Fans Worried Over Villa Future

[brian green]

Heartfelt Peter.  Very well said.  My grandchildren are scattered far and wide.  Keeping them on the Holte is going to be tough.

[dave shelley]

I agree Brian.  I've got five grandsons, two who now live in Shropshire and three over here.  The two youngest have no interest whatsoever as they're too young but, the two at home and the eldest here have been indoctrinated by me to the best of my ability.  At Christmas, the eldest in England wanted a Real Madrid shirt from us, as did the eldest over here, they have Villa shirts that I have bought for them and Villa merchandise.  I refused both, telling their parents that whilst I draw breath I will never, ever but them anything that supports any other club than the Villa..  My seven-year-old is, as we speak, Villa mad, thanks to his mother as well as me, and as we have the three boys staying with us for the week I'm regaling him with stories of past triumph's and he's loving it.  First thing he asked me this morning when he got up?  How did Villa get on last night.  Again, I had to tell him we lost.  How much longer before he decides he's a Manure fan?  I couldn't take it.

A fortnight ago, my son-in-law was in Barcelona for a couple of days with work and brought back two Real Madrid and a Barcelona shirts for the three boys.  What chance do I have?  If the Villa were winning a few now and then there would be some chance, but Christ, it's a struggle, and do you know something? There are moments when I think Villa don't deserve it because we, as supporters don't deserve what we are currently being fed.

[john e]

I also feel your pain Peter
my eldest lad is 28 so he's ok, but my youngest is only 9 and is struggling with us being absolutely shit every single week, I have the advantage of taking him to a few games which sometimes doesn't help but it engrains them a bit

he asked about supporting another team and I said ok but the only options I gave him were
Mansfield Town
Athletic Bilbao
or at a pinch Port Vale
(I have my reasons for the all of the above)

so he's sticking with us for now

[BOB MANSFIELD]

....and what's wrong with Mansfield Town ?

I will be writing a dissertation on this subject once the season is over and I can breathe easily again !

[BOB MANSFIELD]

I cant and wont turn my back on 'em.
If we drop into League 1/Division 3 I'll still be there

I was there last time, but I wonder if I'd have the same level of enthusiastic belief if it comes around again. I hope I still have enough faith. I am sure I do. There that's that put to bed then.

[brian green]

It requires a certain amount of guile.  My two sons and my daughter are Villa, unbending, unyielding.  My oldest grandson is 16 and a staunch Holte Ender.  The two younger boys get literature and music big time but they think having a family of Villa nuts rather baffling.  My only granddaughter is two and a half, kicks with both feet, runs like Adama Traore and is a nailed on lifelong Villa fan.  The latest addition born last Wednesday was in his Villa suit before he was two days old.  We have to work on them.  They are worth it.

[Legion]

My Libby no longer wants to come and watch the Villa with me.

[john e]

....and what's wrong with Mansfield Town ?

I will be writing a dissertation on this subject once the season is over and I can breathe easily again !

nothing they would be my second team if I had one

[BOB MANSFIELD]

I think we'll scrape staying in this League. Get Green and RHM to start games.

I must say I do not think the current crop of " kids " is good enough to rely on to get us out of this. Plus it would be unfair on them. I say give 'em a go only when we are safe and sound. Then it's their turn to show what they can do when the pressure's off. They are not, Walters, Little, Deehan, Cowans, Daley, etc, etc.

[BOB MANSFIELD]

....and what's wrong with Mansfield Town ?

I will be writing a dissertation on this subject once the season is over and I can breathe easily again !

nothing they would be my second team if I had one

It is allowed, isn't it? Please let me know if not. Having lived in so many places far away from VP I have accumulated a few " second Teams " and if I have to let them go, I will gladly do so to preserve the Villa.

[German James]

I've almost lost all interest. I can't get to games, I can hardly watch any games online (dodgy streams or not), I feel no connection to the players, the manager or the owner and the worst thing is that by all accounts, I'm missing nothing. Even the nasty purple which used to be claret is alienating, at this stage.

[BOB MANSFIELD]

Keep the faith. German.....UTV

[brian green]

First Villa game I saw this season was against Cambridge United.  Okay, a lower league side but the week before they had dominated a 1-1 game with the team that beat us at Villa Park last week - Ipswich Town.

We won the game at a canter 3-0 without breaking sweat.  Our front three that day was Grealish, RHM and Green.  They were a joy to watch.  All three of them if they don't do it with us will make it in the Premiership.

[JD]

That's just it. I never once considered tht my eldest child would be anything other than a Villa fan thanks to my love for them, his for me, and a good team to follow. Since he was born we've lived in London for about 3 and half years, Nigeria for 3 years, and turkey for just under a year. I'm the only Villa fan he knows (apart from family) and all his friends from overseas and back in London support the usual suspects. he's been to quite a few games and generally enjoys them. His favourite players were Gabby, Guzan and Westwood.

bit by bit as our dignity has been stripped away its been harder and harder for me to keep his Villa affinity going. He wants to support a team that at the very least doesn't lose every week. Not so long ago at bed time he said, "Dad, you know sons don't always have to support the same team as their dads". I could only agree and walk away.

When I was born we were in the 3rd but have no memory of that and we were back in the top flight when I have conscious memory of being a Villa fan (76-77). One year out of the top flight in 40 years. Now this. Losing every week in a shit division and a son who wants to support someone else because he doesn't like that he can't be proud of 'his'team. He's not from Birmingham so has no reason to support them other than me. All I ask is for Villa to give him something. Anything. But no. Every fucking week.

Pete my friend, I feel the pain you're feeling.
Both of my Sons were born in London and have grown up in New Zealand. They both played football and said they supported Villa but neither has seen them live, or even really care anymore. All they need to do to know everything about villa is look at the pain I show on my face wen they come round for tea every Sunday. I just wish I could have a team that made me proud (historically they do and and I love Villa) do that I could spend every Sunday boasting about how great Villa were (instead of avoiding talking about them).

[N'ZMAV]

I think I could sacrifice my daughters love for Villa for a life in New Zealand.