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?”
The King is dead, long live The King
finally some good news, may this be the first of many.
BBC Midlands Today saying Villa deal done – more promised in a few minutes
Is this doc Tony head of a consortium I’ve found very little on him
He’s apparently going to be the only chairman, he’s a businessman. I don’t know if he’s going to run it with the Recon Group he owns, but he seems sole chairman.
How much is recon group worth???
Haven’t found anyone as of yet able to tell you that. I can’t even find stuff on the Recon Group. Be interesting to see if they’re similar to the Rui Kang group. They’re the ones I believe who wanted Comolli and Di Matteo. But who knows anymore.
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5580405,00.html
Farewell Randy. You tried and were found wanting.
Welcome Recon!!!
I like the fact this business employees 35,000 people across a number of businesses in Recon Group – looks like future sponsor is sorted. Is this the way for the club to overcome Fair Play rules designed to protect the “big” clubs?
I like the aspiration return to Premier, top 6 and Europe.
Dr Tony Xia, welcome to Aston Villa. You have my backing. If you can turn us into the biggest British club in China, wow, what a future we can have.
Anyone know how much they are worth
Nothing like a new owner and manager do get you exited for new season. Reading Lerners statement on OS it sounds like the new guy has big plans for Villa Park expansion. Well you would only do that if you feel it can be filled. Can imagine plan loads of Chinese being flown it for home matches ! Let’s sit back and enjoy the ride. What else can we do. I’ll give them my full backing (until they fuck it up that is) . Lol !
Just seen a photo of Doctor Tony. He ain’t wearing a dodgy fur coat. Thank fuck for that !
What do I like about this deal
Dr Xia is a self made man that personally owns a significant group of businesses in China. As such it is probable that he’s backed by the
Chinese government – a fact reinforced by his fast track through USA universities to ‘stardom’.
He’s recognised the revenue potential of ‘selling’ Villa to the Chinese market – as a club owned by the Chineses and in concert with the Chinese Government’s push to place the Chinese national team at the head of international recognition.
Allegedly he is a Villa fan and a football fan and played football himself
He is significantly wealthy although reading between the lines Villa will become part of his sport and leisure business interests.
All in stark contrast to Lerner.
According to Sky Sports he has agreed to meet all of Lerner’s caveats attached to the sale regarding the future of the club.
What have we got to lose given that continuing stewardship under Lerner would have seen us go out of business.
Welcome Dr Xia – you have my backing
I wonder if king & bernstein will jump back on ship now????
Fuck off Lerner, the Villa is OURS
Hi MATE 😀
Or Dr Tony Xia’s and in all probability the whole f’ing Chinese State! 🙂
Nice to see you back Langford – after all I it was your contributions that largely decided me to post on here.
That’s not 18 months Langford? Good behaviour then, nice to hear from you , Oohah been good no worries.
Oh and Badger you now have something to write about 🙂
We WILL be promoted 🙂
Hope you lads are all well
All is well in the world – Langford is back
Dunno about you kids, but I’m just breathing a huge sigh of relief!
Lerner can stick his farewell where the sun doesn’t shine.
Here’s to a brighter future than the immeasurable disappointment we experienced under Lerner!! ????
Onwards and upwards!!!!!!
Just heard we may get a Chinese Manager: Win Sum Loos Sum.
Not bad Bum bum, I have to say I’m in agreement with Andrew about Di Canio, not proven in management, Pearson seems to be a bit of a hard knock and that’s needed in any team. Langford you bounder, I’ve been looking in all the abituary columns looking for you , nice to hear you, Nice.
Loads of Chinese around Longbridge area and on the cross city rail journey I do.Also around University area – so maybe they will be dropping in to VP in the future.
Think there’s been a Chinese convention in Coventry today, Chinese businessman investment in the Midlands,
Am over the moon that Lerner is gone. A big welcome to our new owner. Exciting times ahead we all hope.
Terrible news. The new owner will be in prison within 12 months for money laundering.
He’ll more than likely change the club colours to blue and white!
Red and yellow maybe, but hopefully that lesson was learned in Cardiff. I can see a SHIZI (Chinese Lion) replacing the one on the club badge and the next stand having a roof than turns up at the corners, but otherwise tradition must be respected.
Birmingham, birthplace of the Balti, and soon to be famous for a Chinese take-away. “Anything also can!” as my half-Chinese wife would say.
It cannot really be worse, given the state to which we have fallen. Like H60 I have hopes it will also be very much better. However patience is a virtue here, the new owner ha bought the farm, has potentially huge backing, but the livestock is absolutely knackered. I don’t find 14/1 odds to win the Championship of any appeal, I wouldn’t take that small a price on promotion in any slot.
As I said before, I would be happy to see which managers are available after the Euros, even though a late appointment would count against an early return to the EPL, because any manager will need a miracle – best we get a good one.
What are ur thoughts the Di Matteo? Assuming Pearson goes to boro then we have Newcastke and boro as hot favourites for automatic promotion. Di Matteo not worked for a year and nothing special I just don’t get why he’s in the frame?
Di Matteo sticks in my mind as the scorer for Chelsea in the 100th FA cup final that we lost. But he is also the stand-in manager at Chelsea who – after Abramovitch’s expensive poster-boys had failed to win the Champions League – actually did so. So I would not say he has achieved nothing. Only Tony Barton of Villa managers can match that.
True but Barton like matteo just let a decent team carry on. The season after when things needed changing they were found out
The Group Company’s profile. Brown sauce may be off the menu at VP next year, but at least they are not a one-season wonder!
Lotus Health Industry Holding Group Company, formerly HENAN LOTUS FLOWER GOURMET POWDER CO., LTD., is a China-based company primarily engaged in the production and distribution of monosodium glutamate and other flavoring products. The Company’s principal products are monosodium glutamate under the brand named Lotus Flower. The Company also offers chicken essence, soy sauce, vinegar, sodium glutamate, glutamic acid, amylaceum, cube sugar, flour, gluten powder, starch, vegetarian products, as well as feed and fertilizer, among others. The Company distributes its products in domestic and overseas markets.
A new dawn, the sun is most definitely rising in the East! Very little information to go on at the moment, seems like Dr Toni is a person with a very beneficial relationship with the Chinese government. Hopefully this means that there will be a lot of money available to us, hopefully this time we’ll be spending it a lot more wisely. But thanks for the mosaic Randy! 😉
The managerial appointment is absolutely crucial, still Moyes or Pearson for me, but so is offloading a squad of players who’ll be offered way less money elsewhere. Hopefully the new owner will hit the ground running on this and will pay close attention to what Little, Bernstein & King have to offer. Who else will be able to explain what went wrong, and therefore how to quickly set about fixing it.