Doug Ellis was always known for his no-nonsense approach but a very good business man. You could never ever question the man’s dedication to the club but as I have stated before sometimes you need more than just love for a football club.

Under ‘Deadly’, Villa were known as an established Premiership side that were never really going to brake the top four, due to finances – but the upside to that was we were one of a very few clubs in professional football who were making a operating profit.

The 88-year old was controversial and many fans blame him for the decline of the club following the the greatest hour in the clubs history – winning the European Cup in 1982.

The destruction of the old Trinity Road Stand was something else that upset fans, with many believing it should have been a listed building.

I could go on about the negatives about the man, just as much as I could list the positives but the important factor about the man who still watches Villa week in – week out was he lived Aston Villa and always put the club first. We was always number one in the Midlands, and always financially secure.

Then we look at our current owner Randy Lerner who purchased the club for a very good price of just £62.6million and the American Entrepreneur immediately started to make all the right noises.

He invested money into completing the redevelopment of the clubs state-of-the-art training facility – Bodymoor Heath, as well as the famous Holte Pub.

The 49 year old also splashed the money out like it grew on trees and had a 5 year plan to get the club back amongst Europe’s elite.

However six years on, we are currently a club in decline. There are reports that the club has debt (to the owner), despite selling off all the clubs big assets (James Milner, Ashley Young and Gareth Barry), and on top of that the controversial appointment of former Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish.

Yesterday I asked you if you would be renewing your season ticket in my article ‘Season Tickets – Value for money?‘ and today I am asking you which of our modern day chairman did you prefer?

I am personally undecided – Under Sir Doug we may not of got anywhere but we always knew were we stood, while Randy Lerner have brought some of the best days being a supporter in my life time but I haven’t got a clue what the future holds for my club.

So what do you think? Deadly Doug or Mr Lerner?

Every so often I will browse the internet to see if there is anything I have missed in terms of Aston Villa – and although there isn’t I have noticed a very similar theme occurring on many communities and social networking websites. Season tickets!

It is coming to that time of the year where many people will look at this season, and the future in deciding whether to renew their season ticket at the end of the current campaign. There will always be those who argue for and against the case but what route will you be taking?

Without doubt the club will probably make a massive deal about freezing prices (despite the fact we already pay over the odds), and will offer us some stupid coupons and maybe even AVTV free again.

But as a season ticket holder myself, I am sure I am not the only one who gets questioned by ‘stay away fans’ as to why I insist on paying over the odds for something that doesn’t satisfy my Saturday afternoon needs. In fact I tend to walk away from Villa Park these days more stressed than I was before I entered the ground. After all if you was to buy a ticket for a show or a concert you wouldn’t pay to see it again if you wasn’t happy with the first display would you?

Another point that has been brought to my attention, and on more than one occasion this season is whether or not it is actually cheaper to buy tickets on an individual game by game basis?

If you were to contact the club they would no doubt deny that this is the case, but those who have done their research will tell you a different story all together.

And then you could argue the fact that you are guaranteed the same seat each and every week, and you get to know those who are around you.

But is this really what you want when you depart with your hard earned cash? Do you want to pay over the odds to become more stressed?

My answer to that is Yes! And those who are probably reading this will either agree with me or think I am a complete and utter idiot. The simple fact is to a devoted football fan, their football team becomes much more than a hobby – Its a way of life.

The devoted fan will be checking any news source they can get their hands on for any kind of hope relating to their beloved football team. They will defend them even when deep down they know what the other person is saying is probably true.

And lastly and probably most important – They miss it when it is not available to them. I guess you could say it is a bit like losing a loved one!

Wasting chances, leaving attacking to the last ten minutes and playing with hardly any passion for the badge; I can’t seem to think of anything McLeish could do more other than drop the negative tactics he seems to possess.

