what role does rooney play exactly?

Isn't 5 league goals and 7 assists for a supposedly defensive midfield player evidence enough? That compares relatively favourably with a certain forward over almost the same number of league games who is currently dominating the discussions on here right now...

His versatility (thought he put in a great fullback shift at Old Trafford the other week) is also valuable to have in the squad.

There's a perception of Milner because of the role he has been typically deployed in - especially for England.

If you really can't see what he's done to deserve a place in the squad, you need to pay more attention.

I don't really want to pay more attention to Liverpool then is absolutely necessary for obvious reasons!

Milner to me is one of those hardworking players, who does enough to not warrant people having a go at him, but not enough to really be considered an outstanding player, if that makes sense.

His versatility is good (especially at a tournament where you might need a player to fill in during a match), but I think he is very much a case of "Jack of all trades, master of none", does he really have a position that he has nailed down, and you can say is his best?
He can play DM, fullback, or even as a winger, but without really being outstanding at any of them.

He also doesn't exactly come across as captaincy material, I know that it is just a friendly, so it is not all that important in the long run of things, but does he really inspire players to go that extra mile, or put in that bit more effort?
He sure doesn't come across like that to me.

Of course I don't see him every week, and all of these things are from just watching him when I do, and if he is a better player then I have given him credit for here, then fair enough, but he has had a fair bit of time since his Leeds days to convince me, one way or the other on him, and so far these are my opinions on him.

Milner's a fine player who warrants a place due to versatility and reliability. He's not a matchwinner but not every player in a squad can or needs to be. He won't be picked due to name value because he's James Milner. He has none.

He's a more effective player and has more ability than Henderson.

Tough call, as neither are all that great in my opinion.

No, that doesn't make any sense. A hard-working player who does enough to stop people having a go at him???? He's pretty much non-stop for 90 minutes and gets his fair share of goals and assists on top of his industry. His crime is being played "safe" in an England shirt in defensive roles. The emergence of Dier may help him but I suspect now he's reached 30 and has been pigeon-holed, that's come too late to get the best out of him. I've even heard this may be his last game for England.

When did he have an outstanding game for club or country, that left the fans going "wow"??

I could be very wrong in my thinking, but he just doesn't come across as someone who is outstanding in any one position, however that flexibility is good for tournaments.

You can rule out around 90% of all eligible international players if you need to have shouted 'wow' about them.

I didn't realise why Cruyff missed the 1978 World Cup until I read the article in the paper at the weekend

I always assumed he didn't like the politics of the country

Never knew that his family was threatened with kidnapping at rifle point

Ah, a team with eleven "wow" players - even Barcelona can't boast that (which is telling in itself). Go back to Planet FIFA. For every Messi or Neymar you need a Mascherano or a Busquets - or you won't win anything.

His other half, a Jacuzzi full of girls and an ultimatum had something to do with it too.

We've all been there...

We were talking about Milner. If you want to discuss Rooney we can. His best role is in the hole behind the striker.

Not the biggest surprise this (one for the villa fans)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35855813

No. It's a sensible move though as the earlier they can start planning for the championship the better. They might as well write off the rest of the season (if they haven't already..) and start blooding some of the youngsters who actually want to play the club.

Moyes would be a good fit for them. If the rumours are true, he'd also apparently be willing to drop down to the Championship to take over as well.

Remi Garde's days were always numbered when he effectively accused the club of misleading him when they didn't let him bring anyone in on transfer deadline day.

Moyes also has Championship experience via his Preston days, so he would be familiar with the environment, and it wouldn't come as a shock to him, as it might to their current manager.

Garde should be relieved. I don't believe for one minute he was told he would be given no chance to bring any players in.

Exactly. I suppose Brendan Rodgers is also currently out of work so could be willing to take a chance if offered.

He's better off out of it.

Absolute basket case of a club.

Nigel Pearson would be a good shout.

Unconfirmed rumours suggest he's possibly back off to France.

Rodgers can do better than that. Any manager worth there salt would stay well away.

I can't see him wanting to be a Championship manager, not after his last job was almost winning the Premier League, he will be after a top level job.

Moyes, and Pearson, are two good shouts so far, as both have experience in Villa's soon to be new division.