Bright Future: 2014?

[Villafirst]

I was hoping for rather more after 8 years of Lerner's reign. I see Liverpool are expanding their stadium to 59,000. Mr Ellis got Planning permission to increase Villa Park's capacity up to about 51,000 in 2 phases. First phase was complete around 2001, I think. Phase 2 never happened, and probably never will under Mr Lerner. In fact, at the current rate, 2 sides of the stadium could be closed! I was hoping for big European nights by now with crowds over 50,000. We all bought into the Bright Future mantra; sadly it never happened. What were your expectations after 8 years?

[ciggiesnbeer]

Dont laugh but I genuinely assumed my biggest problem was going to be figuring out how I could get to go see an away Champions League game with Villa.

It looked on the cards for a while there as well.

Sigh.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I was determined I would not miss the European Cup Final this time round...but if I did there would be plenty of others to follow...

[Comrade Blitz]

An FA Cup win.

[Legion]

Not being perennial relegation strugglers.

[Richard E]

Not much. Total world domination would have satisfied me.

[Legion]

Back-to-back wins would be nice at the moment.

[DB]

Hoping that we at least have a chance in all competitions. We are miles away from that. Partly due to the way the rich have got richer & Citeh have bought the throphies over passed few years... Partly due to Lerner's running of the club.

[silhillvilla]

If the champions league is the holy grail then I think it's a massive anti climax. I think I'd rather be a steady PL side and win the domestic cups say once every 4 or 5 years .

[aj2k77]

I did think we'd crack the top 4 at least once. Never expected us to be worse than at anytime in my life since the late 80's. If he still gave a shit there would be no reason for us to be repeatedly struggling and say poor to watch, the £6m summer spend was pathetic.

[Richard E]

Win the FA Cup, just the sodding once. That is all I ask from life.

[Legion]

Win the FA Cup, just the sodding once. That is all I ask from life.

Once again, you mean. That is also my wish. The only trophy of note I have not seen us win.

[Richard E]

Yes, sorry. Same here. If I'm still around when it happens I genuinely think I will burst into tears.

[brian green]

It feels very, very good I can assure you. Especially when it is Man Ure getting the runners up medals.

[Charlie8182]

I was hoping for rather more after 8 years of Lerner's reign. I see Liverpool are expanding their stadium to 59,000. Mr Ellis got Planning permission to increase Villa Park's capacity up to about 51,000 in 2 phases. First phase was complete around 2001, I think. Phase 2 never happened, and probably never will under Mr Lerner. In fact, at the current rate, 2 sides of the stadium could be closed! I was hoping for big European nights by now with crowds over 50,000. We all bought into the Bright Future mantra; sadly it never happened. What were your expectations after 8 years?

I heard about Anfield being extended earlier, and while I still sometimes hear that Villa Park is a great stadium I can't help but feel that it will soon fall quite a way behind somewhat.
At the moment, Man Utd, Arsenal, Newcastle, Man City (to rise from 48 to 60K), Liverpool (to be extended) and Sunderland have bigger stadia, with Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham and Everton likely to soon overtake us.