Topic: Preview: Liverpool v Aston Villa, Sat15th December 15.00 KO

[Degs]

As we prepare to face up to Aston Villa this weekend it is off pitch activities that will be at the forefront of both sets of supporters minds. As the January transfer window looms large it looks to be a defining month for the American owners of both clubs. A bad transfer window could provide the final nail in the coffin of good will towards Randy Lerner, while another period of inactivity from John Henry will bring any underlying skepticism to outright ire for Liverpool fans.

Randy Lerner provides a cautionary tale for Liverpool supporters.
When he first gained control of Aston Villa in 2006 Lerner was greeted as Messianic figure, the sole reason being that he was not Doug Ellis.  After years of protests and marches the Villa fans had finally seen the back of the man they despised and began to look forward to a awakening of a sleeping giant of English football.

Things began well. Lerner arrived at Villa within the same month as new boss Martin O'Neill. Previously scrapped plans for a training ground revamp were reinstated, when the first January transfer window rolled around John Carew, Ashley Young, and Shaun Maloney arrived at Villa, the team would go 9 games unbeaten at the end of the season.  Lerner renovated the Holte pub at a personal cost of £4 million while forgoing shirt sponsorship in favour of the logo of a local children's hospice. The team would go on to beat Ajax in the UEFA Cup, reach the final of the League Cup and finish 6th in the League.

At the time the fans were ecstatic with Lerner:

"The fans worship the ground Randy walks on," said Dave Woodhall of fanzine Heroes and Villains.

"He can't do anything wrong. He's got the common touch. He and his staff have tapped into the fans' mentality. Free scarves, free coaches to Chelsea, refurbishing the Holte pub, and it seems like he genuinely cares."

Then the wheels started to fall off. O'Neill left the club 5 days before the 2010-2011 season over an argument about the lack of transfer funds, the sale of James Milner and the incoming Stephen Ireland (a theme that would be repeated). The Aston Villa fans would quickly see Lerner allow the sale of players such as Milner, Barry, Young, Downing for vast amounts of money while their replacements were often of much inferior quality (Charles N'Zogbia, Stephen Ireland, Fabian Delph, etc.).

While this could be written off by the optimist as an unfortunate series of transfer windows all reverence to Lerner was erased when the Villa fans came to the awful realisation that their football club was once again at the whim of a man who did not truly understand them.  Lerner appointed Alex McLeish, a poor manager recently relegated, but even worse manager of Birmingham City.  After a year of ill will towards McLeish he was replaced by current manager Paul Lambert.

Lambert has found his hands tied.  He has been forced to rely on youth talent and mediocre transfers like Karim El Ahmadi, Ron Vlaar, and Christian Benteke. While Lerner has increased his own personal fortune by £600 million following the sale of his American Football team Darren Bent has been resigned to sitting on the bench, or in the stands, for fear that Aston Villa will have to pay a £3 million appearance bonus to Sunderland.

Randy Lerner and John Henry will both undoubtedly face protests from their club's sets of fans if they do not spend money in January but the tale of Randy Lerner should serve as a warning to all fans of Premier League clubs.  You are at the mercy of money men, this should be a call to arms for all football fans for organisation.  In the Bundesliga fans must own 51% of the club's shares to stop this from happening and even if fan groups can buy 5% of a club they can continue to raise the revenue for a seat on the board and ultimately outright ownership.

The game will be contested by 2 former glorious sides forced to rely on youth talent because their American owners were more concerned with their U.S. based sports teams over recent transfer windows than with their Premier League football teams.  The next transfer window will separate the snake oil salesman from the sporting businessman, both sides could be digging out their old protest signs to once again hope that they can roll the dice and come up with an owner they approve of.

Both sets of fans would do better not to focus on the build up of this match but to organise and try to reclaim some of their club back.

[royhendo]

Brilliant mate, thanks for that.

[Garstonite]

Excellent that, Degs. I'd argue Benteke wasn't a 'mediocre transfer' to be fair. He's been superb for them and spearheads an exceptional Belgium side.

[Degs]

Excellent that, Degs. I'd argue Benteke wasn't a 'mediocre transfer' to be fair. He's been superb for them and spearheads an exceptional Belgium side.

He's a centre forward who's only scored 3 in 13 in the league.
Compared with Bent, who he's replacing, he's pretty average.

[Garstonite]

He's a vastly superior all-round footballer to Darren Bent. Only 22 and all. We'll agree to disagree.

[Corkboy]

Thanks, Degs. I didn't know about the Bent appearance fiasco.

[rocco]

Thanks, Degs. I didn't know about the Bent appearance fiasco.

think its if he plays 50 games but never heard of a £3m payment !

Nice read Degs

[Andy @ Allerton!]

First time I'm going to say this so far this season.

Easy. Win.

We shall win this at a canter. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Villa are the worst team I have ever seen in the top flight. That they are not bottom is some kind of mad aberration of space, time and spinning kebabs. They are so beyond rubbish it's untrue.

