Bent out for rest of season

[PeterWithesShin]

We've scored 29 league goals all season. Bent has 10 of them. Gabby who has scored 6 of them has scored once since 5th Nov, looks unfit and wants the season to end.

Why on earth should we worry?

[Handsworth Wood Villa]

At least we'll get to see Gabby playing as a striker.

Would love to see Gabby at Euro 2012.

[David_Nab]

Good news for AMC..ready made excuse for every loss now ..

Gutting news for us and Bent ,Doubt he will make the euro's now

[TopDeck113]

Have we seen his last appearance in a Villa shirt?

[Dante Lavelli]

Stick Gabby up front on his own.

Yep.  It's obviously shit news but in many ways it allows us to play a more balanced team, even if our most valuable player is not included.

---------------------Gabby----------------------
----Nzogbia--------Ireland-------Albrighton--

This arguably plays every player in their strongest position.  Below that there is also the opportunity to introduce a few youngsters.

Gabby > Weimann (also Heskey)
Ireland > Bannan/Gardner
Nzog/Albrighton > Johnson/Grelish

I'm actually quite excited by the prospect.  It gives the Club the opportunity to play these players without any blame being assigned if it goes wrong.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

If we can get The Fonz back from Leicester - this could be his moment of truth.

[Jon Crofts]

Perfect ready made excuse for McTwat.
The press will love this, blaming everything on us poor hard done by over expectant so called Villa fans.

[Dave Clark Five]

I agree with Dante Lavelli. We are going to see a much more balanced team at Blackburn. I see us winning 4-0.

[Irish villain]

Things are conspiring against us...

[Monty]

I've said it before, that often Bent scores goals personally perhaps at the expense of the team scoring them because his style can demand that the team play towards him to score. However, that hasn't necessarily been the case this season, as we haven't done anything near as nuanced as that. I hope for Gabby up front, I fear for Heskey up front (although at least that's where he's meant to play, not as some Beckenbauer crossed with Cruyff crossed with Henry 'creative' player!).

[Nev]

I can't see that it makes that much difference. If the manager persists with his cowardly approach changes in personel are irrelevant.

[Pete3206]

I agree with Dante Lavelli. We are going to see a much more balanced team at Blackburn. I see us winning 4-0.

I don't think so.

[Smoke]

Is anybody really suprised? He looked in complete agony when he went down. I'm amazed it's only 3 months.

[Dante Lavelli]

I've said it before, that often Bent scores goals personally perhaps at the expense of the team scoring them because his style can demand that the team play towards him to score. However, that hasn't necessarily been the case this season, as we haven't done anything near as nuanced as that. I hope for Gabby up front, I fear for Heskey up front (although at least that's where he's meant to play, not as some Beckenbauer crossed with Cruyff crossed with Henry 'creative' player!).

If AMc chooses Heskey over the other options then it'll be it for me.  I'm not saying exclude Heskey from the squad entirely but this is a great chance for us to play a really attacking and fluid front four.  Like you say Bent is not great at linking play and bringing others into the game, but he is a scoring threat.  Heskey is   neither a threat or a good link player.

[villanic]

We are in for a real struggle now. Hopefully gabby can find some goalscoring form. Just hope AM plays him up front now.