Stead's hit the bar Douiff's diving like scotty's brought his sniper rifle Ferguson booked

Bothroyd off for Stead

Well that’s Christmas over, roll on 2005. With the horrible 2004 that Rovers have had, maybe with the new manager and management team (plus the introduction of a few new faces) will 2005 be better? I cant really be bothered writing a long Preview, other than the fact that Villa’s squad are down to the bare bones with injuries and suspensions biting quite hard. After a decent start to the season O’Leary’s team has started to slip recently with the defeat against Birmingham City being a right kick in the knackers as the blue half of brum gets bragging rights again. The Ewood fixture was an entertaining 2-2 draw with Rovers leading at one point only to allow Villa back in towards the end. Last season Rovers lost 2-0 at Ewood in an abysmal game and then won the corresponding fixture 2-0 with goals from Garry Zidane Flitcroft and John Stead. Great day. Villa and Rovers have also been playing each other regularly in the youth cups with Villas youngsters beating us last season. Best place for drinking is Graduate, right by Witton Station – trains every ten minutes from New St. See you there Right waffle over, i had some help and replies from a number of sites who kindly agreed to answer some questions. Villa vs Blackburn New Years Day -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) How much was expected of Villa following a relatively quite summer? Has it lived up to expectations? Denis_B from Holtenders.com Evening Whippet walker! Happy New Year to you too, after 1.1.05 We expected our chairman to be a prat and he lived up to that expectation. A midtable to to 7th finish. villa_moose We expected nowt, which is exactly what we've got. Dale from ASTONishedVilla.co.uk Umm always a slopw start to the season, I expected this season and IMHO so far so good, the last half of the season is I feel key to Aston Villa. 2) Are you glad that David O’Leary has now signed a new contract, or do you still hanker for the “glory” days of John Gregory? JG did ok but more potential from O'Leary..... given the backing at boardroom level, so see 1). We never won anything under John Gregory so to refer to them as glory days is inaccurate. We averaged sixth under him which at a club like ours is the minimum requirement. DO'L has the potential to be the best manager we've had since Ron Saunders. Although I liked JG I feel DOL is at least as good and has less resources at his fingertips, I would love to have the days of Gregory back but with our current squad I simply doubt this is possible. 3)What are your thoughts on Rovers so far this season? Very poor season and need a rebuild if Hughes is backed. You're irrelevant to us, just as i'm sure we are to you. Would have expected better results though. Awful, thus far, good luck for the rest of the season, I hope you get Savage, as although he is a pratt, he is key to Blues and they would crumble without him, I feel he could help your revival. 4)Newcastle offered their job to Souness, he buggered off, and now Rovers have Hughes. Do you think we'll be better or worse under Hughes? Too early to say but Souness appreared past his sell by with t'rovers. Better by far. Souness is a gimp, he proving that at NUFC Only time will tell, some fans were happy to have Taylor back here (I wasn't one of them) and he didn't work out, all the best to Sparky though. 5)We've got Enkleman as our Reserve Keeper, what kind of a reception will he get from the Villa Fans? He didn't ask to go. He isn't a bad keeper so don't expect too much grief. He was a decent keeper and will probably get a good reception. Nothing sour from me a great guy not the greatest Keeper but genuine 100% player, I expect no less from the rest of the crowd. We did it for Crouch. 6) More importantly what is it, that happens to your keepers in Birmingham Derbies? Good question. If you get the answer let O'Leary know. No Comment Spiked drinks? I honestly DO NOT know, this is painful for me. 7) Who have been your best and worst players this year? Best - probably Ulises De la Cruz and worst.... Barry. Best is a toss up between Ulises De La Cruz and in the few games he's played, Steven Davis. Worst is a harsh term, but Angels performances have been dissapointing for a player of his quality. Best: McCann, Steven Davis, Lee Hendrie, Solano Worst: Carlton Cole & Carlton Cole. 8) Any hot prospects coming up through your academy? Several from rcent teams come through. Cahill on loan at Burnley, Cooke loaned to Wycombe Davis just made the first team as has Ridgewell, Luke Moore and Whittingham recently. Our best young players play in our reserve and first team sides due to our small squad. Luke Moore and Steven Davis seem best of the bunch. Steven Davis (definatly), Luke Moore (I hope). (those two have came) Cahill (defender, on loan at Burnley their fans are raving about him) Agbonlahor (really, that is a name, record goal scorer at U18/19 level) Shane Paul (heard good vibes) Then their is Rodgewell, who is good. We have a good acadamy 9) Who do you want (realistically) to sign in January? What positions do you need to strenghen? Need a leftback as cover, a centre half a midfielder and a striker. I wouldn't mind the kid from Brighton as full back cover, Dawson Forest or Knight from Fulham as CB, van Bommell midfielder and any one of Keane, Beattie or Hartson up front. We need competition for Jlloyd Samuel so Babayaro at Chelsea would be nice. James Beattie would go down a treat as would Andy Reid. Hate to admit it but if Savage wants a move we should bid for him. LB, strikers, second LM, new 2nd GK if Postma leaves, thats about it. Robbie Keane + others. 10) What style of play can we expect from you on Saturday? Who knows...... Brazil or Barnsley could turn up on the day. Slick passing with no end product. Attacking along the floor full backs getting foward, good non long ball football, except when Sorenson & Mellberg get it. 11) Which Rovers player are you most scared of? Not scared of any but Dickov always steps in with useful goals and needs treating with respect. Not scared of any of them although Dickov stands out. Fear what fear. Ermmm I don't know, Barry Ferguson? Emerton, Reid looked good. 12) Any memories from Blackburn v Villa games that stick in your mind? Savo gobbing at Villa fans at your place a few years ago. Catching a chill at villa park 2 seasons ago. February 03 it was. Hammered down with rain, got soaked but we knocked you for 4 so it was all good. ( it was 3-0 but hey we were crap) Mellberg curing your injured player via assult of your physio, crap game lost 2-0 but hey it was funny. 13) Where do you think both teams will finish at the end of the season? t'Rovers will struggle to stay up and Villa 7th-10th if strengthened. Us - Mid table you - Just avoid relegation Villa- top 8 Blackburn- survival, I hope 14) And finally - last season the two games between Rovers and Villa ended symmetrical. 0-2 to you at Ewood, 0-2 to us at Villa Park. This year its 2-2 from the Ewood Game. What’s your prediction for the score? Should be a Villa win..... but it should have been last year as well. 1-0 to us joyeaux noel. Villa 2-0 Blackburn I think it'll probably be wrong however. Merry Christmas from myself and the rest of ASTONishedVilla. Thank you, and I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. (After January 1st of course) I would also like ot thank those people who helped me this past fortnight, and I wish you all a good New Year. Flopsy

