This week I spoke to Villa fan Damian Dugdale from the Villa Blog
How do you rate your manager Paul Lambert? One paper suggested he will sacked if he loses against West Ham on Saturday
If Doug Ellis was still in charge, he’d have gone by now, but our current owner isn’t that interested in football success so for him,it’s not about if we win a match or look like we’re getting better.Our current owner is merely interested in staying in the Premier League and hopefully finding a buyer. For him, as long as we stay
where we are he’s happy. I’m hoping our new CEO however pushes the point that if we win more games and Villa Park is full, it might be more attractive to a potential buyer, but he’s new and we’re still to see what happens with him. The thing is, we’re looking really poor at the moment and this owner probably doesn’t realise that we’re bottom of the current form table and as things look right now, there are not three sides playing worse football than us.
Are you happy with your transfers this season?
I was. I was happy that we brought in Joe Cole, because he offered something we’ve lacked for a while, but Lambert seems to have lost a bet and ended up with him. I was also happy with Senderos and Richardson, but in truth we could have brought in better and things might not be better for us as the football is the core of the problem.
We’re still playing as if it’s 1985 with little interest.
What positions do you think Aston Villa and West Ham will finish in the Premier League this season?
As things stand now, I’d just be happy to stay in the Premier League and that’s sad. West Ham, if things continue going well should definitely be looking at a top half finish and with things as tight as they are in the top half, anything is possible.
Which three teams do you tip for relegation this season?
Burnley, QPR and Palace. Although it’s too early to really say and if we don’t improve, we could very easily be sucked into the bottom three very quickly. It’s mathematically possible we’re actually in the bottom three at 4.45pm on Saturday and if that happen, they’ll be a few thinking it could happen for us this season.
Stories claim that in 1899, there was a fayre was being held near to Villa Park in an area known as the ‘Black Patch’, William Dove, a London-born professional sprinter of national fame is said to have challenged four Aston Villa players to a race with a money wager set. The London sprinter returned to the East End with the claret and blue kit of the then league champions in lieu of the money wager. Is this story true or just an urban myth?
I’ve heard the story and it’s a nice one and why not believe it.
How are West Ham fans perceived by Villa fans?
I’ll pass on this, this type of question never wins me any votes. I will say that without a ticket I’ve sat in at West Ham in the past and I know a few guys that go every week and the banter is always good.Ended up in a proper dodgy pub in Bermondsey a few years back with one too and that got messy. Good lad though and good banter.
If you could have any current West Ham player in your team who would you choose?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; Noble. We don’t have anyone in the team like him and he’s the type of player that other players feed off. He’s got a winning mentality and he can also play a great game of football.
Favourite West Ham player of all time?
I’d have to say Frank McAvennie or Tony Cottee – both knew where the goal was and some great stories about one of them.
How do you expect to setup Villa against West Ham this Saturday?
We’ll have a go and we’re always better away from home but if we get something early we’ll defend like our lives depended on it if it means getting something out of the game. We’ll probably go with two up front from the off, but that might very well revert to 451 with Gabby or Weimann dropping back.
Score and prediction for Saturday?
Can’t predict we’ll lose but also can’t see us winning. 3-3 for fun.
My thanks to Damian Dugdale (@avfcblog and www.thevillablog.co.uk)