Would it be more fun if we went down?

[Jon Crofts]

I'm completely torn on this one - do I want Villa to drop down to the Championship, lose any half decent players we have left and play the likes of Rotherham and Brentford each week? No

On the other hand do I want to continue to see us act as cannon fodder for the likes of Man City, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Man U every season, constantly loiter round the bottom six and then hope to stay up by virtue of being marginally less shit than three other teams? No

I'm resigned to relegation and not looking forward to it one jot but surely it can't get any worse?

I wouldn't put it past the people we have running things.

[Ad@m]

For the last five years, give or take the odd semi final win or shock victory at Stamford Bridge, i've been a miserable football fan. Every season has got progressively worse while the league above us gets more hyped and pumped full of cash than ever.

That's a good point.

A big part of the argument for why we must spend in January to avoid getting relegated is the further increase in Premier League money from next year.  Well the amount of cash has increased rapidly over the past five years and things at the Villa have got worse, not better so is this really an argument?

[Risso]

For the last five years, give or take the odd semi final win or shock victory at Stamford Bridge, i've been a miserable football fan. Every season has got progressively worse while the league above us gets more hyped and pumped full of cash than ever.

That's a good point.

A big part of the argument for why we must spend in January to avoid getting relegated is the further increase in Premier League money from next year.  Well the amount of cash has increased rapidly over the past five years and things at the Villa have got worse, not better so is this really an argument?

Yes it is. Imagine how even more shit we'll be with less money.

[curiousorange]

It seems as if every season is the "season we can't afford to go down" because of some TV deal or other. We'll fall further behind and never get the opportunity to compete again...some of the sides that have spent years in the Championship have come up and obliterated that theory. At the end of the day, it's how you're run, not how much you have to spend. Didn't Klopp's Dortmund side cost about seven million quid or something equally ridiculous?

[cheltenhamlion]

Fox made a point about Klopp yesterday. People asked him what we had to spend in January. They didn't rule our spending. But essentially suggested Garde was minded the sane as Klopp.

Can't we actually coach the players to be better before we worry about spending money?

[aj2k77]

Fox made a point about Klopp yesterday. People asked him what we had to spend in January. They didn't rule our spending. But essentially suggested Garde was minded the sane as Klopp.

Can't we actually coach the players to be better before we worry about spending money?

How can anyone coach Gestede to be able to move quicker than a tugboat?

[Matt Collins]

It couldn't be much less fun

Unless we do a city and bomb out the bottom. Which isn't impossible

[dave.woodhall]

Generally speaking Dave or anyone else who knows, how do fan takeovers worK?  I seem to remember reading something about Swansea and their fans buying a club for £1.  Is it then a case of running the club by it's means or are you still relying on a couple of welathy investors throwing money at it?  How does it work in Germany, as there are some pretty big clubs over there who have that set up?

Swansea were bought by a consortium of eight individuals and their Supporters Trust, who each contributed £50,000. The Trust later raised their investment to £200,000, in return for a 21% stake which gives them two directors. I don't know how much the others have invested/loaned since then.

This explains the German model. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50%2B1_rule

[Pat McMahon]

Fox made a point about Klopp yesterday. People asked him what we had to spend in January. They didn't rule our spending. But essentially suggested Garde was minded the sane as Klopp.

Can't we actually coach the players to be better before we worry about spending money?

How can anyone coach Gestede to be able to move quicker than a tugboat?

My uncle Seamus could teach him very quickly, absolutely guaranteed.

[Lastfootstamper]

Not up to date as they seem a bit slow updating info, but gives an idea of away support so far this season down there.

Just seen this. The North-South divide sticks out, insomuch as fans from either side don't seem to like to cross it! Like us, everyone likes a good day out at Fulham, bar Blackburn. QPR, excellent up as far Watford Gap. What are they all scared of?

[Risso]

Fox made a point about Klopp yesterday. People asked him what we had to spend in January. They didn't rule our spending. But essentially suggested Garde was minded the sane as Klopp.

Can't we actually coach the players to be better before we worry about spending money?

That's a lovely idea, and is fine when you have the luxury of time. However, we need a quick bounce in January, starting with a goalscorer.

[NeilH]

Fox made a point about Klopp yesterday. People asked him what we had to spend in January. They didn't rule our spending. But essentially suggested Garde was minded the sane as Klopp.

Can't we actually coach the players to be better before we worry about spending money?

Further proof to me that Garde is here for the long haul. So much will now depend on whether he can motivate the players once we are down and start again. We started off slowly last time around, not winning until our 5th match I think...I do worry that we will really have to hit the ground running this time around to arrest the losing mentality that is part of the wallpaper at the moment.

[wittonwarrior]

There is no guarantee whatsoever that we will come back up so the easy answer is no.

It has become harder for relegated teams no matter what the division  to come straight back  up.  One of the biggest issues is how much  money do you throw at it; the likes of Leeds, Nottingham Forest have struggled in this  regard on the other hand teams like Hull appear to be in touching distance of promotion so it is a hit and miss exercise.

What if, we don't come back first time round?  Attendances will shrink, sponsorship will fall off, continued loss of big TV revenue and having to watch Dalglish's daughter spouting rubbish every week.

This leads onto the next issue - Are we already down.  A proper evaluation by the leading people in the club  needs to take place and a definite plan put in place now.

[oswald funkletrumpet]

There is no guarantee whatsoever that we will come back up so the easy answer is no.

It has become harder for relegated teams no matter what the division  to come straight back  up.  One of the biggest issues is how much  money do you throw at it; the likes of Leeds, Nottingham Forest have struggled in this  regard on the other hand teams like Hull appear to be in touching distance of promotion so it is a hit and miss exercise.

What if, we don't come back first time round?  Attendances will shrink, sponsorship will fall off, continued loss of big TV revenue and having to watch Dalglish's daughter spouting rubbish every week.

This leads onto the next issue - Are we already down.  A proper evaluation by the leading people in the club  needs to take place and a definite plan put in place now.

Agree with all of that

For me is coming back up during 2/3 seasons you are getting parachute money. If you don't then you're fucked.

[mattjpa]

I dont see how the championship could be any more humilliating than what we have endured for 4-5 years. Its been pathetic. Did anyone watch the Leciester-Chelsea game last night? Chelsea taunting the leicester fans with "Aston Villa, Theyve won more than you".
We're a f**king laughing stock and there is no pride left in the pitch, in the boardroom or on the stands. dress it up as gallows humour but our fans are even at it (although I cant criticise too much as at least they are still turning up, many including myself have now had enough it would seem)
I would happily see half of our players leave along with the board of directors and the owner. Bring on the championship, I just wish I didnt have to watch us die slowly for the next 5months, like a bull at the end of a bull fight