Back by very popular demand is the return of Ask The Opposition. Our segment where we ask fans of opposing teams forums some questions and post a selection of the responses back on here.
I've asked questions to Villa fans on /r/avfc and avillafan.com and here are their responses. Thanks to some newbie users for providing some of the questions (they have been credited):
Q1: What have you made of how Moyes has done for United this season?
TheKingMonkey (Reddit): I'm genuinely surprised how far off the pace Moyes has been. I think we all know he wasn't left with a vintage United squad and that could have been for any number of reasons (oddly lack of investment from the Glazers hasn't really been talked about much, outside of Man Utd circles at least) and while the squad needs an overhaul you would have imagined that Manchester United would at least be above the likes of Everton and Spurs in the table.
Ehrfurcht (Reddit): I think Moyes was put into a very difficult position; while he hasn't performed like anyone expected, it rarely helps clubs to swap managers with two months left.
abusmakk (Reddit): I never thought the decline of Manchester United would happen so quickly after Ferguson left. However I don't think it's Moyes' fault. He's done slightly worse than expected, but under no circumstance as poorly as some United fans are claiming.
avstu™ (AVF): I thought the team he was left with wasn't great and as much as I respect Fergy, he did Moyes no favours at all. Having said that I felt the weakness was the midfield as a whole. The middle and the wings are weak for Uniteds standards. Moyes failed to recognise and deal with this so the stick he isn't getting at the minute is all his own doing for me.
I think there are a lot of influential people in that squad who may not respect Moyes so if he does say he could do with getting rid of some of these players.
AnneMc (AVF): It's been great! Have enjoyed laughing at the glory hunters and feel that every dog has its day. I have some sympathy for Moyes as Fergie is no fool and jumped ship at the right time. United fans' reactions have been priceless.
Lost_In_Normandy (AVF): it was almost mission impossible for him, and there's still a suspicion that Ferguson could see the problems coming and bailed out. There is obviously a different style of management too and this has had its knock on for the team, and the club. Moyes needs time to make the club "his" and I have a feeling he may not get that chance whilst Ferguson is in the wings. The big defeats are hard, and this has compounded the issue further for the fans.
Q2: Where do you think United will finish in the league come the end of the season, and how do you think we’ll do against Bayern in the Champions League?
TheKingMonkey (Reddit): I think Manchester United will finish 6th or 7th in the table this season. I fear for them in the Champions League, while anything can happen in cup football I fully expect Bayern to win comfortably.
Ehrfurcht (Reddit): I think you'll finish 6th after Spurs continue to fall. I think Bayern will absolutely murder you (or win big in the first game, then allow a draw in the second).
L__McL (Reddit): I imagine United will finish 7th. Against Bayern I'm predicted a close but definitive defeat. Maybe 3-1 over the two legs? Saying that, I seem to have overrating United all season (In December I put a bet on you finishing in the top 4).
avstu™ (AVF): I recently said to a friend that I believed United May just cause a major shock and beat Bayern which he laughed at me. It's obvious that they will be favourites but anything is possible in football.
Lost_In_Normandy (AVF): I think the Bayern game will be closer than some think, United still can raise their game and there's a big carrot to chase given their league form and no cups to divert attention. United should throw the kitchen sink at Bayern. Finish wise possibly 5th.
Q3: In our last game, a lot of fans had reached breaking point, with some fans reportedly abusing Ferguson over his appointment of Moyes, stewards protecting the “The Chosen One” banner after fans threatened to take it down, and a fan being held back from attacking Moyes. Now, apparently some United fans are planning on funding a banner to fly over Old Trafford for our game calling for Moyes to be sacked. What do you make of all this?
TheKingMonkey (Reddit): I'll get slaughtered for this, but I'm quite enjoying the drama at Old Trafford. You see this is part of football, there are generations of Man Utd fans who have never known what it is like to have ups and downs, You'd have to be over 35 years of age to remember the last time United finished outside of the top three and probably over 40 to remember the last time United changed their manager. Football is supposed to be about ups and downs and lets face it, the "up" period Manchester United have had has lasted since the FA cup win in 1990.
