Sheriff Kimbo's Thursday Thoughts #13

Hello all. Just as I get (most of) my computer issues sorted, I get ill thanks to my flu jabs. My 'Thursday Thoughts' are rapidly becoming a fortnightly event! Um, what is, "That is still too often" supposed to mean...?

Well the shenanigans of Tiger Woods have meant that footballers are not the number one sports topic for the news. James Beattie did his best to get in there though, didn't he. I have never really liked that bloke. Dunno why, he just comes across as a proper big-time Charlie - and he really aint that good! Sure, Ronaldo is annoying, but at least he is genuinely one of the best in the world. Sure, Collymore was an absolute waste of talent but at least he had it to waste. Just what is it that makes James Beattie appear so big-headed? Modern-day footballers, hey...

Since I last wrote for this fine site, the World Cup draw has been made. Now those of you that are thinking England's group is going to be easy are clearly underestimating Alge... Sorry, I can't do it! Great stuff! I am the first to admit I have lost a lot of interest in international football but the World Cup is still an absolutely fantastic event, and I was strangely excited on the day of the draw. But that draw exceeded my hopes really, it looks great for England and anything other than topping the group will be a failure. I am very confident that it will be three wins from three though, even allowing for the fact that the USA will certainly not be any pushovers.

Speaking of kind draws, I couldn't help but punch the air with delight when Blackburn beat Chelsea, knowing that we had drew the winner in the semi-final of the League Cup. Actually what is it officially called now? Is it the Carling Cup? I'm going to check... Yes it is. Thought it was. Anyway I know non-Villa fans - and probably some Villa fans - will disagree but I always think of this cup as our cup, and when someone else wins it, it is like we are just lending it out! It has been nice to get a cup run going again given the way we have gone out the last few years; I just hope we can do the same again in the FA Cup.

Which raises a question; which is more important - Champions League qualification or winning a trophy? Ideally, assuming the Premiership is pretty much a two-horse race already (sorry Arsenal), as a Villa fan the best possible outcome for our season would be to win the two domestic cups and finish in the top four. But let's say we could be guaranteed one but only one, which would people choose? First of all, the League Cup would be a great day and guarantees a European place as early as February. That said, while the FA Cup isn't sorted until the end of the season, it is more prestigious and for any Villa fan that can't remember 1957, it's something we haven't witnessed. Finally, there is the Champions League. It is a sad indictment of modern-day football that 4^th place - and most definitely 3^rd - is seen as a far more successful season that winning a trophy, because of the carrot at the end of it. Of course, if those league positions were simply still the UEFA Cup (sorry, Europa League) then it would not be the case, but the virtual European Super League that we have going on means that league position is the most important factor for a club now. But should that really beat the romance and drama of a great cup run and a day out at Wembley?

Obviously this is not just a question for Villa fans. It very much applies to Manchester City, and while they are now out of the League Cup it almost certainly applies to Tottenham Hotspur and, dare I say it, Liverpool this season. On recent league finishes it should also include Everton although looking at the Premiership table, 8^th is probably as high as they can hope for, in my opinion.

So what do you think people? Do you want the drama and a great memory of a cup run, or is the Champions League the be all and end all? I assume that the latter will be the general consensus, but feel free to leave your opinion below. Right, all being well, I will actually be back next week!