At home but where is the comfort?

[paulcomben]

“I’m pleased about the team and I’m pleased with the effort the players are putting in and what they’re doing in the games,” said Lambert.

“They have built up a great rapport with the fans and that’s not only important, it’s a reflection of how our fans have come to identify with this team in a very short space of time.

“We’re only a year and a bit into building this team but our fundamental principles are already clear.

“We try to win games. We play with hunger and desire and we play with pride. As a team we keep learning and progressing and we know we’re playing well enough to win. But no-one has a divine right to beat anyone. You have to earn it.”

Lambert met with Villa’s 1982 European Cup winners earlier this month and is a big believer in using the club’s heritage as inspiration for the future.

“Villa’s history probably outweighs that of a lot of clubs in the Premier League,” said Lambert.

“Winning the European Cup immediately catapults you into a separate category. It’s not just that of course.

“With the fanbase, the strong identity, the infrastructure and the stadium here, this club has got everything and this encourages us to aspire to be the best we can possibly be.

“This has ben our motivation for the past 17, 18 months or so. We’re trying to build something on top of those powerful foundations.

“With the right overall philosophy, with an unwavering work ethic and with a bit of luck along the way we can get something going here again, no question.”

[edgysatsuma89]

Well I have learned a lot about Mr Platt today. I still find his face disconcerting haha.

We have not been a top club since I have watched football, and have never seen us win anything. You oldies should feel lucky.

Home form issue: all of the above choices.

[PaulWinch again]

“I’m pleased about the team and I’m pleased with the effort the players are putting in and what they’re doing in the games,” said Lambert.

“They have built up a great rapport with the fans and that’s not only important, it’s a reflection of how our fans have come to identify with this team in a very short space of time.

“We’re only a year and a bit into building this team but our fundamental principles are already clear.

“We try to win games. We play with hunger and desire and we play with pride. As a team we keep learning and progressing and we know we’re playing well enough to win. But no-one has a divine right to beat anyone. You have to earn it.”

Lambert met with Villa’s 1982 European Cup winners earlier this month and is a big believer in using the club’s heritage as inspiration for the future.

“Villa’s history probably outweighs that of a lot of clubs in the Premier League,” said Lambert.

“Winning the European Cup immediately catapults you into a separate category. It’s not just that of course.

“With the fanbase, the strong identity, the infrastructure and the stadium here, this club has got everything and this encourages us to aspire to be the best we can possibly be.

“This has ben our motivation for the past 17, 18 months or so. We’re trying to build something on top of those powerful foundations.

“With the right overall philosophy, with an unwavering work ethic and with a bit of luck along the way we can get something going here again, no question.”

I like what he's saying, and I hope he realises that creativity needs to be added in the midfield.

[Ads]

The richest clubs have always been the teams who have won the most. Sunderland's period of success came when they were considered the Bank of England club. Liverpool dominated in a period when they spent the most.

The gap may be more pronounced, but fundamentally there has been no real change in how lasting success is established in football.

I also think the arguments which point at Man City, Chelsea etc with one hand and then try and point to things never changing and evrything is set in stone with the other, entirely contradictory.

20 years ago if you had said "Chelsea will win X amount of trophies and be a top side" then you'd have been laughed at. Five years ago when we thrashed Man City on the opening day if you had the same of them, then your comments would have been met with equal derision.

Football clubs rise and fall, Aston Villa have been in a cycle of moderate success and limited struggle for 25 years. Things change and they will again.

[dave.woodhall]

Football clubs rise and fall, Aston Villa have been in a cycle of moderate success and limited struggle for 100 years. Things change and they will again.

Fixed.

[eastie]

Football clubs rise and fall, Aston Villa have been in a cycle of moderate success and limited struggle for 100 years. Things change and they will again.

Fixed.

Sadly,  I tend to agree with Dave's alteration.

[villa `cross the mersey]

Yes we have had a few top 4 finishes but nothing hugely consistent compared to the likes of Liverpool , utd and arsenal who have won trophies galore in that period.

We are in my opinion one of the top 6 clubs in the country and probably everton would say the same - similar in many ways - but the likes of arsenal, Man U and Liverpool are well  ahead of us.