So. Easy win. Probably 3-0. And three games in the league for us on the bounce! Hurrah!

[rocco]

He's a vastly superior all-round footballer to Darren Bent. Only 22 and all. We'll agree to disagree.

havent seen enough to say he is superior to Bent but have been impressed by Benteke

[exiledintheUSA]

Thanks Degs, good read.

[thedanny]

I had no idea about the Bent appearance fee either... absolute joke.

[Aido LFC]

First time I'm going to say this so far this season.

Easy. Win.

We shall win this at a canter. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Villa are the worst team I have ever seen in the top flight. That they are not bottom is some kind of mad aberration of space, time and spinning kebabs. They are so beyond rubbish it's untrue.

So. Easy win. Probably 3-0. And three games in the league for us on the bounce! Hurrah!

[Jamie1983]

very insightful stuff!
The whole Bent situation now becomes a lot clearer in why he isn't being played much at all.

Hopefully another 3 points this weekend!
The way we are playing at the moment and the fact we came from behind without our top player to win at west ham should really have the players confidence through the roof right now

C'mon you Reds!

Ynwa!!!!!

[FernandoSusoLFC]

I didn't read your opening statement as I do tend to follow Lambert's men at a close eye. The fuck up with Bent is comical as they think they can recoup their 18m back they used to prise him away from his former club. The main threat for me is Christian Benteke and he's a very big handful of a striker and comfortable on the ball. I hope D.Agger and M.Skrtel are on their A game when we play them. For me it will be a win of formality because we have our main man back and predict a win that won't be comfortable or pretty but 3pts will be ours.

[Corkboy]

I didn't read your opening statement as I do tend to follow Lambert's men at a close eye.

Eh?

[vicgill]

Excellent that, Degs. I'd argue Benteke wasn't a 'mediocre transfer' to be fair. He's been superb for them and spearheads an exceptional Belgium side.

I think what he means is how much was he, he obviously didn't cost a fortune

[tubby]

Is that bit about the extra 3 million after 50 appearances actually confirmed?

[LucasLeiva]

Both teams took a step backwards in the hope of moving forward. We both have had to rely on youth for financial issues and both sets of fans are reasonably upbeat about the future, whilst remaining grounded. It's worked out better for us, 4 points off 4th place. In our stock stake, transitional phase we have managed to promote gems through our ranks: Shelvey, Sterling, Suso, Wisdom. Should be an easy win (for once) which will probably make it more difficult than it should be, close 1st half, ending 3-0.

[Nessy76]

Is that bit about the extra 3 million after 50 appearances actually confirmed?

Lambert denies it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20555265

"It is nowhere near anything of that whatsoever,"

[MobileBayRed]

I am a bit bemused.  Althought the OP was informative and important, I am surprised that it leads off the preview for the next match.  We are on a three match winning run, with a winnable game coming up against AV and the talking point in the OP is about whether each club will spend in January.  Again, it was a good post, just doesnt seem like the most important talking point for this match.

[CognacBut]

Anyone know if Villa have been using the same team in both the cup and the league? Hopefully they can play extra time against Norwich. I know it's Tuesday giving plenty of recovery time, but every little helps. 

[Rigden]

I would have to agree with the above sentiments. Re ownership, comparing us to the mess that is currently presiding over at Villa I think would be a huge overstatement. It might just be my belief and my naivety that the ownership at Liverpool isn't as bad as some make out to be.

[Hunter Thompson]

I assume this isn't the preview of the actual match.

[Degs]

I would have to agree with the above sentiments. Re ownership, comparing us to the mess that is currently presiding over at Villa I think would be a huge overstatement. It might just be my belief and my naivety that the ownership at Liverpool isn't as bad as some make out to be.

The point I was trying to make was that we're at the mercy of the owners, just as Villa were and how the Chelsea fans now feel after the appointment of Rafa. If the Sheiks leave Man City then that club goes bust.

I use my previews as an opinion piece to look at the club we're facing, some don't like it some do. For me the most glaring thing about this weekend is the similarities between Henry and Lerner and the horrible look at what we could become if we choose to simply go along with the ride.

I'm not the right man to lead the fight but it amazes me that people aren't banging down the doors of their club. the F.A., and the government to try and get some representation on institutions that are now at the whim of foreigners with fleeting interests.

As for the match itself, they're playing midweek, Suarez is back, Shelvey tore them to bits last season, they're shit but plucky, they can't score goals, we've done alright of late. Should be straight forward. For me that's really not the point, on Saturday take a look into the mirror at what we might become.

[Bird Bird Bird The Bird Is The Word]

Found that preview pretty insulting to be honest, can't we focus on the football instead of more anti-FSG propaganda? There's no such thing as perfect owners but you can't fault them for transfer funds this far.

[No666]

Great preview, Degs - not comfortable reading but essential.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Found that preview pretty insulting to be honest, can't we focus on the football instead of more anti-FSG propaganda? There's no such thing as perfect owners but you can't fault them for transfer funds this far.