Let’s take the most recent game as an example; Manchester City. Defensively it was well organised for the majority of the match. Every player had another man to mark, which in the first half worked extremely well to shut down the opponents. Yet, perhaps after a half time team talk, gaps started to appear as marking seemed to have been forgotten. However, we offered hardly anything going forward. That may have been down to City’s back line or Villa’s tactics. Most would probably agree with the latter. Even in the last ten minutes, when we left it too late, wasted opportunities cost us a point at least. Although, I’d like to point out that the four clear-cut chances we had, three of those were from defenders. What does that say?

A spat with Stephen Ireland and Charles N’Zogbia at Newcastle perhaps cost us that game Sunday night, as possibly our two creative midfielders weren’t on the pitch. Once N’Zogbia came on, the game and tempo from Villa livened up.

Despite his slow start to his Aston Villa career, he has now hit the ground running. Our most attacking intent last weekend and the quick feet in Sunday’s game, McLeish should have shaken off last week’s arguments and wiped the slate clean.

******

McLeish’s tactics have held back Villa’s attacking players in my honest opinion. The Tottenham Hotspur game optimised it. Alan Hutton as a right-winger instead of a natural attacking player.

Obviously we can’t just blame it all on the manager. He plays a huge part in the running of the club and how the team are set out yet he can’t influence how the team plays. He can’t go onto the pitch and score goals for them, defend for them and become the next Shay Given.

He can only do so much, let’s face it.

Players earning an enormous amount of money each week only seem to be bothered about the money. Except a few; Gabby Agbonlahor, Marc Albrighton for example. As a fan, to pass the test you have to sweat blood, tears and claret and blue to be an Aston Villa player that can be accepted by the faithful. My view is that there aren’t enough off these guys playing for the badge, giving the crowd something to cheer about and just play football to their greatest ability.

Fans have said in the past that they’d rather lose three or four nil and play with heart and passion than lose one nil and give nothing what-so-ever. I accept that point because after all if they all did then it shows that they care.

******

When I was growing up many rival supporters used to refer to my beloved football club as ‘boring Villa’ and I used to defend them just like any supporter would there own club. However, yesterday for the first time I watched the game and actually thought, we are quite possibly the most boring side in the Premiership at this moment in time – a tag I used to associate with Stoke City.

Yes, we did play Manchester City and the odds were always against us to beat the table toppers who have scored more and conceded less than any other side in the league. However, as an Aston Villa supporter, am I being harsh by demanding that those who wear the famous Claret and Blue colours give it a dam good go?

After all I would have been disappointed if we had lost 3 or 4-0, but I would have been able to walk away knowing full well that we gave it our all. Instead I walked away following a 1-0 home defeat against a City side who in my opinion also looked just as poor as us on the day – for whatever reason.

The away side scored the only goal of the game through former Everton defender Joleon Lescott after 63 minutes.

Former Villans James Milner and Gareth Barry linked up from a corner before the big defender scored from inside the six yard box.

I wont kid myself, and I will except Manchester City did deserve all three points after dominating the game from start to finish – but never really looked like scoring – if that makes sense?

Villa’s only chance worth talking about come in the final minute when Joe Hart proved just why I believe he is currently the best keeper on the planet with a fantastic one handed save from Darren Bent’s close range shot.

Not only is that the worst home run from Aston Villa in Premiership history, it increases the pressure on Alex McLeish, who was subject to a small protest before the game.

Villa now have a run of games they will need to be winning if they don’t want to be dragged into a relegation battle.

Injury Problems

Richard Dunne was today ruled out for up to 8 weeks following an aerial challenge late on in the game against his former club.

The Ireland international will have tests but the club fear the defender has dislocated his shoulder.

The club also confirmed today that Dunne’s international team mate Ciaran Clark will also be out of action for up to a month with a knee ligament damage he picked up during training.

Remember, remember the 5th of November, so they rhyme goes. Well it is quite a significant date for both sides going into tomorrows encounter.

As I already mentioned, it was the last time Villa managed a win in front of there own fans, with a 3-2 victory over Paul Lamberts Norwich City side. And for Manchester City, a statistic that surprises me, it was the last time they scored more than one goal away from home, in a 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

I find it hard to see anything but an away win tomorrow, but I wonder what the odds are on a 3-2 Aston Villa victory, with Villa securing a win, and City scoring more than one on the road, for the first time since November 5th. Worth a cheeky bet maybe?

