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.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.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. Something to shout about: There have been very few highs for Villa this seasonSo, first, well done Villa for beating West Brom, Wigan, Manchester Cityyou get the picture.There were a couple of nice hidden moments.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.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.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. The future's Bright: Bannan (right) was consoled after Albrighton (left) cleared up the awards 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.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.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.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.There is only six weeks between the final ball being kicked and Villa returning to pre-season training on July 5.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.) 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.Or else he is risking another year like the one he's just had.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.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) 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. Exposed: The Baggies were found wanting at set-piece during the clash with WolvesThe 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.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.I fully expect Mr Hodgson to have ironed that out by the time his players return.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.A fantastic effort from where the Saddlers were. I'm happy to record that fact here and now. And next week too. Out on a limb: Smith has done a wonderful job at WalsallPOTTY FOR THE POTTERSFinally, those of you who have pointed out that Stoke City is in the Midlands are quite right. 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.And never mind Sheikh Mansour, if anyone deserves success it's the Coates family for the backing they have given Tony Pulis. Enjoy, Potters. Explore more:People: Tony Pulis, Roy Hodgson, Paul Scharner, Luke Young Places: Liverpool, Manchester, Bulgaria