Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Bad English on October 14, 2018, 05:44:01 PM
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Saturday 20th October, 3pm UK time, Villa Park, Birmingham B6 6HE.
How will the Smith era begin?
Come on you Lions! FTF!
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Can't wait for the game.
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2-1 Villa
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Us 7 (Seven) Them 3.
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4-0
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Someone's eager!
The amount of times villa have done something off the pitch to get us excited before really letting us down on it: the foreign signing spree under Sherwood, the spree under rdm, the January spree under Bruce, the takeover this summer . . .
All gives me a feeling we'll lose this. But im hoping the crowd and the renewed enthusiasm will see us over the line - like Gregory against Liverpool all those years ago
Let's get on the front foot and really go at them. Considering the internationals will be tired and Smith won't have seen them, id guess at some of them being rested:
Nyland
Bree Chester tuanzebe Taylor
Whelan hourihane
El ghazi grealish Bolasie
Abraham
Subs: Moreira jedinak hutton Lansbury O'Hare adomah Hogan
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4 0
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Someone's eager!
The amount of times villa have done something off the pitch to get us excited before really letting us down on it: the foreign signing spree under Sherwood, the spree under rdm, the January spree under Bruce, the takeover this summer . . .
All gives me a feeling we'll lose this. But im hoping the crowd and the renewed enthusiasm will see us over the line - like Gregory against Liverpool all those years ago
Let's get on the front foot and really go at them. Considering the internationals will be tired and Smith won't have seen them, id guess at some of them being rested:
Nyland
Bree Chester tuanzebe Taylor
Whelan hourihane
El ghazi grealish Bolasie
Abraham
Subs: Moreira jedinak hutton Lansbury O'Hare adomah Hogan
Are Kod and mcGinn out?
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Add to that list the West Ham shocker under DoL.
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I'll cheer on anyone in a Villa shirt, but if Neil Taylor is anywhere near the starting 11, it will be like starting with 10 men and a goal down.
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Add to that list the West Ham shocker under DoL.
That was his last season I think.
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Sold out apart from top Trinity. I'd like 2 tickets for Upper Holte...do we have another ticket resale site if we're no longer using Seatwave?
Not expecting a massive change as it's far too soon for Deano to be able to implement changes on the pitch, so hope a backed out Villa Park and new manager bounce will see us pick up 3pts.
2-1
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It is a game of Hope
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I will comment on Tuesday the traditional day for starting Saturday match thread.
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Add to that list the West Ham shocker under DoL.
That was his last season I think.
It was. Amazing how quickly it descended into farce. I remember being really confident after the summer signings (bouma, Phillips, baros).
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Just got my ticket for this - start of a new (glorious?) era...
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2-2 or some shit.
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Really important that Smith gets off to a good start, and I think he will. 4-1 us. Jack with a brace, Abraham and Bolasie with the other two.
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I will comment on Tuesday the traditional day for starting Saturday match thread.
I didn't realise there was a day for it.
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I dreamt I was at this and it was strangely Bruce-esque, circa 2016. No goalscoring chances at either end and 0-0 in a terrible match, but very sound at the back, with Tuanzebe having a blinder. He was able to clear the ball incredible distances when under pressure in the box.
So I’ll go 4-3 Villa.
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F**k the f**kers. 3-1
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Smith won't be able to fix the defence overnight, I'll go for 1-1.
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1-1 Draw for me.
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2-1.
Barry Hole, Jimmy Rimmer for us. Ivor Allchurch for them.
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No miracle cure, our defence is still terrible.
A draw probably. 2-2.
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It's time for the orange dot.
Villa 2 Swans 0. There's lovely
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Nyland
-------Bree----- Chester----- Tuanzebe
Elmo---------------------------------------Albert
------------McGinn---Hourihane--------------
----------------Grealish-------------------------
----------Abraham----Kodjia-------------------
Subs: Bunn, Hutton, Jedinak, Lansbury, Bolasie, El Ghazi, Hogan
3-2 Home win.
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Despite the optimism & a big crowd we'll lose 1-0. Too early for Smith & Co. to sort out the squad.
I'm actually going for reverse psychology here - I back us to win under Bruce and we didn't. So my logic is predict a loss and we'll get a big win...………………...
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It's time for the orange dot.
Villa 2 Swans 0. There's lovely
'Twould be lovely indeed - but I don't think we'll be seeing that orange dot quite so soon, unfortunately.
I'm going for a cheeky 2-1 Villa win (although I'll be happy with any score if it means we snaffle the points). UTV!
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Nyland
-------Bree----- Chester----- Tuanzebe
Elmo---------------------------------------Albert
------------McGinn---Hourihane--------------
----------------Grealish-------------------------
----------Abraham----Kodjia-------------------
Subs: Bunn, Hutton, Jedinak, Lansbury, Bolasie, El Ghazi, Hogan
3-2 Home win.
