Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Thursday December 24 2009
Time: 10:06AM
UK time is: 07:52:07
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Interview With A Gooner Blogger
1) So, the top four not so secure these days, do you fear you might fall out of it or are Arsenal 'safe'?
The only time I was worried about Arsenal dropping out of the Top 4 was in 2005/2006. That year Tottenham fought us till the last game of the season. Other than that Arsenal have not really been outside the Top 4 come March or April since Wenger took over. Credit to Wenger, as I believe that Arsenal fans can really take Champions League football for granted and feel secure due to his contributions.
2) What do you see Arsenal achieving this season and if you don't win the league, is it good enough for the club, the manager and fans?
Winning the League is Arsenal's first and foremost priority. If the Premier League is not won by Arsenal, that is a disappointment. While we understand that only one team will be able to win it, we have to take into context external factors that may influence the title tilt. Pessimistically, I see Arsenal either winning the Premier League or the F.A. Cup this season.
3) Arsene Wenger seems to be hinting that he might run down his contract, would it be time for him to move on the summer after next or should Arsenal move heaven and earth to extend his deal?
If Wenger feels he has taken the club as far as possible and wants to seek a new challenge, the Board should respect that and celebrate the man. If he wants to continue, extend his contract. I personally do not see Arsene Wenger leaving anytime soon.
4) What is your opinion of Aston Villa and Martin O'Neill?
Where to begin with Aston Villa. They have become more prominent after Martin O'Neill's appointment and the Randy Lerner takeover it seems. Martin O'Neill is a very shrewd manager and has the reputation of bringing out the best of his players. A very good motivator. Off the pitch, I believe he is very cultured too. I rate him highly, unfortunately I feel his time has passed to take on a club like Arsenal or any other Champions League Club and build a legacy. He would be better off sticking with Aston Villa and try to establish them as a European powerhouse once again.
5) Can Villa finish in the top four and if so, at whose expense?
Yes, I do believe this could be Villa's season at the expense of Liverpool. Though this assertion might come back to haunt me end of the season. The real test is doing it consistently, which only 3 clubs have managed to achieve over the past 13 years, Real Madrid, Man Utd and of course Arsenal.
6) If you could have a couple of our players, who would they be and why?
Gabriel Agbonlahor to solve our current striking problems and provide a stable cover for Robin Van Persie. Richard Dunne for defensive cover. Ashley Young for midfield cover.
7) Who should Villa fear in your team?
For the game on Sunday, Andrey Arshavin. One small mistake and it could be game set and match for Villa. Just ask Glen Johnson. Also, lookout for Abou Diaby if he starts.
8) OK, lets be having you, what is your prediction for the game?
My heart says a win for Arsenal, my head says a stalemate with neither side breaking through.
Cheers and good luck for the game.
With thanks to chronicaddiction at www.gunnernation.wordpress.com Should have our Vital editor's interview later, can't get enough of these fan opinion pieces I must admit!
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Your Comments
Weren't you worried last season when youstruggled to maintain a top four place for most of the season? In fact if we didnt lose our momentum yoy may have never got it. This season is different. We have a squad!
leelindsay
Weren't you worried last season when youstruggled to maintain a top four place for most of the season? In fact if we didnt lose our momentum yoy may have never got it. This season is different. We have a squad!
leelindsay
Yeah right Lee, short term memory loss, we gave you back the fourth place last year when it was ours to lose!!!
Villan444
Yeah right Lee, short term memory loss, we gave you back the fourth place last year when it was ours to lose!!!
Villan444
Love these interviews when they are done by level headed people
TuBBz
Love these interviews when they are done by level headed people
TuBBz
Unfortunately, that comes across as extremely arrogant :-(
If I was an Arse fan, I'd be extremely worried about Wenger going.
They'll be nothing without him, as he's the best manager in the world, imo. Dismissing Pool as a team that hasn't consistently been in the CL is poor too. At least they've won it.
badger0-0
Unfortunately, that comes across as extremely arrogant :-(
If I was an Arse fan, I'd be extremely worried about Wenger going.
They'll be nothing without him, as he's the best manager in the world, imo. Dismissing Pool as a team that hasn't consistently been in the CL is poor too. At least they've won it.
badger0-0
I agree v arrogant. Gabby cover, dunne cover & young cover - arse!!
Mutley73
I agree v arrogant. Gabby cover, dunne cover & young cover - arse!!
