5 VILLANS in England Squad...and then 4 !!

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Of the original squad named, I counted 9  who were either current or former Villa players.

 

[WikiVilla]

Any idea how many little Agbonlahours there are running around the streets of Sutton Coldfield ?

[pauliewalnuts]

Downing should be no where near a England team, hasnt been good enough in the past isnt good enough now and in my view wont ever be good enough in the future.

I just don't understand why Downing gets so much stick from our fans, he's been consistently very good for us this season.

I also don't get the "he bottles tackles" line, either, as if flying into tackles is amongst the key requisites of a winger.

Marc Albrighton, on the other hand, who I think is also a fine player, seems more prepared to get stuck in - and once or twice as a result we've been punished from free kicks he's given away by doing so.

[eastie]

Agreed paulie, downing has been a totally different player this season and would get my vote as our best player of the season so far.

[villa for life]

dare I say it, but I would put Albrighton and Downing's name on the team sheet before Young's! Albrighton just seems to create so many chances and crosses the ball really well, he's a better version of Froggat. Downing has been in excellent form as well. I actually think GH is doing his best to accommodate Young but to the team's detriment.

[Concrete John]

Downing should be no where near a England team, hasnt been good enough in the past isnt good enough now and in my view wont ever be good enough in the future.

I just don't understand why Downing gets so much stick from our fans, he's been consistently very good for us this season.

I also don't get the "he bottles tackles" line, either, as if flying into tackles is amongst the key requisites of a winger.

Marc Albrighton, on the other hand, who I think is also a fine player, seems more prepared to get stuck in - and once or twice as a result we've been punished from free kicks he's given away by doing so.

Totally agree.

I think some people who were critical of Downing last season don;t want to admit they were wrong. 

[Chris Smith]

dare I say it, but I would put Albrighton and Downing's name on the team sheet before Young's! Albrighton just seems to create so many chances and crosses the ball really well, he's a better version of Froggat. Downing has been in excellent form as well. I actually think GH is doing his best to accommodate Young but to the team's detriment.

Albrighton is still in the "good prospect" category for me. He does a lot of good things but also a lot not so good and has looked off the pace in recent weeks and I think Houllier has done well by giving him a break.

[Concrete John]

dare I say it, but I would put Albrighton and Downing's name on the team sheet before Young's! Albrighton just seems to create so many chances and crosses the ball really well, he's a better version of Froggat. Downing has been in excellent form as well. I actually think GH is doing his best to accommodate Young but to the team's detriment.

Actually, I would argue that Ash's form is suffering as he's the one being moved to try and play all three, so he's out of position and therefore underperforming.

If we're going to continue with this formation, which i think we are, then by a specialist for that role and let the three of them fight it out for the wide positions.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

dare I say it, but I would put Albrighton and Downing's name on the team sheet before Young's! Albrighton just seems to create so many chances and crosses the ball really well, he's a better version of Froggat. Downing has been in excellent form as well. I actually think GH is doing his best to accommodate Young but to the team's detriment.

Albrighton is still in the "good prospect" category for me. He does a lot of good things but also a lot not so good and has looked off the pace in recent weeks and I think Houllier has done well by giving him a break.

Also needs to cut out conceding daft fouls in our half of the pitch.

[eastie]

I think ash will leave in the summer and downing and albrighton will be the supply force out wide for bent, I'm struggling to see where gabby will find a place in the team to be honest and would like a midfield three of makoun, Bradley and either bannan or delph.

Would expect defence and keeper to be the priority to a degree in the summer as houllier likes attacking full backs and central defenders who are comfortable bringing the ball out rather than hoofing it - the team is gradually taking shape but there is still a lot to do.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Gabby has withdrawn from the squad for personal reason ......

[garyshawsknee]

On a slight tangent,i remember when England played in Dublin under Sir Graham,there were 3 Villa players in the England team,and 3 in the irish team,all on the pitch at the same time.

[Bosco81]

On a slight tangent,i remember when England played in Dublin under Sir Graham,there were 3 Villa players in the England team,and 3 in the irish team,all on the pitch at the same time.

That was when Sid got called up and Gazza got dropped for "refuelling concerns" that GT had, the press went mad about it, hindsight suggests GT knew what he was talking about.

[Matt Collins]

Agree on Downing, and so does GH it seems:

"Since I've been here he's been phenomenal," Houllier said of a player who looks fitter and stronger than in previous seasons. "In terms of intelligence, he reads the game well, he plays the position well. Fabio Capello has been to see a lot of our games so he must know him well."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/07/aston-villa-fulham-premier-league

[The Left Side]

Any idea how many little Agbonlahours there are running around the streets of Sutton Coldfield ?

Not sure but I bet they run quickly!