Vital Villa Summer Interview: clhbelbin
clhbelbin steps up for the Vital Villa members interviews.
Q: When did you become a Villa fan and why?
1992 at the grand old age of 10 when I realised Aston Villa were in Birmingham and therefore I was ‘allowed’ to support them as they were a local team!
Q: The season just gone, good bad or ugly? What did you think of it?
Good good good! I thoroughly enjoyed both trips to Wembley (even though i almost bankrupted myself in the process!) and i was pleased with finishing 6th. Hopefully we can push on from it and improve next year…
Q: Best and worst moment of last season?
Best would have to be beating Man Utd at Old Trafford, although the semi against Blackburn is right up there too.
Worst would be losing to Man City, 5th spot was in our hands until then – maybe even 4th!
Q: James Milner… is he off do you think? If so, what price (realistically) should Villa hold out for? If off to Man City, which – if any – of their players would you want in exchange?
I don’t think he will go this season but if he carries on the way he has been i can’t see him staying after next season – unless Villa grab 4th spot of course. Price is a tough one. I would like 35-40m but can’t see it going that high. If he did decide to leave i would rather it was to anyone but Man City or Spurs, but if i have to choose a player in exchange i would go for Stephen Ireland. I think he could do a Richard Dunne and play better for us than he has for City this season.
Q: What signings (type of player or specific name/s if you wish) would you like to see Villa buy this summer?
Desperately need a 20 goal a season striker. Heskey does a lot of hard work off the ball but just doesn’t score enough. I’d keep Carew and Gabby, but would definitely want a more prolific scorer as well. Midfield if we manage to keep Milner is pretty good, hopefully a fully fit Downing will improve next season. We do also need to strengthen our defence – both left and right back. Don’t quite understand what happened to Luke Young last season as he was immense the season before.
Q: Where do you stand on Martin O’Neill (I don’t mean literally, that would be assault) ?
Really rate him as a manager and can see him continuing to improve us. Pre O’Neill we would have a decent season – right up in 6th spot, immediately followed by a naff one – slightly too close to relegation for my liking! O’Neill has so far kept the naff seasons at bay!
Q: Your opinion of Randy and the board?
Best thing that has happened to Villa in a while. I had nothing really against Doug Ellis but did feel Villa needed a change. They are improving Villa without throwing us in a load of debt. If Man City or Chelsea’s owners get bored and leave what would happen? I like that we aren’t improving the team by being stupid with money.
Q: Favourite current player and favourite all time player/s
Favourite current player would be either Milner or Dunne. They have both played so well this season i don’t think I could choose. Favourite all time player is a trickier one as I only have about 18 years worth to choose from. Probably Ian Taylor or Dion Dublin.
Q: Do you expect progress next season, difficult to answer before the transfer window closes I know?
I would love progress but would also be pretty chuffed to stick with 6th. With the likes of Spurs, Man City, Everton and Liverpool all fighting over 4th spot this season i think it will only get tougher next season. Having said that, if City to continue to sign divas and Spurs can’t cope with CL and the league then anything is possible!
Q: Right, lets lower the tone… which celebrity would you most like to bang and which (male I would think) celeb would you most like to thump!?!
Hmmm Hugh Jackman.
And would most like to thump Katie Price – get off every newspaper and magazine I don’t care about your life! (I’m a girl in case that wasn’t obvious!)
With thanks to clhbelbin
For how to submit yours see: Click Here
Other summer interviews:
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Simon Bird
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Stephen Jay Hawkings
Oscararc
Stig
Parkez17
claretandbluearmy
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Kainga
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odowdk5
Previous interviews: Click Here
clhbelbin
