Wednesday Aston Villa Links: Can the season start now?

Guh. There is not really very much out there. So today I've just rounded up a few things for you to click on. One is heartwarming, one hilarious, one is a possible thing to keep an eye on, and one is some really great previews. Let's begin!

• Heartwarming: Brad Friedel has written an open letter to Aston Villa fans, and it proves that he's every bit the class act that we always suspected him of being. I'm glad we signed Shay Given, but I can assume that I am joined by other Villa fans in wishing him all the best in his new role.
  
• Hilarious: Alex McLeish is upset that his players are off on international duty. But that isn't what is funny. No, click on this link for the best picture of McLeish that has ever been taken.
• Keep an eye on: Chris Ryan has begun a weekly EPL column over at Grantland. I wasn't bowled over by his preview, but I'm willing to give him a few week's chance. 
• Some really great previews: You've already, of course, read Aaron's preview of Aston Villa over at SBN, but why don't you check out the whole series? I can say, with very little institutional bias, that I now generally check SBN in the morning before I head to ESPN.com.