1) So how has your season been so far?
It has been awful, we are all missing Doug Ellis and David O’Dearme. We’ve some American owner, Randy something or other, he’s talking about spending money and restoring the pride to the lions. It’ll never catch on!
We started the season well, went 13 unbeaten, albeit a good few draws and then had a blip. We are now looking upwards again following a good result (even if the performance was a bit mixed) against Watford. 3 points off you and West Ham and we’ll all be happy again, especially with a couple of very decent additions this transfer window.
2) Is Martin O’Neill the man to take you forward?
Not only forward but upward. Him and Randy Lerner will make a good team by the looks of things.
3) Realistically what can Villa achieve this season now and what do you expect in the next few years?
This season, in the mix to scrape the last Uefa Cup place, if not as long as we continue to build, all will not be lost. I doubt MON’s ability to win us a cup this season, especially as we were knocked out of both earlier on but following what I expect to be a busy summer spending, we can certainly start to once again mount some pressure on the top six places and get some decent cup runs (and wins) going. Villa have done it all before, we can do it all again.
4) Is Ashley Young really worth what you’ve paid for him?
Time will tell, but I’m not that worried about the money, Randy has deep pockets and O’Neill knows what he wants. I’ll trust them to do the business and let them worry about the pounds or dollars going outward. I’ve not seen that much of Ashley Young, so it will be fascinating to see how he fits into the team and how influential he will be. The quotes from Aidy Boothroyd, Les Ferdinand and Martin O’Neill certainly suggest we’ve bought a very talented player.
5) What is your opinion of Newcastle?
Love the place, especially the women. Or did you want me to narrow it down to the football team? Kevin Keegan was a hero of mine as a kid, so loved the Keegan years for the Barcodes. Not as interested now but much like you with Villa, have no real love or hatred for you. Stadium is great but where the away fans are put is rubbish!
6) Have you noticed any difference in the way the club is run following Randy Lerner’s takeover?
Difficult to judge 6 months to 30 years but yes, seems the pride is being put back. They are restoring the lovely old Holte Hotel pub, are making the training ground facilities (Bodymoor Heath) the best there is in the Prem, they paid for all the fans travel to get to the Chelsea game earlier in the season and aren’t embarrassing us in the paper like old what was his name used to!? Big things are expected and I truly believe Randy Lerner and his merry men will deliver.
7) If you could swap a player or two of yours for one or two of our players, who would they be?
I’d let you have the Djemba twins and take a fit Michael Owen and maybe Kieron Dyer. Not sure if a fit Owen and Dyer actually exist though, please advise before sending Jumper Jumper up t’north.
8) Who do you fear in the Newcastle side?
There is nothing to fear but fear itself! To be honest the main man to fear has retired, without Shearer and with no Owen, the gap is obviously massive. I used to fear Bowyer as well, but only because he looked like a rat boy, (shudders). The player to watch is Shay Given, on his day he is very difficult to get past. Looking at your squad, Roeder certainly has a lot of work to do to get you back up in the reckoning.
9) Who should Newcastle fear in your side?
John Carew. The Hulk will score on his debut, trust me. Oh, and Gareth Barry is quality.
10) What is your prediction for the game?
1-0 to the mighty Claret and Blues.
Read what Mr Fear has to say about The Toon here My answers on Vital Villa
Share this article