Mutley73
"The only time I was worried about Arsenal dropping out of the Top 4 was in 2005/2006. That year Tottenham fought us till the last game of the season" you make it seemed like you earned that 4th spot. In truth you where very fortunate as Spurs had that massive food poisoning at the last game of the season. The interview was very arrogant over all. while i feel arsenal will probably finish in the top 3 or 4, it was very arrogant of you to dismiss the threat of Villa,Spurs and Man city by saying you can take your champions league spot for granted. I hope you guys give the scum a good Spanking.
Yid_from_India
"The only time I was worried about Arsenal dropping out of the Top 4 was in 2005/2006. That year Tottenham fought us till the last game of the season" you make it seemed like you earned that 4th spot. In truth you where very fortunate as Spurs had that massive food poisoning at the last game of the season. The interview was very arrogant over all. while i feel arsenal will probably finish in the top 3 or 4, it was very arrogant of you to dismiss the threat of Villa,Spurs and Man city by saying you can take your champions league spot for granted. I hope you guys give the scum a good Spanking.
Yid_from_India
Good luck you Villains against the Gooners.
TornadoYid
Good luck you Villains against the Gooners.
TornadoYid
Arrogant it maybe, but that is the truth. For you guys that are interested in the point of champions league football, look here: http://gunnernation.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/what-is-the-point-of-champions-league-football/
chronicaddiction101
Arrogant it maybe, but that is the truth. For you guys that are interested in the point of champions league football, look here: http://gunnernation.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/what-is-the-point-of-champions-league-football/
chronicaddiction101
Actually - tottenham had a virus not food posioning, you'd think a spud would know the issue with his own team eh? dunne would be cover as Gallas and Vermaelen imo are better, for me young would get a place over Walcott, but Agbonlahor would be well behind Arshavin & Robin Van Persie. Also I don't believe it is dismissing Liverpool, merely stating the facts. Anyhow, I think this game is going to be a belter! Good luck for the rest of the season guys. We are gonna struggle to beat your lot, MON has created a fantastic team with great work ethic. Cheers
Gunnerman
Actually - tottenham had a virus not food posioning, you'd think a spud would know the issue with his own team eh? dunne would be cover as Gallas and Vermaelen imo are better, for me young would get a place over Walcott, but Agbonlahor would be well behind Arshavin & Robin Van Persie. Also I don't believe it is dismissing Liverpool, merely stating the facts. Anyhow, I think this game is going to be a belter! Good luck for the rest of the season guys. We are gonna struggle to beat your lot, MON has created a fantastic team with great work ethic. Cheers
Gunnerman
Arrogant *****, bet he was ****ting it last season as well.
Mickey_Villa
Arrogant *****, bet he was ****ting it last season as well.
Mickey_Villa
The real test is doing it consistently, which only 3 clubs have managed to achieve over the past 13 years, Real Madrid, Man Utd and of course Arsenal. Is that some kind of joke?? Barcelona? Inter? Arsenal haven't won anything of note for years.
DeanoVilla
Gunnerman, it was food poisoning.I remember clearly that 10 players contracted food poisoning after eating dinner at the Marriott Hotel. Either way you where Lucky. By the way Young is better than Nasri and will start for u and Milner will start ahead of Denilson and Warnock in front of clichy(overrated) and certainly Friedel will start ahead of your sad excuse of a goal keeper.
Yid_from_India
The real test is doing it consistently, which only 3 clubs have managed to achieve over the past 13 years, Real Madrid, Man Utd and of course Arsenal. Is that some kind of joke?? Barcelona? Inter? Arsenal haven't won anything of note for years.
DeanoVilla
Gunnerman, it was food poisoning.I remember clearly that 10 players contracted food poisoning after eating dinner at the Marriott Hotel. Either way you where Lucky. By the way Young is better than Nasri and will start for u and Milner will start ahead of Denilson and Warnock in front of clichy(overrated) and certainly Friedel will start ahead of your sad excuse of a goal keeper.
Yid_from_India
yid-from-india, er...you might want to check your facts about your own team! Jeez http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4750305.stm cheers! @Deanovilla, he was referring to CL qualification. HAve a great Christmas gents.
Gunnerman
yid-from-india, er...you might want to check your facts about your own team! Jeez http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4750305.stm cheers! @Deanovilla, he was referring to CL qualification. HAve a great Christmas gents.
Gunnerman
lol, it is all kicking off... and a Merry Christmas to you all! :o)) What will be, would love to see two new teams in the CL to be honest, the 'top four' have bored us long enough!
The Fear
lol, it is all kicking off... and a Merry Christmas to you all! :o)) What will be, would love to see two new teams in the CL to be honest, the 'top four' have bored us long enough!
