Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on May 15, 2013, 02:17:20 PM
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It's amazing that even though we are in a similar spot, compared to last season there are so many great moments in amongst the wreckage to reflect back on.
My top three:
1) Brad's save from Samba's header - instrumental in us winnng that game
2) Backheel from Benteke for Weimann's goal - one of the moves and goals of the season
3) Lowton's screamer verus Stoke - simply the best goal we scored and so very important
I have no idea ho to load video but if anyone can of these and anything else that gets added, feel free.
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Smalling bouncing off Benteke.
The 4-1 on at Stoke which sums up why I love this side. 2-1 up away from home in a match that would have been a massive win and we pile pile forward for that 4-1 in the last minute.
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Lowton's against Stoke, the Benteke backheel against Liverpool and the Weimann goal against Sunderland with the Lowton set-up for me.
There's a pattern emerging as to our three best outfield players...
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I'd go with the Benteke vs Smalling moment too. Also Benteke getting his hattrick against Sunderland and THAT goal by Lowton. But there are so many really (suprising, given how shite the season has been).
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One of the great moments people haven't mentioned was beating Liverpool away 3-1, I just loved that.
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Out Swanseaing Swansea at VP, the first sign of what we were capable of.
Ole x lots before Benteke smacked in the 4th at Norwich.
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The final whistle of the West Ham, Reading, QPR, Stoke and Norwich games. The second half of the Sunderland game. Going back what seems like years, I also have fond memories of Benteke's first goal for us against Swansea.
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It is surprising how a team which might finish 17th has so many highlights. But that's been our season: the highs have been high, and the lows have been right in the abyss.
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My choice would be the Sunderland game at home, a 6-1 win under the flood lights at Villa Park and great atmosphere UTV
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Norwich away in the cup. The only game I have seen us win this season (varying reasons) Great atmosphere, performance, goals. Although I had no idea at the time that cheering Bradford on in the penalty shoot-out in the car on the way home against Arsenal would bite me on the arse!
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Out Swanseaing Swansea at VP, the first sign of what we were capable of.
I did enjoy this. Also the away crowd at Norwich in the cup. Fantastic performance (the team weren't bad either!)
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Arsenals third goal...... :-[
Only joking...... ;) Mat Lowtons pearler against Stoke.
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Events in general:
1. Beating Sunderland 6-1
2. Winning at Anfield
3. Thrashing Norwich in the Quarter-finals
Moments on the pitch:
1. Lowton's Volley at Stoke
2. Gabby's late winner at Norwich
3. The Weimann/Benteke move at Anfield
(special mention for Benteke bending Chris Smalling over a small wooden table and raping him in front of an audience)
Performances:
1. Lowton vs Sunderland
2. Benteke away in both Merseyside games
3. Guzan all season
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3. Guzan all season
Another good shout!
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Last night when were made safe.
Not many highlights really. Let's just put it behind us hope it never happens again. Onwards and upwards!
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Not many highlights really.
You didn't enjoy the various things (and others) that people have mentioned above?
Really?
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Benteke's winner against QPR
Benteke's hat-trick goal against Sunderland
Benteke's back heel agains Lpool
Benteke
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Quite a few good moments - hard to choose one but I suppose lowtons goal at stoke just shades it for me .
It's certainly been eventful but we have come through and i think next season will be one to look forward to- interested to see what new players come into the club - but I'm exhausted after the last few months and looking forward to flying out to some hot sunshine on Monday .
I will enjoy the ashes and then we go again in August - never a dull moment at the villa!
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I enjoyed N'zogbia's free kick against West Ham.
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That free kick was absolutely vital.
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Funny thing about that 4 on 1 at Stoke it was actually 4 on none. The on bit always refers to how many defenders are there and it was none but I've not actually heard anyone refer to it as 4 Villa players against not one single Stoke defencer.
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Funny thing about that 4 on 1 at Stoke it was actually 4 on none. The on bit always refers to how many defenders are there and it was none but I've not actually heard anyone refer to it as 4 Villa players against not one single Stoke defencer.
I thought the one referred to the keeper?
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The win at Anfield is one because it was so nice to go there and win and all three goals were so well taken (and it won me some money). Sunderland at home was an obvious highlight and Gabby's winner at Norwich because of it's timing and importance.
I'll go for Lowton's goal at Stoke though. It goes without saying what a great goal it was but the celebrations afterwards were absolutley mental.
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Funny thing about that 4 on 1 at Stoke it was actually 4 on none. The on bit always refers to how many defenders are there and it was none but I've not actually heard anyone refer to it as 4 Villa players against not one single Stoke defencer.
Strange how that situation would be 4 on 0, yet you constantly here '1 on 1 with the goalkeeper' when someone is played through on goal.
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The win at Anfield is one because it was so nice to go there and win and all three goals were so well taken (and it won me some money). Sunderland at home was an obvious highlight and Gabby's winner at Norwich because of it's timing and importance.
I'll go for Lowton's goal at Stoke though. It goes without saying what a great goal it was but the celebrations afterwards were absolutley mental.
Agree with those views clampy- enjoy your summer mate !
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Funny thing about that 4 on 1 at Stoke it was actually 4 on none. The on bit always refers to how many defenders are there and it was none but I've not actually heard anyone refer to it as 4 Villa players against not one single Stoke defencer.
You have now :)
I'd also like to say that I can't decide which was the more erotic sight. Lowton twatting it in or the sight of 4 Villa players running towards Begovic with no other Stoke player in the same postcode. I have much manlove for Villa tonight.
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I'll go for Lowton's goal at Stoke though. It goes without saying what a great goal it was but the celebrations afterwards were absolutley mental.
Best celebration i've been in since THAT Dalian goal against Tranmere.
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Funny thing about that 4 on 1 at Stoke it was actually 4 on none. The on bit always refers to how many defenders are there and it was none but I've not actually heard anyone refer to it as 4 Villa players against not one single Stoke defencer.
