Source: Daily_Mail
The Midlander: All change... Randy Lerner has 24 hours after final match to end Villa's woes
ShareAston Villa's awards night was as polished as you would expect. And, from a commercial viewpoint, it went as well as could have been hoped.[LNB]But the organisers had their work cut out, didn't they? You can just imagine the discussion among the media department as to what highlights they were going to show.[LNB]Let's just say it comes to something when the Master of Ceremonies - AVTV's excellent Jack Woodward - had to focus on individual triumphs in the Barclays Premier League.[LNB] Something to shout about: There have been very few highs for Villa this season[LNB]So, first, well done Villa for beating West Brom, Wigan, Manchester City....you get the picture.There were a couple of nice hidden moments.[LNB]When Marc Albrighton picked up his umpteenth award of the evening following his breakthrough season, Luke Young rose from his seat on an adjacent table and went to have a consoling word with Barry Bannan.[LNB]It was the Scot's pass after all that enabled Albrighton not to break stride, control and finish for the strike that was voted as the goal of the season.[LNB]Other highlights included matching the WAGs to the players. And, this column being posted on the Daily Mail's site, I have to say that Paulina Petrov looked delightful in her full length, off-the-shoulder fuscia number.[LNB] The future's Bright: Bannan (right) was consoled after Albrighton (left) cleared up the awards[LNB] More from Neil Moxley... The Midlander: Take a bow... the men who can finish with heads held high05/05/11 The Midlander: Houllier's heart scare just the latest in a long list of dramas29/04/11 The Midlander: Birmingham will fully appreciate Larsson once he's gone...15/04/11 The Midlander: Aston Villa must dodge the drop before hitting the crossroads07/04/11 The Midlander: Huge debt, threat of administration... life at Coventry01/04/11 The Midlander: Derby's honesty is commendable but they must stay up11/03/11 The Midlander: Birmingham fans must forget about the past and enjoy their big day out at Wembley25/02/11 The Midlander: Molineux moaners must look at the bigger picture18/02/11 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE I hope I'm not speaking out of turn but the journalistic fraternity happen to like Stan Petrov. And, having seenBulgaria's most famous sporting spouse, we happen to like her too. I know, I've moved off the point.[LNB]Considering the season that Villa have just endured it was a surprisingly restrained evening.The players were not heckled (although this insistence that they should not be approached for autographs drives me insane) which came as a bit of a surprise.[LNB]However, the feedback from the powers-that-be is a realisation that once the final ball of the season is kicked against Liverpool next week, they will move quickly to sort out the managerial issue. Thank heaven.[LNB]What I hear is that Villa will act decisively and find a strong leader to re-unite different parts of the club. Just to re-cap, the manager remains ill at home, the scouting system is in a mess. And there is a gaggle of under-performing players who desperately need direction.[LNB]There is only six weeks between the final ball being kicked and Villa returning to pre-season training on July 5.[LNB]You know, my heart goes out to Randy Lerner. What an owner. I think he is a class individual. Right down to the classic car he owns. (I think it's a 1960s Volvo. You should see it.) [LNB]He deserves far better than what has happened this season. But football is a horrible business. And tough decisions need to be taken. And he needs to take one within 24 hours of that final whistle against Liverpool.[LNB]Or else he is risking another year like the one he's just had.[LNB]HODGSON'S BLAME GAME DOESN'T MASK TRUTHRoy Hodgson has managed football teams in more countries than I've visited. I respect his experience, knowledge and coaching ability.[LNB]And I like the fact that he is the first manager who has quoted a Latin phrase in his pre-match press conferences. (Strangely, they were missing from Stevie Bruce's....) [LNB]But just for the record, Hodgson citing the loss of three players - Steven Reid, Paul Scharner and Chris Brunt to defend set-pieces - is not sufficient reason as to why the Baggies struggled from corners at Wolves last week.[LNB] Exposed: The Baggies were found wanting at set-piece during the clash with Wolves[LNB]The fact is, they had conceded a staggering 27 goals from such sources prior to that game - the majority of which were let in while Brunt, Scharner and Reid were in the side.[LNB]So to have blamed the loss of those three to injury is masking the issue. They were poor last week for 50 minutes. And the Baggies are poor at defending set-plays. Full stop.[LNB]I fully expect Mr Hodgson to have ironed that out by the time his players return.[LNB]THE WONDER OF WALSALLThe Midlander will hand out his end-of-season awards in the coming fortnight. And, don't worry, just because I haven't mentioned it previously, doesn't mean that Dean Smith's achievements at the Banks's Stadium have gone unseen.[LNB]A fantastic effort from where the Saddlers were. I'm happy to record that fact here and now. And next week too.[LNB] Out on a limb: Smith has done a wonderful job at Walsall[LNB]POTTY FOR THE POTTERSFinally, those of you who have pointed out that Stoke City is in the Midlands are quite right. [LNB]Unfortunately, due to a quirk of the reporting system at newspapers, Stoke has always been covered by Manchester-based reporters. But that doesn't stop me from wishing the north Staffordshire side all the best in the FA Cup final.[LNB]And never mind Sheikh Mansour, if anyone deserves success it's the Coates family for the backing they have given Tony Pulis. [LNB]Enjoy, Potters.[LNB] Explore more:People: Tony Pulis, Roy Hodgson, Paul Scharner, Luke Young Places: Liverpool, Manchester, Bulgaria