The trouble with that is that if I were a Swansea midfielder I could basically stroll right through the middle of the park and not see a challenge until I met Chester. Maybe put Bjarneson there instead of Hourihane? Or is my thinking too Brucey?
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Nyland
-------Bree----- Chester----- Tuanzebe
Elmo---------------------------------------Albert
------------McGinn---Hourihane--------------
----------------Grealish-------------------------
----------Abraham----Kodjia-------------------
Subs: Bunn, Hutton, Jedinak, Lansbury, Bolasie, El Ghazi, Hogan
3-2 Home win.
The trouble with that is that if I were a Swansea midfielder I could basically stroll right through the middle of the park and not see a challenge until I met Chester. Maybe put Bjarneson there instead of Hourihane? Or is my thinking too Brucey?
Yeah, I reckon we just go out to score more, not concede less.
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Smith won't be able to fix the defence overnight, I'll go for 1-1.
No but Terry can! 2-0 Villa.
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1-1.
I think we'll only really see a difference after Xmas, maybe even later.
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Pretty sure we won't see a 3 5 2 as Smith likes 4 2 3 1 so I'm going for :
Nyland
Elmo
Tuanzabe
Chester
Taylor or Hutton - whichever he thinks is the better going forward - no idea !
BB
McGinn
Bolasie
Grealish
Hourihane
Abrahams
Subs - Bunn, Bree, Jedinak, Adomah, Hogan, Kodjia, El Ghazi
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Pretty sure we won't see a 3 5 2 as Smith likes 4 2 3 1 so I'm going for :
Nyland
Elmo
Tuanzabe
Chester
Taylor or Hutton - whichever he thinks is the better going forward - no idea !
BB
McGinn
Bolasie
Grealish
Hourihane
Abrahams
Subs - Bunn, Bree, Jedinak, Adomah, Hogan, Kodjia, El Ghazi
That looks promising
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Hoping for a win. This would be my line up:
Nyland
Elmo Chester Tuanzebe Hutton
Barny McGinn
Grealish
Bolasie Abraham Kodjia
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Nyland
-------Bree----- Chester----- Tuanzebe
Elmo---------------------------------------Albert
------------McGinn---Hourihane--------------
----------------Grealish-------------------------
----------Abraham----Kodjia-------------------
Subs: Bunn, Hutton, Jedinak, Lansbury, Bolasie, El Ghazi, Hogan
3-2 Home win.
The trouble with that is that if I were a Swansea midfielder I could basically stroll right through the middle of the park and not see a challenge until I met Chester. Maybe put Bjarneson there instead of Hourihane? Or is my thinking too Brucey?
To perform like Bruce you’ve got to think like Bruce. NMA.
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Be interesting to see how they set up. I’m quietly confident about this one.
2-0
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While the team he puts out will be important it will be the attitude they come out with and the tactics employed that will be telling. I’m pretty sure we won’t play in our own half hoping to pinch a valuable point.
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While the team he puts out will be important it will be the attitude they come out with and the tactics employed that will be telling. I’m pretty sure we won’t play in our own half hoping to pinch a valuable point.
What i want to see is some indication that we have a plan and are trying to put it into place, or, to put it another way, that we are at least trying to play in a definable, distinguishable way.
Rather than the shapeless fucking hacking of Bruce.
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Opening games in recent times:
2016 Bruce: Villa 1 Wolves 1
2016 Di Matteo: Wednesday 1 Villa 0
2015 Garde: Villa 0 Man City 0
2015 Sherwood: Villa 1 Stoke 2 (although he seems to have had some involvement in the previous week's two-one FA Cup win at home to Leicester)
2012 Lambert: West Ham 1 Villa 0
2011 McLeish: Fulham 0 Villa 0
2010 Houllier: Villa 3 Blackburn 1 (League Cup, first League game was a 2-1 win at Wolves)
2006 O'Neill: Arsenal 1 Villa 1
2003 O'Leary: Portsmouth 2 Villa 1
2002 Taylor (second spell): Villa 1 Chelsea 1
1998 Gregory: Villa 2 Liverpool 1
1994 Little: Villa 1 Wednesday 1
1991 Atkinson: Wednesday 2 Villa 3
1990 Venglos: Villa 1 Southampton 1
1987 Taylor (first spell): Ipswich 1 Villa 1
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Pretty sure we won't see a 3 5 2 as Smith likes 4 2 3 1 so I'm going for :
Nyland
Elmo
Tuanzabe
Chester
Taylor or Hutton - whichever he thinks is the better going forward - no idea !
