I thought I’d better post something, if only to prove that I haven’t given up on the site or suffered some horrible fate.
The trouble is there’s nothing happening is there?
There’s plenty of guesswork and speculation, but that’s not really my scene, so I find it difficult to be interested.
Still, that’s what international breaks do to me and I couldn’t even be bothered to watch the England game properly, as we’re frankly rubbish, in my opinion.
I’m actually working with a Lithuanian bloke and he sees a 2-0 loss as practically a victory. He also tells me that Lithuania has a population of around 3.5 million and it’s national sport is Basketball.
I can see why he’s laughing to be honest.
We do know that Steve Bruce has said he’s going to bid for Sam Johnstone. I can’t say I’m convinced, myself and still feel he’s too young to be our No 1, but then what do I know?
I just don’t think a run of five or so decent games is quite enough to make a decision on, but the management must see something in him and Villa signing him wouldn’t majorly bother me. Indeed I’d love him to become great for us, as it’s a position we’ve had a problem with for a while, the same as our defence generally.
When you consider the great defenders and goalies we’ve had over the years, it makes it all the worse, doesn’t it?
Not that I’m feeling morose or downbeat these days. I am looking forward to the Norwich game.
What else?
Jack Grealish played for the England U-21’s last night and was by most accounts, poor.
He’s one who needs to hurry up and do something or he’s going to end up as another Gary Gardner, a promising player who will meander his way through time at the club and ultimately achieve very little.
Of course I’d still like him to come good. It’s just that I don’t see it happening.
And then there’s more complaints about the Villa website and this time it’s the ticket sales section, which is quite simply scandalous and embarrassing.
Good grief Villa, just sort it out.
And I’m sorry, but everything else in the so-called news is just waffle.
Roll on an actual game.
Feeling confident about the Norwich game, but it’s a bit early for that really.
Grealish, Gardner, etc. – saw this on the BBC website last week:
“Former Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, 32, and ex-Villa striker Luke Moore, 31, are training with Norwegian club Lillestrom. (Verdens Gang – in Norwegian)”
Doesn’t seem all that long ago that the Moore brothers were ‘the next big things’ at Villa Park…
RC is still only 32????? Wow!
Thinking of taking my boys to VP saturday. Is age 7 too young??? Will they be bored??? I know I’ve been bored to tears the past few years!
BB – took my kids when they were young and have now taken my grand kids at that age and they enjoyed it – but they will demand your attention! Only mistake I made was taking them into upper Holte for one game – not a good idea.
I only ever take the grandkids to the upper Holte.
They were around 7 too, the first time.
They’ll probably be shocked at the swearing at first, but it’s real world isn’t it?
Teaches them there’s a right time, right place, for it, imo.
They might find the noise a bit intimidating too, but a bit of reassurance and getting them to join in with the less adult themed chants should relax them.
Hitchens is right that they will require attention, as it can be “20 questions” the first time, although I found they soon got used to it after a couple of games.
And this was twins, who really are double trouble!
Unless they’re really timid types, I’d definitely take them.
While I’ve concentrated on the scary bits there, I also know the kids were totally blown away by that view of the pitch.
Certainly my first game at the Bournemouth match as a similar aged kid is one of my longest lasting memories and they don’t come every day, do they 🙂
And that’s with the crushes and people pissing in your pocket etc!
if you still have doubts, take them to a quieter area.
But it won’t be the same experience 🙂
Also, seriously consider the family funzone;
https://www.avfc.co.uk/fans/junior-villans/family-funzone
Costs nowt and mine loved it.
Or if you want to push the boat out;
https://www.avfc.co.uk/fans/junior-villans/my-home-debut
The first game is all important mate, if you want them in the Villa family 🙂
Oh, I forgot.
A JV life subscription makes a decent birthday present and will keep them interested;
https://www.avfc.co.uk/fans/junior-villans/mascots-and-junior-membership
Fair points Badger. My grandson is a little timid and was unsettled by the noise – I was a little concerned about the swearing. The real issue for me though was that everyone stood for the whole game which meant we had to stand the lad on a seat for him to have a chance of seeing the game – not ideal. I think we should have safe standing areas for those that prefer to stand and in the seated areas, people should stay seated.
Precisely Ardent.
Too many “big hopes” that never seem to push on the way we think they ought too.
Makes you wonder why?
Maybe we just expect too much form local lads?
On the other hand, there’s long been a definite ‘disconnect’ between apparently succesful ‘youth’ teams/players and ‘league’ teams at Villa Park.
Something happens to these lads at 19-20 when they make the break into the frist-team squad; the club don’t seem to be able to shield/develop them sensibly for those couple of years when the big money and media-hype kick-in.
Other clubs seem to do it better [Southampton, Everton, to name two] – even if those still end-up selling them on for big money to the CL mob…
I’d suggest the expectation must be at least as high at Everton and probably even Southampton, with their conveyor belt of good, young players.
Plus these days, even if we did sell them on, it all adds to the money stream, doesn’t it?
You’re right though and along similar lines where many fans have asked what goes on at BMH, I suspect that’s where the problem is.
Just realised you’re talking local lads specifically, which in fairness was what I was getting at in the first place.
We just don’t seem to progress any kids at all, do we?
Re ur comment v website Badger. Dr X wants us to be big globally yet we can’t even get a simple thing like our website working properly! Wtf is going on
Sounds a tad like your website Oohah. Without Badger the thing would collapse.
I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Badger single handily keeps this site going.
We do seem to get it ‘wrong’ just as they start to make a name for themselves.
As for ‘local’ kids – I’ve long felt that Villa don’t look much on the south-side of the city!
When my lads were playing footie at school and for local clubs [around Solihull/South Birmingham/Warwickshire, going back some 10-15 years now…] there were often plenty of talent scouts from Blues, Albion, even Wolves on a couple of occasions, at many of the tournaments; I don’t ever remember anyone mentioning Villa people being around.
I know several of their contemporaries who were offered schoolboy trials by PL clubs – even from outside the West Midlands – and even one of mine got a trial from Blues [which would really have caused a problem if he’d gotten past that first stage!].
My point is that Villa only ever seem to look for players in a line from Aston, via Erdington, to Sutton and Tanworth. The population of ‘Greater Birmingham’ is over 2.5m, so there should be plenty of ‘local’ talent to scout if they looked at the whole region.
*Tamworth !
Isn’t this something – along with the fact that those who do ‘come good’ are moved on too soon – that the new Villa hierarchy have picked up on. We do tend to remember those that didn’t make it and forget those we’ve sold – there are two good lads playing for Preston at the moment that should never have been let go.
Time will tell whether Dr. T and his merry men will really start to address this.
According to reports there are three Prem sides after Johnstone (OK one is Sunderland which probably doesn’t count!). If true and Munureare willing to sell, it will be interesting to see how Johnstone responds. Number one at Villa or more money to sit on the bench elsewhere?
LOL – *Manure!
That’s a very interesting point.
What would a Prem club be willing to pay a second goalie, as opposed to the Villa paying a first goalie?
That’s what it boils down too and I’d suggest there’s not that much in it, as if we’re convinced, we have to pay over the odds, yet not as much as an established Prem first goalie would cost, if you see what I mean?
So it’s good for the club and the player?
finally weekend comes and we have a game. hates those international games. they interrupt good form. hopefully we can continue or even improve to another level. we have some good games left. games which mean something if only for the opposition. but these games will be better then pre season warm ups. winning all remaining games should be the goal. if they managed that what a statement that makes. it would say loud and clear that we’re back. another season to to build a team to not only survive premiership but to compete