Open Letter #1: To the players of Aston Villa FC

Dear players of Aston Villa FC,
This weekend it was the thirty year anniversary of Aston Villa last winning the Football League. A year later the club went that bit further and won the European Cup. I`m sure you were probably aware of this fact. We, as fans do tend to talk about these achievements a fair bit. That might be because since then we`ve won the grand total of one Intertoto Cup and two League Cups.

Rather than dwell upon the negatives too much, I`d rather make this one point to you all – you all have evidence of the love, celebration and respect shown to those who strive to achieve the best for this football team.

Those that achieve the best are heroes. Aston Villa, as a football club may have fallen in stature since that Championship and European Cup win. But it still remains as one of the top football clubs in this country. It was our very own William McGregor that founded the football league – to achieve something for this club will ensure that you go down in history as a Villa player that can correctly be named alongside such important figures.
We all understand that it`s been a difficult season. Managerial changes (x4), new playing styles being demanded, the amount of injuries sustained.

It`s unsettling, yes. But there have been times during this season that a number of you have let down Aston Villa supporters, the club and your team mates in a far more unsettling manor. You have to take a proportion of the blame, hold your hands up and accept that this season both on and off the pitch has been unacceptable.

It`s easy to point out individual errors. Too easy. Drunken incidents on team bonding sessions. Full blown arguments on the training pitch with what is effectively your boss. And on the pitch – the continued complete shambles when either defending or attacking set pieces. There is no excuse for these kind of things.

You are professional footballers. We as fans understand that you can have an ‘off-day`. We all have them at work – you should be no different. However, the continued mistakes which have cost this club time and time again this season – mistakes which professional footballers should not be making every week.

The concentration is not there anymore. The will, desire to be the first man to the ball is not there anymore. We`ve noticed it – I`m sure you have too. Last season, players would have been throwing themselves at the ball to block West Brom`s equaliser over the weekend. This season? Not quite, eh?

Wigan is an important game. It can ensure we are going to stay in the division for next year. Or it could make things look very worrying with only Arsenal and Liverpool left to play. We are still in a position where we could very well be relegated. You`ve already missed the chance of becoming claret and blue heroes for another year. Please, don`t become the first group of players to get Aston Villa relegated from the Premier League.
I beg of you. Bring back that spirit. When the season is over, once the new uncertainty over who will be manager has been and gone – if you don`t like it – if you don`t think you can give your best any longer – then this is the time to move on. But until then, after the season we have had – you owe us one hell of a performance on Saturday.

Yours,
CustardCream.