BB
McGinn
Bolasie
Grealish
Hourihane
Abrahams
Subs - Bunn, Bree, Jedinak, Adomah, Hogan, Kodjia, El Ghazi
Id expect Bree to retain his spot at right back. Showed a bit of promise v Millwall going forward. I honestly hope Neil Taylor never plays for the club again after his effort v Millwall. Hutton for me on the left.
Going to be a very interesting team selection but it's still the same group of players unfortunately.
I don't see the likes of Jedinak, Whelan, Hutton, Elmo, Kodjia and Taylor lasting too long in the new regime.
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We lost to Stoke under Sherwood.
I think he will go with;
Nyland
Hutton
Chester
Tuanzebe
Elmo
McGinn
Thor
Bolasie
Grealish
Albert
Tammy
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Think we'll win this 2-1. New manager bounce and all that.
A few times I've looked at Swansea's matches this season and genuinely have no idea who half their team is...Daniel James, Joe Rodon, Connor Roberts, Yan Dhanda and Courtney Baker-Richardson (was sent off after 5 minutes at Millwall) all been regulars recently for them.
Had a good clear out of their bigger names which is probably what we should've done in 2016 so Graham Potter has done a pretty good job to get them on the cusp of the top 6.
Tricky one but think we'll just edge it as they're not prolific scorers and think we'll see improvement in our forward play which won't be tough after Bruceball.
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I'll cheer on anyone in a Villa shirt, but if Neil Taylor is anywhere near the starting 11, it will be like starting with 10 men and a goal down.
Given it's his ex team he'll probably score the winner!
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We're gonna be well good'er now.
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Opening games in recent times:
2016 Bruce: Villa 1 Wolves 1
2016 Di Matteo: Wednesday 1 Villa 0
2015 Garde: Villa 0 Man City 0
2015 Sherwood: Villa 1 Stoke 1 (although he seems to have had some involvement in the previous week's two-one FA Cup win at home to Leicester)
2012 Lambert: West Ham 1 Villa 0
2011 McLeish: Fulham 0 Villa 0
2010 Houllier: Villa 3 Blackburn 1 (League Cup, first League game was a 2-1 win at Wolves)
2006 O'Neill: Arsenal 1 Villa 1
2003 O'Leary: Portsmouth 2 Villa 1
2002 Taylor (second spell): Villa 1 Chelsea 1
1998 Gregory: Villa 2 Liverpool 1
1994 Little: Villa 1 Wednesday 1
1991 Atkinson: Wednesday 2 Villa 3
1990 Venglos: Villa 1 Southampton 1
1987 Taylor (first spell): Ipswich 1 Villa 1
If anybody's after stats to cast doubt on so-called "new manager bounce", look no further than us!
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2015 Sherwood: Villa 1 Stoke 2
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Ta, fixed!
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There 283 left for the Upper Trinity and 42 elsewhere in the Witton Lane.
I'm hopeful that the swell of optimism, big crowd and new manager bounce carries us to a good result.
I thought Swansea were unlucky not to have 4 or 5 put on them at the Blues when I saw them. They got absolutely battered. But they've got some good results, even if you don't know who half of them are.
Only Tuesday and wish it was Saturday.
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It is a game of Hope
Powell? She was never in the running, even behind Brenda.
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New manager. Feeling of optimism. Full house.
We’re gonna lose aren’t we?
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New manager. Feeling of optimism. Full house.
We’re gonna lose aren’t we?
when you put it like that the omens arnt good
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In all my time watching the Villa, when there tends to be a buzz of excitement for whatever reason, a bit of hope, a full house and expectation, we tend to fall flat on our arse. Here's hoping Saturday is different. Please!
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I'm on a weekend away in Bratislava so going to miss it.
Can you sell your season ticket online anymore, or has that stopped? Seatwave don't seem to do it.
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There 283 left for the Upper Trinity and 42 elsewhere in the Witton Lane.
I'm hopeful that the swell of optimism, big crowd and new manager bounce carries us to a good result.
I thought Swansea were unlucky not to have 4 or 5 put on them at the Blues when I saw them. They got absolutely battered. But they've got some good results, even if you don't know who half of them are.
Only Tuesday and wish it was Saturday.
thats impressive against Swansea. Hopefully they bring a few and it’s a good atmosphere. Smith has a massive opportunity here to build a dynasty- one of us, owners with deep pockets and; a squad that on paper, really should be doing a lot better than the table shows.
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They've sold out their 2700 as well, so should he a good atmopshere.
Full house of 40k+ against, respectfully, Swansea at home screams the potential of this club.
Shows the level of optimism too about Smith. We had Wolves in his first game and still couldn't sell out.