How much of their own money have they actually spent out of interest once you've removed player sales and wages reductions?

[Degs]

Found that preview pretty insulting to be honest, can't we focus on the football instead of more anti-FSG propaganda? There's no such thing as perfect owners but you can't fault them for transfer funds this far.

I'm not anti-FSG.
In fact I actually rather like them.
Even if they go out and spend £300 million I'll still be suspicious of any board that doesn't have to answer to the fans, the Bundesliga model is perfect.

[RGF30]

I had no idea about the Bent appearance fee either... absolute joke.

The money goes to Sunderland not Bent right?

[TitanTrigger]

How much of their own money have they actually spent out of interest once you've removed player sales and wages reductions?

30m on top of the purchase price, that is all we know at the moment. How much do you think they should be putting in every year or do you think the club should be self sustaining?

[Zeb]

I use my previews as an opinion piece to look at the club we're facing, some don't like it some do. For me the most glaring thing about this weekend is the similarities between Henry and Lerner and the horrible look at what we could become if we choose to simply go along with the ride.

Other than them being Americans, not seeing it myself to be honest Degs. Lerner backed O'Neill to the stage where they were spending more on wages than they were getting in full stop as a football club. That's where the love-in came from. They were going to win the league or something. Guess it's the expectations that drove. If you want a good comparison, he's more like H&G without the nark and with a bit of a sense of responsibility for the club which he'd driven to the brink of insolvency and a desire to turn it around and make it good. He's pumped tens of millions into Villa but gets the blame for them spending it on the wrong things and not being able to sustain a high league position without the spending. Managerial appointment was the Hodgson moment but you can see the reasoning behind both, in terms of at least providing a minimum level of performance which should give some stability while changes go through.

As it is, the Brums seem to be getting behind Lambert. He's gone back to what was happening before O'Neill started bringing in the high-waged mediocrities to pad out the squad and bringing through the young lads who've not yet been sold off to cover the costs. They've been struggling, but their support seems to be getting behind Lambert's quiet way of working. Bent not being used seems more symptomatic of a manager having a one trick pony he's not keen on to me than it being some bizarre financially motivated desire to freeze him out. Maybe he's really Jason Roberts or something (see Blackburn before they went down), but I'm not so sure.

We should be looking to continue on racking up the points against them. But they'll not roll over and ask us how we'd like our 3 points served. They struggle to score but they work hard for each other.

[Anywhichwayicant]

Villa are unbeaten in their last four.


Approach with caution.

[Bird Bird Bird The Bird Is The Word]

I'm not anti-FSG.
In fact I actually rather like them.
Even if they go out and spend £300 million I'll still be suspicious of any board that doesn't have to answer to the fans, the Bundesliga model is perfect.

Ahh, alright, the tone it gave off was very different from that though. I wouldn't say the Bundesliga model is perfect but any model whereby there is fan ownership and no majority shareholder is definitely the way forward.

[MobileBayRed]

Villa are unbeaten in their last four.


Approach with caution.

We are in 10th place in the middle of December.  I don't think there is a match that we should take lightly.  Every match is an opportunity to improve our form and league position.

[TitanTrigger]

Villa are unbeaten in their last four.


Approach with caution.

I agree, think a lot of people are basing their opinions on Villa on their performances at the start of the league, which were among the worst I have ever seen. They have become a lot better recently, especially defensively.

Still expect the three points, particularly with the extra rest.

[zip]

0-0, Liverpool 70 % possession and 30 shots on target.

[Suareznumber7]

Not sure I like the tone of this preview to be honest.

We are on a good run at the moment, finally winning back to back PL games for the first time in how long, and the op of a match preview gives everyone yet another chance to moan about the owners.

[Suareznumber7]

How much of their own money have they actually spent out of interest once you've removed player sales and wages reductions?

They've stated from the beginning the club was going to be self sufficient and that they weren't going to deficit spend. It's been repeated over and over on this site yet people still ask how much of their own money they've spent.

[didi shamone]

We are on a good run at the moment, finally winning back to back PL games for the first time in how long, and the op of a match preview gives everyone yet another chance to moan about the owners.

Can't say i read the op as a dig at the owners. Just an interesting piece that draws on the similarities of both clubs and their ownership issues. He's not saying both owners are the same or both clubs [god forbid].

We shouldn't be too cocky about this one. We've struggled for goals most of this season and I don't see that changing much to be honest. The likelyhood is we'll make hard work of it.

[Suareznumber7]

Can't say i read the op as a dig at the owners. Just an interesting piece that draws on the similarities of both clubs and their ownership issues. He's not saying both owners are the same or both clubs [god forbid].

We shouldn't be too cocky about this one. We've struggled for goals most of this season and I don't see that changing much to be honest. The likelyhood is we'll make hard work of it.

Maybe he didn't mean it as a dig. But, considering the run we are on I would have preferred a little more positive match preview focusing on the clubs on the pitch not off it.