Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: danlanza on December 30, 2012, 11:00:06 PM
-
At least you people who go to the games are still able to let us lot of Ex-pats know what is going on.
If it was not for the work and the lifestyle that Jenny and me have over here i would be back like a shot.
I miss the Holte End so much. Many happy years spent, terraced and seated. The Holte gets the hairs on my neck up every game. People go on and on about the Kop at Anfield, The Stretford End E.T.C. The Holte end is,when on form, the best area of any ground in the World to be. It is bouncing with Villa lads and lasses, and the noise is incredible. I love the Holte End.
-
Miles away from home? I'm in my living-room.
Oh, I see what you mean. I feel sorry for you lot having to watch that week in week out. I'd miss my sanity and sense of humour.
-
Please come home. We need all of you here at VP next home game.
-
Miles away from home? I'm in my living-room.
Oh, I see what you mean. I feel sorry for you lot having to watch that week in week out. I'd miss my sanity and sense of humour.
I feel sorry for all of you who are not able to watch this every week. All I know is that I will go to heaven for my endeavour and you lot will be on the other side of the fence!
-
It will still be here for you when you get the chance, Dan.
A local publican once said to me 'The money that you spend on going to the Villa could be your Villa in Spain'.
We all have our choices but life must come first.
-
Miles away from home? I'm in my living-room.
Oh, I see what you mean. I feel sorry for you lot having to watch that week in week out. I'd miss my sanity and sense of humour.
I do, and my sense of humour is getting a bit stretched mate. UTV
-
It will still be here for you when you get the chance, Dan.
A local publican once said to me 'The money that you spend on going to the Villa could be your Villa in Spain'.
We all have our choices but life must come first.
Cheers Dave. UTV mate.
-
I sometimes feel fortunate that I'm so far removed that I can switch off. But yes, there are many days when I do miss it. I find it hard to explain what it's like going to the game. The whole day experience. We used to say that the game got in the way of a good day out
-
I miss it. I go everytime I am back in England which is always a treat. I find it a lot easier to take a loss being at Villa park than watching it on TV.
-
It's easier to ignore the shit results when you live away, but the flip side is that it also makes you feel disconnected when we get a good one - which isn't often to be fair. Living in Scando land means I'm not far from loads of EPL fans anyway, who don't let me forget any crap results, the bastards.
I've been to the Chelsea and Spurs games since I've been home. Not the greatest pair of matches I've ever been to but Chelsea meant I got to meet up with the Kingston Lions, who I hadn't seen since Arsenal away a couple of years ago. Despite the result, it was a great day out. For the Spurs game I took nephew #2 to his first ever game, and although he says he supports Arsenal, I think I saw a glint in his eye when the teams walked out.
-
Those of us on the home front think of you as missionaries.
Spread the word!
-
We used to say that the game got in the way of a good day out
We still say the 90 minutes is the worst part of the day.
-
When I was an expat I used to spend fortunes coming back to watch villa and weekends away in Aston, Lozells, Nechells. Worth every penny.
-
They are made for the Premier League here in Singapore and they actually broadcast ALL the games on TV. I have actually seen more of the Villa since I have been in Asia than when I worked in London (I usually went to only a handful of games per season). It is a small world though as when I moved to Sydney back in 2004 I arrived at my desk and guess what? I am only sat next to a Small Heath fan! Then I move to Singapore and another close colleague is a Blues fan too! Madness, can't get away from the smelly bastards.
-
I remember, vividly, my last season ticket. Before the season started i went to VP on a Sunday and walked around the inside of the stadium. No body else was there at the time apart from a few security lads. I went to my seat in the Holte and sat there and just shut my eyes for a minute or two. I swear i could hear more noise that day than any game i went to that last season. To sit there, alone, looking at the pitch, the stadium, gave me goosebumps.Got a cheeky photo of me sat in the home dugout aswell.
It truly is a great footballing venue, all the FA Cup semi's played there, Euro 96 with the Jocks, Tranmere in the semi of the League cup, how we won that one i will never know, what a night.
During these hard times, if you get the chance, go to VP when it is empty and just sit and shut your eyes and remember. I bet all of you will have a tear in your eyes before you leave. UTV.
-
I used to look for any excuse to get to Villa Park and would peer through the gaps in the gates, when it was all locked up, even though I had been there loads of times.
I remember one night at an evening wedding reception in the old McGregor Suite. A few of us went through a door into the Directors Box. The ground was dimly lit. All around was pitch black.
It was absolutely magical.
A security bloke came and took us on a mini tour of the ground, even into Doug's office in the North Stand. Sorry, Sir Doug, we didn't fiddle with anything.
-
I used to look for any excuse to get to Villa Park and would peer through the gaps in the gates, when it was all locked up, even though I had been there loads of times.
I remember one night at an evening wedding reception in the old McGregor Suite. A few of us went through a door into the Directors Box. The ground was dimly lit. All around was pitch black.
It was absolutely magical.
A security bloke came and took us on a mini tour of the ground, even into Doug's office in the North Stand. Sorry, Sir Doug, we didn't fiddle with anything.
I went to a Birthday party at the Corner Flag a couple of years back and the ground looked superb when it was dimly lit. It was a lovely setting.
-
I miss you, Aston Villa. I first found you on a dim, miserable night in the mid 80s against a team called Oxford United. I fell in love with the club, I fell in love with the shirt, I fell in love with the stadium and I dreamt of you every night.
I would wake up on a Friday morning and immediately get excited at the thought of only one more sleep until the next game, I would get heart palpitations and tingles up my spine all day at school just at the thought that we would soon be reunited again.
We had our ups and downs, I remember endless renditions of Dwight Yorke, Dwight Yorke, I remember Santa falling from the sky and Dion Dublin inspiring a remarkable comeback, I could have sworn the Holte was going to collapse that day. I remember being the first team to win at Pride Park and being able to celebrate in the stands with Ian Taylor. I remember that miss by Dean Holdsworth. I also remember the final against Chelsea, Blackburn away with Savo spitting, and David O'Leary.
I fell out of love with you when O'Leary was in charge, I was disinterested at the match, I was disillusioned with the Sky millions and the ineptitude of Ellis. I didn't much care for watching you, I paid interest in the results, I had the game on when we were on TV but I had other things which I prioritised.
