Theclaretblue

Of course it always frustrating with Doug when he was chairman, seemed very tight on the budget however looking back now we know it was for the best interest of the club, a club he loved and would do anything for. It will be sad to think we will never see him at Villa Park again! he was part of the furniture. RIP Doug!

Sensible move by Villa! look forward to see Smith's Villa Army!

I think Terry played a huge part last season and maybe he was doing all the work Bruce should have been doing. I know Bruce has had horrific year off the field and missed a lot of work and perhaps in that time when he was away Terry was perhaps the guy who was in charge. Just seems strange now how since Terry's departure the teams confidence has dipped.

For player who only was here for one season he certainly left a mark on the club, he was great captain who always professional and always gave 100% in performance a great ambassador for the younger players and especially towards Jack Grealish, he really as concentrated on his game rather nights out in a nightclub mainly down to John I think. It would fantastic to see him back in either the manager or assistant manager capacity as i still feel John as a big part to play in Villa's future.

Paul Lambert did the same when he was at Norwich, claimed he wasn't interested... suddenly Villa made official approach... he resigned!. Lets face it there's no such word as loyalty or respect in football. John Terry retiring maybe just a coincidence, then again he maybe pointing to the fact if he does get the job he'll be fully committed rather being a player manager type role.

Next Villa Manager Poll Be interesting to see numbers rather than posts, two choices one for "who you want as a manager" and "who think will be the next manager"

To be honest they might aswell announce it now because cameras will be watching the crowd. It's obvious whoever it is, has approached some time ago well before Bruce was sacked. So basically is geezer out of work... Henry- *Fair enough* Moyes- *Please go no* McCarthy- *got to be kidding, please don't even think about out* Van Gaal- *Would be interesting, best CV by a mile* Padrew- *Terrible manager* Allardyce- *You just know it!, god help us*

Another to throw in the ring I've heard rumoured is Louis Van Gaal.

John terry has been waiting for this job, this why he hasn't signed for another club probably seen the writing on the walls for Bruce towards the end of last season. My only concern now is Terry would have to find a complete new backroom team and his capable of doing in his first job! His number no2 would obliviously be a former Chelsea teammate someone like Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink whose managed and player at this level. You may even see someone like Claudio Ranieri turn up as Director of football, to help give some advice.

How about Gary Monk?

Nigel Pearson for me! currently managing in Belgium. Seemed to always impressed me. A lot leicester fans i know say he was one of the main reasons why Leicester won the premier league even without him being there. Myself I think it's between Smith and Terry. Smith being a Villa fan! and Terry... its very interesting he's yet to sign for a club... was he waiting for this job. I'd take Terry he's probably better than what Derby have got with Lampard.

Robert Snodgrass, terrific for us last season. I reckon he's keen for a second spell.

Nice guy Bruce but not his biggest done a job of stabilising the squad after a rocky few years, between October-February I think Villa were on fire and clearly on course for promotion, however I do feel we threw it away in the end, we had a much better squad than Cardiff and should have clinched second place. At times I think defensive tactics may have played huge factor towards the end especially in that play off final. Saying all this I feel Bruce deserves at least to start the season, I mean whoever the new manager is going to be they'll need to get to know the new squad and with the new season only two weeks away... Henry would be an ambitious appointment but at the moment I wouldn't like to take any risks, we've already taken a few risks and look at what it nearly done to us! Much rather see Rafa come! think we can offer him a better deal than Newcastle!

Grealish will never get given the chance to break into the Spurs side. I understand he wants champions league football but I don't know for his sake he needs to be playing regularly if he also wants to break into the England fold. Surprised no interest from Everton, they've got the money and he probably do a job for them... Lets hope Grealish heart takes over his brain.

I think it's a load of rubbish, I don't think Xia would want to jump ship after just two seasons. Think the papers are exaggerating a little, wanting to cause unrest. All that's probably gone is Dr Xia has just said we may have to balance the books a little meaning if we want to buy anybody we'll have to sell first, which is fair enough. Grealish likely to leave anyway and should get a good sum for him and I can imagine some of the budget from that will be Villa's transfer budget for the season.