Why is it, when we finish sixth there is no UEFA spot for us?! Have been sitting here working all afternoon and listening to the coverage on the radio. Fulham, what an escape! Had a feeling they were going to do it too - should have put that bet on! I am annoyed about this place for Man City in the UEFA cup as they got thumped today, had Dunne sent off and their fans were ripping up seats at the end of the game. Should they really be representing us in Europe?

Hopefully we will fair better in the Intertoto than we have in the recent past. I remember watching a game at Villa Park against a Croation side and we were woeful. I don't care to watch a repeat of that! Are we ready to compete in Europe? Do we need Gareth Barry? If he leaves will other good players be put off from joining Villa? All questions that will be answered over the coming weeks. I notice that Benitez is after Milner and offering Riise in return. What's with all these swopsies and Liverpool anyway? As I type, MoN is saying that finishing 6th won't put off players from joining and the Intertoto, being less games now, fits in better with pre-season training. I feel instantly reassured! :)

As the boss says, in any other season 6th would gain automatic entry to UEFA so overall we have done incredibly well with the tiny squad (relatively) we have. So many players have played week in, week out, and have played so well too. Laursen has been immense this season, Bouma's been more consistent, even Petrov has found a recent groove. Young is a revelation, Gabby is awesome, Barry has truly filled the captain's boots and epitomises Villa's resurgence under O'Neill and Lerner.

It would be a mega shame if Barry decided that he needed to move to a 'big' club to sit as a squad player on their bench and play one in three games. Wouldn't it be better to be a legend at a club like Villa, forever held in the hearts of thousands of Villa fans as a great player, than to be part of a machine that revolves around winning football games and titles by throwing money at the game, by buying all the best players up - whether or not you would ever really play them or care if they played? Keegan was right - we can't compete unless we are prepared to do the same, to trade players like commodities, locking them away from other clubs whilst occasionally taking them out and dusting them down when the stars are injured.

So Gareth, do you want to be an individual legend in a team that cares about you or a shiny top-four football clone?

Up the Villa! Well done the team. We are proud! ...and good luck to Cardiff next weekend (hubbie's team!)

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