You have now :)
I'd also like to say that I can't decide which was the more erotic sight. Lowton twatting it in or the sight of 4 Villa players running towards Begovic with no other Stoke player in the same postcode. I have much manlove for Villa tonight.
Erotic sight ?
You are starting to scare me pws ;)
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That free kick was absolutely vital.
I couldn't get down as had family business, I got back and the Mrs wanted to go shopping, I sat in the car listening on the radio (much to her dismay) when Nzog scored I went mental, beeping the horn and punching the roof and screaming, I got some funny looks in that car park
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Funny thing about that 4 on 1 at Stoke it was actually 4 on none. The on bit always refers to how many defenders are there and it was none but I've not actually heard anyone refer to it as 4 Villa players against not one single Stoke defencer.
You have now :)
I'd also like to say that I can't decide which was the more erotic sight. Lowton twatting it in or the sight of 4 Villa players running towards Begovic with no other Stoke player in the same postcode. I have much manlove for Villa tonight.
Erotic sight ?
You are starting to scare me pws ;)
Not as much as you scare me! ;D
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I am going for 10. There have been loads in fairness.
1. The move that led up to the Weimann goal against Liverpool, and the pure class from Benteke in that
2. The move that led up to the Weimann goal against Man Utd, and the pure class from Benteke in that
3. Guzan. Every cross, apart from a moment of madness in the last seconds at Norwich, every save, every point. Brilliant.
4. The pass, under immense pressure of the situation from Westwood against Norwich. Inch perfect for a massive win that has seen us safe.
5. Sunderland, both times.
6. Benteke goal against Chelsea, I thought it was sheer brilliance, and probably sealed a lot of bids coming this summer.
7. Delph since Feb - he has become a joy to watch with energy and quality on the ball.
8. Lowton vs Stoke.
9. NZogbia free kick against West Ham - it all started there.
10. Should really be 1, Petrov leading the players out for the lap of appreciation. Great man.
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Funny thing about that 4 on 1 at Stoke it was actually 4 on none. The on bit always refers to how many defenders are there and it was none but I've not actually heard anyone refer to it as 4 Villa players against not one single Stoke defencer.
You have now :)
I'd also like to say that I can't decide which was the more erotic sight. Lowton twatting it in or the sight of 4 Villa players running towards Begovic with no other Stoke player in the same postcode. I have much manlove for Villa tonight.
Erotic sight ?
You are starting to scare me pws ;)
Not as much as you scare me! ;D
Sod ya then, I will go and play with my villa snow globe :D
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I'll go for Lowton's goal at Stoke though. It goes without saying what a great goal it was but the celebrations afterwards were absolutley mental.
Best celebration i've been in since THAT Dalian goal against Tranmere.
I was'nt at Tranmere but i can imagine how it must have felt.
Lowton's goal was one of those 'i was there' moment's. Just after we'd all calmed down, you could sense there was a 'did he really do that?' amongst everyone.
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I'll go for Lowton's goal at Stoke though. It goes without saying what a great goal it was but the celebrations afterwards were absolutley mental.
Best celebration i've been in since THAT Dalian goal against Tranmere.
I was'nt at Tranmere but i can imagine how it must have felt.
Lowton's goal was one of those 'i was there' moment's. Just after we'd all calmed down, you could sense there was a 'did he really do that?' amongst everyone.
He means the one at villa park i would imagine that took it to extra time!
For me it would be the goal by Deano putting us 2up at Wembley - that really was a moment to cherish, and I loved that day so much - from leaving new st to arriving home on the last train - great memories!
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if its not been said before,
i'm nominating Paul Lambert jumping on his assistants back and being piggybacked a little down the touch line after we'd scored against someone a few weeks ago
I love it when a manager seems to care and gets excited like a fan
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Loads of brilliant attacking play already mentioned above.
The feeling of relief when the final whistle went in the QPR home game.
Gabby winning the game for us at Norwich when it really, really mattered.
Being steadily proved wrong about Delph who might just turn out to be the player we were sold.
Being proved wrong about Lambert when it looked like he might not be the manager we thought we'd got.
Finishing the season still in the league when we looked nailed on to go down.
The emergence of Benteke as a genuine world class player.
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I think the QPR 3-2 was one of the highlights. Looking at it from this end of the season and the miserable performance of the opposition since, one could be forgiven for thinking it should have been a foregone conclusion anyway, but leading into the game the press had been building up how Redknapp was going to save them from the drop. He'd spent a small fortune in January, they had just started to pick up a few results having beaten Southampton and Sunderland and it looked as though they were no doubt aiming at dragging us into the mire that night as well.
Instead our boys stood up to be counted that night, even though we went behind and despite them equalising at 2-1. I think that night gave them that bit of belief that they were doing things right. It certainly knocked QPR right off their stride as they've only picked up two points since, in draws with Wigan and Reading.
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Gabby's first in the cup game at Man City.
To come back twice in that game showed the character was there, not to mention the talent.
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I'll go for Lowton's goal at Stoke though. It goes without saying what a great goal it was but the celebrations afterwards were absolutley mental.
Best celebration i've been in since THAT Dalian goal against Tranmere.
I was'nt at Tranmere but i can imagine how it must have felt.
Lowton's goal was one of those 'i was there' moment's. Just after we'd all calmed down, you could sense there was a 'did he really do that?' amongst everyone.
He means the one at villa park i would imagine that took it to extra time!
For me it would be the goal by Deano putting us 2up at Wembley - that really was a moment to cherish, and I loved that day so much - from leaving new st to arriving home on the last train - great memories!
I do indeed mean the one at VP.
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Another here for that goal at Anfield,closely followed by Bentekes header at Goodison,two great team goals.
Some of the goals we've scored this season do take me back to the BFR days.
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I think the QPR 3-2 was one of the highlights. Looking at it from this end of the season and the miserable performance of the opposition since, one could be forgiven for thinking it should have been a foregone conclusion anyway, but leading into the game the press had been building up how Redknapp was going to save them from the drop. He'd spent a small fortune in January, they had just started to pick up a few results having beaten Southampton and Sunderland and it looked as though they were no doubt aiming at dragging us into the mire that night as well.
