The most valuable Villa goal ever.

[dave.woodhall]

Downing scoring was the difference between ninth and 14th in the final table. That earned us about about £4million-odd in prize money.

[tinybutmighty]

Half of Ben Foster's fee sorted out then...

[luke25]

First and last goals of the season were scored by Downing from pretty much identical positions.

[ClarrieBlue]

Yeah but no but yeah but no. Gabbys at West Ham has gotta be up there. Without it the end of the season would have had a whole different dynamic to it. Prior to Arsenal it was still a bit iffy to say the least. So that one might have been worth the 75-90 million that relegation is generally deemed to cost a club. I know you could sort of pick any winning goal but at that stage of the season it was absolutely vital.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Fantastic move from beginning to end. Wonderful football.

[Witton Warrior]

First and last goals of the season were scored by Downing from pretty much identical positions.

As it went in I was saying to my lad about him coming in on the far post - we did this effectively early on in the season as well

[Legion]

He had a great game today.

[PaulWinch again]

It's a handy windfall and we did well today.

[Dante Lavelli]

I did not see the goal, so I'm guessing here, but playing 433 shouldnean that the wingers are on the end of a few crosses.

[lovejoy]

I think Peter Withe would have a thing or two to say about this thread.

[Legion]

[brian green]

I am with Clarrie Blue on this one.   Gabby's last gasp winner was in my opinion the point at which our fortunes changed.   Almost as important was Darren getting a goal in his first game against Man City and winning the game for us.   Can you imagine the stick we and he would have got in the media if he had been goalless for a few games?

[ROBA1]

How should we spend the extra 4 million in money for finishing ninth today??? Could we pay off Ireland and Beye!

[dave.woodhall]

I didn't say it was the greatest or most significant, but in terms of what it meant in a stand-alone manner Downing's goal today was our most valuable ever.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Don't forget we got poor result in midlands derbies (all 3 plus Stoke)

2 win 3 draws and 3 defeat. That is 9 out of 24 points. so this lack of form in Midlands Derby say we got extra 10 points we could be 5th.