I'm really hopeful of a win. If we could do it with some style and good football too, then we could be looking at huge attendances the rest of the season.
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In all my time watching the Villa, when there tends to be a buzz of excitement for whatever reason, a bit of hope, a full house and expectation, we tend to fall flat on our arse. Here's hoping Saturday is different. Please!
Oh i don't know Blues and Wolves last season ?
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Opening games in recent times:
2016 Bruce: Villa 1 Wolves 1
2016 Di Matteo: Wednesday 1 Villa 0
2015 Garde: Villa 0 Man City 0
2015 Sherwood: Villa 1 Stoke 2 (although he seems to have had some involvement in the previous week's two-one FA Cup win at home to Leicester)
2012 Lambert: West Ham 1 Villa 0
2011 McLeish: Fulham 0 Villa 0
2010 Houllier: Villa 3 Blackburn 1 (League Cup, first League game was a 2-1 win at Wolves)
2006 O'Neill: Arsenal 1 Villa 1
2003 O'Leary: Portsmouth 2 Villa 1
2002 Taylor (second spell): Villa 1 Chelsea 1
1998 Gregory: Villa 2 Liverpool 1
1994 Little: Villa 1 Wednesday 1
1991 Atkinson: Wednesday 2 Villa 3
1990 Venglos: Villa 1 Southampton 1
1987 Taylor (first spell): Ipswich 1 Villa 1
The apt feels like when Gregory came in imo, this year ends in an 8 like 98 so therefore we win 2-1 saturday
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Pretty sure we won't see a 3 5 2 as Smith likes 4 2 3 1 so I'm going for :
Nyland
Elmo
Tuanzabe
Chester
Taylor or Hutton - whichever he thinks is the better going forward - no idea !
BB
McGinn
Bolasie
Grealish
Hourihane
Abrahams
Subs - Bunn, Bree, Jedinak, Adomah, Hogan, Kodjia, El Ghazi
Id expect Bree to retain his spot at right back. Showed a bit of promise v Millwall going forward. I honestly hope Neil Taylor never plays for the club again after his effort v Millwall. Hutton for me on the left.
Going to be a very interesting team selection but it's still the same group of players unfortunately.
I don't see the likes of Jedinak, Whelan, Hutton, Elmo, Kodjia and Taylor lasting too long in the new regime.
Most of them I think you're right. I think he'll like Elmo. Steady right back who can go forward. Keeping AEH and Bree as our right back options and scrapping the rest would be ok.
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Just 92 tickets left!
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In all my time watching the Villa, when there tends to be a buzz of excitement for whatever reason, a bit of hope, a full house and expectation, we tend to fall flat on our arse. Here's hoping Saturday is different. Please!
Oh i don't know Blues and Wolves last season ?
True. I guess I mean in the broader spectrum rather than one off games. Wolves last season should have been the catalyst for a great run and typically it wasn't. Blues, well shouldn't we always beat Blues?!
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8-0 home win
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2-0. Swansea own goal and a McGinn bicycle kick.
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Terry and Dean's biggest home crowd moment beckons
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Looks like about 20 tickets remaining
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Looks like about 20 tickets remaining
That really is incredible
Rather than a few detracting voices it is evident there was a lot of folk who could not take Bruce's football anymore
Well done Villa boys - now lets raise the roof for the lads - cant wait
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Sold Out
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43,000 for a midtable clash in the Championship against Swansea. The players need to put a bit back in now.
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Really looking forward to the game on Saturday now. It will be really interesting to see who they go with and how they set the team up.
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Hopefully a crash course in defending has been implemented this week!
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They've released the former season ticket seats so there's a few hundred left. Over 41,000 sold though.
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Hopefully a crash course in defending has been implemented this week!
I hope attack is the best form of defence so we don't go down the other end
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PSA: The family fun zone isn't open on Saturday.
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PSA: The family fun zone isn't open on Saturday.
Hopefully the fun zone has moved inside the stadium now
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Do you mean fun whilst watching the Villa play football ilo miserable 90+ minutes every other week.... now that would be FUN.
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PSA: The family fun zone isn't open on Saturday.
Hopefully the fun zone has moved inside the stadium now
Very good
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43,000 for a midtable clash in the Championship against Swansea. The players need to put a bit back in now.
Just imagine how good things could be if we got promoted. The owners and all involved should be busting a gut to get us there, then build the ground to a 50k before we win the Champions League in 2023. A journey starts with just a single step.
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43,000 for a midtable clash in the Championship against Swansea. The players need to put a bit back in now.
........., then build the ground to a 50k before we win the Champions League in 2023.
For the third time....
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The good feel factor will see us home 2-1 with us scoring within the first 5,minutes but t hanging on a bit at the end
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Be happy with a draw tbh. That defence still scares the shit out of me.