The Fear
Gunnerman, for your information i knew that the likely cause of the incident was deemed to be a form of gastroenteritis. t. but that was obviously due to the fact that the Investigators could not gather enough evidence to press a charge against the the Hotel and as i said above, either way you where lucky to get that 4th spot.
Yid_from_India
Gunnerman, for your information i knew that the likely cause of the incident was deemed to be a form of gastroenteritis. t. but that was obviously due to the fact that the Investigators could not gather enough evidence to press a charge against the the Hotel and as i said above, either way you where lucky to get that 4th spot.
Yid_from_India
and one more thing, i hope you have the balls to come back here sunday after Villa beat you and both villa and Spurs go ahead of you in the table.
Yid_from_India
and one more thing, i hope you have the balls to come back here sunday after Villa beat you and both villa and Spurs go ahead of you in the table.
Yid_from_India
wow. spurs backing us up? :) i love it. don't think he seemed that arrogant though guys! maybe suggesting that some of our strongest players would only be fit to serve as cover for them was meant a bit tounge-in-cheek. if not, he's very, very wrong. and i think the majority of last season would have been one to forget for arsenal. it wasn't a great comeback by any means, it was a poor performance on our part. so i wouldn't be suprised if he's opted not to mention ;) i think sunday will really be a tough one. we're much better away from home, and we are much better against bigger teams. my heart says a draw, but i've got money on a villa win. it would, after all, make this festive period far more interesting if villa were to win! cheers. proper chrimbo!
benji_starsky_avfc
wow. spurs backing us up? :) i love it. don't think he seemed that arrogant though guys! maybe suggesting that some of our strongest players would only be fit to serve as cover for them was meant a bit tounge-in-cheek. if not, he's very, very wrong. and i think the majority of last season would have been one to forget for arsenal. it wasn't a great comeback by any means, it was a poor performance on our part. so i wouldn't be suprised if he's opted not to mention ;) i think sunday will really be a tough one. we're much better away from home, and we are much better against bigger teams. my heart says a draw, but i've got money on a villa win. it would, after all, make this festive period far more interesting if villa were to win! cheers. proper chrimbo!
benji_starsky_avfc
Deanovilla, I don't mean to be hostile or arrogant. The club I follow allows me the luxury of enjoying more privileges than say Tottenham or Villa. Speaking of which, when was the last time Aston Villa won anything? ;)
chronicaddiction101
Deanovilla, I don't mean to be hostile or arrogant. The club I follow allows me the luxury of enjoying more privileges than say Tottenham or Villa. Speaking of which, when was the last time Aston Villa won anything? ;)
chronicaddiction101
Yid_from_India whatever, the facts are plain to see. Since when did anyone see me bragging that we're going to win? Personally I'm worried about Villa, I like MON, and think the side he's built is fantastic. I'm not confident because of all the reasons you have to be motivated - finish collecting the big scalps, unbeaten at the grove, chance to go above us etc. I'll be back here to offer congratulations or comiserations regardless.
Gunnerman
Yid_from_India whatever, the facts are plain to see. Since when did anyone see me bragging that we're going to win? Personally I'm worried about Villa, I like MON, and think the side he's built is fantastic. I'm not confident because of all the reasons you have to be motivated - finish collecting the big scalps, unbeaten at the grove, chance to go above us etc. I'll be back here to offer congratulations or comiserations regardless.
Gunnerman
did you say anything or emirates? very similar words! because i can answer to the emirates question and point to last season. and as far as anything goes, have you boys won the champion's league yet? ;)
benji_starsky_avfc
did you say anything or emirates? very similar words! because i can answer to the emirates question and point to last season. and as far as anything goes, have you boys won the champion's league yet? ;)
benji_starsky_avfc
and fair play gunnerman! first humble gunner i've come accross..
benji_starsky_avfc
and fair play gunnerman! first humble gunner i've come accross..
benji_starsky_avfc
How does the phrase go? Not all Gooners are *****, but all ***** are Gooners...
ljkal
How does the phrase go? Not all Gooners are *****, but all ***** are Gooners...
ljkal
Cheers benji, I think it's more about being as honest and as objective as possible when talking about the team you love! Regardless of the outcome I reckon the game is going to be an absoloute stormer. I'll be there to watch feel the elation or depression in the flesh. This has been the tightest (and best) PL season for as long as I remember, it's so tight at the top - with 20 odd games left we're in for a rollercoaster finish :)
Gunnerman
Cheers benji, I think it's more about being as honest and as objective as possible when talking about the team you love! Regardless of the outcome I reckon the game is going to be an absoloute stormer. I'll be there to watch feel the elation or depression in the flesh. This has been the tightest (and best) PL season for as long as I remember, it's so tight at the top - with 20 odd games left we're in for a rollercoaster finish :)
Gunnerman
benji, what is the point of the champions league? ;)
chronicaddiction101
benji, what is the point of the champions league? ;)
chronicaddiction101
Bloody hell you Spud and Gooner fans, get a room and sort it out amongst yourselves, not on our site please.