A revolution then seemed to begin, manager and chairman gone, multi millionaire in place with the most sought after manager in charge, the revolution gathered pace but I was still not that bothered, I went to Wembley but could still not generate the enthusiasm I once had, the players were still overpaid prima donnas who wouldn't dream of doing an Ian Taylor and in the blink of an eye the manager was gone and the revolution hit the buffers and the stuff of nightmares began, I cannot imagine the pain I would have felt if I had still been a fanatic, obsessive Villa lunatic and experienced the withering displays under the McLeish year, I was still a fan but a very distant and casual observer. I didn't watch Match of the Day any more and very rarely took in a live TV game. I thought I was lost forever, another fan forsaken for the Sky football extravaganza, Super Spunking Sunday and all that it entailed.
Fortunately, the McLeish year was only that, a year and a new guy was put in place, a guy by the name of Paul Lambert, I paid interest in this because I will always be a Villa fan in one capacity or another. I saw our squad, I saw our new signings and was frankly shocked at how poor a squad we had, I literally wouldn't have recognised half the players if I bumped into them in Sainsburys.
I was still fairly disinterested when we started the season so poorly, a couple of poor performances then a decent result or two but something happened during the Liverpool game, I watched the game on a live stream for the first time in my life, I saw these kids working their socks off for the sake of my club, and for the first time in about ten years I was genuinely excited to be watching Aston Villa again and the love came poring back through my veins and and the feeling was overwhelming. I watched Match of the Day and nearly cried with enjoyment.
I watched the Chelsea game, and was still hugely proud of our players for giving it a go, this may sound stupid but I would genuinely rather see us lose 8-0 at Chelsea, giving it a go, than having a McLeish team out there or an O'Leary in charge.
I was away on holiday, unable to catch the Tottnham or Wigan games and have not read up on them deeply but suffice to say my love is still there and my pride ever present and the Lambert way is the way I wish my club to go. No more overpaid mercenaries just players who want to be professional footballers and want to do their best for the sacred Aston Villa.
So to those of you losing the faith then please reconsider, get behind the lads 100% and roar the players to victory. An escape from relegation this season could see us have a very bright future, as Magic said on SSN, "if Villa can avoid relegation this season then they could go on to be frightening".
I've found my love again and will be back down Villa Park at every opportunity.
I've missed you Aston Villa but I'm glad to be back.
-
Nice post ACVilla.
-
Bloody magic that is.What a post.
-
Probably the best thing i've read on here for a while.
-
Fantastic stuff.
-
Cheers guys, I was in the bath with my iPad and just started writing, inspired by Danlanzas post but I actually meant to post it in the Lambert Out thread as that would have been more appropriate.
-
Some of these posts have cheered me up, I need it too, i've got to go out dressed as a shark later.
-
Dear AVFC, in 2012 you have made me laugh, you've made me cry, you've given me dreams, you've taken me high. I've had ecstasy, euphoria and heartache too and I will always be nothing but claret and blue. I hope 2013 is a better one for Villa. Happy New Year. VTID SOTC UTV #keepthefaith
-
I used to look for any excuse to get to Villa Park and would peer through the gaps in the gates, when it was all locked up, even though I had been there loads of times.
I remember one night at an evening wedding reception in the old McGregor Suite. A few of us went through a door into the Directors Box. The ground was dimly lit. All around was pitch black.
It was absolutely magical.
A security bloke came and took us on a mini tour of the ground, even into Doug's office in the North Stand. Sorry, Sir Doug, we didn't fiddle with anything.
The school I went to (St Edmund Campion) reached the Villa Cup final on a few occasions in the 1980s with the final being played at Villa Park and spectators watching from the Trinity Road stand.
As one such match was about to kick off, I noticed the nicely upholstered seats in the directors box so we clambered over the wooden partion wall to avail ourselves of them.
Within a couple of minutes however, we were rumbled by a pair of club employees who were none too pleased at the sight of a gaggle of scruffy teenagers making the place look untidy.
"How did you get in here?" they demanded. We admitted we'd simply climbed over the wholly inadequate fence to which he replied "Well, that's the way out as well then!" and we sheepishly complied.
-
ACVilla you have expressed everything I feel about the Villa. I fell in love when we were relegated to the old third division so nothing will tear me apart from B6.
-
ACVilla you have expressed everything I feel about the Villa. I fell in love when we were relegated to the old third division so nothing will tear me apart from B6.
It was almost like having a vaccination against anything non-Villa. We may moan about our club but we only do it because we care. There are those who saw us in the 30s and 40s still around but, quite often, even they say their best times were when we went into the Third Division.
-
ACVilla you have expressed everything I feel about the Villa. I fell in love when we were relegated to the old third division so nothing will tear me apart from B6.
It was almost like having a vaccination against anything non-Villa. We may moan about our club but we only do it because we care. There are those who saw us in the 30s and 40s still around but, quite often, even they say their best times were when we went into the Third Division.
Every now and then, I look at the youtube clip of Andy Lochhead's goal against Bornemouth. Especially after bad defeats.
Not so much for the goal, I can remember that like it was yesterday, but for what I couldn't see at the time as I was standing there. A packed Holte reacting to a little bit of what following your team is all about.
-
Brilliant stuff AC, exactly how I feel!!
Cheers and up the mighty Villa, we will be great again!!!!!!
VTID!
-
Cracking post ACVilla. Will someone pass me the Kleenex!!
-
At the golf club saturday raffle all my tickets are in the name of Aston Villa, it's strange how even the most disinterested Aussie has managed to get a bit of fun at my expense over the last two weeks, oh well at least they know who Aston Villa are now.
-
I was internetless last week staying out in Llorente in the Philippines, which is very small rural village. So imagine my surprise on finally getting to civilisation to check the scores, optmistically, for the Chelsea and Tottenham games. I actually had to check several sights to make sure someone hadn't faked a match report page for the Chelsea game. I couldn't believe it.
Other than that, I've been in Asia now 4 months and managed to catch every game. I've stayed up until ridiculous hours. I've sat in internet cafes at 3 in the morning while others around me wearily look at porn, and mostly it's been a big let down.
One month left in Asia before I return to blighty, and will I continue catching the games? Yes. It's a disease.
