USA Tour Summary

[pauliewalnuts]

Hmmm. Flood-threatened Witton.

“I fell in love with Aston Villa because I thought the name sounded like an island off Sardinia,” Hanks told the Daily Mail in the United Kingdom.

Aston Villa actually plays their home matches in Witton, which is an industrial town in England. Heavy rainfall in the area has the River Tame constantly threatening to flood.

http://portlandtribune.com/pt-rss/12-sports/112552-timbers-notes--coach-wilkinson-pleased;-tom-hanks-on-hand;-aston-villa-completes-tiring-trek;-portland-players-stage-dance-competition

[PaulWinch again]

Hmmm. Flood-threatened Witton.

“I fell in love with Aston Villa because I thought the name sounded like an island off Sardinia,” Hanks told the Daily Mail in the United Kingdom.

Aston Villa actually plays their home matches in Witton, which is an industrial town in England. Heavy rainfall in the area has the River Tame constantly threatening to flood.

http://portlandtribune.com/pt-rss/12-sports/112552-timbers-notes--coach-wilkinson-pleased;-tom-hanks-on-hand;-aston-villa-completes-tiring-trek;-portland-players-stage-dance-competition

See I never really understood the antipathy towards Tom Hanks from some Villa fans. He's not professing to be a die hard fan, he just said he likes the club and follows them a bit. I can't see any problem in that.

[pauliewalnuts]

Hmmm. Flood-threatened Witton.

“I fell in love with Aston Villa because I thought the name sounded like an island off Sardinia,” Hanks told the Daily Mail in the United Kingdom.

Aston Villa actually plays their home matches in Witton, which is an industrial town in England. Heavy rainfall in the area has the River Tame constantly threatening to flood.

http://portlandtribune.com/pt-rss/12-sports/112552-timbers-notes--coach-wilkinson-pleased;-tom-hanks-on-hand;-aston-villa-completes-tiring-trek;-portland-players-stage-dance-competition

See I never really understood the antipathy towards Tom Hanks from some Villa fans. He's not professing to be a die hard fan, he just said he likes the club and follows them a bit. I can't see any problem in that.

Neither do I.

I was referring to the stuff about the industrial town of Witton, living in constant fear of the River Tame busting its banks.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah sorry I wasn't referring to what you highlighted Paulie, just making a general observation. But yeah that quote highlights some good journalism!

[Toronto Villa]

Hanks comes out with bollocks sometimes like lots of celebrities but it is completely harmless. He's a really famous movie star that likes Aston Villa. I really don't see the downside.

[OCD]

The picture on the Birmingham Mail website of Matt Kendrick and Tom Hanks was funny. Tom did not look amused.

[ciggiesnbeer]

For people who have been to the matches how did the fonz do, sounds like he took his goal well and got himself into some good positions for other chances as well.  I think his style should be particularly well suited to what Lambert is trying to do so i really want him to step up and deliver on the potential this year, these friendlies might give a glimpse as to whether that may happen.

 I saw him at Portland. He looked like he was playing for his job. Constant movement lots of tracking back, always trying to find space. I cant fault his effort.

Oh yes he was the last player off the pitch and made sure he walked (alone) over to the Villa fans in the far away end to applaud their support.

I think he believes this is make or break time for his career and he is not going to let it slip by without a fight. I hope he makes it and bangs in a few great performances.

[paul_e]

For people who have been to the matches how did the fonz do, sounds like he took his goal well and got himself into some good positions for other chances as well.  I think his style should be particularly well suited to what Lambert is trying to do so i really want him to step up and deliver on the potential this year, these friendlies might give a glimpse as to whether that may happen.

 I saw him at Portland. He looked like he was playing for his job. Constant movement lots of tracking back, always trying to find space. I cant fault his effort.

Oh yes he was the last player off the pitch and made sure he walked (alone) over to the Villa fans in the far away end to applaud their support.

I think he believes this is make or break time for his career and he is not going to let it slip by without a fight. I hope he makes it and bangs in a few great performances.

This is exactly what I've heard from other people and is very good to see, I really think there's still a lot of potential there and hopefully Lambert has had a talk with him about making sure he makes the most of it.  If he (and Weimann) can make the step up and both become a genuine threat off the bench (to give us a couple of game changers on there) then our striking options are looking good for this year.

[Matt Collins]

Wouldn't worry about Weimann, he showed a lot of potential at the end of last season and arguably scored the goal that kept us in the premier league.

If he gets enough minutes I think he'll scored 10 league goals this season.

I'm less convinced. He's a really good finisher it seems. But not sure he has enough else to his game. Not fast, tall, great technically or a dribbler. Look at Michael Owen once he lost his pace.

[paul_e]

Wouldn't worry about Weimann, he showed a lot of potential at the end of last season and arguably scored the goal that kept us in the premier league.

If he gets enough minutes I think he'll scored 10 league goals this season.

I'm less convinced. He's a really good finisher it seems. But not sure he has enough else to his game. Not fast, tall, great technically or a dribbler. Look at Michael Owen once he lost his pace.

He's sharp around the box, one of those strikers who always seems to find a yard of space.  He let himself down a couple of times last year by getting into those positions and then not having the confidence to have a go.  Get that sorted and get him trying his luck more often and he's definitely a good option as cover for Bent.

[Concrete John]

To my mind this season is make or break for the likes of Albrighton and Bannan.  With the Fonz I think it's more a case of he trying to save/ressurect his Villa career, as few would argue if Bertie had sold him this summer.

[fredm]

To my mind this season is make or break for the likes of Albrighton and Bannan.  With the Fonz I think it's more a case of he trying to save/ressurect his Villa career, as few would argue if Lambert had sold him this summer.

For whatever reason, Fonz has never had a run of a few consecutive starts in the team.  I believe there is talent there but he needs a bit of a confidence builder to help him realise his potential.  Let's hope PL is the person who can do this as I think that he has the ability and the know how to play off the main striker.  He has good movement and anticipation and can put the ball in the net. 

PL is apparently trying to get us to play a more fluid game and Fonz could well fit into this system.

[Mister E]

I'm excited by the options in defence. I think Clark looks just excellent; Baker seems to be one cool dude; Lowton and Lichaj can both play centrally as well as at RB. Herd, Delph and Stevens are FB options and we appear to have finally landed Concrete Ron.
One more LB option and we're done, IMHO.
We can then open the exit door for Hutton, Warnock and Collins. Dunne as back-up for Concrete does it.

[supertom]

I'm excited by the options in defence. I think Clark looks just excellent; Baker seems to be one cool dude; Lowton and Lichaj can both play centrally as well as at RB. Herd, Delph and Stevens are FB options and we appear to have finally landed Concrete Ron.
One more LB option and we're done, IMHO.
We can then open the exit door for Hutton, Warnock and Collins. Dunne as back-up for Concrete does it.

I'd say a left back, a midfielder and possibly a striker too, then we're done. I'd also be tempted to sell N'Zogbia. I wouldn't mind a more reliable winger in given Alby's injury and N'Zogbia's poor form.

However, Delph's form has been promising, so that could mean our midfield options are that bit stronger. Ditto Bannan, he looks up for it.

[SashasGrandad]

I've complained to AVTV

Their Portland highlights must have been interfered with. I don't believe we scored from 2 corners!