Ocho

If you've got Cameron Jerome at the end of your crosses, that could be a reason why.

Out with a heel injury?

His back four is a shambles at the moment. Johnson Kyriagkos Skrtel Aurelio/Konchesky Kryiagkos is a big lump and is such a liability. Torres doesn't look interested and looks a shadow of himself pre World Cup and they've got no other decent strikers. Gerrard's even struggling to carry that team along.

The only way I'd see it work, is putting Barton in the middle. Carroll Nolan Ben Arfa Bentley Tiote Barton I hope Pardew doesn't sign Bentley, as I'd rather have two strikers playing with Barton on the right.

Spot on. Not good enough for us.

Owners confirm Houllier ain't going anywhere http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/9344327.stm

That doesn't add up? You seem to raise your game against the big teams, especially at Goodison - but for some reason fall apart against the so-called lesser teams. Seamus Coleman looks like a cracking player.

8million for routledge. while our lucks in we should try a 12million bid for messi and iniesta. Chuck in Xavi and they've got a deal

Mark Douglas on Twitter has confirmed that Pardew has enquired about Bentley and hope he is successful. Similar to wormy, doesn't make sense. Barton's playing well out there and we've got Routledge on the bench as plan B, if it goes tits up.

I was there on the day and I'm not bothered by Villa at the slightest. We're considered to be a big name club and they took delight at us going down. I'm sure it would have been the same if it was the other way round. No big deal.

I dunno about safe, but there are definitely 3 worse teams than Villa - West Ham, Wigan and Wolves/West Brom. If Young and Agbonlahor stay fit, they've got a good chance to score goals. It's what they're lacking at the moment.

That idiot that plays the violin...

Charlie Adam isn't fit or good enough to even lace Barton's boots.

I can't believe that story is true. But if it is, snap their hands off.

Lovenkrands gives us the much needed pace to allows us to hit people on the break We're at home against a rubbish team. We shouldn't be picking the team around which players are best 'on the break'... we want to take the game to them and play 75% of the match in their half. I'd go with Ranger and Shola tonight, but i wouldn't be surprised if it was unchanged. I'd go with that. Ranger looked decent a couple of games ago - he's got the pace and isn't scared to get stuck in. His finishing isn't great, but I suspect that will improve once he gets more confidence. Lovenkrands did practically nothing other than hitting the post against Wigan on Sunday.

I didn't realise he was only 24, so he's got time on his side. Judging by his previous goal records, his only decent spell was at Yeovil where he had 66% goal to games ratio, but I think that's the level he should be at.

If Leon scores, we're on the pitch........ When he was running with the ball against the Wigan defence the other night, he didn't look confident at all and just seem to stumble his way through. Made Shola look like Messi.

If a North London derby is Arsenal v Spurs, then no. I remember this one. It's Paul Stewart isn't it?

His missus loves life in the Wirral and IIRC her daughter is in some sort of drama school over here. Although the weather is slightly wetter and colder, so f*** knows. EDIT: Not drama school, but one daughter has just started secondary school.

Not holidaying at all. His wife and family still stay in Merseyside.

Boyhood team isn't it? But I agree, would love him here and have a bit of pace and end product down the flanks.

Heitinga should slot in or is he injured?

West Brom, surely?

Rubbish! On the way down on the train.

Plays on the left wing?