The Big Interview

[darren woolley]

He's said all the right things I would like it if everything he's said comes to fruition that would mean we have been a successful football club on and off the pitch which is what we all want.

[robbo1874]

So just wondering whether the current villa engine is from a princess or an allegro? Maybe Keith could confirm?

[Chico Hamilton III]

So just wondering whether the current villa engine is from a princess or an allegro? Maybe Keith could confirm?

It'll be the Austin Maestro, surely.

sorry about the link

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/12/31/article-2255282-096FB105000005DC-740_634x378.jpg

[Drummond]

Or maybe a Jaguar, Aston Martin or Morgan?

[robbo1874]

So just wondering whether the current villa engine is from a princess or an allegro? Maybe Keith could confirm?

It'll be the Austin Maestro, surely.

sorry about the link

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/12/31/article-2255282-096FB105000005DC-740_634x378.jpg

at least des and Gary look mildly happy with their cars. The rest of them look like they're immediately going to drive away and park them in the cut underneath spag Jcn. Classic pic though Chico - well done!

[Chico Hamilton III]

So just wondering whether the current villa engine is from a princess or an allegro? Maybe Keith could confirm?

It'll be the Austin Maestro, surely.

sorry about the link

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/12/31/article-2255282-096FB105000005DC-740_634x378.jpg

at least des and Gary look mildly happy with their cars. The rest of them look like they're immediately going to drive away and park them in the cut underneath spag Jcn. Classic pic though Chico - well done!

Ken McNaught sent his back because he couldn't fit his dogs in the boot

[robbo1874]

Sounds like a 'my gates wouldn't open' type of excuse

[Three Spires Villa]

A bit late, didn't read it until 10 minutes ago. Comes over very well and a good read, but... well we will see

[ironmaidenmania]

Interesting read but short term can't they sort out the seats in the North stand. Very little room up there.

[Mister E]

If I say the 'L' word, does everyone promise not to immediately jump up and down? Right then:

When Lerner took over we peaked with an average attendance of just over 40,000 in 2007-08 and despite another two top six finished gates slipped from then on. I don't think, as it stands, we could make the next jump towards making a 60,000 seater or anything like that stadium viable. Realistically, it would mean getting over 50,000 at least half a dozen times a year (which we've done in the past) and over forty the rest of the time (which we never have).

The driver to 60,000 crowds is regular Chumps League football. That guarantees a high TV presence both in the UK and globally whcih brings in all the occasional fans that make up the differfence between the loyal local numbers and the tourists.

Be careful what you wish for and all that. I’m not sure how comfortable I’d be sitting in a stadium with 60,000 silent fans ( like they are every week at Old Trafford, The Emirates, whatever Man City’s ground is called these days, Stamford Bridge, West Ham etc) all having paid a £1500 for their season tickets, waiting to be entertained by a team of mercenaries. My idea of Hell

It might just be me being an old stick in the mud but I’d sooner sit with 35,000 real Villa fans.

I'm not advocating it, Chico; just trying to undersrtand it.

[dave.woodhall]

If I say the 'L' word, does everyone promise not to immediately jump up and down? Right then:

When Lerner took over we peaked with an average attendance of just over 40,000 in 2007-08 and despite another two top six finished gates slipped from then on. I don't think, as it stands, we could make the next jump towards making a 60,000 seater or anything like that stadium viable. Realistically, it would mean getting over 50,000 at least half a dozen times a year (which we've done in the past) and over forty the rest of the time (which we never have).

The driver to 60,000 crowds is regular Chumps League football. That guarantees a high TV presence both in the UK and globally whcih brings in all the occasional fans that make up the differfence between the loyal local numbers and the tourists.

Be careful what you wish for and all that. I’m not sure how comfortable I’d be sitting in a stadium with 60,000 silent fans ( like they are every week at Old Trafford, The Emirates, whatever Man City’s ground is called these days, Stamford Bridge, West Ham etc) all having paid a £1500 for their season tickets, waiting to be entertained by a team of mercenaries. My idea of Hell

It might just be me being an old stick in the mud but I’d sooner sit with 35,000 real Villa fans.

I'm not advocating it, Chico; just trying to undersrtand it.

Unfortunately, you can't have one without the other. Even in the O'Neill days of 40,000 gates there were plenty of "Where's the Holte end" fans around.

[Drummond]

Interesting read but short term can't they sort out the seats in the North stand. Very little room up there.

Yes, why not put Armchairs or sofas in... The DFS Stand (or DFS Sit)

[passport1]

Right now I'd say the engine is on a work bench and the mechanics are stood around with spanners scratching their heads.

[Clampy]

The engine stuff is the only important bit of that for me right now, the commercial stuff is all important and needs to happen alongside those improvements but if we get the playing side wrong then no amount of commercial improvements will help.

The comments about Bruce worry me because he seems far too chummy with him. Bruce has to be seen as an employee first and foremost and has to have very strict criteria that he's judged against, we can't afford for him to slip up because if he does then most of that interview is hot air.

The comments about Bruce didn't come across as chummy to me. I think he was just pointing out that they had a good working relationship and that he enjoyed working with him, which is good. If the time comes that they have to move Bruce on, the fact that Wyness likes him won't have any bearing on Dr Tony's decision.

[WarszaVillan]

I hope this Steve Round fella is good, or we're buggered.