Aston Villa v SHA: Pre-match Thread

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Here are the lyrics of the original

An old cowboy went riding out one dark and windy day
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
When all at once a mighty herd of red-eyed cows he saw
Plowing through the ragged skies and up a cloudy draw

Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel
Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
For he saw the riders coming hard and he heard their mournful cries

Yippie I oh oh oh
Yippie I aye ye ye
Ghost riders in the sky

Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat
He's riding hard to catch that herd but he ain't caught em yet
Cause they got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snorting fire as they ride on hear their cries

As the riders loped on by him he heard one call his name
'If you wanna save your soul from hell a-riding on our range
Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride
Trying to catch the devil's herd across these endless skies

Yippie I oh oh oh
Yippie I aye ye ye
Ghost riders in the sky
Ghost riders in the sky
Ghost riders in the sky

My Dad's favourite song and that he almost always sang at family parties and/or when he'd had a few.
When we sing it - which is a lot! - I always hear him joining in!

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Robert Jones will take charge of the 127th Second City derby between Aston Villa and Birmingham City, Blues have confirmed.

It will be the first time he’s officiated a Second City derby and the first time he’s overseen a competitive Blues match.

Jones has previously taken charge of two Villa matches having been the man in the middle for their defeats to Peterborough United and Bolton Wanderers last term.

Jones dished out 132 yellow cards and eight reds in 45 matches last season, including two dismissals in a feisty League One game between Wigan Athletic and Portsmouth which ended 1-1.

A big name referee is usually selected to host English football’s most fierce derby clash with Mike Dean stepping down from Premier League duties to take charge in 2016.

Jones has never officiated in the Premier League and only made the permanent step up to the Championship during the second half of last season after learning his trade in the lower leagues

No link to quote as I got this from The Birmingham (formally Evening) Ma*l.

[olaftab]

Good luck Robert.

[eamonn]

Gary Gardner has been their best player this season, he will be missed by them. Maybe his brother Creg the Gargoyle can step-in and be outshone by Hourihane (aren't they quite similar? Eye for a goal, cracking shot but weak in general play?)

[andyh]

Great pre match interview with Deano.
A very interesting insight into his need to be in control on match days, such a world away from the previous manager.

https://youtu.be/9H1A5XYuLIc

[Axl Rose]

I love Dean Smith.

[Clark W Griswold]

I posted it as I assumed most wouldn't know how the original full lyrics.

I didn't know the words, in my stupidity I thought it was a reference to our departed Villa fans, DOH!!!!

Not just me then !

Me, too.

I had no idea what is was about until I heard the Ghost riders song blasted over the tannoy at some point fairly early in Randy Lerners time. I suspected it was to do with departed Villa fans but that was a guess. The lyrics for the Holte Enders version are something that I might have found mildly amusing when I was 18 and had a few but they sound a bit childish otherwise. As pointed out it's something you'd expect from them.

[VinnieChase84]

Not to be bearer of bad news.
Chester won’t make Sunday. Axel got injured in training and Jedinak is out with a groin issue.

[Richard]

Not to be bearer of bad news.
Chester won’t make Sunday. Axel got injured in training and Jedinak is out with a groin issue.

Source ?

[VinnieChase84]

Not to be bearer of bad news.
Chester won’t make Sunday. Axel got injured in training and Jedinak is out with a groin issue.

Source ?

In part... villa transfers guy on Twitter (he’s usually bang on the money)

[PeterWithesShin]

Bree and Hutton as a CB pairing then.

[LeeB]

Terry better bring his boots.

[PeterWithesShin]

Look on the bright side, "Birmingham City Nil" will be even funnier than usual at full time.

[Richard]

Elmo Bree Hutton Taylor !

Better go all out attack

[dave.woodhall]

Not to be bearer of bad news.
Chester won’t make Sunday. Axel got injured in training and Jedinak is out with a groin issue.

Source ?

In part... villa transfers guy on Twitter (he’s usually bang on the money)

Perhaps he ought to tell Dean Smith.