I don't normally clamor for new signings that much, but I think the biggest single thing over which Arsenal have control right now is finding anyone who can play a creative role in the midfield. Since players like that are few and far between, they could turn to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. I know he's only 18, and there's no need to put undue pressure on him, so it would take some patience and understanding of dips in form from the supporters, but he seems the most likely option to make an impact at this point.

I've given up on our defending improving until injuries stop happening, by the way, so scoring more and finishing chances is necessary.

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Most of you will probably remember this video starring Stewart Downing, released by Aston Villa as part of their season ticket drive ahead of last season:

It was part of a series that also included Ashley Young, James Milner, John Carew and Carlos Cuellar, a nice little viral ad campaign that used video manipulation trickery similar to that employed by Powerade in a few wildly successful commercials a few years back. Predictably, a few gullible souls were tricked into thinking the commercials were real (and they invariably took to the virtual streets proclaiming to have "found out" Villa when the ruse was revealed to them.) It also turns out that some pretty high-ranking folks at Liverpool were fooled as well, and it may even have been the thing drew their attention to Stewart Downing in the first place:

There was some footage of Stewart where he was, from 30 yards away, kicking a football into five different trash cans and it was brilliant. John and I said: "Oh my God, this player is brilliant, we’ve got to figure out a way to make a deal with him."

--Tom Werner, Chairman of Liverpool Football Club

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Despite bossing things for most of the game, an inability to finish and trouble with set-piece defense (where have we heard that before) combined to give Marseille a 2-1 victory of the Villa youngsters. Villa had much of the play and most of the chances in the first half but it was the visitors that went to the locker room ahead after Chris Gadi headed in Kévin Pommier's free kick. Villa would continue to threaten for the rest of the game, but it wasn't until the 90th minute that they would equalize thanks to a goal from Gary Gardner. Marseille would be the only club to score in extra time, the winner coming from Billel Omrani in the 101st minute.

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Aston Villa's U19's are set to take on Marseille in the quarterfinal of the NextGen series, one of Europe's most prestigious youth tournaments. The other clubs remaining in the tournament-Sporting, Inter, Spurs, Liverpool, Barca and Ajax-are some fine company to keep, underscoring just how well stocked Villa keep their youth system. The game is available on AVTV and doubtlessly elsewhere, so give it a watch if you've got the opportunity.

I can't speak to the current depth of Marseille's youth system, but it's historically been amongst the best in Europe. Luckily Jordan Ayew is not playing, despite being eligible. Villa's is certainly nothing to sneeze at, and they put some pretty decent whoopings on some quality teams during the group stage. Should be a fun one.

Villa Lineup: Barrett, Lewis, Webb, Williams, Kinsella, Carruthers, Gardner, Johnson, Cameron, Burke, Drennan.

Villa Subs: Watkins, Nelson-Addy,Caira, Graham, Robinson, Grealish, Melvin

Marseille Lineup: Sy, Abergel, Andonian, Aloe, Charles, Azouni, Abdullah, Gadi, Omrani, Loiacono, Pommier

Marseille Subs: Cesarini, Santiago, Bonelli, Enukidze, Fabri, Anam, Kouch

Normally this is the sort of story that would have me dancing a jig of glee: Emile Heskey, James Collins, Habib Beye and Carlos Cuellar are set to leave Aston Villa in pursuit of clubs that actually, you know, want them. These four leaving would free up £10million and Randy Lerner would double that amount, giving Alex McLeish £20m to play with in the summer. And, of course, AML has a proven record of being responsible with money and only bringing in the most talented of players.

It's almost certain Emile Heskey will go. He's 34 years old and, well, not very good. It's been rumored for quite some time that he'll be on his way to Leicester. Perhaps we'll replace him with a Jamaican striker?

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