There are planned protests before tomorrows game, some say they are needed, while others are saying they will be embarrassing, but as Ian Taylor stated on his twitter ‘Entitled to voice there opinion, but still support the team’.

Teamnews

Aston Villa: Local lads Gabriel Agbonlahor (back and hamstring), Marc Albrighton (thigh) and defender James Collins (calf) have all took part in training this week so could play some part.

With Gary Gardner being in the media this week quite a lot, I have a feeling he could start as McLeish will tinker with the side to try and change Villa’s home form.

Robbie Keane will play his last home game for Villa before returning to LA Galaxy following a successful loan spell.

Manchester City: Mario Ballotelli will complete his four match suspension, with the Toure brothers are still away at the African Cup of Nations.

Stefen Savic should make way for Captain Vincent Kompany following a knee injury.

Quick Statistics

Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
Ticket Availability: £23-£43 (Buy Now)
Kick Off: 16:00 GMT
TV: Sky Sports Live

Possible Starting XI

Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Agbonlahor, Petrov, Gardner, N’Zogbia, Keane, Bent.
Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Clichy, Milner, Barry, Johnson, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko.

The appointment of Alex McLeish was never going to be popular, but some decided just to put up and shut up while others decided to stay away from Villa Park.

Of course everyone is entitled to do as they wish, after all football is only an expensive hobby and not a matter of life and death.

However, as the season as progressed there is becoming an obvious split between fans both at games and around online communities.

Now I am all for people expressing there own views, and the banter that comes with football but it seems that if you don’t agree with a section of fans then you will receive abuse.

Is that really fair? All of us want the best for Aston Villa Football Club and we will all have our own ideas about how to achieve them.

But at the end of the day sooner (lets hope) or later both Alex McLeish and Randy Lerner will move on to new adventures with a new team moving in with there ideas. And ask yourself who is left?

It won’t be the players, It will be us the fans so we need to all become one and remember that WE are Aston Villa Football Club. It is us that stand in the bitter cold Wednesday nights supporting those lucky eleven who are graced to be wearing that famous Claret & Blue shirt. Its us that get up at 5am to travel to that away game in Newcastle.

I am not going to make out I know exactly why William McGregor decided that one day he would start a football club and call it Aston Villa FC. But I have a good idea that bringing a community together is partly behind what he was doing.

Some slated me the other day for publishing the story about a protest due to take place this weekend before the fixture against Manchester City. They stated that I was promoting this.

Just ask yourself, what is wrong with some people expressing there thoughts about the club they love? They are not telling us to go are they? They are simply spreading the word of what they are planning to do with an option of us being able to join them.

I personally won’t be at the protest because I don’t believe it is the right way to go forward but I respect the man who is trying to make something happen. I know he is a season ticket holder of 25 years! Does he really deserve the stick he gets for trying to express his feelings?

The Avillafan Forum isn’t the biggest Aston Villa community on the internet and probably never will be but it does a job for a small selection of Villa supporters. They will come online on daily basis and discuss the ups and downs of our great club – Some days they will agree, while others they won’t.

But one thing they do, every single match day they all meet together in the Adventurers pub for pre-match drinks and banter. Now that is what it should all be about.

Because after all – We all love Aston Villa Football Club and want what’s best for it don’t we?

Why Manchester City and how long have you supported them?

All My life, was brought up In Barlow Moor and my older Brother supports Utd! but I followed my Father and became a Blue and never looked back, I took a lot of stick off him over the years but now is our time and it feels good!

I am going to get right to the point, will Manchester City Dethrone Manchester United and win the Premier League title this season?

I hesitate to say a definite yes but I think we are odds on to to it this season! Don’t want to jinx it. Utd traditionally have a strong finish to the season but we have a better squad than them and this will show in the final straight. It would be so sweet to not only win the title but to take it from Utd who have looked down on us for so many years and been the butt of many jokes!! the tables have now turned and City will dominate Manchester for years to come as I think Utd are FINALLY in decline.