-
ACVilla you have expressed everything I feel about the Villa. I fell in love when we were relegated to the old third division so nothing will tear me apart from B6.
It was almost like having a vaccination against anything non-Villa. We may moan about our club but we only do it because we care. There are those who saw us in the 30s and 40s still around but, quite often, even they say their best times were when we went into the Third Division.
I think the reason why so many people think that the Third Division days were the best was because they saw us at rock bottom, wiping the slate clean and starting again.
I have the same feeling now as I had then.
Build right, have faith in the manager and the club and I believe it will see us stronger as a club with a far better future than the house of cards that MON built.
I understand that it is difficult for the younger fans that have only come along since we were promoted back into the First Division but all I can say is have patience and believe.
-
I miss it. I go everytime I am back in England which is always a treat. I find it a lot easier to take a loss being at Villa park than watching it on TV.
My sentiments too. I'm much better able to handle defeat and shit performances when I've been there to witness it. Some of you may find this strange but, I have great difficulty watching the Villa when shown live on TV. In fact I very rarely follow the match threads, don't wish to jinx anything. Not doing a very good job am I?
-
I understand that it is difficult for the younger fans that have only come along since we were promoted back into the First Division but all I can say is have patience and believe.
I understand where you're coming from, but football has changed. Gone are the days when your team could realistically put a decent team together and challenge for the title, even if the club weren't able to carry on the level of investment the opportunity was there. Now it costs about £300m, so that's the title gone forever. Then there's the fact that there's a generation of Villa fans who are adults that haven't seen us win anything.
For Villa fans under the age of about 26, it's been shit mainly. They're a great set of fans that keep turning up to see Villa not win anything and be, in the main, average.
-
I understand that it is difficult for the younger fans that have only come along since we were promoted back into the First Division but all I can say is have patience and believe.
I understand where you're coming from, but football has changed. Gone are the days when your team could realistically put a decent team together and challenge for the title, even if the club weren't able to carry on the level of investment the opportunity was there. Now it costs about £300m, so that's the title gone forever. Then there's the fact that there's a generation of Villa fans who are adults that haven't seen us win anything.
For Villa fans under the age of about 26, it's been shit mainly. They're a great set of fans that keep turning up to see Villa not win anything and be, in the main, average.
I was not saying that we can again climb to the very top but at least put us comfortably on the fringes and entertaining the supporters who go to the matches.
We will only have a chance of reaching the top if a mega-rich buyer comes along, which is very unlikely or 'the have nots' force a change in the way football has been going for a number of years.
-
I moved away 5 years ago and miss the Villa as much as my family, whenever I come home I have to go to B6 and soak up the memories!
-
Moved away almost 5 years ago, and the Villa is one of the things I truly miss, even if I hadn't been to B6 much in the last few years after the kids arrived at least it was still possible. It's amazing how results can still affect a weekend even from almost 1000 miles away.
-
I watch all the games live for 6GBP a month and the coverage is great...
However I have noticed you dont get any championship coverage so not looking forward to next year!
-
If you want to imagine that you are back home, take a saucepan, put about half a pint of HP Sauce in it, topped up with an equal amount of beer, slowly stir in about a quarter of a pint of vinegar and bring to the boil. Leave to simmer for at least an hour. Leave the room, with all windows closed, then come back with a blindfold on and take several deep breaths. You will be instantly transported to Villa Park (Aston Cross anyway) in the 1970s.
-
I moved away 5 years ago and miss the Villa as much as my family
I just don't get that. For different reasons I was away from home for much of last year and although I missed being able to go to the match it didn't come close to how much I missed my nearest and dearest.
-
Depends on your family! I don't miss them at all but I miss the Villa. My happiest memories was going with my dad on the train to Birmingham for a game. Going to the pub and seeing where we end up crashing that night. The Villa is probably the only good thing that came out of my dad!!
-
With playing Rugby on a saturday afternoon I was never a season ticket holder anyway but used to go to 5-6 games a year but moving to Norway in the summer means I won't be there again any time soon.
The positive is that football fans in Norway have no idea who the baggies or the blues are so we're viewed as the only decent club in the midlands (the older guys know Forest, but generally we're the only club between Manchester and London they have any feelings towards.
I think we need a norwegian or 2 to get them really onside though.
That said I have my office convinced that Benteke is a beast, most of them only start paying attention to me talking about him before the liverpool game so they all saw him in that and can't understand how our front pair aren't both in double figures.
-
I got to about half a dozen games last season, which cost me an arm and a leg when you added in the travel. I'd have tried to go to a few this season as well, but a new baby daughter has mostly put paid to that. Blackburn and Bolton going down didn't help my NW attendance either.
-
I got to about half a dozen games last season, which cost me an arm and a leg when you added in the travel. I'd have tried to go to a few this season as well, but a new baby daughter has mostly put paid to that. Blackburn and Bolton going down didn't help my NW attendance either.
But you made the effort.
There are many far closer to Villa Park that only go once every solar eclipse.
-
I got to about half a dozen games last season, which cost me an arm and a leg when you added in the travel. I'd have tried to go to a few this season as well, but a new baby daughter has mostly put paid to that. Blackburn and Bolton going down didn't help my NW attendance either.
But you made the effort.
There are many far closer to Villa Park that only go once every solar eclipse.
But that doesn't make them less of a supporter.
-
Hi all,
Long time registered with no posting. I saw this thread and thought I would post my thoughts on following the Villa from thousands of miles away for the first time.
As a relatively young guy (24), I recently moved to Shanghai for a 6 month assignment with work, it has been an amazing experience and has given me an entirely different perspective on following Aston Villa.
My Dad and I have followed the Villa all over the country/ Europe for a number of years from Reading. (His side of the family from Birmingham, moved to Reading very early 90's due to work) A lot of time went into finding the very best real ale pubs all over the country with some fantastic occasions and would have done the same again this season. I am sure we have probably bumped into a couple of you occasionally!
Last Summer I was offered a short stint in China and thought it was worth a go. I moved out here for the beginning of August just in time for the start of this season and thought why not share the joys and pains of being a (short-term) ex-pat Villa fan.
It has been a fantastic experience, I've had to put up with shocking ex-pat styled bars through to the United obsession that exists in this part of the world.