Instead our boys stood up to be counted that night, even though we went behind and despite them equalising at 2-1. I think that night gave them that bit of belief that they were doing things right. It certainly knocked QPR right off their stride as they've only picked up two points since, in draws with Wigan and Reading.
It was a massive moment when the Clint Hill hit flew past the post, I think if we lost that day they would have been level on points or only 1 behind and the momentum of 3 wins on the spin might have saved them. Instead it went to 7 points, and they have looked shot since.
I love looking back over it all now, because despite the difficult times, there was so much to be proud of. Last season what did we have to be proud of? A 0-0 against Albion thanks to a stunning save from Given? Dunne dragging himself through injury for 3 weeks to keep us up? The draw with Spurs? 2 wins in 45000 games? It is so different and for people to not have enjoyed the great moments that have made the bad ones tolerable is really sad.
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Gabby's first in the cup game at Man City.
To come back twice in that game showed the character was there, not to mention the talent.
Yes, we kind of forget the good moments in that League Cup campaign. It is the best season in a few years. There is much more to take from the campaign just gone than there was even in the Houllier campaign when a group of overpaid and for the most part mildly interested pros pulled the finger out with ten games to go.
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I have to go back to 95/96 for the last time I enjoyed a season as much. I think it's because despite being very shite at times, I felt a real affinity with the side. It felt like MY Aston Villa for the first time in a very long time.
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I have to go back to 95/96 for the last time I enjoyed a season as much. I think it's because despite being very shite at times I felt a real affinity with the side. It felt like MY Aston Villa for the first time in a very long time.
I'm with you there, PWS. Ozzjim up above too.
They are our boys and we are watching them grow up to become a fine team.
I'm really looking forward to next season and am confident that Lambert will have us stronger still over the summer.
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Not many highlights really.
You didn't enjoy the various things (and others) that people have mentioned above?
Really?
As I said its been a painful season with not many highlights. I'd prefer to put it behind us and looked to the future. That 8-0 slaughter will live with me a long time, but let's look to the future instead.
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Not many highlights really.
You didn't enjoy the various things (and others) that people have mentioned above?
Really?
As I said its been a painful season with not many highlights. I'd prefer to put it behind us and looked to the future. That 8-0 slaughter will live with me a long time, but let's look to the future instead.
Bah humbug why have you left me with a glass sooo painfully empty child... grizzle bahh....
Come on SH, admit that they bring you the slightest bit of pride watching them at the moment. 19 league goals from a striker not given you any warmth in that cold, cold place in your chest? Or is it all just black?
Were you one of the famous "Lambchop" out 5?
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Not many highlights really.
You didn't enjoy the various things (and others) that people have mentioned above?
Really?
As I said its been a painful season with not many highlights. I'd prefer to put it behind us and looked to the future. That 8-0 slaughter will live with me a long time, but let's look to the future instead.
Bah humbug why have you left me with a glass sooo painfully empty child... grizzle bahh....
Come on SH, admit that they bring you the slightest bit of pride watching them at the moment. 19 league goals from a striker not given you any warmth in that cold, cold place in your chest? Or is it all just black?
Were you one of the famous "Lambchop" out 5?
Yeah I'll give you that, we played some good stuff lately and it was a big improvement on the abomination that was the first half of the season. Saying that though its still a season to forget on the whole.
Lots of work to be done in the summer.
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Not many highlights really.
You didn't enjoy the various things (and others) that people have mentioned above?
Really?
As I said its been a painful season with not many highlights. I'd prefer to put it behind us and looked to the future. That 8-0 slaughter will live with me a long time, but let's look to the future instead.
Crikey - why can't you remember the 6-1 v sunderland - forget the Chelsea match - remember the good things in life !
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For me it was the few minutes before half time against QPR. From that half time whistle, we went from a team struggling to a team playing some fantastic football.
Benteke will rightfully get all the plaudits but I think Delph has been outstanding since January.
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I have to go back to 95/96 for the last time I enjoyed a season as much. I think it's because despite being very shite at times I felt a real affinity with the side. It felt like MY Aston Villa for the first time in a very long time.
I'm with you there, PWS. Ozzjim up above too.
They are our boys and we are watching them grow up to become a fine team.
I'm really looking forward to next season and am confident that Lambert will have us stronger still over the summer.
Seconded!
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Benteke will rightfully get all the plaudits but I think Delph has been outstanding since January.
Agree with you, Delph has been like a new signing. Really impressed with him
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Not many highlights really.
You didn't enjoy the various things (and others) that people have mentioned above?
Really?
As I said its been a painful season with not many highlights. I'd prefer to put it behind us and looked to the future. That 8-0 slaughter will live with me a long time, but let's look to the future instead.
Bah humbug why have you left me with a glass sooo painfully empty child... grizzle bahh....
Come on SH, admit that they bring you the slightest bit of pride watching them at the moment. 19 league goals from a striker not given you any warmth in that cold, cold place in your chest? Or is it all just black?
Were you one of the famous "Lambchop" out 5?
Yeah I'll give you that, we played some good stuff lately and it was a big improvement on the abomination that was the first half of the season. Saying that though its still a season to forget on the whole.
Lots of work to be done in the summer.
The severe pain of that 8 - 0 hammering by Chelsea was the lowest point for sure. It was horrible, really horrible. As long as we learn from it and vow that it never happens again then we should let it go. The team and manager got a very sharp lesson that day.
Highlights for me were. The mauling of Norwich in the League Cup, a great night. The win there in the league as well, not a great game but to score so late in the game when we did lifted a hell of a lot of anxiety. I felt we were safe as a result.
The way our forward line has progressed since the turn of the year is the best thing about us at the moment. I wouldn't swap those 3 for anybody else. They will rip teams apart next season with the same attitude.
