Who will be the best player?

[ozzjim]

Thought Hogg looked lost in fairness, short of a few moments where the game came too him.


Bannan though. Christ, he can pick a ball through a defence or down the side of one that with the whole pitch before me I don't see until he has hit it, which is impressive. Both he, ALbrighton and Clark will all be full international footballers, which will be a big achievement for the club.

The fonz I love to watch for the movement, so much better than Gabby in that respect, but strength and maybe the workrate side need to be brought up before he can become a regular. Loan at a good side with a good manager in the championship would be ideal for him.

[luke25]

Bannans ball in the first half to Downing was so so clever, he certainly has a bloody good football head on him, not to sure about Hogg, he looked a bit lost, infact if i did'nt know any better I would've thought it was Sidwell out there instead

[TheSandman]

I think all four have a very good chance of becoming more than decent players for us. I still have some doubts over Bannan and Delfouneso but reckon Clark and Albrighton will almost definitely make it.

We have seen too many false dawns however, so I shouldn't make such strong predictions.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I Voted Albrighton but I really can't make up my mind, I thought he & Bannan were excellent but I just don't know

Oh its so nice to have choices like this

[Dante Lavelli]

Henry Winter's full blog here: http://tgr.ph/9QZzW2

Worth a read.

I read this.  Notice how Houllier seems to spot the same things as the fans - Albrighton needs to get his head up more for example - whereas MON always seemed to live in this over complicated world that us mortals could not understand.

Today the babies took another big step forward.  How long till the media begin to take note?

[Phil from the upper holte]

Henry Winter's full blog here: http://tgr.ph/9QZzW2

Worth a read.

I read this.  Notice how Houllier seems to spot the same things as the fans - Albrighton needs to get his head up more for example - whereas MON always seemed to live in this over complicated world that us mortals could not understand.

Today the babies took another big step forward.  How long till the media begin to take note?

I don't think I want them to take note, I hope they stay under the radar for now

[Billy Walker]

I think the media are beginning to take note.  That article by Henry Winter is a very interesting read. 

Houllier mentions his rationale behind signing Gary Mac for Liverpool and it is making me wonder whether the rumours that I've read about him being interested in bringing Robert Pires to Villa just might be true?  In Pires we'd be recruiting a top class veteran for the youngsters to learn from. It could be a very shrewd move.

The other thing I glean from the article is just how thoughtful and intelligent Houllier is as a football man.  His experience and know-how shines through in this piece.

[Dave Cooper please]

After today, Bannan. I would hate to be a midfielder playing against him, tenacious, annoying, skillful little bastard!

[Dave]

The fonz I love to watch for the movement, so much better than Gabby in that respect, but strength and maybe the workrate side need to be brought up before he can become a regular. Loan at a good side with a good manager in the championship would be ideal for him.

I agree. Someone like Swansea, or (dare I say it) even Coventry could be worth a go. Top end of the Championship, let him get 15-20 goals and see where we go from there.

[john e]

that little angled through ball in the first half by Bannan to Downing was fantastic,

i've been waiting ages for a Villa midfielder to look to play those sort of attack minded potentialy match winning balls, hopefully we got one in Bannan

[SoccerHQ]

Clark. Just really liked the look of him ever since his debut against Fulham.

Albrighton has been the biggest revelation of this season and Bannan has pleasently surprised me composing play in central midfield. Fonz is the question mark as he's not a lone striker for a start. I'd like to see him upfront with Gabby if we move back to two up front.

[PeterWithe]

I've not seen much of Clark but he's been impressive whenever I have. My vote would be for Allbrighton, he's only played a handful of games and we already miss him when he's not available, I just love his enthusiasm.

I saw an old mate of mine today who has connections to the training ground, he was telling me that Sid rates Bannan as not just the pick of this crop but the best player at the club bar none. I'm not so sure about him, hes a lovely footballer but the game seems to be dominated by athletes these days.

[Salsa Party Animal]

think we have excellent youth and what happening with Nathan Baker

and who is Daniel Johnson as he is on the bench few times and I haven't got a clue what he is like or what he look like or what position he play.

[PeterWithe]

and who is Daniel Johnson as he is on the bench few times and I haven't got a clue what he is like or what he look like or what position he play

I was asking that yesterday, I'd wasn't even familiar with his and Herd's name.

[Dave Cooper please]

I saw an old mate of mine today who has connections to the training ground, he was telling me that Sid rates Bannan as not just the pick of this crop but the best player at the club bar none. I'm not so sure about him, hes a lovely footballer but the game seems to be dominated by athletes these days.

I thought the same, but yesterday convinced me that Bananaman can make it, he just seems to make time when he has the ball, he spots a pass better than anyone I've seen (that first half reverse ball to Downing was erection making!), and he is a niggly annoying little bastard when the opposition has the ball.