A couple of highlights:
Liverpool 1-3 Villa
There is no better place in the world, excluding Anfield, for this to happen than in Asia. I watched this game in a bar called Big Bamboo, full of local "Scousers" who had no sympathy whatsoever for the sole villa fan in the corner in his lime green away shirt. After the first twenty minutes I was subject to such a torrent of (good natured) stick that a couple of them bought me a beer. First goal, fantastic. 2nd goal and I started to believe, when the 3rd went in and they all started streaming out of the bar it was unbelievable. I had people saying we were heavily underestimated and had a fantastic young side. Trying to teach a couple of the locals "Whooah Christian Benteke" was fantastic fun.
Reading @ home, Man City away, Norwich away
Due to the time difference, these games have kicked off at 03:45 am. Needless to say this calls for a very early start to the day but I am proud to say I have not missed a minute of commentary when streams aren't available. I even had a warning from the apartment staff for the noise when the 4th went in at Man City.
Agbonlahor's goal at Sunderland
Again, I was the only Villa fan watching this game with a Sunderland fan in The Camel. He was a top bloke from Gateshead and admitted we deserved to win. Reason this sticks out is it was thundering with rain yet it did not make the slightest bit of difference as I faced the long walk home from having spent all my money on beers and not kept taxi fare spare. Running down Chinese streets singing "He's fast as fcuk" in the pouring rain gets you some strange looks.
I have played football with a local side, formed mainly of Belgians. When we signed Benteke, they thought it would take him at least a year to settle in but that he had all the potential in the world. It is really interesting to hear their take on where he could go in the game, they genuinely see him their no. 1 striker for years to come.
I have also played football with work and imagine my surprise when one of them came to training in a Villa shirt. When I asked why? He told me about how he had seen Aston Villa play in the mid nineties and thought we were interesting and exciting. Is it sad it nearly brought a tear? I even went to watch Shenhua (Drogba et al) play in my Villa shirt and there were so many people who wanted to talk about Aston Villa. Not the Premier League, not Manchester United nor Liverpool, Aston Villa.
I've suffered as much as everybody else this season and missed the Villa as much as anything. I cannot wait to be back in the UK and get down to Villa Park again. Those of you who see it as a chore at the moment, you don't know what you have until its not possible. The Bradford game was difficult and not just because it was another 03:45 am start!
But there is nothing harder than not being able to get down to Villa Park on a Saturday and can't wait to be back in just over a months time, this season hasn't gone to plan but I really miss Aston Villa.
-
I got to about half a dozen games last season, which cost me an arm and a leg when you added in the travel. I'd have tried to go to a few this season as well, but a new baby daughter has mostly put paid to that. Blackburn and Bolton going down didn't help my NW attendance either.
But you made the effort.
There are many far closer to Villa Park that only go once every solar eclipse.
But that doesn't make them less of a supporter.
I suppose it depends on why the closer supporter cannot go.
-
Hi all,
Long time registered with no posting. I saw this thread and thought I would post my thoughts on following the Villa from thousands of miles away for the first time.
As a relatively young guy (24), I recently moved to Shanghai for a 6 month assignment with work, it has been an amazing experience and has given me an entirely different perspective on following Aston Villa.
My Dad and I have followed the Villa all over the country/ Europe for a number of years from Reading. (His side of the family from Birmingham, moved to Reading very early 90's due to work) A lot of time went into finding the very best real ale pubs all over the country with some fantastic occasions and would have done the same again this season. I am sure we have probably bumped into a couple of you occasionally!
How's it going Jon? We met your Dad in the Baltic Fleet in Liverpool and he told us about your travels.
Just to get you in the mood for your return. I have found the variety and quality of beers available during the summer to be the best that I have ever experienced. Unfortunately, we are now still going through the Winter beer period and not many pubs near us put on anything
other than those dreadful mainstream beers such as Doom Bar, Spitfire, GK IPA etc.
Glad you're having a good time out there. All the best for now.
-
Whats the name of the guy in China who posts here? Is he in Shanghai as well?
-
Pat McMahon.
-
Right, off to the local for the game. I really hope you lot who are going toVP today get some value for your hard earned cash, for once. Lets all try and keep our chins up for this one. Cmon Villa !!
-
just converted my daughter's Canadian dwelling Irish college mate to supporting Villa for the Bradford game, knows nothing about football so that probably helped!
-
Pat McMahon.
For indeed, it is he.
Unfortunately I am now back in Blighty so I can't help John ( JM82) in Shanghai. However, there are usually a few Villa fans in the Camel ( in Puxi, not Pudong) for Saturday games. A really great fella by the name of AxlRose sometimes posts on here and he watches all our games -- I caught the Spurs and Albion games with him in Sept / Oct in the Camel. I can give you his telephone number if you want, John. There was a fellow called Zhong Yi ( Lee to you and me) who used to go too but I haven't seen him on here since an outburst late last season.
If you don't like the mainstream sports bar experience of Big Bamboo and The Camel then both the Shed and the Grand Yard in Jing'an are smaller and friendlier places to watch. The Shed has some of the cheapest beer in Shanghai, though it is mainly fizzy lager. Unfortunately the Blarney Stone on Dongping Lu closed on 30 November- a few of us used to congregate in there and ours was the only pennant behind the bar.
PM me if you need any general Shanghai info - I am happy to help.
-
I miss you, Aston Villa. I first found you on a dim, miserable night in the mid 80s against a team called Oxford United. I fell in love with the club, I fell in love with the shirt, I fell in love with the stadium and I dreamt of you every night.
I would wake up on a Friday morning and immediately get excited at the thought of only one more sleep until the next game, I would get heart palpitations and tingles up my spine all day at school just at the thought that we would soon be reunited again.
We had our ups and downs, I remember endless renditions of Dwight Yorke, Dwight Yorke, I remember Santa falling from the sky and Dion Dublin inspiring a remarkable comeback, I could have sworn the Holte was going to collapse that day. I remember being the first team to win at Pride Park and being able to celebrate in the stands with Ian Taylor. I remember that miss by Dean Holdsworth. I also remember the final against Chelsea, Blackburn away with Savo spitting, and David O'Leary.
I fell out of love with you when O'Leary was in charge, I was disinterested at the match, I was disillusioned with the Sky millions and the ineptitude of Ellis. I didn't much care for watching you, I paid interest in the results, I had the game on when we were on TV but I had other things which I prioritised.