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I had decided not to go until Bruce was gone and know a few more that had said the same.
Back in Blighty and going down the Villa.
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I think we’ll win. But even if we don’t, it won’t be because we haven’t tried to. And most importantly irrespective of the result what I am confident of is that long term we will be in very good shape and a PL club again before too long.
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Gutted I can't go and that it's not on TV. There's nothing like a capacity crowd all desperately willing everyone to do well.
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Gutted I can't go and that it's not on TV. There's nothing like a capacity crowd all desperately willing everyone to do well.
Which usually means one thing....cue last minute opposition winner. This is the Villa after all.
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Feels very strange to be enthusiastic and positive about a game. Even with our rag tag defence, I think we'll sneak a win. Be good to see round pegs in round holes and a couple of youths on the bench.
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Imagine the outpouring on here when we see Jedi at CH on Saturday!!
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I think we’ll win. But even if we don’t, it won’t be because we haven’t tried to. And most importantly irrespective of the result what I am confident of is that long term we will be in very good shape and a PL club again before too long.
This
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Chester had a solid game for Wales last night, granted Ireland's forwards are very average but was best I've seen him play in a while. Don't think we have players to consider playing 3 at the back like Wales for now unless Elmo could be converted to one of the three.
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Kicking myself I'm not around for this game. Would have been my first since the Wolves one which was the only one I managed last season.
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You have to get out more Eamonn.
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I clearly do! Back in the old country this weekend though so it can't be helped.
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Imagine the outpouring on here when we see Jedi at CH on Saturday!!
And Whelan in midfield.
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<65 left. Might sell out tonight
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Imagine the outpouring on here when we see Jedi at CH on Saturday!!
And Whelan in midfield.
I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see Whelan start. Jedi's seeming inability to keep a football on the floor will count against him. BB, for all his industry, is often a tad poor when it comes to finding a team mate.
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I think there's a high chance Whelan will start. Jedinak can't pass. Bjarnason and mcginn have been playing for their country and Lansbury has barely played in months
Still think Whelan has been one of our better players this season
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I don't care who he plays. I trust him.
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Chester had a solid game for Wales last night, granted Ireland's forwards are very average but was best I've seen him play in a while. Don't think we have players to consider playing 3 at the back like Wales for now unless Elmo could be converted to one of the three.
Played on the right side of central defence where he is far more comfortable.
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I think there's a high chance Whelan will start. Jedinak can't pass. Bjarnason and mcginn have been playing for their country and Lansbury has barely played in months
Still think Whelan has been one of our better players this season
He's barely played, when was he good?
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I don't care who he plays. I trust him.
Yes, it’s a new manager that has got to work with same players.
I am more looking forward to a change of mentality and getting more out of what we have.
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Sold Out
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I think there's a high chance Whelan will start. Jedinak can't pass. Bjarnason and mcginn have been playing for their country and Lansbury has barely played in months
Still think Whelan has been one of our better players this season
He's barely played, when was he good?
Much like Ashley Westwood before him, Whelan is fine playing as the defensive midfielder in a midfield three. Problems arise when he is asked to play any other type of role than that.
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There is an alleged line up posted on the news now site (this is Futbol)
Nyland
Hutton Tuanzabee Chester Taylor
McGinn Bjarnason
Adomah Grealish Bolasie
Abraham
Not sure if true but if it is already looks 100% more positive than previous line ups this season
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Given most of them have only returned to training today I very much doubt anyone, including Dean Smith has decided yet.
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There is an alleged line up posted on the news now site (this is Futbol)
Nyland
Hutton Tuanzabee Chester Taylor
McGinn Bjarnason
Adomah Grealish Bolasie
Abraham
Not sure if true but if it is already looks 100% more positive than previous line ups this season
It's an ok line up but I'm struggling to see how it's 100% more positive than typical Bruce line ups to be honest.
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I think we are all hoping it’s the approach that will change more so than the lineup.
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https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1052884994018824192
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There's 2 wingers and a striker on the pitch.
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2-1 but some great goals. UTV!!
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Go for the jugular from the off.
I predict 3.0 at half time
And 5.0 at full.
Wishful thinking aside, you can get some mega odds on 5.0, 5.1, 5.2.
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There is an alleged line up posted on the news now site (this is Futbol)
Nyland
Hutton Tuanzabee Chester Taylor
McGinn Bjarnason
Adomah Grealish Bolasie
Abraham
Not sure if true but if it is already looks 100% more positive than previous line ups this season
Hutton and Taylor in their orthodox positions, Albert? I hope not.
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Why not Albert our leading goal scorer last season?
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Albert, playing on the right where he should be playing, good grief, this is going to take some getting use to!
