January

[brian green]

Lose all. Adieu Houllier.   Wilkommen Jol.   Dead moggy bounces.   Win a few.   Start getting cocky.   Start losing again.   Collapse over the end of season line safe only by goal difference.

Repeat.

[tsvet]

When I picked up the H&V issue at the Man U game, there was a look ahead to the upcomming fixtures. I browsed them quickly and in my mind I reckoned we won't pick up any points before the Sunderland game (that was the last mentioned in there). Now before the Chelsea game (which is obvious we'll loose), I am not sure whether to be happy that we actually won against WBA, or to be sad that we did manage to loose almost all of them and some quite badly.
I never expected things to look so poor come this time of the year though and looking at the january fixtures I get really depressed. I am no longer sure we can pick up any points off Sunderland and I really start to worry about how we'd ever reach the 40 mark.
There is no clue where the next goal will come from, there is no clue how morale can be boosted by an old man shrinking in his raincoat, smiling dully when his team is loosing 3-0 after 20 minutes. There is talk that he might buy someone in january, but I am terrified that his transfer dealings might be just like Pires - a 40 year old, who was wanted by Crawley, however Villa decided to beat the competition...

[SoccerHQ]

I'd give Houllier until the SHA game.

The Chelsea game is a write off, can we at least not get hammered again as our goal difference is joint worst in the league!

After that, we need 4 points from the Sunderland and SHA game, infact given the state of things Houllier can't afford another defeat against SHA to survive imo.

If he can't manage that, I'd make a change tbh as after that we have Man. City at home and Manure away which is looking a point at best.

After that the run of fixtures are easier which would make sense for a new manager to come in.

I really don't like the mentality that seems to be creeping in that the squad just seem to have acceprted being in a relegation battle and they can't even compete against top 8 teams anymore, we're only 5 points off that still I think.

[levico]

Under the current regime I can't envisage getting any points at all during January.

At least I won't be disappointed and it will be a pleasant surprise if we do.

I'll get my coat.

[Clark W Griswold]

7 points and progression in the cup would be more than acceptable.

[old man villa fan]

I'm surprised that many were predicting picking up very few points in December and not being upset about it but now that it has actually happened it is as though the world has ended.

In my opinion, the strength of our squad (attacking wide players and the youngsters) is not going to win us games or get close to winning in the current formation.  Until we bring in new players we have to start playing more defensively and play a settled team until confidence returns.

We have looked very weak in the centre of the defence, admittedly not helped by the fullbacks so I would be tempted to play 3 central defenders with 2 fullbacks slightly advanced and sit 2 central defensive midfield players between them.  I would then have 2 wide players playing further infield than normal and supporting a lone forward.

                                                     Friedel
                                         Cuellar   Collins    Clark
                             Lichaj     Reo Coker    Petrov      Warnock
                                 Albrighton (or Downing)  A.Young
                                                  Gabby


                                           

[KevinGage]

I picked the wrong month to quit being a bad-tempered bastard

I've already added "start wife beating" to my list of new year resolutions.

I admire this almost Teutonic like grace and humanity. Unlike a few Villa wins, what you put forward is at least vaguely achievable too.

In a similar spirit, my New Years resolution is to buy a cat.

And kick it.

[phantom limb]

If we can't beat them, let's at least really, really injure them.

[JD]

Lose to Chelsea then win the others, with Kevin Mac back in charge (hopefully).

[sfx412]

KM back in charge ??

A win at Chelsea will be a good start, then a further 7-9 points from the rest

[Greg N'Ash]

lose chelsea
win sunderland
lose sheffield u
win blose
draw citeh
win wigan

10 points

[Monty]

Fuck it we're gonna win all of them. UTV.

[junxs]

LLDLLLL

If nothing else at least it should ensure Houlliers sacking.

[ozzjim]

LWWDDW so 8 points, a draw at Blues and progression in the cup. By the time we start feb the side may look and feel a bit different.

[davevillan]

Im optimistic, so we will beat sunderland/sha/ wigan, get at least a draw with man city, then kick on from there.
after that, with the run of games we have coming up, a fully fit squad, with new signings, we will soon climb the table, and a top 8 finish beckons ( oh and progress in the cup)