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One of our goals at Reading was preceeded by a 30 pass move, before the ball went in the air off a Reading defender and (I think) Gabby scored.
I must have rewatched that on the Sky+ box about a dozen times.
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The highlight of the season must have been those mascots living the dream by having their photo taken with Simon Dawkins at half-time in the one game.
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Gabby surpassing Dwight Yorke has to be worth a mention (if it hasn't already been!)
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Gabby surpassing Dwight Yorke has to be worth a mention (if it hasn't already been!)
I think this is a thread where it is ok to repeat things over as it is personal highlights to you. Or lowlights if you are stuck in the dark place that SH needs help to be liberated from ;-)
I was well chuffed for Gabby. I was probably his biggest critic last couple of seasons. Even up to Jan this season I would have happily seen him go, but his whole attitude to playing the wide role has visibly changed under Lambert, who clearly understands how to get the most out of him. He has become integral to how we play, and deserves all the credit in the world for his role in how well we have played since Jan.
Delph, Gabby, Weimann, Baker and NZogbia have all looked much better players than they have previously this season.
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Iiiiiittttcchhy-Scalp was up there somewhere. :)
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Lots of highlights but the wins at Stoke (Lowton's Goal), Norwich and at home to Sunderland are mine!
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The worst thing about the Chelsea 8-0 was not the fact that we lost the game, or that we got embarassingly trounced, it was the ongoing terrible damage it did to our already fragile confidence.
It's no coincidence we followed it up by losing 4-0 and 3-0 to Spurs and Wigan, and it took us a long time to get our confidence back. It must be difficult for young kids to take a hammering like that, made worse if they've got no experienced heads to look to in the dressing room after.
That's why I thought our 0-3 defeat at Old Trafford wasn't anything like as bad as it looks on paper. For a start, we were playing a team who sealed the league by beating us, and who scored after one minute, then spent the rest of the first half playing as well as they have in years.
More importantly, though, we actually did pretty well in the second half, and came out of it with a few positives. Had they inflicted upon us the slaughter we all suspected at 2-0, then we could well have had a crisis of confidence like that after Chelsea, and at the worst possible time to have one.
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Lowtons goal against Stoke. The most mental I have gone all season.
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As above, I truly lost myself with both Lowton's and Benteke's goals at the Temple of Dull. So many hugs with complete strangers.
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Not a particular moment, just a feeling I had after the 8-0.
Even after the horrific defeat at Chelsea and the January Horriblilis, I still somehow knew Plumbutt would get us out of this. What some of you took as embarrassing mumbling and utter cluelessness I saw as a manager who still trusted his players and had faith they would turn it around. He was hurting as much as we were and it showed.
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Oh , and Benteke's backheel, Lowton's screamer and Gabby's winner against Norwich for true orgasmic moments!
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Being drawn against Bradford in the semi final. Only one outcome ::)
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Oh again, and doesn't that show something when we have such a big thread already for great moments in a season where we only just escaped relegation? There's a big, big future in this club under this manager.
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Best moment? Believing again.
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Lowton's goal against Stoke.
A very enjoyable trip back via a few pubs in Stone afterwards aswell.
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I have to agree with PWS on an earlier page and say it has been the most enjoyable season for me for a long, long time.
Best moment has to be the 4-1 cup win at Norwich in December. Cracking end-to-end game, cracking goals and the incredible noise in the away section that night will live with me for a long time. It was the game the team really showed the football they are capable of and the first time in claret and blue that Fabian Delph looked one hell of a player.
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One of our goals at Reading was preceeded by a 30 pass move, before the ball went in the air off a Reading defender and (I think) Gabby scored.
I must have rewatched that on the Sky+ box about a dozen times.
This for me too. Cheers, I remembered the goal, but couldn't recall who it was against. As a team goal I would challenge any supporter from any other club in the league to come up with a better one. Marvellous possession football with an end product.
Lowton's volley was spectacular and the goals at Liverpool and Norwich in the cup also, but the reading goal typified what we are about now and has my vote for goal of the season.
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The actual points difference between this year and last won't be significant, and we attained safety earlier last year than this year, but I will happily buy the season review DVD this year, whereas I wanted to forget the entirety of last season the minute it finished.
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This season is the closest i've been to bipolar disorder. Horrible patches of black punctured by stupidly vivid highs. My favourite actual moment was that last goal against Stoke, because WM completely underplayed Lowton's stunner, in that it was both indescribable and because WM aren't very good. The moment i knew the game was safe i ran up and down my hall yelping my head off, slippers flying.
But overall it has to be the Liverpool game that gave me most pleasure. I had to be coherent as I was meeting my other half's best friends but i was exploding with every update. My most hated team, at their place...every neutral i knew telling me what a team we'd got, every Liverpool fan i knew sick as a dog.
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The actual points difference between this year and last won't be significant, and we attained safety earlier last year than this year, but I will happily buy the season review DVD this year, whereas I wanted to forget the entirety of last season the minute it finished.
I have just had a quick scroll through last year's fixtures and it really was staggeringly unmemorable. So many games I can't remember being at, so many goals I can't remember us scoring.
I remember thinking after the Swansea game this season that we were going to see more bad than good. I didn't think the bad would outweigh the good quite so heavily however but what has been good has been exceptionally so, the hard fought wins over QPR, Stoke and Norwich, the annihilation of Sunderland and the way we looked as if we might take three points from Man U, Liverpool and Chelsea all give great cause for optimism.
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Difference for me is I couldn't wait for last season to end. By January I was bored watching us. By March, for the first time in my life I stopped enjoying going to games, it became a chore and I was starting to hate watching us. I even started hoping i'd get the sniffles before a game so as I had an excuse to swerve the match.
This season i'm gutted the season is nearly over. Even when we had that really really shite run, I still looked forward to games. At times I felt like a kid again going to games.
And as I said earlier, for the first in a long time it feels like MY Aston Villa again.
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The kids winning the NextGen Series.