Ehrfurcht (Reddit): The fans should place a bit of the blame on the players. Like seriously, Moyes isn't the one who isn't trying on the pitch; Rooney seems to be the only one giving a damn.
L__McL (Reddit): Seems a bit over the top. Maybe because United fans aren't used to wanting a manager gone. Trying to attack Moyes is disgraceful behaviour and I'm surprised fans are blaming Ferguson. IMO he did leave Moyes in a hard position but it's silly to abuse a United legend.
ak47deol (AVF): Im not a fan of this, Man utd have been flying high for years and one bad season and they are doing all this. Your fans were patient with Sir Alex and look where that got you, not saying David Moyes will be the same but he deserves a fair crack
avstu™ (AVF): I am a strong believer that a football club is nothing without the fans and if fans aren't happy then something must be done. I just wish villa fans weren't so gutless at times and stood up for what they believed in. It's to easy to say stay away because sometimes that's not an option for a true football supporter.
Lost_In_Normandy (AVF): It's understandable from the fans, it is a large fall from grace and those newer fans that only remember the good years will feel particularly hard done by. United have been here before, they will recover and it's important that the club doesn't let itself implode. I think it will actually do the club good.
Q4: What have you made of Benteke’s second season at your club, and do you think he’ll still be there next season as he has been linked to a few clubs this season?
TheKingMonkey (Reddit): Benteke's second season has been odd to say the least. He started the season like a runaway train scoring 5 goals in his first 5 appearances but then he got injured against Norwich in our 6th game and that seemed to do more damage to his season than anybody expected. It was clear for all to see that we brought him back into the team while he wasn't fully fit but even after that he spent a couple of months moping around like a player who didn't want to be here.
He's picked up of late though, he's scored six in his last ten which is very good considering he is in a team who don't create very many chances. There have been some good performances too, West Brom at home was exceptional even though he only scored once. He is very important to us tactically but I think we will have to get used to life without him. He will be off in the summer I think, especially if he has a good World Cup.
Ehrfurcht (Reddit): He's been fine. He was out of form coming off of an injury, but that's to be expected of anyone. I can't picture him being a regular starting XI if he moves to a bigger club. Also, I think Villa will make someone overpay to get him (this summer at least).
abusmakk (Reddit): He's been rubbish this season. He's been a bit on and off. When he is on, he is good, but when he is off, he is terrible. Hopefully he will turn up for the øast few games, increase his price and the interest around him so that we can get a decent sum for him after the World Cup. Unfortunately, I think he'll still be here though.
ak47deol (AVF): He has been injured for a while which was his first injury lay off in his career i think. I think he has done well but does have very poor players around him in Gabby and Wiemann who are close to useless majority of the time. If he has a good World Cup i think he will be sold for a healthy profit unfortunately
avstu™ (AVF): He started off ok then got that injury. He found it hard for a while but now seems back to his best. The problem is the rest of the team aren't giving him much of the ball to feet which was a real strength of his last season.
Lost_In_Normandy (AVF): I'm undecided about him, he seems to have the skill but it's the application that has suffered. I also feel he isn't played properly at the Villa (often out on wing collecting goal kicks and too deep in midfield). I am generally concerned about his motivation and hunger for the shirt too. When he's good he's fantastic to watch...but the gaps between those performances are long.
Q5: In January, you loaned Bertrand from Chelsea. How has he done for you, and what do you make of his comments that he wouldn’t rule out staying at Villa? Would you be happy to see a permanent deal made for him in the summer?
abusmakk (Reddit): Bertrand has been ok, a lot better than what we had (Luna) at least. I would be happy for him to stay, but I have a feeling that we haven't seen the last of Joe Bennett. He had a great game against Chelsea, and I was hoping we could give him a chance to prove himself, rather than develop a new player for Chelsea. I don't want players and managers to look at us as a stepping stone in their career. Loan is in my eyes for emergencies only. Last season we were struggling against relegation. That would be the time to loan Bertrand, not now.
ak47deol (AVF): I was never a fan of Bertrand, we already have two LB's who can attack but not defend well and i thought Bertrand is basically the same. He has impressed me though and is a step up on Luna and Bennett(at the minute). If we can sell Luna i would be pretty happy getting Bertrand in aslong as the fee is low as we dont exactly have much to spend
avstu™ (AVF): For me he has been hit and miss. No doubt he has quality but you have to ask why Chelsea are playing a right back in his position ahead of him. I wouldn't ruleout a permanent move at this stage but he still needs to step up for me.