A revolution then seemed to begin, manager and chairman gone, multi millionaire in place with the most sought after manager in charge, the revolution gathered pace but I was still not that bothered, I went to Wembley but could still not generate the enthusiasm I once had, the players were still overpaid prima donnas who wouldn't dream of doing an Ian Taylor and in the blink of an eye the manager was gone and the revolution hit the buffers and the stuff of nightmares began, I cannot imagine the pain I would have felt if I had still been a fanatic, obsessive Villa lunatic and experienced the withering displays under the McLeish year, I was still a fan but a very distant and casual observer. I didn't watch Match of the Day any more and very rarely took in a live TV game. I thought I was lost forever, another fan forsaken for the Sky football extravaganza, Super Spunking Sunday and all that it entailed.
Fortunately, the McLeish year was only that, a year and a new guy was put in place, a guy by the name of Paul Lambert, I paid interest in this because I will always be a Villa fan in one capacity or another. I saw our squad, I saw our new signings and was frankly shocked at how poor a squad we had, I literally wouldn't have recognised half the players if I bumped into them in Sainsburys.
I was still fairly disinterested when we started the season so poorly, a couple of poor performances then a decent result or two but something happened during the Liverpool game, I watched the game on a live stream for the first time in my life, I saw these kids working their socks off for the sake of my club, and for the first time in about ten years I was genuinely excited to be watching Aston Villa again and the love came poring back through my veins and and the feeling was overwhelming. I watched Match of the Day and nearly cried with enjoyment.
I watched the Chelsea game, and was still hugely proud of our players for giving it a go, this may sound stupid but I would genuinely rather see us lose 8-0 at Chelsea, giving it a go, than having a McLeish team out there or an O'Leary in charge.
I was away on holiday, unable to catch the Tottnham or Wigan games and have not read up on them deeply but suffice to say my love is still there and my pride ever present and the Lambert way is the way I wish my club to go. No more overpaid mercenaries just players who want to be professional footballers and want to do their best for the sacred Aston Villa.
So to those of you losing the faith then please reconsider, get behind the lads 100% and roar the players to victory. An escape from relegation this season could see us have a very bright future, as Magic said on SSN, "if Villa can avoid relegation this season then they could go on to be frightening".
I've found my love again and will be back down Villa Park at every opportunity.
I've missed you Aston Villa but I'm glad to be back.
Really nice post AC, I'm glad you feel that way.
Sadly I think we're very much as disillusioned, if not more, than in the O'Leary days.
The Villa Park you talk about is today, a half-empty passionless place where people stand and clap for Stan (rightly) and then sit on their hands and look at their phones the rest of the time.
Then at half-time some numpty rolls on two great big stupid balls to put people in and shouts out "Get behind the Villa!".
-
I miss you, Aston Villa. I first found you on a dim, miserable night in the mid 80s against a team called Oxford United. I fell in love with the club, I fell in love with the shirt, I fell in love with the stadium and I dreamt of you every night.
I would wake up on a Friday morning and immediately get excited at the thought of only one more sleep until the next game, I would get heart palpitations and tingles up my spine all day at school just at the thought that we would soon be reunited again.
We had our ups and downs, I remember endless renditions of Dwight Yorke, Dwight Yorke, I remember Santa falling from the sky and Dion Dublin inspiring a remarkable comeback, I could have sworn the Holte was going to collapse that day. I remember being the first team to win at Pride Park and being able to celebrate in the stands with Ian Taylor. I remember that miss by Dean Holdsworth. I also remember the final against Chelsea, Blackburn away with Savo spitting, and David O'Leary.
I fell out of love with you when O'Leary was in charge, I was disinterested at the match, I was disillusioned with the Sky millions and the ineptitude of Ellis. I didn't much care for watching you, I paid interest in the results, I had the game on when we were on TV but I had other things which I prioritised.
A revolution then seemed to begin, manager and chairman gone, multi millionaire in place with the most sought after manager in charge, the revolution gathered pace but I was still not that bothered, I went to Wembley but could still not generate the enthusiasm I once had, the players were still overpaid prima donnas who wouldn't dream of doing an Ian Taylor and in the blink of an eye the manager was gone and the revolution hit the buffers and the stuff of nightmares began, I cannot imagine the pain I would have felt if I had still been a fanatic, obsessive Villa lunatic and experienced the withering displays under the McLeish year, I was still a fan but a very distant and casual observer. I didn't watch Match of the Day any more and very rarely took in a live TV game. I thought I was lost forever, another fan forsaken for the Sky football extravaganza, Super Spunking Sunday and all that it entailed.
Fortunately, the McLeish year was only that, a year and a new guy was put in place, a guy by the name of Paul Lambert, I paid interest in this because I will always be a Villa fan in one capacity or another. I saw our squad, I saw our new signings and was frankly shocked at how poor a squad we had, I literally wouldn't have recognised half the players if I bumped into them in Sainsburys.
I was still fairly disinterested when we started the season so poorly, a couple of poor performances then a decent result or two but something happened during the Liverpool game, I watched the game on a live stream for the first time in my life, I saw these kids working their socks off for the sake of my club, and for the first time in about ten years I was genuinely excited to be watching Aston Villa again and the love came poring back through my veins and and the feeling was overwhelming. I watched Match of the Day and nearly cried with enjoyment.
I watched the Chelsea game, and was still hugely proud of our players for giving it a go, this may sound stupid but I would genuinely rather see us lose 8-0 at Chelsea, giving it a go, than having a McLeish team out there or an O'Leary in charge.
I was away on holiday, unable to catch the Tottnham or Wigan games and have not read up on them deeply but suffice to say my love is still there and my pride ever present and the Lambert way is the way I wish my club to go. No more overpaid mercenaries just players who want to be professional footballers and want to do their best for the sacred Aston Villa.
So to those of you losing the faith then please reconsider, get behind the lads 100% and roar the players to victory. An escape from relegation this season could see us have a very bright future, as Magic said on SSN, "if Villa can avoid relegation this season then they could go on to be frightening".
I've found my love again and will be back down Villa Park at every opportunity.
I've missed you Aston Villa but I'm glad to be back.
Really nice post AC, I'm glad you feel that way.