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All of Gabby's goals (I enjoy his more than anyone's).
The second half against Sunderland. It felt like years since we could actually relax in a league game.
Weimann's at Liverpool.
N'Zog's free-kick, when I realised that maybe we would win a league game again after all.
In my local after the Spurs home game, it nearly went off between me and a b-loser who was certain we'd go down as we were in a worse position at Christmas than they were the last time the went down. It all got a bit heated and I said to him 'but you went down because you're B-lose - that's what you do. We'll stay up because we're Villa'. Then we lost to Wigan, Bradford, Southampton, Newcastle and Millwall, and hardly changed things re:transfers and I thought that b-loser was going to be right. But as they know, we always have the last laugh. Always. So another highlight will be seeing that fucking clown again.
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Best moment? Believing again.
This is brilliant, Matt.
The darkest moment is before the dawn.
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I haven't read the whole thread so its probably been said already but Lowton's exquiste crossfield pass, perfectly controlled and finished by Weimann to score the second against Sunderland.
Brilliant goal
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Lowton's against Stoke, the Benteke backheel against Liverpool and the Weimann goal against Sunderland with the Lowton set-up for me.
There's a pattern emerging as to our three best outfield players...
This for me - absolute top football moments
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Player wise i was delighted when Benteke hit his 19th league goal on Saturday, i honestly thought he'd hit 20 this season and reach Withe's 1981 tally.Gutted he's suspended as I honestly think he would have scored this Sunday, as it is hes stuck on the 19 that Platty scored back in 90 and 91. Games wise, the win at Norwich the other week - Gabby's goals were class and it was then I thought we were safe even though it was only confirmed until Tuesday. The win at Stoke was very pleasurable but generally pre-Christmas there's not too much to remember with fondness. At Xmas like a lot of people I honestly thought we were doomed so the 2nd half of the season recovery has been much better with some decent wins and good scoring form from Agbon, Benteke and Weimann. Been working nights lately so I missed the Sunderland match so that would have been the obvious highlight had I been around to see it live.
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Looking forward to games again, rather than it feeling like a duty that I couldn't wait to get out of the way. Knowing that this could be the day that Benteke smacks in a hat-trick, or Gabby does something special, or a defender cracks one in from an adjacent postcode.
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My highlight was Liverpool away. Had a free corporate ticket and was expecting to get bashed so was brilliant to see us turn them over at their gaff - a real insight into the potential of the team.
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Player wise i was delighted when Benteke hit his 19th league goal on Saturday, i honestly thought he'd hit 20 this season and reach Withe's 1981 tally.Gutted he's suspended as I honestly think he would have scored this Sunday, as it is hes stuck on the 19 that Platty scored back in 90 and 91. Games wise, the win at Norwich the other week - Gabby's goals were class and it was then I thought we were safe even though it was only confirmed until Tuesday. The win at Stoke was very pleasurable but generally pre-Christmas there's not too much to remember with fondness. At Xmas like a lot of people I honestly thought we were doomed so the 2nd half of the season recovery has been much better with some decent wins and good scoring form from Agbon, Benteke and Weimann. Been working nights lately so I missed the Sunderland match so that would have been the obvious highlight had I been around to see it live.
I think Benteke should sneak on wearing The Nzogbia kit . Only we would notice and only we wwould know he really scored 22 prem goals this season ;)
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Apart from the 7" height difference I think you are onto something;~(
It is a bit like saying Stoke should throw in Peter Crouch wearing Etheringtons shirt at the weekend!
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Highlight of the season? Arsenal's third on Tuesday. Or beating Sunderland 6 - 1.
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That classic counter attacking performance at Anfield. Man City away League Cup. Benteke screamer against Baggies away. Stoke away win. Sunderland 6-1 mauling. Whereas, I struggle to think of 1 moment from the previous season.
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That classic counter attacking performance at Anfield. Man City away League Cup. Benteke screamer against Baggies away. Stoke away win. Sunderland 6-1 mauling. Whereas, I struggle to think of 1 moment from the previous season.
Gabby show vs Norwich, Chavski away, Weimann vs Fulham, Keane at Wolves. And that is it. This would have been a very short thread last year.
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Best moment? Believing again.
This. Its been a torrid few years. After Millwall I sat on the coach and I didn't go for a few weeks after because it really did feel like a chore to watch us and I didn't enjoy it. Now, I can't believe this seasons ending! What am I going to do on Saturdays now? I genuinely feel excited for the future and I cannot wait for next season
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RE Norwich away - some lad from Norwich took a picture of our fans and tweeted: "Best away support at Carrow Road since, erm, Villa's visit in December. Fair play"
I think that shows just how good our support has been, even in these dark times!
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Best moment? Believing again.
This. Its been a torrid few years. After Millwall I sat on the coach and I didn't go for a few weeks after because it really did feel like a chore to watch us and I didn't enjoy it. Now, I can't believe this seasons ending! What am I going to do on Saturdays now? I genuinely feel excited for the future and I cannot wait for next season
me too. I am looking forward to tearing the last remnants of the past few years when Ireland, Dunne, Hutton, Makoun finally, Given all leave. I understand Bent going as much as I like him as a person and player. But it allows us completely to start fresh with an exciting and motivated group of players who will have grown up under very trying circumstances together with a manager who has backed them all to the hilt. That is going to mean so much because they are clearly all fighting for him as much as each other.
I think Paulie made the point somewhere that the Man U game could very well have gone the way of Chelsea in the second half. That it didn't wasn't because Man U took their foot off the pedal. It's because we found the ability and mental strength to regroup and show some newly learnt discipline. The growth will off course be not to start games that way, but we are learning, growing and improving every game. The football at times is a pleasure to watch even if the defending at the moment is scary at best. Every man and him mum knows where we need to improve and if we do so and keep the attacking options in tact we are going to win a lot more games.
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Best moment? Believing again.
