Am I alone in feeling unfettered optimism?

[Ghost of Highbury]

I've seen 5 nils before so it isn't that. Villa are undeniably sh*te.

But the squad doesn't just suddenly look good on paper - it's beginning to show signs of fight to go with the quality.

Champions League final plus second place in the league. Just a little too late for glory this season I say. But plenty of scope for another summer signing to push us into glory next season.

dominating for years etc etc...

[Pat Vegas]

[Monty91]

Even our good natured, positive fans are cretins :-(

[Pat Vegas]

[7evens]

[Monty91]

['Neg]

[Monty91]

[Ghost of Highbury]

mr writer man - I say the arse has a better squad than either Chelsea or Man City.

Obviously form is now key - but hardly a stretch to imagine this side making strides in the coming months.

Write down the squads of the top European sides on a word .doc on your Mac and compare them to our lot. It's hardly a nightmare from our point of view..

[Billy Goat Sverige]

[Monty91]

Or are you now thinking it MIGHT be worth seeing what another summer of of top, top, top, top signings might do?

[Ghost of Highbury]

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

There is reasons for optimism with players returning but it does feel a little like certain plots being lost.

[PSRB]

about the potential of this squad

[Monty91]

and no sooner do we win a couple of games than you're having to do the same with the other side.

Our fans are child-like lemmings.

[Ghost of Highbury]

[Monty91]

Why get excited now?

[Pokster]

and gives us a 5 oint lead over them if we do

[Ghost of Highbury]

but sometimes, when you're with an understanding woman, that's okay!

[PSRB]

and then remember that it was only spurs

I do think that we have the possibilty of a quite superb side developing

[7evens]

and we're further off the pace this season than last.
I can't simply change my position becuase of a well fought win at City.
I read the players forced his hand with the set up for that result too http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/ohwell.gif

[Monty91]

You didn't look at our squad at the start of the season and think, "blimey, few decent players among that lot!"?

That's what I don't understand. Why did it take you so long?

[Ghost of Highbury]

Let your child like passion flow young/old man! Wave your hands around, shout obscenities at that baldy ref who always f8cks us and launch an unprovoked physical assault on Jose Mourinho when you next see him in Fulham tescos....

go on... you'll enjoy it!

[Monty91]

presumably because of your confidence that another chap will do better.

Right you are...

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[PSRB]

was pretty obvious. Just annoying we aren't slightly closer to the top