AnneMc (AVF): Bertrand has done a decent job and been quietly effective on the whole. He's not a world beater so whether he stays or not is relatively unimportant.
Q6: What are your goals with Lambert? Do you feel that he is the right man to establish you as a top half team once again? (question provided by newbie Samid)
TheKingMonkey (Reddit): The jury is still out on Lambert. I want to like him, I really do but the home form has been terrible ever since he took the job. For every win over Chelsea or Man City there has been a dreadful defeat to Crystal Palace or Stoke City. The 8-0 loss at Stamford Bridge last season was a club record defeat in all competitions, that stung I can tell you, but the thing is I'm not sure who could do better than Lambert given the restrictions he has to work under. These last five years or so have hammered home to me just how budget related the league table is. When we had a top six budget we were a top six team. Now we can't afford that we are down there with the dead men. Oh for an oligarch who thinks the second city is under represented at football's top table!
L__McL (Reddit): I have always stood by Lambert. On here and elsewhere I've always defended him. I think we are improving. We're on course to finish mid-table, perhaps even top half. We have a young, improving squad, if we make the right signings and cut out needless losses to the likes of Stoke and Palace I expect us to be a top half team.
abusmakk (Reddit): I was quite confident that he was the man, but I'm not so sure anymore. I want to give him another season. By the end of next season, of we're not at the level Southampton/Newcastle is today, I think it's time to look for other options.
avstu™ (AVF):I'm not convinced by him. I don't feel we have progressed under him. The wage bill maybe lower but the team is far worse than it was when he came in. I believe we are only still in this league because there are so many poor sides in the division ATM. If progress isn't made in the summer and then next season then the minority that have lost faith with fast turn into the majority.
AnneMc (AVF): Lambert has a lot to prove. The optimism surrounding his appointment has faded and he is largely to blame for that. At present, sadly, managing Aston Villa is not as attractive a proposition as it should be so we have to consider whether any potential replacement would fare better given the financial constraints.
Q7: Do you take pride in the fact that opposition supporters speak wistfully of the days when FA Cup semi finals used to take place at Villa Park? (question provided by newbie Needham)
TheKingMonkey (Reddit):Not really, but then I get paid to transport people to Wembley Stadium so I'm not really the right person to ask.
Ehrfurcht (Reddit): Yes and no. Yes because it reminds me of the successes. No because it reminds me of how we aren't there now.
L__McL (Reddit): I always took pride in Villa Park being a semi-final host. I expect a lot of fans are annoyed Wembley is a bit less special if it's for semi-finals as well, more than wanting Villa Park back. Nevertheless I think Villa Park is one of those stadiums, like Anfield, that fans admire.
ak47deol (AVF): Yes, very much so. Made for some great games and goals at Villa Park e.g Ryan Giggs v Arsenal
AnneMc (AVF): Villa Park is a great stadium and very few people would deny that. Villa fans deserve to see better performances there and would rather be in the FA Cup semi-finals than reminiscing about days gone by.
Q8: Are there any youth prospects you have that you’re excited about/looking forward to perhaps see breakthrough in the future?
TheKingMonkey (Reddit):Our entire team are so young that a lot of them still probably have to be home before it's dark! We will go through this season without fielding a player who is in his thirties which might be a club record. Grealish is the latest great white hype, but will he be the new David Platt or the new Barry Bannan? Too early to tell and we have had too many false dawns with our youth setup. A lot of players make it to the first team but they tend not to take the league by storm. Southampton we aint.
Ehrfurcht (Reddit): Jack Grealish seems to be doing rather well at Notts County. I have high hopes for a breakthrough season next year for Helenius or Kozak.
