique Sanchez Flores now, please God not Pulis!
If that’s true about Pulis then shows new owner just want promotion and survival and that’s it
Slightly off topic but Keith wyness is being touted as the man taking point on the Chinese consortiums bid – the Birmingham Mail have stated he will likely be the CEO should that takeover be completed
Here is his wiki page
To me he looks like a man who knows what he is doing as a CEO?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Wyness
Not another blooming Scot!
Ohah
Don’t forget Villa’s greatest achievements were under a Scot – George Ramsey!
True but we’ve been jinxed by them ever since 🙂
Andy Gray, Des Bremner, Alan Evans, Ken NcNaught…..
Wyness looks to me to have edited his own Wiki page. In many respects he just looks like another Tom Fox. Maybe that’s just the cynic in me.
Think so DS (bit cynical) but understandable. The big difference is that Wyness has been a successful CEO in a premier league club; Fox has only ever been a commercial man.
Can’t argue that Everton did OK when he was there. His exit was very sudden and never really explained. He was the driving force behind their plans to move to Kirby. Supposedly Philip Green was in the mix there. Trust no-one Hitchens!!
OK – setting aside OoHah’s normal despair (nice to see you back on here mate) and the ‘annual ST renewal spin’ IF what is being reported is accurate then I’m cautiously optimistic.
I believe there are real negotiations taking place over a sale and to a Chinese consortium – not a single Chinese investment company – so I think we can rule out Rui Kang. I also believe that press have a good idea who it is but have agreed not to prejudice matters by naming them – so on the other side of the coin Hollis is feeding tit bits of information with all parties agreement.
We’ve been crying out for a football CEO and Keith Wyness ticks all the boxes for me – and I don’t care where he was born!
Now we just have to hope that Hollis can close the deal without Lerner bo***xing it up at the last minute.
Oh – and I don’t think for a minute that Pullis is the targeted manager. I still believe it’s Pearson but he’s playing hard to get because of the Middlesbrough scenario. Di Matteo – no idea!
But I could be wrong on all counts! Bl**dy frustrating!
Wyness was previously involved with super rich UAE Sheiks. There was some speculation over them being behind a takeover of Everton a number of years ago. Another chancer in a suit looking to get rich on a football club.
That has been my fear all along. The cheaper Villa gets the more likely it is to happen.
Then again it’s probably all bo!!ocks
reading the mail article it said Wyness worked well with Moyes.
still rudderless i see no rush, who the fook decided on the contracts for the youth players recently released and those that got extensions. also isn’t it the manager that usually decided on pre seasons training camps, friendly games etc.
Presumably KMac and Sid?
Another one bites the dust, Bevington gone.keep it going Villa , only another two dozen to go.
Reading what Bevington said, he said he told Hollis he was only going to be there till the end of the season. So didn’t really bite the dust.
Bevington’s departure statment also seems to confirm that Hollis IS in the middle of serious negotiations to sell the club – as opposed to the claims on here that the ‘sale’ is just another season-ticket-time story.
Now let’s hope that Lerner doesn’t throw a spanner into the works, and of course that the prospective buyers actually have real backing and a proper development plan…
Lerner won’t screw it up, he wants out quicker then fans want him out. I also don’t take many negative comments about how this is solely for season ticket sales seriously. According to the Birmingham Mail they’re also close to go into the fit and proper test which will say it all if they’re ready.
“Lerner won’t screw it up” Ha ha ha ha ha…Who needs breakfast when you read such hilarious comments as that? It’s certainly set me up for the day.
Derp, why would he screw it up if it gets him away from the club? Honestly… Lets actually think about this for a second.
Screwing things up seems to be his way of doing things. But then I wouldn’t expect you to see that being as you’re so opinionated. Andrews right or no one is right mentality. 🙂
Just seemed logical that he wouldn’t screw it up wanting out. Now are we claiming he’s going to screw it up by not selling, or selling to the wrong people? Because the latter I don’t think he cares about, he just wants out. The former won’t happen as he really, really wants out.
