Random Thoughts as the Transfer Window Draws to a Close

I am all sorts of discombobulated today, and I cannot even begin to think of a coherent theme for a Vernal Villan column. So here, instead, are some random thoughts I've had about the team of late. To the bullets!

• It's been said numerous times around here, but this team is fun again. Saturday I got up (relatively) early just to see the FA Cup match. It turns out it wasn't televised! A month ago, I would have said "Eh, too bad" and gone back to sleep and enjoyed my day. But no way am I missing a Villa match now unless I have to. So I went onto the OS and listened to Jack Woodward call the game on radio. Woodward is a blast to listen to, though he tends to stray a bit too much from commentary at times. The point still stands, however. On January 1st, was this a team you would go out of your way to follow? It certainly wasn't for me.
• I cannot wait for tomorrow's match against Manchester United. I've spent all day thinking I would miss it due to an afternoon class, but I just realized (about 20 minutes ago) that the afternoon class is on Thursdays, not Tuesdays. Fan-freaking-tastic. What really boggles my mind is the fact that I have hope to see Villa do well tomorrow. I think I'd be shocked if we won, but forcing a draw doesn't seem to be too much of a stretch.
• To reiterate Kirsten's story: DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD! I never imagined we'd all be so happy to see Stephen Ireland gone.

• This final few hours of the transfer window has been absolutely nutso. But I have to say, I'm happy with the news that Villa are bringing in Michael Bradley. He's a piece that could prove to be interesting, and he's young and cheap enough to be almost no-risk. How can you be really upset with a deal like that?
• The Darren Bent signing doesn't look so extravagant, now, does it?
• Remember the Stewart Downing should go column I wrote last week? Can we all pretend like that didn't happen? Not because I don't believe what I wrote (I do) but because I got an Aston Villa home kit for my birthday this weekend. The name on back? Downing. I'd like that to remain relevant for a while, please.
  

Alright, that's it for now. I would like to warn you in advance that next week's column may contain a dose of American football, as my favorite team (the Packers, woo!) are playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday. Win or lose, I imagine this will be something I'll want to write a bit about, as I have never cheered for a team that has been in a championship game. What a novelty!