Sadly I think we're very much as disillusioned, if not more, than in the O'Leary days.
The Villa Park you talk about is today, a half-empty passionless place where people stand and clap for Stan (rightly) and then sit on their hands and look at their phones the rest of the time.
Then at half-time some numpty rolls on two great big stupid balls to put people in and shouts out "Get behind the Villa!".
You're quite right. What a sad state of affairs.
-
To all you Villa Lads and Lasses who are going to the game tomorrow night, have a great night and sing your hearts out for the Villa.
I so wish i was there for tomorrow's game. I will be watching it in my local, with the Mrs and a few Villa mates. Special mention to Fin Feds Dad and his Mrs and Kids and his Dad who will be there tomorrow. Cmon you Villa boys. Do us proud. UTV.
-
We will be roaring them on for you Dan - send our love to Jen - and say a big hello to Jo in the Inn Place x
-
We will be roaring them on for you Dan - send our love to Jen - and say a big hello to Jo in the Inn Place x
Top man. Jen says good luck and UTV and i will pass the message on to Jo tomorrow. UTV mate.xxx
-
I miss you, Aston Villa. I first found you on a dim, miserable night in the mid 80s against a team called Oxford United. I fell in love with the club, I fell in love with the shirt, I fell in love with the stadium and I dreamt of you every night.
I would wake up on a Friday morning and immediately get excited at the thought of only one more sleep until the next game, I would get heart palpitations and tingles up my spine all day at school just at the thought that we would soon be reunited again.
We had our ups and downs, I remember endless renditions of Dwight Yorke, Dwight Yorke, I remember Santa falling from the sky and Dion Dublin inspiring a remarkable comeback, I could have sworn the Holte was going to collapse that day. I remember being the first team to win at Pride Park and being able to celebrate in the stands with Ian Taylor. I remember that miss by Dean Holdsworth. I also remember the final against Chelsea, Blackburn away with Savo spitting, and David O'Leary.
I fell out of love with you when O'Leary was in charge, I was disinterested at the match, I was disillusioned with the Sky millions and the ineptitude of Ellis. I didn't much care for watching you, I paid interest in the results, I had the game on when we were on TV but I had other things which I prioritised.
A revolution then seemed to begin, manager and chairman gone, multi millionaire in place with the most sought after manager in charge, the revolution gathered pace but I was still not that bothered, I went to Wembley but could still not generate the enthusiasm I once had, the players were still overpaid prima donnas who wouldn't dream of doing an Ian Taylor and in the blink of an eye the manager was gone and the revolution hit the buffers and the stuff of nightmares began, I cannot imagine the pain I would have felt if I had still been a fanatic, obsessive Villa lunatic and experienced the withering displays under the McLeish year, I was still a fan but a very distant and casual observer. I didn't watch Match of the Day any more and very rarely took in a live TV game. I thought I was lost forever, another fan forsaken for the Sky football extravaganza, Super Spunking Sunday and all that it entailed.
Fortunately, the McLeish year was only that, a year and a new guy was put in place, a guy by the name of Paul Lambert, I paid interest in this because I will always be a Villa fan in one capacity or another. I saw our squad, I saw our new signings and was frankly shocked at how poor a squad we had, I literally wouldn't have recognised half the players if I bumped into them in Sainsburys.
I was still fairly disinterested when we started the season so poorly, a couple of poor performances then a decent result or two but something happened during the Liverpool game, I watched the game on a live stream for the first time in my life, I saw these kids working their socks off for the sake of my club, and for the first time in about ten years I was genuinely excited to be watching Aston Villa again and the love came poring back through my veins and and the feeling was overwhelming. I watched Match of the Day and nearly cried with enjoyment.
I watched the Chelsea game, and was still hugely proud of our players for giving it a go, this may sound stupid but I would genuinely rather see us lose 8-0 at Chelsea, giving it a go, than having a McLeish team out there or an O'Leary in charge.
I was away on holiday, unable to catch the Tottnham or Wigan games and have not read up on them deeply but suffice to say my love is still there and my pride ever present and the Lambert way is the way I wish my club to go. No more overpaid mercenaries just players who want to be professional footballers and want to do their best for the sacred Aston Villa.
So to those of you losing the faith then please reconsider, get behind the lads 100% and roar the players to victory. An escape from relegation this season could see us have a very bright future, as Magic said on SSN, "if Villa can avoid relegation this season then they could go on to be frightening".
I've found my love again and will be back down Villa Park at every opportunity.
I've missed you Aston Villa but I'm glad to be back.
Really nice post AC, I'm glad you feel that way.
Sadly I think we're very much as disillusioned, if not more, than in the O'Leary days.
The Villa Park you talk about is today, a half-empty passionless place where people stand and clap for Stan (rightly) and then sit on their hands and look at their phones the rest of the time.
Then at half-time some numpty rolls on two great big stupid balls to put people in and shouts out "Get behind the Villa!".
You're quite right. What a sad state of affairs.
Well I never thought I would ever agsin feel what I felt in the early evening of Saturday just gone. I physically jumped around for joy, twice, in the first half. I hadn't felt that amount of pleasure watching Aston Villa for such a long time, it was absolutely exhillerating.
I was also like a cat on a hot tin roof the second half, I was pacing up and down, explaining to my partner that I did not know what was wrong with me, she hadnt't seen me like it since the early days of us being together. It was marvellous, bloody marvellous.
As for the passion-less place you describe, I shall see for myself within the next 24 hours. Only my second visit in two and a half years.
I've definately got it and i've got it bad, real bad.
-
It has been a fantastic experience, I've had to put up with shocking ex-pat styled bars through to the United obsession that exists in this part of the world.
I worked in HK ten years or so back and the whole region is lousy with them - obsession is the right word. Remember going to see Liverpool play HK in some made up Asia tournament and the kids were genuinely beside themselves with excitement so I kind of softened a little bit.
-
It has been a fantastic experience, I've had to put up with shocking ex-pat styled bars through to the United obsession that exists in this part of the world.
I worked in HK ten years or so back and the whole region is lousy with them - obsession is the right word. Remember going to see Liverpool play HK in some made up Asia tournament and the kids were genuinely beside themselves with excitement so I kind of softened a little bit.