Everyone has eyes on Manchester City during the transfer window, but this was one of the quietest in recent memory! why do you think that was?

Can’t speak for any other Club but I think the massive spending by us has now finished, the money spent has given us a world class squad which over time we will adjust and add to with quality Players, we wont spend 100′s of millions but when we do need players money will not be an issue. As for everyone else, I don’t think there is that much talent available out there and the drop in attendances across the League has many clubs tightening their belts.

Mario Balotelli is certainly a love him or hate him Player, how do you feel about him and does his temperament worry you at all?

Ain’t he great!!! wonderful talent but total head-case! sometimes he can risk being sent off with his antics but he is great to watch and can single handed change a game! I think he and Mancini have had a few arguments but this is part and parcel of what you get when you sign a player like him.

The benefits of having Mega Rich owners is very clear with unlimited spending and the ability to tempt the best Players, but are there any negative aspects that go unseen to many?

Only one minor drawback, the newly Manchester City life long Fans! Being of a more mature age and been going to watch the team playing over 30 years I have seen the sudden change in the amount of City Fans around the country and in Manchester, no sense or knowledge of the history of the Club or what we have gone through over the years! ask them a pre 2007 question about the Club and they cant answer.

Tevez is still on Manchester City’s books and still refuses to return to the Club, What are your thoughts on him?

That’s a quid in the swear tin please! The problem with being able to sign superstar players is that you get the superstar attitude as well. its part of the course and no player is bigger that the Club, he will never wear the Shirt again and that’s just fine by me.

Champions league qualification is assured for you next season, but do you think City’s finances will pass the financial fair play rules?

Don’t worry we will pass the test! and if we are on the verge of failing,then don’t be surprised to expect a world record sponsor ship deal with one of Sheikhs mates lol, but seriously, I think this is part of the reason that we did not spend in the January window. either way I think our Lawyers will be able to get something sorted if needed! Money talks!

What are your thoughts on Aston Villa as a Club and Villas Fans in general?

Like the Club, Its history and its Fans, but I do think that things are not right at Villa Park. Poor performances and unrest since O’Neill left has left Villa looking like a wounded animal which has no fight left, I say this with all due respect because a Club of Villa’s size should be right up there competing, but you always come up short.

Many Aston Villa Fans are very unhappy at the appointment and performance of Alex McLeish who came to Villa from our most fierce rivals Birmingham City, what do you this of this and how would you feel if Manchester City appointed Alex Ferguson?

Very strange move by your Chairman, very Brave move that could turn out to be a very bad one from what I hear. I have always though that McLeish was a very underrated Manager and has achieved a lot in the game, but at Villa he is not only facing opposition from other teams but also from the Fans and no I hear players.

What do you think the future holds for Aston Villa as we are currently under going a major cost cutting programme and apparently have a sell to buy policy in place and a Chairman who is determine to get the Finances in place?

Can’t imagine a Premier League without Aston Villa and I doubt very much you are in any real danger of being relegated, your position in the league is a pretty false one because you have some real quality players who are under-performing, But mark my words, if you can get Stevie Ireland playing back at his best you will have one of the most talented Players in this League! and we might buy him back then! (laughs)

And finally match predictions?

Villa 1 City 3, we will have too much for you on Sunday and I don’t think you have won at home for months!

Interview by Michael Steede.

Let me make this perfectly clear before I publish their statement. This has nothing to do with Avillafan.com and we do not agree or disagree with what this group are trying to achieve. They like everybody else are perfectly entitled to air their opinions.

The statement reads:

We have played 24 games this season, we have won 6! Is this good enough? No. This is relegation form.

Alex McLeish is not the man to lead Aston Villa. He had a full pre-season, was given £20m (approx) to spend and has players of the calibre of Darren Bent, Gabby Agbonlahor and Stephen Ireland to work with (also the most promising batch of home-grown players produced in years). Despite all this we find ourselves 13th in the table and without a home win since Bonfire Night.