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Smith likes a quarter back so to speak who has a massive influence on game so have changed my thoughts to
Nyland
Bree Chester Tuanzebe Taylor
Sjm
Hourihanne
Bolaise Jack el ghazi/Albert/Kodjia
Abraham
What decking formation is that lol
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Haha don’t give up your day job VIL😂
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Haha don’t give up your day job VIL😂
Tell me what you will do you posh castle Bromwich geezer ( i have worked in London too much )
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Smith likes a quarter back so to speak who has a massive influence on game so have changed my thoughts to
Nyland
Bree Chester Tuanzebe Taylor
Sjm
Hourihanne
Bolaise Jack el ghazi/Albert/Kodjia
Abraham
What decking formation is that lol
Having seen them play together a couple of times this season, I think McGinn and Hourihane are a bit too similar to play in the same midfield. Bjarnason and one of those two with Grealish in front of them would probably be a bit more balanced and would give a bit of flexibility as BB could drop,into a more defensive role if required.
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There is an alleged line up posted on the news now site (this is Futbol)
Nyland
Hutton Tuanzabee Chester Taylor
McGinn Bjarnason
Adomah Grealish Bolasie
Abraham
Not sure if true but if it is already looks 100% more positive than previous line ups this season
It's an ok line up but I'm struggling to see how it's 100% more positive than typical Bruce line ups to be honest.
Two wingers and grealish in the middle for a start
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There is an alleged line up posted on the news now site (this is Futbol)
Nyland
Hutton Tuanzabee Chester Taylor
McGinn Bjarnason
Adomah Grealish Bolasie
Abraham
Not sure if true but if it is already looks 100% more positive than previous line ups this season
It's an ok line up but I'm struggling to see how it's 100% more positive than typical Bruce line ups to be honest.
Two wingers and grealish in the middle for a start
Bruce played two wingers and Jack central for most of last season.
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Yes he did, but didn't seem to this season very much which was strange.
I'd like to see Bolasie start the game tomorrow although he has been quite effective coming off the bench which can help against tiring defenders.
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There is an alleged line up posted on the news now site (this is Futbol)
Nyland
Hutton Tuanzabee Chester Taylor
McGinn Bjarnason
Adomah Grealish Bolasie
Abraham
Not sure if true but if it is already looks 100% more positive than previous line ups this season
It's an ok line up but I'm struggling to see how it's 100% more positive than typical Bruce line ups to be honest.
Two wingers and grealish in the middle for a start
Bruce played two wingers and Jack central for most of last season.
No, he's played a right back out wide for most of the season.
Usually we only get wingers on the pitch once we've emptied the strikers off.
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Apart from any fitness issues we may not be aware of why would you not start Bolasi. He has done nothing but offer a positive contribution every time he has been on the pitch
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There is an alleged line up posted on the news now site (this is Futbol)
Nyland
Hutton Tuanzabee Chester Taylor
McGinn Bjarnason
Adomah Grealish Bolasie
Abraham
Not sure if true but if it is already looks 100% more positive than previous line ups this season
It's an ok line up but I'm struggling to see how it's 100% more positive than typical Bruce line ups to be honest.
Two wingers and grealish in the middle for a start
Bruce played two wingers and Jack central for most of last season.
No, he's played a right back out wide for most of the season.
Usually we only get wingers on the pitch once we've emptied the strikers off.
I can’t be bothered to look at the stats but I’m pretty sure he played Albert, Snodgrass and Jack for most of the second half of the season.
I’m not defending Bruce and am looking forward to see what Smith can achieve, all I’m saying is that in line up terms only the above is hardly a major shift from Bruce and not something to cream your crackers over.
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There is an alleged line up posted on the news now site (this is Futbol)
Nyland
Hutton Tuanzabee Chester Taylor
McGinn Bjarnason
Adomah Grealish Bolasie
Abraham
Not sure if true but if it is already looks 100% more positive than previous line ups this season
It's an ok line up but I'm struggling to see how it's 100% more positive than typical Bruce line ups to be honest.
Two wingers and grealish in the middle for a start
Bruce played two wingers and Jack central for most of last season.
No, he's played a right back out wide for most of the season.
Usually we only get wingers on the pitch once we've emptied the strikers off.
I can’t be bothered to look at the stats but I’m pretty sure he played Albert, Snodgrass and Jack for most of the second half of the season.
I’m not defending Bruce and am looking forward to see what Smith can achieve, all I’m saying is that in line up terms only the above is hardly a major shift from Bruce and not something to cream your crackers over.
but that's the point that's being made, last season we played with 2 wingers and Jack in a reasonably advanced role, this season we've players with 1 winger, 1 advanced full back and Jack 20 yards deeper. If all Smith does is set us up as a 4231 with the 3 composed of attacking players who stay high up the pitch and defend from the front then it's a massive change compared to the last couple of months. The one time where Bruce took that approach was the period from Christmas to mid-march when we lookd like we could push for the top 2, then he started pulling Adomah and Snodgrass deeper and asking them to do more defensively and we lost all our momentum.
