Progress

Guzan looks comfortable commanding his area. That's made a huge difference to the defence. It means as well that the defence can start playing with the flexibility needed at PL level, instead of sticking to a defencive line. It also means we're no longer looking rocky at corners, and even making something of corners at the other end. And with respect to that, Bannan's corner deliveries are becoming top class.

We've now effectively a much deeper squad than we've had for a long time, even though it's a mainly young one; PL will use that to his advantage. We've got 3 matches in 8 days coming up; I'll be interested to see how PL swaps things around.

Can't wait for the next match.

Yesterday we were excellent. Great performance and really good three points. Away at Southampton we have to go for the win, although Southampton will be determined to avoid five straight defeats and a draw wouldn't be the end of the world given that they nearly beat United there a couple of weeks back.

Still think we need to take things with a pinch of salt. However, to have three players on the bench in Gabby, N'Zog and Benteke - who would make a lot of PL first teams - is encouraging. The squad does still lack depth though, and I still have my doubts about a couple of Lambert's signings (Bowery, Westwood, Bennett in particular). I hope we continue with the buying young players policy, but aim for players similar to Benteke, who looks fantastic, rather than Bowery who I don't think will make any impact in the PL. We need to use our scouts correctly and it looks like we did when signing Benteke. To sign more players like that Lerner is going to have to trust Lambert with some money though and I do hope we continue to invest and make the squad capable of challenging for Europe by next season or the season after.

If we can get Ireland, N'Zogbia and Gabby to play to their best, we could finish top half this season.

Good times ahead hopefully.

UTV.

I reckon Westwood and Bennett were good signings; as PL said they've got a lot of first team league experience behind them, and he seems confident they can make the jump to the PL. It means we've got good cover for those positions. PL can swap things around, and he'll do so. It'll keep the squad fresh and keen. And it means as the season winds down he'll still have fresh legs to call on, as well as injury cover. Also, if we hit a poor spell, he's options he can try.

Bowery is one for the future. It's a message to the other players that they've got to keep on producing. And if any of our forwards get tempted by bids from elsewhere we've got one option for a replacement.

villa will lose next week.

more than one win in a month and the football equilibrium will be too warped for normal life to continue.


down the villa

So sayeth Chronic from the lofty heights of one single point above us.

Silly Chronic.

badger we dont spend every season battling relegation though

Nope, you seemed to spend whole of last season gloating that you're above Arsenal only to lose masses of points in the final third of the season.

Also seem to recall most of your lot mocking AVB for being inept!! Noticed his now the second coming however!!

Silly Spurs fans.

yes.

but we dont battle relegation every year....


heres to another long slog for the villa

Sorry didn't catch that.

You'll have to repeat that a bit louder, I can't quite hear you from your lofty position!!

yes.

but we dont battle relegation every year....

...........................................................................


Spurs have battled with relegation more times in the 20 years of the Premier League than Villa have. I seem to remember for three straight years from 2007 to 2010 we were battling for 4th, not relegation. Only the last two years we've battled relegation and one of those seasons we still managed to finish top half.

Once again another Spurs fan who doesn't have a clue what he's talking about.