Sums it up perfectly - i have hit the darkest depths of depression this season - walking out at HT v Newcastle - but now have hit an all time peak of optimisn, and i'm sorry PWS but they are back as MY Aston Villa.
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I haven't read the whole thread so its probably been said already but Lowton's exquiste crossfield pass, perfectly controlled and finished by Weimann to score the second against Sunderland.
Brilliant goal
Not to forget his brilliant interception and surge forward beforehand! He could play for England.
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Few highlights for me were stuffing Norwich back in December,the 3-1 win a few days later at anfield,the away win at stoke,an the thrashing of Sunderland was just brilliant. Can't wait for next seasons ( after a nice few stress free Saturdays of course)
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The fourth goal at Norwich in the cup,the fans ole-ing as we passed them to death, then to Benteke and....BOOOOOOM!!!
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Benteke's hatrick against Sunderland.
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The pass by Westwood and the finish by Gabby at Norwich. Not only the goal that has ended up keeping us up but it illustrated perfectly how Lambert wants the team to play. Brilliant goal.
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The winner against QPR.
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Lowton screamer for me . I think the goal was so important for us for the rest of the season and it was a beautiful strike .
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Lowton's goal, had it sailed over the bar that day, Sunday may have been a very different game.
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My best moment when Benteke ran out for his debut against Swasea, the look on the
Defenders faces said it all( what the heck is that ) priceless
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Lowton v Stoke
Weimann via Benteke v Liverpool
The Sunderland 6-1 (STILL BASTARDS!)
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Its been mentioned before a few time but us lot this season have been on the whole great with what we've enjoyed/endured. It was best summed up for me I think at the end of the Wigan 0-3 defeat (it may have been another game but I'm getting older and the memory plays tricks). Half the ground had walked out in disgust (and I quite understand why) and with about 10 minutes left a frenzied and fast version of Paul Lamberts Claret and Blue Army started which carried on until full time. It showed that even if many were losing faith many of us were willing to see it through. Even my faith went after the Millwall match and I fully expected the club to sack him but in the end the board didn't panic and we had some great memories in that end of season run in. Our best away support this season though was Norwich away in the Cup, we were quite literally brilliant and I got a buzz off that for days afterwards.
For sheer mental celebrations the two late goals at Stoke were right up there, Hoppo and DBTW kindly sold me some spare tickets so me and my son could go and we jumped like loons on the steps near the back when they went in.
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I haven't read the whole thread so its probably been said already but Lowton's exquiste crossfield pass, perfectly controlled and finished by Weimann to score the second against Sunderland.
Brilliant goal
Not to forget his brilliant interception and surge forward beforehand! He could play for England.
In that move I sensed the Spirit of Sid grace the VP turf for the first time in many years...
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Yes, that was sublime.
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Arsenal 4 - Wigan 1
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Feel like this season has been like a relationship with someone i have always been in love with. Experiencing every emotion possible but with a happy ending ........
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It may sound gushing but I nominate the fans. It started at that QPR home game and carried on.
The team did great things but, as always when it matters, the Villa Park crowd carried us through.
As I say, second half vs QPR and it all began.
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It was best summed up for me I think at the end of the Wigan 0-3 defeat (it may have been another game but I'm getting older and the memory plays tricks). Half the ground had walked out in disgust (and I quite understand why) and with about 10 minutes left a frenzied and fast version of Paul Lamberts Claret and Blue Army started which carried on until full time. It showed that even if many were losing faith many of us were willing to see it through.
I'm not sure if it was the Spurs or Wigan game. In any case, we'd just been stuffed to follow on from the Chelsea game but we still believed and wanted to show it. My guess is that a lot of those still singing at the end had been at Norwich a few weeks earlier. What a night that was. I was buzzing for days after.
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That second half against Sunderland was pure bliss.
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Arsenal 4 - Wigan 1
Sorry, Frank. I'm not having that. It's not really you as such. I work surrounded by Baggies fans, all of whom on Wednesday were full of 'Bet you're glad Arsenal have saved you?' and 'You're lucky they had to go to Arsenal'. It's pissed me off. My response has been simple. We aren't relegated because after us both playing the same fixture, 37 games, we have five more points than Wigan. Arsenal haven't just been chasing Champions League football this month, they were doing so when they beat us in our match at the Emirates too. We have stayed up on merit. Whilst its not something to be proud of as such, we have avoided relegation by digging deep and winning important matches.
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First time poster. villa fan for 40 years.
Gave up my ST in the Trinity this season after 6 years due to work commitments of my son. As a result we had to go to the odd game instead. After seeing the Swans game we then saw Wigan and Southampton and Bradford. Oh dear. Threw my flag down in disgust after Bradford! As others have said the last 30 mins in the home game were desperate.
However, the QPR and Sunderland games were truly fantastic for the atmosphere. Liverpool and chelsea were great as well. Bentekes winner against QPR had me dancing around like an escaped lunatic much to my sons embarrassment! Best thing was all this games were viewed from the Holte after many years away. Villa fans are known by some to be fickle but I felt we really stuck together and with the team throughout.
Sounds bizarre but the threat of relegation made me care more, got me to go to more home games than I thought Id go to and has made me look forward to next season already.
UTV
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welcome to the mad house Rudy. You thinking about getting a ST next year? I wonder how many people will consider going back and getting one for next season?
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Thanks Toronto.
Doubt i will renew the ST due to my sons work but will certainly go more often than not. Just great to have some belief again
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Its been mentioned before a few time but us lot this season have been on the whole great with what we've enjoyed/endured. It was best summed up for me I think at the end of the Wigan 0-3 defeat (it may have been another game but I'm getting older and the memory plays tricks). Half the ground had walked out in disgust (and I quite understand why) and with about 10 minutes left a frenzied and fast version of Paul Lamberts Claret and Blue Army started which carried on until full time. It showed that even if many were losing faith many of us were willing to see it through.