we'll play a 4 1 3 2 formation with Emerton Ferguie and Thompson playing behine the strikers with Flitty sat in front of the back 4. Will be incredibly narrow and hopefully will work. Well it worked on Champ Man

2-2 another point

1-2 barcodes

HELP CANT GET ON CHAT Im getting "no ident response" and wont let me join a channel can anyone help please

no he hasnt - however he failed a fitness test. McEveley, MGP, Gallagher Thompson on the bench

It would have to be absinthe to get him out of that one Iverson HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

you can have two questionnaires done by some nice villa fans. and be grateful. My Sky+ is on the blink thats a hell of a lot more important. Im going for a 2-1 Win for (Censored) with (Censored) and (Censored) scoring for (Censored) and (censored) scoring a consolation. Gerintoem to be sung 25.67 times. Gav to have got a new shelf for christmas.

Ive got one Ben. I will see if I can copy it over to a blank tape - If not I will get back to you.

lmao you probably blunted his scissors damn students

shush - all tiny's fault Get your hair cut hippy

where you there???? Tiny at right back??? Oh god who do you think was to blame for their equaliser?? Tiny was never any good at fullback. Ever ever EVER Thats you told

yeah all the Southafricans will be suporting Blickburn Rovers - the locals wont know what hit em (like the southafrican cricket team muhahahaha)

but i was drunk AT THE TIME

Must warn you - the villa preview will be pants (just like the game )

I think the first is slightly more likely Im going for a 1-1 draw. Bob Flemming to hug random stranger in delight as Dickov equalises

You forgot the team that Souness built to win promotion, the Worthy Cup and then 6th place. or was that Brian Kidds team?

got to agree with Jim here. Ps. Jan LET IT GO. HE IS NO LONGER WITH ROVERS

i havent got back out the warehouse yet. although the swat tanks an utter riot with its water cannon

Right I've had it up to here with this thread. I am locking it until a ) MGP does something to warrant 63 pages/plays in the 1sts/gets a hair cut b ) Another Mod decides I'm wrong c ) A large wedge of cash comes my way. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU JUST GO AND START A NEW TOPIC - IT WILL BE DELETED

I should be going so that'll be a draw then

you didnt look like a HP Laser Jet when i met you waggster