And his desire to get out is what is most likely to screw it up. Only not for himself but for the fans.
I wouldn’t blame him if he sold to just anyone to get out.
I wonder what the odds are for Villa not to play a match in the Championship on the opening day? Or for the club to start with the same squad of players and a caretaker manager?
The story line from B6 right now does not add up to new owners new manager and new players ready to go on day 1.
Watching Derby – Hull. No one should be under any misapprehension about how difficult promotion will be.
Weimann buzzing around and with some skill. How we could have done with his enthusiasm – he would have tried his heart out.
Oh yes the score 0-2 Derby so 3-2 Hull on aggregate and still in first half.
weimann was wasted playing for us , he hardly ever was played in his natural position. i wish him all the success he deserves it
the french imports may leave, if villa accept reduced transfer fees. but i reckon we will retain a lot of the misfits in the current squad.don’t hate me for saying this, i want them all out but which club,but who would seriously sign bacuna
we keep reading the same thing, takeover soon end of day week month,manager will follow, but what if this doesn’t happen. Doesn’t bear thinking about, we could be seeing the end off the greatest club.
iam tired and fed up need some green shoots need some good news from VP
As a Villan just look at hereford fc.
One day down trodden next winning their league and a trip to Wembley.
My glass is half full not empty…bbut i am pissed lol
A host of dutch sides would take Bacuna, he’s really not that bad. A majority of fans hate him for his comments. We won’t likely sell the misfits on for cheap either. Have you witnessed some of the Championship price tags? Price tags are high in the Championship and we’re still going to be by far the best club off. Financials won’t be a problem.
Bloody hell, I nearly shit my pants just now.
I forgot to renew the domain or something and couldn’t see the site!
Hopefully all is ok now.
I was going to post something, but work, after coming back from a brief holiday, has overtaken things.
Bear with me and I’ll try and add something later.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36318889
This might be the most balanced and informative article so far on Villa sale. It’s interesting that the BBC refer to a Chinese businessman rather than consortium which takes us back to an earlier rumour about a Chinese billionaire (can’t recall his name).
Consistency of reporting would suggest a sale is a real possibility to the Chinese with either Pearson or Di Matteo as manager and Wyness as CEO.
Maybe his name is Cha Ching?
Paper talk now of a deal for £60M in next few days to a Chinese businessman. Oh dear. Am I the only one who doesn’t see this as fantastic news? If it’s true we are well into the realms of being a fantastic punt for someone who sniffs a killing.
If Lerner is that desperate to get rid he will sell to anyone. A prospective new owner can give all kinds of assurances to Lerner about investment, good intentions etc. Once he owns the club he can do what he wants.
We could easily get the next Carson Yeung.
As per Pat Murphy’s piece on the BBC website, I can see why Lerner might have to settle for £60m: anyone coming in will need to spend a fortune on new management and players, so better they put the money there than back into Randy’s trust fund.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-takeover-update-steve-11350371
Latest update on sale. I think it’s safe to conclude this is not about ST sales 🙂
Let’s hope it’s not another carsem yeung
Is it a consortium or a businessman?? Who are buying us
hmmm why is Hollis over there, not them in Brum – Not another absent owner/s please !!
Giddy – BBC say ‘businessman’ whereas other reports say ‘consortium’. If Hollis us in China then hopefully it’s not Rui Kang who are based in Hong Kong. I don’t think the press actually know who it is.
I think it could well be Rui Kang, as no other party from that neck of the woods was rumoured – but hey ho what do I know !
Wang Jianlin was just a month ago. He’s a businessman. Doubt it’s true but none of the well respected sources claim it’s Rui Kang, just that it’s a far eastern consortium.
https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13267913_927094284070308_8538646181438617193_n.jpg?oh=222d9e0ead9b58e368213b81090a4050&oe=57E51C0B
Collymore thinks it’s done. Sky Sports reporting Hollis in China, Chinese media reporting it’s agreed.
I assume Collymore, Sky and the Chinese media are, along with everyone else connected with AVFC, awaiting for conformation from yourself? No doubt you will have all the information available that the media and fans are awaiting.
