ASTON VILLA F.C
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JOHN GREGORY RETURNS TO ASTON VILLA
Shock and disbelief engulfed a Villa Park press conference today when under-fire Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner announced that John Gregory would be returning to the club for a 2nd spell as manager following resigning in 2002.
Back then, Aston Villa were owned by the infamous 'deadly' Doug Ellis and Gregory had been the club's manager for 4 seasons (1998-2002) and had lead the club to top-8 finishes in the English Premier League. Times have changed since then and now the club have gone from the brink of champions league qualification to being on the verge of relegation to championship - a reality which was proved last season under the unpopular management of Alex Mcleish which saw the club finish 16th.
Returning Villa boss Gregory had this to say at a press conference ''Obviously I am delighted to return to the Villa, it's been a long time coming. I was a little surprised when i got the call from Randy but I had a long think about it and I thought it was about the right time to get back into football. I think that the club still has potential to fall back into the top-8 picture and even beyond - why not?'' The 58-year old then went on to say: ''Rome wasn't built in a day and instant success won't happen within this season. Building the right squad and the right mentality does take time, so of course this is a long-term project but I believe some of the current players can be apart of that long-term project - I am very impressed and encouraged by the potential of the current team but of course potential is potential and we need some satisfactory ability to go forward with and currently I believe this squad has it. What we also need is the fans to return to Villa Park and get behind the lads so we can all move forward together. Up the Villa!''
FAN ZONE - OPINIONS
Peter Fardell, 48-year old Villa fan: 'I was a season ticket holder when John was in charge before and enjoyed his time here at the Villa. We didn't miss out on the top-8 previously under him but I think that achievement may be hard to repeat but it'll take some time - looking forward to this!'
Alan Eltherington, 63-year old Villa fan: ''Not sure about this appointment - when he was last in charge his reign went a little stale and not many of us liked what he was doing but still optimistic on what he can bring back to the club. Up the villa.''
Debbie Jones, 8-year old Villa fan: "Whoever he is we are going to be the best again, Villa till i die.. Villa till i die!!!'
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On a side note, I had to re-format my computer yesterday therefore my Portsmouth save was unfortunatley lost and I couldn't wait to get a save back on following my Grimsby one. Hope you all enjoy!View attachment 318197
JOHN GREGORY RETURNS TO ASTON VILLA
Shock and disbelief engulfed a Villa Park press conference today when under-fire Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner announced that John Gregory would be returning to the club for a 2nd spell as manager following resigning in 2002.
Back then, Aston Villa were owned by the infamous 'deadly' Doug Ellis and Gregory had been the club's manager for 4 seasons (1998-2002) and had lead the club to top-8 finishes in the English Premier League. Times have changed since then and now the club have gone from the brink of champions league qualification to being on the verge of relegation to championship - a reality which was proved last season under the unpopular management of Alex Mcleish which saw the club finish 16th.
Returning Villa boss Gregory had this to say at a press conference ''Obviously I am delighted to return to the Villa, it's been a long time coming. I was a little surprised when i got the call from Randy but I had a long think about it and I thought it was about the right time to get back into football. I think that the club still has potential to fall back into the top-8 picture and even beyond - why not?'' The 58-year old then went on to say: ''Rome wasn't built in a day and instant success won't happen within this season. Building the right squad and the right mentality does take time, so of course this is a long-term project but I believe some of the current players can be apart of that long-term project - I am very impressed and encouraged by the potential of the current team but of course potential is potential and we need some satisfactory ability to go forward with and currently I believe this squad has it. What we also need is the fans to return to Villa Park and get behind the lads so we can all move forward together. Up the Villa!''
FAN ZONE - OPINIONS
Peter Fardell, 48-year old Villa fan: 'I was a season ticket holder when John was in charge before and enjoyed his time here at the Villa. We didn't miss out on the top-8 previously under him but I think that achievement may be hard to repeat but it'll take some time - looking forward to this!'
Alan Eltherington, 63-year old Villa fan: ''Not sure about this appointment - when he was last in charge his reign went a little stale and not many of us liked what he was doing but still optimistic on what he can bring back to the club. Up the villa.''
Debbie Jones, 8-year old Villa fan: "Whoever he is we are going to be the best again, Villa till i die.. Villa till i die!!!'
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