We went 2011 when we played in the Asia tournament. The locals were totally obsessed with Chelsea. When we played Chelsea there the stadium was awash with their shirts. Must say some of those around us hadn't got a clue what was going on during the game.
-
Like Dan , I'll be watching and kicking every ball but in a different part of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca.
C'mon you Villa boys!!
Hope it's not too cold for you all......remember to keep bouncing , that'll help all round.
ps anybody in Costa Teguise.....then we'll have the whole island covered!
-
I will be in Wiesbaden later and for the rest of the working week. Fortunately I will be able to meet up with my nephew who lives close to there and we can watch the game together in some sportsbar who have said they will put it on for us. I hope I manage to keep my cool.
-
Like Dan , I'll be watching and kicking every ball but in a different part of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca.
C'mon you Villa boys!!
Hope it's not too cold for you all......remember to keep bouncing , that'll help all round.
ps anybody in Costa Teguise.....then we'll have the whole island covered!
There will be mate. We are everywhere. Get the Freixnet in the fridge ;D
-
Another 03:45 am start, Come on Villa. My first task for tomorrow involves working with a couple of bluenoses out here on a similar basis - If we're out then I'm not sure what the Chinese for "I'm not coming in today!" is.
It has been a fantastic experience, I've had to put up with shocking ex-pat styled bars through to the United obsession that exists in this part of the world.
I worked in HK ten years or so back and the whole region is lousy with them - obsession is the right word. Remember going to see Liverpool play HK in some made up Asia tournament and the kids were genuinely beside themselves with excitement so I kind of softened a little bit.
Aye, the locals aren't to blame. They love their football and just happen to channel it towards teams in the Champions League, all you can do is show them there is a world outside from it. It's a bit harder when their first question is always "Who is the best player at Aston Villa at the moment?" and you you respond with "errrrm!"
-
C'mon all you expat Lions let's get roaring...
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
-
Come on you LIONSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
-
COYL
-
Yep, early morning start here so it's a very long day ahead if this goes badly.
Give them a shout from me somebody please............................
-
-
Going to the game tonight after coming over from Canada last week, UTV
-
About to go to work, won't find out the score til about 8.30 local time - c'mon Villa!!
-
does anyone have a decent radio station link that I can listen to the game from work?? (Not streaming mods!)
-
Getting in the mood..
Prayer mat in place..
-
I am off for a pint before i have to watch us against Millwall, maybe a few more than one. Yes, i have to watch it, it's the rules. UTV.
-
Have a good few more than one you may well need it
-
Have a good few more than one you may well need it
I am setting of now mate. Just cannot watch us sober at the moment. Inn Place here i come!
-
Keep an eye open for the snow.......take care
;)
-
I was fortunate enough that the live streaming wouldn't work today.
-
Sometimes you're glad to be a good distance away and now is definitely one of those times.
-
For the first time ever, I felt relieved tonight that I am 4000 miles away from it all.
I don't like feeling that way. I like missing it all.
Now all I have is guilt for feeling that way. I Feel like I need to shoulder my part of the burden.
How f*cked up is that? Or is it?
I need beer.
-
And its been -10 celsius all day and 10 cm of snow.............
B*llocks.
-
The thing is for me; is that I have absolutely no-one to talk to about all this. Nobody understands; and that means I have to suffer it on my own in silence and that friends; is very frustrating and does my blood pressure no good at all. :(
-
My BP has risen from 130/80 in November to 154/84 now....I've spent far too much time following the last months events and non-events and I'm blaming it on the Villa.
My sleeping patterns have also been shot to pieces too.
-
My BP has risen from 130/80 in November to 154/84 now....I've spent far too much time following the last months events and non-events and I'm blaming it on the Villa.
My sleeping patterns have also been shot to pieces too.
I have replaced my blood with wine. Works a treat mate. :o
-
Still miles away from home. Still missing VP. Still here watching the games on telly.
-
Had first good Saturday night sleep in months after Reading game and just finished roof painting
-
Still miles away from home. Still missing VP. Still here watching the games on telly.
This'll help.
www.heroespublishing.co.uk/Shop/Fanzine_Subscription.html
-
Still miles away from home. Still missing VP. Still here watching the games on telly.
This'll help.
www.heroespublishing.co.uk/Shop/Fanzine_Subscription.html
Which reminds me, Paulie (if you're reading) i thought your piece in the latest one was very good.
-
Still miles away from home. Still missing VP. Still here watching the games on telly.
This'll help.
www.heroespublishing.co.uk/Shop/Fanzine_Subscription.html
Which reminds me, Paulie (if you're reading) i thought your piece in the latest one was very good.
Ithangyew
-
I've only just seen this thread. Good work, Dan.
I've not lived in Britain since 2001, so opportunities to go to Villa Park have been seriously limited in that period, but, my passion for the Villa is still strong. I consciously made the decision not to follow a team here when I moved to Italy in 2004. It just wouldn't feel right and I know that I would never be able to replicate the intensity of emotion that comes from being blindly attached to a club, nor would I want to. Villa is in the blood and I will never find a surrogate.
When we win I'm happy, when we lose I'm fed up, same as always, but, as I said to a mate who has been all over the country watching the matches this season a couple of weeks ago, I can only imagine how much sufferring you poor lot have had to put up with over the past few seasons. I know it only puts the better times into perspective and makes us enjoy them more, but having to watch some of the stuff you've had to watch must have been soul-destroying at times. I don't know whether I'd have survived it in the flesh. The distance at least allows me to detach myself a little from things. I can still send my lad to playschool on a Monday morning with his AVFC hat on without worrying about anyone giving us stick for it. I guess for me, it's become what Arrigo Sacchi called it: "the most important of the unimportant things".
That said, I am definitely what Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air called a Villa missionary. If you ever see anyone around Pisa wearing anything Villa-related, then you can almost guarantee that the person is either related to me or is a mate - or is me! The seeds of a Villa colony have been planted for the benefit of future generations.
Up the Villa! We still love you, despite the absence, and always will.
-
Italians should dig the name, or any Mediteranean country. We're the easiest and prettiest English club name to pronounce.
-
Italians should dig the name, or any Mediteranean country. We're the easiest and prettiest English club name to pronounce.
Nah, I bet half of them think it's Aston Veeyah. I think the easiest is "Martin O'Neill's Sunderland".
