How important are ASTON VILLA to your life?

[Percy McCarthy]

Aston Villa means the world to me. They always have and always will be a huge part of my life, and, like a previous poster, we have had a family death down there. I did my school history project on them when I was thirteen, against the advice of a teacher, so was probably unhealthily obsessed for some time before that. I've written countless articles and a book on the subject, helped with a couple of others, been invited onto TV to talk about them, and worked there for over twenty years. Thanks to the internet, I probably read all Villa-related articles every day, and see most games. I don't think I'm a 'better fan' than anybody, but am willing to acknowledge that some who hardly miss a game are 'better' than me, including some of the hundreds of mates I've got down there, with whom, through our common experiences, I've forged a solid bond.

I've lived without going to the match before, through finances and other interests, but always knew I'd be back. Still looking forward to a period in my life when family and finances permit me to do all the aways. Always passionately VTID.

[Risso]

I had a season ticket all through university in the early 90s when I was in Brum, then after moving up to the North West I carried it on for a couple of years until being made redundant.  After that I got to a few home games and most of the more northerly away games until I moved over here 5 years ago, and now distance and kids mean that my games are very infrequent indeed.   

I do however think that the Premier League is killing football, so although the Villa are still very important to me, my interest in football as a whole continues to take knocks as there are more and more scandals and it becomes less competitive every year.  The thing I miss most about going to the match I think is pre or post drinks with a group of mates.  That's always good, even if the match itself ends up being disappointing.  When I came over last to watch Bolton away, I couldn't help but think we'd have been better off just staying in the boozer!

[Greg N'Ash]

rather a bizarre attack on paulie, Lucky eddie. You'll make enough enemies on here without going looking for them.

[Lambert and Payne]

Being at college the last 2 years i havent been able to afford a season ticket, I've still managed to go to every game I can afford. It doesn't make me less of a fan. Im at the age now where i can go out with my mates clubbing and such. I've just got a full time job but doubt i'll afford a season ticket just yet. I'll be getting a half season ticket and attending. The Villa will always be a big part of my life, but not the most important

[pauliewalnuts]

...........................and will the 'mods' have removed this thread before I sober up I wonder?

FFS if a bloke who posts ten thousand times about us has had 'periods of his life' in which he 'couldn't give a fuck' why on earth are the passionoftheholte wasting their time reading his worthless opinions?

What a bizarre load of nonsense.

It's difficult to know where to start in countering stuff like this, but I suspect you won't actually understand in any case, so I won't waste my time trying.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

...........................and will the 'mods' have removed this thread before I sober up I wonder?

FFS if a bloke who posts ten thousand times about us has had 'periods of his life' in which he 'couldn't give a fuck' why on earth are the passionoftheholte wasting their time reading his worthless opinions?

We should all drink more than is good for us one night then have a thread picking random fights with each other, for no other reason than we can. Mods drunk too so they are incapable of seeing their keyboards to keep control. After a home defeat to give it some edge. 

[Irish villain]

I have loved, and been fascinated by, Aston Villa since I was about 8. This in itself is very unusual given that I grew up in rural Ireland and was surrounded by family who were mostly into other sports. I had an aunt and uncle who liked football but they were Man U fans. Nobody introduced me to villa, I just found and loved them all by myself.

Some seasons I have paid less attention than others because of major milestones: important exams, coping with deaths, women etc. I was in my undergrad for most of the DO'L period and I reckon it was the most disinterested in the villa that I have ever been.

For me, Aston Villa is a huge part of my identity and when I go to visit my parents back home there is something of the 'I'm the only villan in the village' about it. People associate me with villa and ask me about it. I like that. It's also a form of escape for me. No matter how bad things are in my life, villa exists on another level. It's always there no matter how good/bad other aspects of my life are. Back in 2008 I went through a very hard time from March to December pretty much and, at that time, I could usually rely on villa to get a decent result to lift me.

[Dave Cooper please]

Of course Villa are important to me, I wouldn't spend so much time on here arguing the toss with you lot if they weren't but they are still just a hobby and a way of socialising with like-minded people.
It's about striking a balance isn't it? If you have no other commitments that are more important to you than Aston Villa then that's fine, base your life around them, you may even be lucky enough to work for them and have a family as passionate as you are.

I will say though, if a bad result or a poor decision by the board get you worked up and angry to the extent of you becoming depressed or doing something criminal I'd suggest you have a long, hard look at yourself.
Above all, watching your football club should be fun shouldn't it, regardless of how they are doing surely your leisure time should be spent doing something you actually enjoy, no?

[levico]

Cop this for a contradiction.

I go to all home matches and most away matches and I see fans who would never miss a match. Do I respect them?  No I think they should get a life!!

[Barry Shaw]

I used to follow Villa home and away as a kid and I couldn't sleep at night before big games. As I have got older and know a few footballers, I have to say my passion has waned dramatically. I'll always follow the Villa and stand up for them whenever we are in converastion but I pick and choose my games now and much prefer away games due to the chance to have a few beers, a laugh with my mates and a bit of atmosphere.

[dave.woodhall]

Cop this for a contradiction.

I go to all home matches and most away matches and I see fans who would never miss a match. Do I respect them?  No I think they should get a life!!

That's my thought. Anyone who takes it less seriously than me is a dirty part-timer-cum-NewFootie-fan who should go back to watching opera and anyone who takes it more seriously is a sad anorak who should sort their priorities.

[Brend'Watkins]

Cop this for a contradiction.

I go to all home matches and most away matches and I see fans who would never miss a match. Do I respect them?  No I think they should get a life!!

That's my thought. Anyone who takes it less seriously than me is a dirty part-timer-cum-NewFootie-fan who should go back to watching opera and anyone who takes it more seriously is a sad anorak who should sort their priorities.

Bus mans holiday for you though Dave.

[dave.woodhall]

Watching opera?

[Brend'Watkins]

Watching opera?

Verdi good.

Watching opera?

Can't see much call for an Opera fanzine.

[garyshawsknee]

When I was a teenager and had a Villa obsession,and later on when I was a season ticket holder,I use to hate Saturdays in the summer,as I missed the games.

But now I'm older I really appreciate summer Saturdays,its nothing to do with Villa,but the whole over exposure of football,the hype from sky,how everything is marketed towards making money. It's not even down to us not cracking the top four,as we've never been a top four team that much in my lifetime,so I'm use to us having average seasons.

Cost of matches and players wages has turned me off of football more and more in recent years.