Better The Devil You Know? NO!

Right, a lot has been said and a lot is going to be said about the situation at Villa Park.

I don't think the old argument of 'better the devil you know' will wash anymore with regards to Doug Ellis. Fine, we all have differing opinions on his tenure, my frustrations certainly don't date back as far as many Villa fans, I got caught up in the manager cycle for many years. However, no matter what anyone thinks of him, even if he was our hero, he would still be coming to the end of his tenure. At the age of 82, there is no way of getting round that. I don't mean that in a macabre or disrespectful way, it is just common sense.

We then get onto the potential and hopefully soon to be actual bids.

Michael Neville:

He has had a fair bit of bad press from fans because although he has talked of bids, bids haven't materialised. Fair enough, it can be grating because we are all Villa fans and are desperate for action. My personal opinion is it is good to know that people like him have been about, he failed once and didn't slope off with his tail between his legs, he carried on trying. Who knows, he might succeed, he may just as easily fail. I would still shake his hand and thank him for his efforts, he has done no harm and in many ways, what with all the press talk, might actually have succeeded in bringing in more potential suitors.

Randy Lerner:

Put quite frankly, I'm totally excited by this possibility. He is a big time player who if he came would want nothing but success. Now I won't hang my hat on any bid (not that it would make any difference, I'm not claiming that before certainly people start on me again) because we simply don't have all the details. But on the flip side of that, how can anyone be criticising or negative about something that a) hasn't actually happened yet and b) the details haven't been put out yet.

Surely any sensible person will wait, listen to what he has to say, and then come to a reasonable conclusion?

The positive thing is that he has been in contact via representatives in order to talk to the fans, via the Shareholders Association and Villa Fans Combined (hopefully soon to be disbanded Villa Fans Combined). That at least shows they know that the fans HAVE to be brought into the fold and an inclusive policy will be needed.

I know all the possible negatives of any approach, but hey, lets enjoy our (potential) day in the sunshine, the devil may be in the detail, but we can't judge that until the detail is available.

Mike McKenna and Peter Cross

Some fans will also have heard of fan based initiatives floated by both these gentlemen. Again, I've also seen the same old Villa fan snipes about them. Why? Why? Why? Why is it not a good thing that people are actually trying to do something?

Now fair enough, at present, most moves and actions are on hold as we see the latest bid situations played out, but from my communications, both these chaps also deserve a slap on the back for at least attempting to do what they feel is right for Aston Villa.

As a fellow Villa fan, I'm proud there are people like this involved with Villa as opposed to the negative ones who would rather rip the good intentions of other fans apart or to reduce everything to a personal slanging match. Thanks but I left school over 20 years ago.

I'm sure one day the truth will out and people like Mike and Peter should be applauded as gentlemen and scholars, or should that be Villans?

Anyway, lets face it, Villa deserve a decent break for once, I bet there are a fair few Chairmen in the Premiership not to keen on this potential takeover, they know the size of Villa, we know the size of Villa, and I think some opponent fans will learn very shortly the real size of Aston Villa!

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.