The only thing that stopped me posting about this was my inability to remember which game it was! In this run of terrible results, the fans that stuck with the team and stayed ( and I do completely understand why some couldn't) really did drag them back out of it. It happened in more than one game, but was particularly noticeable in the one where many left about half an hour early. Those of us that we're left just lifted ourselves and got behind them, and you could visbibly see it lifting the team. For me that was a turning point where the fans rebuilt their shattered nerves. From the second half of Newcastle, you could see it starting to work.
The belief that we matter, that we can make a difference, that the players respond to us and care what we think and feel, that has been the best thing for me. I was thinking that had long gone.
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The mad 'Paul Lambert's claret and blue army' chant was towards the end of the Spurs game when we were 4 down.
Apparently Garth Crooks said we were the best fans in the league on telly the other day. Didn't see it myself - a nose told me. Which was nice.
Anyone see it?
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The fourth goal at Norwich.
The moment when hope became faith.
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Can't forget the opener v manure at VP. Christian absolutely demolishing Smalling before laying it perfectly for Andreas and his rocket hit the back of the net and bounced out before anyone realised a goal has been scored. Magic!
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Chanting "One Gareth Barry!" after he scored followed by "Milner give us a goal!". Old School at the Etihad.
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Benteke will rightfully get all the plaudits but I think Delph has been outstanding since January.
Agree with you, Delph has been like a new signing. Really impressed with him
Delphi, since the WBA game, has been our best midfielder. We still lack a little something in central midfield, but he's the player we thought we were getting. I'm really so happy for him. Just needs to add goals and more discipline to his tackling.
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best moment
just realising today Ive still got money I won on betting Paul Lambert to be Villa manager and forgetting to take the money out
result ;)
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Many have been mentioned, so I'll mention some other pleasing points:
Seeing us actually pass the ball like a proper premier league side for the first time in years and years
Lowton against Sunderland. Best villa full back performance I've ever seen
Delph's form since the turn of the year
The atmosphere against QPR
starting to defend corners properly
Learning to come back after conceding (from being shocking, we actually did it quite a bit - at least against weaker sides)
Benteke's goal at WBA
Arsenal'a third v Wigan. First time I've relaxed all season!
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It's amazing that even though we are in a similar spot, compared to last season there are so many great moments in amongst the wreckage to reflect back on.
My top three:
1) Brad's save from Samba's header - instrumental in us winnng that game
2) Backheel from Benteke for Weimann's goal - one of the moves and goals of the season
3) Lowton's screamer versus Stoke - simply the best goal we scored and so very important
I think you've got it here - although I'd add the Sunderland game and the emergence of the real Delph.
Also, the NextGen win.
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Second half against Sunderland and just most of the goals we've scored have been an absolute joy.
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Second half against Sunderland and just most of the goals we've scored have been an absolute joy.
I will get the season DVD because we have scored some cracking goals this season. Be it in victory or not, there has been some special strikes and in all shapes and sizes
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I know it was against a League 1 club, but Benteke's winner against Swindon was a brilliant moment.
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It really is hard to look past the Sunderland game though. Everything about that night was magical! The atmosphere was rocking from the moment the teams left the field. When Ron's goal was scored the place went barmy. Every goal was celebrated like a Championship winning goal. Every stand was singing and made it a red hot atmosphere
Lowton played the best game I have ever seen a full-back play at Villa Park, ever. Fabian Delph and Ashley Westwood were exactly the same players they've been since January.
The last time I walked out of Villa Park singing was the 5-1 game, the atmosphere walking out of the ground was still rocking. I think everyone there and everyone associated with Aston Villa FC will remember this night for many, many years
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Cries.
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Cries.
I feel your pain Legion, couldn't make the game because of work. And just to rub salt in the wounds we were picked to go pitch side to watch the lads warm up but had to turn it down. My boys have just about forgiven me for not taking them.
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Cries.
I feel your pain Legion, couldn't make the game because of work. And just to rub salt in the wounds we were picked to go pitch side to watch the lads warm up but had to turn it down. My boys have just about forgiven me for not taking them.
You must of had some serious Dad points to EVER be forgiven for that!
We almost didn't make it to the game due to traffic in Stratford.
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Sunderland game will go down as legendary, joining the likes of Inter (esp 1st game), Tranmere and the 3-1 against the rags as "I was there" games.
I'd love to know if it sounded as loud on the TV as it did inside the ground. I'd also love to have watched the game again when I got home. Can't remember the last time I saw the Trinity going for it so much singing wise.
Legen, wait for it, dary.
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Sobs uncontrollably.
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Sunderland game will go down as legendary, joining the likes of Inter (esp 1st game), Tranmere and the 3-1 against the rags as "I was there" games.
I'd love to know if it sounded as loud on the TV as it did inside the ground. I'd also love to have watched the game again when I got home. Can't remember the last time I saw the Trinity going for it so much singing wise.
Legen, wait for it, dary.
I watched the game when it was replayed a couple of hours after I got back from the match. I would love to report on how loud the crowd sounded but I was a tad too 'tired and emotional' to be a good judge at that point. The highlight for me was when two Christian Benteke's headed in at the Holte End.
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I'd been to 9 or 10 games this season, every single one of them a loss or a draw, so due to a lack of money and the feeling that I was jinxing the team I decided not to attend the Sunderland match.
The day before the game I found 20 quid in an old jacket, took it as a sign, bought a ticket, and ended up having the best Villa Park experience since my first (Villa 5 - Wimbledon 1)
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Cries.
I feel your pain Legion, couldn't make the game because of work. And just to rub salt in the wounds we were picked to go pitch side to watch the lads warm up but had to turn it down. My boys have just about forgiven me for not taking them.
You must of had some serious Dad points to EVER be forgiven for that!
We almost didn't make it to the game due to traffic in Stratford.
We've renewed, dad points restored!
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Sunderland for me - if it had been on the Saturday would have missed it (at a wedding) so it was even sweeter. Terrific atmosphere in the Holte - great phone vids above.
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Vital moments
Guzan save vs QPR - apart from being a world class save, this kept us alive at a time we looked doomed.