Spot on Eastie - I agree that Everton are very much on a par we us. What makes me chuckle is that we bemoan the lack of success but just listen to Arsenal fans whingeing on the radio because they have been trophyless for a few years - at least they are watching decent quality football, albeit at a horrendous cost. I am lucky to have seen us win a few League Cups, the League and the European Cup - my lad has only seen us win at home a few times a season - and has two forgettable Wembley appearances in his Villa memory bank. I will be honest and admit that going to home games has become  a "chore"and something that neither of us enjoy. The home "away" days up here in Lancashire are sorely missed - Blackburn, Wigan, Bolton etc. The stranglehold of SKY over fixtures and the "rich clubs getter richer" scenario means that nothing is likely to change unless- as you suggested that the "big 4/6/8" or whatever, clear off into a European super league or suchlike leaving the likes of us , Everton, Spurs, etc to form a new "First Division" Highly unlikely but would maybe whet my appetite for the game again.

[Mister E]

I agree that Everton are very much on a par we us. What makes me chuckle is that we bemoan the lack of success but just listen to Arsenal fans whingeing on the radio because they have been trophyless for a few years - at least they are watching decent quality football, albeit at a horrendous cost. I am lucky to have seen us win a few League Cups, the League and the European Cup - my lad has only seen us win at home a few times a season - and has two forgettable Wembley appearances in his Villa memory bank. I will be honest and admit that going to home games has become  a "chore"and something that neither of us enjoy. The home "away" days up here in Lancashire are sorely missed - Blackburn, Wigan, Bolton etc. The stranglehold of SKY over fixtures and the "rich clubs getter richer" scenario means that nothing is likeley to change unless- as you suggested that the "big 4/6/8" or whatever, clear off into a European super league or suchlike leaving the likes of us , Everton, Spurs, etc to form a new "First Division" Highly unlikely but would maybe whet my appetite for the game again.

Agreed with most of this and - being of simlar vintage to you, VOTM - it all strikes a chord. My son, a Yorkshire born Villan, struggles to keep the faith because he has seen the barrenness of the last (roughly) 20 years.
Although we have had more fortune than some clubs will ever see - even over the last couple of decades - I pine for more success.

I'm not sure that a formalised European League in which the 'top' clubs permanently reside would be a pancea, though. I say this partly because (i) by continuing to play these big-money clubs we will eventually see rising standards at our own club; (ii) access to potentially-top players may become even more difficult; (iii) TV money and TV exposure will probably drop; and (iv) we'll all complain that we are not playing in the top league!

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

We have not been a top club since I have watched football, and have never seen us win anything. You oldies should feel lucky.

Lucky ? Lucky ? 47 years I've been going and it's 1 European Cup, 1 League, 4 League Cups and No FA Cup ! For the club from the second city of the country that gave football to the world that's a poor return.
I don't know how long you have been going, obviously less than 17 years if you have never seen us win anything. But who is to say that when you have been watching 47 years you may have seen us win more than I have in my first 47 !
 

[Dave Clark Five]

We have not been a top club since I have watched football, and have never seen us win anything. You oldies should feel lucky.

Lucky ? Lucky ? 47 years I've been going and it's 1 European Cup, 1 League, 4 League Cups and No FA Cup ! For the club from the second city of the country that gave football to the world that's a poor return.
I don't know how long you have been going, obviously less than 17 years if you have never seen us win anything. But who is to say that when you have been watching 47 years you may have seen us win more than I have in my first 47 !
 

Don't forget our Third Division championship.
I know people may say that those who have been going for many years are lucky. I consider it a privilege but wouldn't mind being a bit younger again.

[villa `cross the mersey]

Yes I was being a t

I agree that Everton are very much on a par we us. What makes me chuckle is that we bemoan the lack of success but just listen to Arsenal fans whingeing on the radio because they have been trophyless for a few years - at least they are watching decent quality football, albeit at a horrendous cost. I am lucky to have seen us win a few League Cups, the League and the European Cup - my lad has only seen us win at home a few times a season - and has two forgettable Wembley appearances in his Villa memory bank. I will be honest and admit that going to home games has become  a "chore"and something that neither of us enjoy. The home "away" days up here in Lancashire are sorely missed - Blackburn, Wigan, Bolton etc. The stranglehold of SKY over fixtures and the "rich clubs getter richer" scenario means that nothing is likeley to change unless- as you suggested that the "big 4/6/8" or whatever, clear off into a European super league or suchlike leaving the likes of us , Everton, Spurs, etc to form a new "First Division" Highly unlikely but would maybe whet my appetite for the game again.

Agreed with most of this and - being of simlar vintage to you, VOTM - it all strikes a chord. My son, a Yorkshire born Villan, struggles to keep the faith because he has seen the barrenness of the last (roughly) 20 years.
Although we have had more fortune than some clubs will ever see - even over the last couple of decades - I pine for more success.

