Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: Steve Holden 
Date:Wednesday August 22 2007
Time: 9:41AM
UK time is: 03:40:34
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Villa - From The Heart
Don’t underestimate the legacy
Villa fans have had a lot to put up with over the last 20 years; the highs (1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2000) but the momentum could never be maintained; and the lows (numerous) which still cause me pain when looking back.
Every club has their share of ups and downs but never in my lifetime (born 1969) has expectation been so great. That’s why this pre-season has been so upsetting for all fans Claret & Blue (not West Ham, NOT Burnley, but Aston Villa, who’s Chairman instigated the Football League).
I can never put into words how overjoyed I was when Martin O’Neill and Randy Lerner rescued our great club for the hands of mediocrity. That is why the disappointment by the lack of transfer activity in the close season has bitten so hard.
I buy into the 5 year plan; I appreciate it will take time for AVFC to gain our rightful place; but Martin, Randy you must understand why the lack of transfer activity is so hurting the fans. We are used to being disappointed, but this time, THIS TIME, we thought we wouldn’t be. I have belief; I believe the transfer market is tougher than ever, but if we enter 1st September with 20 or so players I also believe that Villa fans will not be forgiving. We will hit November and December with injuries and suspensions and we will tumble down the league. That we won’t forgive.
There is a chance though. If the owners and management of AVFC have been astute enough we will land quality players before the deadline (more likely next week than this week) and then Mr Lerner and Mr O’Neill you will have the backing of 40,000+ at Villa Park week-in week-out and you will have my backing (and the backing of a Claret & Blue Army of obsessive supporters).
Got for it, do it, we’re all waiting to get behind you.
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Your Comments
Good post Steve. I'm torn between feeling like you do but also understanding that we can't run before we can walk and that as everything these guys have done since taking over has been for the right reasons and the good of AVFC, why doubt them now. If what we read is correct then giving MON the remit to run the team and playing side without trying to get too involved is all we could have hoped for. If Randy has offered to back MON and we have faith in MON then maybe we should all chill a bit?
In one respect I understand and share the frustration that we have not signed a number of quality players but what are we expecting with the transfer market as it is? With the money awash this season it has to be the hardest season to date to try and get quality players in. Should we be paying £18 million for the likes of Darren Bent or £15 million for Curtis Davies? Should we? Of course not. Even if Randy does have pots of money, I'm sure the majority of us would not want to see it being wasted paying ridiculous amounts for players that are not worth the ridiculous amounts being asked for.
I agree we need bodies in before the window shuts but do we really want to do what Small Heath have done and bring in 10 players of which the majority are average at best?
I may be wrong and have to eat humble pie (until the window opens again) but I am convinced that MON will have more players in before the closure and that they will be players who can do more than 'just a job'. I would prefer to wait and see than support the constant level of criticism we keep throwing at the club after all the great things done since the day we were set free.
Fingers crossed and in the meantime let's stuff Fulham on Saturday!
Up the Villa.
Mace
Mace
Great article Steve, you hit the nail on the head. Couldn't agree more.After 46 years as a Villa fan I saw the same light and share the disappointment you convey.
Gordonsleftboot
Well written article steve, and it sums up a lot of peoples feelings, but realisie one thing my friend, MON is a winner, and if we think for one minute he won't build and add to this squad soon we are very much mistaken. Now is the time when agents and players start getting nervous, not going well at their clubs pre-season, european preliminaries going bad, not getting the starts they thought etc....it's a nervous and risky way of doing things I know, but MON is a master at it.......plus if he messes it up he loses his job, and damages his reputation.....I will judge in December when the table settles, then we have January again, and he didn't do too bad last January did he........UTV....lets be supporters, not critics..
astonmilan
I still hold firm to the belief I've held since day one of the MON era, the guys a winner, knows where he's going and what he's doing, and that the football club that I love couldn't be under more capable leadership and guidance.
glensider
astonmilan - If only all villa fans had your sense!
Mutley73
He is a good manager and he was going to have a bad transfer market so maybe its good the bad window has happened now and not too far into his era
Christo
this the fantasy league supporters corner ?
avfc48
acfc48 - you don't miss a chance to stick the knife in do you mate. Good entertainment though 8-)
Gazvilla
avfc48 i'd rather listed to spurs and wham supporters than you at the moment. i'm sure even when we start signing players you'll do your utmost to kill the buzz and find something else to b1tch and moan about (cost too much, blah blah, blah). why don't you start supporting ManU or Chelsea if all you are after is instant glory.
YatesyVillain
Trouble is Christo, re his transfer dealings this summer, if he's got it wrong and we dont produce this season, then he may not be enjoying a VP career for too long.
glensider
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