The rebirth of Emile: Omen.

[VillaAlways]

he scores and I burst out laughing.

That was exactly my reaction as well!

There's not a Villa fan on here that doesn't hope that Heskey can suddenly transform himself into van Basten under Hotlips and bang in twenty goals to propel us into the top four, but you know...it's Emile...err...not going to happen is it?

GH has just said on SSN that we don't need another striker so it better start happening !

If that's the case he's barmy, we've needed a striker for years.

What's all this hotlips stuff?

I'm guessing it's hotlips houllihan M*A*S*H

[Phil from the upper holte]

he scores and I burst out laughing.

That was exactly my reaction as well!

There's not a Villa fan on here that doesn't hope that Heskey can suddenly transform himself into van Basten under Hotlips and bang in twenty goals to propel us into the top four, but you know...it's Emile...err...not going to happen is it?

GH has just said on SSN that we don't need another striker so it better start happening !

If that's the case he's barmy, we've needed a striker for years.

What's all this hotlips stuff?

I'm guessing it's hotlips houllihan M*A*S*H

I see, Im a bit too young to remember it

[Fin Feds Dad]

Its about 30 minutes more than Carew at the moment. The bloke has been awful. With Gabby and his injuries, its no wonder we've not scored enough goals so far.

I completely agree - Carew is taking the piss. I hope that Emile starts on Sunday , plays well , scores and then keeps his place. The sight of Carew jogging round, more bothered about clapping the fans singing his song rather than busting a gut to get in the penalty area , drives me mad.

[PaulTheVillan]

GH has too much brains to say we do need a striker now we can't do anything about it for a couple of months.

Get the ones we've got high on confidence as thats the only choice we've got.

I'm sure it'll be different in January.

[TonyD]

I hope he goes on and scores a hat full this season.   It really could happen.   Then again it might not.................

[supertom]

It'll be interesting to see how Carew reacts now. You'd have to assume that Houllier isn't a huge fan. After all, he wasn't a regular at Lyon, and Houllier traded him for Baros. Granted Houllier signed Big John, I believe, so probably rates him, but maybe his enthusiasm on JC dwindled.

I'd guess Houllier may rate Heskey as a more important player, but I base that on past associations.

Carew's often been accused of lacking motivation, and if his relationship with GH soured towards the end of their time at Lyon, that may have a baring on how they get on now.

Saying that, I would like to see a lot more from Carew and Heskey this season. JC's started very poorly, after finishing last so well. But then again, he generally seems to start seasons slow, before hitting a purple patch a 3rd of the way through. Hopefully. Right now he doesn't look like he could hit a barn door.

[jembob]

I hope he goes on and scores a hat full this season.   It really could happen.   Then again it might not.................

A hat full? Do you mean 3? I would like to think he'll score more than that.

[Ger Regan]

Well, he's certainly doing his best to try and turn his Villa career around. Thought he was excellent today, involved in the build up for our first goal, and superb header for his goal. Thought he worked his bollocks off today, and was involved in a lot of our play. Long may it continue.

[Mazrim]

An absolutely outstanding header from the much maligned bear. Kudos!

[Muscle-Dolphin]

Houllier must of had a "heart to heart" with Heskey.  Houllier went against conventional wisdom by starting Heskey - and the gamble paid off.  I'd personally like top see Heskey become the captain and bench Petrov.

[supertom]

I've always liked honest players who work hard for the team. So I'm glad to see Heskey playing with some confidence, and looking fit. Too much time hobbling, falling over and looking like a rabbit in headlights last season. O Neill probably did little to inspire his confidence though.

But Heskey has always been a trier. Frustrating as it is when he's bobbins, when he does play well, it's pleasing to see because he seems a decent fella. You have to love a trier I suppose.

If he can get to the point of delivering a 7 out of 10 every week, and hit double figures himself, then he's worth having around, because he works his nuts off and brings others in to play. As long as Ash, Downing, Gabby, Ireland net goals from his work, we can afford to have a striker who isn't prolific. Cracking goal it was too.

I just hope this isn't a momentary buzz for Emile, that wears off. I'm also delighted to see the fans giving him some positive attention.

Keep it up Emile!

[TopDeck113]

I was heading for six points in the H&V Prediction League, and then bloody Emile Heskey pops up with a wonder header.

[supertom]

I was heading for six points in the H&V Prediction League, and then bloody Emile Heskey pops up with a wonder header.

You just couldn't write it.

[KevinGage]

Houllier must of had a "heart to heart" with Heskey.  Houllier went against conventional wisdom by starting Heskey - and the gamble paid off.  I'd personally like top see Heskey become the captain and bench Petrov.

You've mentioned that in two threads.

On what basis would you like to see a player who has struggled to get into the side fullstop actually made captain - with the inference being that he'd obviously be much harder to drop?

Genuine question, what do you see in him that makes him captain material?

If we're going for leftfield picks I'd go Ashley Young.

Our best player and a winner. People slate him for the moaning and gesturing at referees. But he's pretty much the only player in our side that does it.

Man U have turned it into an art form and Chelsea have plenty of it too with the likes of Terry, Cole, Drogba and co.
 
It's not pretty to look at and I hate it when the above do it. But they do it because they hate losing, and will turn any situation they can to their advantage. As a team we're too nice. A few more players like Ash who berate referees for crap decisions would probably benefit us more than getting Ash to reign it in.

Take the Vienna game at home as an example. First penalty decision gets turned down, Ash gets on refs case and you pretty much knew any 50/50 decision in similar circumstances next time would go our way. It has an effect, that type of pressure. Maybe it shouldn't but it does.

The best teams maximise it. Teams on the end of it or not capable of doing it themselves console themselves with being sporting losers. But that's what they tend to be more often than not  - losers. Funny that.

[Somniloquism]

I do feel sorry for SteveJos. Two Villa wins in a week and he couldn't celebrate either of them.