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Ok, gotcha. I agree with what you say. I was just comparing line up to line up, but I agree what Smith does with it is what will be key. FWIW the above is the shape I’d like to see and am looking forward to seeing what Smith can do.
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Haha don’t give up your day job VIL😂
Tell me what you will do you posh castle Bromwich geezer ( i have worked in London too much )
Haha... not a clue I will play any 11 players ;)
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Not too bothered about the shape, and the personnel will be the same as those Bruce had to work with (which leaves us rather light in defence). I'll just be happy with signs of a front foot approach, a clear intention to try and win games rather than avoid defeat or nick a win, plenty of movement off the ball, attempts to play some proper football, some kind of plan, and players appearing to know their role in the grand plan. Oh and a throw in going to one of our players would be good. While the defensive side could be a worry until January, I think we have the squad to do all the above well and get good results.
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You have got to expect a level of cracker creaming with a new manager, but my crackers will not even be lightly moist until I've seen this undoubted potential turned into actual results. Please let it happen this time.
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Anyone know when the press conference is?
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It's been very quiet at Villa Park today. May be the future is no sandwiches and coffee for Press hacks?
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Can't wait for tomorrow...UTV
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Jack Grealish takes a moment out of training to chat with Steve Bruce's Movement coach...
(https://d3ix52z2istd7h.cloudfront.net/~/media/AstonVilla/Images%20pre-Swans/Swans13.ashx?mh=720&mw=1280&vs=1&d=20181019T151629Z&hash=A89376FC956C99A6EEA339E2FD3515CC4AAFEA78)
...photo from the training gallery on the official website.
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Really looking forward to seeing my team actually trying to win a game. I think we are all fully aware it is going to take time before we are playing as the manager wishes, but I am sure the extra freedom allowed will result in better football
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Waiting for a flight back from Venice to Gatwick. Won't get back to deepest Dorset until 3AM. Up early to leave at 9AM for Villa Park. Can't wait!
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I am very excited.
To watch us play Swansea in the 2nd division. I bloody love this club at times.
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I am very excited.
To watch us play Swansea in the 2nd division. I bloody love this club at times.
For the first time in a long while I am as well.
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There is an alleged line up posted on the news now site (this is Futbol)
Nyland
Hutton Tuanzabee Chester Taylor
McGinn Bjarnason
Adomah Grealish Bolasie
Abraham
Not sure if true but if it is already looks 100% more positive than previous line ups this season
It's an ok line up but I'm struggling to see how it's 100% more positive than typical Bruce line ups to be honest.
If that midfield plays ten yards further up the pitch then it will make all the difference.
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I am very excited.
To watch us play Swansea in the 2nd division. I bloody love this club at times.
I do to....but don't they bloody frustrate and depress you at times...Hopefully new start.
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Dorset - you my friend deserve nothing but a win and top performance for commitment like that. Hope you and the rest of us aren’t disappointed!
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Will James Chester be captain tomorrow? In the Dean Smith world there will be a rotation policy on the armband.
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My 8 year old gets no commitment prizes. The chap who sits next to me has been seriously ill so naturally I bagged his season card....
Charlie wanted to come but was pissed off he would have to miss football training that morning. A late birthday party invite and I/Villa were ditched in favour of pass the parcel, cake and an excellent Lego Star Wars collection!
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Waiting for a flight back from Venice to Gatwick. Won't get back to deepest Dorset until 3AM. Up early to leave at 9AM for Villa Park. Can't wait!
I doff my cap to you DV - wishing you a safe journey , an enjoyable couple of hours at B6 and 3 points secured.
Due to unfortunate circumstances both myself and VCTM jnr are unable to make the journey - can folk please give extra support to make up for our absence - COYL
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Anyone know when the press conference is?
No press conference today. But Jim White from talk sport phoned Dean Smith and had a chat live. All positive stuff and seemed very happy with the squad and sounded very upbeat …..
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Waiting for a flight back from Venice to Gatwick. Won't get back to deepest Dorset until 3AM. Up early to leave at 9AM for Villa Park. Can't wait!
I doff my cap to you DV - wishing you a safe journey , an enjoyable couple of hours at B6 and 3 points secured.
Due to unfortunate circumstances both myself and VCTM jnr are unable to make the journey - can folk please give extra support to make up for our absence - COYL
I've not heard come on you lions sung for ages. years in fact.
