Football/Futbol/Soccer thread

[Romo]

Milan are 30 points behind Juventus, ridiculous.

Conte is so under rated as a manager, he's worked wonders if Juve, despite their Champions League failings, the squad he's put together is phenomenal and spent very little money (Pirlo, Pogba, Llorente all bought for free, Tevez for £10mil) they are running away with the Serie A and in my opinion are favorites for the Europa League

[SlightlyJames]

And Ronaldo wins the Ballon d'Or, well deserved IMO.

[Romo]

And Ronaldo wins the Ballon d'Or, well deserved IMO.

Is well deserved this year, Messi spent half the year out 3/4 months out injured in 2013, he'll win it back next year!

[AkydefGoldberg]

Well deserved definitely for 2013.

Refreshing to see him show that emotion when picking up the award - obviously means alot to him and his family. But he'll still get ripped for crying which he shouldn't yet he gets criticised for lack of grace when Messi won for the last four years.

[prophet]

Chuffed for Ronaldo. Best in the world.

[SKS]

Very well deserved for Ronaldo, I'm happy for him.

[prophet]

Lmao Villa in talks to sign Grant Holt on loan from Wigan - can't imagine you're best pleased Porks.

[PorkChop]

Lmao Villa in talks to sign Grant Holt on loan from Wigan - can't imagine you're best pleased Porks.

We've signed far worse Kozak is out for the season, Weimann is hit and miss and Agbonlahor is shit. He'll provide a decent option which is what we need, though we also desperately need an attacking midfielder.

I was expecting Arsenal to tear us to pieces and win about 4-0, so I'm not too bothered by the loss. Good to see Benteke back on the scoresheet too.

[prophet]

Lmao Villa in talks to sign Grant Holt on loan from Wigan - can't imagine you're best pleased Porks.

We've signed far worse Kozak is out for the season, Weimann is hit and miss and Agbonlahor is shit. He'll provide a decent option which is what we need, though we also desperately need an attacking midfielder.

I was expecting Arsenal to tear us to pieces and win about 4-0, so I'm not too bothered by the loss. Good to see Benteke back on the scoresheet too.

Wells would've been a better option!

[PorkChop]

Lmao Villa in talks to sign Grant Holt on loan from Wigan - can't imagine you're best pleased Porks.

We've signed far worse Kozak is out for the season, Weimann is hit and miss and Agbonlahor is shit. He'll provide a decent option which is what we need, though we also desperately need an attacking midfielder.

I was expecting Arsenal to tear us to pieces and win about 4-0, so I'm not too bothered by the loss. Good to see Benteke back on the scoresheet too.

Wells would've been a better option!

Yeah I know, I'm quite gutted about missing out on him tbh. All will be forgiven if Lambert signs a decent AM.

[prophet]

http://www.theladbible.com/articles/who ... allon-d-or

A complete list of who voted for who in the Ballon D'or. Messi didn't vote for Ronaldo at all which I find to be just crazy.

EDIT: Ronaldo didn't vote for Messi either

[Romo]

http://www.theladbible.com/articles/who-voted-for-whom-in-the-ballon-d-or

A complete list of who voted for who in the Ballon D'or. Messi didn't vote for Ronaldo at all which I find to be just crazy.

EDIT: Ronaldo didn't vote for Messi either

Why would either one of them vote for each other? You'd never give the person you're up against an advantage by voting for them... the whole thing is just a vote for your mates

[AkydefGoldberg]

^Love how Messi voted for his Barcelona team-mates which backs up Romo's post quite perfectly.

Ronaldo/Messi aren't exactly mates who can appreciate each other's success although there is probably respect on both sides.

[PorkChop]

Rumours going round that Red Bull are interested in buying Villa.

Also the deal for Grant Holt is complete and we've got rid of Steven Ireland. Not bad work so far from Lambert. Just need to get an attacking midfielder and a defender, and I'll be happy.

[SlightlyJames]

^ So they'd be what, Red Bull Birmingham?

[PorkChop]

^ So they'd be what, Red Bull Birmingham?

From the looks of it, a name change would be a possibility if the rumours are true. When Red Bull took over Salzburg in 2005, they changed the club's name, management, staff, colours and badge, and claimed it was "a new club with no history". If anything does materialise, unfortunately it looks like the same would happen.

Red Bull's "Head of Global Soccer" is Gerard Houllier, who would probably still be manager of Villa had it not been for his heart problems. They were linked with a takeover of Villa in October / November last year, then things died down a bit, but now the rumours are heating up again. We'll wait and see I suppose.

[Romo]

Well New York Red Bulls have certainly done well since they became the red bulls ( changed from New York/New Jersey MetroStars) players like Henry and Cahill have been paid for by them and are strongly linked with Xavi so it may be a good move going forward

[prophet]

^ So they'd be what, Red Bull Birmingham?

Aston Villa Red Bulls?

[AkydefGoldberg]

^Aston Red Bulls? Red Bull Villa? Latter has a ring to it I say!

But Lerner has been one of the more careful owners, bordering on stingy. But Villa are still in the PL and learned from the mistakes of hiring Houillier, buying Bent and before that maybe letting O'Neill spend too much money to the point he wanted more and more (so would any other manager) and left a week before the season started.

A change might be good for the team but not so sure for the fans.

[Romo]

Matic back to Chelsea for 5 times what they let him go for, but to be fair he's a classic case of having to leave and get playing time which he wouldn't of gotten at Chelsea when he was first there.