You’re clearly wasted appearing on a fans forum like this.
For the last few months [at least] Collymore seems to have had his finger on the pulse at Villa more than just about anyone else.
Wherever he’s getting his information, so far he’s been pretty well on the nail…
He’s probably been getting his info off Andrew. 🙂
I think I upset someone… Sad sad.
What’s everyone’s thoughts on di matteo being our new manager of true. I’m not sure either way
Stubbs – Andrew is only sharing what’s appearing in the media same as I am. Nobody is trying to an ITK – far from it. Check it out at Newsnow
On this occasion, I’ll stand by Andrew. Reports are leaking out via Chinese press…
You haven’t upset me Andrew. I just don’t like Yanks. 🙂
If it’s the group being reported in the Chinese media I’m not too sure whether it’s good or bad! Done a little financial research and it’s main products are seasoning! Oh well I suppose it will spice up our lives for a few weeks if nothing else!
Seriously their revenues have fallen by about a third and last year they reported losses of around US$ 85million although previous years were profitable. They appear to be looking for diversification away from their core business.
Oh well c’est la vie
what av i missed ???????? sounds like we are close, reading your posts. can i crack open my sparkling water
Not yet mate – I’d wait and see who the new owners are first (assuming The sale completes that is!)
reading the Pat Murphy’s piece on the BBC website which hitchens60 posted. he goes on to say “Although Lerner wants out of Villa, he is still concerned that his successor has the club’s best interests at heart” am i being cynical but iam struggling to swallow that. and the 74 years left on the contracts i thought insomnia contract runs out soon lmao
liking the better news, if these are correct. hoping they are and new manager can get planning our promotion push back to the big time
SOTB
OohAh – no idea about Di Matteo but apparently he has never completed two full seasons at any one club – what does that say?
i am just reading that its between di matteo or pearson. i am unconvinced with di matteo, much prefer a guy with experience that’s built clubs like pearson has done. does anybody want di matteo?? oh and hes 2/5 clear fav now
Di matteo lives in leamingtin spa according to wiki though probably disnt make any difference
Strange one this. It’s one of those possibilities that could turn out to be really inspired – when he’s lifting the PL trophy in 2 years’ time with Villa, or a complete and obvious disaster- when he’s fired as we sit bottom of the Championship come this Christmas [& everyone going “what moron appointed him and why?”].
I really don’t know but our recent history suggests the latter is more likely. I don’t see what Di Matteo’s credentials are for the job that needs doing at VP?
Agree Ardent I think I’d rather have Pearson. The one I’d really like is Rogers not a great manager but best of a bad bunch. Plays decent football too
Only man to get make Sinclair, an awful player, look like a world beater. Didn’t help he had little to no say over transfers at Liverpool. Clearly never wanted Benteke. He relies on pace and ability, not size. Would love him.
On his way to Celtic if today’s stories are true?
Rodgers? Maybe. A lot of rumours there. Moyes, Rodgers, Lambert, Keane. Who knows with them.
BBC reporting Rodgers as favourite for the Celtic job just an hour ago,,,
But yes, they’ve been linked with everyone; and of course Everton are now in the hunt for a new man, along with Watford and Villa!
Perm any 3 from about 10!!
Says a lot Hichens. Just read up on his record and seems like he starts well but can’t sustain it so is sacked. I wonder why he is preferred over Pearson.
Now that OohAh is the $64,000 question!
It will be interesting.
Don’t get him. Did ok at MK Dons, Sacked at West Bromich, left Schalke after failing at both. Don’t get how anyone can give him the success Chelsea had. Literally played 10 players in goal the time he was there, but then again when you haven’t an idea (Lambert), why not give that a try.
Deal done !
Dr.Tony Xia is the reported Businessman to have agreed the deal and to be the new Chairman.
Is he loaded???????
Really hard to find any info on the guy, too be honest.
Is that a good thing or bad????
Haven’t a clue.
According to Sky Sports he’s got the money up front to pay Lerner.