severnside gull
Well-known member
Best thing to happen to Villa in the last year is McLeish leaving. And yes it is the perfect vehicle for Gus but I really don't think he will be on Lerner's radar. Having made such a massive mistake last time round and still carrying a lot of blame from many Villa fans for losing O'Neill he needs to pick a genuine winner - someone the fans will unite behind and take the heat off the owner. Gus - whilst I think he could do a good job there -would represent much too big a risk when viewed from the owners' perspective. Benitez would be my favourite purely because of his track record and the fact that he is held in genuine respect by most people in the game - just like Houllier who was Lerner's choice for the same reasons and also because he could bring youngsters through from academy level. Villa have no money - O'Neill spoofed enormous amounts on high value long term player contracts and took Villa to the brink of financial disaster before walking away when they wouldn't spend more. That was McLeish's legacy and the reason they simply can't afford the sort of names that will be thrown into the hat. Benitez might still be too big for them but he is the only star name that I think they can potentially afford. I really don't think they will go down the road of paying compensation to another club again if they can avoid it.