Will Houllier's Bold Move Win Points?...

Don't expect to see Houllier smiling too much this season.

Well, here we are after a far from entertaining, lifeless and lackluster second city derby ended 0-0. As an Aston Villa fan it speaks volumes for the way things are going at the moment, and perhaps how our fortunes will pan out over the next season.

As usual, I was optimistic about Sundays' game and with 6 wins out of the last 6 matches against Birmingham, why wouldn't I be!? However, as the game continued I never truly felt that Villa were going to score. Certainly this is a feeling I have experienced this season already. Some may say the 0-0 draw with Chelsea was a good result (I for one will not, given the chances we had during the game). Similarly at the Stadium of Light, not once did I think that we possessed the conviction or even ability to get a goal. So why are Aston Villa playing such negative football at the moment?

Whine Rooney!

Forgive me for being a pessimist when it comes to the latest Wayne Rooney Saga, but I simply cannot understand the fickle and forgiving nature of the football world! Here you have an outstanding individual footballer, who on his day can make many of the worlds greatest defenders look like an Alsatian chasing a Balloon! However, these days it appears the average professional footballer sees the sport as nothing more than a way of making money and taking advantage. I recall seeing Rooney's goal against Arsenal back in the day; a goal greeted with hype and excitement from the majority of English football fans and beyond. I would not hesitate to agree with these people, I myself saw an outstanding professional in the making, one that could save England and become one of the greatest Premier League players ever!

Is there more to Wayne Rooney's new contract than meets the eye?