I'm not sure that a formalised European League in which the 'top' clubs permanently reside would be a pancea, though. I say this partly because (i) by continuing to play these big-money clubs we will eventually see rising standards at our own club; (ii) access to potentially-top players may become even more difficult; (iii) TV money and TV exposure will probably drop; and (iv) we'll all complain that we are not playing in the top league!

Yes I was being a trite Utopian - however we have struggled to sign "top" players in the past and have generally sold those who have "come good" whilst with us. You are right about the money and TV - how sad is it that it is TV money rather than gate money which keeps a club afloat? - that said if a club does reach the Premier League it gets a share of the pot. I would love us to be pioneers once again and thrive in a league where the bulk of the players are home grown rather than short term mercenary signings from overseas. My lad is fiercely proud to be a Villa fan amongst a sea of Liverpudlians and Evertonians and he gets quite a lot of respect from his mates along with the flak - he likes being different, however he is now starting to opt to stay at home in Formby and play sports, representing the town at cricket and hockey. I now face the, sometimes long and tedious journey down the M6 alone ! 

[cheltenhamlion]

Thats the way it rolls VCTM. My lad may be an avid sportsman in years to come but rules are rules.

Often, your team chooses you. He is 3 but is most unhappy about drinking from anything but his Villa cup and will cheer with me and shout "goal" when we score.

So the cycle begins again...

[olaftab]

Affers my old friend , I agree with your point about top club , however there is a difference between top club and top side - the poster suggested only in the 60s and now could we not be called a top side .

Fully agree on difference between top club and top team. In my supporting life so far we have been a top team twice. Obviously in 1980/81/82 and than from 1990 to 1996. In that period we finished runners up twice, fourth once and won the league cup twice.

[eastie]

Affers my old friend , I agree with your point about top club , however there is a difference between top club and top side - the poster suggested only in the 60s and now could we not be called a top side .

Fully agree on difference between top club and top team. In my supporting life so far we have been a top team twice. Obviously in 1980/81/82 and than from 1990 to 1996. In that period we finished runners up twice, fourth once and won the league cup twice.

Agreed, and what wonderful times they were - how i wish we had won the league cup last season as there are few greater moments than winning trophies - I miss that feeling

[Mister E]

Yes I was being a t

I agree that Everton are very much on a par we us. What makes me chuckle is that we bemoan the lack of success but just listen to Arsenal fans whingeing on the radio because they have been trophyless for a few years - at least they are watching decent quality football, albeit at a horrendous cost. I am lucky to have seen us win a few League Cups, the League and the European Cup - my lad has only seen us win at home a few times a season - and has two forgettable Wembley appearances in his Villa memory bank. I will be honest and admit that going to home games has become  a "chore"and something that neither of us enjoy. The home "away" days up here in Lancashire are sorely missed - Blackburn, Wigan, Bolton etc. The stranglehold of SKY over fixtures and the "rich clubs getter richer" scenario means that nothing is likeley to change unless- as you suggested that the "big 4/6/8" or whatever, clear off into a European super league or suchlike leaving the likes of us , Everton, Spurs, etc to form a new "First Division" Highly unlikely but would maybe whet my appetite for the game again.

Agreed with most of this and - being of simlar vintage to you, VOTM - it all strikes a chord. My son, a Yorkshire born Villan, struggles to keep the faith because he has seen the barrenness of the last (roughly) 20 years.
Although we have had more fortune than some clubs will ever see - even over the last couple of decades - I pine for more success.

I'm not sure that a formalised European League in which the 'top' clubs permanently reside would be a pancea, though. I say this partly because (i) by continuing to play these big-money clubs we will eventually see rising standards at our own club; (ii) access to potentially-top players may become even more difficult; (iii) TV money and TV exposure will probably drop; and (iv) we'll all complain that we are not playing in the top league!

Yes I was being a trite Utopian - however we have struggled to sign "top" players in the past and have generally sold those who have "come good" whilst with us. You are right about the money and TV - how sad is it that it is TV money rather than gate money which keeps a club afloat? - that said if a club does reach the Premier League it gets a share of the pot. I would love us to be pioneers once again and thrive in a league where the bulk of the players are home grown rather than short term mercenary signings from overseas. My lad is fiercely proud to be a Villa fan amongst a sea of Liverpudlians and Evertonians and he gets quite a lot of respect from his mates along with the flak - he likes being different, however he is now starting to opt to stay at home in Formby and play sports, representing the town at cricket and hockey. I now face the, sometimes long and tedious journey down the M6 alone ! 

Yeah, I do the journey alone most times; Tom is a player and a coach so is busy all weekend. But he is Villa through and through.