Lowton's goal at Stoke - just when we thought here we go again, he pops up with this beauty.
Gabby's winner at Norwich - another vital 3 points & fantastic finish.
Most enjoyable
Lowton's goal at Stoke - the moment he arrived.
Benteke's hat-trick vs Sunderland - more so for the atmosphere than the goals.
Weimann's goal at Liverpool - that move & back heel was world class.
We've seen so many good things in the last 3 months but conversely there were as many bad things in the previous 3 months. But we can now look forward with optimism. From Lowton's 'how the fuck did he do that' goal at Stoke to Baker's 'why the fuck did he do that' penalty tackle against Liverpool. I've never known a season with such a mixture of emotions, but I wouldn't want any more of the lows next season.
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Second half against Sunderland and just most of the goals we've scored have been an absolute joy.
I will get the season DVD because we have scored some cracking goals this season. Be it in victory or not, there has been some special strikes and in all shapes and sizes
Me too.
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We've seen so many good things in the last 3 months but conversely there were as many bad things in the previous 3 months. But we can now look forward with optimism. From Lowton's 'how the fuck did he do that' goal at Stoke to Baker's 'why the fuck did he do that' penalty tackle against Liverpool. I've never known a season with such a mixture of emotions, but I wouldn't want any more of the lows next season.
point well made, John.
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i dont know about actual moments, but i do know i walked out of VP after the Sunderland demolition and i felt re-born.
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Thanks very much for posting those Sunderland goals, L&P. What an atmosphere! UTV.
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Thanks very much for posting those Sunderland goals, L&P. What an atmosphere! UTV.
this
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Arsenals third goal, first time I could relax
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Check out this video made by some Russian Villa fans - a great summary of the season and the best "home made" video of its type I think I've seen, to be honest. Fair play to the folk who made it.
(If anyone knows how to post videos properly on here, please feel free to amend this.)
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Much obliged Legion.
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Check out this video made by some Russian Villa fans - a great summary of the season and the best "home made" video of its type I think I've seen, to be honest. Fair play to the folk who made it.
(If anyone knows how to post videos properly on here, please feel free to amend this.)
Thanks for that. What a fantastic video.
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That was very well done. Not sure why there is an oldie from Albrighton stuck in the middle of it though.
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I see Garth Crooks has Guzan and Benteke in his team of the year. Although bizarrely there is an honourable mention for Vlaar.
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The commentator today said Vlaar had been a rock at the back for Villa this season.
He obviously hadn't commentated on too many of our games before today.
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The commentator today said Vlaar had been a rock at the back for Villa this season.
He obviously hadn't commentated on too many of our games before today.
Loadsa people I know (neutrals) rate him really highly. I don't know whether all this misery (!) has warped our perceptions and we're wrong about him, or we're right because we've watched all the games and the neutrals haven't.
I do think hes a lot better than people give him credit for, but unfortunately at CB you can have a good game all round but a single mistake can cost you the match....
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Rather tidy finish today.
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I think watching a centre half pluck a ball down and then volley into the near post top corner is about as surreal as it gets. Hopefully he will better the other end next season!
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Is it just me or have we seen a lot more spectacular/special goals this season than we have done in the last few years? It sure feels like it.
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Scored some great goals this season. Hopefully Lowton will get MOTD's goal of the season which I think is just about to be announced...
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Oh, it wasn't even nominated.
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They said it was the 10 goals of the month. It did win goal of the month????
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No - RVP did.
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That'll be RVP with (one) of his offside goals, then.
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Is it just me or have we seen a lot more spectacular/special goals this season than we have done in the last few years? It sure feels like it.
From the Houllier season I can only think of Bent's goal at the Emirates (the 2nd one??). Ironically we had a few decent ones last season. Gabby's against Blackburn, Stan's away at Everton and Weimann's against Stoke come to mind. But in conclusion you are correct, we have had far more this season.
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one off the 3...
Its a shame the Weimann goal doesn't more of an airing. as a team goal its as good any you'll see. Also I remember the build up to Gabby's goal at Reading. The co-commentator (I think surprise surprise was Gale. Who I remember was the pundit in the Sky Sports News studio when we stuffed Blackburn away 4-1 and all he could say was how lucky we were and didn't deserve it! This wasn't a sunderland away in the league cup but a sound beating. I'm not sure where the enmity comes from and ifthe fans of the club you seem to knock haven't got a clue, it makes you a bit of a sad twat. But each to their own) was saying after about 20 passes that it was very nice but going nowhere and that was a problem. then an incisive pass, Weimann with a now trademark run and after it got messy a stunning finish from Gabby.
we looked at times that we were capable of some very good football. and we have become a side that creates,and tends it take, its chances. That could make us very dangerous if we get it right over the next couple of seasons. The sky really could be the limit. But it depends on two things. whether Lambert can have another summer of signing players he wants andwho can come in and do what the team have produced of late. If he can, and identifies the right players to comein and improve us, that don't cost huge wages, then hecould be avery special manger. But if not, and that defence does not get massively improved, then the goodwill he, and they, have garnered overthe 2nd part of the season will start to ebb away. We don't want anymore of this relegation shit.And that defence really is the sticking point. Its abysmal. I remember when he first came here and someone posted that his Norwich sides had goals in them but that they also conceded. This summer will test Lambert's abilities in showing that he knows what we desperately need.
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Man City away. It was the moment when i realised that we just couldn't go down.
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That'll be the cup game by the way! a quite superb night up in Manchester
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Man City away. It was the moment when i realised that we just couldn't go down.
Be nice not to get trashed there in the league for once next season.
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Has to be the Benteke back heel for me as well. The whole Liverpool match for that sake, along with that wonderful feeling of hope for the future stemming from the upturn in results. Of course that hope was to be thoroughly crushed and stamped to the ground later on, but the feeling was good while it lasted. (btw, it's back!)
A propos, a very nice video summing up the season:
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Good video that, thanks for posting.