-
Italians should dig the name, or any Mediteranean country. We're the easiest and prettiest English club name to pronounce.
Nah, I bet half of them think it's Aston Veeyah. I think the easiest is "Martin O'Neill's Sunderland".
I imagine that to be the case in Spain, Risso. Over here, it's pronounced pretty well: 'Aston Veela', with a heavy emphasis on the 'ton'.
-
Italians should dig the name, or any Mediteranean country. We're the easiest and prettiest English club name to pronounce.
Nah, I bet half of them think it's Aston Veeyah. I think the easiest is "Martin O'Neill's Sunderland".
I'd say the easiest club name for Jonny Foreigner to pronounce would be "Dogsheet"
-
Italians should dig the name, or any Mediteranean country. We're the easiest and prettiest English club name to pronounce.
Nah, I bet half of them think it's Aston Veeyah. I think the easiest is "Martin O'Neill's Sunderland".
I imagine that to be the case in Spain, Risso. Over here, it's pronounced pretty well: 'Aston Veela', with a heavy emphasis on the 'ton'.
After last weekends win i was walking in the Old Town Puerto Del Carmen when a young Canarian lad said '' Hello, i also follow Aston Veeya.''
He got into his Dad's car and his Dad was wearing this season's shirt and in the back window was a Villa scarf !! You see, not all kids, no matter where they are from are classless, glory hunters. His Dad has obviously educated him properly. Well done that man. You are right though fbrai, they do pronounce it Veeya or Veeyah. Still sounds good to me though.
-
Something that's always stuck in my mind was from back in the early days of cable telly. I used to watch CNN a bit. We'd drawn Inter, not sure which time, and the bloke who'd been stuffed into a bad suit and drawn the short straw to cover "rest-of-the-world sports" called us "Ahst-on Veeyah". To be fair to Tom Hanks, it DID make it sound like a nice place to go on your holidays!
-
Had first good Saturday night sleep in months after Reading game and just finished roof painting
Did you get any leaks durind the storm recently oldtimernow ?
Our roof was done 12 months ago so that was ok, but the window frames being wood let the rain piss in. Was fun walking around the living room in a mask and snorkel ! Cost me 80 euros the next day to silicone every window. Bloody weather.
I hear it is going to be 23c today with partial cloud cover, so we really should not moan i suppose.
The big freeze back at home does not look good at all.
-
Finally settled with the Wife on our impending childs name. Holly Jardine (her family name) for a girl and Samuel Villa for a boy. She wasn't sure if she wanted Aston or Villa so that might change again. I'm made up that she would. The Villa are pretty much the only family that I really care about now.
-
Finally settled with the Wife on our impending childs name. Holly Jardine (her family name) for a girl and Samuel Villa for a boy. She wasn't sure if she wanted Aston or Villa so that might change again. I'm made up that she would. The Villa are pretty much the only family that I really care about now.
My lads first name is Samuel. Bloody good name. Good luck with the name choice Vancouver. Boy or girl, as long as they are healthy thats what counts. When they get to teenage years their name changes anyway. Villa Sam, Bob the dog, Mick Glasses, Blue Nosed Tony, ETC.
-
Finally settled with the Wife on our impending childs name. Holly Jardine (her family name) for a girl and Samuel Villa for a boy. She wasn't sure if she wanted Aston or Villa so that might change again. I'm made up that she would. The Villa are pretty much the only family that I really care about now.
My lads first name is Samuel. Bloody good name. Good luck with the name choice Vancouver. Boy or girl, as long as they are healthy thats what counts. When they get to teenage years their name changes anyway. Villa Sam, Bob the dog, Mick Glasses, Blue Nosed Tony, ETC.
When I was 16 I joined a county league team and everyone started calling me 'Villa'. I loved it. It spread the more people I met. I even dated a few girls who only knew me as 'Villa'. Some people even called me it over here but it's not the same. My wife was great about it when I said that it was important to me and said that Villa would be better as that is what everyone calls me. My best man had to make a little note at the beginning of his speech that any reference to Villa is me!
But yes, as long as he/she is healthy then they can be called what they like!
-
Finally settled with the Wife on our impending childs name. Holly Jardine (her family name) for a girl and Samuel Villa for a boy. She wasn't sure if she wanted Aston or Villa so that might change again. I'm made up that she would. The Villa are pretty much the only family that I really care about now.
Samuel Villa? What's his middle name? Ireland?
-
When I was 16 I joined a county league team and everyone started calling me 'Villa'. I loved it. It spread the more people I met. I even dated a few girls who only knew me as 'Villa'. Some people even called me it over here but it's not the same. My wife was great about it when I said that it was important to me and said that Villa would be better as that is what everyone calls me. My best man had to make a little note at the beginning of his speech that any reference to Villa is me!
Haha, that's ace.
-
Villa fan in Oman,place called Duqm, middle of no where, get all the games on a stream, but now do not stop up for the night games, work with quite a few Koreans and the only football they are interested in is the Chumps Lg, living on a floating hotel and have been for 10 months and thats the only football they show.
As for when we lose still get as pissed off as if I am down Villa Park, just a bad loser I guess. Last game attended because it was the last time I was home, Spurs birthday party, 4 all loss.But singing happy birthday to them that night made it nearly worth it. Still be watching next year what ever division we are in, but sure it will still be the prem. VTID
-
Finally settled with the Wife on our impending childs name. Holly Jardine (her family name) for a girl and Samuel Villa for a boy. She wasn't sure if she wanted Aston or Villa so that might change again. I'm made up that she would. The Villa are pretty much the only family that I really care about now.
Samuel Villa? What's his middle name? Ireland?
Villa is the middle name. Although I did contemplate changing my last name to Villa many years ago.
-
Looking forward to taking some beers of some bindippers tomorrow. UTV.
-
Finally settled with the Wife on our impending childs name. Holly Jardine (her family name) for a girl and Samuel Villa for a boy. She wasn't sure if she wanted Aston or Villa so that might change again. I'm made up that she would. The Villa are pretty much the only family that I really care about now.
Samuel Villa? What's his middle name? Ireland?
Villa is the middle name. Although I did contemplate changing my last name to Villa many years ago.
We had a girl in the end. So no Aston or Villa in the name, and the surname ends here. Still very happy with my lot.