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I'm with you DV. Corfu to Stansted to Southwold, bit of kip, Southwold to VP back to carrot cruncher territory. Would not miss this one.
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Anyone know when the press conference is?
No press conference today. But Jim White from talk sport phoned Dean Smith and had a chat live. All positive stuff and seemed very happy with the squad and sounded very upbeat …..
Why no pess conf ?
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Dorset villa.
👏👍✌️❤️👌
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good luck tomorrow lads i,m sure you'll understand
villa 5 jacks 0
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Anyone know when the press conference is?
No press conference today. But Jim White from talk sport phoned Dean Smith and had a chat live. All positive stuff and seemed very happy with the squad and sounded very upbeat …..
Why no pess conf ?
Probably too busy trying to get the team sorted.
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good luck tomorrow lads i,m sure you'll understand
villa 5 jacks 0
Cheers our kid. About time you lot posted a win an' all.
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2-1 Villa. FTF.
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good luck tomorrow lads i,m sure you'll understand
villa 5 jacks 0
Cheers mate. I'm hoping you smash Fulham, and stay up. My mum is a Cardiff lady, and my brother in law, a Cardiff boy, and season ticket holder.
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Oh, and 3-1 to us.
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Come on Deano, get off to a winning start please.
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Today's the day.
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I’m excited!
Come on you Lions
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Anyone know what The Barn (on Brookvale Road) is called these days and whether you can still park there on match days?
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The Jolly Knuckledraggers
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Am going positive and for the new manager factor to take effect quickly. 2-1 Villa. Tammy and Chester to get ours.
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morning...
cant wait for this
havent been this excited in years
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From BBC match preview:
"None of the last six permanent Aston Villa managers have won their first league match in charge (Alex McLeish, Paul Lambert, Tim Sherwood, Remi Garde, Roberto Di Matteo and Steve Bruce) since Gerard Houllier won his first in September 2010 against Wolves."
That changes today - C'mon you Lions!
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Biggest match in the fixture list this weekend I reckon.
VP will be rocking!
Hope everyone that goes has a great time!
Get on it!!!
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Gonna be a drab and dull game.....apologies, I'm so use to cutting and pasting the same sentence under SB !! Here begins the Villa Revolution, whatever the score, in Dean we trust. UTV.
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Really hope this goes well today.
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From BBC match preview:
"None of the last six permanent Aston Villa managers have won their first league match in charge (Alex McLeish, Paul Lambert, Tim Sherwood, Remi Garde, Roberto Di Matteo and Steve Bruce) since Gerard Houllier won his first in September 2010 against Wolves."
That changes today - C'mon you Lions!
And
"Aston Villa have lost their last five league matches against Swansea, all in the Premier League between April 2014 and March 2016."
Plus
"Swansea are the only Championship team yet to score from a set piece this season, while Aston Villa have conceded more set piece goals than any other side (11)."
You know what that means.
But:
"Swansea have lost all five of their away league matches against Aston Villa outside the top-flight, though these matches were played between 1936 and 1972."
I'm going for a slightly bathetic draw
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Anyone know what The Barn (on Brookvale Road) is called these days and whether you can still park there on match days?
Last time saw it a few months ago it was a hotel/conference centre type jobbie but as for match day parking I dunno - try Google and then bell them.
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There'll be more watching Villa swansea than watching chelsea manu today!
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First game since Wembley today although tickets were bought while Bruce was still in charge so I ain't no glory hunter bruv. There's an inordinate amount of giddy Wolves fans on the train. Silly sods.
1-1
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You sat on the train with me Nev? We are going to bash these fucks today (not Wolves) and I am unusually bang up for it.
I have a spare if you want to lob a tenner in the lunch kitty anyone.
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Anyone know what The Barn (on Brookvale Road) is called these days and whether you can still park there on match days?
Last time saw it a few months ago it was a hotel/conference centre type jobbie but as for match day parking I dunno - try Google and then bell them.
Thanks, google hasn’t been my friend this time.
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The Barnhas been turned into an events venue mostly for Asian weddings. So if you want to get married whilst you are around Villa Park pop in😊
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Anyone know what The Barn (on Brookvale Road) is called these days and whether you can still park there on match days?
Last time saw it a few months ago it was a hotel/conference centre type jobbie but as for match day parking I dunno - try Google and then bell them.
Thanks, google hasn’t been my friend this time.
Parked there a couple of time towards end of last season I think for a fiver.
If there is a function on though it’s closed.
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WMPolice have tweeted -
There will be extra searching in place at VP today that may slow down your entry to the ground please ensure you leave bags and “extra” items at home this will assist in expediting your entry into the stadium. Making VP safe for all!
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Sold Out
Leeds would have taken more.
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No Cabbage Required