Anything Positive?

[darren woolley]

The emergence of the kids Herd, Baker, Gardner, Lichaj, and Carruthers I think these will have a big impact for us in years to come at the Villa.

[dave.woodhall]

I can remember more than one "Go down to get rid of him" comment.

[Clampy]

The emergence of the kids Herd, Baker, Gardner, Lichaj, and Carruthers I think these will have a big impact for us in years to come at the Villa.

I honestly think with a different manager and a different approach to the game, these kids could shine for us in the next couple of years.

[NeilH]

It’s been said on more than one occasion, that we some potentially great kids at the club that simply need nurturing. The game at Manure last season highlighted the potential we have given the right guidance. It’s been the only highlight of the season and given the right man in the big seat next season it gives us hope for the future.

[TopDeck113]

About the only positive is that it looks like we remain one of the seven ever-presents of the Premier League era - just.  The fact that after next week I won't have Villa spoiling almost every weekend for three months is another positive.

Randy and co now need to make the decision that we all know needs to be made - and make it quick. 

[Risso]

I agree, just about the only positive from this season is that it'll be over very soon.

[PaulWinch again]

All the people who were hoping that we would go down were wrong.

Yes, I remember legions of us crossing their fingers and hoping for a spell in the lower leagues.

There were a fair few saying we deserved it on here, Paulie. And how it could do us good, a standpoint I just don't understand, rebuild by all means, but its better to do it whilst still in the Prem.

Saying we deserved it is one thing, I remember plenty saying that, but I struggle to remember "all those people" who actually wanted us to get relegated.

Exactly I don't remember hardly anyone wanting  us to go down.

[Dave Cooper please]

There were posters on here (funnily enough not posting much at the moment) who wanted us down just so they could say "told you so".

[saunders_heroes]

There were posters on here (funnily enough not posting much at the moment) who wanted us down just so they could say "told you so".

Who? No Villa fan would ever want to see us relegated.

[dave.woodhall]

There were posters on here (funnily enough not posting much at the moment) who wanted us down just so they could say "told you so".

Who? No Villa fan would ever want to see us relegated.

Even the ones who said they wanted it?

[godzvilla]

I have to echo some of the posts on here....there is definite positive undertones to our season.

1) the Youth stepping up.  For years I've heard Villa fans saying that they wanted more Youth to be given a chance.  Well, mainly out of necessity granted, but McLeish played them.  Herd, Wiemann, Lichaj, Clark, Baker, Carruthers, Bannan, Albrighton (less so this year), all got a chance.  For me, only Herd, Wiemann and Clark emerged with any REAL credit this year.

Wiemann is a goal machine and I hope we can play him more next season - proper fox in the box at times.

2) We lost some influential players and still managed to fight tooth and nail for some draws.  Okay, it wasn't pretty, but we stayed in the league with the likes of Bent, Petrov, Gabby, Dunne, out for considerable time.

3) As somebody else said (and I feel like I'm stealing their points), AML has showed a real determination and spirit against the abuse.  I for one respect him for that.  I draw the line at personal insults and as Villa fans, we have to look at ourselves because honestly....we're some of the worst fans in the whole 92 club setup sometimes.

4) Lerner won't want a repeat so we can be sure at least "something" will change.

I wholeheartedly agree with every word , Wiggz . I,m all for constructive criticism and ACM has has deserved a fair amount of that  but the ' kicking ' he  has recieved by some on these pages has gone beyond the bounds of decency , the sort
of decency he has shown throughout the season .
Re the youngster,s , I think the plan from day one has been to blood these kids and see who has got what it takes to make it in the Big Leagues because the reality is that we spend a fortune on rearing our own talent  and there comes a time they have to prove their worth or move on  . Take a look the  EUFA  'Home Grown ' Quota rules that state...    

"Each club will, at the end of every transfer window, have to name at least eight "home-grown" players in a squad of 25.
To qualify as home grown, a player will have had to be registered for at least three seasons at an English or Welsh club between the ages of 16 and 21 "

.....and then take look at at any of the teams in the Premiership and see how many Academy players are even on the bench , let alone in the first team , compared to the Villa , we are certainly ahead of the game in this aspect .
Also , the Financial 'pruning ' that has taken place , albeit painfully , will also put us in line with the new Financial Fair Play rules , hopefully ! .
It  was always going to be a ' make do and mend ' transitional type of season , a gamble that came dangerously close to disaster but I sincerely believe that we will see a completely different squad next season . To sum up , let us all pray that the  short term pain  will lead to  long term gain  .................Godzvilla !

[Risso]

Hopefully we'll be able to celebrate the end of Heskey as a Villa player soon.  I've got the long table and bunting for a street party when that happens.

[slabsquare]

The kids remain promising but largely unproven, thanks to the fact that Longball O'Hissyfit refused to play them, and McBluenose didn't have a clue how to deploy them amidst the carnage  - they could yet provide the foundation for our future.

N'Zogbia and Ireland can probably contribute a lot more than they have to date with a half decent and properly organised team around them (that's a team that plays to their strengths, and sees venturing into your opponent's half as a virtue).

Heskey will soon be gone, and roly-poly slapstick funnyman Richard Dunce, the boozehound Collins, and other underperforming high earners who clearly don't understand that playing for Villa is supposed to be an honour, will hopefully soon be following him out of the door, dragging their sacks of ill-gotten gold behind them

All logic dictates that McBluenose is a busted flush, and will be out of the door in 7 days from now. Nothing about this man - the incompetence and ineffectiveness of his tactics, the all-pervading negativity, the refusal to even consider entertainment as a possibility, the small-time approach, the total lack of any charisma, and yes, the stench of his connection to the Small Heath Dog and Duck - merits him being given a second chance. We just need logic to prevail now

We are Aston Villa, for f#ck's sake. The Ellis years, and his inability / refusal to grasp the post-Sky Premier League-mantle, were bad enough. But the last 9 months has been an abhorration and must be wiped from the memory forthwith. We are the biggest club in the second biggest city in the country, our history is there for all to see, let's believe

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

After deciding not to renew, I think I've changed my mind. Even though it seems an effort to go, I can't bring myself to stop.

So the positive is, I may renew.

[JUAN PABLO]

One positive - we survived just


next season I am bloody worried ...