Now after the débâcle of Sunday with the players now seeming to be in open revolt, the future is looking very bleak indeed.

We need to act now before it is too late and the unthinkable happens.

If you support this, please join us 3pm on Sunday, Trinity road Stand by the McGregor Statue. If you don’t then please ignore this.

UP THE VILLA

Keep up to date with the latest from this group at McLeishOut.co.uk

Football Aid promises you a unique opportunity to Live the Dream of an authentic match day experience; gaining exclusive access to the pitch and tunnel areas, pulling on your own personalised shirt in the official changing rooms, walking down the tunnel to the sound of a cheering crowd and ultimately to step out onto the hallowed turf and represent Aston Villa in a never to be forgotten football match. And it’s all for charity as well!

Getting involved couldn’t be easier, just visit www.footballaid.com, select Aston Villa and position, then place your bid – it really is that simple. Bidding’s available throughout the month of February with the last available positions closing on Wed 7th March and there promises to be some hugely exciting auction action in the weeks to come.

Week 1 should appeal to any Midfield Maestros out there, with the 45 min No 6 (CM), 90 min No 7 (RM) and 45 min No 8 (LM) closing on consecutive days between Tue 7th and Thu 9th February. Week 2 features the always popular 90 min No 9 (CF), No 10 (CM) and No 11 (CF) positions closing Tue 14th, Wed 15th and Thu 16th. Week 3 gives an opportunity for any defensive stalwarts to claim their place at the back with the 45 min No 2 (RB), 90 min No 4 (CH) and 45 min No 5 (CH) closing Tue 21st, Wed 22nd and Thu 23rd and Week 4 gives a chance for any super subs to claim their place with the No 14 (CM), No 15 (CH), No 16 (RB) and No 17 (LM) closing between Mon 27th Feb and Thu 1st March. All that’s left is the last line of the defence, the 90 min No 1 GK position which closes on Fri 2nd. Finally, Wed 7th March sees any remaining positions made available in our always frenetic final day of bidding.

Home Team positions close at 15:00 pm with the Away Team closing at 16:00 pm. If you’re concerned about losing out in injury time, or won’t be available to monitor your bid for any reason, make sure and use the automated Maximum Bid option and remember you can close an auction early by using the Buy Now option on selected positions.

So don’t get left on the bench, visit www.footballaid.com now and make your bid to secure a place on your Field of Dreams!

Football Aid celebrated their 11th anniversary in 2011 and have allowed over 12,225 football fans the chance to ‘Live the Dream’ in more than 460 matches. They are a groundbreaking organisation which generates funds annually by hosting charity football matches at iconic stadiums all over the UK. The unique concept was the brainchild of businessman and Football Aid Chairman Craig Paterson and funds raised from the event will benefit the work of a charitable project nominated by the club, as well as projects nominated by Football Aid’s parent charity Field of Dreams.

If they stop and actually look at the deal, it is in fact a fantastic deal for Aston Villa.

The deal was never a spare of the moment thing and a lot of work went into getting the best deal for the club by Aston Villas Merchandising department.

The Head of Merchandising, John Greenfield, stated that the club had spoke, and done there homework with 12 different brands as well as discussions with current kit manufacturer Nike.

Here is just how the club will benefit from this deal:

• The deal is worth £15million, compared to the £10million Nike deal.
• Macron and the club will release the kit on the 16th June – and not October/November like Nike.
• Macron will continue with the clubs traditions, and will listen to the fans ideas.
• Aston Villa will become Macrons Flagship Premier League team.
• They will make over 100 products – compared to Nikes 25.
• All products will be exclusive to Aston Villa.

Now if that doesn’t make you change your mind then I don’t know what will. But the bigger picture is the club will benefit more than they ever could with Nike and you don’t get anywhere in life unless you look after number 1.

Well done to John Greenfield and the Merchandising Team.

Here is a mock up design by Marshall:

You can view more of Marshalls mock ups here on the Aston Villa Forums.