L__McL (Reddit): We won the NextGen series last season (Youth equivalent of the Champions League) so we must have something. Most notable youth players seem to be Jack Grealish, Michael Drennan, Samir Curruthers and Janoi Donacien. We've had a good history of bringing youth players through over the last 10 years so hopefully it will continue.
abusmakk (Reddit): Carruthers and Grealish, and to a certain extent Jordan Graham. Graham has been a bit unlucky with injuries, so I think it'll take some more time before we'll see him. The other two will offer us some desperately needed creative options up front.
ak47deol (AVF): Jack Grealish, he is on loan at Notts County but we have high hopes for him at Villa Park. Was Dan Crowley but he got poached by Arsenal and will no doubt become a big star
Q9: Who do you feel has been your best and worst signing this season?
TheKingMonkey (Reddit): Best signing is Leandro Bacuna without a shadow of a doubt, I think he has already reached the status of cult hero. Worst? Grant fecking Holt. Yuck.
Ehrfurcht (Reddit): Best: Lambert somehow getting Benteke to extend his contract. Worst (or lack thereof): Not signing a real midfield presence.
L__McL (Reddit): Best signings are Jores Okore, although he's been injued he looks very promising, Leandro Bacuna and Benteke signing a new contract. Worst has without a doubt been Grant Holt. One of the most useless players we've had in years.
abusmakk (Reddit): I don't think it's fair to call the worst signing, as Bacuna is the only one to be given a chance to prove himself. That would also make him the best one, by default. The potentially best I think would be Okore or Helenius.
ak47deol (AVF): Best signing, well this is tricky as there isnt many but i would have to go with Bacuna as he has scored a fair few goals, he has struggled as he has been playing RB though when apparently he is a RW
Worst signing would have to be Tonev, he has looked completely out of his depth and has shown no promise what so ever
Lost_In_Normandy (AVF): There hasn't been a stand out signing since we brought cheap in the summer. Okore looked promising but his horrid injury has meant he has yet to put in the miles for a full decision on his ability. For me the worst is Tonev, he is a bull in the china shop. Got pace but his application is horrid at times.
Q10: Which XI would you like to see your team field against us?
TheKingMonkey (Reddit): The team has been pretty settled of late. 4-3-3, Guzan in goals, a back four of Bacuna, Vlaar, Baker and Bertrand. Midfield is KEA, Westwood and Delph. Gabby, Weimann and Benteke up front.
Ehrfurcht (Reddit): Same that we had against Stoke, but Clark in for Baker. Guzan; Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Bertrand; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph; Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor. Just heard El Ahmadi is doubtful for Saturday, a start for Albrighton?!
L__McL (Reddit): Guzan, Bacuna, Vlaar, Baker, Bertrand, Westwood, El Ahmadi, Delph, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Benteke.
ak47deol (AVF): Guzan, Bacuna, Vlaar, Baker, Bennett, Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph, Wiemann, Benteke, Gabby
Q11: Finally, your predictions for the match?
TheKingMonkey (Reddit):Aston Villa do not beat Manchester United. You know that. I know that. We all know that. 3-0 home win. Giggs to score.
Ehrfurcht (Reddit): My rather hopeful prediction: 0-1. Man United has possession the entire game, but can't find a way to score. Then we get a successful counter: Long boot from Guzan to Benteke's head that finds Delph or Gabby.
L__McL (Reddit): I think we have a chance of repeating out performances against the likes of Chelsea, City, Liverpool and Arsenal but you never know with Villa. Either a 1-0 win, or a 2/3-0 loss.
ak47deol (AVF): Both teams are so inconsistent that anything is actually possible. For some strange reason i think we will win 3-2
Lost_In_Normandy (AVF):With the utmost respect there's never been a better time to play United and we are often better away from home against tougher opposition. I have a few quid on a Villa win by a thin margin.
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If any of you have any suggestions on what we should do as part of this, or any questions for future games, reply to the thread, PM me or tweet @red_cafe, thank you. @Big-Red, James McCarthy's back! Imagine him wearing a Spurs shirt...
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