Saurat
Bloody hell you Spud and Gooner fans, get a room and sort it out amongst yourselves, not on our site please.
Saurat
there's no point in it and it's ruined football. but we're taking it from you or liverpool this season matehhhh :)
benji_starsky_avfc
there's no point in it and it's ruined football. but we're taking it from you or liverpool this season matehhhh :)
benji_starsky_avfc
Saurat, you would note that the article was about the upcoming Arsenal game so gooners have some locus standi in coming over here and replying to comments. What the spuds are doing here is the real question. The spuds can take so little consolation from their own club that they need to pass their judgement on Arsenal games as well. Sorry state of affairs.
Deltaforce
Saurat, you would note that the article was about the upcoming Arsenal game so gooners have some locus standi in coming over here and replying to comments. What the spuds are doing here is the real question. The spuds can take so little consolation from their own club that they need to pass their judgement on Arsenal games as well. Sorry state of affairs.
Deltaforce
Honestly, I really admire Villa as a team, but their players as individuals don't stand out over Arsenal's. That's not to say they don't have quality, but honestly RVP and Arshavin are far superior to Agbonlahor, and Bendtner would work better in the 4-3-3 that we play. Eduardo and Vela have decent cases for being equal in the pecking order too. Milner wouldn't fit into the fast-moving football that Arsenal play. He's got the giving, as it were, but not so much the going. Playing in the middle Denilson's dynamism alongside Cesc's more tidy, and delightfully subtle brilliance, although unspectacuiar, is crucual - just look at the difference between our results with and without him, it's truely incredible. And Young better than Nasri? Young's good on his day and is capable of having a moment of inspiration but often goes missing. Nasri is technically superior, although not having the same pace. Also, in the 4-3-3 Nasri's greater confidence with the ball in more central areas is crucial. Also, we don't have the likes of Carew or Heskey to meet Young's excellent crosses, so those would generally be pretty redundant. I would personally start all 3 of these players over Walcott, but that's only because I don't rate Walcott very much, and wouldn't have him starting anyway. Any one of Nasri, Arshavin, Rosicky, Bendtner or even Eduardo would get the nod for me. Possibly even Diaby or Vela. And Wilsher when he's a bit older. Dunne is a player I've always liked, but Gallas and Vermaelen have been too good together to break up. He wouldn't be simple cover, though. He'd definately put fierce pressure on them, and would definately get games, which is good, because, although generally superb, they have their dodgy moments. Right, that's that then. Merry Boxing Day (I know I'm a bit late here!) and I wish you good luck for the rest of the season starting from Monday and omitting the Arsenal game at Villa Park.
ArsenalRob
Honestly, I really admire Villa as a team, but their players as individuals don't stand out over Arsenal's. That's not to say they don't have quality, but honestly RVP and Arshavin are far superior to Agbonlahor, and Bendtner would work better in the 4-3-3 that we play. Eduardo and Vela have decent cases for being equal in the pecking order too. Milner wouldn't fit into the fast-moving football that Arsenal play. He's got the giving, as it were, but not so much the going. Playing in the middle Denilson's dynamism alongside Cesc's more tidy, and delightfully subtle brilliance, although unspectacuiar, is crucual - just look at the difference between our results with and without him, it's truely incredible. And Young better than Nasri? Young's good on his day and is capable of having a moment of inspiration but often goes missing. Nasri is technically superior, although not having the same pace. Also, in the 4-3-3 Nasri's greater confidence with the ball in more central areas is crucial. Also, we don't have the likes of Carew or Heskey to meet Young's excellent crosses, so those would generally be pretty redundant. I would personally start all 3 of these players over Walcott, but that's only because I don't rate Walcott very much, and wouldn't have him starting anyway. Any one of Nasri, Arshavin, Rosicky, Bendtner or even Eduardo would get the nod for me. Possibly even Diaby or Vela. And Wilsher when he's a bit older. Dunne is a player I've always liked, but Gallas and Vermaelen have been too good together to break up. He wouldn't be simple cover, though. He'd definately put fierce pressure on them, and would definately get games, which is good, because, although generally superb, they have their dodgy moments. Right, that's that then. Merry Boxing Day (I know I'm a bit late here!) and I wish you good luck for the rest of the season starting from Monday and omitting the Arsenal game at Villa Park.
ArsenalRob
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