Do Villa Have The X Factor

This has everyone confused now doesn't it, do I mean the crap TV X Factor my missus forces on our TV every week, or not?

It could be the X Factor as a buzz word, for something special this season....but sadly it's the former.

Speaking on the official site today Gareth Barry took time out to talk about Phil Bardsley ahead of our match against Sunderland.

I'm sure everyone remembers Bardsley, who Philled in at right back whilst onloan from Man U for a period.

But what does this have to do with the title, well if you give me a second I'll get there.

Barry gives the standard, good honest lad quotes and describes him as a committed defender etc.

'We were struggling in the right-back spot and Phil was a great addition to the squad. He came here and, as our fans will tell you, he gave everything to the cause.

'He produced 100 per cent effort in every game. He did his job; he was tidy and solid and fitted into the back four really well.

'He arrived at Villa Park from Manchester United and you know that anyone coming through the ranks at Old Trafford has to be a good player. The amount of clubs that were after his signature before Roy Keane swooped just goes to show how highly he is rated.'

Should be an interesting battle between Bardsley and Young to be honest. I always quite liked Bardsley, but being youthful he had plenty to learn.

However, for the bit that cauught my eye and led to the title, it seems Villa have a strange initiation for new players when they join the club.

Karoake.

'He was certainly a confident lad and was always upbeat and having a laugh. He was good to have around the place.

'He arrived around the same time we went on a mid-season break to Marbella so that was a good opportunity to get to know him well. He settled in straight away.

'He had to take part in the usual initiation on tour - singing a song for the rest of the lads - and he did well to be fair. He was proud of his performance and I would say he came out on top.'

So in a world where we see actors want music careers, and singers wanting to get into the film world, it appears our players might well turn up on the next series of X Factor. With auditions held at VP, it wouldn't be too hard for them to wear silly hats and glasses and sneak in hoping to impress Simon Cowell.

Which leads me nicely to the next point, what do we think they would sing? Could we imagine John Carew belting out 'Like A Virgin', or amybe that would be Gabby's?

Would Barry prefer 'Long Haired Lover From Liverpool'?

Come on chaps, do we think we can find an appropriate karoake listing for our first team.

Gareth has helped out here and told us Ashley Young's favourite:

'The less said about Ashley Young's version of Gangsta's Paradise the better!'

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