Would it be more fun if we went down?

[Villa Lew]

Have been a Villa fan since 1957. During that time have seen us be relegated 4 times in 59, 67, 70 and 87, all of them were extremely painful, but I think if we were relegated this season, it would hit me even more than the other occasions.

When Deadly Doug took over the club in December 68 when we were in the old Div 2, there was a tremendous feel good factor. At the beginning of that month before Doug's arrival we had a crowd of 12,000 and on Boxing Day the attendance rose to 41,000. Tommy Doc was appointed as manager and for the rest of the season we had some great crowds, including 49,000 against Derby, 53,000 vs Blues and 59,000 for a cup game against Southampton. The next season we were one of the  favourites to go up and ended up being relegated. As you say things only started to pick up, in season 70/71 when we reached the league cup final, losing to 1st Div Spurs.

[Risso]

No.

[anton hillman]

As a Villa fan since 1966, I certainly found it more fun watching Villa beat Bournemouth in front of 48000 in 1972, and Man Utd in the league cup in front of 62500 in 1970 than watching eight and five goals being put past us by Chelsea and Arsenal in the premier league. Albeit at that time we were temporarily resident in Division three but you just knew that there was something in the air at Villa Park and that great times were around the corner. This was the period the foundations for the successes of the last 40 years built. All now being demolished by Lerner and Lambert.

One poster mentioned acceptance as being the final stage of grief. Maybe so but acceptance of the reality of a situation is necessary before moving on. The trouble is that acceptance of where we are currently positioned and heading for if nothing is done is not there to any degree amongst the current gang running our club.

[Ads]

Did you enjoy it when some no mark club beat us in the 2nd or 3rd division?

[Damo70]

No matter how many years go by and how many times we laugh at Small Heath's regular relegations, never ever forget how gut wrenchingly, sickeningly horrible relegation is.

[aj2k77]

I've been looking through some old programmes from the late 1960's just to remind me of the last time that things looked this grim at the Villa. The situation only began to change when we hit Division three in 1970 and started winning games again. It became fun to watch the Villa and enjoy the recovery that began during those years that eventually led us to the European cup. Would a spell in the championship bring the club to it's senses and maybe allow us to see a few games being won? It would certainly be more fun to be chasing promotion that dodging relegation year in, year out...

If you think drawing 0-0 at home to Rotherham in a half empty Villa Park watching Gabby run down another blind alley whilst Lambert scribbles in his diary fun ,then yes, it would be.

[Jon Crofts]

Fun for who?

[Villan For Life]

No. The prospect of my beloved Aston Villa becoming another Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday or Forest is depressing.

[Damo70]

I have fond memories of '87-'88 but that was due to SGT and the feeling of a new beginning. Also I left school the day SGT was appointed so flush with my YTS money it was my first season of going home and away week in week out. However, apart from Shrewsbury and Bradford at the death I don't recall too many home games fondly. Leicester, Albion, Leeds (twice), Shrewsbury, Bradford, Man City, Reading, Swindon. I was in Australia when we played at the sty. I doubt I would feel the same excitement about trips to Rotherham and Brentford at my age.

[anton hillman]

I would hope that Lerner would by then have begun to protect his investment by showing Lambert the door, so he might no longer be around to scribble whilst we watched Rotherham. Maybe he might also bring in a manager who would sort out the lazy country club attitude of some players that caused Keane to walk

[levico]

Depressingly I think that Lerner and Fox have accepted that relegation is a possibility and probably have a plan B business case to cover that eventuality.

In which case, Lambert would remain and who's to say he wouldn't transfer his incompetence to the Championship. So not only are we likely to stay down but would start flirting with League 1.

[PeterWithesShin]

As a Villa fan since 1966, I certainly found it more fun watching Villa beat Bournemouth in front of 48000 in 1972, and Man Utd in the league cup in front of 62500 in 1970 than watching eight and five goals being put past us by Chelsea and Arsenal in the premier league. Albeit at that time we were temporarily resident in Division three but you just knew that there was something in the air at Villa Park and that great times were around the corner. This was the period the foundations for the successes of the last 40 years built. All now being demolished by Lerner and Lambert.

One poster mentioned acceptance as being the final stage of grief. Maybe so but acceptance of the reality of a situation is necessary before moving on. The trouble is that acceptance of where we are currently positioned and heading for if nothing is done is not there to any degree amongst the current gang running our club.

Did you enjoy all 8 years out the top flight? Losing to Torquay in the first round of the FA Cup? Losing at York in the LC 1st round? Losing 6-1 at the Albion etc? How about 73/74 when crowds were back down below 20K and nearer 12K for the last few months as we finished 14th in Division 2?

[aj2k77]

I have fond memories of '87-'88 but that was due to SGT and the feeling of a new beginning. Also I left school the day SGT was appointed so flush with my YTS money it was my first season of going home and away week in week out. However, apart from Shrewsbury and Bradford at the death I don't recall too many home games fondly. Leicester, Albion, Leeds (twice), Shrewsbury, Bradford, Man City, Reading, Swindon. I was in Australia when we played at the sty. I doubt I would feel the same excitement about trips to Rotherham and Brentford at my age.

Hull we tonked, think we went top that night around New Years day

I would hope that Lerner would by then have begun to protect his investment by showing Lambert the door, so he might no longer be around to scribble whilst we watched Rotherham. Maybe he might also bring in a manager who would sort out the lazy country club attitude of some players that caused Keane to walk

Too much effort. He would more likely give his soul mate in fuck wittery Lambert a shot at getting us back up first.

[not3bad]

Fun for who?

Blues & Albion fans.

[Hoppo]

We are stagnating in a pile of shit as we speak. My first season was 86/87 and it hurt even then to get relegated. We only came straight back because of Sir Graham's organization and ability to spot a player Mark Lillis and Steve Sims for example.
I have no faith in anyone at the club being able to sort out our problems this season let alone sort out a relegated 'giant'.
The embarrassment of relegation would fade though, if it happens we have to deal with it.
Those pricks at Smethwick and Small Heath are already organizing a relegation party on facebook.
Being the biggest team in The Championship could galvanise though but it needs leadership, something were sadly lacking.